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Sorry for the title, I'm obviously not. But as a lot of the forum-goers here are from the states, I'm curious as to the opinions.

Topic : The videos of the Hanging of Saddam

Firstoff, just wanted to say, that I don't beleive in Capital Punishment. Now that that's out of the way....

Whether or not I beleive in CP or not, videos circulating the internet of Saddam's hanging are by definition, snuff films. Now, this isn't to say whether or not he deserved his perticular punishment or not. But the public display of a man dying isn't (IMO) something to be shown around.

Also, I had heard (if someone could confirm) that there are 2 states in the united states where excutions can legally be televised, I wonder if someone could clear this up for me.

Discuss.

I believe the man deserved to die, whether or not its up to us to do that or not is up for debate. I did not want to see him die tho. Im greatly affected by extreme scenes or images, and I don't think people should be subjected to scenes of death and pain. Now...the video of him actually dieing was not meant to be shot, thats why the original video only showed that he was getting justice, but did not go on to show his eventual hanging. I don't really want to say offended, as I am more-so disturbed.

First, I think this should be in the media board. Second, anyone offended by the fact that he was hanged doesn't remember the things he did back in the '90s. My father risked his life over there back then, ya know. I know what he did, and i know that he's had this coming for over ten years. Now, killing his own people was one thing, I'd say grow a pair and fight back. But biological/chemical weapons and invading Kuwait were violations of international law, and to that I say instant death sentance, after a fair trial of course. Now, it is slightly wrong that his hanging itself was videotaped, but he gave up his right to dignity when he invaded another country and used chemical weapons.

Thread moved to the correct board.

In terms of the 'graphic' nature of it, I've seen worse. So I'm not exactly phased by it at all.

I once saw this video of an asian woman slowly stomp on a kitten until it died. I honestly felt like ripping her throat out because of it. I felt more for that kitten than I did for Saddam. I'm against Capital Punishment, but he got what he had coming and no I don't think it's bad at all that it was posted on the internet.

It was a public execution after all. It shouldn't surprise anyone that its been video taped and put online. There is however a big difference between an execution and a "snuff film". For starters this was a man that had caused many horrible things and was punished for them technically by law. The purpose of the film was not for entertainment, it was documenting a moment in history as ugly as it may be.

Even if you are not supportive of capital punishment - you really don't have a say in this matter except for your opinion which you know- doesn't matter to most people.

If your offended by something like this then don't watch it. If your offended for this happening you need to get over it - or change it -- good luck with changing it though...

Never actually watched the video myself but it can't be nearly as bad as some of the things I've seen around the internet. And yeah, it's no surprise that it was video taped and put up here.

Just wanted to clarify, as it seems the nature of my post has been missinterpreted :)

Whether or not I beleive he should have been executed (as I said, I'm against Capital punishment, but that's not the issue I'm trying to bring up) is irrelevant. Should a mans execution be publicized for everyone to see?

Movies nowadays are violent enough as it is, comming very close to the apearance of actual death.
Do we really need to see someone dying for real?

As for the argument of "you can choose not to watch it". Does the same argument go for actual snuff films (Upon looking up the difinition of snuff film, I found that there must be pornography to be defined as such, my apologies for the missdifinition) which are illigal?

As an asside, if I remember correctly, a while back there was a movie circulating about a man captured by some men and decapitated with a saw. Obviously not as graphic, and yet, still an execution on the internet. (I never saw the movie, only heard rumors)

Just a reminder, I'm not here to condem anyones opinions. Just wanting to see how people feel about these movies. Possibly stoke a discussion :)

A snuff film does NOT have to be pornographic but many are. They are also just people being killed on film - most often with homeless people or someone looking to make some money is told they will pay them to have them in an interview or movie- and they kill them. Thats the average Snuff film.

And as I already explained - this is not like a snuff film or anything like it. This - unlike other movies of people dying - is a historic event. Its not right for innocent people or possibly innocent people to be killed and broad casted all over the world or whatever. However in a case like this you only see it online for the most part (so far last time i checked the US news stations have refused to play it- that may have changed - i dont know - and i have no time to check again).

Other such executions should not be shown unless it has some historical purpose or is being shown by a terrorist group because - thats what they do. They cause terror and one way to do that is to try and force people to face horrible things.

Terrorist should do things like that. Not because its right but it fits their goals - and for us it actually helps us capture them. Video evidence can help us to locate and identify known terrorists faster than many other means. If someone is going to be killed either way it is best that that person die in such a way that it helps capture the killers.

yada yada

It's not that terrible, I've accually seen the video, it was on a freshman's ipod video

Hardly showed a thing and he dropped quick, my guess is there will be edited videos of people swearing at him or slow-mo
Maybe adding his eyes bugging out while he fell.

The video in question was very short

You probably know this already, but thats called a stomp video. It's a fetish.

I never ever watched the video, but they had pictures, and right then I wish I had the power to take vengence on these kinds of people.

Sage you fool! There could be any number of possible cells just patrolling the net for ideas on how to make terror more successful, posting what will help us capture them faster is kinda not good for us. I suggest that both of these posts be deleted as soon as possible.

Hehe, I can guarantee you Mr. Pooch. Theres no terrorists checking furry web forums for tips on how to be a terrorist :3

except that Ninja guy...hes probably doing that.

From what I've heard (and, let's face it, it's probably wrong) the execution was taped using a camera in a mobile phone belonging to one of the guards. The version I saw (and it might not be the only recording) was as low quality as it could be and at one point there's a close up of the floor - the guard hiding the phone, I think. Seems to me that it was an unauthorised recording that the guard later put on the internet. Inevitably, it then spread to the entire world.

As to why people download and spread it? Morbid curiosity. Wanting to see Saddam die. It makes good gossip. Because they're sick. Take your pick.

Personally, I am more offended by the fact that the method of execution for Saddam is too merciful. Hanging kills the person instantly, which is a cop out.