I liken it to the Colluseum in Rome in ancient times. Circus Maximus......Meant to entertain the people and yet remind them of the power of the state while the adrenaline is coursing. What matters is not if it's right or wrong, but that it was a state sponsored event and people die in the public arena. Think of Waco, Elian Gonzales, Terri Schiavo, public schools and their absurd contradictions in policy and law, etc.......What is important is that it's covered 24/7 and gets plenty of hearings, senate panels, legal appeals, and if possible a show of power by the state as well. Tanks, Bradley's, SWAT outfits, and expert guest comment on CNN make the event a huge success. It really does not matter who did what. Any press is good press if you're killing people with state assets.