Why do we kill killers?

Greetings!

Yesterday, the Guardian asked me to write a commentary for them on the heals of the Theresa Lewis execution in Virgina. The editor wanted to know why the United States continues to execute prisoners. The Guardian has the second highest on-line readership in the world, so I was very honored to be invited to share my opinion.

The question of why the U.S. continues to have the death penalty has, in fact, been on my mind quite a bit since my interview in London earlier this month with celebrity icons Richard and Judy. They were very curious to know why the U.S. holds onto this "barbaric" practice. As was my taxi driver, a waiter in a bar, and staff at my hotel. It seems the idea that the U.S. remains the only western nation to continue to kill killers is a puzzle to many outside our borders.

The Guardian piece appears in today's paper and can be linked to here.

One an other note, if you are in Oregon or Washington, I am happy to let you know Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, will be speaking in both Eugene and Portland on October 20th and 21st. Once I learn details of her visit, I will let you know. I HIGHLY recommend attending one of her talks.

Finally, within a week or so my web site will have a page on it for you to interact with me and other readers. I have received so many letters, and heard so many stories from readers about how The Crying Tree has effected them, I thought it would be good to create a forum for people to meet and share their experiences. I will send out a quick note once this is up and running.

Stay well and enjoy your autumn.

Sincerely,

Naseem Rakha