As safe as ever

Post #267,343 by tuberculosis 9/12/06 2:31:08 PM Reply	As safe as ever which is - not very. [link\|http://www.blackbagops.net\|Black Bag Operations Log] [link\|http://www.objectiveclips.com\|Artificial Intelligence] [link\|http://www.badpage.info/seaside/html\|Scrutinizer]
Post #267,404 by Nightowl 9/12/06 11:47:34 PM Reply	But see, that was my point We have NEVER been safe, not completely, because it's not something we or anyone else have any control of. But we can keep ourselves safer by taking better care of ourselves, and using the information we gain to help protect us and watch out for ourselves. So I was trying to say, (sarcastically, without actually saying it), that the concept of "safe" is an illusion, and all I was saying is the only measure of control you have about safety is how safe you make things for yourself, not how safe you ARE in any given country, state or city. And that still isn't SAFE because it doesn't exist. Other people in other groups got that I was trying to be sarcastic, or something like that, but I somehow failed to get it across here. Sorry about that. One more example and then I'll surrender, I guess, since you still seem to think I'm talking only about being safe from terrorism, which wasn't my point. All the terrorism concept did was put the phrase in my head over the past few days, which was when I realized it was a meaningless phrase and why. Here's my example: I fell down the basement stairs twice in the dark during the St. Louis Blackout. Luckily, I wasn't hurt too badly. However, I learned from that experience, and we found a flashlight that I can wear around my neck now when I have to carry things down the stairs in a blackout, that points at the stairs so I can see them. That is what my point was trying to be. If something happens that teaches you you aren't prepared enough for it, or aren't as safe as you could be, you learn to adapt to be better prepared and better protected if you can. In short, the concept of being safe is indeed an illusion that the government created, when in fact no one can ever be truly safe from all harm. It's something they have tried to sell us, but I'm not buying it. ;) Brenda "When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large. When you ask permission, you give someone veto power over your life." -- By Geoffrey F. Abert ************************** "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind, don't matter - and those who matter, don't mind." -- By Dr. Seuss ******************************* "Sometimes it takes a whole lot more strength to walk away than to stand there and fight." -- By the character of John Abbott: said on Young & Restless on 5/19/06 *******************************
Post #267,412 by Another Scott 9/13/06 12:32:42 AM Reply	The Earth will be swallowed by the Sun. But you and I won't be around to see it. We have NEVER been safe, not completely, because it's not something we or anyone else have any control of. Living things die. They always will. I think part of the reason why you weren't understood is that you're mixing up several issues. There's the issue of relative risk. There's the issue of personal awareness of one's environment. There's the issue of our government's actions and inactions. Lumping them all in a discussion of whether one is "safe" invites misunderstanding. I don't think that 9/11 or Katrina made most of us change our thinking about personal safety too much. Here's my example: I fell down the basement stairs twice in the dark during the St. Louis Blackout. Luckily, I wasn't hurt too badly. However, I learned from that experience, and we found a flashlight that I can wear around my neck now when I have to carry things down the stairs in a blackout, that points at the stairs so I can see them. Something else that you might want to look into is some [link\|http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-41-night-lights/moon-light-5-1-2--620668.aspx\|Moon Lights] - they're battery operated, and you won't need to remember to have a flashlight with you. Cheers, Scott.
Post #267,413 by Nightowl 9/13/06 1:41:48 AM Reply	Thanks, that helps :) I think part of the reason why you weren't understood is that you're mixing up several issues. There's the issue of relative risk. There's the issue of personal awareness of one's environment. There's the issue of our government's actions and inactions. Lumping them all in a discussion of whether one is "safe" invites misunderstanding. I see that now. I was only using the 9/11 phrase we've heard for days, "How Safe Are We?" because it was what struck the lightbulb in my head that here our Government is promising us we can be safe, when no Government has that sort of power to keep every single person in the US from all harm. Granted, they were probably only talking about safe from terrorism, but I was struck by the word "safe" and found it to be one of those meaningless words that The Tyranny Of Words describes, and Ashton loves to explain. That's when it hit me that we can never truly be safe, only safer, and usually by our own design, not by relying on others. Sorry for the confusion. I don't think that 9/11 or Katrina made most of us change our thinking about personal safety too much. It made me change mine, in a sense. It made me realize how UNSAFE we were in some cases, and how just relying on the Government was not the answer, and I'm proud to state that I coped fairly well with the blackout in St. Louis because I was prepared up to a point. And the things I learned that I was unprepared about, I've since remedied when possible. :) Something else that you might want to look into is some [link\|http://electrical.hardwarestore.com/13-41-night-lights/moon-light-5-1-2--620668.aspx\|Moon Lights] - they're battery operated, and you won't need to remember to have a flashlight with you. I'll check it out, thanks! Brenda "When you take charge of your life, there is no longer need to ask permission of other people or society at large. When you ask permission, you give someone veto power over your life." -- By Geoffrey F. Abert ************************** "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind, don't matter - and those who matter, don't mind." -- By Dr. Seuss ******************************* "Sometimes it takes a whole lot more strength to walk away than to stand there and fight." -- By the character of John Abbott: said on Young & Restless on 5/19/06 *******************************

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