'DEPLORABLE' MEDIA OVER SADDAM HUSSEIN'S EXECUTION

I wasn't sure, because I was busy trying to wake up, but I thought I heard on the radio this morning it being reported that John Prescott had called Saddam Hussein's execution 'deplorable'. Sure enough, I turn on my computer and Yahoo! tells me the same thing. Headline:

Prescott calls Saddam execution 'deplorable'

My immediate thought at this piece of news was that 'deplorable' is an odd choice of word when talking about the death penalty. It's more the sort of word you'd use about a bad film you'd just seen or when commenting on the actions of a cad who married an unsuspecting woman for her money or something.

My second thought was that this is the media trying to make a story out of the fact that one of the Labour hierarchy has broken ranks and made his opinion on Saddam Hussein's state execution known.

Only, actually, neither is true because Prescott was not talking in direct relation to Saddam Hussein's execution. He was actually commenting on the leaked footage of Saddam's death:

"I think the manner was quite deplorable really. I don't think one can endorse in any way that, whatever your views about capital punishment. Frankly, to get the kind of recorded messages coming out is totally unacceptable and I think whoever is involved and responsible for it should be ashamed of themselves."

What we actually have here then is the media trying to make a story by taking the words of a politician out of context and knowingly making a misleading headline.

Perhaps the media might do better by firstly understanding that, yes, actually, sneakily filming the execution of a man on a mobile phone for fuck's sake, and then selling it the media is in fact 'deplorable'. I'd call it 'sick'. But do you know what's worse? That our sanctimonious press have been shoving these images in our faces over Christmas in between Disney films and The Two Ronnies, during the day when kids will have been watching, and not seeming to be aware that what they were doing was an utter disgrace to their profession.

I spare no pity for Saddam Hussein, but the images of his execution being banded around so casually by our media has been contemptible. I refuse to watch the footage of him being taken to the gallows. Nor do I want to see pictures of him standing surrounded by his executioners with a noose around his neck. This is because I have respect for life and will not degrade myself by watching the final sickening moments leading up to the state sponsored murder of a human being. Not even a human being like him.

But rather than employing a little sensitivity regarding such an all-round nasty event, our media use it as an opportunity to take a cheap shot at John Prescott.

Utterly shameful.