In all fairness, and I must remind you that I am rarely fair... but I think it is pretty fair to say that our military officially rules the school. I absolutely love and I mean love a great military display. This weekend off the coast of Somalia, I was once again reveling in the awesomeness of the US armed forces.
Yes, I am the girl who attended the Air and Water show in Chicago... and exclaimed with glee at every maneuver the Blue Angels made around the Hancock building... I was once the only one cheering for the Union soldiers at the reenactment of the battle of Shiloh. A simple Yankee at a Rebel soldier extravaganza... It was a blast and culturally, well, interesting to say the least. Don't knock it until you try it!
However, whether you cheer for the Union or Rebel soldiers at the south's second favorite pastime of civil war reenactment, (second to SEC football, no doubt) you must admit that hearing of our Navy's successful endeavor to wipe Abdi Blackbeard and crew off of the map was pretty amazing and inspiring. Our military is definitely "bad ass"! And, for the record, I like to remind the rest of the world, as well as myself of this very fact. Flexing muscles can be fun... especially if yours are the biggest. For the record, mine are pathetic. Sigh.
Watching the epic unfold, which will no doubt be made into a blockbuster hit within the next 24 months, got me to thinking. Dangerous I know. Don't worry, I assure you this sort of thing is short lived, and I will be back to my no good nonsense in no time. Somewhere, my dad just sighed with relief!
But while thinking, I surmised the following facts: Those who are unarmed or under armed (not as in the long underwear... but in the lack of sweet daisy cutters and oozies) are susceptible to those who are. This train of thought spurred new thoughts about the actual larger picture of the unarmed being sitting ducks. And, ladies and gentlemen, I am referring to those shopping at Neiman's, and carrying humanitarian aid on cargo ships in the Gulf of Aden... not the arsenal of Switzerland or lack thereof. Frankly, I have changed my ideas on my previously liberal stance on guns and gun control. Call it evolution if you will. Guns and Fashion Square Mall DO mix!
And, for the record, I do think the Swiss should invest more dolla bills, yo, in the development of a military... and less time perfecting expensive timepieces... it would save me some serious cash. Tangent accomplished!
Previously, as in oh give or take 5 days ago, I was a complete believer in the philosophy of if nobody is packing heat, than the need for guns is obsolete. Idealistic? Yes. Stupid? Perhaps. Are my views changed? Absolutely. I have come to the sad realization that just living your life in your own little rational little world does not mean the bat sh*t crazy person next to you may not have had the privilege of being reared in a highly functioning broken home popping their "happy pills" on a scheduled regiment. My parents just had consecutive heart attacks... sorry Mom and Dad! I do love you. Please don't write me out of your wills... ever. Nothing says that these guys have the same motivations as a blissfully happy and highly medicated suburban girl with red lacquered toenails. He or she may want to do some serious harm to your perfect physique. Not everyone has the same outlook as Mary Poppins, or one Miss KKRT. And, perhaps, we should be more prepared to take on the thugs. Myself included. Pottery Barn can be a scary place. Especially during a sale in an upper middle class suburb. Gun shots WILL ring out like bells! There is also a sale on Egyptian cotton towels.
Perhaps if Captain Phil, not of the Deadliest Catch variety, and crew were more prepared to face down a couple of rag tag thugs, the US navy would not have needed to intervene. However, I do like their ambitions, and the dramatic plot line which consumed my weekend reading material. The good guys definitely need ammo... and sweet guns! Surely, if the true good guys (who were actually being real life good guys... bringing food to the hungry and all) had the proper tools to protect themselves, a huge vessel like the Alabama could not be taken over by a 28 foot dinghy piloted by some desperate plebes to a guy that probably looks a lot like Satan or Idi Amin. (Which one is worse... the jury is still out... glad I am not in charge of judging the worst people in the world... Good Luck, Heavenly Father.)
There is only one reason those pathetic and desperate lackeys had a snowball's chance in Somalia is because they had something Captain Phi lacked. Proper means for defense. Also known as semi-automatic guns and other things little boys like to talk about. High powered hoses simply will not stop bullets. I mean really? Water vs. Bullets? talk about fighting with both hands tied behind your back and blindfolded? Did you say you wanted to get your a*s kicked? Let me show you my squirt gun to match your rocket propelled grenade! Almost funny, isn't it? Super Soaker VS. illegal arms: The diplomatic fight. Aaahhh... I digress, almost. The playing field needs to be equalized. After all, isn't that only "fair". Remember, I am rarely fair... relish in this moment.
If the lunatics of the world so choose to use weapons, who says we need to turn our swords into ploughshares? Wait, don't answer this one? I already know... but didn't he also say "an eye for an eye"? While the later is a little extreme... it does seem rather "fair". And, today, I like fair. Lets just say I don't want to be the only gal left shorthanded at the mall when some loon decides to make it rain shotgun shells. Today, I choose to be prepared. Responsible, yet prepared none the less.
Perhaps those who hold such little value for human life and freedom had the 9mm pointed at them instead of at the other guy their very ideals would change more rapidly than rabbits reproduce. Aaah, but the hand is on the other foot now, isn't it? Maybe if we start playing by their rules, things will change... and this conversation will become rather moot. Idealistic thought? Yup. But then again, I am new to this whole I heart guns thing. Que fab-four ballad..."Some may say I'm a dreamer... and I'm not the only one..." however, this is officially my virgin experience with loving Charlton Heston. Perhaps we should pry his AK-47 from his cold, dead, hand... and loan it to the Mersk Alabama employees or the personal shopper at Saks? Anyone have an extra NRA application laying around? I'm their newest fan!
No comments:
Post a Comment