Poor Execution

For several reasons, other than one sentence yesterday, I haven't written anything about Pete Hegseth's statement that he will have an execution by firing squad streamed live. In part I haven't written about it because other news stories took precedence. In part, though, because the headline is go ghastly, there isn't much that's needed to be said.

But it can't go without any notice. But not much is needed.

Another reason I haven't written about it is because I don't think it will take place. I suspect there will be enough outraged pushback from within even the White House, as well as from MAGOPs in Congress -- all of whom easily get how gruesome and arguably permanently harmful to the United States this would be -- that Trump will overrule Hegseth, even though it's probable that Trump gave his approval.

It's barbaric, of course. And something you'd see from terrorist groups. And as much as Trump and Hegseth think this would be a really cool idea for their MAGA base, I'm sure they'll be reminded that streaming on the Internet actually goes around the world, where not only our allies will see it and be appalled, but our enemies and terrorists groups will see it and replay it and replay it and replay it and replay it and replay it -- for years and perhaps generations to come -- using it as a recruitment tool, showing how savage the United States is.

Further, it would erase any opportunity for the U.S. to condemn such videos and many acts of terrorism that are committed, since the video of Trump/Hegseth's own gruesome brutality on behalf of the United States will be shown to undercut any effort for the country to be outraged by others.

Is it possible that Trump and Hegseth will go forward with this, despite heavy efforts to ensure they don't? Absolutely. After all, this is Trump with dementia, which is degenerative, and also suffering from malignant narcissism, a disease where cruelty is some of the point and a willingness to burn down your own house when you don't get your way. And if Democrats do take control of both the House and Senate in November, then "not getting your own way" will be a driving force for Trump in December, when the execution is planned. And Hegseth is such a faux-macho zealot on a pseudo-religious crusade that, for all we know, he may think he's doing God's will. Or is drunk.

But then, if Democrats do take control of the House and Senate, and enough MAGOPs are infuriated by such a event, and know that Trump is a lame duck, and are angered at all the losses they were hit by in the Mid-Terms, Trump may grasp that he not only might likely be impeached, but might well even be convicted this time. Pete Hegseth, as well. Although that seems very possible regardless of this craven plan.

Or it might be even more basic. "TACO Trump" is not a nickname without reasons. He has backed down and chickened out often enough before. And being inundated by most of those around saying pointedly, "You cannot allow this to happen," suggests to me that they'll be heard and it won't happen. (How still real is "Trump Always Chickens Out"? A mere four days after he announced with huge pomp his amazing diesel fuel agreement with Russia for the United States and global markets, it got so much angry pushback, including from MAGOPs -- for not only being horrific to deal with our enemy, but also being illegal -- that just yesterday Trump said, oh, no, the deal wasn't for the U.S., but only for the rest of the world. Four days.)

But it shouldn't even be on the table for discussion. Where "Who knows?" is a possibility. But that's today's MAGOP, which has enabled Trump so much and for so long that he feels emboldened for just about anything.

But I think -- hopefully -- not this.