Death Penalty

* Re “Death Penalty Moratorium Attracting Unlikely Adherents,” Oct. 17: So let’s be clear about this. Exactly one governor (among the 38 whose states have capital punishment) has declared a moratorium on the death penalty, and The Times considers this to be a “movement” deserving of numerous articles. Sometimes it’s a fine line between reporting and cheerleading.

If you’re going to continue your hopeful discussion of the issue, at least spare us the quotes from the American Bar Assn. Anyone even superficially familiar with the ABA can tell you that its leaders are quick to wave their (ostensibly nonpartisan) organization’s name around in support of their pet liberal causes. It’s an insult to your readers’ intelligence when you report their positions uncritically.

ROGER BLISS

Long Beach