It should be self explanatory why you shouldn't run from bears. But, for those needing a quick primer: 1) they can run faster than you 2) they get hungrier than you 3) does there need to be a #3? Black bears are the most unpredictable -- best to wave your arms around wildly, making a bunch of noise and make yourself look much bigger than you are. They scare pretty easily, comparatively. But, if they insist on eating you, drop to the ground and play dead (see "Brown bears" for more on playing dead). Brown bears also will generally flee if you wave your arms around wildly and scream loudly. If they don't and come closer for a meal, drop to the ground, face down, covering the back of your neck with your hands and play dead until they leave. Polar bears, will eat you no matter what, so whatever you do, try to sock them in the nose, gouge their eyes or stuff mittens down their throats before you run: as Cobra Kai was wont to say, "If he can't breathe, see or run, he can't fight!" Or something like that.
And now, what I really wanted to talk about:
Nationalism versus Patriotism
As the Republicans take control of both of our houses of Congress, with the rise of more movies and tv shows like "American Sniper," I want to take a moment to more clearly define "nationalism" and "patriotism." People seem to use these terms nearly interchangeably, and it annoys me.
I talk with people on mass transit or engage in conversation at the lunch counter or just begin conversing on the street after being accosted by some random dude (usually it's a guy . . . rarely is it a woman). It seems I attract the more verbose, bellicose and belligerent types who want nothing more than to shout at me about the most amazing topics. This gift both greatly amuses and severely annoys me.