I heard an apt description concerning the evolution and development of a sociopath: "Genetics provide the weapon, environment loads the bullets, and life experiences pull the trigger." The genetics part of that metaphor would reinforce details of the Steven Stanko case, a murderer who is incarcerated on death row in North (or South) Carolina. He, being fairly wealthy, paid for tests on his brain, thinking to avoid death by proving he's either insane or brain damaged. The tests, including an MRI and others, concluded that the part of his brain that produces emotions like empathy, sympathy, conscience, and guilt, is not working. The pictures show a big blank spot in that area of his brain. To me, that makes him similar to a science fiction movie where a computer controlled device or machine develops a glitch and takes off on its own, destroying anything that gets in its way. It doesn't make him mentally ill by our definition, because he is an intelligent and highly functioning human being. But he is certainly mentally deficient to the extent that he cannot be allowed access to the rest of society. As I said, that would be like turning loose an out of control nuclear weapon. My opinion is that ALL of these people should be permanently incarcerated, because they cannot be rehabilitated. Technology has not yet invented brain transplants.

It also brings to mind the response of Gary Ridgeway (the Green River Killer) when Sheriff Dave Reichert asked him if he thought there was something missing in him. His response: "Well, maybe that 'caring' thing." Society shouldn't have to deal with such monsters.

Utterly gorgeous weather and I'm stuck inside revising. The strangest part is that I can hardly tear myself away. I'm working, and suddenly three or four hours are just gone. I hope I can get Chasing Ghosts in print in time for Christmas.

I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter and her family when I travel to Boulder at the end of the month for the Western Literature Association conference.

I'm so stressed over the election that I'm listening to Public Radio instead of television--purely for enjoyment.