Where Are All The Men?

fox news | Freeplancer

[freeplancer]

First there was Salt Lake City, and now Virgian Tech. Trey Perkins, a 19 year old student who is now on fox News spewed his story about being in the same room as the gunman while he reloaded his weapons at least once. Did he get up and charge the gunman with reckless abandon to save his fellow students? NO

When the SLC shooting took place, the local news broadcast a cell video of the shooter discharging his weapons. While the owner of the cell phone stood there and filmed the shooter, who coincidently had his back to the camera, he did nothing. Cowards, bystanders, and wimps. I am ashamed and disgusted. Maybe it is my military training or having being in a war zone that makes me know I would take action or die trying.

I would not be jumping out of windows or filming a murderer in action, and I hope to God that whoever reads this would not either. Where are all the men?

[minor49er]

"Now you’d get suspended for bringing a water pistol to highschool."

A junior at my NJ highschool got detention for bring a plastic sword to school on Halloween to go with his ninja costume.

[Richard Kimball]

Great courage. His sacrifice should not be forgotten.

[B4Ranch]

A nutty mom? Not in my eyes, that for sure. You do what all people do who don’t like unpleasant surprises, make sure you are prepared for when the SHTF. Not if the SHTF, but when.

If more people were like us, then disasters would become incidents.

ps. I’ll bet that you even have a plan about what you would do if someone appeared at the door with a couple of guns in their hands. It might even involve stabbing them in the neck with a pen or a pencil if nothing more deadly was available.

[gardengirl]

I thought I was the only one that checked for exits! Too funny!

I’m the oldest sibling but the youngest of the neighbors and cousins, mostly boys. I learned early that if I wanted to play I had to suck it up. Whining and tattling got you ostracized real quick!

[gardengirl]

Glad the drugs are helping!

I grew up on a farm, around a lot of animals. You learn to react quick or you get stomped, thrown, bitten-you name it! You also have to be more intimidating than the bullies, whether they have two legs or four. Intimidation is the name of the game. I’ve face down several bullies, terrified to the point that I was shaking, but once confronted, they backed down. Those early lessons have stood me in good stead. I fully believe that if I had backed down then, it would have impacted me negatively my whole life.

[budwiesest]

assault the ambush or die......simple as that, and it will never change.....

Man, does this simple statement have MAJOR implementations. Thanks.

[wku man]

Imagine that! I guess if we all protected ourselves those police chiefs would be unemployed. I have never met a street cop who favored gun control, or who didn't advise folks to stand up for themselves. Most cops are simply there to do an investigation and draw chalk outlines on the ground.

Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!

[aspen64]

All the men are in Iraq, Alaska, and parts of Wyoming.

[AlaskaErik]

Where are all the men?

In Afghanistan and Iraq.

[kilowhskey]

“It might even involve stabbing them in the neck with a pen or a pencil if nothing more deadly was available.”

Don’t go for the neck in that situation. Jam it in the ear hole.

[aruanan]

Where Are All The Men?

I was telling a friend of mine from West Central Africa about these guys standing around taking photos of the shooter while reloading. She laughed in scorn and said that when they were in the Ivory Coast refugee camp and the Ivory Coast folks were coming in to take their food an Ivory Coast policeman pulled his gun on them. She said that as quickly as he did that someone behind him kicked it out of his hands and the crowd then beat the crap out of him.

The problem here in the U.S. isn't too many guns, it's too many people waiting around for someone else to take care of a problem.

[B4Ranch]

Or an eye or the kidneys or whatever is available, just do something to fight back!

[TAdams8591]

The few real men American has left are mostly in Iraq.

[Graybeard58]

I think the males who don't go to college and who have been successful anyhow in business or the trades are the luckiest men alive.

Plus they're all MAN and a lot of fun to be around. They could watch my back anytime, LOL.

I wasn't fortunate enough to attend college, so I'll watch your back Leni.

[Graybeard58]

My wife of nearly 30 years would think something was wrong with me, if I did not sneak a peak.....

Has she ever pointed one out to you in case you missed it?

[archy]

THAT is just one of the reasons why I found them to be such an impressive group of young men.

