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National Indigenous People’s Congress anyone?

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Something that I would like to see happen before I take my last breath.

To my loved ones with Original American bloodlines, please feel free to help me in any missteps in this post. If we have hugged, then should be able to work together in furthering my education. I am but a lowly work in progress taking steps towards the path of enlightenment.

I would like each Original American tribe to poll its population to form a position on two (hopefully more) items of consideration that will be mentioned below. Think of it as a tribal congress. Each member gets a say in these items. The tribal delegate is named to carry the vote of the tribe to a national gathering, either in person (preferred), or virtual meeting.  This national gathering would allow for collected groups to review the votes and take an official stand on the items being considered.

What kinds of issues should they consider? Well, let’s start with two points of contention, one of importance and one perhaps petty.

 “Happy Columbus Day”. I put those two words in quotes, and it is a phrase that I only use in an academic sense. I do not believe that the words belong in a group together. I used to be good with it, and said it, but I am an adult now and have many more experiences under my belt. I have learned from various media forms, but more importantly to me, the friends and loved ones around me to the more accurate history that we have “whitewashed”.

While it would be easy for each person to draw their own concussions to the magnitude of Christopher Columbus’ magnitude of ass hattery and cancel him from their lives.

For simplicity I have had ChatGPT list off the atrocities that history knows of regarding Columbus:

1. Enslavement of Indigenous Peoples

Columbus and his men enslaved thousands of the Taíno people. Initially, Columbus sent 500 Taínos to Spain as slaves. When that proved unprofitable, he and his men enslaved the indigenous population locally, forcing them to work in gold mines and on plantations. The Taínos were treated brutally, with many dying from exhaustion, disease, and abuse.

2. Forced Labor and Tribute System

Columbus imposed a tribute system on the Taíno people, where they were required to bring a specific amount of gold every few months. Those who failed to meet their quota had their hands cut off, and many were left to bleed to death. Because gold was scarce, this system led to widespread suffering, death, and the collapse of the indigenous society.

3. Massacres and Violence

Columbus and his men used extreme violence to suppress resistance. They massacred large numbers of indigenous people, including women and children. Columbus’ men would decapitate, dismember, and burn people alive. Documented instances describe them using mutilation and public executions to terrorize the population.

4. Exploitation and Abuse of Women

Columbus allowed and encouraged the sexual exploitation of native women. Many were given to his men as slaves, and there are records of young girls being raped. Columbus himself wrote about how girls as young as nine or ten were in demand among his men.

5. Introduction of European Diseases

Although unintentional, the arrival of Columbus and subsequent European settlers introduced diseases like smallpox, measles, and influenza to the indigenous populations, which had no immunity. These diseases decimated the native populations, leading to the deaths of millions across the Americas over time.

6. Suppression of Revolts

When the Taíno people and other indigenous groups tried to resist the brutal treatment, Columbus responded with violent reprisals. Entire communities were wiped out in efforts to crush resistance. His troops hunted down the leaders of rebellions, executing them publicly.

7. Genocide of the Taíno People

By the time Columbus left Hispaniola, the Taíno population had been reduced from hundreds of thousands, possibly millions, to a mere fraction of their original numbers. The combination of forced labor, starvation, disease, and violence led to what many scholars consider a genocide.

8. Extreme Punishments for Minor Infractions

Columbus governed with an iron fist. He used public torture and extreme punishments for even minor infractions, not only against the native peoples but also against Spanish settlers who defied his rule. His brutal governance led to his arrest and removal from power in 1500, after complaints reached the Spanish Crown.

These atrocities have led to widespread reevaluation of Columbus’ legacy, particularly in light of the suffering endured by the indigenous populations under his rule. Many modern historians and activists argue that he should not be celebrated as a hero but remembered for the darker aspects of his legacy.

