THE ISSUE: Anders Breivik’s attack on government buildings and shooting of scores of youths.

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There is no excusing the vicious terror attacks in Norway (“Twisted Grin of a Madman,” July 26).

Only a seriously perverted mind could conceive of murdering innocent people for the sake of any cause.

Electing left- or right-wing parliamentarians is a valid and democratic way to induce political change. Resorting to terrorism, no matter the perceived injustice, is not.

Len Bennett

Deerfield Beach, Fla.

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In an attack that was both daring and deadly, in addition to being well-planned and well-executed, the Norwegian massacre proves that domestic terrorists can be just as potent as foreign terrorists.

It also demonstrates that they are just as ruthless and cold-blooded.

The arrested terrorist, 32-year-old extremist Anders Behring Breivik, a well-educated, affluent loner with a hatred of socialism and Islam, chillingly carried it out single-handedly.

Kenneth Zimmerman

Huntington Beach, Calif.

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When a deranged, gun-toting mass murderer seeks a platform for his twisted grievances and the ability to enjoy eternal infamy, he can rely on his friends in the media.

Society will come to know more about Breivik than those who we should be focusing on: the innocent men, women and children whom he slaughtered and maimed in a fit of baseless and senseless rage.

Media outlets are supposed to be a public asset and a force for good in the community.

Oren M. Spiegler

Upper Saint Clair, Pa.

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As the maximum prison sentence in Norway is 21 years, Breivik, who killed over 75 people, will serve only a few months in prison for every person he murdered.

After Casey Anthony was found not guilty, I thought we had the worst democratic legal system on earth. I was wrong.

Matthew Nugent

Staten Island

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My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones and to those who were injured in Oslo. But it is in poor taste for the media to publish photos of those who were dripping in blood.

Just by examining the damage to the building alone, you can comprehend the injuries sustained.

B. Scoccimarro

Blauvelt

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Prayers are all we can offer to the people in Norway.

What a devastation for the parents of the children, who were sent to camp to have fun among friends, and what a nightmare for the victims and the survivors.

May God rest all their souls.

Tom Cahill

Manhattan