The Soldier and the Statesman
Here's a random thought: Historically, I see that it is often not the soldier that fails the statesman. Rather, it is more often that the statesman fails the soldier.

Deterrence
Ok, nevermind that last blog. I was just pissed off at the incredulity of some people to simple common courtesy. Sometimes, I'm not sure what the greater crime in society is: 1) That people transgress on others with a lack of respect for others OR 2) That its illegal for good citizens of his world to to rebuke these people. Now what do I mean by rebuke? I mean that it should be ok for people to get in other people's faces when bad things happen. So in the context of the rude engineer below, I should at least threaten some show of force in order to re-enforce things like common courtesy. Seriously, sometimes I feel like I should initiate a fistfight in order to get this across!

Now don't get me wrong. If you think I'm some kind of war-mongering jerk with a single-track mind, then I shall say you are grossly sheltered. I think the world out there will have its way with you if you don't act on some things. Just look around you and I'm sure you'll find it. I've seen this in the professional world. I've seen this in the Socio-Political arena. How are individuals any different? Although I do acknowledge that straight cold-blooded combat is awful, I think that we need to make a serious judgement on whether use of force (much less a deterring measure) is more needed in our daily drama called Life.

Honestly, I think fighting should be avoided wherever possible. But I'm sure you understand by now that the world is never that simple. I believe you should also weigh in the issues that are at stake as well. Because as I see it, some issues are worth fighting for.

On a personal scale, I see this as some sort of NATO alliance. So if I see any of my friends being disrespected, I'll keep the option to step in to either mediate or to defend open. I believe my friends (well most of them anyway) are the equivalent to that of sovereign nations and that they wont have the tendency to just get into trouble for no good reason at all. Likewise for family. And aren't they worth fighting for? with?

On a side note: I think Dardy is right. Being a vigilante is fast becoming my dream job.

Cry me a River...
...and get over it! What is with people who cry bloody murder on petty things? I've been having issues with the jerks of the world these days. I'm not sure where to start with this one so how about I just say whatever come to mind and offload?

I was in my digital applications class where a bunch of electronics engineers tried to force their way into our lab time to use the computers. My professor, understandably, kicked them out. On the way out, one of the students yelled, "Damn artists! This is an electronics lab!" I really wanted to smack this guy. Almost a half hour before the lab session ended, the prof had to leave early and told us not to let anyone in. Not long after, another engineering type guy knocked on the door. Seeing that no one was getting up to answer it, I voluntarily got up and opened it. I simply told the guy that the professor didn't want any one to come into the lab. As you can tell, the guy didn't like what I had to say and replied with a surly attitude befitting of a juvenile delinquent. Now, why do these idiots exist? Not to sound snobby, but this something that you rarely saw in Davis.

On top of this, we seem to have a problem with this girl in our drawing class who seems to have a penchant for bossing other people around, giving rude comments, and crying at the drop of a hat when her art is criticized. Again, why do these idiots exist?

Honestly, I sometimes feel that some people are just asking for trouble. Now, I have no idea where these highly dysfunctional nut jobs come from and right now, I simply don't care. Is common courtesy really that hard to pick up? Are some people so messed up that they really get a rise out of belittleling other people? Honestly, if I had my way, I'd start a boxing match just to lay some prinicple down.

A Kind Gesture
A week ago in the morning, I finished my PT session with ROTC and went right on over to Starbucks. So there I was in my West Point grey PT windbreakers about to walk into the cafe. Seeing that there was a lady right behind me, I simply held the door open for her and said, "Good morning." It seemed to bring a simle to her face. As I stood in line, when the lady in front of me got to the register, she said to the person at the counter: "I want to pay for this man's coffee right here. He got the door for me. Apparently, gentlemen do exist in this world." She walked off with her cup of joe and told me, "You have a nice day." I simply responded, "You too ma'am."

I'm not too sure what to say abou that. I totally didn't even expect it. All I did was give a kind gesture. That was really cool! Free coffee rocks. Kind replies to a nice gesture rocks too.

What Makes Her Cool
There are so many things that make her cool to me. Here are some of them:
1) She has a quiet introspective nature about her that I admire
2) She gets to travel around the world.
3) She's really interested in design stuff
4) Although she's busy all the time, she has no problems chilling.
5) She likes Coke