francene--blog. Year 2013
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March 5th

3/5/2013

 
Last night, I gave self-defense plenty of thought after the news of planned killer robots to roam the skies, seeking the enemy.

Several people commented about the need to protect the good life they have, otherwise somebody would invade to snatch it away. Quite right. We can't bow under bullies' threats. Reducing the conflict to a playground scenario, it would be like stopping a gang of thugs from beating you and taking your apple.

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www.army.mod.uk
In this morning's news, the U.K. defense secretary is to announce details of where the British Army will be based after its withdrawal from Germany. 4,000 troops have already moved back to the UK, and 16,000 men and their families are to follow over the next five years. Read the full story here. What? Britain still has troops in Germany, 70 years after WW2 has ceased? I didn't know.

Back to the dilemma of stopping other people taking what is yours. What does the lesson in the bible mean about turning the other cheek? That's not about protecting, but rather about accepting. Can we apply the meaning to the present day?


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One summer back in the 70's, we moved to a small fishing village in South Australia. With the cold war threatening to break out at any time, and a missile pointing at Adelaide four hours drive away, we built a high wall around a courtyard vegetable garden for protection from roving hordes expected to roam the country like those in Mad Max.

While my daughters remained at a local primary school, my teenage son would need to catch a school bus to an Area School, set aside for local farmers and families dotted over the countryside. During the summer holidays, my son chose to become a practicing Christian. At his last school in Adelaide, he'd defended weaker children and had become a hero. Tall for his age and slender as a young teenage boy can be while he filled out his bones, he left for his first day full of enthusiasm.


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www.examiner.com
He returned that afternoon shaken and bruised, declaring in all his bravery that nothing was wrong. After a week or so, we got to the bottom of the problem. The bus driver explained that the younger boys were hitting him just to watch his reaction when he turned the other cheek. The Christian driver didn't know what to do about it and had discussed the problem with the headmaster. They both said the boy would need to sort it out himself. The beatings went on for two years while my 6'4" son grew into his bones. All the advice and love his father and I could give him didn't show a result until one day, he hit back. The beatings stopped. The boy became a man, warped beyond recognition. His youthful zest for life had changed into a bouncer mentality. Whilst remaining a loving son, his actions away from home fill me with horror.

Not only did this real-life experience teach me how peer-group pressure can change a beautiful soul, it highlighted the need for restrained defense at the beginning of a conflict to prevent a build-up of aggression. Bridle as I might about the bleak reality, that's the way things are. Protect yourself or succumb to another order.


Sophie Bowns link
3/4/2013 10:16:25 pm

It's so awful being bullied but I think it is best to fight back. When I was at school there were a few girls in my year group who were pretty awful until I plucked up enough courage to stand up to them!

Francene Stanley link
3/5/2013 02:14:23 am

If only the way of the world would change. Why do some people lord it over others? I can't understand it.

Amy link
3/4/2013 10:24:57 pm

How awful and sad for your sweet son. That makes my heart hurt. Unfortunately there will always be thugs who will pick on whomever they don't respect. Your son eventually gained their respect (or fear?) and so they left him alone. Unfortunately much of the world is this way, ruled by the thug-mentality.

Francene Stanley link
3/5/2013 02:16:00 am

I hadn't thought of that. The thugs don't respect the person they pick on. You got the whole problem down in a few words. Thank you.

Alana link
3/5/2013 10:13:30 am

Sadly, Amy is right. Bullies are bullies, be they schoolchildren or dictators. Slap them down immediately and they slink away. Turn the other cheek, they gain power, lose respect and are embolded. The story of your son saddened me greatly.


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    Author

    Francene Stanley, author of many published novels. If you like my writing, why not consider purchasing one of my books? You'll see them on the sidebar below.
    Born in Australia, I moved to Britain half way through my long life.

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