Violence Sucks, But…

violence

Imagine walking down the street and being approached by a street thug and being hassled for the good looking athletic shoes you’re wearing. He likes what you have and he wants it. Imagine bowing your head and figuratively turning the other cheek.

Imagine being confronted by a man who wants to have sex with you. He smells terrible and he’s ugly and he’s pushed you towards an alley saying all kinds of vile sexual things. He’s about to molest you and most likely rape you. Imagine bowing your head and again, figuratively, turning the other cheek.

These scenarios are real. They often happen on streets across the world. From the theft of popular shoes to the rape of women, these possibilities are very real. If you would have done as these examples played out you would have lost your shoes and you would have been sexually abused. You bowed down to the thug and rapist and turned the proverbial other cheek. The predator got what he wanted and you lost a part of yourself.

Many people don’t like violence. And some people are quite proud that they’re against violence. I heard a man once say that he didn’t like his parent’s religion, in fact, he didn’t like any religion but was proud that his parent’s religion espoused complete non-violence. Some have espoused pacifism for thousands of years, and how has that worked out for them? Has it made the world a less violent place?  Is it something to be proud of? Should anyone be proud to let their daughter get raped because as some religions say it must have been God’s will; so make sure to always turn the other cheek? That violence is wrong? It is nonsense to be proud of that kind of close minded pie in the sky thinking. That is living in an unrealistic bubble that does more harm than good.

Just today, I heard from a woman who viewed a video where a woman being harassed reverted to violence say that she doesn’t condone violence but in some cases it is necessary. Yes! A realist! Well said by this woman who happens to works globally to help people in need.

Many people think soldiers love war. That they love violence. That they love to kill. Douglas MacArthur one of the most iconic wartime generals in American history said, “The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” Many people who know how to war, know how to fight, know how to gutturally survive do not want it or like it. But many of them rock at it because they realize it is a part of life. An integral part of life. As real as breathing. And has been since the days of  the Neanderthals.

Is it sad that violence is so prevalent and so real in life? It certainly is. But it is what it is and we must look at it realistically. Soldiers prepare for war so there can be peace. Some pacifists scowl at that line as being untruthful. They say war mongers love violence and mayhem. However, it is as true as the air that we breathe. We as people should also prepare for war, or better said for individuals; prepare for abuse, robbery and murder so we can live in peace. So that we can survive the scoundrels who would do us harm. The vast majority of scoundrels stay clear of those who are strong and prepared for violence. And the ones who do not stay clear collapse under those who are strong and prepared. Realists realize to prepare for violence does not mean they embrace violence. Be prepared.

Steve Kovacs
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Steve Kovacs

About Steve Kovacs

Steve's the bestselling author of 'Protect Your Kids! The Simple Keys to Children's Safety and Survival'. He's written many articles on a wide variety of topics and has three published books. Steve's a three-time survivor of violence in his youth, a former police supervisor and a graduate of The Police Executive Leadership College (PELC) and was also an award winning part-time college Criminal Justice instructor. For several years, Steve did written and radio political and current event commentary and was the former host of the long running 'The Kovacs Perspective' Internet radio and TV talk show. Steve presently owns a small businesses in Ohio--The Mayfield Academy of Self-Defense.

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