Raising Cane

Senior centers and retirement communities are looking for new ways to promote exercise in order to stave off physical decline. Older people interested in honing their self-defense skills, meanwhile, are delighted to find that something they already own can be used as a weapon.

I suppose it's better than nothing, and perhaps instilling an instinct to resist may deter some would-be attackers, but really.

We've been through this before.

Yes, of course I'd rather know some fighting tricks than not know them.

Yes, of course I'd rather have a cane than fight bare-handed.

But if an attacker is deadly serious, ain't nothing substitutes for being able to return the sentiment, and that means having a gun.

But I am willing to compromise. Unfortunately, those presuming authority to define "AOWs" will not meet me halfway on this.