I've said it before but it bears being repeated. Every Jewish household should have at least one firearm in their home for each adult, and they should go to the range and become familiar and comfortable with it. Shooting is relaxing, meditative, even peaceful. It will give you confidence and allow you to sleep comfortably at night. Turning weapons into plowshares is aspirational, but Israel should never put down its weapons, nor should Jews outside of Israel. To do so is folly.
If you are prepared to kill someone while looking in their eyes, go for it. Not everyone is. My husband reluctantly described his first kill in Southeast Asia, aged all of 17, as that: ‘He was sitting on his heels like they do, just a kid, looking up at me, but I had to; when the charge blew we would be busted’; it affected him forever. I’ve found help for military members suffering PTSD after Afghanistan, who I could see had the ‘1000 yard stare’ from across the waiting room. Sure, I boil up at every new outrage and picture targets on foreheads of people I believe should be vaporized and disappear. In my Army intake interview, when asked how I felt about using a firearm, I told my recruiter that ‘I could if they threatened my patients’. I have never been put in that position, but in learning my reactions in fast-paced uncertain situations, I tend to blink and think: I know I would be slow to recognize a direct threat situation for what it requires, instantly; in that hesitation comes worse vulnerability. You risk having that weapon used against you and those around you. Be sure you know what you’re capable of.
I worked in law enforcement for 28 years and know what I'm capable of, or at least for the situations I've faced. As for killing somebody while looking into their eyes, tell me you wouldn't be able to pull the trigger on a killer stabbing or about to stab one of your children, grandchildren, or somebody you love. If so, pray somebody else is there to help them. You would be surprised what you can do to help others in need, or to help yourself.
I like to think that. But it was failure to recognize the warning signs fast enough, being caught by surprise, having slow reactions period, or believing appearances, or just naivety, which put me in those circumstances. I know that I responded with defiance when I was taken off into a field by a gang of bikers at a rock concert, age 16, stoned, and they started lining up to rape me. This produced a knife to my throat. I endured two but as the second was incapacitated when he was coming and loosened his grip while the others were lagging, I was with it enough to see my chance and bolt, hid in the long grass and found another way home. On a blind date I fought, because I was still in town but couldn’t get out of the car-one of those old cars with backward doors. Until the guy, slapping me around, threatened to knock me out, then I stopped, and he took me way out of town where I gave in because I had no idea where I was and couldn’t escape. This is what the ‘dazed and confused’ years looked like which didn’t turn up in the movies, behind the fringes and beads. It was from those instances and others, which took years to climb out of, that I knew I could deal with blood and trauma, do something good to alleviate pain and suffering, which is redemptive. But not everyone can deal with it like that, and a good many wind up committing slow suicide after such experiences.
We have firearms in this household because my husband likes them; he uses them like an extension of his arm, and I find target shooting fun but I need an automatic just to hit anything, eyesight is so bad. I managed to jam a shell in the magazine of a shotgun during my practical exam for my PAL, so bad the examiner had a hard time freeing it. Let’s just say I wouldn’t have served in the Army in any other trade than nursing; I’d be a hazard with a gun in a crisis, and there are many like me. Firearms are not a universal answer.
You were only 16 and did what you needed to survive. You are resilient, strong, and know yourself well. We all need to know our limitations. Glad you find target shooting is fun, and that your husband is comfortable with firearms. Hope they are never needed, just like we hope bandages, antiseptics, and insurance is never needed.
Gratitude to your husband for serving and hope he has learned to cope. Also gratitude to you for helping military members with PTSD. Many in law enforcement also suffer from PTSD and knowing resources are available helps, whether needed or not.
He has struggled to cope but denies having issues; I dragged what I do know out of him when he was very drunk. As did his father during WW2 and g’father, WW1, and others, many ‘coped’ by climbing into bottles, and later, in my husband’s case, pot and other drugs. One vet I knew from the Vietnam period wound up dealing psychedelics then went to Holland and dealt heroin. My husband kicked the booze, but reluctantly gave up the pot just last year. I never knew who I was talking to, him or the high. The aftermaths of how we react in a moment, as my husband says, ‘You’ve taken life’, are not usually clean, neat and over with. People need to learn who they are and how they cope, before they commit to keeping something as lethal as a gun.
Agree. I go to target practice at Ladies Day once a month. Amongst the Jewish population, there’s been a record breaking number of firearms sold in the US.
Excellent article. I watched the trailer for the documentary and would like to see it. Do you know if the producers plan to release it mainstream, such as Prime or Netflix? If they don't, maybe you could put a link in your substack, and readers like myself could pay a fee to see it via the platform. If that's even possible, I don't know.
I have to say, just watching the trailer gets my blood boiling with those lunatic Hamas/terrorist-supporting students chanting their ridiculous slogans. Those students have no skin in the game like the people of Israel or the non-terrorist residents of Gaza do; those people are living it day by day.