Another example for you: around 1984 the *Travelin' Wall* 5/8 size replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall monument [of which there are now several, but this was the first, then new and still novel at the time] came to Bloomington, Indiana, where it was exhibited, appropriately enough, at the University's Memorial Stadium. It was in the open, and in Indiana, rain is hardly an uncommon experience.

Most of those who travelled with the multiple panels, each one long enough to just fit into a semitrailer truck carrier, were the town's guests at a local parade that was opening the ceremonies; the display would be opened to the public afterward. I was there along with a dozen or so others, in my case and that of three or four with me, we were representing the nearest AMVETs post, the others being local National Guardsmen and a Marine recruiter with a couple of other Marines. And, of course, it began to rain. One of the organizers, who was in a wheelchair was quite concerned; they'd had panels delaminate when rained on before, since it took a couple of months for the glues used to completely cure, and these were brand-spankin' new. There were plastic sheets on hand just for that purpose, but noone available to get the job done.

YOU GUARDSMEN GET DOWN HERE AND GIVE US A HAND WITH THE OTHER END OF THIS TARP. NOW! And so they did, as the unmistakable voice of the first sergeant who'd come along with us boomed down from on high. ONCE YOU MARINES SEE HOW IT'S DONE, YOU DO THE SAME, STARTING FROM THE OTHER END. And so they did, dress blues and all. With two crews of 8-12 people working together toward the middle, the job got done in half the time it would have taken us working individually. And The Voice From On High immediately knew of one group there besides his own that had both their own leadership and the ability to work together.

While I'd been finding out what the problem was and trying to figure out how to do something about it, First Sergeant Scott had found the control booth for the P.A. system and taken care of it, two or three steps ahead of me, as good sergeants are supposed to be.

The little knots of different groups from different units and individuals, with just a little nudge from the right kind of leadership, came together and got the required task done in time. Which is what it's all about.

A decade later I had to brief some fairly senior politicians, including a couple of state governors, on Joint Operations and the problems inherent in trying to herd a bunch of cats. The joint operation at Bloomington was the example I used of how unexpectedly a problem can arise, and how with the right skills, leadership and adaptability can overcome lack of prior planning and immediate personnel shortages.

I bet [now] former First Sergeant Scott would have similarly enjoyed himself along with those young Marines at the Gathering of Eagles. Last I heard, he was a private military contractor in Afghanistan.

[soxfan]

Where are all of the men?

Maybe it’s just me, but I would consider that after having had 3 cm of your femoral artery shot out and still maintaining the wherewithal to call on your Eagle Scout training to be able to fashion a tourniquent might qualify as evidence of having “the right stuff”.

Standing in front of and holding back a door while someone is shooting through it might qualify as well.

Seriously, people, we need to resist the impulse to disparage these innocent victims who are guilty of nothing but obeying the law.

Alas, I must acknowledge that perhaps they did not possess the superpower fighting skills of some of our extraordinary pajama-wearing FR keyboard ninjas. But these people are not dead because of testosterone deficiencies. They are dead - and the heroic passengers of United 93 are dead (even though they resisted boxcutters, not a Glock) - because they did not have the means to adequately defend themselves.

Even though they have the God-given right to do so.

[rlmorel]

That is an excellent story you related.

If I had to boil it down...it comes down to one simple thing: Leadership.

We have a lot of managers in our society, but not enough leaders. A leader is someone who can recognize when leadership is needed, and then supply it. The fellow in the wheelchair and the First Sargent were leaders.

The Military, as anyone knows who has ever been in it, is far from perfect. There is incompetence, stupid beauracracy and inertia, just like there is everywhere else. But there is one thing the Military does have in spades, and that is Leadership.

There is a GREAT book “Once An Eagle” by Anton Myrer. If one was reading the book one-dimensionally, it would be taken simply as a war novel. But the book is REALLY about leadership. It was (at one time) required reading at the military academies.

This is one of the reasons I am hopeful for our future as a country. I see these young marines in the picture I posted, and I see echoes of “The Greatest Generation” in them. They are going to return to civilian life, and their experiences in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are going to help them and our country navigate the difficult times ahead.

I just know it.

[Killborn]

I know, I can’t wait for the movie! That song rocks hardcore! :)

[Killborn]

Your welcome. If you thought that was awesome, wait for the movie! :)