With regard to the death of Moammar Khadafy.

There has been a lot of talk about the circumstances surrounding Moammar Khadafy’s death.  It seems that the likely story is actually that he was executed by one of the men in the Rebel forces.  There have been many calls for an investigation as to what happened, because the video shows he was captured alive and then he was declared dead.  There are some reports of a firefight, but other stories which have contradicted that.  I personally feel it is ultimately irrelevant whether or not there was and I will explain why.

I want to start by saying that I am generally against the death penalty, also I’m not a person that believes in revenge, I cannot think of a single person that I actually hate, and I consider myself fortunate that I have never personally experienced war, nor had to be in a situation that escalated to a point where I would even need to consider harming, let alone killing someone. But; if I had been in a situation where I, or my family, or friends, had been the victims of a lifetime of tyrannical rule by a despotic dictator and it was me that found him in that hole, I am certain that he would not have left my company alive.

I do not say that because of the anger, and possibly hatred, that I am sure to have felt; instead I think the simple truth is that after such a struggle to overthrow this cruel megalomaniac, I would make certain that there would NEVER be a way for him to come into power again.  If indeed there was a firefight, the first shot I personally would have fired would have been to end Khadafy’s life, because I could not possibly allow him to be rescued, only to re-inspire his troops and possibly continue, or more horrifying, win, the fight.  I would instead end any inspiration his life might stir in his supporters.

That said, I think even if there was no firefight the point remains the same. There was no question of Khadafy’s oppression, so some kind of show trial would actually prove nothing except to show that we are “civilized” when it comes to killing people.  But in the meantime, as we waited for the trial, there would be a re-doubling of efforts to secure Khadafy’s rescue, the fighting would continue.  During the trial Khadafy would undoubtedly say something hateful and inflammatory, at best, and inspirational to his supporters to keep fighting at worst. With Khadafy dead, the rallying point is effectively destroyed and so the opposition is more likely to become disheartened and give up the fight; certainly there would be more people re-examining their support on an individual level.

Frankly, I think his death, or execution if you would rather call it, is totally justified and I support the decision to end his life, regardless of the circumstances.  I view it much like the death of Osama bin Laden or Anwar al-Awlaki, or even Saddam Hussein for that matter.  I do not celebrate their deaths because of a sense of vengeance or retribution; but accept the necessity of their deaths, because Society has a Right to protect itself from monsters that so blatantly wish to harm it.  If only all deaths could be so Justified.