tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post2749706301647141047..comments2024-01-25T22:55:04.308+00:00Comments on Silence Without: Failing to Make a DifferenceTessahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07523122977323033271noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-77715331473706228422011-02-05T21:23:02.296+00:002011-02-05T21:23:02.296+00:00I found this post thanks to light208. I'm glad...I found this post thanks to light208. I'm glad I was directed here. Excellent writing. Excellent thinking.Bruce Coltinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12861316663245952372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-15700148820621073552011-02-05T16:32:48.982+00:002011-02-05T16:32:48.982+00:00You might find this interesting:
http://brucecolt...You might find this interesting:<br /><br />http://brucecoltin.blogspot.com/2010/05/stop-doing-that.htmllight208https://www.blogger.com/profile/08963433460783023131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-52572746123460418782011-02-05T03:04:45.829+00:002011-02-05T03:04:45.829+00:00Ooooh, no. They were being horrendously aggressiv...Ooooh, no. They were being horrendously aggressive, but not actually violent. Violence is not something I will dive in on, have absolutely no illusions about how I'd come out of a physical altercation.<br /><br />But seriously, this was in broad daylight in a wide open public area, and it was -busy- with commuters and travelers, and as far as those jerkwads were concerned, they could behave that way in the middle of a massive crowd and no one would dare challenge them, and as far as the barista was concerned, he was being menaced in full open busy public and yet he was entirely alone.<br /><br />THAT bothers me. <br /><br />And Aanimal, be very wary about intervening in such situations. Being as you're a guy, and if not big at least extremely tall, people are more likely to see you as a target upon which they can prove themselves. Big guys in bars always get picked on for fights, even if they're not doing anything.<br /><br />The wonders of society.Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12620582836939851015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-62780333658830603152011-02-02T00:03:47.178+00:002011-02-02T00:03:47.178+00:00I watched a teenager get pummeled by four or five ...I watched a teenager get pummeled by four or five others outside a subway stop one afternoon. I *am* large and intimidating, but I am only one and they were a bunch of punks. I called the police (as did at least one other that I can recall), but I wasn't going to take any direct action, because the backlash on me would not have been worth the results. Neither would it have been worth it if it were one of you against eight of them. <br /><br />You were aware of the situation and prepared to do something about it if it got out of hand. There really isn't much more one *could* do that isn't borne of madness.Jaimehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13100788236451699824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-87426124971070480852011-02-01T18:05:43.215+00:002011-02-01T18:05:43.215+00:00Besides what has been said already, you're als...Besides what has been said already, you're also making a difference by posting here about it.<br />I live in a rather quiet town and can't remember the last time I came across a situation like those you're describing. But I suspect that when I did, I was one of the countless people who turned away and did nothing. Next time, I'll remember this post, and have it be another nudge in my mind toward taking positive action.Aanimalnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-62709976989699411572011-02-01T16:56:38.875+00:002011-02-01T16:56:38.875+00:00I have been here. I have felt the fear that held m...I have been here. I have felt the fear that held my feet to the floor and kept my tongue still. And I felt shame afterwards. But you did take action and for that you should recognise your own courage. <br /><br />Do not judge yourself so harshly for things you did not do. Another day you may feel more able, regardless of fear and labels, and because of this post so shall I.<br /><br />I leave you with a quote from Bernard Cornwell:<br />"Courage isn't like a bottle of whiskey. You don't empty it once and for all. You're just learning your trade. The first time in battle a boy reckons he can beat anything, but after a while he learns that battle is bigger than all of us. Being brave isn't ignorance, it's overcoming knowledge."light208https://www.blogger.com/profile/08963433460783023131noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-16642855604737864712011-02-01T13:48:00.128+00:002011-02-01T13:48:00.128+00:00By trying to do something, you DID make a differen...By trying to do something, you DID make a difference. Good on ya.Wordsmiffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00429795648577521020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-19497269383523482862011-02-01T10:09:07.455+00:002011-02-01T10:09:07.455+00:00Failure my ass. You are BRAVE AND FUCKING AWESOME....Failure my ass. You are BRAVE AND FUCKING AWESOME.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-59756385211995730682011-02-01T08:11:05.834+00:002011-02-01T08:11:05.834+00:00Thanks, Ninny. In the end though, I'm the onl...Thanks, Ninny. In the end though, I'm the only one who judges my actions, and I'm the only one whose opinion counts for anything, and I'm disappointed.<br /><br />The whole reason there's a growing culture of violence and thuggery around the cities is because people do 'mind their own business' and turn a blind eye, and so the people who do it get away with it once, twice, three times. They get bolder as no one challenges them, and as they get bolder, people are more fearful and intervene even less. <br /><br />: [Tessahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12620582836939851015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755770.post-29875189209447980862011-02-01T07:53:17.599+00:002011-02-01T07:53:17.599+00:00You did way, WAY more than most people would even ...You did way, WAY more than most people would even think of doing. Glad to read the full story also. I saw that tweet in transit and worried.<br /><br />You, definitely are a Goddamn Hero. Hope they won't return to harass the dude again. :-/Ninhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04420824344533714648noreply@blogger.com