JACK'S BLOG
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3/12/2013 5 Comments Are you feeling vulnerable?OpinionI'LL ADMIT IT. I'm feeling vulnerable. A man came pounding on my front door the other night. It was about 7 pm. As I approached the door, I could hear him shouting at the next door neighbor who was shouting back. Now, my neighbor is given to speaking in a loud voice. It seems natural to him. Maybe he's hard of hearing. I don't know. But, these two were shouting when I looked out the peep hole to see who it was. I didn't recognize him. Obviously, I'm not the only one feeling vulnerable I asked who was there and he replied that he was a new neighbor. Okay, what did he want. Before he could respond, he had another shouting exchange with my neighbor. Apparently there was some unfinished business between them. I couldn't immediately discern what they were saying. My hearing in one ear is impaired and my neighbor's accent (African I believe) wasn't helping. That brings me to my sense of vulnerability. I have impaired hearing. Its not much of a disability, but I seem to have accumulated a few with age. Age is another source of my sense of vulnerability. I'm not the man at seventy that I was even just a decade ago. Then there's sciatica. That really left me debilitated for several weeks. I'm still getting over it. I'm still carrying a cane, fearful that my left knee will fold with any step, especially if I attempt to change direction without lifting the foot. So, yes, I'm feeling vulnerable. I admit it. Meanwhile, the stranger at the door finished his shouting match with the neighbor and pounded on my door again. Again I asked what he wanted. He mumbled something. It sounded like mumbling to me. Remember, the hearing loss? I told him it was late. He objected that it was only 7 pm. It was. Even so I refused to open the door for him and he went away, obviously perturbed with me. I haven't seen this “neighbor” since. I don't like feeling vulnerable. I was a rough and tumble sort of a kid, trained as an infantry officer. I've studied martial arts. I am expert with every sort of weapon placed in my hands: bows and arrows, guns of all types and calibers, I even used a sling effectively to throw snowballs as a kid. I'm not used to feeling vulnerable. Maybe that's why I'm reacting passionately to the current assault on our Second Amendment rights. Why are they doing this? What is their goal? Make our world safer? Of course not! As any fool can see if they look at the statistics, guns used in crime are down to historically low levels and still dropping. Indeed, those jurisdictions that have the most restrictive laws on gun ownership are suffering the greatest incidence of gun-related crimes. There is no rational excuse for disarming law-abiding citizens. So, we can only assume that the proponents of infringing on our Second Amendment rights have some unnamed, ulterior motive, and it's making me feel even more vulnerable. I'm not the only one. Women are feeling more vulnerable. So are minorities. Anyone traditionally victimized by bullies, bigots, and criminals is feeling vulnerable and they will be vulnerable if denied their right to defend themselves. Still, the anti-gun proponents wage their unrelenting war on us, the vulnerable ones.
Come to think of it, the anti-gun proponents are clearly demonstrating all the characteristics of bullies and bigots. Furthermore, attempting to infringe on our natural right to defend ourselves, they are making themselves enemies of the Constitution, which should be regarded as criminal activity. Obviously, the anti-gun proponents are attracting the support of people of good will and good intentions. Just remember, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. They perceive guns as the “devil” and feel justified in cutting down any laws that stand in their way. However, as the character of Sir Thomas Moore proclaims in the play, A Man For All Seasons, “...what is to protect them when the devil turns round about?” Regardless of what laws they may pass, I shall regard them as unconstitutional and hang onto my guns. Then I won't feel so vulnerable in the presence of tyrants.
5 Comments
3/15/2013 01:05:53 pm
Oh, yeah. I feel vulnerable as Hell. They're breaking in homes in daylight all over out here. I feel skittish when I'm out for a walk. Even with Grandpa's .38 police special in my pocket. I know for sure they could well grab it and crack me upside the head. I'm not as quick like a bunny as I used to be. The whole world's gone mad. Nowhere's safe. I don't know what to do with the fear except feel it. Writing helps, but so far it hasn't killed an intruder.
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Jack Durish
3/15/2013 01:10:34 pm
Imagine how much worse it's going to be when your local government goes bankrupt and has to make significant reductions in services such as fire and police. The insane levels of debt we are creating while wasting money on frivolous schemes is creating poverty at a rate that wasn't seen in the days when we lived by capitalism. Big government is a big pain.
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3/16/2013 06:40:30 am
Fear, one of the great equalizers. Yes, I believe it will get much worse before it gets better. I really believe the only solution is revolution. I know that, in itself, breeds fear (I hope the FBI won't knock on my door after I post this comment), but too many feel entitled, and will rise up when there is no more to simply give them. Until the 2nd Amendment is actually changed, I'm not too worried about being disarmed. I am, however, fearful.
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Jack Durish
3/16/2013 06:45:38 am
I don't fear the FBI. They have a proud tradition to live up to. Homeland Security is another matter. Even the name bothers me. It reminds me of the Soviet's defense of the "Motherland". They are the ones arming themselves with hollow point bullets (outlawed in war) and armored vehicles (to what conceivable purpose?). I believe that the only thing that will alleviate our fear is when a significant number of citizens begin organizing themselves into militias. (Now, that's the statement that may inspire a knock at the door.) No individual, no matter how well-armed, can withstand a coordinated assault.
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3/18/2013 08:09:52 am
Wow this guy picked the wrong door to knock on, well done Jack you have great way of dealing with people. Keep up the good work I am sure the guns thing will sort itself out too. Have a great week.
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