Re·cid·i·vate - To return to a previous pattern of behavior, especially to return to criminal habits.

Ok. I've been thinking about the death penalty recently given all of the hype of the Michael Ross murder case before that lack-wit judge put the kibosh on it as part of a personal agenda to make us all less safe.

From the death penalty I wandered to incarceration. Life without parole, 25-Life, 3-5 with time off for 'good behavior'. If there is no ultimate price, does any of it really matter? Most cons recidivate when they are released for their first minor crimes. How much better off would we all be if the death penalty were implemented for any offense that required a term of imprisonment? How many good people would be alive today if we had only killed their killers the first time they were sentenced to the pen? How many children would be 'normal' if their molesters had been executed the first time they passed through the justice system?

I know I'm not giving many people the benefit of the doubt that seems to be required if you were raised in a household that didn't have a pair of loving parents or a family structure or three cars or a playstation or a pony or whatever.

I really don't care. There are many people who, if they were suddenly dispatched to hades, would not be noticed except for the calm and serenity their absence provided.

Why do so many people these days feel like they must coddle killers. As if murderers have a right to the rights they revoked from their victims. Few felons, if any, change significantly during the course of a prison stay. And don't give me any crap about "You might be killing off the next Isaac Newton" either. If there was a first and a second, there will be a third and we can afford the wait.