I’ve been distracted from this blog between work, my family during the holidays, and other things. I just read about a shooting in a church in Texas where some people were killed but the gunman was killed by a parishioner who had volunteered to be on a security team. There is video of the shooting if you can handle that sort of reality. This made me think about the governments “Run, Hide, Fight” (RFH) campaign. The shooting in Texas was over in seconds. The RFH would have done no one any good. Security on the spot made the difference. There were 7 people armed in that church that we can see in the video. These church security teams have some type of training usually. There was 250 people in that church. Two were killed before the gunman was stopped by someone else with a gun.
I have worked for the federal government in one capacity or another my entire adult life. The training we receive is RFH. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have also adopted this training. I fear for those who put so much stock in this training. Let me explain why. RFH is a soft response to hard violence. The problem with RFH is that it does not teach about the extreme violence that a mass shooter is. It does not teach the importance of being ready mentally for this type of attack. It does not talk about the normalcy bias that most people experience during a violent encounter. Living in North America most people are relatively safe most of the time and their “normal” does not involve violence. I think that’s one of the great benefits of living in the U.S. But it does foster an inadequate mindset of “All is well.” This can be dangerous because there is usually a “freeze” before the fight or flight response. That is sometimes precious seconds that could be used to run or hide. This is a definition of the freeze from a 2010 article by Dr. David Golstein
“The fight-or-flight response, also known as the acute stress response, refers to a physiological reaction that occurs in the presence of something that is terrifying, either mentally or physically. The response is triggered by the release of hormones that prepare your body to either stay and deal with a threat or to run away to safety.”
Most people are not prepared for this response and so often nothing actually happens which is what we call freeze. That’s where the “Deer in the headlights” look can come from. It’s too bad that RHF doesn’t acknowledge something that most people will experience. There are ways to learn to control this reaction and it has to with a mindset. Preparing for this type of event in your mind can make a difference. Thinking of scenarios “If someone comes in that door and does this, I’ll do this” can help if ever faced with the real thing. I know you can’t imagine every scenario, but just thinking of a few will put you much further ahead than you would be. It also gives your mind somewhere to go during this type of event that may keep your from freezing. It does work and is used to train tactical teams. I used to teach a tactical response class in the military. I would use an air horn at a particularly quiet moment to demonstrate the way something unusual can get your adrenalin pumping. It was interesting to see the reaction from some battle experienced people.
Another problem with RHF is that it fosters a “checklist” attitude. These events are situationally driven. Sometimes you may have to go straight to Fight because the situation warrants it. But the way RHF is taught Fight is a “last resort”. That is not reality and so it teaches you can’t fight yet because you haven’t exhausted the run and hide options yet. This can get you killed. It should be taught “Run or Hide or Fight” to be of any advantage to a victim. The RHF system also creates a victim right away without even giving anyone a chance at something else. It creates a non-aggressive mindset when there are many scenarios where those being attacked should be in a self-defense mode rather than a “roll-over-you’re-dead” mode. For some reason the general public in the U.S. have this idea that only law enforcement can or will defend you. Law enforcement is the best in the world in this country. But unless you carry an officer in your back pocket or bag they are minutes away! There are politicians and snowflakes out there that would have you believe that only the police can use violence to defend you. Most law enforcement will agree that is simply not true, yet it is still perpetuated. “Don’t fight with your attacker, give them what they want.” A purse or wallet is one thing but a woman’s virtue is something else! Don’t let this false training deceive you!
Since Columbine law enforcement has changed its tactics with mass shooters. They used to establish a secure perimeter and wait for SWAT to take out a killer. No longer do they do this. Many people have died with this tactic. Law enforcement has changed, and you should too. Don’t let anyone teach you that running and hiding are the first things you should do in an active shooter situation. Don’t misunderstand, running and hiding are very good options. They can save many lives. But situational awareness is the most important skill along with a quick threat assessment. Learn about your options. Get trained so that when fight is the best and first option, you’ll be ready. Try to teach others, politicians and leaders, that gun free zones are where people die. Give us the options to get trained and to defend ourselves. If there is one thing we can learn from the latest tragedy in another Texas Church, it’s that someone armed and even trained basically can save lives and make the difference. Don’t be a victim, get training and practice what you learn.
