I just finished reading John Carlson’s article on the death penalty. As usual, Carlson hit the nail on the head with his remarks.

Most people, even in the liberal leaning Puget Sound area, are in favor of the death penalty when they understand the facts of cases like the one Carlson described. Some liberal pundits have opined that the death penalty is not a deterrent to crime. I would agree – based upon how the death penalty is administered in most states.

However, if the death penalty was administered swiftly, after suitable appeals but without allowing the frivolous legal strategies employed by liberal attorneys, then it would serve as a deterrent. Even if the death penalty only deters one torture and murder, it would be worth it. The life of one normal person is worth the lives of many, many animals such as the man who committed the crime described in Carlson’s article.

Maybe if we had elected John Carlson governor when we had the chance, we would not have the obscene situation we now face with this criminal still alive so long after committing a crime of unspeakable brutality.

Dale L. Cowles, Bellevue