imported post
willyg wrote:
The though of having armed 18-22 year olds is plain scary.
Let me ask all of you a simple question. How mature were you in college? Personally I think I was about average...which for someone in that age, someone in that environment (looking back) is pretty pathetic.
I don't have the same low expectations of people that you do.
I'll grant you that by and large our culture is not doing a good job of producing many
men, and you're proof of this, if you weren't mature in college.
But I'm not going to leave it at that. I won't depend on our culture to produce maturity in our men -- after all,
I'm the one responsible for my sons, so I'll see to it.
Here's what I expect of a 12-year-old, never mind 18-22. By the time he's twelve, a young man should know how to:
- Provide emergency food and shelter for himself and others in a rural or urban setting. That means he must know how to hunt and gather, how to build a fire, how to tie knots and use a knife, how to fish, how to cook, how to stay dry and warm.
- Find his way. That means knowing major highways, compass directions, and landmarks.
- Do his chores/jobs without being told. He knows what to do -- why should I have to tell him every day?
- Communicate clearly. A twelve-year-old should have full command of the language, and should speak with a clear voice without rambling.
- Converse maturely with adults.He should not be goofy and incoherent.
- Defend himself and others. By the time he's twelve, he should know how to use a shotgun, a rifle, a revolver, and a semi-automatic pistol, and to be extremely careful with a gun he's not familiar with.
- Maintain a mature sense of purpose and destiny. That is, he should know the use and worth of how he spends his time, so that it serves a purpose in his future. He should not waste much time on computer games and TV.
- Handle money. Money is useful -- he should know how to use it.
- Take pain. Now, I don't particularly like pain -- it hurts -- but by the time he's twelve, he should know that some things hurt, and you get over it. He shouldn't avoid pain at all costs, and he shouldn't lose his composure when something gets to hurting.
- Keep good company. He should be well aware of the bad influence of wicked peers.
- Recognize injustice. He should be ready to struggle for what is right and resist what is wrong.
- Serve others. It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Maybe a little historical context will help us. Check out these great men of the past, and set your expectations to these standards:
Alexander Hamilton -- Ran a mercantile business in two languages at
age 12. Wrote pamphlets on the Rev. War at
age 16.
John Q. Adams -- Received Congressional diplomatic appointment to the court of Catherine the Great at
age 14.
David Farragut -- In 1815 was made captain of a captured English ship at
age 12, and warned a rebellious older man that he'd go overboard if he didn't straighten up.
Edward the Black Prince -- In 1345 commanded the english army at
age 16.
Charles XII -- In 1697 became King of Sweden at
age 14 with Parliament's consent and full support.
Hugh O'Donnell (The Red) -- In 1572 was captured and shut up in prison at
age 15, escaped 3 years later, recaptured, escaped one year later. Almost froze to death, lost both big toes.
William McGuffey -- In 1814 opened his own school at
age 14 and had 40 students.
John Hancock -- Entered Harvard College at
age 13.
Stonewall Jackson -- Became a teacher at
age 16, wrote "A man of words and not of deeds, is like a garden full of weeds." Became responsible for debt collections in his county at
age 17.
