The following two events are exemplary examples that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions."

1. Terrorist interrogation tactics in the wake of 9/11 were adopted to acquire desperately needed information, with the intention of preventing repeat occurrences.

2. Use of 50,000-volt tasers by over 7,000 of the 18,000 law enforcement agencies resulted in more than 330 deaths (per Amnesty International). Obviously, the intent of the authorities was not to kill but to avoid further use of other deadly force.

In both examples, the authorities were acting in good faith under extremely stressful conditions but always with the sole intent of protection for the public.

Unfortunately for hapless authorities, such execution of legally sworn-to duties often leads to being caught between a "rock and a hard place" and consequently "damned if they do and damned if they don't."

This type of controversy unintentionally always presents a perfect opportunity for those hypocritical, self-righteous, "ambulance-chasing," publicity-seeking politicians to rant and rave ad nauseam about the unjustifiable treatment of terrorists and criminals and, I might add, much to the delight of those terrorists and criminals.

Why can't the authorities calmly and thoughtfully proceed with invariable investigations by first asking themselves this simple question: "Did the ends justify the means?"

Harvey Thibodeau

Pinehurst