[EverOnward]

My husband is in law enforcement. He has always emphasized to me and our girls that if a perp has a weapon and threatens you with it, he WILL USE it. Best to fight, scream, die on the spot rather than be taken... Our girls know they must fight when threatened. They've taken kick boxing classes (and still do when they find the time).

I'm praying with all my heart that in Elizabeth's case, somehow, some way God has intervened in her behalf. I've been very upset since I've heard of her disappearance. Printing off flyers now to post in my community.

[iconoclast]

I respectfully disagree with you folks who are placing your emphasis on self-defense.

As with an unrelated topic, the war against the Islamists (as Lou Dobbs has begun to call it, God bless 'im) I would love to see more efforts on offense, i.e., identifying these evil men and putting them away permanently.

[SpookBrat]

"if a perp has a weapon and threatens you with it, he WILL USE it. Best to fight, scream, die on the spot rather than be taken..."

Absolutely. I've told my kids the same thing. "Don't get in the car. If you get in the car, you're for sure dead. If you stay out of the car, you have a chance". Many times, they aren't expecting you to fight back, and it can scare them off. Is this true? I've thought about kick boxing myself.

I've been upset too. I'm on the verge of tears, every time I read about her or hear it on the news. I don't know how parents live through this type of situation. I think I would die.