WOULD THE CRUCIFIXION HAVE BEEN TELEVISED?

Each year the national press especially the cable and TV networks become increasingly myopic in their coverage. This is truly reflected during major news event and especially during this endless election year. They feature 24/7 coverage of one event or controversy over and over covering every angle. Sometimes that is justified as with 9/11 or the Iraq war, or JFK's assassination. Other times it is questionable as during the death of Pope John Paul. Here we are in the middle of a deadly war in Iraq and all CNN and the other channels cover is the death of the Pope. It was overkill to say the least.

One summer afternoon a while back as I sat in a Starbucks in Huntington Beach, Calif., I poured my frustration about the sorry state of the news business into an interesting and provocative poem. I was frustrated and tired of weeks of coverage of the death of JFK Jr.

This poem asks an intriguing question...

GP

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WOULD THE CRUCIFIXION HAVE BEEN TELEVISED?

I wonder if the crucifixion
took place today
would it be televised
non-stop?

Would the plethora of TV cable channels
cover every aspect
of the death
of Christ
on the cross?

Imagine
a press briefing
with Roman officials
explaining their actions.

Think of
profiles on the apostles,
in-depth interviews
with Jesus' followers
and an exclusive interview
with Judas entitled:
"Why he betrayed Christ: Judas defends himself."

Ponder the exclusive reports
with those who claim to have witnessed God's miracles,
including an exclusive profile on the blind man
who claims Christ restored his sight.

Another profile on a follower who says to have heard Jesus' last words
or another who saw Jesus walk on water
or still another who witnessed Christ's resurrection.

That would be followed by
another exclusive interview
with Mary discussing the Immaculate Conception.

This tabloid TV culture
would no doubt turn the
the crucifixion
INTO BIG RATINGS.

All meaning ultimately
lost in the torrent of coverage
nailed relentlessly into our souls and imaginations.

George Pappas
Copyright 2008