Queue on 25/9/2009 at 12:17
Quote Posted by dethtoll
Clearly you do not live in Ohio.
No one really lives in Ohio.
Sgt_BFG on 25/9/2009 at 12:29
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
Want to hear
exactly what aguy would have done in that situation.
Apart from piss his pants, obviously.
Lol, Internet Tough Guys Convention.
Kolya on 25/9/2009 at 12:55
Quote Posted by steo
Okay, since when did rocky meet some hooker and marry her at the end of the song?
Yeah, most people, including myself, think he crawls back into his room to die. I thought the happy ending was a nice change though.
SubJeff on 25/9/2009 at 18:06
Quote Posted by Sgt_BFG
Lol, Internet Tough Guys Convention.
Actually I really want an answer. aguy stated:
Quote Posted by aguywhoplaysthief
You don't have to "ignore" dumbass behavior. It was possible to have delivered a message to this guy in such a way that there would have been a chance (however small) that he actually may have showed a modicum of caution when entering residential areas in the future.
And then proceeds to say he would ignore it.
Or... run away. Second only to pissing your pants.
D'Juhn Keep on 25/9/2009 at 18:33
If only he were carrying a bokken
SubJeff on 25/9/2009 at 19:54
Dude, that's my line,
See Ostrig thread for reference.
aguywhoplaysthief on 26/9/2009 at 04:53
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
Actually I really want an answer. aguy stated:
And then proceeds to say he would ignore it.
Or... run away. Second only to pissing your pants.
I thought I answered your question, but I misunderstood what information you were requesting.
My original point was that if you were acting from the POV of wanting to improve your neighborhood, and wanted to get these guys to slow down in the future, you could approach the situation in a less confrontational manner. TBE's suggestion is very similiar to what I would have done (had I given a shit), with the caveats that if, upon closer inspection, they seemed to be in aggressive moods (which is almost always an easy thing to read), I would have left a note later on, and not gone up them directly. And not said "dude."
Would they have taken the advice? Doubtful, but the chance is significantly higher that they would not have acted in a belligerent manner, and I'll bet you $100 they are going to keep speeding around should the desire strike them in the future, even after gunsmoke's beating - they
may be less inclined to attack strangers carrying knives, but that's about it. As a general rule, guys who carry around brass knuckles are not "learners".
It's also a solid possibility that even when talking to them in a friendlier, more suggestive manner, they still would have acted out. However, if that happened, just by being closer to them you're in a better situation tactically.
As as said however, it's unlikely I would have done that. I don't give a shit about my neighborhood, or my neighbors kids, or their pets - I rent.
As for my reaction towards aggressors, if I were being aggressively confronted by two 200lbs guys I would have gotten the hell out of there, which is
exactly the sensible thing to do in that particular set of circumstances. There are appropriate times for physical violence, like when someone is being victimized, or when you don't have a choice, but it's something to be avoided. Unless, of course, you feel the need to compare plumage, which I generally don't.
I don't know you, or your general skill level in fighting, but if you think taking on two guys (no matter their size) was the right way to handle that situation, then I would
highly recommend that you go for it, and as soon as possible. I'm sure there are a few such fellows around the UK somewhere.
Tocky on 26/9/2009 at 05:35
How do you not care about your fellows? That may be the key right there. He said that kids crossed there. You have to draw a line somewhere. It's not about plumage. Sure it's debatable what good you can get through to the sort who resort to ganging up and still think they are tough but you have to stand for whats inside of you. Those things die without a stand. Then what good are you, particularly to yourself?
Dying for some mental image of what you are supposed to be is silly and I'm sure as you bleed out you would consider that. Likewise you have to consider those who depend on you. But you have to weigh that against a total cave of what it means to be human. Soldiers do that all the time when considering the cost of war. It's not an easy thing to gauge and it haunts you if you have a soul.
He thought about it and I would bet my right arm he will think of it often. Hell, I advise run myself, but so many things are split second decisions. I can't judge from the outside what is worth the stand. I have to be in it. Sometimes you have some idea something you said will get through even when it does devolve into violence. Sometimes nothing does and you wish you had killed them because of what they do later. You wonder. It hurts. You go on and do the best you can. It's not easy.
aguywhoplaysthief on 26/9/2009 at 07:10
Quote Posted by Tocky
How do you not care about your fellows? That may be the key right there. He said that kids crossed there. You have to draw a line somewhere. It's not about plumage. Sure it's debatable what good you can get through to the sort who resort to ganging up and still think they are tough but you have to stand for whats inside of you. Those things die without a stand. Then what good are you, particularly to yourself?
You make a great point, but as far as society and human nature is concerned, I've become a great deal more fatalistic over the last few years I'm almost sad to say. I've come to accept the fact that people behave how they have behaved for the last few million years, and world and society at large meander along as best as they can. Shit goes on, the universe does neat things, and it's all good.
I know it sounds deeply depressing and selfish, and at times my latent hyperactive moral sense comes running back to bitch at me, but not expending significant effort at effecting change, or a great deal of thought about getting people to behave, has substantially improved my attitude and how well I get on with people. I've become extroverted, and am actually a really enjoyable and entertaining person to be around, which wasn't always the case in the past.
I still get uppity about shit from time to time (ex. this thread), and I am still super fastidious about my own personal behavior (that's just how the universe has formed my neurons), but outside of myself and those whose existence enriches my life, living in the civilized world (with its variety of institutions designed to sustain the populace at a base level of safety) affords me the opportunity to not really give a shit about stuff.
I realize that it is a pretty anti-social attitude, and if a significant number of people shared my attitude there could well be some significant problems and I would be forced to act differently, but in practice I've noticed that I end up causing a lot less damage than 90% of the people I come across, and that's been working pretty well for me so far.
Sorry dude.
Namdrol on 26/9/2009 at 08:38
Quote Posted by aguywhoplaysthief
..........I don't give a shit about my neighborhood, or my neighbors kids, or their pets - I rent........
And yet you choose to fuck over gunsmoke? A man who does care. And read what he said. This whole fucked up situation forced him to think and change his view
Quote Posted by gunsmoke
But seriously, this has actually caused me to quit carrying weapons of any sort. I came home and couldn't shake the the feeling of 'what if?'. What if I had cut him, or whatever. It is stupid, and would have ended my freedom for many years. I used 'self-defense' as an excuse to carry for nearly 20 years. I now understand that it most likely only (realistically) escalates things and I don't want any part of it. I haven't even looked at my guns since then and I threw my knife away on Saturday morning (threw it in the river where I fish). This shit really made me think about my life, and made a profound impact on me.
I have a fiancee at home who depends on me. Not for $ or any other BS. She depends on me to simply BE. The least I could do is oblige her. I get extremely defensive when it comes to the safety of my family (dogs included). I guess this time it backfired and actually put me in more danger.........
Quote Posted by aguywhoplaysthief
......and am actually a really enjoyable and entertaining person to be around.....
Aye, right pal.
