[Rhodes22-list] Prosecuted homeowner blasts officials

[Steve Alm]

Today's Minneapolis paper published an editorial by an Alaskan named Karl
Francis who gives another reason for carrying a gun--defending yourself
against wild animals.  He's responding to the story of the Californian man
and woman who were recently attacked by mountain lions.  He writes,

"I am puzzled now by the strange way people here are dealing with mountain
lions--which is to say, letting them kill you.

"Nature killing people is no big deal for Alaskans.  That's the way things
are in Alaska.

"When you step into it, you are at risk.  If you are wise, you prepare for
it.  Alaska does not suffer fools.  It eats them."

He goes on to report how many people he knows who have been attacked by
grizzly bears and polar bears.  He carries his .41 magnum with him at all
times.

In this regard, if I were on a boat and hooked a shark while fishing, I'd
prefer to put a couple of bullet holes in him before I tried to gaff him
aboard.

Slim

On 1/25/04 9:33 AM, "Saroj" <saroj at pathfind.net> wrote:

> Thanks all who responded with thoughtful messages.  I will consider them all
> as I go forward with plans.  Have a lot more to learn about the entire
> situation from navigation to weather to diesel engine care and feeding, etc.
> etc. along with appropriate measures to defend oneself.  My plans will
> unlikely come to fruition for a number of years as I am the primary
> caretaker for my aging mother who is losing her sight.  I've got plenty of
> time to develop the necessary knowledge and skills plus a partner to share
> the thinking and pleasures of it all.  Fortunately he is highly skilled in
> the use and handling of firearms and explosives.  However I totally believe
> that all the responsible folks in a cruising effort should have at least a
> modicum of knowledge about everything involved.  I'll continue to explore
> this issue.
> 
> I hope this doesn't offend too many of you, but I have also considered the
> value of dogs to defend a boat.  I know they have there own positives and
> negatives when cruising, but I suspect that given the choice of what boats
> to go after, one with loudly barking dogs would probably be the last one to
> choose.  I happen to like dogs and like having them around and I have done a
> lot of sailing with dogs.  Otherwise this wouldn't be a viable option.
> 
> Saroj
> 
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