Standing your ground
Now, on a previous trip to the Orlando swamp to see my great-aunt Flora, I came across a peculiar sight. There it was, unfolding right in front of me--I saw one of my distant cousins, standing, facing off what I presumed was a Repuglican.
Of course, the picture above shows only one side of the story. We do not know what is transpiring here, except for an Alligator defending its rights to be in a particular place at a particular time. I sensed that things could get ugly here. Indeed they did. For that Repuglican seem unnerved by the sight in front of him (my cousin). It started to make loud, trumpeting noises; then stamping its feet--quite loudly too.
Why I wondered to myself. Just then my great aunt swam up to me and gave me some background. Flora told me that a humanoid named Jebbie Bush had pushed through a law in the State of Florida, called "Stand Your Ground."
So I asked Flora just what that meant. Here's what she said, all the while the scene was unfolding in front of us: This here law is supposed to protect the weak and defenseless or even just plain citizens from assault by persons they feel endangered by."
I replied: "Sounds reasonable enough."
But then Flora went on to explain that those Floridians--and even tourists--were allowed to use measures up to and including deadly force to "protect" themselves.
Because of my military background, I asked Flora about the rules of engagement for such a confrontation. Generally that means a particular set of instructions regarding what is necessary to enable force to be used in a situation,
So Flora enlightened me: "It simply means that when a humanoid fears for his/her life, that force can be used to prevent self-harm."
"But Aunt Flora, that seems to be a pretty vague standard. What constitutes fear in one person's mind might not in another's; so how do we judge that."
Aunt Flora reminded me about Trayvon Martin, a dark skinned human who was confronted by a Zimmerman (this I am told is a type of humanoid). Zimmerman immediately recognized two things: first, that dark-skinned humans were not often seen in that part of the swamp; Second, that the mere appearance of such a dark skinned human "was sufficient cause to be fearful." Kinda Res Ipsa Loquitor for those of you who like a little Latin to enrich your diary-reading. Yes the mere sight of such a human in certain parts of the swamp could be sufficient.
the Evil eye
Wow! That means that most humanoids in the Florida swamps would immediately be afraid of someone simply based on their appearance.
"Yes, true, true." said Flora. You see, those humanoids can feel that the mere glance of a dark skinned human is sufficient enough cause to justify the use of deadly force. "This even includes police", continued Flora.
So, I thought (and you know thinking isn't exactly a strong suit of us gators--but that's also true of the majority of Florida Repuglicans): in that case, being of a green pigmentation, probably the best course for me would be to RUN LIKE HELL!
For those of you less familiar with Alligators, at short distances we can run as fast as Arabian horses (44 m.p.h.).
"No, no, no" said my Aunt Flora, "this nonsense has been going on far too long. We gators have to STAND OUR OWN GROUND."
Only then will the Florida humanoids get the message. Just like what's happening in the Baltimore swamp. This kind of Repuglican dung has to be deposited on the doorsteps of those who excreted it in the first place--like Uncle Jebbie. Now this is the one flaw in my hero Rick Scott, whose stance on [global warming] has opened the door to enhance opportunities to my fellow gators and associated Reptiles to swim, play and eat in Florida.
Ricky S. thinks "stand your ground" is a wonderful thing, as do many of the lighter complected Florida humanoids.
Defending one's self by standing our ground
