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Title: John Derbyshire: Last Action Hero
Source:
http://wonkette.com/
URL Source: http://wonkette.com/politics/john-d ... re-last-action-hero-253118.php
Published: Apr 17, 2007
Author: http://wonkette.com/
Post Date: 2007-04-17 22:54:50 by robin
Keywords: None
Views: 205
Comments: 5
John Derbyshire: Last Action Hero Why didn’t they fight back, he wonders. Had he been in that situation — though, of course, he can’t be sure — he thinks he probably would’ve rushed the gunman, disarmed him, and subdued him with a Vulcan nerve pinch. Yes: if you bravely fight back you will all die anyway. 
When last we read charming old pervert John Derbyshire, he was advocating the execution of the British naval hostages for treason. Today, of course, he’s calling the students of Virginia Tech cowards.
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#1. To: robin (#0)
To tell the truth, I've been wondering the same thing. I wouldn't call the students cowards. I don't know how I would react in that situation. But trying to rush the shooter, especially in numbers, would appear to be the sensible thing to do, even from a selfish standpoint: it would probably maximize one's chances of surviving the episode.
To reason, indeed, he was not in the habit of attending. His mode of arguing, if it is to be so called, was one not uncommon among dull and stubborn persons, who are accustomed to be surrounded by their inferiors. He asserted a proposition; and, as often as wiser people ventured respectfully to show that it was erroneous, he asserted it again, in exactly the same words, and conceived that, by doing so, he at once disposed of all objections. - Macaulay, "History of England," Vol. 1, Chapter 6, on James II.
I should hope not. I don't know how I would react in that situation. But trying to rush the shooter, especially in numbers, would appear to be the sensible thing to do, even from a selfish standpoint: it would probably maximize one's chances of surviving the episode. Actually, this wouldn't be a bad discussion. Certainly putting up some sort of fight would be better than dying without resisting. An organized fight, whatever shape it takes, would be even better. Maybe a new field of study for the classroom is in order. All I learned in school was "duck and cover". For a nation founded by brave, courageous, unyielding, independent types, most of us are amazingly uninformed and unready for any kind of active resistance (myself included).
"The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes nor between parties either — but right through the human heart." — Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
I'll give some thoughts. It is well known that martial surprise attacks can be tremendously effective - panic, fear than self doubt have led more than one army to disasterous flight and rout. No one, I believe, will question that. Another thing is a disaster when none is to be expected, such as a collapse of a bridge with alot of people partying one it (The Hallmark Building in Kansas)or attacks such as a mad shooter in a dorm. In that enviroment you are asking ALOT of Kids to deal with a senerio that only has existed in a bad movie. Unless there was an young Ulysses there, it was unlikely to happen. MHO.
When a gunman has superior force, visibility, distance and/or cover; he has an advantage that you just don't challenge, without suicidal desires. The victims didn't have the advantage of a pile ofd rocks, to throw at the guy. Close-in, with a reasonably estimated probability of success - different story. I've given this angle a lot of thought, but I've never discovered a description when 'action' would have been viable. Not that I have all the facts, of course. In the chaos, there would have been pnenomenal indecision. Sure, there might have been a book bag; possibly a flag pole. But, when the instructor in the room is ordering everyone to hide behind a pile of desks, who is the "Chuck Norris" of the group?
I've read that in situations like this, the first tendency of almost all people is just to freeze. It requires training for almost everyone to overcome this instinct. I assume it's way the military engages in the heavy training it does.
"Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war." -- Thucydides
#2. To: aristeides (#1)
I wouldn't call the students cowards.
#3. To: aristeides (#1)
I don't know how I would react in that situation. But trying to rush the shooter, especially in numbers, would appear to be the sensible thing to do, even from a selfish standpoint: it would probably maximize one's chances of surviving the episode.
"The penalty good men pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men" Plato
#4. To: Robin, Brian S, Christine, Honway, Aristeides, Diana, All (#0)
#5. To: robin (#0)
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