Bill,

>Other than that, I will exercise my right of self defense.
>If I am put into a situation where I have to defend myself or someone else, I'll use the quickest and most effective means to do so. I'm not going to try to counsel whomever threatens me. I'm not going to wait for the gub-mint to rescue me (see recent massacres - that's worked real well). I'm not going to fight fair if I can help it.
>If others like yourself want to be victims instead, that is your right.

I have been there. All in all I am still with you - but in hindsight it was good that I had no weapons at hand.
Otherwise I would have had trouble later on explaining corpses only armed with hammer and large screw drivers -
because I went into attack mode to fast for my still half asleep brain, working on adrenaline and anger.
And perhaps I was partially preangered, as a really planned break in had happened not too long before that.
Even today I do not know who they were, if it was planned or tipsy bad idea - but it tempered my take on such situations a lot.

I don't think I have much more compassion for somebody trying for my health or wealth than you,
but I have done some stupid things in my youth as well [granted, not THAT stupid...] -
and no wish to get fined or jailed for unneeded force.

regards

thomas