Underpants Man

I want you to all watch the video and read the story before we go on. There are many teachable moments in this interesting article.

http://www.news9.com/story/19105268/okc-dollar-general-manager-beats-serial-burglar-with-baseball-bat

First thing that I noticed: Bizarre
What did the robber wear? Underpants on his head. I have HEARD of police officers stopping people for wearing or carrying very strange objects. What comes to mind, is a guy who was dressed like a zombie walking around downtown with a back pack on. The back pack had a Loony Toons style alarm clock strapped to it with a ton of wires going in and out of the bag. The police APPARENTLY stopped him. Sure, it was more than likely some kind of prank, but when someone does something like strap a Loony Toons style bomb to his back, you deserve a bit of extra attention.

The point is, when you see something strange, just bizarre, be on guard. If it's a man with underpants on his face, a zombie kid with a bomb on his back, or perhaps a guy in a movie theater dressed as the joker... you should watch out. Let your instincts take over and decide if you should beat feet or not. Try to really assess the situation and decide what the best course of action is.

2nd: Small Crimes should get your attention.
In this case, it sounds like the robber "smashed in the front door" before going in. It sounds like it was normal business hours, so why would he do that? I think it's either intimidation or just mental deficiency. Either way, a small crime like smashing in a sheet of glass, should fire you up. Time to cut the fence shit and go right into "This world is about to get ugly". Criminals are not known for subtlety. Almost always, they are loud, dressed like shit, or just plain old nasty. Don't let your wonderful fore brain get silenced by those keen animal instincts that you have!

3rd: The "security expert" and I agree: You need a plan.
I'm not sure if this guy is a badass or not, but the security guy and I agree: You need some kind of strategy! The question is, how do you formulate one? First, you need to have your tools available for the situation. You must be physically fit (and carry the proper weapons) to carry out whatever plan you are coming up with. Second, you need to have a core of DRILLED skills that you can preform under pressure. You will be shaking, and scared shitless... even if your a badass. So you need your body to preform on it's own. Thirdly (and most important?) You need to prepare your mind. When you formulate a plan, you must work it over constantly in your head. What will I do if X,Y, or Z happen? How will I react? When your sitting in Perkins, just imagine a gunman robbing the joint. Imagine if the dolt in the both next to you hits his wife, what then? Ignore it? Call the cops? Say something? Imagine if the place has a fire! Imagine if the gal at the table over there chokes! To be prepared, you must think prepared! Practice this stuff everywhere!


4th: "At least 5 times to the head with a baseball bat" might not be enough.
Based off the mug shot, the robber doesn't appear to be some kind of physical freak. He looks like your average scumbag who just got beat with a baseball bat. He looks out of shape, and older. But that didn't stop him from taking 5+ hits from a baseball bat and getting up only moments later. Sure, we are probably talking about someone who has had some chemicals in their head, or perhaps some kind of mental affliction, but THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WE EXPECT. Very seldom do we have a clean thinking, normal person commit a crime. They will have chemicals on board, or serious mental health issues. They probably have much more street fighting experience than you. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Mr. Coates has probably seen the business end of a baseball bat before. This is just an average Thursday to him. So don't think that just because you landed an awesome punch that the game is over. IT'S OVER WHEN THE THREAT IS ELIMINATED. This means you must escape, or shut down the threat. Know the law in your area before you go out trying to defend yourself too. It's expensive as hell to go to jail for 1st degree assault!

5th: This is the south. It doesn't sound like the victim here was arrested.
I'm not 100% sure that he would have remained out of jail in other states. Furthermore, the victim is going to get sued. If not him personally, the dollar general better lawyer up. Up here, Mr. Coates would have a nice man with a J.D. meet him at the hospital and explain to him that the guy with the bat just made him a millionaire. I can assure you that Mr. Coates will make more off the law suit than he ever would stealing DVD's from the Dollar General. My point here is that protecting yourself isn't a virtue to all people in our society. This is why you must be proficient, articulate, and knowledgeable before you go out and do something as "outrageous" as protect yourself.