Alternatives to death

Alternatives to death
EDITOR:
A May 17 letter to the editor questions the usefulness of the U.S. Catholic Bishops' campaign to end the use of the death penalty ( & quot;Missing what's important").
The Church's response is very simple and very straightforward: We should never look to death as a solution. This holds true at every stage, from life's smallest beginnings until its natural end.
The Catholic Church recognizes the power of legitimate civil authority to enforce the law, even to the point of the ultimate penalty if necessary. The Church also teaches that today the state has other, non-lethal ways to protect citizens from violent criminals (such as life in prison without possibility of parole), which nullifies the need to utilize the death penalty.
In the United States the death penalty falls disproportionately on racial minorities or those who are poor or disadvantaged. DNA evidence has revealed that innocent people are being sentenced to death, and sometimes even executed.
All human life is a gift from God, who loves us beyond our imagining. Each human life is created in God's image, and although that image might become distorted by hatred and violence, our obligation to treat every life with respect remains. Jesus, the perfect image of the Father, always practiced mercy and forgiveness, and teaches us to do the same.
MELINDA KNIGHT
Office of Pro-Life, Marriage and Family Ministry
Catholic Diocese of Youngstown
When trouble struck, there were heroes everywhere
EDITOR:
Are there heroes anymore or what is your definition of a hero? They are all different to all people. Here is my daughter Ashley's and my version.
On April 25, Ashley and I stopped at our favorite restaurant in the Boardman/Poland area, Friendly's, after a stop at the mall. Ashley had a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy on April 19 and was supposed to go back to school the following day.
Upon taking a sip of her milk shake, Ashley tasted blood and the next thing I knew it was everywhere. Friendly's employee Andrew Kemmer took over while I was in a hysterical blur on the phone with her doctor's office. He had phoned 911 and had towels for Ashley, and most of all was keeping her calm.
He carried Ashley to my car and buckled her in while I was on the phone to the doctor's office. I was going back to UPMC in Farrell, Pa.
I had to cross over two lanes of traffic to get back on 680 N. As I was edging out into traffic at that corner section in front of the restaurant into the other lanes, a lady who had offered to drive me to the hospital was out there guiding me to cut across.
We made it to the hospital all in one piece and now Ashley is back in school and all her regular activities.
To our whole family these people meet our definition of heroes. I am sure I did not mention all the Friendly's people that were helping and concerned also. All these people actually went way out of their way to help us with the bleeding, as well as the couple who wanted to drive us and help with the traffic. I sit here and it still brings tears to my eyes.
I am so grateful that there are heroes still in our society.
ASHLEY and KIMBERLY VAN SICKLE
Farrell, Pa.
Give McKelvey his due
EDITOR
I was elated to hear that the Youngstown Air Base was not on the list of closures. I have no knowledge of the process of selection, but I surmise that political favors must play some role in the ultimate decision. I further suspect that the relationship that George McKelvey established with our president certainly didn't hurt our chances. If my suspicions are true, I congratulate Mayor McKelvey for all his efforts and concern for our community.
ROBERT R. RICCHIUTI, M.D.
Poland