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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!tektronix!tekchips!teklabs!jeffma
From: jeffma@teklabs.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: A Flame To Mr. Preece
Message-ID: <2520@teklabs.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 30-Sep-83 20:01:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: teklabs.2520
Posted: Fri Sep 30 20:01:00 1983
Date-Received: Sun, 2-Oct-83 02:59:58 EDT
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 37


I've tried.  I've really tried to stay out of this one.  But one particular
aspect of this issue, the general notion of how one should personally react 
to a physical threat by a criminal, has really gotten me pissed off.

With regard to personal protection and the "appropriate" reaction against
criminal assault, Scott Preece has some sage advice for the modern,
"aware," "civilized" person:

     "A report was issued only a couple of weeks ago that said that in
     general it was MUCH safer to submit than to resist."
					[uiucdcs.3025]

Mr. Preece has, of course, for some time been advocating a submissive 
and/or "run away" reaction to instances in which an individual is
being physically threatened by a criminal.  Without getting into all the other 
specific issues being bandied about here (such as gun control per se), let me 
just say that I find this a disgusting, irresponsible, and essentially 
decadent (that's right, folks, DECADENT) reaction to a social problem too 
serious to run away from.

When we officially become a nation of SHEEP, let me know.  I'll buy my
one-way ticket the hell out of here.

						Jeff Mayhew
						Tektronix

P.S.:  How I would deal with a tire-iron wielding maniac is a little
secret between the maniac and myself.  It is absolutely inconceivable to
me how anyone could stand by and watch their wife, husband, children,
friends, or even a complete stranger be placed in immediate physical harm
by a criminal and simply "submit" or "run away."  Those who advocate such
a reaction evoke a definite sense of nausea (and in no way can I associate
them with the adjective "civilized").

Let's just say I wouldn't want a Scott Preece protecting my family when I
wasn't around.  Would you?