
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 22, 1990                   TAG: 9006220776
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FOOLISH REASONING ABOUT EXECUTIONS

PAXTON Davis' commentary (June 15) regarding capital punishment is so indicative of his foolish reasoning as to be comical. He contends that the execution must be viewed by the general public to be a deterrent. Furthermore, he equates the execution to revenge.

Capital punishment is not revenge, it is justice! It may not be a deterrent to many people, but it will certainly be a deterrent to the criminal himself - he won't ever kill again.

Davis goes on to chide pro-lifers for their sympathy for the unborn and not the condemned. To compare innocent unborn babies to guilty, bloodletting, reprobate criminals shows just how distorted Davis' thinking is.

One might consider the antithesis of his statement. Why aren't those who cry so loudly against capital punishment for the guilty (Amnesty International, America Civil Liberties Union, et al.) equally vociferous about the murder of innocent babies? Their silence is deafening! D. ASSAID ROANOKE

by CNB