An astute analysis of the common thread connecting right-wing "family values" evangelicals with serial killers. While such toxic pathologies are endemic to our culture, they can also be found in most others, in various forms. The only remedy I can envision is to incorporate introspective skills and practices into basic education.

Here is a simple practice I invented (inspired by the Buddhist teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh) that could easily be taught, even to elementary school children or to hardened criminals--and possibly even religious zealots or republicans! It consists of ten injunctions, on the breath, to contemplate, practice, and--when one is ready--vow to continue. These injunctions enable us to reclaim the moment, create an adaptive generic daily agenda, and establish standing goals that benefit one's self, one's community, and one's planet simultaneously. Here are the injunctions--which you contemplate on the breath:

1. Breathe--Observe--Let Go

2. Be well--Do Good Work--Keep in Touch

3. Learn--Teach--Heal--Create.

The first three help us overcome toxic obsessions of all sorts when they arise.

The second give us a generic blueprint for planning our day.

The last four reaffirm the four things worth doing with our lives to promote the health, competence, and resilience of ourselves, our communities, and our planet.