I have long advocated that executions be televised. Networks would not do it, but public access channels should. Some people think this particularly gruesome of me. I suspect those are the same people who though the Utah attorney general’s remarks were shameless or callous. We could debate about whether the death penalty is ethical or not. But what seems clear to me is that the people should know what is being done in their name. Executions used to routinely be public several decades ago, and the people knew exactly what was being done in their name.

If the people of Utah could see the executions, and they were horrified, they would demand change, and executions would stop. If the people of Utah are not horrified by the executions, then the attorney general’s comments are a small matter. In any event, his comments take the state a step further in making sure the people know what is being done in their name, and hence should be perceived as a positive thing.

Another writes:

Were other witnesses allowed to text from the execution chamber? ]]>