I also know that if the people living in the West who support Hamas, Hezbollah or Iran want to go to war with us who support Israel, I am ready. I can easily slip my Kevlar back on and again arm myself for the right cause, and Israel is the right cause.
Ms. Barlow, Keep doing what you're doing. I believe it's working, and the people on the fence regarding this conflict are beginning to see the reality of what Hamas's (and the Islamist's) goals are for the West and how supporting them can only lead to a life of hell on earth. I truly believe that the Jewish people and those who stand with them will prevail in this because it is the right thing to do.
“As Einat Wilf says: there is feeling good and there is doing good. They are indulging their own narcissistic virtuous addiction to feeling good, while doing very, very bad. For clicks. For likes. For popularity. For their own ideological suicide.”—It seems we are losing a generation to narcissism and stupidity.. yes, we need to remain vigilant and push back.. hard.. first step is to vote out all the “well meaning” regimes who allowed this in the first place… it is 1933 all over again, with an internet steroid..
I sang that song over 50 years ago in my NFTY youth group. Over the years it faded from my memory, but suddenly popped back after October 7. I sing or listen to it very day. It comforts me, and helps me stay strong.
Thank you Eve, for your strength, and for every word you write.
Great, but sobering post, Eve. Damn, wish I had known about the premier of October H8te, but I just went and purchased a couple tickets for the 1st showing Nov 1 at the Laemmle.
That song is so important. It's the perfect song since 10.7... that plus metallica creeping death which also bears a message. Lo liphached klal. Just perfect. I wish most American jews understood it.
On a very personal note:: I vowed to make every book club selection of mine about Jews/Antisemitism/Holocaust or Israel. I plan to utilize good fiction to educate one book at a time. I appreciate your voice in these challenging times. Keep up your good work!
I'm sure that many showings of "October H8te" will be disrupted by Jew-haters desperate to control the flow of information. Western civilization is being assailed by monsters from the 7th century. WWIII is already here.
I salute your courage, insight, and tenacity and look forward to every article you publish. I know that talking about a silver lining is trite and performative, but since I don't usually read music criticism, the only way I found you was from reading about your blacklisting. This does nothing to diminish your suffering, but you have clearly emerged a hero and are high on my A-list.
Eve, I do not have the grit needed even to watch the trailer, but I agree with every word you wrote about it anyway, especially about fighting the good fight. I am currently engaging the Vancouver Public Library, which has an excellent policy of forbidding employees to wear political symbols like kefiyyehs and watermelon pins, but maybe needs a push to enforce it properly. Small battles, one day at a time. Wearing my Magen David every day while walking Vancouver’s multi-cultural streets, volunteering outside the Jewish community bubble, attending rallies, writing letters, making donations, mentoring six Jewishly strong grandkids, having conversations with non-Jews when invited to do so, showing appreciation when something goes right for a change . . . hoping it helps in even a minor way to fight the insanity. Wishing you strength for your much larger efforts.
I've said it before but it bears being repeated. Every Jewish household should have at least one firearm in their home for each adult, and they should go to the range and become familiar and comfortable with it. Shooting is relaxing, meditative, even peaceful. It will give you confidence and allow you to sleep comfortably at night. Turning weapons into plowshares is aspirational, but Israel should never put down its weapons, nor should Jews outside of Israel. To do so is folly.
If you are prepared to kill someone while looking in their eyes, go for it. Not everyone is. My husband reluctantly described his first kill in Southeast Asia, aged all of 17, as that: ‘He was sitting on his heels like they do, just a kid, looking up at me, but I had to; when the charge blew we would be busted’; it affected him forever. I’ve found help for military members suffering PTSD after Afghanistan, who I could see had the ‘1000 yard stare’ from across the waiting room. Sure, I boil up at every new outrage and picture targets on foreheads of people I believe should be vaporized and disappear. In my Army intake interview, when asked how I felt about using a firearm, I told my recruiter that ‘I could if they threatened my patients’. I have never been put in that position, but in learning my reactions in fast-paced uncertain situations, I tend to blink and think: I know I would be slow to recognize a direct threat situation for what it requires, instantly; in that hesitation comes worse vulnerability. You risk having that weapon used against you and those around you. Be sure you know what you’re capable of.
I worked in law enforcement for 28 years and know what I'm capable of, or at least for the situations I've faced. As for killing somebody while looking into their eyes, tell me you wouldn't be able to pull the trigger on a killer stabbing or about to stab one of your children, grandchildren, or somebody you love. If so, pray somebody else is there to help them. You would be surprised what you can do to help others in need, or to help yourself.
