Teach Your Girls to Shoot!

Some months ago, I was watching a Military Channel show called "Inside Combat Rescue." In one episode, one of the guys serving in Afghanistan learned that his wife was going to learn the sex of their unborn child at some point that day. Grinning, he said that if the baby was a boy, he'd teach him to shoot, and if his baby was a girl, he'd be the most protective father...ever.

Now, I get where he's coming from, but of course, my natural reaction, as a woman, was to shout at the screen, "TEACH YOUR LITTLE GIRL TO SHOOT, TOO!"

When I was growing up, my Mom was TERRIFIED of guns. She hated them and wouldn't allow them in the house. As a result, I had to wait until I was 18 to learn how to handle a firearm, or even have any exposure to one. Oh, sure, I'd seen my Dad's long guns stored up at his parents' house, but because I was a girl, he never considered that I'd want to learn about them.

Well, everything changed when I turned eighteen. One of my first acts was to call up my cousin, our lovable "gun-nut" relation, who gave me a great foundation in safety and familiarity with many different types of handguns, rifles, and shotguns. When we finally headed out to a local gravel pit owned by a friend of his, I was unafraid and very ready to finally put my new-found knowledge to the test with live ammo.

Time went on, I pursued more education and experience with guns, and then went on a long hiatus. A few years ago, though, my brother and I came into possession of our dad's gun collection. Having been away from "the line" for quite awhile, I realized it was time to go back. Together with some friends, we planned a weekend of camping and shooting.

It went off amazingly! We gathered our ammo, we gathered our guns and headed into the hills and forests of Indiana. And, my friends, let me tell you...when we go to the range...we really bring it! I got some real quality time in with my .9mm and by Monday afternoon, the closing of our weekend, I was quite comfortable with the firepower extension of my hand. And I was thrilled to admit I also have a new boyfriend, formerly known as "The .8mm Mauser."

But....I have to circle back to my original angle: Girls and guns.

Last weekend at the range there weren't many girls or women shooting. Oh, sure, we the "fairer" sex were present, but most of the other women there were standing back while their boyfriends or husbands toed the line and picked off targets.

One of my friends noticed this as well and singled a few out for a few "lessons". The one that I loved, though, was the teen brought out there by her father, who stood back proudly taking photos while my friend taught her a few rudimentary gun handling and shooting skills.She had a full day and was a willing and enthusiastic participant.

And...I gotta say...I don't know who that guy was, but in my book, he's "Father of the Year."

Moms and Dads, teach your children to handle guns, teach them to shoot, and teach them well. And most especially, if you REALLY want to protect your daughters, make sure they are able to protect themselves, with or without a gun.

Gun Control: The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker got that fatal bullet wound. Women must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself. 

- Susan B. Anthony, July 1871

We the People

Tonight I had an epiphany. I realized some of the reasons why I'm so proud to be an American, and why, as a Patriot, our damned Government offends me so much.

 I have spent time living in another country, one that did not enjoy all of our freedoms for they were in fact fearful of their government. While there I came to love both that country and ours, rejoicing in the fact that I didn't fear our officials.

How much things can change in only a few years, and yet, my head was in the sand because, throughout my education and experience I have been solidly indoctrinated by the liberal agenda which largely sought to inform me, as an American, of my inherent lack of value in the face of the world, and in fact, of my inherent evil intent simply for having been born.

Not only have I come out on the other side, having realized the outright attempt to destroy me as both a real American and an intelligent, critically-thinking human being, but I have realized that the psy-ops inflicted upon me has utterly failed on their part. Guess I'm a survivor in spite of our traitorous government.

Let me give a few examples, therefore, as to why I am proud to be an American and will never make any apologies for being so:

* the United States of America came into being because We The People rose up to glory, armed and unafraid, standing up to Tyranny on the grounds of religious freedom and no taxation without representation, among other important issues. How many young and old men went to their deaths, bearing arms against a sea of British oppressors who sought to subjugate us? Hell, we'd all have very different accents today if we'd just laid down and handed over our arms. We also would never have had the Wild West for the Crown would not have tolerated such uncouth conquest of the great plains and deserts.

* The United States of America might have had some problems, like, say, keeping other human beings as slaves, but we fought hard and ENDED that bullshit under no uncertain terms. Lots of other countries today cannot claim that, and yet...few people are aware of that fact. Yes, slavery still exists, and I'm not talking about prostitution here. I'm talking bad ol' fashioned pre-American Civil War keeping human slaves for labor and menial tasks. Yeah. Look it up. We ended that shit on our shores, but it still goes on today in other countries, without question or media coverage.

