The violence comes from fear. People are afraid of what they don't understand or don't feel familiar with. They're afraid they might be wrong about something. They're afraid of terrorism.

And the more deeply afraid they are, the more violent their reactions are likely to be.

It works the same way with dogs or cats, but on a simpler level. A frightened dog may bite.

Just try not to respond to their fear with fear of your own, as things tend to get out of control when that happens. Stay calm, and try not to judge them. Breathe evenly. Stay calm. Let them be who they are, because that is their right.

Confrontations with deeply fearful people do not lead anywhere useful.

I observe each situation carefully, and I act in the way that seems most sensible under those circumstances. I'm not gonna roll into an Iowa truckstop, walk into the restaurant, and say "To hell with America and the U.K....I hope the Iraquis humiliate you arrogant bastards!" It wouldn't be smart to do that. :-)

I am, however, going to write exactly what I think about this war, which is that it's a criminal aggression by 2 large countries against a small one, launched for totally cynical reasons, and justified by false media propaganda.

I can do that on the Net, and I shall. If people don't like it, that's fine...they have plenty of space here to present their own viewpoints freely, and I'm sure they will. This isn't an Iowa truckstop.

- LH