One of your best Bray and right on point. Was talking to some family mmembers day before yesterday and used the exact words you did. We have lost our moral compass. It is no more difficult than that. Since the sixties we have been told that morals are a personal choice. I’m okay. You’re okay. Do what you want. The only thing that surprises me about the Aurora shooting is that anyone was surprised.
Back in the 80’s when we had communist terrorists (Bader-Meinhoff, Red Army Faction, etc) and Islamic terrorists (PLO, Libyans, etc) attacking us in Europe, the military made it a point to train us on our “situational awareness” so we could be less a victim and more a survivor.
Some of the things they taught us:
• Being aware of one’s surroundings and identifying potential threats and dangerous situations is more of a mindset than a hard skill. You can train yourself to do this!
• When in public buildings/events, know where the exits are. Stay close to them. In a restaurant or bar, don’t turn your back to the entranceway. Ideally, sit facing the door and a close by exit.
• Keep looking around. Note the people around you. Anyone acting weird, nervous, out of place—be ready to react.
• Take different routes going to and from places you often visit. Don’t be predictable in your public routine.
• If is doesn’t seem/feel right—it isn’t. You subconscious will register things your conscious mind will ignore.
• Profile. Sure it’s not politically correct but it’s necessary to your defense. Anyone is capable of crime but you’ll identify the most threatening and prioritize.