Death in a Bad Year

“In 2004, the USA executed more people than any country except China, Iran and Vietnam. But last year’s 59 executions were down 40% from a peak in 1999.”
USA Today
There is twice the chance of death in a bad year. This kind of giddy predilection used to be compared to hem-lines, Power Ties, and Casual Fridays. But now Americans are less frivolous about life-style than we are about death.