Following the Pentagon’s announcement that it plans to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan, clips of George Carlin predicting televised public executions are flooding our feeds.

Carlin used satire and exaggeration to make us laugh, but the renewed interest in his routine raises serious questions about government transparency and accountability.

Supporters argue that the public should be able to witness the government’s actions, including its use of capital punishment. Critics worry that broadcasting an execution turns justice into entertainment and risks desensitizing the public to state-sanctioned killing.

Where do you draw the line between government transparency and public spectacle?