06Oct05

More comments, this from an instructor with a large, state agency:

"I see this as a growing, cultural disorder, absent of gender. Wom en's issues may garner our attention currently, but mostly simply because they a re a minority.

As little as a single generation ago, women who would take a stand, struggle, fight, and kill (with relish) were common. Now they are rare, as y ou pointed out, but do we not see the same warrior spirit conspicuously absent in the greater number of men as well? Do any of us call a class to a line expecti ng males to show us their fighting spirit? Rather, I find myself wondering if

there is a single, red corpuscle in the entire group, regardless of plumbin g!

As a civilization, we are currently raising wimps, men and women alike. Afraid of guns, disdaining pain, lacking the ability for personal assertion

(unless to whine), fearful, indecisive, both genders lack basic elements ne cessary to build the spirit they need for personal victory. Integrity, personal responsibility, self reliance, et al are no longer taught nor expected. Violence, adversity, and struggle are absent from their lives. Spanking un ruly children now gets well-meaning parents thrown in jail. Fighting, even to d efend oneself, is absolutely forbidden. Only feminine behavior is allowed in schools. Any species of masculine behavior is unthinkable. "Being a good victim" is considered one's social responsibility.

On the other side of the ledger, physicians are now encouraging parents to let children play in the dirt! In medicine, it appears we have finally com e full circle. At one time, we were so anal-hygienic and afraid of germs tha t children were actually too protected, and, as a result, never developed a strong immune system. The medical community finally, and reluctantly, came to the obvious conclusion that, since we are going to be under chemical and biological attack all our lives, we need to learn to deal with it at an ear ly time in our lives. We need to similarly reverse the current trend toward the feminization of children, boys and girls alike."

Comment: Lived correctly, life is a daring adventure, filled to the brim with dashing disappointments and stunning victories. It is intended to be neither relaxing, nor stress-free, nor pain-free. In the end, we're all dead any way. Pity the poor, timid soul who never experiences either victory or defeat. Germs are part of the landscape. Get used to them. Lose you fear of them!

/John

06Oct05

More excellent comments: these from a female student who has subsequently been involved in a fatal shooting:

"My comment to men having difficulty reaching female students is thi s: Speaking as a woman who started with a morbid fear of guns and now will not be caught without one, I think you have to see not just that the forest has tr ees, but that trees make up the forest!

You have identified the problem, but you are unable to persuade women students to embrace the truth. Your premise is good, however it may not wor k with many women. To illustrate, I am going to relate a true story:

Last week, a female friend and I were shopping together. Out of the blue, she said, 'Why do you carry a gun?' Said in an incredulous tone that only a liberal can manage, I was indeed surprised, as I did not even realize that she knew I carried. Instead of dealing with that revelation, I came back w ith, 'How else am I suppose to protect myself, as most attackers are goin g to be male and thus larger and stronger than me?'

Obviously missing my point, she retorted with, 'But, you couldn't re ally shoot someone, could you?' I responded (and, this is the important part of the story), 'Yes, I can! My life, and its uninterrupted continuation, i s important to me.' No response. I went on, 'Let me put it t his way: I have your two boys (five and two) with me at the mall parking lot, and, while I am strapping one into his car seat, someone attempts to abduct the other. What would you have me do? I could beg the thug not to take him. How effective do yo u think that would be?'

Suddenly, the light went on! 'I never thought of it that way, =99 she said hesitantly. I replied, 'If you've never thought about it TH AT WAY, you've never thought about it at all!' Silence.

With the point driven home in personal terms she could not avoid confronting, an epiphany occurred, an irreversible change in her character. She has been pestering me with questions about guns ever since. She wants to buy o ne for herself. She is well on her way to being one of us now!

Traditional logic was not the way to get to her. The point had to be made to apply to her personally and in terms of people and things that she holds

dear."

/John

06Oct05

Comments on audacity from a surgeon friend:

"This Quip reminds me of a familiar saying about surgeons: =80 Often wrong, but never in doubt.' It's rarely used as a complement: 'Tho se dumb surgeons. All they do is cut. They never think. It's we internists who do all the thinking, and we aren't paid nearly as well.'

Bullshit! Internists have the luxury of time and complete information. Sure, there is some routine in surgery, but, when the spaghetti hits the fa n, the belly is opened up while data is insufficient (though plaintiff's lawyers will have complete data eighteen months from now!), and the surgeon must si mply move forward boldly, believing in himself, his experience, and his judgment , a seamless whirlwind of motion. He CANNOT AFFORD to doubt, else his patien t will die, and he may die anyway. Yes, he knows he may be wrong, but he can ' t let that clutter his mind or cause him to hesitate. As in battle, in surgery, hesitation is fatal. Like commanding men in battle, surgery is a heroic, dauntless, and often heart-breaking profession. Who can't take the heat need to stay out of the kitchen.

I think Mike Caro would understand, it's DITHERING that gets you killed, an d its mushin that keeps you on your feet, in action, and out of a body bag! Hesitation is fatal; fearless decisiveness turns the tide, as the hundreds of testimonials from your students illustrate.

'Police! Don't move! Drop your weapon!' How few times has a hairy situation advanced beyond this? Rarely, I would say."

Comment: I know little about the profession of medicine, but I have often wondered if I would have had to courage to be a surgeon. I'll never know, of course, but my young son is one, and he assures me he comes from good stock !

/John