The hooded or masked executioner is meant to denote that the faceles aspect of the state is carrying out the sentence; not an individual. Beheading was thought at one time to be the quickest, most humane way to dispatch the condemned and it was also considered to be the most diginfied death. The hanged man was acursed and was often left hanging as a warning to those who would defy the crown, None of the symbolisms are hard and fast and there are many variations. The protection of the executioner's identity was originally to protect him and his family from revenge.

The dignity that was AFFORDED to Saddam was a far cry from the vicious murders he and his sona and henchmen perpatrated against their own countrymen and even family members and it certainly was in sharp contrast to the terrorist who were definitely hiding behind masks as they sawed the heads off their kidnap victims for their audience's viewing pleasure on Al Jezera (sp?) and the internet.

I am SHOCKED and AWED at Ifor's disputation of facts. There are none so blind as those who will not see. Good luck arguing facts Teribus. Ifor's idea of an intelligent conversation seems to be "You agree with me or else."