The Supreme Court has decreed that minors should be exempt from the death penalty, citing cruel and unusual punishment. This decision should gladden the hearts of decent people everywhere, knowing that teen killers can be spared, to one day mature into adult psychopaths. Except for the perfectly reasonable and justifiable practice of exterminating useless, unborn children, imposing the death penalty is a heartless, barbaric act, unworthy of a civilized society. Thankfully, every family in America now can breathe a sigh of relief, secure in the knowledge that their children are free to commit murder without fear of the ultimate penalty. Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with the sagacity of the high court. Millions among us — merciless wretches all — still spew the language of revenge. They cry for blood, an eye for an eye and all that nonsense. They would stamp out the precious life of misunderstood adolescents. Can’t they see that these young people are struggling to get through a tough period in their lives, to overcome abusive parents, ignorant parents, no parents, aloof parents and a drastic lack of self esteem? While these troubled juveniles may take a false step and butcher their grandparents or gun down classmates or strangle a playmate, we all know these acts are a cry for help. We know these acts are temporary lapses in behavior. And we know that, in time, with patience and understanding, these lovely children will develop into caring adults and become productive members of society. Examples of this rehabilitation are clear proof. When the gifted mystery writer Anne Perry (aka. Juliet Hulme) was a girl in New Zealand, her best friend’s mother refused to allow Pauline (the daughter) to join Anne on a trip abroad with her affluent family. Becoming frustrated as teens do, Anne and her friend arranged a walk in the park with the stern old bag, and they efficiently bludgeoned dear old Mom to death. They claimed she fell; but a bloody brick encased in a silk stocking, and 45 blows to the woman’s skull, gave police a different impression. Of course, the pair was convicted of the crime; but English law was lenient on minors and the two spent five years in “prison” before their release. You see — Anne may have been a vicious murderer then, but today Ms. Perry is a respected author of more than 30 novels as well as a sought-after lecturer. Had the authorities snuffed out her life, the world would have lost her talent. Anyway, the truth be known, Pauline’s mother very likely deserved to die. As difficult as it may be to suffer the loss of someone murdered by a teenager, the survivors should put aside their grief and resentment to realize that killers do have reasons for their actions — that, in time, these youngsters, given a fair shake in life, can shake off their juvenile hormones and be pillars of the community. Some diehards will nag about justice; but that precept is essentially obsolete, for instance, in the hallowed, intellectual halls of Europe. It’s time we followed suit. We should recognize that thousands of people will be murdered by teenagers and learn to accept the fact that casualties are part of The Master Plan. Once these victims are dead, we can’t restore their lives, can we? They’re going to die sooner or later, anyway; and some of them left to live out their lives, likely would commit their own crimes. No, it’s not our place to condemn minors and certainly not our right to execute them. After all, they’re victims, too. If you saw a teenager caving in the skull of an old man, or stabbing a classmate, and you were carrying a pistol, could you honestly bring yourself to shoot this tragic figure? Of course not. You haven’t that right. Later, after they haul the unlucky body away, you will feel gratified knowing that one life was spared and that very life would be rehabilitated as if nothing had happened. Ain’t life grand?