upsticks: (My own little private space)
upsticks ([personal profile] upsticks) wrote2009-11-09 11:09 pm

The Execution of Gary Glitter

I'm watching the Exectuion of Gary Glitter, and as usually, C4 have done us proud with gripping drama.

As someone who only often truly understands and feels things once I have experienced them, this is really getting to me. It's not an "execution" it's an "institutionalised murder", and what it really shows up is how lenient our penal system is. I'm not calling for the Death Penalty by any means, but Life should mean Life, not bail in 6 years.

There are news reports, interviews, and coverage of protests. Even a short word from the coldly named, "Hanging Technician", who reveals he'll have to remain psychologically detached when he pulls the lever.

Gary Glitter is unremorseful and arrogant in this, but the wobble in his lip when the sentence was announced is heartening, and really reached out to me.

It's a war of words and of media, in a country where the politicians decide.

People have complained about this -- indeed Gary Glitter himself is planning to sue (which I think he's right to) -- but I'm interested whether this will make people actually want the death penalty or not. It seems doubtful, as the programme raises some brilliant questions that would be seized upon by an interested RE group or Philosophy class, most with an answer that most of you could tell me straightoff.

Well done C4, it's shock tactics again, but, I applaud you. 
ext_10830: Jewellrey (Ariel crying)

[identity profile] glitterfairy25.livejournal.com 2009-11-10 10:00 pm (UTC)(link)
There is that point yes, which I'm very thankful for. Speaking as someone who was the victim of a pretty mild crime last term, I know that if I could choose if the perpetrators (sp?) got their comuppance or not, I would. Emotions do affect these things, one reason why it's so difficult to have an objective stance on capital punishment. I can understand too many of the argument, but my opinion is still strong: it's institutionalised murder, and completely out of the question.