Please don't profane my Saviour's name.
To answer your question, I have not had a physical confrontation with anyone since about age 18. I had a guy pull a knife on me at that time. About 6 months ago, a homeless person did approach me outside our church where I was alone and I had to take a defensive posture and he went away cursing me when I told him I can't help you, but I did hold my ground. That is the only incident in 36 years and all I had to do was to hold my ground. During that 36 years, one of my passions was preaching to maximum security prisoners at a CA facility with a whole bunch of LWOPS. (Life without possibility of parole) Encountering dangerous people, how you respond to them almost always determines the outcome of the encounter.
I am now 54 with no further such encounters. One of my friends is an 8th degree black belt and in the Karate Hall of Fame. Guess what, he has NEVER had to use his knowledge in a self defense situation although one of these days he may take my tongue in cheek challenge to step outside seriously.
He told me that the closest he ever got to a fight was once. He is now 65 and has been a black belt since his mid 30's.
Not sure what point you are trying to make, but shucks folks can actually make it through each day without getting into an altercation that could turn physical. As they say, it takes two to tango. If you find yourself in frequent situations that could lead to an altercation, perhaps you should consider NOT carrying a sidearm since your past history will be used against you in a court of law. BTW, I have lived a very full life thank you in and out of large cities and 9 years spent in the military.
Well let me start out by saying your right. I meant no disrespect or blasphemy as he is my Savior as well. That said, just like you may be more religious or strictly adhere to your denominations teachings, your perspective is much different than some other Christians. Other aspects of life also have very divergent points of view.
Now on to the bigger picture, I do find it hard to believe people such as yourself are representative of the majority of people in our country. Even friends who live in rural America can still get into scuffles, sometimes with friends. After it is over they dust themselves off and have a beer together. Then of course there are those who come from a more urban area. Even though you lived in a big city, maybe yours was much more civil, educated, less ethnic, place.
My guess would be that people living in places like Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, etc., might not experience the same problems as those in Detroit, Chicago, Miami, Los Angles, etc.
While I have an A type personality, I do not go looking for trouble. Then again I will not shy away from it in the situations I mentioned either. I doubt you or your karate buddy would stand by while a guy got physical with a woman, but you tell me?
As to carrying a firearm, I have done so, and not even thought about it during most situations because it was not life and death. Aside from my size, I can handle myself pretty well, so if it comes to a fight, I am not looking to use a firearm.
Now one night many years ago I was with a girl in a park and three guys were making a bead right for us. They were staring right at us and not looking away despite me staring back at them. Before they got too close I yelled out and said to go away. They did not stop coming toward us, so I upholstered my gun, and made sure they could see it as I pointed it to the ground. They stopped in their tracks, and headed in a different direction. There was no need to draw down on them, and we got out of there ASAP. So even at a younger age, I certainly could tell the difference when a firearm may be needed vs. a one on one verbal altercation that could turn physical.
Lastly, the point I am making is that I do not want violent/career criminals to own firearms. However if the state decides to start lowering the threshold of what constitutes a lifetime restriction on your Constitutional right to bear arms, then I will be more vocal in my opposition. Like I said, this is new territory for me being a law & order guy, but the CNN report I posted got me thinking.
You offer this, as if it isn't something to aspire to. I do indeed expect my daughter to attend Stanford and my son is attending an equivalent college in his field (no, he hasn't had any violent encounters either)
My experience has been somewhat similar to that of Alaska444. I'm 59 and I can't even remember the last confrontation I've had, in my personal life, where calm did not sooth flaring tempers...I'm not talking about staying calm, but actually having inner calm, likely much like his Karate friend.
I wouldn't call you obtuse, since it isn't constructive, but perhaps you should look within yourself to see where these issues are rooted
Maybe we are speaking different languages or something. I never implied that people should not aspire to clean living and having the best/safest lives possible. However not everyone is able to live the dream of Beverly Hills/Stanford/business owner, etc.
As someone pointed out, blacks for example have a very different life experience in general, so their lives might involve more troubled situations.
I have gone out of my way to say I am not getting personal with you, and wondering if you were being obtuse does not change that. I am certainly not being obtuse, but listening to some of you saying you are one with nature and your fellow man, with nary a dirty look in your entire lives is hard to believe.
I know a decent amount of people who live law abiding lives, yet encounter problems with others from time to time. Maybe it is just where I live that creates more situations for trouble among the populace. It certainly is not Mayberry, MD, nor is it laid back. When I travel to smaller towns, I definitely notice a difference as to how much slower everyone drives, how much more patience they have waiting in line, politeness, and so on.
I certainly do not get that feeling in LA, Miami, NYC, etc.
Just remember that if enough people like me have our rights stripped away from us, you will be severely outnumbered if a tyrannical government ever decides to abolish our Republic. Then again, even if you are still armed, it does not sound like you would lift a finger to oppose whatever the government might decree. To do so would be a violation of the law.
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