Today, I had the privilege of doing an interview with correspondent Arnold Diaz of ABC's 20/20 news program...
I had approached this prayerfully and carefully. The Lord seemed to open this door, and there were many good confirmations that I made the right decision. But the fact is, I won't know for sure until the program is aired.
The subject of this program will basically be about crime related memorabilia, items that frequently turn up for sale bearing the ugly moniker "Son of Sam," or some of my correspondence - how these things often end up on sites such as eBay.
I believe the interview went well. Many of Mr. Diaz's questions were intense, but he was also very fair.
Before I gave my personal consent to do this, I was visited by Candace Hewitt, one of 20/20's producers. I shared my hopes, concerns, and even my fears about doing such an interview. She was very sensitive and honest. I had, in my spirit, the "inner witness" that I was doing the right thing by granting it.
But what really encouraged me to be a part of this project, was that the Director of the City of Houston's Crime Victims Office, Mr. Andy Kahan, had asked me to be a part of this. He and I have been corresponding back and forth about the subject of "crime memorabilia." My heart has truly warmed to this man, and I feel so honored that such a person would ask for my help.
In addition, the 20/20 staff tried to obtain permission for Mr. Kahan to come to the prison to participate in the interview. As it turned out, however, the New York State Department of Corrections did not grant permission for him to attend the filming session because of a rule that "no third parties are allowed to be present during media interviews with prisoners."
Nevertheless, I was able to share my faith in Christ. I was able to publicly apologize for the crimes I had committed in the past. And I got the opportunity to explain how all these crime glorifying products (everything from serial killer trading cards, to calendars, to sweatshirts) are not made by the convicted felons themselves.
These tasteless products are instead made and marketed by ordinary people who, without any human sensitivity or compassion, have decided that making money is more important than any pain and suffering crime victims have to endure when they see all this junk prospering.
I likewise shared that the making and selling of such things is also very painful for me, that this also causes me grief and guilt. So I hope and pray that this program, when it is aired some time in May, will be good and informative.
D.B.
The subject of this program will basically be about crime related memorabilia, items that frequently turn up for sale bearing the ugly moniker "Son of Sam," or some of my correspondence - how these things often end up on sites such as eBay.
I believe the interview went well. Many of Mr. Diaz's questions were intense, but he was also very fair.
Before I gave my personal consent to do this, I was visited by Candace Hewitt, one of 20/20's producers. I shared my hopes, concerns, and even my fears about doing such an interview. She was very sensitive and honest. I had, in my spirit, the "inner witness" that I was doing the right thing by granting it.
But what really encouraged me to be a part of this project, was that the Director of the City of Houston's Crime Victims Office, Mr. Andy Kahan, had asked me to be a part of this. He and I have been corresponding back and forth about the subject of "crime memorabilia." My heart has truly warmed to this man, and I feel so honored that such a person would ask for my help.
In addition, the 20/20 staff tried to obtain permission for Mr. Kahan to come to the prison to participate in the interview. As it turned out, however, the New York State Department of Corrections did not grant permission for him to attend the filming session because of a rule that "no third parties are allowed to be present during media interviews with prisoners."
Nevertheless, I was able to share my faith in Christ. I was able to publicly apologize for the crimes I had committed in the past. And I got the opportunity to explain how all these crime glorifying products (everything from serial killer trading cards, to calendars, to sweatshirts) are not made by the convicted felons themselves.
These tasteless products are instead made and marketed by ordinary people who, without any human sensitivity or compassion, have decided that making money is more important than any pain and suffering crime victims have to endure when they see all this junk prospering.
I likewise shared that the making and selling of such things is also very painful for me, that this also causes me grief and guilt. So I hope and pray that this program, when it is aired some time in May, will be good and informative.
D.B.