3.16.2011

Way to Rape the Fat Kid, People

If you haven't already, whatch this video and take a moment to reflect upon what has occurred.



The largish fellow who engaged in the herculean display of strength? His name is Casey. Casey, having been bullied and picked on (reportedly) his entire scholatic career decided, upon being battered by the smaller fellow, to fight back. When I first saw this vid I was jubilant.

"Yes!" I thought "This is the way it's supposed to work. The hyena fucks with the bear, and gets the shit kicked out of him."

Then I discovered that there was no joy in Mudville, mighty Casey had struck out. Owing to his school's "Zero-tolerance violence policy" young Casey was suspended for fighting. You see in many places (read, everywhere english is spoken)it is a violation of policy for one student to defend themselves against battery by another. This is a bad thing.

It teaches children that it's wrong to defend yourself. It tells people that should you dare to fight back against an oppressor, even justice will not serve you. It instills the attitude of "Don't bother trying, you can't win."

Violence is a physical extension of the will. It is an attempt by one party to compel another to do their bidding. It matters not what from the violence takes, or who employs it, the purpose is all the same. Whether it's the federal government compelling compliance with the law or school yard bullies making themselves feel better by making the weak and vulnerable suffer; the message is the same.

"You will do what I want or you will suffer."

The intelligent use of violence involves the complete demoralization of the target. The target not only loses this fight, but the will (and indeed the ability ofttimes) to fight in the future. This is part of the process of rape. The intent is not only to force the victim to bend to your will, but to not report the attack for fear of social repercussions; the shame and humiliation it brings to those that suffer from it. The questions of "Why did this happen?" and "Why couldn't I stop this?" occur to most people who are the victims of violence. This is a pretty widespread phenomenon. Victims of schoolyard bullying, victims of torture and survivors of sexual assault report similar introspective questions, usually without answers.

When a crime occurs and a third party facilitaties it, we call it aiding and abbeting or sometimes accessory before the fact.  Those who assist a criminal in his crime are accomplices. In most places an accomplice is considered just as guilty as the actual perpetrator. When a school intentionally creates an environment that encourages violence towards students by other students (such as encouraging students not to defend themselves), this is abbetting, if not aiding in the commission of a crime. Because that is what unwarranted violence is; a crime. use of violence is battery and threat of violence is assault, and whether commited by 14 year olds or 40 year olds, battery is a crime. And punishing people for defending themselves is at the very least a travesty of justice, if not an outright crime itself.

There is only one way to deal with such restrictions (social repercussions, self doubt and zero-tolerance violence policies) to your basic right to live. Fight back against your attackers. Stand up to bullies, refuse to accept blame when it's unwarranted. Learn to fight, learn to shoot and get licensed to carry concealed. Refuse to be a victim.

3.14.2011

A Man's Road

A man (and by extention a woman) walks his own road. He shoulders his own burdens and accepts the concequences of his actions. A man does as he thinks is right and be damned to what's safe or polite or socially acceptable. A man does as he sees fit.

This means that if his course causes him to make others uncomfortable, or offends other's sensibilities. Well that's just too damned bad. Get over it, what are you a child? A man does what he feels needs to be done. Sometimes that means you win. Sometimes it means you lose. But losing and winning are of secondary import to whether or not you stood up to do what was right.

Sometimes walking a man's path is hard. It requires suffering and sacrifice. Other times it is easy, requiring nothing more than patience and love. But the important thing is that you walk it. That you be worthy of the respect that men show each other, and the respect you show yourself.

For that is the source of your honor; that you do what you know should be done. Despite what the mullahs and the mysoginists might say; honor is a thing you give yourself, and no man can take it from you. Even dead or broken, a man retains his honor.

3.13.2011

Breakfast of Champions

Got the camera up and running. decided to document my morning for all you fine folks (both of you). Since the drinking had been spectacular the night before, I decided to skip the flash photography until I had some food in me. So my friend and I set out on an epic odyssey across the frozen reaches of the great Alaskan wilderness.

See the wilderness?
After an unending trek across this frozen waste, we reached out destination Humpy's Great Alaskan Alehouse. This is one of the best restaurants for local flavor. They also usually have beer.

Upon arrival I was immediately ambushed by the Bloody Mary bar and broke my fast with this. Vodka, Extra spicy Bloody Mary mix, pickled asparagus, reindeer sausage, celery and lime slices, topped of with Cholula hot sauce and pepper.

Escaping after sustaining only one bite we met our friendly waitstaff-type person and were brought frosty beverages. Guinness for her.


And a Moose's Tooth Hard Apple Ale for me (I always think you should have a glass of juice with breakfast).


After perusing the victuals we settled on variations of an old classic; Eggs Benedict. I ordered the classic mode, and she decided upon the King Crab Cakes Benedict. We decided to split a Belgian Waffle (syrup and butter, none of that silly fruit crap).

The home fries were tasty but rather pedestrian, but the hollandaise. The hollandaise is worth starting a knife fight over. Creamy, rich and smooth, salty and just a touch tart.

The crab cakes were crisp, juicy and flavorful, tasting like crab, rather that the herbs and spices of the breading. The eggs were perfect, light and tasty. and the waffle was excellent as well, crisp, light and fluffy. the butter meted and gathered in the wells. torn apart and dipped into the syrup.

By this time we're on the second round. Again with the Guinness for her and i, being ready to start the serious drinking, stepped up to a Midnight Sun Double Chocolate Stout. Holy Cats, wast this thing good. Smooth and velvety with a lovely hops flavor and mild bitterness and a deep yet subtle flavor of chocolate. Our friendly waitstaff-type person suggested ice cream to go with. being skeptical as a matter of nature, I at first scoffed, but when she offered some for free, I could not pass-up the experience.

And damn me if she wasn't right. Vanilla ice cream in double chocolate stout? Fucking awesome.

The bones of out repast picked clean and feeling fit enough to pull the fins off a gundar, we set forth int the glorious sunny Alaskan day.