Death penalty is cynical, cruel punishment

I am not surprised that some people are angry with California Gov. Gavin Newsom for suspending the death penalty. For years, there has been this idea that we act well only when we live under the threats of severe punishments. This is an ugly, cynical and cruel philosophy. Instead of being threatened into being good, we need to regain trust in ourselves. Only then will we begin to free the world of anger and violence. Willis “Ramakumar” Lyman

Fairfax, Calif.

On March 1, a Texas inmate was executed after a 30-year wait. Our justice system must change! If a person is sentenced to death, the sentence should be carried out without delay. For 30 years this man was fed and maintained in a cell. Taking 30 years for a man to snore his way to death is a crime in itself. Tom Reeves

Auburndale, Ga.

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