Do Unto Others

Friday I walked out to my car to go to work. Two other tenants were outside, talking to the cop who was parked behind a couple cars. This older white dude who lives in the building said to me, “I wouldn’t get in your car just yet.”

Two cars had all four tires stolen, and my left rear tire’s lug nuts were sitting out. I was lucky; the thugs must have been scared off just as they were hitting my car. Had they chosen to start at the other end of the parking lot, I would have been burned.

Some team of skid marks saw an easy mark and decided to violate others for a few hundred bucks. I was nearly set back financially all the way to 2006 because some scrotal warts think they’re more important than the rest of us, presumably needing money to buy a PS3 and a batch of matching red vibrating dildos.

This is me not being violated… imagine how I’d be if I really did have to tow my car to Saturn and buy new tires! It’s the principle of the thing. Where is the neighborly, fraternal bond we’re supposed to have as individuals in a society? I may have an idealistic streak in me, but I’m not naïve. When I help a stranger, I’m still very careful and somewhat cynical about it. You’d be surprised how many people would gladly rip you off as a reward for helping them.

I understand most people lack the philosophical enlightenment or the moral standards to appreciate the essence of civilized behavior, but some people rationalize everything to make themselves into the only protagonist in the entire world. It’s essentially a disregard for life.

Think I’m being too harsh? I’m not.

Kelsey Smith, an 18-year-old girl who just graduated high school, was abducted in a Target parking lot in Overland Park, of all places! She was kidnapped in the last place anyone should have to look over her shoulder. Her body was found in a creek about 600 yards from The View, where I go to work out and train karate all the time.

This is why I’m not naïve. People commit evil acts all the time. Anywhere. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.

This brings me to the warrior’s paradox. To commit oneself to non-violent, compassionate, graceful, altruistic behavior while simultaneously being ready to make a split-second decision to cause devastating damage to another human being when necessary. This is also related to why I have never come to a solid stance on the death penalty. Violence doesn’t solve problems, but it can prevent a whole lot more of ‘em. Extenuating circumstances.

There is choice. There is action. There is consequence. Choose, and act. Act, and accept the consequences.

If Paris Hilton violates probation (it’s not her first offense!) and puts others in danger because she was drunk and went out to get a cheeseburger (I’m not making this up), then she must be held accountable. No special privileges. No excuses. Just consequences of actions as consequences of choices.

I’m tired of hearing whining excuses from people who do wrong things. It simply doesn’t work to say do unto others… then run like hell!