The Billy Club

On By scottpetersenIn The billy clubLeave a comment

During the Victorian era, police in London carried a one foot wooden baton – called a “billy club.” The term was first used in 1848 as a slang for a burglar’s crowbar. They were used defensively (to block an attack) or offensively (to strike, jab or bludgeon). A billy club can also be called nightstick, truncheon, baton, or cosh. Today, many batons or billy clubs are telescopic – allowing expansion and collapse.

There are also “side-handle” batons (sometimes called T-batons) which are derived from the tonfa – an Okinawan kobudo weapon. There is flexibility on how it can be held – and used. There are more defensive techniques that can be employed and more power in offensive use. It won’t roll away if dropped. It is harder for the bad guys to take them away.

Billy clubs are legal for law enforcement and military in most countries around the world. In modern police training, the primary target areas are muscle groups – mid-thigh, quadriceps and biceps. Modern protocol strictly prohibits hitting the skull, sternum, spine or groin – unless such attack is conducted in defense of life. Depending on the state – private citizens may carry billy clubs as well for self-protection.

I am curious as to why billy clubs are not used to deter the smash and grab criminals who commit forcible felonies, the protesters (of any stripe) who battle police and against the criminals like those who invaded our nation’s Capitol on January 6th (and threatened to kill America’s legislators). Appropriate? What do you think?

Liberia

On By scottpetersenIn Liberia, Liberia golf coursesLeave a comment

What’s the only country in the world outside of the U.S. to have its capital named after an American President? Answer: Liberia (Monrovia)     What is the only country whose flag copies the American flag – but has only one star?  Answer:  Liberia.   What is the only country in Africa where the U.S. dollar is the national currency?  Answer:  Liberia.   What is the only country in Africa which has English as its national language?  Answer:  Liberia.  What African country frowns on “African” first names?  Answer:  Liberia.  What is the only African country to declare independence without a revolt or incursion by another country?  Answer:  Liberia. 

Liberia.  “Land of the Free.”  Was settled in 1822 by the American Colonization Society.  And populated by former slaves — who had left the United States in search of a better life.  James Monroe was a supporter of the ACS.  Hence Monrovia.  

During the 1950’s, Liberia enjoyed the world’s second-highest rate of economic growth.   But then things began to unravel.  From 1989 to 1995, a bloody civil war claimed more the 200,000 Liberian lives.  Since then, there have been sporadic uprisings though the country has been fairly stable since 2005.  Today it is one of the poorest countries with literacy running around 60%. The country is 85% Christian with a Muslim minority.

Liberia encourages foreign investment and offers a “flag of convenience” in the maritime industry. It is the second largest maritime registry in the world (behind Panama) allowing ocean-going vessels to register under the Liberian flag for business and tax purposes. That said, corruption and crime remain big problems in country. The good news is — there is now three golf courses in Liberia — The Sea View Golf Club in Kenyayai; Firestone Staff in Cotton Tree; and LAMCO in Buchanan.  Thus Liberia is back on my bucket list . . . .   

10,000 Steps

On By scottpetersenIn 10,000 Steps, FitbitLeave a comment

[An oldie – from June 1, 2014] For our birthdays, Lauren & Trent presented Donna and me with our very own FITBIT.

The FITBIT is a wireless activity tracker that you wear on your wrist. The FITBIT records the number of steps you take, your calorie intake and expenditure, the amount of water you drink and your quality and quantity of sleep.  It also gives you a sharp electric jolt if you reach for a cookie.  JUST kidding about the cookie business.  It provides a “sleep score” each morning by recording your time awake, when you are restless and when in deep sleep.  My FITBIT gives me an electrical thumbs up when I reach 10,000 steps (about 5 miles).  And it tells me how many calories I’ve burned (if I’m interested). 

In an article titled “The Pedometer Test” by Tara Parker Pope (October 19, 2010), it reported that Americans take about half as many steps per day than their counterparts around the world.  Australians log 9,695 steps per day.  Swiss – 9,650.  Japanese – 7,168.  American men take 5,340 and American women – 4,912.   Though Amish men average 18,000 steps per day and Amish women, 14,000.  So the FITBIT is a way to challenge yourself to go the extra mile.  Literally.

The FITBIT is made by Fitbit, Inc. of San Francisco.  Cost runs between $60 and $130.  And it is normally tethered to your Smartphone.  If you’re looking for a unique and useful gift, this is probably one that will satisfy. And perhaps make a difference. . . .   

Speaking of number 23

On By scottpetersenIn Number 23Leave a comment

As a follow up to the post of April 16th on the number 23 . . . . a few years ago, it was Groundhog Day. Donna and I were traveling with her sister and our brother-in-law in South America. We spent an evening in Port Iguazu, Argentina. The hotel – Casino Iguazu – featured a (duhhhh) casino. After dinner, we wandered off to the casino to check out the scene.

Now mind you – when I have gone to a casino or race track (which may occur once every five or ten years), I allot myself a few hundred dollars to spend s-l-o-w-l-y and to see what happens. I view it as an entertainment expense – as if we were going to the theater or special event.

