making our point

What is so great about carrying a gun if it gets the person in trouble?


What is so great about being able to fight to defend yourself, or prove your point, if fighting will get you fired from your job?


Our societal environment sends conflicting messages on the use, or potential use, of violence to solve problems.


------------------------------------


1979 film, Manhattan:





EXT.  Political reception - Night.


N.Y. Congresswoman Bella Abzug is finishing her speech:  "And now, no more talk -- enjoy yourselves!"


MED. CLOSE SHOT -- small group at the reception


"Meet Isaac Davis."


"Congratulations on your book."


(Diana Keaton's character, Mary) -- "Oh, hi!"


Isaac -- What are you doing here?


Mary -- What am I -- oh, well -- of course I'm here!





Isaac, to the group of six people --
Has anybody read that the Nazis are gonna march in New Jersey?  You know?  I read this in the newspaper.  We should go down there, get some guys together, you know, get some bricks and baseball bats and -- really -- explain things to 'em.


Jerry -- There was this devastating satirical piece on that, on the Op-Ed page of the Times.  It was devastating.


Isaac -- We-ell...a satirical piece in the Times is one thing, but bricks and baseball bats really gets right to the point...


Helen -- Oh, but really biting satire is always better than physical force.


Isaac -- But physical force is always better with Nazis. ...












One of these days we're going to be like him!  You know, he was probably one of the Beautiful People -- dancing, and playing tennis....








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