* We, as Americans, are often touted by our OWN Main Stream Media (MSM) as being "abrasive" overseas, we're informed that we are "rude", that we are "unrefined" and we are informed that "other countries hate us."  Well, that may be true on some level, however, I have it on good authority that, in fact, the service workers in Europe and the Dominican Republic as well as other places, our territories or not, LOVE us. Why? Because we GIVE TIPS! We, as Americans, have a reputation among restaurant and hotel staff everywhere that we give tips, we say "please" and "thank you" and we treat them with respect because most of us have actually worked in those or related fields and don't have a "caste" system here.  Our very way of living has taught the vast majority of us to respect ALL workers, and as such, we are generally well respected and so we are actively sought out as customers in places such as Oktoberfest in Germany and...well...anywhere. Don't believe the hype that we're awful. Many throughout the world like Americans because we don't look down on anyone.

*  Corollary to the above:  the Americans who look down on people are dismissed and vilified by the average American because we all hate asshats like that since we've all been bullied by their like and don't want to see anyone, our citizenry or another, subjected to the same. 

* People throughout the world differentiate American citizens from our Government representatives, whom they hate because, well...Obama is an ass who funds terrorists and kills innocent people We the People would rather tuck under our wings, protect, and offer hotdishes and casseroles to while they recover from the genocide our government is subjecting them to while trying to disarm We the People.

* We the People of the United States of America have the very unique ability to convert the most beautiful foreign language words into the most graphically distorted and disturbing names possible. And then we flock to those places because they are usually quite historical and fascinating sites. This also creates jobs through tourism revenue which further fuels our economy. Examples: Bloody Basin, Gnaw Bone, Hell, Black Gulch....the list goes on....

* We the People of  the United States of America believe in the natural human right and enjoy the Constitutional ratification of that Natural Right to keep and bear arms for the defense of our nation against the tyranny of the government...ANY government. Including our own...for the defense of the People and our Constitution.

* We the People of the United States of America might be rude and uncouth to the liberals of any country, but we're respected because we are honest, we don't play games, we know our loyalties, we're not here to impress anyone, we know what hard work is about, and if you need help, we're here for you on a deeply personal level. And you know that, which is why so many of you from other shores flee to ours, seeking refuge. (Although we who know our government and most recent history suggest you find other shores for now, because things are about to get hot up in here in the next few years and we want you to be safe because right now...this is not a safe country.)

* We the People of the United States disown our own government for being fascist and tyrannical and know that this statement, while allegedly protected by the 1st Amendment, may get us arrested and imprisoned anyway, still make it because it goes back to our very roots as a country and we will NOT be subject to that kind of tyranny that first drove us to Revolution and Civil War ever again, come what may.

* We the People of the United States of America know what the red stripes on our flag stand for, and if we are TRULY American people we are willing to lay down our own sacrifice in order to keep this people free.

* We the People of the United States of America know what religion is about and how hard we all have fought for the right to worship God according to our own respective beliefs, and we will NOT have the current Tyrannical Government interfering with our own internal regulations and beliefs, and we will certainly NOT kowtow to "Mandates" that punish the poverty-stricken and force good people to act against their own well formed consciences to commit atrocious acts against humanity, most especially the unborn and the elderly.

Yes, I am PROUD AS HELL to be an American and if you have a problem with that, you know exactly where you can go, you sniveling, libtard anti-American government and media puss-heads, you vomitous masses, you warthog faced buffoons! I fart in your general direction and as you writhe in death-throes against the honesty of everything I have written here, I will insult you again with a bad French accent just to tick you off even more for being so "uncultured".

I would rather be "uncultured" than "uncourageous".

May I give my life for God and for America, in that order. Amen.

WHO'S WITH ME????

Truly, if you're not willing to give your blood for this country then you are not worthy of claiming citizenship here. 

Zombie Theologia

Life is strange. I always seem to meet the coolest people when I'm in a tizzy about something stupid. A couple weeks ago I saw a segment on Talking Dead that drove me nuts, and I immediately found the web page for Talking Dead and Zombie Research Society and had my tizzy there.

The admin of the page gave me the email address of the premiere zombie authority, Matt Mogk. I emailed my little missive to him and much to my surprise, HE RESPONDED!

From his response and my rebuttal (respectful on all sides, always), somehow we got onto the topic of "zombie theology". He was interested, asked me to contact him the following week. I gave him the time, last weekend sent a note asking if he was still interested about the conversation. He was, and asked me for some background. I sent my reply, didn't hear anything and I admit I wondered if he thought I was just another nutjob. Over the weekend I was at my brother's house (the guy responsible for my zombie obsession), and told him all the history. I also said that if Mr. Mogk didn't get back to me I'd drop it as I had no intention of being a "celebrity stalker". If my idea wasn't interesting to him, it wasn't a huge deal.

