Judge Kim Christopher deserves a round of applause for her decision in the Dan Resler case.

Don't applaud if you value human life at six months in jail. That, of course, was the original plea bargain agreement. Resler would have done a

year in jail for killing two young men outside of Plains a year ago.

And that's a pretty sweet deal if you think there's nothing wrong with repeat DUI offenders weaving down the road knocking people off.

If, however, you choose not to drink and drive, if you believe in punishing those who repeatedly make poor choices that wind up ending innocent young lives, and if you're tired of a wimpy judiciary system that seems to plea-bargain every offense down to nothing, you'll join us in cheering Judge Christopher.

The judge last week threw the plea agreement out the courthouse window and laid down a firm but fair sentence that will keep Resler under the jurisdiction of the Department of Corrections until he's into his 70s.

And you'll join us in remembering, during the 2010 electoral cycle, those who value human life at six months in jail.