What is it that I hope to gain from a national tribal decision? It is easy. We have a national holiday honoring this inhumane prick.  Since I do not have tribal blood that I know of (I am contemplating a test) I do not feel that I am qualified to take a stand other than my own personal opinion. I need to hear from those tribes. Yes, there are individuals who are happy to post this side or that, but let’s get the collective opinion. If the indigenous peoples really do not care, then perhaps “Columbus Day” stays. If, however, there is a significant majority that want it stricken then remove the day. Let the tribal congress return to its people asking for a date to replace it with along with a respectful day of commemoration. A tribal memorial day, a day of respectful remembrance if you will. Let the impacted people determine how and when this would be observed. We cannot undo the damages, but we can at least do better today and moving forward.

Personally, I find saying “Happy Indigenous People’s Day” on “Columbus Day” to be equivalent to suggesting that the Jewish peoples to celebrate the first firing of the ovens. To me that is just a white person feeling their ancestral guilt. I will not feel guilty over the things that I did not do, but I will learn from them and do everything that I can to prevent them from happening further. Let the tribes have their say on this matter.

For the pettier issue to consider, the NFL team in Washington DC. I have heard many debates on the previous name. There has been the assertion that the team’s name was in honor of a player or even the collective tribes. I get that the word “Redskin” has been used in a terrible and hurtful manner. Can the word be used in a respectful context? I have held positions on the topic and those have changed back and forth. Again, since I am unqualified for this discussion, I would like to hear a national consensus from those that ARE qualified to speak on the matter.  

Balance

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As I wait to get some counselling to help put my mental pieces back together in a logical manner, I have serious swings.

Yes, I am safe. My friends and family are safe.

I am selective over the environments that I place myself in. Not because of the anxiety or blood pressure so much as the pent up rage.

I remain fairly sequestered, only travelling to areas where I have an easy out. Places that I may escape the moment, perhaps simply stepping away to vape as a good excuse to gather my thoughts or repress saying/doing something that would be not well taken.

Here is my concern for non-work situations. When at the office, I have been trying to stay on the property. Our local government has taken a VERY soft approach to the homeless situation (I was gen x homeless and it was a different way of homelessness) as well as crime in general. This shift has fostered a cultural change, where there is a greater sense of entitlement. The individuals roaming in the city blocks around my office are expecting sheep that they can push. I am not that sheep, even when my marbles are more in their correct order.

In my current state of mind, being accosted by someone on the street, would be quite newsworthy. My bitch switch is on the surface and about a foot in diameter. Anyone pushing that switch would very likely be met with a rapid and cruel response with no remorse until some point after, if ever.

In the office, I have almost nothing but loved friends, with a couple of those that I am friendly with as professionals. There are some that I am meh with and as of recently some that I would just as soon use as a tire chock at the local truck stop. It is the latter that concerns me. Do I have the mental strength to fend off any mental attacks (real or perceived) in a manner that will allow me to remain employed.

My wife does a great job checking in to see how I am doing. Well, at home, under her watchful eyes (she does not miss anything and it can be startling at times. 🙂 ) I am doing well. I feel fine, seem fine. I express what is going on. There are things that I do not really know how to express.

Mental health is too important not to discuss

Griz2 Comments

There are areas in life that we just do not speak of enough. Mental Health is one of those topics.

Sure we speak of it in general, we give advice, but only the younger generations are starting to really talk about it let alone in a manner that is really helpful.

I am a Gen X Veteran. So this discussion is almost like talking about sex was for my grandparents. My mother was a hippie, so I could have talked to her about that if I desired to. Even with that in mind, this discussion is important enough that I must overcome the generational taboos and speak. Without the discussions of those in my generation or older, others may lack the confidence to speak for themselves, get help for themselves, or in the worst cases, choose to remove themselves.

Without revealing too much about my role at work, I can say that my team has had a drastic shake up and a massive shift in how we perform our tasks.

