The Swede sprang up with the celerity of a man escaping from a snake on the floor. "I don't want to fight!" he shouted. "I don't want to fight!"

One of the most interesting studies in fear and violence, and I guess mob/pack violence, is Stephan Crane's Blue Hotel. Is there something in the smell of fear that drives aggression? Ask the Swede. Does weakness bring on a violent or aggressive response? You can't really generalize about such chemistry, but my experience says it does. And where does Morrissey fit into all this when he says "it takes guts to be gentle and kind".

I remember being warned as a young kid, when around strange or growling dogs, "Don't let him know you are afraid". Or maybe it was walk don't run. Which even makes a nice surfing song title. Anyway, here is a link to Crane's story on line.

I'll Kick Your Ass

I am thinking about violence tonight. Bullies. Sword is mightier than the pen types. Recalling the handful of "fights" I was in growing up--high school that is. I don't think I have been in any kind of fights in college. Or maybe I was hit so hard I just never realized it. I am thinking about why I fought. How I did. The adrenaline rush and heart pounding I can still remember too clearly. I think about it more and more now that Whit is getting to that age where boys fight. Compared to the stories we see today, guns, guns, guns, etc., my time at the end of the bully's knuckles seem tame. But I too was a pretty mean bastard. Mean in return to those I could eat up. Christ, it's all so caveman and still is, probably always will be. What's this I hear about civilized society?

I would really like to hear from others about their 'fight' experiences. Were you the aggressor, the victim. I'd like to hear from dads especially and if you have ever had to deal with your kid fighting with other kids and how you handled it.