>I read the account of an execution in England where the Executioner >came out and chatted with the crowd. He then whacked a few melons and >such to the cheers of the attendees, greeted the condemned and accepted >their tribute, DONNED the hood and then performed the task of state. >Then he took off the hood. It was pretty much a symbol, don't you >think? I believe this was the account of one of the nobles being >dispatched but I can't remember which.

I believe that was the Duke of Gallagher.

Hearing the latest, it seems that the Iraqis handled the event
like a bunch of savages. They've now turned around and arrested
the guys who used their cell-phones to record and publicize
the fact that they handled it like a bunch of savages. I suppose
that they will now act like a bunch of savages in their treatment
of said 'reporters.'

All in the name of 'keeping up the appearance' of being
civilized men.

Rather brings to mind a Mark Twain quote regarding porcine
whistler training.