But here's the thing with zombie aficionados...we tend to love discussing zombies and zombie culture. And when meeting another like ourselves, we bond in weird ways.

Today I received another email from Mr. Mogk who is interested in what I had to say, and sent me the link to the blog of another religiously-oriented aficionado, offering to connect us. He also plans to respond himself to what I'd sent.

I've decided my new dream job would pair zombies and theology. Although I won't complain if this remains pure hobby status.

So..anyone else curious about the "Zombie Theologia"?  I have an (incomplete) Question here:

Q:  On whether Zombies, Walkers, or Biters are Human

Objection 1:  It would seem that zombies must be human for they are of human form and move in accordance with human movement. The deceased do not move and remain at rest after cessation of heart and brain activity.

Objection 2:  It would seem that zombies are human for there are three powers of the soul:  memory, intellect, and will. Based upon The Walking Dead, walkers (aka zombies) may have some kind of memory. In Season 1 episode 1, the zombified wife of Morgan returned to the place of her death, night after night, and in season 3 we saw a final return. Whatever animation, whatever power of the soul that made her "she" in her real life seemed also to be present in her Walker form.

Objection 3: The condition of the Walkers is quite possibly a medical condition allowing for treatment should the proper remedy be found. In "I Am Legend" the study lent itself to a potential cure, and Herschel in Walking Dead was convinced that those in his barn were sick, not infected. Herschel was a Scientist (Veterinarian) as well as a man of faith and had reason to rely on science to find a cure.

**           **         ***
Well, friends, that's an introduction. It's late and I haven't more time to write this evening, nor to finish even the "objections". This Question is not yet complete, but be assured: I will "answer that..." and will "reply to objection x" very soon! Maybe even tomorrow. But for now, I need to tune into my favorite show and study the genre ever more deeply in order to produce for you, my readers, the greatest possible coherent product in melding theology and zombiology.

Overheard in Hallowed Halls - "I'm an absolute menace" Edition

I have a little bit of hearing loss in a certain register, and today it got me in trouble, although truth be told, it could have been a LOT worse.

 I had stopped in the kitchen to ask the staff a question about the convection oven which will be used on Saturday.

While in there, an elderly lady stopped in. She's known to us, is a bit uh...confused and seems to live in a state of perpetual wonder. She was asking all sorts of questions about the food being prepared for school lunch today. Then she turned to me and inquired as to who I was. I explained I worked in the religious education office. Oh, she said.

 Then she told me she was at the church today because her son was being "married". (There's a reason this is in quotes, pay attention to this next part...)

I said to her, "Well congratulations!"

 She was turning to go, stopped turned back to me and got real close and said, "Barry".

 "Barry? That's his name? That's great!" At this point I was still happy for her. I was also wondering why she wasn't telling me the name of whoever he was marrying, thought maybe that was forthcoming.

 In the meantime, my co-worker in the kitchen was looking at me very strangely. I was confused. You'd think this lady would be gushing about her son Barry getting married. She was in the hallway by then when I realized what she'd said (with a sotto voce whisper of assistance from my co-worker).

Uh oh. Buried. 

 His name wasn't Barry and he wasn't getting Married. I heard the lady finally say the word one last time, "Buried."

 Oh. My. Dear. God. I am so sorry! Never before have I ever gone from being so happy for someone to so utterly shocked and horrified. I promised sincerely to pray for her son.

 The lady left and I stood there in the kitchen, horribly embarrassed but also, I admit it, starting to giggle. My coworker cracked, "Oh congratulations on the death of your son!" She also thought my huge awful gaff was actually....kinda funny....

 Had it been anyone else that would not have gone well. As it is, by the time the dear lady got half way down the hall she probably forgot all about it. I hope. Oy vey.

 I decided at that point to go hide under my desk for the remainder of the day, just so I wouldn't congratulate anyone else on the death of their loved one.

Liberty Dies

Four years ago, when Obama formally accepted his nomination at the Democratic National Convention, the applause was deafening. I knew then that he would win the election. He was not vetted, the reaction to him was akin to that of hormonal teens in the presence of Elvis at his peak, and in debates all he had to say with regard to questions he didn't care to answer was, "Let's move on." and his Word was done.

I knew then, at that moment, that liberty died in America.

How true it was. Obama has done nothing but undermine the American way of life. He has disrespected the military, previous Presidents (especially if they were Republican), and has wasted MILLIONS of American dollars on personal vacations.

