Have I been influenced by too many historical films into believing beheading during Tudor and Stuart times was done by a large man, using a very sharp axe - which meant death was quick, as the head came off in one go.
My impression of IS is the beheadings are done using a small knife. Maybe that's wrong, and it's done more quickly - whatever the method, beheading is medieval. I agree with Anniebach that all executions are barbaric. It bothers me that the UK is allied with the US, where executions still take place. So, I don't defend the US, other than to say there will have been a public trial before the death sentence is ordered. Those journalists haven't committed any crime, there has been no trial of any kind.