It's a matter of justice

Re "Death chamber protocol on hold" (Page A3, Nov. 25): How much longer must we wait in this state for the will of the people to be carried out? The death penalty is legal in California. It was made law by popular vote.

I, for one, am sick and tired of the legal hocus-pocus being used to stall the execution of these condemned criminals. The concern over their rights just sickens me. As far as I'm concerned, they gave up those rights when they took the lives of their fellow citizens. Death by injection is as humane as possible. We're worried they will feel something? How much pain do you think their victims felt when killed?

In a civilized society, when a loved one's life is taken by force, we don't take up arms to avenge their death. We rely on the criminal justice system to do what it was designed to do – administer justice. Allowing the death row population to swell to the ridiculous number of 677 is, unfortunately, proof that the system in this state is broken. We, the law-abiding citizens of California, expect and deserve more. Especially those of us who are grieving. Justice is all we have left – don't take it away.

– Robert Doney, Lincoln

Prisons over higher education?

Re "Justice system is cause of prison woes" (Letters, Nov. 26): Thank you, Ward Connerly, for addressing a "crisis" issue on prison woes. You have hit the nail on the head in your brief letter, from the elected officials being more concerned about their careers than doing the right thing to spending more money on prisons and longer prison sentences than on rehabilitation and prevention. We are destroying lives, homes and futures of our children by our policies. This next year, we will spend more on prisons than on higher education in California.

– Christine Hamel, Sacramento

Women as victims? Not true

Re "For women in politics" (Daily Debate, Nov. 24): Columnist Marie Cocco is at it again with her typical nonsensical rants about women as victims. In fact, women for decades have been the recipients of unwarranted affirmative action and liberal guilt, which has resulted in promotions far in excess of their capabilities. The only "glass ceiling" is a self-imposed one, based on the unwillingness of women to make the career sacrifices or take the risks that men routinely make.

Clear examples of women who violate the "Peter Principle" – i.e., they have been promoted far above their abilities – are Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi and Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton has never accomplished anything, except getting elected to the Senate in a liberal state when the clearly superior candidate – New York City's mayor – withdrew. If she hadn't married Bill Clinton, she would still be drafting contracts in Arkansas for a local law firm.

The ultimate outrage is for Cocco to claim American women are "oppressed" like women in other cultures. First, women in America have never been oppressed. Second, she has no concept of what real oppression is. She might have a point if women fought the wars and did the dangerous, dirty jobs performed by men.

– William Rose, Sacramento

Avoid the hero worship

Re "A smart guy at the helm" (Viewpoints, Nov. 27): Have the mainstream media completely lost their minds? David Broder's senile worship of our "super-smart" president-elect (and Barbara Walters' fawning interview on "20/20") gives a whole new meaning to "honeymoon period."

The great majority wish the next president and our country success, but this type of non-journalism serves neither. As-yet-unearned praise, coupled with unrealistic expectations, can foster the dangerous sense of superiority that led to the Cuban missile crisis and the Vietnam War during the last "Camelot" period of our history.

We have elected a chief executive, not a Pied Piper. Let us move forward with clear minds and open eyes lest we succumb to the siren song of mythical hero worship.

– John Bersinger, Folsom