It’s called “muscular Christianity.” Practitioners combine physical strength and health with “an active pursuit of Christian ideals.” Take it from a Jew, it’s a damn fine idea. The world is not a gentle place, even for gentle people who dedicate their lives to helping others. And while physical strength is a wonderful thing, a gift, there’s nothing wrong with using what’s called a “force multiplier” to enhance that strength, especially when circumstances demand. In other words, when you’re in the business of protecting others who live outside the mainstream, carrying a gun for self-protection is morally and practically recommended. ‘Cause this [via nytimes.com] . . .
Ms. Ana Charle, 36 [above], had parked her car around the corner from the shelter when she came to work on Monday.
For women working at the shelter, such precautions are not unusual. “It is a men’s shelter,” said one city official speaking on the condition of anonymity. “They are being harassed a little bit by the men.”
When she returned to her car shortly before 6 p.m., Mr. Spruill was waiting.
At gunpoint, he ordered her into the back of her Honda sedan.
He “tells her to take her clothes off, which she does,” said the official. “And then he attempts to rape her.”
Ms. Charle managed to break free.
“And starts running for her life,” the official said. “He then gets out of the car. He has no clothes on either. He shoots her three times.”
As Ms. Charle, of Queens, fell to the sidewalk in front of 4366 Bullard Avenue, near East 237th Street, the gunman returned to her car, put his clothes back on and walked away, clutching two bags, police officials said, citing witnesses’ accounts . . .
Ms. Charle had bullet wounds to her temple, cheek and chest. She was taken to Montefiore Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead.
If Ms. Charle had been armed, she might have lived to help others. If you think about it, she might even have been able to help Mr. Spruill, who might have reconsidered his kidnapping plans or survived a defensive gun use. And if he didn’t, well, that would have been . . . fortuitous. Yes? [h/t SS]