I should really quit reading the morning newspaper. And if I have to peruse something over the morning latte' before hitting the gym, I should limit my participation to the editorial page and the increasingly unfunny comics. At least the usual gang of thieves (and that includes me) who contribute regularly to the Letters to the Editor, are worth reading, and that's a nice exchange.

What wrinkled my kielbasa this morning, on Christmas no less, was a story about youth and a new activity called "Knock Out," or "Knock Out Kings." In a nutshell, the delinquents find a person who cannot fight back and beat him senseless. The cowards deliberately choose folks who don't look like they can defend themselves. Yikes.

For the next month (until my CCW license is processed) I'm limited to 'contact weapons.' In my area, muggers and bangers leave bikers alone. We have a choir here, and my guess is that they feel a guy on a Harley might be one of us. However, my wife does go shopping alone quite often, to the grocery store and to the mall. A couple of people got mugged and sliced up over the past week in Madison's infamous parking garages--and when I'm forced to use those traps I carry an ASP or a Zero Tolerance in my hand. I distrust those areas so much that I'm looking for a sailors' pea coat and its deep pockets for an SW 642.

So, is that what society has become? It's not just muggers or bangers anymore, but organized thrill killers? What little respect I had for society is all but left me. In fact, while I've always sat with my back to the wall when eating in a restaurant, I'm doing it now in coffee bars, the haunt of pencil neck bloggers and little old ladies' book club.

I also feel quite different, and that disturbs me. You hear about soldiers and PTSD. My fear is that if attacked now, and placing a hollow-point up some idiot's nasal cavity, I won't feel anything but pride. That is not how I wanted my conversion to adulthood to conclude.

Seems to be more prevalent in segments of the country without CCW laws.

May be just a coincident.

I feel all cities are so suspect that in my 2 wheeled travels I either stop 10-20 miles before a city or 10-20 miles after and I don't go wondering about unless I know someone there and they can alert me to the non white zones.

Don't worry, BI63. Next summer, just notify me of your itinerary, and if need be, I'll send out a few basso profundo singers of our choir to safely guide you to the opera house.

BTW, this is Madison, so not everyone with a flannel shirt, engineer boots and a hairy chest is a male, or a lumberjack. Well, they might be a lumberjack, if you catch my drift...

Ahhh, just to be safe, wear kevlar--and don't use musky male cologne.

--and don't use musky male cologne.
so, musky male calogne does not do it for you? gives me a headach..

I am glad to know i'm not the only one who will not sit anywhere unless i'm facing the door.Now, unless you're armed you are a victim.I will not sit by ,while someone comes into a place and just starts shooting people because his father or mother did not bust his a## when he did something wrong.Or they think they deserve the things i have worked for. Our home is in the country,about 20 miles to the nearest town,i have a sign on my driveway that reads ''i will not call 911 till you bleed out'' that says it all. no i'm not a bada## but i will not be a victim,nor will i cringe in fear while some piece of trash thinks that he, is a badass. i hope i never have to pull the trigger, but if i do i hope the GOOD LORD steadys my hand.ride safe an watch your back.

No, I was referring to the strapping large females that might swing both ways upon seeing BI63 in the flesh. Gotta tell ya' that they scare me more than being outnumbered by any gang of drunken townies you can assemble!