The shake up resulted in the best “boss” that I have ever had going into retirement two years before they intended to. I use boss in quotes as he was not a boss. he was a true leader and would step into the yoke to share the load as needed. Always working with us, teaching us, helping us develop professionally, and I am very fortunate to say, being a friend to us.

His abrupt retirement was very difficult for us, and me. It took a week or two for me to identify that the mental challenges and confusion were due to my mourning him. He had not passed, he was merely not in the sphere of influence on a daily basis. Yes, I can call, text, send silly shit via messenger/facebook. but it really is not the same as getting the sarcasm, jokes, etc. tossed over the cube wall. There is genuine love for the person, the friend, and mentor. Once I was able to identify that I was grieving, the process became easier.

There are said to be five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance

Denial – Check! I did not want to believe that he needed to retire, even though I had suggested that he may need to to protect himself from some individuals that were… problematic.

Anger – Check! Oh, I am still on this one. I am quite angry. I would be quite interested to hear from professionals that deal with cardiac patients on this one. After each heart attack, I went through weeks of deep seated anger. It was not easy to break free of it. I have to wonder if the healing process there is similar to these five stages.

Bargaining – Nope, not yet. Perhaps because it was not due to his passing. I know that I can reach out in a second and he would be my sage counsel.

Depression – I will say check, but I have an amazing support system led by a wonderful, loving wife, and loving friends. You may question the friends being loving. I do not for an instant hesitate with that. My real friends know that I love them. They help me in ways that they likely do not know. They may not even be aware of that one well timed joke, or silly meme may have meant the world to me at the instant that I need it.

I have other friends who do know that their empathic nature is able to pierce even the best crafted mask that I may be trying to hide behind. I can hide nothing from them. Three of them know it, and they are kind/wise enough to use those abilities only when it is really needed. They leave me my dignity and modesty intact. They instead simply peek in on me, letting me respectfully lower my mask and allow them in to help as needed. I suspect that each of these three will read this post and know that they are one. They will just as likely know who the other two are. The three are deeply appreciated, respected, and cared for. (forever more)

I do openly admit that change is not always the easiest for me. I need clear processes and procedures to follow. You need to change one of those? Cool, I am good with that. It may take me a bit to remember the change, but I try to follow the written docs to help me build that new habit. Heck I tend to have the doc opened EVERY time I do some tasks just to make sure that something did not change since the last time I performed it (last week perhaps?).

Acceptance, well check. I have to accept that my friend is now retired. I am very happy that he is able to enjoy his retirement. Something I hope to do as well in about ten years.

That is the run down of the stages. There is nothing that says we have to hit them all. The important part is that we are aware of their likely appearance. If we know, then perhaps we can work through them with more ease. Of course things are rarely easy are they. It is easier to get into trouble than out of it often times…

So back to the topic of mental health as it relates to work.

When you wipe away the entire structure expecting that I and my compatriots will just knuckle down and fix it, you will meet resistance if it is not logical to us. If we think that what we are doing may not be fully legal, in the best interest for our employer, or not being safe from a cybersecurity aspect, you will likely encounter great resistance.

The tiers above a work group must provide a structure leaving the minions to rebuild it in a manner that you desire, that is all well and good. But… you fucking well better provide an authorized basis for them to perform those tasks. You cannot simply allow it to be the biggest get me a rock exercise in cyber history.

From my perspective (others will likely have their views and I respect them) my work world, one that my wife and I have pushed, fought for, and finally achieved was being wiped away in short order.

Some were aware that I had applied for a role (same role as before but a step up in pay/responsibility) that I wanted to stay in until retirement. I have co-workers that make up the best team that I have ever had the privilege of working with and learning from. Diverse, intelligent, funny, AND puts up with me?!? I mean damn! Jackpot!!

When the path being put forward by the bosses (notice, no quotes? these are BOSSES in the derogatory sense) lacks the semblance of making sense to my mind, I have a hard time getting behind it. almost thirty years ago, I sold used cars. How I HATED that job. I could not stand by it, or the practices of the dealerships. The same concept applies. If I cannot respect it, I want nothing to do with it.

