Jay Parini : Botched , execution says that few civilized countries do this . He says state - sanctioned killing fosters a culture of violence in society Parini : Dickens , Tolstoy , death penalty repulsive , hypocritical , unchristian . Smith : Odd that many who oppose abortion are OK with the state taking a human life .
Jay Parini : Botched Oklahoma execution reminder that few civilized countries do this . He says state-sponsored killing fosters a culture of violence in U.S. Parini : Dickens , Tolstoy found death penalty repulsive , hypocritical , unchristian . Parini : Odd that many who oppose abortion are OK with the state taking a human life .