Nothing Day
7 hours ago
Saturday, August 5, 2017
The Short Arm of the Law
We've all heard about the “long arm of the law.” Well, out here in the country we have “the short arm of the law.”
Just like Starbucks, pizza delivery, and EMS service, “the law” does not have much of a service area out in the hinterland. Oh, they'll eventually make their way to the sticks, but they'll show up like your pizza would: too late to satisfy.
There's a saying out in the country, we don't have 911 we have guns. That's true enough. Sure, just about everyone has 911 -if they have some sort of phone. Might be a landline since cell service is spotty. We don't call 911 when someone is trying to break into our house. We call 911 so they can send someone around to pick up the body.
Okay, that makes the country sound kinda grim. Yes, we tend to be well armed. Mostly that's because a lot of us grew up hunting. Wild game on the table is no surprise. Country people know they might have to shoot a fox in the hen house or discourage a bear. Target shooting is loads of fun and many of us have ranges in our backyards.
Just as important as firearms is having neighbors you can trust. We don't even have to particularly like each other or agree politically. If one of us has a car stuck in the snow, you get out and help push. Maybe you'll be the one who needs something next time. Your neighbors are a lot closer than the police are. Best to be on civil terms with them.
-Sixbears
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You make some very good points, my friend. Wish I lived in the country!
ReplyDeleteThe country is just down the road a piece. Just a thought.
DeleteI live in the country and I own a gun. A couple of my neighbors would come if I called. And vice versa. Others I wouldn't trust but would still help if needed.
ReplyDeleteYup, even if you live in 'town' out in the country it can be two hours before the LEO show up. The drunk cowboys from the saloon are closer in the way of fire fighting, 'domestic disturbances' and first aid. Or a flashlight to finish a sewer hook-up in the bottom of an eight-foot deep hole as night is falling with lightning overhead before the hole fills with rain.
ReplyDeleteAnd, if you are new to the area, be careful, who you befriend until you learn local politics, because you may be stepping into the middle of a Hatfield/McCoy feud.
Nothing worse than a neighbor feud out in the country. One big downside. In the city there are millions so if someone doesn't like you it's shrugged off. In a small town you are going to bump into each other all the time.
DeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteI could never live in a city. I am die hard country boy.
ReplyDeleteI never have, probably never will. I'd be a real fish out of water.
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