Editor:
Re: Perhaps revive death sentence, April 30 letters.
I have to take issue with the letter regarding bringing back the death penalty, as the writer is making baseless statements perhaps to hide his real intention, and that is to add vengeance or revenge to our justice system.
To state that the death penalty is a deterrent does not work for those bent on murdering, the murderers are not thinking of getting caught in the first place. As for the terrorists, it seems in many cases that they plan on dying anyway.
During 2010 in the United States, almost 13,000 murders were committed. The rate of murders in states with the death penalty is actually higher than those without it. The exact numbers can be found on many reputable websites.
If you look at the list of countries that still use the death penalty, you will find most are not what you consider states where human rights are at the top of their agenda.
I personally would not want Canada to be in that club.
And to say that today’s laws favour the criminal over ordinary citizens is just not true. The laws – rights of people – are there to protect everyone, even the accused. It’s just that ordinary citizen don’t need to exercise those rights unless accused of something.
Please check your facts before you rant.
Matt Logan, Surrey
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I agree with the letter writer who suggests that Canada should re-instate the death penalty for terrorists.
Anyone found guilty of a terrorist act should get the same “justice” that roughly 3000 people got on 9-11, namely none. Take them out and shoot them. Better still, behead them. That’s what the Taliban would do.
Jim Armstrong, Surrey
