Ed's coverage is as sickening as the execution.

[Atman]

Glorify. Make ad money. Make a media event out of it.

Ed's show is about politics. As was this execution.

[hlthe2b]

1. The reason we still HAVE a death penalty is all about politics...

Don't you realize that? :shrug:

That said, this coverage is grotesque... but hopefully it will have some impact on those wavering in their beliefs on the death penalty.

[WCGreen]

3. I had to turn it off...

It was Fox like...

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. I dunno

hearing a former Warden tell his story was positively riveting (and will move the discussion in the other direction)

[Tx4obama]

5. I agree.

This needs to be talked about and people need to be listening.

If Ed hadn't of covered the Troy Davis story this evening then that would have been worse than covering it - and folks would have been outraged that MSNBC had ignored it.

Can't please all the people all the time ;(

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. I think they decided to start, seriously, the conversation

on DP... to be honest.

[MrsBrady]

9. i heard that too

I would like to know more about him.

[Parker CA]

13. Maddow seemed fascinated by the man and his story. I won't be surprised if she brings him on soon.

[hlthe2b]

18. That is true... definitely the part worth watching

The prison media contact giving details of the execution and plans for the media to be able to shoot video of the hearse arriving--definitely not so much...

But, the former Warden had a lot to say--and all of it quite compelling.

[MADem]

4. Pick up the remote and use it. NT

[Tx4obama]

6. There would have been ads on during Ed's show no matter what the topic was ...

if it wasn't for the ads there would be no MSNBC - then we'd really be up a creek!

Btw, the Death Penalty IS a political issue - which can only be gotten rid of via legislation - and we will most likely be hearing quite a bit about it during the 2012 campaign.

I am glad Ed and MSNBC covered the story.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. The application of the death penalty is definitely

a political act... the most dramatic demonstration of state power.

[Tx4obama]

10. Here's a link to a map that shows which states have the DP

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_the_United_States

p.s. It's the first map on the right side of the page.
Governor Quinn in Illinois recently signed something (EO or bill) to end the DP.

Now it is up to ALL the other states to get rid of it!

Work needs to be done in the national media on the state level.


Edited to add:
Be sure to scroll that whole right side of the page, there are other informative graphics there.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. In cali they are going to put it in petition form

last time I checked... to get rid of it... the reason... the cost to implement. I's been an economic boondoggle. Whatever gets rid of it.

http://www.mercurynews.com/columns/ci_18514323

[Tx4obama]

15. There is a poll on the right side of the front page of CNN.com

The results so far

Quick vote

Should the United States abolish the death penalty?

No
63%
103993

Yes
37%
60215

Total votes: 164208

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. Yeah but scientific polls show people are turning against it

not yet a majority, but...

Things like this will just "help."

[coalition_unwilling]

14. Well actually, extra-judicial executions carried out by the state

(a la Osama bin Laden) are the most dramatic demonstration of state power, since they reveal that "due process" is a convenient lie we tell ourselves to justify the non-stop blood lust.

[JI7]

12. death penalty is a political issue

[Raine]

17. So it would've been better for Ed to discuss who is running in 2112 for prez, huh?

No coverage, say nothing, just ignore it like it didn't happen. :eyes: I bet that kind of non-coverage would've gone over really well. :sarcasm: