by Gila Hayes
This holiday season, we have much for which to be thankful and even more about which to exercise caution. The fraught 2024 election season should leave us with the motto, Humble in Victory; Gracious in Defeat. Unfortunately, our nation’s leaders seem to have, if possible, grown more strident with each passing day.
Our interview with John Farnam this month, warned against attending events where emotions run high. Speaking for myself, I doubt any amount of compensation could lead me to the capital for inauguration day 2025, for example. Of even greater concern, in my opinion, is the resurgence of political violence in big cities where police forces have been gutted by years of hostility to stopping and prosecuting crime.
The election may have been national, but more often than not, the violence is local. Optional visits to the downtowns of big cities, to big college campuses, public squares where protestors gather, and even going to the state capitol might not be a good idea right now.
Strategic planning for unavoidable exposure like needing to go to medical centers that are located in big population centers, or travel for which there really isn’t a reasonable alternative will once again be necessary. Before you go, think through alternative travel routes and allow enough time to use them, re-read and refresh training on self defense in crowded venues, and kick up your danger scans for anomalous behavior that signals hostilities.
May I suggest—
https://armedcitizensnetwork.org/defense-against-mobs
https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/riot-survival-compendium
https://armedcitizensnetwork.org/rallies-protests-and-riots-part-1 and https://armedcitizensnetwork.org/rallies-riots-and-protests-part-2
Now, more than ever, we need to examine the things we do, the places we go, and the statements that we make to honestly determine if we’re just making ourselves feel good or if we are driving real change and effecting genuine improvement. Does seeing a yard sign change your mind if it disagrees with your view of what would improve our current condition or assure a brighter future? I think not. Why would it change someone else’s opinion? Humans like the feeling of connection created by putting up lawn signs, displaying bumper stickers, and wearing printed items of clothing. It makes us feel that we’re part of something important. It takes a lot more effort to hold a thoughtful conversation, sharing personal experience and acknowledging our reasons for holding opinions and beliefs, then listening respectfully as those with whom we are talking to express their own.