I have a question. "There's always some dumb [bleep] that don't know me

Sipsey Street Irregulars ^ | 15 August, 2011 | Mike Vanderboegh

[marktwain]

Thank you for the story. I have always thought that there was righteous defense, but many ridicule the concept.

[marktwain]

Having know you for many years the other person with a better rep is your brother.

Well, He is tougher, a better shot, much better at hand to hand.

But, I write better!

[Raven6]

In my opinion, there are two types of "friendlies" when it comes to those of us in the profession of firearms instruction... A) Those that take it in stride and treat us like anyone else because they are used to us and have known us for years, and B) those that are cordial and courteous but are still stand-offish because they can not wrap their mind around the fact that we are willing to kill. In the latter's view, we are politically incorrect "throw-backs" to another time in which man completely understood that he was personally responsible for his own well being.

I have to deal with both everywhere I go, even at my church... The real friends ask me for advise, ask me to help them locate a specific type of gun, or schedule private lessons. The others walk uneasily around me as if I am a case of sweating dynamite that, if not handled properly, will explode. These are the same people that have never had any sort of physical confrontation with anyone in their life, and for some reason they often deem themselves stationed at a level "above" those that would resort to violence. Now... Of course, if on some Sunday morning some islamofacist decided that he would come into our church and take out a bunch of Christians, these same people would be looking to me and a few of my students to solve the problem for all of us... There are "sheepdogs" among the flock (pun intended.) If it ever comes down to it, we will take care of the problem should it occur. When someone gets the nerve up to question me as to how I can teach others to kill with such efficiency (as in my "Tactical Anatomy" class) I just tell them to go look up Psalm 144:1.

It's like the old saying goes: "An armed society is a polite society." I treat everyone nice... I smile and say "Hello!"... I play with the kids and complement the babies... But nothing changes the parameters of how I am treated by the "friendlies."

I agree with you that it is a good reputation to have. In regard to your "moments of introspection" I would just say that we are who we are... We can't "unlearn" what we know or change how we react to a threat. But the good thing is that we don't have to. I've been through some "very stressful" situations in my time where firearms were involved (let's leave it at that) and have mornings that I get up and ask "Am I a good person?" and I know the answer is "yes."

I teach law enforcement agencies and military units in large classes, and civilians in private instruction... I know that what I am teaching them, based upon years of everyday experience and my combat experiences, will help them get home to their families. I am doing a good thing in my work - that I know for sure.

And those people that "just don't get us"? Well, they are the ones with the problem - not us... They are the ones that will be found with the phone in their hands by the homocide detective there to work the latest case of (choose one) home invasion; car jacking; street mugging; rape; or "he looked at me disrespectfully" that turned into a murder.

[marktwain]

Thank you for your kind words. Yes, we are who we are. I think most people have the potential. Unfortunately, one cannot pick up a lifetime of skills, attitudes, and worldview in an afternoon.

[RinaseaofDs]

While in Heaven, the boy saw Satan. Whether Satan in Heaven actually having coffee with Gabriel is unclear.

The book indicates that he was in the presence of Christ, and that Christ had him do ‘homework’ and proceeded to teach him. Mind you, the boy was three when he had the experience, and then related it as a four year old.

Remarkable book.

[Osage Orange]

I'm confused....did you not say.."Everything that this boy claimed he witnessed is completely consistent with Scripture"...

Because Satan in Heaven..is not "completely consistent" with anything I've ever read.

[RinaseaofDs]

Read the book.

Draw your own conclusions. Satan’s existence was revealed to the boy whilst in Heaven. I would venture the probability that Satan was not in Heaven at the time.

He was revealed details of his parents life he could not have known about, and apparent details of his future, and the future of his parents. Satan was a part of that revelation.

Whether John was taken to Heaven in his revelation is unknown to me, but clearly details of the antichrist were revealed to him, wherever he was at that time as well.

Again, do your own homework.

[Osage Orange]

I've read the only book that matters....

All I was pointing out to you...is what you said. What you said was wrong.

I'm not discounting the story.

That said...Satan was once in Heaven..before he was kicked out.