Why be cruel to Jordin?

I AM disappointed that on an evening promoting human compassion, “American Idol” would take the contestant who provided the emotional close to Tuesday’s show and subject her to Wednesday’s cruelty [“Tugging Emotions to the Very End,” by Randy Lewis, April 27]. The number of votes that fans reportedly cast, 70 million, guaranteed high viewership without announcing a “shocking result” and then pushing Jordin Sparks off the cliff of elimination.

For me and my family, it was a great letdown, and instead of ending upbeat about the real issue of the evening, human compassion to end suffering, we saw an example of senseless cruelty imposed on a seemingly wonderful and caring person.

BRIAN MITCHELL

Mission Viejo