Oh, and he's been the most pro-abortion president in history, voting for live-birth ABORTIONS! REALLY!

This year, he has been re-elected and mark my words; this Socialist masquerading as a liberal is here to do nothing more than to destroy America. He's half-done, and now he has 4 years to finish the job and twist the knife in our collective back...and with our complete cooperation.

Liberty died four years ago. Now, it's either Civil War or America dies forever.

At least, the America we've always known and loved. I will defend my country. Will you?

Overheard in Hallowed Halls - Halloween Edition

This afternoon we as staff went out to eat with Father. Father, who is also a fellow zombie-enthusiast, posed a few questions for discussion. Here's one of them:

Father:  Does a zombie say a prayer before he eats?

Me:  No, because he has to bite fast or get brained by whoever he's trying to eat. So he says a prayer after his meal.

Father:   *laughing*

And everyone wonders what Catholics talk about at work in a parish.

Character Development and Morality in the Zombie Apocalypse

When my brother first introduced me to The Walking Dead, it was in the beginning of the second season. He gave me a brief synopsis of the season premier so that I would know what was going on, and went on to say, "You see, life is so precious now that they'll do everything they can to save that life."

Indeed, in the series, there is a distinct absence of animals as the insatiable zombies aren't just cannibals, but free-range carnivores.

Now that I've finally seen the first two seasons, in order and in proper context, the character development taking place has caught my interest. Commentary on the show (Talking Dead) speaks of characters "devolving" or some other sometimes incoherent descriptions, underscored with their own take on morality. They call some characters "good" when said character has actually, through my Catholic eyes, done some pretty atrocious things.

It's a very intelligently-written show, as the actions being taken by the various characters, the questions being asked...I could see all of those things taking place. One thing they haven't discussed on the show, Talking Dead, is an observation I make based on personal experience:

The situation intensifies and illuminates personal flaws and strengths.

Think about it. A bunch of people who wouldn't necessarily get along in "real life" if that still existed, are somehow thrown together and immediately must depend on each other for survival. People who held prejudices will overcome them to save a life, because that becomes the right thing to do, unless they hadn't the strength of character to begin with to overcome a petty hatred.

In college, like many, I studied abroad. One of the things the previous year's group told ours was that it didn't matter if we "get along" or not stateside. Because, "over there" we were going to be all we had; we would "get along" out of necessity.

As it turned out, in all of that getting or not-getting along, our own personal failings were definitely brought to light, and new strengths revealed. If we had disagreements, we were forced to work through them instead of walking away. Decisions were made for the good of the group when it was necessary to do so. Why? Because we couldn't afford to be divided; we needed each other.

In Religious Life, (Brother, Sister, Monk, Nun) one of the things I learned (not as a religious, but what Religious men and women have told me), the same kind of situation exists. A Sister may enter a convent and whether she and the other Sisters like each other or not, they must get along. In that case, it's part of growing in holiness, but of course, some may be shocked that sin is not left outside the door. No one is immune from sin and imperfection. So it is that since they spend so much time in such close quarters, praying, working, living together, any personal flaws are quickly revealed. Those discerning that community may be able to work with that, or they won't or can't.

It's just a fact of human nature; and it's a fact revealed in "The Walking Dead" as well.  In going back to re-watch the beginning of the series, I saw immediately some of the character flaws which seemed very small at the beginning, but quickly got out of hand as the crisis of trying to survive under constant stress continued.

Who could fight zombies day and and day out and not be affected?

This is why it would be important to prepare one's soul in the event such a catastrophe occurred. This may sound surprising, but a "Zombie Apocalypse" is actually quite possible. Perhaps not exactly in the way portrayed, but biological warfare is a reality and it has been said that with the right combination, a virus could be created that would turn people in to raving murderers.

In that event, of course survivors would band together, and in all likelihood, those survivors wouldn't be automatic Saints. In fact, those who think they are "the most moral" of character may find out they have a great great weakness that could either corrupt them entirely or damage others in some way, whether spiritually or physically (as in the event of a zombie attack). Something for any self-identifying Christian to consider. Who are you really? Know your flaws and your strengths, and look at them honestly.

All of life is about growing in holiness, and hopefully we won't need a crisis situation creating small cobbled-together groups of survivors in order for that to happen.

But in case it does....be ready. One never knows when the zombies will come...

For more information on Zombie Science check out:

Zombie Research Society

Zombie Hub


Topics up next:  Examining the Zombie Apocalypse with St. Thomas Aquinas and other great non-infected minds.  Morality in the time of Zombies.