Chris did the right thing.  For some, retaliation works - but from my
experience, you'd better have more than theoretical knowledge (or even a
funny colored belt) before you try it. And there are still the legal
aspects of self-defence.

I've done it both ways (and I've had my experience in the jungles 30
years ago) and regretted it, both ways. Just means life's not perfect.
Now I try the karma/prayer route, and find it works best. (Of course, I'm
over 50 now, so I'm not actively in rut, competing for the does ;^) I
only need to honestly protect the one I settled with. And I can be honest
about what constitutes protection.

my 2 cents.

and be sure your pepper spray is 10 percent - AND DON"T USE MACE - it may
trigger attacks by violent people.

george
'87 syncro
'88 qsw

On Sun, 11 Feb 2001 13:27:23 -0500 Lawrence C Leung <l.leung@JUNO.COM>
writes:
> Chris,
>
> I personally think your cool head is was saved you from potential
> harm.
> If you pulled out a rebar, or crowbar or lug wrench, I think this
> idiot
> would've taken it as either a sign of a physical challenge (which in
> Neanderthal speak means, retaliate), or as outright justification of
> anything else physical he would have attempted to have done to you.
> Also,
> what's to say he couldn't have dis-armed you and then used your own
> weapon against you? You were in close quarters and already in
> physical
> contact. IMHO, a weapon is only a deterent when you are far enough
> away
> so that your attacker can't reach it.
>
> LL - NY
>