August 24, 2007

Death never a remedy

Re: "Remember 'Ms. Lee' - As state nears 400th execution, focus on victim,"
Sunday Editorials.

This editorial about Texas' 400th execution is correct to focus on the
agonies endured by survivors of violent crime victims. The scourge of murder
is a national disgrace.

But the death penalty is not, nor has ever been, a remedy. The death penalty
is inherently flawed, racist, arbitrary and capricious, laden with
prejudices and mistakes, a failed public policy.

Society should promote a higher ideal of life, including efforts to ensure
public safety and true justice, instead of bearing death via gas,
electrocution, hanging, shooting or chemical poisoning.

It is not enough to focus only on the innocent survivors of violence; we
must continue to oppose any state's willingness to be a carrier of the
disease of violence.

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Source : Dallas Morning News (Rick Halperin, president, Texas Coalition to
Abolish the Death Penalty, Dallas)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-friletters_0824edi.ART.State.Edition1.425cbaf.html