That Saigon street execution photo...

[motion]

Wow, I've seen it a hundred times, but for some reason, I had no idea that the photo depicted the exact moment Loan's bullet entered his skull. I always thought it was just before the gun fired. I am really disturbed seeing this now. I've never seen a graphic warning until reading the below linked BBS story.

So, the executioner, General Loan, went on open a restaurant in the USA and live a long life. That's really horrible, IMHO.

Anyway, just rambling...

Eddie Adams' iconic Vietnam War photo: What happened next - BBC News

[Arizona_928]

eh that's tame for what's available now..
ie. recent isis beheadings, cartel beheadings/mutilations, gaddafi...

world we live in.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

I saw that story too and learned the same about the bullet. Should have been in the recent documentary. More of the whole scene and background should have. I completely understand it.

[BeyGon]

the guy he shot had been murdering women and children in the city.

[HardDrive]

Originally Posted by motion

So, the executioner, General Loan, went on open a restaurant in the USA and live a long life. That's really horrible, IMHO.

Why? How can you or I pass judgement on him? It was a brutal war.

The moment was captured on film. Far more disturbing. Gory.

[JavaBrewer]

I only know what I read on the BBC article. I concur the shot was appropriate given the circumstances and folks involved. Easy to second guess so many years after the fact.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

the guy he shot had been murdering women and children in the city.

I remember, years ago so I may be incorrect, but I think the guy even killed the executioners family friends. So I guess he was lucky to get it in the head and not just dragged behind a truck.

[look 171]

Its war. Given those situations there's no right and wrong. With that said, if you have done some nasty things to people, you bet that pay back if coming and its aint gonna to be pleasant. How can we judge by a single photo without knowing what really happened years later or from the comfort of our living rooms.

I remembered seeing motion film of the incident on PBS or something

[motion]

So, its OK to murder people in broad daylight, in front of the media, without any due process? I understand that it was in a time of war, however, the rules still apply. Yes, I know that they are frequently ignored.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Why? How can you or I pass judgement on him? It was a brutal war.

The moment was captured on film. Far more disturbing. Gory.

Yep...we've all seen the still pic for years....since I was a kid. Not for me to judge either, but watching the video on the recent Burns' series has much more impact....same with some other classic still pics. Dean was there...but I was a kid back then...I learned a lot from the series....thought it was prretty balanced, but one can't see ommissions of truth either. One thing for sure though....live video and live tapes of our leaders aren't spin....but just a glimpse in time for some of us...that we need. Tough times...sincere thanks to those who served...

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by motion

So, its OK to murder people in broad daylight, in front of the media, without any due process? I understand that it was in a time of war, however, the rules still apply. Yes, I know that they are frequently ignored.

Humans can be brutally savage....tip of the iceberg in that era...both sides...

Humans have not changed...much....if any.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by motion

So, its OK to murder people in broad daylight, in front of the media, without any due process? I understand that it was in a time of war, however, the rules still apply. Yes, I know that they are frequently ignored.

Yep, should have hanged him. Manning and Bergdahl should have gotten the same.

[450knotOffice]

So...
let me play Devil's advocate here...

WHO, exactly, accused this guy of the horrific crimes he was executed for?

BOTH sides of that, and every, war created narratives to justify their actions of atrocity.

Personally, I see a man with a gun, with a very nonchalant, relaxed look on his face. Like he'd done this sort of stuff countless times. like he de-humanized the recipient of the bullet.

Ya know the Nazis did the same thing.

I'd be appalled that any man who could do this would be running a day to day business.

How's he any different than the NAZI's who escaped to Argentina and led "normal" lives?

[motion]

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Personally, I see a man with a gun, with a very nonchalant, relaxed look on his face. Like he'd done this sort of stuff countless times. like he de-humanized the recipient of the bullet.

[JavaBrewer]

For every picture we get to wring our hands over there were hundreds of thousands of war time events that went undocumented. This is why war should be the last resort. People pushed to the extreme will never result in a positive outcome.

[fintstone]

The recipient dehumanized himself with his actions. Not a lot of time for trials when your country is being overrun and your people are being slaughtered.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by motion

I can't say for certain that the shooter has a relaxed look on his face. But then I'm no psychologist.

[BeyGon]

people that were captured by the VC weren't as lucky as that murdering pos

[Alansglide]

He deserved worse then a shot to the head .

I was in Hue during Tet 68.

[Alansglide]

Sorry for my above post guys. I get a little hot under the collar when it comes to that war. I've deleted part of my post above.

Again sorry for the rant.