I’m sure you’ve read about that horrible crime where the woman was murdered and her unborn baby “kidnapped” from her body.
It is so disturbing to me it is even hard to ponder. Acknowledging that a human being is capable of that is a frightening prospect. Far worse than anything encountered in warfare. Utterly horrible. for everyone involved- even the prepetraitor who I think had taken total leave of her senses.
The frightening thing for you and I is that this crime originated in an Internet chat room- like this one. Not cool.
I get gifts and cards and things from ST’ers every week. This past week, when there has been some uncharacteristically abrasive-tenored discussion on the board it has made me much more security concious. That is one reason I did not post a “Day in the life” for myself: I don’t want people seeing where I live, the layout of my house, etc. People already know a lot about me and it is not inconceivable that this information could fall into ill-intentioned hands. Based on recent events here, it may already have. Two weeks ago unidentified parties tried to break into our store while I was here late at night. Among the items discovered when the suspects were searched by police were USB cables and data CD’s, indicating a familiarity with computers and the Internet.
That concerns me. So, for those who choose to maintain their anonymity on this forum, I understand and respect that wholeheartedly. It may be well advised.
I get gifts and cards and things from ST’ers every week. This past week, when there has been some uncharacteristically abrasive-tenored discussion on the board it has made me much more security concious.
I have not seen anything violent in nature? What have I missed?
Two unidentified parties? Surely they were identified when the police caught them. Also, although there has been some spirited debate on the main forum I haven’t seen anything that even remotely resembles a potentially violent situation.
I don’t want people seeing where I live, the layout of my house, etc. People already know a lot about me and it is not inconceivable that this information could fall into ill-intentioned hands.
True. But, I can’t go through life thinking like that. Sometimes students will tell me that they know where I live as if they’ve uncovered a mystery. I tell them “yeah, I try to keep that information a secret, so I hide my address in the phone book.” I think I’m the only teacher that has my number/address public.
I figure if somebody wants me bad enough, they’ll find me. So, people know where I live? Come see me. We’ll have a steak and some refreshments. If you hate me, come over anyway … we’ll have a steak and some refreshments and talk about why you hate me.
Tom, I understand your feelings … I had them bigtime when my first child was born … everyone looked like a “kidnapper” or “child molester”. I still feel that way sometimes in crowded areas, and I clinch onto my kids like they’re about to be swept away by a tornado … but, in general, I can’t go through life without sharing myself with others (and vice versa).
I would hate to think that anything on message boards could lead someone to actually kill or seriously harm someone. Heck, there are folks on here that I haven’t agreed with one single time … about issues that are rather important, and I love to meet those folks in person, and I would hope they feel the same way.
One thing I learned as a teacher (and must remind myself of this in order to remain the teacher I want to be), don’t let the “bad few” ruin it for everyone else. Same thing as “Not letting the terrorists win”.
I’d have to agree with Tom on this. I see no reason for anyone to know where I live, my daily routines, the routine of my family, or any other personal information. Sure, if somebody wants to get you (or kill you), they probably can if they have a little bit of sense, But why make it easy? Force them to watch and follow you to get their information. That way maybe you will pick up on it and have a few seconds to “get prepared”. Lock your doors (in vehicles, home, at work) to create that time buffer which gives you time to react when somebody tries to invade your personal space. When you catch somebody watching you, watch them back. See what they’re doing, don’t just look away and go about your business. Look at faces and hands. In other words, don’t be an easy target!
You can be a sheep or a wolf. You can go through life unaware of your surroundings and *hope *nothing happens to you or your family or you can take some simple steps and raise your mental awareness so that you’re at least prepared to react to a violent situation. I won’t argue with anybody that chooses to live their life in a more open or trusting fashion. It’s your business and not my place to tell you you’re wrong. I just wish people were more informed on the kinds of people that are standing next to them in line at Wal Mart or walking by them in the mall.
Contact your local police department and request to do a ride-a-long. Spend a few hours one evening seeing the dirty side of your community. I’ve had several people ride with me comment on how they never would’ve believed that “these kinds of things” happened in their city. It was a wake up call for some.
I won’t argue with anybody that chooses to live their life in a more open or trusting fashion. It’s your business and not my place to tell you you’re wrong. I just wish people were more informed on the kinds of people that are standing next to them in line at Wal Mart or walking by them in the mall.
I am a parent of a 3yo and an 8mo. I don’t know if non-parents can even relate to what that means. Imagine carrying around 2 briefcases with 10 bagazillion dollars in each one of them … that’s basically how it is. Everyone always scans everything and notices everyone, especially in crowds. I’m not saying be naive, I am saying don’t be ahermit/ostrich because there’s a minimal chance out there someone will want to hurt you. IMO, most crimes like that come from other “loved ones” or “once loved ones”.
In our country we have “freedom” and “diversity” … to not take advanatage of both of those is to spit in the faces of our founders and all those that died for the cause. Rather than getting “more private”, we need to make the effort to become more of a “community”.
I would rather have something bad happen to me because I was too trusting, as oppossed to not trusting everyone. It’s the old, “better to have a broken heart than no heart” type of thing.
As for Tom specifically … is there anyone here that doesn’t know where Tom works? I’d be willing to bet that most people would love to stop by the store and meet Tom … not to hurt him.
Tom – you’re awesome. Don’t ever let a few jagoffs keep you from being who you are. You are loved, and you should know this . We love you because you are you.
Again, If that’s the way you choose to live, so be it and more power to you. Merry Christmas and happy New Year! No hard feelings.
Just wanted to say though that if you are not as trusting and stay more aware of your surroundings, it does not force you to live the life of a hermit. Nor does it keep you from meeting new people or any such thing. It just keeps you prepared during these encounters and during everday life if something were to happen. Be prepared to get you and your family out of a dangerous situation! If that’s not possible, be prepared to stop anyone trying to hurt them. The first involves nothing more than being mentally aware of your surroundings and adjusting your position relative to those surroundings. It does not force you to stay in your house and rarely venture out. The latter involves whatever force you’re willing to use to stop a threat. A small pistol that’s accessible and some dedicated physical and mental practice/study with it will get you through most violent situations. If most researched deadly force scenarios as much as they do sports stats or triathlon gear, they would be able to learn appropriate responses to violent situations. Some responses may require killing someone while another may require you to run away or even just complying. It’s up to the individual to learn when to do one over the other.
heeyyyyy just a darned minute here…wasn’t it Tom that came up with the ‘day in the life’ idea? Makes me wonder what kind of motive he had behind such a criminal idea. Now he knows all about all of those who did post a day in the life…we all need to lock our doors because of Tom (or maybe someone he’s in cahoots with). Now we find out the real truth.
Seriously though…we live in a truly troubled world where we need to go to such extremes that we can’t open ourselves up and make friends. At what point in time is the tribulation supposed to be coming? Can’t be too far away from the looks of things.
I agree with what you’ve said. I’m certain that most, if not all, people … especially parents continually run scenarios through their minds about what they would do in a certain situation. I know as a home-owner and parent, as wellas, “man of the house”, I have “pre-planned” (if you will) certain procedures for various situations.
Part of a being a parent, IMO, is being prepared to do “whatever it takes” to defend your loved ones … regardless of the cost.
In this situation, the “day-in-the-life” stuff, we’re trying to balance the “sharing of information” with friends and the “risk” that comes with it. I think we are saying the same thing.
I am probably more cautious than I let on in my first post.