We are now in the company of Iran, Iraq and North Korea -- an axis of execution, some wiseguy is going to say.

I understand that David Duke likes vanilla ice cream. Does that mean that everyone who likes vanilla ice cream is a racist?

Sir, as the horror of the snipers' crimes fades …

In about 150,000 years.

… pressure will build on you to be reasonable, humane -- even civilized -- and not seek the death penalty.

I can just picture John Ashcroft saying, “Silly young cousin of Richard Cohen, I’d rather be unreasonable, inhumane, and uncivilized.” Can’t you?

While it is true that death will not bring the 10 victims back to life, and life in prison is, really, an awful punishment…

Having to read Richard Cohen columns is an awful punishment. Depriving these two murdering bastards of their next breath is justice.

I recommend, sir, that you merely stick to your guns …

No doubt, Dick just cracks himself up. The long winter evenings at those A-list parties must just fly.

… an unfortunate turn of phrase, maybe…

Maybe?

… but one that sums up our entire position.

Or at least, the caricature of John Ashcroft’s position that Richard has no nobly built for him. But I still can’t assume Richard’s position that we should try and rehabilitate these two and hope that they will be able to do some good for humanity in the future.

Bastards.

All three of them.