OUR JOB IS TO REMAIN CALM

In the face of chemical weapons attacks and 12 dead in a US Navy Yard, our job is to remain calm. Let the professionals do their jobs.

Please do not let Assad delay a UN response by manipulating Russia. Let the process work. As much as the rest of us want to threaten Assad into compliance, this may not be a wise move. Putin knows Assad better than we do. I do believe that Russia does not want chemical weapons loose on the world. But news reports have stated that Assad has 20 tons of chemical weapons. Logic tells us that such a problem will not be solved overnight.

It is unclear why there was a shooting in the Navel Yard. These shootings are usually based in anger regarding treatment by fellow workers. Personally, I would keep that psychiatrist alive so we can talk to him. Most of the anger shooters prefer suicide by cop, so we do not have many that we can talk to about what set them off.

I find that hugging my Persian cat helps when I am angry. As children get older, they do not want to be hugged for such purposes. You can get the same calming by taking children to a park and throwing a Frisbee with them. Or join them in a computer game that you both like. Play with your dog. (Unless your dog is aggressive, then your suppressed fear may make your dog dangerous.)

Call your friends and family and talk family gossip. Take your coworkers out for a drink. Play touch football. Go out for pizza. Have a dinner party and ban all political talk until after dinner.

Do not let bad guys stop you from enjoying life. THE REASON TERROR WORKS IS BECAUSE IT IS TERRIFYING. WE WIN WHEN WE REFUSE TO BE TERRIFIED.