As with Estoril, I gravitated to a roulette table – changed some bucks into chips – and began to bet. First off, I bracketed the number 23 on each of the four corners and each of the four sides. And I plunked one chip on the number itself. “Nada mas” said the croupier – no more betting – as he spun the wheel. And. . . . yep. . . . it hit on number 23.

To make a long story short, I hit number 23 three times in the space of perhaps one hour such that a security guard was dispatched to watch me place my bets. I was up a good chunk and ready to leave. My brother-in-law was playing Blackjack close to the door. I walked over and mentioned that I was pretty much ready. He had two or three hands to go so I sat down – by another roulette wheel. I glanced over and thought why not – and bracketed the number 23 with 9 chips. And – yep – DING DING DING DING!

Sanctuary Cities

On By scottpetersenIn Sanctuary citiesLeave a comment

[A timely update of April 30, 2017] Federal law mandates the enforcement of immigration laws.  Though the Supreme Court requires states to make social services available to all residents irrespective of immigration status.  The high court also prohibits the federal government from forcing states to enforce federal law (at their own expense).  Thus in America, some municipalities (and states) openly defy federal law.  And there’s the rub. . . . .

Millions of people around the world would love to move to the United States.  The poor. Homeless.  Uneducated.  Unemployed.   The question is — should we open our borders to them?  All of them?  Those who sponsor “sanctuary cities” say “yes.”  Those who favor open borders say “yes.”   And lately, we have.

Some communities require no showing of legal residence to receive drivers licenses, free education, free hospitalization, food stamps, welfare, unemployment compensation, subsidized housing, the right to sue and so on.  Even the right to vote. We seem to be opening America’s arms (and wallets) to everyone.  Without limitation. This leads to the logical question of who’s gonna foot the bill?   

Some well-meaning though politically-motivated people are fine with open borders — without addressing the underlying problems faced by immigrants in their own countries.  And our own. This has led to the divisive and costly (and potentially dangerous) dilemma we face today.   So what’s the answer? You tell me. . . . .

[Post script – Chicago – a sanctuary city – is enraged at having 25,000 immigrants to deal with. Yet Texas has to deal with millions of immigrants — and Texas gets criticized for sharing this crisis with other states. Wouldn’t it be more productive to work together to address the underlying problem?]

Typing

On By scottpetersenIn TypingLeave a comment

[A repeat from August 9, 2018] I had some good courses in college.  But the most useful was a year long course on advanced first aid which ended with a Civil Defense medical responder card (remember – this was 1966).  I thought – I’m an Eagle Scout – this’ll be a snap.  It was not.  But the knowledge gleaned from this course has come in very handy over the years.   

Of all the subjects I endured in high school — the most valuable course was typing.  It was called “touch typing” – a skill developed by Frank Edward McGurrin (a Salt Lake City court stenographer) in 1888.  Thank you, Mr. McGurrin!  I use this skill every day.  In abundance. . . . . 

I am able to type the way one was meant to type. Accurately. Fast.  Fingers flying (whooosh!).  None of this two finger business.  I often type my own letters, lengthy reports and loquacious emails at a speed of perhaps 60 words a minute with minimal error.  Rarely looking at the keyboard.  Typing.  What a value-added learning tool for a young person today.  But do schools teach typing the way they did?  I dunno but if not, it belongs on the menu. 

By the way – do you know the longest word in the English language that you can write using the letters on the top row of a typewriter or keyboard?  “Typewriter.”  Yep . . . .

Did you ever use a bad word?

On By scottpetersenIn Did you ever use a bad word?, I Corinthians 13:11Leave a comment

[A repeat from February 10, 2019] Did you ever use a racial, religious, ethnic, body shaming, gender or other epithet when you were in 3d grade? 8th? 12th?  Did you ever call someone a “name”?  Or use such a term in a joke?  Or while talking with others?  If you say “no” – I’m not sure I would believe you.   Either way, it leads to the vexing question of whether a man or woman should be judged by the worst thing they ever said (or did) when they were young?  Yet that seems to be the demand of some individuals who are quick to condemn others for things said or done in their adolescence.  

As time goes on, and the maturation process continues, we learn.  I am not the “boy ” I was when I was 17.   I’m probably guilty of using bad words when I was 9 years old.  Or 18.  You want to see what happened to me when I used a slur when I was 12 years old?  Check out my post of July 30, 2017.  But the child of then is not the “me” of today.   Yet the current demand for adolescent accountability begs two serious questions:  what if at the time (60 years ago), such commentary was viewed differently.   Is it appropriate to judge people for words and deeds in the past by the selective moral compass of today?  Then there is the question of whether there should be forgiveness for words or deeds done in one’s adolescence — when one’s current life is exemplary — and does not reflect the “bad words” uttered in ages past.  We forgive criminals when they get out of prison.  Christians seem to forgive Saint Paul for once being Saul of Tarsus.  Why not forgive those who use bad words in adolescence?  How about forgiving those older folks who are contrite and repentant about stupid comments?  Is there a difference between an “offense” and “insensitivity”?      

