> I am the type who is out there doing what the others are doing.
> Because I'm a lieutenant doesn't mean I sit back watching others do
> something I wouldn't (or haven't) done.  I've had superior officers (and
> civilian
> bosses) in the past who didn't lift a finger to help others, feeling that is
> somehow beneath them.
> To me because I have "sticks of butter" on my collar doesn't mean I am
> better than a new hire.
> Then again I believe having some rank doesn't mean I should be doing
> whatever.  People should be rewarded for their work and not HAVE to do
> something.
> I prefer leading by example than fiat.

That's the ony kind of supervisor or manager I have any respect for -- the  micromamagers are just jackasses with a title!

> I also believe in training and equipping a person to do the job and let
> them do it.  I don't micromanage.

Micromanaging is one of my not so 'pet' peeves. . .

I was hired to do my job because I was adjudged the best of the batch, & here I am trying to prove them justified, & I don't need anyone second-guessing me or  otherwise slowing me down.

I get some times the gigher ups hire someone from outside to come in as a  middle manager -- I get that they want am audit type fresh look at things, but  the smart new guy ASKS me what's being done, instead of coming out shooting  with HOW things must be done now. 

Hads one like that who got the senior guiy fired for not listening to her  diredftive to answerttyhe phones in a certain way, when he'd been doing it well enough for 6 years in a way he found well, & his clients & other contacts had  no issue with.

I was told, by the owner, upon startying, to answer anty rrespectful way I  feelmodst comfortable doing, & I had been doingh so fr several years, but I  switched on her demand because I wasn't married to my way -- it was convenient, but I'm on the clock -- I can do anything you want, dear. . .

She's long gone, but I'm still here doing my thing. . . If I felty switching  would interfere with my mandate, given by the owner(final authority) , to take  care of his customers, or she'd've been gone earlier & the other guy'd still be with us (he got us plenty of new business in Latin America including a long- running exclusive deal with Chile)

I'm sure my boss felt his being fired was wrong, but he's old school & believes when you put someone in a position of authority, you do not override their  decisions.  I fully concur. If needed, I'll change their job, but never  overrule their decisions made under their prior authority.

> If someone isn't working out in whatever job then find someone who is
> able and willing to do it and find a more suitable job for the first person.

True that. . . everyone is replaceable & the more they think they aren't, the  more it's time to look into it. . .

>> I read his other big one, Animal Farm, & found it just as insightyful
> I read that many years ago.  I should re-read it, along with Brave New
> World.

I've yet to read Brave New World --I might now that I can get it from Z-Lib &  put it on my phone to read when I'm out. . .

>> Like here in BC, where, as part of Canada, we're basically gun-free
> I have never understood gun free zones.
> I suppose to some people it gives a sense of security but it also tells
> the bad guy that is open territory.
> I have never heard of some bad guy changing his mind seeing a gun free
> zone sign and going elsewhere to do whatever he was going to do.
> WV is a conceal carry state and some bad guy doesn't know if he his prey
> is armed or not.
> Our violent crime rate is relatively low.  We have B&E's, etc but the guy
> breaking into the house doesn't if the place is protected by a scared person
> curled up in a fetal position in the corner or meeting them with a gun.
> Like the old joke.
> A Texan is pulled over in a northern state for speeding.
> The trooper sees a loaded handgun on the passenger seat and asks if he
> has a permit for it.
> The Texan replies he does and produces the paperwork.
> The trooper asks if he has any others and the Texan pulls out a couple
> more from the glove box, and shows the troopers rifles and shotguns in the
> trunk.
> The trooper asks what the Texan is afraid of and he replies "Not a danged
> thing son, not a danged thing".
> Switzerland doesn't have a standing army, but all able bodied men are
>members of the militia and issued weapons which they keep at home.  Since ever
> home has weapons, the crime rate there is very low.

I'm with you, but Canada has this Liberal-led disarming tradition going strong  now.

I'm all about RESPONSIBLE ownership.  We do allow peope to have guns, if they  go through training & pass the tests, including ensuring the gun cannot be  taken & used by anyone else.

& regular training/practice to maintain one's license, I'm fine with. (in your 
2A context, "as part of a well-ordered militia")

I think it's easy enough to ensure legal guns aren't fed into the illegal side  of things. . . 

Every gun must be test-fired & the ballistics data (striations & pin markings)  be logged 8into a federal police database.

If your gun is used in a crime, as proved by the ballistics, then you're held  partly responsible for the crime, as a co-accused.

This would do a lot to stop the old "Oh, yes, I had that gun, but it was  stolen" excuses. . .

& if you sell it, you only can sell it to someone else responsible who then 
registers as the owner.  No more black market market. . .

I fully agree with your points about how the possibility of dying for a break- in suddenly makes it not as worthy it, as a risk of prison(play time for some)  time might be fine om the cost benefit analysis done by a slightly addled brain
& personality.

I was a punk juvenile delinquent -- I know I'd've had a lot more respect for  people & therir stuff if the potential of deadly force used to defend their  stuff was a factor (I never did crimes against persons -- only property stuff)

You gave the example of Switzerland -- Israel, too -- every adult is trained in the use of arms & most walk around with an Uzi at the ready, & are fully  trained in how to use it.

Rape is pu't near xero there, because that hot chick you approach at night is  likely well-armed, & may even know Krav Maga, & if you lay a hand on her, the  odds are strong that you WILL die!

Respect.

Here in Canada we have the insane situartion, truestory, of a guy who was  threatened with death by a local gang -- reported it to police, who could "do  nothing, without an actual incident."

So the ghang shjows up at his plazce, sarmed & ready tyo kill him.

He came outside with a shotgun, & fired once into the air to let them know he  was armed & ready to use it to defend himself (they'd already fired multiple  rounds into his home)

HE was charged with the illegal discharge of a firearm.  I'm, "Hey, he had  justification to kill as many people as entered his property, yet all he did  was fire into the air -- utterly harmless to one & all."

I guess the shotgun was louder than theiur sjmall arms fuire, & a neighbour  called the cops whose sirens caused the gang to scatter.  He, having done  nothing wqrong, as far as he knew, was waiting for the cops, with the gun  already put down & out of sight. (no sense spooking armed cops)

He explained what happened, then they put the cuffs on him!

HOLY FLEEPING CRAP!!! 

I've actually had more than one cop tell me that if someone breaks into my  house at night, & I intend to do anything about, be sure my response is deadly, so tyhere's only one witness(me), & any good cop'll help me write up the  report, "You say it was dark, & ikt looked like he was reaching for a gun, so  you hit him with the vase to try to simply STOP him?" (Oh, yes, sir, that's  exactly what happened; I didn't mean to kill anyone, I just wanted to STOP(key  keyword) him from killing ME or my family)

I don't own a gun, & am fine without one -- I know how to avoid trouble, which  accordiung to an 8th dan black belt acquauintance of mine, is the most  important rule for successful self defence, that he wouldn't go to certain  areas or places, especially at night, even with his skills.

Works for me & I know his second rule well, too -- use the power of clever  conversation to steer trouble away, if accosted in spite of best practices to  avoid such.

Like an old('70s) song put it: I hollered out so all could hear, "He voted for  McGovern & he's also queer!" (in a southern Honky Tonk, where they were going  to beat him up for being a hippie) "I was sent  by the brothers to ferret him  out before he ratted us all out to the feds."

(I paraphrase as best as I recall, but that was the gist -- think & talk fast,  then run at the first opportunity, in the confusion)

--- BBBS/Li6 v4.10 Toy-5