Barbarism surrounds us. ICE thugs have once again shot a man, this time in New York City, firing seven shots into a car while the man’s five-year-old son was in the back seat. Yes, this guy did reportedly have a criminal record.
Of course, even though the video evidence does not support it, the justification is usually the same in each ICE shooting, “he tried to use his vehicle as a weapon.” We’ve heard that before.
If I was rammed by an unmarked car, and attacked by multiple, heavily armed, unidentified, masked men dressed as construction workers, I might flee, too. And no matter his accused crime (larceny), should federal officers be shooting into a car, near a school, with a kindergartener in the back seat? Local police agencies don’t.
Illegal immigration has basically been halted; shouldn’t we just take the win and quit shooting?
So, what else are we doing to make Americans proud?
Our unqualified and offensive “secretary of war” announced Thursday that the United States of America is going to livestream the execution by firing squad of a mass killer.
While Nidal Hasan’s acts were horrific, killing 13 people and wounding dozens at Fort Hood, in 2009, we’re planning to shoot him (yes, it’s going to be execution by firing squad) on live TV. According to Amnesty International, there were 17 public executions last year, eleven in Iran and six in Afghanistan – we’re in distinguished company now. America’s last public execution was ninety years ago. Hegseth is bringing the glory back.
Oh, and in case anyone missed this, public executions are against international law.
So, are you planning on popcorn and pizza at your viewing party? I’m genuinely curious. Do you plan to watch? And to the MAGA crew, does even this not push you to at least voice concern? If you’re OK, “because this guy has it coming,” consider what your view might have been if Joe Biden had broadcast executions of people who “had it coming?”
Aren’t both parties better than this? Isn’t America better than this? If we can’t find common ground in this moment, then what’s next? It is hard to imagine.
Let’s be clear. This event is unlikely to happen. It’s posturing, typical macho bravado from our High-T secretary of defense. But even the suggestion, and the fact that the idea didn’t get shot down immediately, says a lot about where we have come as a country in the past few years.
For generations, we have told the world that America is different, and America lived that reputation, mostly. Ronald Reagan spoke often of a “shining city on a hill,” a nation whose freedom, principles, and ideals inspire others. Our leaders lectured dictators about human rights, they condemned barbaric acts, and they presented America as the model of civilization that other nations aspired to.
Today, we seem determined to squander our moral compass, as we burn bridges with allies and blow up a reputation built over centuries.
Some have pushed back. But why not all? J.D. Vance, Mike Johnson, and Marco Rubio said they won’t watch. Wow, that’s stepping up big time!! We have enough leaders that look away; we could use a few that are willing to take a stand on their own.
At least some of America is starting to recognize the moral cesspool the current administration, and those that are complicit in their silence, have created of America.
An October poll by Pew has Donald Trump’s approval rating at 30 percent and his disapproval rating at a stunning 68 percent. Yet, the silence in Washington is deafening. Are they shooting for the 20s?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the public needs to understand that there are serious consequences for such crimes. President Trump initially approved the plan to livestream the event. I’m doubtful. There will be appeals and delays and eventually the president will back off. But we all get to share now in the excitement of what might be.
What Hasan did was horrific. Families have lived with the consequences since. Justice matters. Accountability matters. The victims and their families deserve our respect and remembrance.
But does this plan show respect for the families, or does it turn the entire process into a freak show? Does it serve as a memorial to those lost, or does it reveal an America that the world is coming to expect? Is the point to simply show the world how tough America is? Because this event reveals something other than toughness.
Iran is watching and saying “welcome to our world, America. You are finally getting it.” Putin must be smiling, while American allies search for new inspiration.
Trump loves good ratings. So, would there be a pre-killing analysis or post-killing recap? Will a panel be grading the marksmen? Will the secretary of defense kick the program off with a monologue and a few guests? Can we rate the killing on Yelp?
And how can we monetize this? Could there be commemorative hats or tee shirts? Or a set of NFT trading cards?
I have an absurd suggestion. If we need to execute a killer, let’s do it quietly. Then, tell the stories of the 13 people who died at Fort Hood and the wounded whose lives have been altered forever. Memorialize them and explain the impact of their loss, and the potential that has been wasted. Honor them instead of making Hasan and Hegseth the main story.
Or does live-streaming an execution fit the definition of the shining city you thought Reagan was talking about?
Curt MacRae is a resident of Coldwater, MI and publishes opinion columns regularly.
To be notified by email when a column is published, or to offer feedback: rantsbymac@gmail.com
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