Have a great New Year!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Friday, December 27, 2019
"Be Nice!" (Everyone's Mom)
Did your Mother ever say to you “Be nice!” I think every Mother has said that to a child probably multiple times. I’ve had it engrained into me. But then I joined the military. We were taught to “Kill the enemy”. Hard to be nice and kill at the same time. Killing takes a toll on a person. Unless the person is crazy and adjusts by not caring about any life. But if you are a regular person, you will be affected by killing. This is how I know that mass murder is a mental issue. Some do not agree. They think our culture of violence with football, video games, movies, and T.V. somehow are to blame. Oh yea, and guns, don’t forget to throw in guns. I do admit that the above things do contribute, but some people so intent on taking God out of everything, the “free love” crap that is being peddled, fatherless homes, drugs being a priority in some people’s lives, et cetera, et cetera, ad nauseum. But if you think that someone who kills is in their right mind then you need to talk to those who have killed in battle or in self-defense and see what it does to them. I’m frankly tired of “journalists” and politicians trying to tell me that if we take away a particular weapon, then that will cut down on people dying in mass killing. We lost thousands of people due to planes but we did not blame the plane. People that are serial killers are treated as mental problems but mass murderers seem to be different. The answer to mass killings is changing society. Strengthening the family and promoting some morality that frankly, society is rejecting. I’m sure there will always be people who believe that no one should “define” their morality. Well society’s lack of morals has produced what we have now including mass murdering. Freedom is not doing whatever you please in any way you please. There are absolutes out there. Who might set these absolute standards? How about God? “Well, Burn I don’t believe in God.” Then I guess it sucks to be you! Not believing in God, or believing in God but ignoring Him, leaves lots of room for gray areas and perceived “freedom”. Someone can choose to not believe in God but don’t be surprised if you have a hard time defining morality. Men and women can’t do it. Even those who believe in God don’t agree on what God says. Humans mess everything up! This is why it is important to have someone, a human, who God talks to. A prophet. I testify that God has chosen a prophet here on earth so that we won’t have a problem with all the things we mess up!
I have had the misfortune to know about killing first hand in combat. The politicians don’t have a good understanding of what that does to the human mind. Certainly the mass media doesn’t have clue. Mass murderers are not right in the head. Something brought them to becoming a mass murderer and I don’t think it was morals. What needs to change is society but as long as we have other things to blame society won’t own up to what needs to happen. So there are those who will continue to try to reap the whirlwind and make gun laws that won’t change anything. As I’ve said before, the ONLY way gun laws will work is if you take them ALL away. The left seems to insist that they don’t want to do that. Consider these quotes from prominent left leaning people:
“Hell, yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47.”
Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who sought the Democrat Party’s nomination for president in 2020 in reply to a moderator’s question about his “mandatory gun buyback plan” during a primary debate
“I don’t believe people should be able to own guns.”
President Barack Obama, during conversation with economist and author John Lott Jr. at the University of Chicago Law School in the 1990s
“If I could have gotten...an outright ban – ‘Mr. and Mrs. America turn in your guns’ – I would have!”
Senator Diane Feinstein, author of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban
"All we ask for is registration, just like we do for cars."
- Charles Shumer
"My view of guns is simple. I hate guns and I cannot imagine why anyone would want to own one. If I had my way, guns for sport would be registered, and all other guns would be banned."
- Deborah Prothrow-Stith (Dean of Harvard School of Public Health)
These are only a few. There are more. There are also veiled threats to take away guns like Hillary Clinton’s wanting us to follow Australia’s idea. Which was confiscation. In original “Clintonese” dishonesty she tries to make us believe she likes the 2nd Amendment.
Really what it comes down to is control. The left thinks they know best and they must control everything and everybody to make us “safe”. All the while having armed guards keeping them safe.
It’s hard to be nice when so many people want to take your freedom. Criminals want your stuff, politicians want power, and left leaners think they know what is best for me.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Letter-day Saints, or “Mormons”, we believe in freedom. A hero of mine is a Book of Mormon prophet named Moroni. Moroni saw the people giving away their rights to well-meaning people and he had a problem with it. He had fought in combat, and watched his brothers die, for that freedom. I too have fought and watched my brothers give their “…last full measure of devotion.”
He rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it — In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children — and he fastened it upon the end of a pole…and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land… (Alma 46:12–13)
Moroni was not happy about what was happening politically, and morally, in his country.
And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood. …if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. (Alma 48:11–13,17)
Moroni was righteous above all, but he was preparing to defend his freedom once again.
13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of dChristians remain to possess the land— (Alma 46:13)
Why did he put on armor? Because he wanted all to know he was prepared to fight again for freedom. Why do I own a gun? To be able to fight for my freedom. It’s hard to be nice and to defend freedom.
So to paraphrase Chris Kyle, In spite of what your Momma told you, sometimes you can’t be nice! His quote is this:
“Despite what your momma told ya, violence does solve problems.”
Chris Kyle, Navy SEAL Sniper
Do all you can to be nice. But when freedom is jeopardy, close and engage.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
I have had the misfortune to know about killing first hand in combat. The politicians don’t have a good understanding of what that does to the human mind. Certainly the mass media doesn’t have clue. Mass murderers are not right in the head. Something brought them to becoming a mass murderer and I don’t think it was morals. What needs to change is society but as long as we have other things to blame society won’t own up to what needs to happen. So there are those who will continue to try to reap the whirlwind and make gun laws that won’t change anything. As I’ve said before, the ONLY way gun laws will work is if you take them ALL away. The left seems to insist that they don’t want to do that. Consider these quotes from prominent left leaning people:
“Hell, yes, we’re going to take your AR-15, your AK-47.”
Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke, who sought the Democrat Party’s nomination for president in 2020 in reply to a moderator’s question about his “mandatory gun buyback plan” during a primary debate
“I don’t believe people should be able to own guns.”
President Barack Obama, during conversation with economist and author John Lott Jr. at the University of Chicago Law School in the 1990s
“If I could have gotten...an outright ban – ‘Mr. and Mrs. America turn in your guns’ – I would have!”
Senator Diane Feinstein, author of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban
"All we ask for is registration, just like we do for cars."
- Charles Shumer
"My view of guns is simple. I hate guns and I cannot imagine why anyone would want to own one. If I had my way, guns for sport would be registered, and all other guns would be banned."
- Deborah Prothrow-Stith (Dean of Harvard School of Public Health)
These are only a few. There are more. There are also veiled threats to take away guns like Hillary Clinton’s wanting us to follow Australia’s idea. Which was confiscation. In original “Clintonese” dishonesty she tries to make us believe she likes the 2nd Amendment.
Really what it comes down to is control. The left thinks they know best and they must control everything and everybody to make us “safe”. All the while having armed guards keeping them safe.
It’s hard to be nice when so many people want to take your freedom. Criminals want your stuff, politicians want power, and left leaners think they know what is best for me.
As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Letter-day Saints, or “Mormons”, we believe in freedom. A hero of mine is a Book of Mormon prophet named Moroni. Moroni saw the people giving away their rights to well-meaning people and he had a problem with it. He had fought in combat, and watched his brothers die, for that freedom. I too have fought and watched my brothers give their “…last full measure of devotion.”
He rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it — In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children — and he fastened it upon the end of a pole…and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of Christians remain to possess the land… (Alma 46:12–13)
Moroni was not happy about what was happening politically, and morally, in his country.
And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare and safety of his people. Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his blood. …if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men. (Alma 48:11–13,17)
Moroni was righteous above all, but he was preparing to defend his freedom once again.
13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a band of dChristians remain to possess the land— (Alma 46:13)
Why did he put on armor? Because he wanted all to know he was prepared to fight again for freedom. Why do I own a gun? To be able to fight for my freedom. It’s hard to be nice and to defend freedom.
So to paraphrase Chris Kyle, In spite of what your Momma told you, sometimes you can’t be nice! His quote is this:
“Despite what your momma told ya, violence does solve problems.”
Chris Kyle, Navy SEAL Sniper
Do all you can to be nice. But when freedom is jeopardy, close and engage.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Semper Paratus
Check 6
Burn
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