Delay execution regulations
While we failed this year to repeal Maryland's violation of the Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, we will be back. The Baltimore Sun's admirable stance over the years against the death penalty has always been appreciated.
Yet I am baffled by the editorial "A dishonest delay" (June 26). The writer seems confused: "legislators shouldn't drag out approvals of execution regulations to maintain a moratorium; the governor should commute death sentences instead."
Yes, the governor should commute the sentences of those on Maryland's death row. But we the people should be able to participate in the process of establishing the protocols for lethal injection. I want to testify in an open hearing that our government cannot justify that lethal injection is a humane process. Lethal injection, like firing squads, hangings and electric chairs, should be placed in a dustbin labeled cruel jokes.
Because of the federal case mounted by lawyers trying to prevent the execution of Vernon Evans, we discovered that the Department of Corrections has assembled two execution teams. We also discovered that the teams are unqualified to insert needles properly.
So we must delay the implementation of lethal injection protocols so that the public can participate in the process. And I expect the members of the execution teams to testify in public as to why they support such an inhumane process.
Max Obuszewski, Baltimore
AMA supports health reform
It's disappointing that critics mischaracterize the American Medical Association and our solid commitment to achieving health reform this year ("Under the influence," June 26).
As the nation's largest physician organization, we have made it perfectly clear that we are committed to ensuring all Americans have affordable, high-quality health coverage this year.
The AMA will stay constructively engaged in discussions and open to health reform proposals that are consistent with the principles of pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of practice and universal access for patients.
AMA physicians are integral to health reform, and poll after poll shows that the American people trust physicians to do the right thing on reform as well. America's patients can count on the AMA to work toward passage of a bill this year to ensure all Americans have health-care coverage.
Dr. Rebecca J. Patchin, ChicagoThe writer is chair of the American Medical Association.
