WORDS TO LIVE BY

by Bob Walsh

I got this list from a novel I am reading. I have seen similar lists before but this one is pretty good. The point of view is a combat veteran cop who has his ass in a crack, not without justification. It can be taken literally, or metaphorically, depending on the situation.

1. Don't silhouette yourself on a hill top.

2. Get rid of your flashy jewelry, especially civilian jewelry. Ostentation can get you killed.

3. Don't piss off the records clerks.

4. Don't threaten people who know where you live if you don't know where they live.

5. Don't piss off people who prepare or serve your food.

6. Clerks and secretaries run the world. They can turn your life into a broken pay toilet..

7. Don't piss off cops, prison guards, drill Sergeants or other dull-witted Southern folks who have power over other people.

8.Grin and walk thru the gun smoke. It will piss the bad guys off something fierce.

9. Get the right people on your side. Who would you rather have your back in a dark alley at night, a liberal academic or a red-neck wearing engineer's boots.

10. Near buy into FEAR. (Fuck Everything And Run.) Don't let the other guy know you are hurt.

11. Even in the most desperate situations, stay the hell away from the herd. You may get trampled to death.

12. Burn this list before anybody catches you with it.

Maybe not all encompassing, but not totally inappropriate either.

I also like this one. "Admit nothing. Deny everything. Demand proof."