Parents: Warn Your Teens about the Dangers of Using Social Networking Websites

There are a lot of different types of people out there in the world. Some people can mindlessly kill people. Some people injure others without remorse. Some people are able to injure others or defend themselves if provoked. Some people are so timid they would not be able to hurt a fly. Then there are the people in between. Where do you think you fit in? Where do you actually fit?

Now we are talking nature and demeanor. Nature is your inner personality, which actually would show under stress. Your demeanor is your outward appearance or mannerism, which may hide your true self, if only temporarily. Sometimes nature and demeanor are almost identical, but most often they are rather different.

Take Tom Street Thug. He is tough and mean on the outside. He preys on the weak and intimidates others. What happens when someone stands up to him and resists? Does he back down? Perhaps. What about Easy Going Joe? Mild mannered, polite and friendly. Get in his face and threaten his family. Does he rise to the occasion and display another tougher side? Let's not even get to Bill the serial killer/rapist yet...

Now back to non-lethal self defense. Who do you think is more likely to carry and use a gun, Joe or Tom? How about a knife? There is nothing wrong with defending yourself with a firearm or a knife, but the average Joe may not be comfortable carrying or using a gun, even in self defense. What about a stun gun or pepper spray? That might be much more attractive to Joe. Easier on the conscience, effective in an unfortunate situation, and easy to use.

Not everyone has the time to devote to martial arts classes for years to become a black belt. Not everyone has it in them to learn how to use a firearm and muster the inner strength to use it. But the few minutes it takes to learn how to properly use a stun gun or pepper spray could very well save your life. Or the life of a loved one. Simple decision really.

Does this mean you become Superman and take on a street gang with your Stun Master? Of course not. There might be the time that tossing your wallet to the right as you run to the left is sufficient. It is just money right? But what is the situation is more serious. Add the safety of your wife and children. You are often faced with the decision of who will actually become the victim, yourself or the attacker - even if you don't realize it.

Choose your weapon of choice beforehand. Pepper Spray? Stun Gun? Taser? Steel Baton? Personal Alarm? Just pick something. Tom and Bill already did. Whether it is intimidation, a pipe or his fist, Tom and Bill already did. Now what did Tom or Bill pick to target? Your wallet? Your car? Your well being? Your wife or kids?

If you think it can't happen to you, I truly hope it doesn't. But, if you are uncertain grab a local newspaper. Flip on the local or US news on TV. Surf the internet news sites. It won't take too much convincing. Pack whatever you feel comfortable with, just pack something. If the situation warrants it, you will be glad you did.

Don't be afraid of the word weapon. In reality it is a self defense tool, used when necessary, used when the job calls for it.

It would be nice to believe that nothing will happen to you, but the reality of it is that an ounce of protection could be worth more than a pound of cure. What is Worth Protection to you? Your belongings? Your family? Your personal well-being?

by Alipin