Mostly just random observations today and various responses to statements made in other journals.

Steven mentioned that the one argument in favor of the death penalty is that it serves as a bargaining chip in plea negotiations.

Personally, I think the big argument in favor of the death penalty is the remarkably low rate of recidivism.

Linda talked about cat de-clawing in her journal. I've always found it amusing that it's perfectly acceptable to cut a cat's balls off, but it's considered heinous and evil to remove its claws. (How 'bout it, fellas? Which would you rather have removed?)

And, I do wonder if there would have been anywhere near as much fuss about Elian if he'd been from Haiti.

And, just how much taxpayer money has been spent on that crap, anyway?

Tamela reminded me of something funny we'd discussed while she was here. I'd mentioned my impatience with people who tried to give me dating advice, since it usually consisted of pat, annoying, phrases such as "It'll happen when you stop looking" and "You need to get out there and try and find someone." Tamela neatly boiled both pieces of advice into "Keep your eyes open...but don't look!"

I pulled a guy on a motorcycle over today who had his girlfriend's two-year old son riding in front of him on the motorcycle--neither one wearing helmets. Unfortunately, Louisiana does not have a helmet law for adults as long as they carry $10,000 of personal health insurance. Personally I think they should all be required to sign organ donor cards. However, I did ticket the shit out of him for not having the kid helmeted, etc, and I called the guy's girlfriend to come and get the kid.

She didn't seem too happy with the guy. Good. Idiot.

My hydrangeas are finally starting to bloom. And the big lily in the front has bloomed. The damn things couldn't bloom a week ago when Tamela was here.... noooooooooo. Hmmmf.

For some reason today was "Juvenile Day" at work today. It seemed like every call we went on was one where we had to deal with unruly or runaway juveniles. Damn brats.

Thank gawd... only one day of day shift left. (Night shift is soooo much cooler and way more interesting. Also tons less reports to write!)

My dog ate my new glasses the other day. Why is it that whenever he chews something (which is actually fairly infrequently) he always picks something expensive?