State sanctioned murder
I find the idea of capital punishment deeply, deeply troubling. If taking a life is the ultimate crime then doing so in cold blood is even worse. When that is done by the very institutions that we claim make us more civilized there is something deeply wrong and filming it for public consumption is beyond the pale.
Isn't there something pretty sick about an otherwise revered newspaper devoting ink to a debate about whether the TV networks might air Saddam's execution in some shape or form? What the heck is the matter with these people?
Disgusting doesn't even come close. It's thoroughly despicable.
Posted by: Dennis Howlett | December 30, 2006 at 04:21 PM
I don't have a TV. I like the form very much though. For example, in my RSS feed was this recommendation (I cannot find the name of the source to give credit; sorry).
Scott Turow presents an articulate and nuanced view of journey from anti to pro to anti.
The link is long and may well fail. So, just in case, it's on Google Video and described:
"Best-selling novelist and criminal lawyer Scott Turow provides a vivid account of the evolution of his views on capital punishment in ... all ยป Ultimate Punishment: A Lawyer's Reflections on Dealing with the Death Penalty. Turow discusses his book with Jeffrey Toobin, staff writer for The New Yorker and legal analyst for CNN. Series: "Revelle Forum at the Neurosciences Institute" [Humanities] [Public Affairs] "
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1955637897391681187&q=capital+punishment+scott
Posted by: Ben Miller | December 31, 2006 at 12:28 AM
Oh, capital punishment is so very ugly, socially ugly, that is. I have been hidding in my corner of the world and without television and not having looked into my feeds for a few days, I had totally missed this one.
Euan, I do like the point that you raise. What is civilization anyhow?
Posted by: Dannie Jost | December 31, 2006 at 11:23 AM
I believe history will show the execution of Saddam Hussein created a martyr.
Posted by: Bernie Goldbach | December 31, 2006 at 11:47 AM
So it's disgusting for terrorists to post videos of beheadings on the web, but a state hanging broadcast on the BBC is an example of a civilised society?
Posted by: sam | January 02, 2007 at 10:51 AM
It is absoloutely frightening to think that anyone would not want Saddam Hussein "off the planet".The whole world might not have believed that such an influential figure was executed without proof. However the broadcast on the BBC is perfect in illustrating how uncertain, and at times, confusing, the boundries of humanity and inhumanity are.
Posted by: Lisa | January 26, 2007 at 05:36 PM
Off the planet and removed from society are very different things.
Posted by: Euan Semple | January 26, 2007 at 06:35 PM