I agree this sets a horrifying precedent. One wonders why the most popular movie of last year (even though it was crap) was something called "Gladiator."

We like to speak of ancient civilizations as barbaric because they practiced human sacrifice; but we do it today, in modern, civilized society, in multitudes, except it isn't ritualized behavior meant to propitiate the gods; it's random and thoughtless.

And most people believe Roman-style and medieval style public executions were also horrific. What is happening to us?

The man is evil and deserves punishment; but the state should not have the right to murder anyone...not even a murderer.

Is anyone who watches this man's death honestly going to feel vindicated and triumphant and BETTER about what happened to their loved ones?