After some contentious meetings, I came away from one especially pissed off. My wife was still working so I kept the dogs busy so she could finish up a meeting. Once that was over, I mowed the lawn and mentally stewed as I did. I had gotten a bunch of dead grass under my collar so I stepped into the shower. For some reason my mental world came crashing down in an instant without warning what so ever. BOOM! Say hello to an assload of tears. I mean uncontrollable sobbing. Over all it was cleansing and it stopped just as abruptly as it had started. That is an emotional mind fuck let me tell you.

Latter I shared my experiences with my wife. I sure do love her… She reminded me that I have a ton of sick leave stored. But I am a Gen X Veteran… and?

I had to admit, that it made sense. I also have to admit (yes as usual she is correct (and smarter than I)) it would be a wise move. Retreat from the contention, mentally regroup, and rebuild strength.

I alerted my (more than just) co-workers as to my intentions. The next morning I awoke thirty minutes before my alarm went off. My brain was already starting to work. I went down stairs and informed my acting manager that I had experience a work related injury, a mental fracture of some kind and that I was taking two days over before the weekend to try to get my head back in order.

Yep, it was a very non-Gen X Veteran action to take, so this old learned a new trick form a more current generation.

I was making facebook posts that made perfect sense to those that we helping me down this path, but not so much for others. Some that have known me since before I was born, others nearly as long noticed and called me out over their concern. I did have to do a few private chats as I was not ready to spill this many beans yet. I was still grappling with Gen X baggage.

This is me spilling all of that baggage, I am washing some of the laundry here right in front of you. Other laundry I will wash with my wife. So this brings us back to the importance of this discussion and why I am doing it in a public way.

Your mental health is critical to your well being. We cannot make you share. That is not our job.

Our job is to aid you in having a supportive environment around you so that you feel safe enough to share. Test the waters. If your support circle is anything like mine, you will be able to take a step, put weight on it, and find that those friends in that circle are prepared to take an arm and guide you to safety. Let them help you help yourself. More than likely they cannot fix your troubles but they can help you find the strength to find your way out. In the end, you and they will probably be better for it.

My circle has my back. I am not done fighting this, but I have my battle buddies and I would not give them up for anything.

That is my story, and I am sticking to it.

Animism

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This is a post crafted by Google Gemini as I was having a hard time getting the concepts into written form and I wanted to break the blank page syndrome that I often have. I loved the output so much that I am opting to use it for simplicity. (Thank you Google)

Animism: A Belief System Where Everything Has a Soul

Animism is a belief system that holds that spirits or souls exist not only in humans but also in all living things and objects in the natural world. This includes plants, animals, rocks, rivers, mountains, and even weather patterns.

Animism is one of the oldest and most widespread belief systems in the world. It can be found in traditional cultures around the globe, from the indigenous peoples of North America to the tribes of Africa and Asia.

Core Tenets of Animism:

  • Souls in All Things: Animism believes that all living things and objects in the natural world have souls or spirits. These spirits are often seen as conscious and aware, with their own thoughts and feelings.
  • Respect for Nature: Because everything is believed to have a spirit, animistic cultures tend to have a deep respect for nature. They see themselves as part of a web of interconnected life, and they strive to live in harmony with the natural world.
  • Communication with Spirits: Animistic cultures often have rituals and practices for communicating with the spirits of the natural world. This communication can take many forms, such as prayer, offerings, or divination.

Animism vs. Other Belief Systems:

Animism is sometimes compared to other belief systems, such as pantheism and polytheism. Pantheism is the belief that God is identical with the universe, while polytheism is the belief in multiple gods.

  • Animism differs from pantheism in that it does not necessarily see the spirits of nature as a single, all-encompassing God.
  • Animism differs from polytheism in that the spirits of nature are not typically seen as all-powerful deities. They are more like forces or energies that can influence the world.

