Nope, they had a plan. While most escapees would be content to split up and disappear, thinking that perhaps they MIGHT improve their chances by an "every man for himself" approach, this merry band of thugs continued to network while on the run. They didn't merely hide and enjoy freedom. The press makes the most of the fact they have a ringleader, George Rivas, who is said by various authorities... "fearless, cold blooded and possessed of remarkable criminal ingenuity." One of the forensic psychiatrists working on the case described the ringleader, "He demonstrates an unusual degree of interest, creativity and intensity in his craft. He is a mastermind and a leader. He is confident and arrogant. He has no conscience and does not speak the truth." It makes one think... hell, ceremonial magician.

They are now accused of pulling off a Christmas Eve holdup of a sporting goods store, slaying a police officer with horrible viciousness. So far it it is believed that they've pulled off TWO robberies, not only of the sporting good store, but also prior to that heisting a Radio Shack where they not only looted the money but gained police scanners.

With a whole debate about ethics, paganism, doctrines and dogma. The saga regarding the escapees takes on a whole new entertainment value. Particularly frightening to the law abiding pubic and the justice system, is that unusual haunting note: "You haven't heard the last from us yet." Makes you wonder what kind of history these thugs are up to. Not only that, but all seven of them are composed of two killers, two armed robbers, a child abuser, a serial rapist and a burglar. They've arranged themselves in a cohesive little network running in as a gang instead of splitting up. Those with twisted minds wonder what do the child abuser and serial rapist do in these robberies? What's THEIR particular function?

Of even more entertainment value is the oft heard pagan expression "Can't we ALL get along?" Well, this gang of thugs can prove working together works. Law enforcement is baffled Larry Todd, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has said "If they would split up, our chances of getting them would increase. Right now they're sharing information, encouraging each other and not doing the normal things escapees do." Hmmmm... that sharing information is what is making these fellows SUCCESSFUL. One of the main complaints about Cantrap is the "sharing of information" Ironic?

Investigators are also baffled how such a dedicated loyal den of thugs could form a "disipline and loyalty" among themselves. It goes completely against that "no honor among thieves" cliche. None of the seven knew each other before entering the prison system, but there they met and bonded. Not to mention that Texas has one of the harshest criminal systems in our country, executing more prisoners than any other state. It's got to be embarassing that they escaped, but armed themselves from the guard tower with 14 pistols, a loaded shotgun, a loaded rifle and 238 rounds of ammunition before pressing on to freedom. Essentially, these criminals have nothing left to lose.

What scares the authorities? They are networking... sharing information. Closely paralled with the uproar over ethics that it isn't a good thing to SHARE information without the "ethical lessons" in sharing such in the pagan community. On one hand it reinforces the point that sharing information among bad guys makes bad guys more successful. On an equally different view, it verifies that sharing information or networking is at times successful and doesn't matter if it's for good or bad. The fact that this particular group is going against the standard patterns of previous escapee groups, such as leaving that cryptic note and sticking together, might verify that going OFF the beaten path might be a clue to resisting obstacles (like the law). Again the ring leader "demonstrates an unusual degree of interest, creativity and intensity in his craft." I know I'm not the only one that appreciates someone who is GOOD in their craft. Oh, I know that these thugs are truly dangerous and I truly do feel for the victims. The slaying of the police officer was indeed vicious overkill. They are vicious. They don't have anything to lose at this point. But although the American public loves the stupid criminal stories of the robber that leaves his ID in his wallet at the bank he just robbed,you have to be absolutely awestruck by the smart thug. It may be chilling and blood curdling, but damn, if one is going to go all the way over to the bad/evil/dark side, one might as well figure out how to be damn good at it.

It's sort of like that old nursery rhyme:

There was a little girl who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead;
When she was good, she was very, very good,
And when she was bad she was horrid.

In all, despite hearing this throughout my own childhood, it always meant either being very good (which every mother appreciates) and being very very BAD (which every mother knows is possible depending on the day and the goal) As a kid and hearing that nursery rhyme, it could also mean "If you are going to be bad, at least be GOOD at being bad"

It's rather shocking that people are sometimes FOR the criminal, especially when they are terrifyingly defying the odds. This is nothing new. People have long been fascinated by the bad boys and girls. My own childhood was spent discovering the true story of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. We tend to glance at the criminal element with a weird fantasy of "what would it be like to be going against authority?" Bruce Willis never had any wussy criminals in Die Hard to contend with. The bad guys are always challenging if they have the smarts.

The authorities are already bracing themselves for the capture of this gang. Fearing that without anything left to lose and facing the death penalty with recapture, this is likely to go out in a huge showdown. They've certainly proven that two killers, two robbers, a child abuser, a serial rapist and a burglar "Can all get along"

For some of us, we are still glued to our seats wondering what will be the ending of that cryptic note "You haven't heard the last of us yet."