May 5, 2001    
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Do you think Timothy McVeigh's execution should be televised?

Definitely not. Personally, I don't care about him.  I don't have a problem with it being shown on closed-circuit television for the families of victims, but it shouldn't be available to anyone else.

etoile, 20
Washington
, DC  USA

I think Timothy McVeigh's execution should consist of 5 minutes alone and unguarded in a gymnasium with the immediate families of the victims. I feel neither here not there about any execution being televised. The whole "final minute of fame" thing kinda bothers me a bit though; why should such an animal like that have his wish in any way whatsoever.

Fisch, 45
Preston
, CT   USA

No i do not. The man craves attention, he wants to go out in a blaze of media hype and attention. Why should we grant him that wish? The family members of his victims should be allowed to view it if they choose,  but not the entire country.

Maggie, 20
Sandwich
, IL   USA

I don't think it should be televised nationally. I believe if it would help with the closure for some of the victims' families than there should be a drawing of somekind but I don't think his execution should get so much media coverage. It would be more like a celebrity instead of a murderer.

Stephanie, 25
TX  USA

Definitely not, let the man die with some type of dignity.  Although he committed a horendous crime, no one's execution should be that embarrassing. I don't believe in the death penalty anyway...it's murder

Melodi, 19
Gahanna
, OH   USA

I think it should, to see how many people will actually tune in to watch it.  I bet the ratings will go through the roof. And if they put it on pay-per-view, they'd make a mint. I know that I'd most probably watch it. I know it devalues the guy's life, but it could be a pretty effective social study.

Shanna, 16
Cardiff   ENGLAND

No way. I don't even think he should be executed, because I'm against capital punishment. But this is taking it way too far -- it's just vengeful and barbaric. It's proven that the death penalty is not an effective deterrent, and televising it won't make it any more effective. Plus, we shouldn't be giving him this publicity.

Katie, 25
Seminole
, FL   USA

No way. We've become a pretty sick society if we want to watch someone be killed on national television.

Jeremy, 14
Highlands Ranch
, CO  USA

NO!

Deb, 40
Simcoe

No.

Jane, 60
West Linn
, OR   USA

NO!!! Wouldn't give him the satisfaction!!! It also gives the media a bad light with regards to sensationalism for profit.

Rich, 52
Lowell
, MA   USA

I'd say leave that up to him. Just because it's on doesn't mean people have to watch it.

Alias Irrelevante

Televised executions? Come on, that is going too far.

Ernest, 29
Washington
, DC  USA

I think that his execution should not be televised. He is being punished for his crimes and his punishment nor his crimes should be glorified and showcased one bit. I agree with capital punishment to a certain extent because we are instructed to invoke punishments on those who murder, etc. in the Bible. But making a show of it or even an example is wrong.

Lindsay, 21
Harrisonburg
, VA  USA

No.

Karen, 21
Marshelltown/Ames
, IA  USA

Absolutely not. I don't think Timothy McVeigh should be executed. I'm ashamed that my country is even having this discussion.

Laura, 36
Lowell
, MA   USA

If the execution/extermination were televised, I would not watch. I don't watch television. I'm certain that I'm not going to be offered a decisive vote on the subject. A televised execution/extermination would be in poor taste, but much of television culture--in my opinion--is in poor taste.

Ethically I have few qualms about McVeigh being "butchered to make a Roman holiday."

Jill, 60
Saylorsburg
,
PA  USA

Countering a violent, heinous act with another violent heinous act brings us no closer to justice. Televising such a act would been the ultimate confirmation that the US is truly immoral and corrupt society.

Felicia, 35
Lowell
, MA   USA

absolutely i just don't think he should have been able to request a shorter waiting period

Firelady, 23
Dallas
, TX   USA

I think that his execution should not be televised. He is being punished for his crimes and his punishment nor his crimes should be glorified and showcased one bit. I agree with capital punishment to a certain extent because we are instructed to invoke punishments on those who murder, etc. in the Bible. But making a show of it or even an example is wrong.

Lindsay2, 20
Athens
, TN   USA

absolutely not.

Jenn, 18
Milwaukee
, MI   USA

Should McVeugh's execution be televised? No, he shouldn't even be executed... I think it's sad a country as modern as the US still has the death penalty... maybe it's not coincidental that the USA got kicked out of the UN Human Rights council briefly before he gets executed...

I wonder what will happen... some years ago, I thought the world was only developing into a more safe and humane world... and now it seems as if this development is turning upside down, not only in the US, but everywhere...

I really am worried.

Holger, 21
Linden   GERMANY

I don't think Timothy McVeigh should be executed.

Eric, 19
Beverly Hills
, CA  USA

I don't know who he is, but I suppose he has killed someone. We don't execute people in england, we are far too nice to our convicts.

You know I don't know whether to say yes or no, it would take a much more justified person to answer that question than myself.

Maria

Christ, no. That would turn the execution of a prisoner into a media circus. No one but McVeigh's family and some of the family of the victims has the right to watch his execution--televising it would cheapen it; would turn it into some sort of entertainment...

Johanna, 18
OK  USA

No. It's not like some circus show that is meant to be enjoyed. And if it televised that is exactly what will happen. The media will grab hold of it and turn it into a 3 ring circus. I personally do not believe in the death penalty myself. I think this whole thing is wrong. He should definitely be punished for the crime he committed, but killing him is not the answer. Then again, that's just my opinion.

Jennifer, 19
Wilkes-Barre
, PA  USA

If it's not illegal, then I think the decision should be up to McVeigh. If he wants his death telecast on TV, whatever...I probably won't watch it anyway.

Kevin M.

No. I think watching someone die is sick. And they wonder why kids are so violent these days?

Reba, 51
Rockville
, MD   USA

Well...maybe. I don't think so cuz it's awful to put those things on TV where everyone can see it..but then again, maybe seeing it would make people realize how awful the death penalty really is. Most people I know who have seen an execution in real life have decided they are against the death penalty because of it.

Angela, 16
Bella Vista
, AR  USA

Absolutely not. I can't quite verbalise why not, either, it just feels morally wrong.

Talia, 23
Wilton
, CT   USA

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