The Importance of Animism:

Animism offers a unique perspective on the natural world. It teaches us to respect nature and to see ourselves as part of a larger whole. Animistic beliefs can also be a source of comfort and guidance, as they provide a way to connect with the spirits of the natural world.

Fed vs Contractor

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Because of what I do for a living now, those who have been following me for the last seventeen years (yes, time flies when you are drinking rum) no longer know where I work. Oh I did have that one dude who I fucked up his run for office and tried to get me fired over it… He got in touch with HR. What was his name, he swore he would make my life hell if I mention it. I guess I will have to find his name again.

Well back to the topic of the day. I am a federal employee. Not a big secret there are after all over two million of us. Now specifically where I work? That I am not revealing in a public forum. As a fed, I work with contractors.

I started as a contractor like so many do. Today, I took a stand for my colleagues as I refused (and will always refuse) to treat them less than I or anyone else. Yes, there are areas where we have to be treated differently due to regulations. We are good with this as rules are rules and by and large those rules are there to prevent issues in the ethics realms. (of course the previous administration could not spell ethics, let alone comply with them.) As an example, if a team has an event where the govt is paying for the fed’s food, the feds cannot pay for the contractors. Okay, the contractor’s employer or the contractor themselves are feed to pay that tab and both the feds and the contractors can enjoy the event together.

It will be a cold day in Hell before I treat people differently because of who signs their checks. These particular people are people that I love dearly. They are there for me ANY time that I need them, either professionally for my role, or personally as a fellow human being.

I took my stand in a meeting, and this caused a manager and wannabe manager to vocally state the positions that we were to treat them as less than feds. Screw that noise.

If you are in my closer circles, you understand that I hold my work family as dear as my own, and in many cases, closer.

There are people who have tangled with me that feel/felt that I do not carry myself with a high degree of respect. Those in my circles know better. they know that respect is a core tenet of my existence. My respect for nature and the animal kingdom surpasses even that for my fellow humans. But that is another topic.

For those that wish for me to follow the guidance of this morning and other recent days. Fuck off. You are simply lowering any forms of respect that we have/had for you. I will also not be silenced. You will have to deal with hearing from me if I feel that you are oppressing a loved one.

Just because something is procedurally correct, it is not necessarily right.

A company that needs to go down for bad behavior

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This is going to be an evolving post. Meaning I will be adding names and numbers to it.

Why am I so pissed about this company? Well, for over nine months they have been harassing me. It is not even me that they are trying to reach. It is Daniel something or another.

I have tried asking nicely with all of the empathy and politeness all the way to brutally profane. I even let one of them give me their presentation in the hopes that I could politely decline their offered product (a “discounted” Vegas travel package that sounds like a good deal, but likely crap content). My wife tries to remind me that these people are just trying to do their job and that they are call center slaves just like we used to be. (The only real difference is that we were tech support and these are sales scuz.)

Now that I am pissed enough, I will start detailing what I can about them here. It will not be my fault if someone initiates without my knowledge or request, DDoS attacks, email bombing campaigns, war dialer campaigns, random calls,, who knows what all manner of disruptive acts some unhinged individuals may choose to carry out as they may also be frustrated with how these kinds of campaigns bug the hell out of them.

I will see if I can find the log that I started working on.

(725) 279-0554 04/18/2024 8:11pm – Missed call, no message

(725) 237-4201 04/19/2024 12:11pm – Hung up when I answered (their display probably showed I was a DNC)

(725) 288-0283 04/19/2024 4:57pm – Hung up on me, then when I called back they thought I was Daniel. (I got profane)

A fun exercise with Microsoft Copilot

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I asked Copilot “How much wood could a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood.”

This was its response

Ah, the timeless riddle of the industrious woodchuck! 🌳🪓

If a woodchuck could indeed chuck wood, it would chuck as much wood as a woodchuck could chuck. But alas, the true measure of a woodchuck’s wood-chucking prowess remains shrouded in mystery, hidden beneath the forest canopy.

