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_______________NO MERCY BY MARC HERMAN (11/13/98)
	From your article, Jaturun "Jay" Siripongs seems more worthy than most of the death penalty because it appears clear he committed or assisted in his crime of a double murder while robbing a store. His status as a model citizen in prison might sway me as a governor considering a petition for clemency to a life sentence, but that is not my privilege. Pete Wilson, who as the governor of California has the power to grant mercy and reduce the death sentence to life, apparently disregards reform on the part of prisoner as a definitive consideration. So be it. Siripongs may have his best shot at continued life if he implicates that man or woman who was the primary killer and robber who now roams free. The article cites some vaguely stated principle in Buddhism to keep him from identifying his partner in crime. I know little about Buddhism, but if some tenet of that faith prompts Siripongs to keep quiet about the identity of the culprit, then perhaps we are remiss in interfering with his privilege to die for his commitment to his practice of faith. Siripongs' clemency from death, if it is granted, should depend on his turning over the primary assailant in the murders. I shall remember to pray for his soul to both Buddha and Christ and wish him all the blessing of the afterlife he seems intent on embracing. Perhaps that is what Siripongs wants and the best we can do for him. -- Craig Cornell Redondo Beach, Calif.
_______________MARTIN LUTHER, MEET LINUS TORVALDS BY THOMAS SCOVILLE (11/12/98)
	If Thomas Scoville knew anything about computer programming, he would know that the "ordinary Joe" would have zero use for the source code of Linux and that it shouldn't really be "hacked" for no apparent reason. I would also like to remind everyone that the world of computers is older and larger than just PCs and Macs. -- Larry Elden Dearborn, Mich. Thomas Scoville's article deals with Linux, a remarkable phenomenon making headlines around the world. It is unfortunate that his timely article seems such an anachronism. Was it necessary to present such a crude caricature of the Catholic church, worthy of propaganda from the Protestant Reformation era? The accusations come thick and fast. Among other things, Scoville accuses the Catholic church of selling salvation, or keeping the Bible in Latin to keep it from the masses. Perhaps he was unaware that his understanding of indulgences is wrong (they have nothing to do with salvation), or that their sale was never officially sanctioned. Perhaps readers are not interested in knowing that practically all literate Europeans knew Latin, that those who could not read Latin could not read anything else. Perhaps it is mere trivia that German Bibles existed before Luther's break, or that widespread Bible ownership only became possible with the invention of the printing press. Perhaps the history of the Protestant Reformation is too complex for a balanced treatment. Still, is Catholic-bashing necessary or relevant? There could be reason to dislike Bill Gates (who is not Catholic). There is surely much to like about Linux: I use it. If Scoville wishes to express his opinion about the Microsoft monopoly, however, surely he could do it without slandering a major religion? -- Christopher Wong SALON | Nov. 18, 1998

R E C E N T L Y+| A CLEAN SLATE AT THE MICROSOFT TRIAL BY SUSAN LEHMAN

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