I have grown up.  Maybe you have too.  While you and I said and did stupid things when we were 12 years old – or 18 – we are not the same person today.  This notion of maturation is even Biblical (I Corinthians 13:11):   When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  Question — should your son or daughter or grandchild be condemned forever and denied occupation — because of some ill-chosen words spoken or acts of stupidity when they were in grade school, high school or college?  How about an ill-tempered word in adulthood?  If you believe they – and others – should be condemned, then perhaps you – who are without sin – should pick up the first rock.   And let ’em have it. . . . .  

23

On By scottpetersenIn 23, EstorilLeave a comment

Donna and I were on a 3 week honeymoon jaunt – driving around Spain and Portugal. Staying in paradors. Eating chocolate and churros. And following famed matador Diego Puerta at Sunday corridas around Spain.

Upon arrival at our hotel in Lisbon, we learned there was a casino – Estoril – outside of town. They offered meals and a theater production that sounded interesting. Soooooo. . . . we hailed a taxi and headed off west from Lisbon along the coast. It was a 45 minute ride. We went in the magnificent entrance and soon learned that you had to walk through the casino to get to the restaurant and theater. Having enjoyed a few casino stops in Las Vegas and Reno with my old friend Ox, I slowed as we approached the roulette table. I looked at Donna and said “give me just a few minutes.” She rolled her eyes, crossed her arms, exhaled a heavy breath and gave me a slight “okay” nod.

I bellied up to the table, got about twenty dollars of chips in escudos (the old currency of Portugal) and I dropped a few on number 23. And on red. And on “odd.” The wheel spun – for what seemed like an eternity. The ball bounced and settled on number 23. Red. Odd. The payoff was about $160.00. Donna looked at me, smiled and gave the “let’s go” sign. And we did. That lucky number paid for our dinner, the theater, the cab and a few other things on our trip. Since then, number 23 has been the “go to” number – and no it is not used for passwords. . . . .

Streets and Sanitation

On By scottpetersenIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

[A repeat from October 28, 2012] I was in the Felony Trial Division of the States Attorneys office for several years.  My daughter was born in the middle of a brutal two week murder jury trial in Room 504 at 26th & California. Donna went into labor at about 2:00 a.m. on a Thursday morning.  I called my friend and partner in the case and said “Charlie – Donna’s having the baby. You’re gonna have to handle things today.” His response “Congrats but be here tomorrow.”   

The next day, I showed up at the office with my arms packed with files and three boxes of cigars.  So picture this — I’m in my office passing out cigars, smiling, yabbering, guys wandering in and out when suddenly a large chap appeared at my door.  He was wearing bib overalls, high rubber boots, thick shirt and a hat.  He leaned against the door frame.  “Is there a Scott Petersen here” he asked.  We all turned.  I raised my hand.  “Yeah.  That’s me.”  “You missin’ anything?” he asked.  I felt pockets.  Jacket.  My checkbook!  It’s gone.  “My checkbook” I said.  He held it up waggling it between two fingers.  “I found it on the street.”    Oh my gosh!  “THANK you” – I said taking the checkbook.  I pulled out my wallet and started to pull out a twenty. “Here – I really apprec. . . “ “No.  That’s okay,”  he held up his hand.  “I’m with Streets and Sanitation.  I want you guys to know” he paused and looked around “we have a lot of good people at Streets and Sanitation.”    I then said “My wife just had a baby.  Can I offer you some cigars?”  He looked at the open box.  “That I will take.”  He grabbed a large handful of stogies and disappeared.

It’s funny how things happen – and there are moments of intense clarity.  Obviously I’ll never forget the birth of my daughter (I was there :). I’ll never forget the trial (guilty all counts). But I’ll also never forget the integrity of that stranger.  Streets & Sanitation . . . . .  

Shuji Shuriken

On By scottpetersenIn Kenjutsu, Shuji ShurikenLeave a comment

[A repeat from June 9, 2016] Kenjutsu is the overarching term for all schools of Japanese swordsmanship.  Swords.  Very important in the martial arts in Japan.  And to the samurai class.   The study of kenjutsu has been a sub-culture in Japan since feudal times.  For practice, they used the bokuto (solid wood stick) or shina (bamboo pole).  For battle, they used the real McCoy.    And only the most disciplined of swordsmen could repeat and internalize the magic words of the Shuji Shuriken — “the cutting of the nine ideographs.”  Only the most devout of Japanese swordsmen could give life to these nine words.  

U – Being 

Mu – Non-being 

Suigetsu – Moonlight on the water     

 Jo – Inner security 

Shin – Master of the mind  

Sen – Thought precedes action 

Kara – Empty:  the Void.  Virtue       

Shinmyoken – Where the tip of the sword settles.   

Zero – Where the way has no power. . . .

It was not enough to merely think or speak the words.  The words and their meaning must be summoned from deep within.  The thought was – if you get through the first one while meditating and contemplating, you’re doing pretty well . . . . .