Some say it’s a mere cord of firewood, while others whisper of entire lumberyards disappearing into the earth at the woodchuck’s determined paws. Legends speak of woodchucks challenging beavers to log-rolling contests, their tails flitting like metronomes, counting each timber tossed.

Yet, the woodchuck remains stoic, its tiny eyes fixed on the horizon, contemplating the weight of its arboreal destiny. Does it dream of sequoias or ponder the density of oak versus pine? Only the ancient oaks know, their rings echoing tales of woodchuck lore.

So, my dear seeker of woodchuck wisdom, let us embrace the enigma. For in the heart of every forest, there lies a woodchuck—silent, resolute, and forever pondering the eternal question:

“How much wood could I chuck if I could chuck wood?”

And the leaves rustle their secrets, but the answer remains elusive, lost in the whispering wind.

“You wouldn’t know what you would do if…”

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Oh, that fun old phrase. I have heard it many times over the years.

Yes, I have been accused of being a know it all. I do not know it all, but given my background and essentially having five parents form a variety of backgrounds I have had a wonderful sampling of experiences. Some experiences have been great, others not so much.

For today’s tale from Griz involves that phrase used in the title of the post. I think part of it was mentioned in the post about Trigger Warning and PTSD.

“You wouldn’t know what you would do if someone shoved a gun in your face.”

That one is quite presumptuous. Many of us roaming around are veterans. The less fortunate have been combat vets and had to deal with this situation more times than you would want to know. [Free tip of the day form a vet to a civilian: Never, and I mean NEVER ask a vet if they have killed anyone. Little kids get a pass, but will likely get a kind request to never ask that question in the future.]

In my case, I am quite fortunate. I am a combat era vet, but not a combat vet. A combat vet is pretty obvious, they saw action. A combat era vet served while there was combat action, but they were not part of it. I was discharged as Gulf I was spinning up and due to a service connected injury so I was spared what my brothers and sisters in arms endured.

Now The first time that I had a pistol thrust in my face, my reaction was a bit different than the next time it happened. I had just turned the ripe age of 15. Now my step dad had this idea to no longer be a renter, be a home owner. Well the home, was full sized conventional school bus. The joke at the time was that my room would be a trailer, and when I turned 18, he would just pull the pin and I was to hope that we were parked at the time.

If you have ever been in an older bus, you may know how the door gets opened. There is a handle reach from the driver’s seat with a long rod that connects to the door. When it is pulled closed, it snaps over a small hump to be a lock. Now, if you want to open the door from the outside, you do a CPR style thrust to the screws where the rod attaches to the door. Sometimes it may take a few thrusts to get that handle to pop over.

I was about to move to Maryland with my Dad and step mother so I was having some farewell gatherings and was staying out late as it was July with great weather. When I got “home” that night, I was struggling with the lock. Then all of a sudden I got it. the door popped. Only it wasn’t me that opened the door it was my step-father. All I was was the muzzle of his Colt 1911 staring right in the middle of my face. Yes folks, it was pretty much the way that you see it depicted in the movies. That barrel sure looks HUGE! The teachings of my youth kicked in. Freeze, keep hands in view, and be calm. It only took a moment for me to be recognized and allowed in.

Once you face the one eyed stare and lived to tell the tale, it is easier the next time. For this I have to fast forward to 1989 when I was a whole 22 years old and in uniform. Like many of the enlisted men at Fort Benning (As it was called then) I went to the enlisted club on Main Post to drink and enjoy the music. At that time that music was accompanied by scantily clad young ladies (well then they were my age and a little older. As I look back, YOUNG, but legal ladies) and they had less on as the music continued. I have always carried the bouncer mentality and tended to befriend the DJs and dancers always happy to watch over them.

