Letters: Public executions debated

Many compassionate, rational citizens of this country would disagree with how you describe this galvanizing moral issue ["Let all see executions, and then decide," Editorial, Aug. 31].

People can also see the death penalty as a collective act of self-defense, in which a society that loves and values human life determines that a capital murder is so horrendous and injurious, that once a perpetrator reveals himself or herself capable of such an atrocity, this individual must be not given any opportunity to ever visit such devastation and depravity on another human being.

The death penalty is not revenge. No one who has suffered such a loss is going to benefit from such retribution.

Before a televised execution occurs, provide graphic crime-scene photographs and autopsy reports. Interview those who knew and loved the victim(s) of the condemned capital criminal. And since we live in a purely visual age, conclude with a re-enactment of the crime so that every viewer can come to understand the astounding terror that was the victim's last memory.

In the end, Newsday will likely be disappointed with the outcome.

William Binnie, Lake Grove
 

You cannot be serious about televising executions in the hopes that transparency will lead to revulsion and a public outcry to end them. Half the population thinks that lethal injection is too humane.

Televising executions would be a huge boon to taverns and bars, which would show them on large screens with a free buffet and half-price Jell-O shots. You forget that as little as a few generations ago, people were picnicking at lynchings.

The answer is for our elected leaders to exercise wisdom, compassion and humanity and replace government-sanctioned killing (sometimes by mistake) with life without parole.

Louis A. Marett, Lake Ronkonkoma
 

It's no surprise that Newsday takes the anti-death penalty side. But as long as were supposed to be shocked at an execution, let's also show pictures of the victims, show the details of why the individual is being executed, and then let the people decide.

The death penalty is not about vengeance; it's about common sense and justice. It's saying that a human life is so precious, that if you willfully and violently take an innocent person's life, you will sacrifice your own.

That's justice, unlike the violent murder committed by the individual mentioned in your article. Funny, I must have missed it -- who were the victims?

Matt Raver, Plainview