>>5329765 (pb)

If executions are to be made public (and personally I agree with you that they should, for the most evil ones at the very least) then a public hanging is probably the best method. You're correct, the needle will not have the kind of visceral satisfaction and conclusion that the public will likely want when all is revealed. A lot of symbolism in hanging though, both positive and negative. Outlaws in the old west, a romanticized era a lot of Americans have some admiration or affection for, were publicly hung (symbolic of justice being delivered), but at the same time the Civil Rights movement also has symbolism attached to execution by hanging (lynching and mob-mentality/vigilantism). Firing-squad has a lot more negative symbolism, as most people will relate that to communist regimes executing dissidents rather than lawful tribunal justice.

Public hanging is perhaps the least problematic option especially if it's done in a way that evokes the old-west 'professional' justice and not klan-style vigilantism. As a bonus Saddam was executed by public hanging, so there's already at least some modern allegory and myth to associate with 'bad men hang.'