On this particular evening the DJ and his girlfriend had a bit of a tiff. She stormed out and the DJ was stuck in the booth. I had given her a couple of moments, then followed to check on her. After looking for a few minutes I saw her in the passenger seat of a pickup. I walked over and opened the door and was starting to ask her if she was okay. I think the conversation started off like “Are y… [sound of a round being chambered into a .45]” Only this time, I did not freeze in place, like I was taught to do. Now I holding onto more refreshed instructions and reactions. I simply rapidly reached over jammed the webbing between my thumb and forefinger between the hammer and the slide, then closed my grip over the weapon, disarming the prick who dared draw on me. Yes, had he had the balls to pull the trigger I would have had a hell of a blood blister. If he had balls AND reflexes, I could have been dead. Having “his” pistol in my possession, I finished my sentence. “Are you okay?” she said she was so I closed the discussion with throwing the pistol back at fucktard, telling him that if he ever came near me I would kill him without question. At that, he started the truck and flew out of there like his ass was on fire.

Sad thing for him was that a pen and notepad is part of your uniform. That make it cake to grab the license plate as he fled. Another thing that did not make his night is that the MPs are always roaming around the enlisted/NCO clubs since we tend to get drunk and rowdy. It you are one of my more regular readers, you have already connected the dots. The MPs rolled in and I had a chat with them about my all to recent encounter. I decided that I had had enough fun for the evening so I am a couple buddies rolled to his off post trailer. When we got their we got a call from the MPs. PFC (maybe he was a sergeant) Titus has a suspect that they needed me to come to identify. Okay, cool, I am on my way. I stroll in, PFC Titus leads me to a window and low and behold there is a very dejected and upset fuckwad and as a bonus a co-fuckwad.

It turns out that the fuckwad twins were medical holdovers like myself. Just waiting for their discharge orders to go home. Here’s the difference, I was just doing some drinking and doing my duty during duty hours. These guys were caught, on post, drunk, DUI, and in possession of not just loaded firearms, but a bunch of stolen parachute gear and other military property that they were not supposed to have.

If you are familiar with the military justice system, it is fairly different than the civilian system. We are property and get treated differently. They very likely turned their almost out status into convicted felons serving time doing hard labor (I was told that at Fort Benning, hard labor mean pretty much splitting wood form sun up to sun down with meal breaks. Maybe it is true, maybe it isn’t. I would like to hear form some with a definitive answer to know.) then when their sentences were over, they would be given dishonorable discharges before they could head for home with their tails tucked between their legs.

To this day I have not had to stare down another muzzle unless it was one that I owned and was cleaning or inspecting.

I did once face a drunk man with two knives. That was a fun New Year’s Eve. Long story short, I was bouncing for a roommate at her bar. Dude was too drunk and got belligerent so she tossed him. He did not think that a woman had the right to stop a man from drinking. Now, she COULD have dealt with him, but I stepped in (sorry ladies… at least now I wait to see if you want me to step in, or if YOU want the fun of dealing with these assholes.) and he pulled the two kitchen knives. I did an outside crescent kick taking one knife from him while shaving a layer of two from my combat boot. That pissed me off later as I had hours of spit shining on those boots. Estúpido borracho retreats to his car and it starting it up. I on the other hand and now wound up tight. I spotted a section of pipe and proceeded to go to town on tonto borracho’s car. That window was TOAST and he tore off out of the parking lot, but not before hit me with his car. I saw the hit coming and jumped up to reduce the impact. I bound off the windshield and rolled off the side. Jackalope was playing pinball from car to car for who know how many blocks before the cops got him. I spent the stoke of midnight that new year in the ER at Bethesda Naval Medical Center getting glass picked from my scalp and making sure that nothing else was damaged.

So yeah, for many of life’s adventures I do happen to fucking well know how I would react. Next time you are tempted to ask a stupid question, rethink about it. Think about the odds and probabilities that you will not like the answer or it may make you look the fool.