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Page 6, Terrace Bay-Schreiber News, Wednesday, April 23, 1986 Capital punishment not the answer, News reader says Dear Editor: Re: your column "'Close To The Edge" (April 16). I would like to offer the following points about capital punishment. I feel the state-endorsed use of the death penalty is a step backwards from civilization. Countries like the USSR, Iran, South Africa, Libya, the People's Republic of China, etc., all represent states where civil rights and basic freedoms are virtually unknown from our Western perspective. The United States, YOU'VE GOT WHAT IT TAKES Sports and Fitness Ontario SKNAR Public Residents Wed. CASH ONLY CHARGEX AND MASTERCARD ACCEPTED Notice. DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME of Schreiber Residents are reminded to set clocks ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m. on SUNDAY APRIL 27, 1986 which is an exception to this general rule, has some states which have reinstated the death penal- ty. Interestingly enough, substantial groups of citizens in these states are gradually mobilizing the public will against the bar- baric system (as happened in Canada during the 50s and early 60s). You mentioned that some innocent people have been executed, but leave the impression that this is "the exception." Two Canadian court cases, in- volving Louis Riel and Wilbert Coffin, have con- sistently been addressed by responsible legal experts to show that our own courts are not above acting accor- ding to political expedien- cy, rather than with respect to justice. The UN and other world-wide groups like Amnesty International have shown that capital punish- ment is not a deterrent. On the contrary, in some societies plagued by violence, the death penal- ty has been a factor in fuell- ing further violence. The countries of Iran and South Africa come to mind as examples. Christian Churches in the main (Roman Catholic, Anglican, United, Presbyterian, three of four Lutheran Synods, and others) have traditionally opposed capital punishment as official bodies for solid reasons. My own Anglican Synod of Bishops states their opposition on these grounds: (1) That the death penalty represents sanctioned murder by the State, (2) That this official destruction of a life runs counter to the teachings and examples of Jesus Christ, who preached the SCENES for sale BIRCH MAGIC PHOTOGRAPHY at WHITE SAND LAKE Spend some time in the country and experience the ageless beauty of the North Shore of Lake Superior captured for you by S. JOHNSON HEWSON 824-3155 Professional Photography Portraits, Weddings & Commerical Last 3 days April 16 to Sat. April 26 Savings Like These: 10K Gold Chains 4Q)% OFF and Bracelets Diamond Rings Costume Jewellery 10K Gold Earrings Selection of Giftware sia SPRING SALE 30% orF Yo price 30% orF Y% price $ Gospel of love and recon- ciliation, and (3) That capital punishment is a direct violation of the Doctrine of Redemption, which addresses the poten- tial of all human beings to be redeemed by God's grace. You mentioned the Old Covenant injunction of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." Reform and Conservative Jewish com- munities claim the Moral Covenant, which simply states '"Thou shalt not kill' supercedes this injunction. Among moderate Moslems, there is a distinct stand against the death penalty based on Allah's injunction "to have mer- cy" in the Koran. Among most religious bodies there is a strong tendency to op- pose the use of violence against any individual, ex- cept for reasons of treason or conspiracy in times of war. Even this "Doctrine of the Just War," promi- nent among religious com- munities, is not unanimously endorsed. Other groups of citizens, ranging from Civil Liber- tarians to Civil Rights Ad- vocates, oppose capital punishment on ethical and philosophical grounds. Brian Mulroney, John Turner, and Ed Broadbent B IX VAY VIVA VV AVA IV AVIV IAV VV IV IVI The office of Dr. J.E.M. St. Rose at the Schreiber Medical Centre will be closed April 24th to May 3rd are justified in not allowing a free vote on the issue un- til Members of Parliament have examined the full im- plications of a return to the noose. Justice cannot be carried out by Gallup Polls based on emotion; rather, it must be dispensed with a clarity of mind that examines all issues. Like others I find Clif- ford Olsen and his heinous crimes against innocent children to be reprehensi- ble and horrifying. The fact that the RCMP paid Olsen's family for his col- laberation was wholly un- warranted and dangerous. In cases like Olsen, the families of the murdered children are victims in the judicial process as well. I suggest that the issue here, as with other murderers, is not the need for capital punishment, but the re- quirement that the safety of the public and the support for victims and their families, of course, should take precedence over the rehabilitation of the criminal. Sad to say, Conrad, a sick person like Olsen would likely have commit- ted his brutal crimes whether capital punishment was in place or not. As well, his case suggests the VES EMINIESESESTSAISTISTISTSTSTSESS- < Ss re iS < Ss < Ss < iS < 2 s 4 moral quandry as to whether he was responsible for his crimes. Psychiatrists and psychologists remain divid- ed over this issue ... a point that complicates the matter for the judicial system and for us. In closing, I would like to respond to the real cause underlying a demand for the return of capital punish- ment: fear. Given the ine- quities in the present judicial system and the oc- casions when violent peo- ple return to threaten socie- ty, it's obvious that the whole process needs to be more consistent and more balanced. A return to the death penalty would confuse rather than help the process of reformation within our justice system. The bottom line remains: we cannot re- main a progressive society that cherishes the sanctity of human life if we step backwards into the Dark Ages to revive the barbaric practice of the death penalty. Bill Le Grand Schreiber P.S. Please don't call Abolitionists "bleeding heart liberals." Among Bishops, leaders of other religious and civil rights groups, are numerous conservatives! = Police ... continued from page 5 charged under the Liquor Licence Act. A complaint of a youth riding an off road vehicle in the Township was in- vestigated and a warning issued that in future charges may be laid. Police are investigating a complaint from a local merchant of nuisance phone calls. of the Regions. opportunity. ELECTRICAL . OPERATOR-IN-TRAINING Ontario Hydro has developmental opportunities available to both women and men as Electrical Operators-in-Training leading to a challenging career as an Electrical Operator. The duties of an electrical operator include the continuous monitor- ing of the electrical power system, identifying deviations or changes to various system levels, initiating action or performing activities to maintain or return to required levels and co-ordinating the removal of equipment from service for maintenance purposes. Successful applicants to this developmental opportunity will enter a training program of two to three years' duration, comprising on- the-job training, self study and classroom instruction and prac- tical experience. Each trainee will be expected to perform operating tasks consistent with his/her level of job knowledge. Trainees are required to work shifts and will, at intervals, be rotated to other locations in the province. As there is a require- ment to operate Ontario Hydro vehicles applicants must have, or be capable of obtaining, an Ontario Class G driver's license. Upon successful completion of the training program, the trainee will be an automatic applicant for advertised operating vacancies in any Applicants will require Grade XII (or equivalent) as a minimum with credits in English, Mathematics or Science. A willingness to learn and an interest in pursuing a career in Electrical Operating, combined with full acceptance of the working conditions, eg. shift work, relocation etc. are essential when considering this Write, giving details of education (including a transcript of marks), TERRACE BAY JEWELLERS ALL SALES FINAL NO EXCHANGES NO REFUNDS NO GIFTWRAPPING 0) 825-3592 work experience, etc. by May 12, 1986 to: ONTARIO HYDRO PERSONNEL OFFICE 34 N. Cumberland Street Thunder Bay, Ontario P7A 4L5 Ontario Hydro is an Equal Opportunity Employer.