The temptation to resort to vigilantism is always there./ I am not pro or con. I have a friend who is now 60. His hair is white and he is not quite as firm as he used to be. He looks, to most young folks, old. He isn't.

he travels extensively and on a couple of occassions he has been the target of attempted muggings. Note I say attempted. On the last occassion a young guy came up and demanded his wallet. My friend said, "Are you sure you want to do this? I was a prison guard, served two tours in Viet Nam in Special Forces, I was a paratrooper, an officer, and I've killed men with my bare hands." "Just gimme your f*****ing wallet man," was the response. Seconds later, as he stood with his foot on the neck of said individual who wasn't sure which body part hurt the most, he looked down and said, "Let this be a lesson. Don't f*** with old men."

Wouldn't many of us like to be able to do that

Violence may not be the answer but I wish that 80 year old had been able to do the same.

Richard