A NATION OF COWARDS

A NATION OF COWARDS
by Jeffrey R. Snyder

OUR SOCIETY has reached a pinnacle of self-expression and respect for individuality rare or unmatched in history. Our entire popular culture -- from fashion magazines to the cinema -- positively screams the matchless worth of the individual, and glories in eccentricity, nonconformity,independent judgment, and self-determination. This enthusiasm is reflected in the prevalent notion that helping someone entails increasing that person's "self-esteem"; that if a person properly values himself, he will naturally be a happy, productive, and, in some inexplicable fashion, responsible
member of society.

And yet, while people are encouraged to revel in their individuality and incalculable self-worth, the media and the law enforcement establishment continually advise us that, when confronted with the threat of lethal violence, we should not resist, but simply give the attacker what he wants. If the crime under consideration is rape, there is some notable waffling on this point, and the discussion quickly moves to how the woman can change her behavior to minimize the risk of rape, and the various ridiculous, non-lethal weapons she may acceptably carry, such as whistles, keys, mace or, that weapon which really sends shivers down a rapist's spine, the portable cellular phone......(To read the rest, click on the title of this post, or click here.)

I wish I could take credit for this one. It certainly voices just about all my thoughts on self-defense, civil rights, and the proper role of government.

Current Mood: Awake
Current Music: Party Train - The Gap Band
My Carry Pistol: Taurus PT92AFS 9x19mm NATO

It's NOT Vigilantism, it's SELF DEFENSE!!

From a story on alternet.org, on page three. (The title of this blog entry is linked to the story, click on it to read the whole story there.)

But Sgt. Nick Muyo, public information officer for the San Jose Police Department, believes more violence is exactly what could happen, and cautions against any inklings towards vigilantism.

Why is it, when normal, everyday citizens talk about arming themselves for self-defense, some of those in Law Enforcement or the anti-rights groups like the Brady Campaign, call it vigilantism? Ok, granted, the people in the story linked by the title above, may not qualify as normal by most of the straight community, but still. This is a problem I have seen repeated again and again.

Here's another example, from April 24, of this year (2008).

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin this morning led a group of two dozen public officials, business leaders and workers in a plea directed at Sonny Perdue, asking the governor to veto a gun bill that would permit licensed concealed weapons to be carried on public transportation, in restaurants that serve alcohol, and in parks.

Prospects of vigilantism were raised by MARTA head Beverly Scott. And MARTA workers said they’re already passing around a petition to demand bullet-proof partitions for bus drivers and train operators should Perdue sign the bun bill into law.

Why is it, that defending one's self, a Basic Human Right, is seen as vigilantism? I guess it's one of the few arguments the anti-self defense crowd has left that they think will sway those who sit on the fence regarding this issue. Even in the "Old West" they knew the difference between self defense and vigilantism.

And speaking of the old west, I also get tired of that comment, when anti-rights people claim a "return to the old/wild west" with blood in the streets and such. If you check the actual statistics for the "wild west" you'll find that other than the Indian wars, crime was much lower than it is today. Old Dodge City was imminently safer than modern day Chicago. It's too bad we can't return to at least the crime rate of the old west.


Current Mood: Awake
Current Music: None
My Carry Pistol: Walther P-38