Death Penalty Ensures Life Is Sacrosanct

* Re “Death Penalty Diminishes Us as a Society,” Commentary, Oct. 27: It isn’t society’s “outrage” that demands that life be forfeited when that life has destroyed another. A debt is incurred by the premeditated taking of a life. There must be societal consequences to balance the books. When the premeditated act is carried out, society is diminished. The life of the perpetrator becomes a burden that can be relieved only by its forfeiture. It has nothing to do with revenge. Revenge is an act of retribution by the offended party outside the bounds of societal norms.

The death penalty is a moral, obligatory act to ensure that life is regarded as sacrosanct. The writers focus on the other aspects of the relationships associated with the offending party to try to sway one into believing the offense has no burdensome nature. They miss the mark completely. Justice is blind to such things and rightfully so.

EARL HYGH

Mission Viejo

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In response to Bishop Gabino Zavala and Father Michael Kennedy’s article, I would like to ask who is the person responsible for being on death row? Isn’t it time for those people to accept the responsibility and the consequence of their actions? The priests stated that the person in the cage was a human being, not an animal. What animal kills out of malice or anger? If the taking of innocent lives would cease, there would be no one on death row.

FRANK MYERS

Downey

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Unfortunately, and shockingly, many members of the clergy favor the death penalty, so it is reassuring to read the commentary by the two L.A. priests stating that “capital punishment reduces the humanity of all who live in a society that imposes it.”

They noted, as did I and many other Americans, that Gov. George W. Bush proudly, almost gleefully, proclaimed in the second debate that the three killers of James Byrd were going to be put to death.

Since 65-70% of Americans favor the death penalty, it’s understandable that most politicians “claim” to. Their election depends on it. It’s quite something else, however, for a person to look forward with joy and satisfaction to the execution of any human being, and it’s particularly alarming that this is the mentality of a supposed “compassionate conservative” who is running for the presidency of the United States.

BOB MURTHA

Santa Maria