The New York Times today ran an opinion piece by Zachary Shemtob, an assistant professor of criminal justice at Central Connecticut State University, and David Lat, a former federal prosecutor, arguing that executions should be televised.
I agree. Yup. I agree with something in the New York Times!
They argue that “a functioning democracy demands maximum accountability and transparency. As long as executions remain behind closed doors, those are impossible. The people should have the right to see what is being done in their name and with their tax dollars.”
OK. Let’s show executions. If we’re going to have a capital punishment society I say we should all know what capital punishment looks like.
But here’s the thing -I’m betting that it wouldn’t make a massive shift in the polls towards anti-capital punishment at all. I’m not for the death penalty but I think people that are for it realize what it is they’re supporting. They know that a human being (probably one who’s done a lot of really bad things) is being killed.
So seeing what they full expect to see wouldn’t change their opinion much, I don’t think.
But Shemtob and Lat’s argument, I think, can be expanded. With millions of taxpayer dollars going to Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinics, I say we should televise abortions.
As Shemtob and Lat say, “The people should have the right to see what is being done in their name and with their tax dollars.”
Now, I doubt the New York Times would run that opinion piece mainly because people seeing televised abortions would change things. Drastically. Because many people who are “pro-choice” truly don’t understand that they’re destroying a human being, often with a hands, feet, eyes.
For me, the physical similarities of the unborn to me don’t form the basis of my pro-life stance but I honestly believe that just as that amazing photo of Baby Samuel Armas reaching out of the womb taken by Michael Clancy changed so many people’s views on life in utero, I believe people seeing an abortion would horrify them.
The main question in abortion is the humanity of the unborn. If people saw babies being sliced by surgical blades, suctioned in pieces through a tube, or watched forceps tearing limbs apart I believe it would change many people’s opinions on the humanity of the unborn.
So let’s televise executions. Let’s televise abortions. Let’s bring it all out of the darkness and let the people decide. But let them make an informed decision.
August 1, 2011 at 6:59 pm
Talking about transparency and abortion, see this article about "diabolical" Mr. Sor*os at PJTV.
August 1, 2011 at 8:08 pm
Yes Matt, let the liberal, left-leaning media film an execution and an abortion. I assure you the abortion will make it look simpler and easier than having a tooth pulled.
August 1, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Capital punishment is BRINGING A PERSON TO JUSTICE. Abortion is the killing of an innocent sovereign person and not allowing JUSTICE. Yes, and both ought to be televised since as you say, as the person constitutes the state and the tax dollars belong to the citizen
August 1, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Yes, televise abortions and executions. And as an extra added attraction, televise Mark Shea having a screaming fit over it all! Scotju
August 1, 2011 at 10:59 pm
Well and truly said in defense of the children. Thank you.
August 2, 2011 at 1:03 am
Anonymous said…
Yes Matt, let the liberal, left-leaning media film an execution and an abortion. I assure you the abortion will make it look simpler and easier than having a tooth pulled.
So, the execution of capital punishment ought to look no worse than having an innoculation against measels, both end up with a dead perso. Only one is innocent and the outlaw is brought to permanent JUSTICE.
August 2, 2011 at 1:05 am
IT IS TIME TO BE HORRIFIED
August 2, 2011 at 1:15 am
Hmmm… Kinda like the Romans viewing executions in the collesium? Sorry, don't like the idea of televised executions or abortions. Too many will start to consider it entertainment.
August 2, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Anonymous said…
Hmmm… Kinda like the Romans viewing executions in the collesium? Sorry, don't like the idea of televised executions or abortions. Too many will start to consider it entertainment.
August 1, 2011 8:15 PM
and at some level of consciousness, they will recognize themselves being aborted as innocents and being put to death as murderers. There is a deterrent, a realization that life is mortal and Justice is eternal.
August 3, 2011 at 5:38 pm
well, they televise war. they televise Pornography. They televise Gambling. They televise Animals killing Animals. Why not televise abortion and executions? Haven't heard the other side of the argument.
Would any of you Pay Per View it?