A Man of Principle

     The Saturday, May 28, 1994 issue of the New York Times reported the execution by hanging of Charles Rodman Campbell, 39. The report stated, "Mr. Campbell was convicted of murdering Renae Wicklund, her 8 year old daughter, and a neighbor, Barbara Hendrickson, in 1982. He slashed the throats of all three nearly beheading the child. He had been imprisoned in 1974 for raping Ms. Wicklund and was on a work-release program at the time of the slayings. Prosecutors said he had murdered Ms. Wicklund and Ms. Hendrickson for testifying against him at the rape trial."

     In the state of Washington condemned murderers may choose lethal injection as an alternative to hanging. Mr. Campbell refused to choose on the grounds that by so doing he would be violating his religious principles. It is comforting to know that he wasn't a completely depraved individual. Perhaps he would have made a choice had the Biblical method of public stoning been an option.

Neologisms

Fartitude: n, the demeanor to be maintained when one’s companion is severely flatulent.

Gismoid: n, A small useful device with no moving parts.

Frustacean: n, a lobster unable to find a mate.

Gadgitation; n, the state of mind of a person who has just acquired a new PC or Blackberry or similar item.