I like to think that. But it was failure to recognize the warning signs fast enough, being caught by surprise, having slow reactions period, or believing appearances, or just naivety, which put me in those circumstances. I know that I responded with defiance when I was taken off into a field by a gang of bikers at a rock concert, age 16, stoned, and they started lining up to rape me. This produced a knife to my throat. I endured two but as the second was incapacitated when he was coming and loosened his grip while the others were lagging, I was with it enough to see my chance and bolt, hid in the long grass and found another way home. On a blind date I fought, because I was still in town but couldn’t get out of the car-one of those old cars with backward doors. Until the guy, slapping me around, threatened to knock me out, then I stopped, and he took me way out of town where I gave in because I had no idea where I was and couldn’t escape. This is what the ‘dazed and confused’ years looked like which didn’t turn up in the movies, behind the fringes and beads. It was from those instances and others, which took years to climb out of, that I knew I could deal with blood and trauma, do something good to alleviate pain and suffering, which is redemptive. But not everyone can deal with it like that, and a good many wind up committing slow suicide after such experiences.
We have firearms in this household because my husband likes them; he uses them like an extension of his arm, and I find target shooting fun but I need an automatic just to hit anything, eyesight is so bad. I managed to jam a shell in the magazine of a shotgun during my practical exam for my PAL, so bad the examiner had a hard time freeing it. Let’s just say I wouldn’t have served in the Army in any other trade than nursing; I’d be a hazard with a gun in a crisis, and there are many like me. Firearms are not a universal answer.
You were only 16 and did what you needed to survive. You are resilient, strong, and know yourself well. We all need to know our limitations. Glad you find target shooting is fun, and that your husband is comfortable with firearms. Hope they are never needed, just like we hope bandages, antiseptics, and insurance is never needed.
Gratitude to your husband for serving and hope he has learned to cope. Also gratitude to you for helping military members with PTSD. Many in law enforcement also suffer from PTSD and knowing resources are available helps, whether needed or not.
He has struggled to cope but denies having issues; I dragged what I do know out of him when he was very drunk. As did his father during WW2 and g’father, WW1, and others, many ‘coped’ by climbing into bottles, and later, in my husband’s case, pot and other drugs. One vet I knew from the Vietnam period wound up dealing psychedelics then went to Holland and dealt heroin. My husband kicked the booze, but reluctantly gave up the pot just last year. I never knew who I was talking to, him or the high. The aftermaths of how we react in a moment, as my husband says, ‘You’ve taken life’, are not usually clean, neat and over with. People need to learn who they are and how they cope, before they commit to keeping something as lethal as a gun.
Agree. I go to target practice at Ladies Day once a month. Amongst the Jewish population, there’s been a record breaking number of firearms sold in the US.
Glad to hear it. Remember to breathe slowly, Grip, Alignment, Trigger pull. GAT.
Excellent article. I watched the trailer for the documentary and would like to see it. Do you know if the producers plan to release it mainstream, such as Prime or Netflix? If they don't, maybe you could put a link in your substack, and readers like myself could pay a fee to see it via the platform. If that's even possible, I don't know.
I have to say, just watching the trailer gets my blood boiling with those lunatic Hamas/terrorist-supporting students chanting their ridiculous slogans. Those students have no skin in the game like the people of Israel or the non-terrorist residents of Gaza do; those people are living it day by day.
I also know that if the people living in the West who support Hamas, Hezbollah or Iran want to go to war with us who support Israel, I am ready. I can easily slip my Kevlar back on and again arm myself for the right cause, and Israel is the right cause.
Ms. Barlow, Keep doing what you're doing. I believe it's working, and the people on the fence regarding this conflict are beginning to see the reality of what Hamas's (and the Islamist's) goals are for the West and how supporting them can only lead to a life of hell on earth. I truly believe that the Jewish people and those who stand with them will prevail in this because it is the right thing to do.
“As Einat Wilf says: there is feeling good and there is doing good. They are indulging their own narcissistic virtuous addiction to feeling good, while doing very, very bad. For clicks. For likes. For popularity. For their own ideological suicide.”—It seems we are losing a generation to narcissism and stupidity.. yes, we need to remain vigilant and push back.. hard.. first step is to vote out all the “well meaning” regimes who allowed this in the first place… it is 1933 all over again, with an internet steroid..
How can I support your work. Send me a message. You are far more effective at social than I can be.
Paid subscriptions are my lifeblood right now. Any speaking opportunities too. Sharing the work. Some individuals send donations. Everything helps.
Done. You are inspiring and terribly brave.
Those Shvesters gave me goosebumps...
vesamachta bechagecha...
I sang that song over 50 years ago in my NFTY youth group. Over the years it faded from my memory, but suddenly popped back after October 7. I sing or listen to it very day. It comforts me, and helps me stay strong.
Thank you Eve, for your strength, and for every word you write.
Great, but sobering post, Eve. Damn, wish I had known about the premier of October H8te, but I just went and purchased a couple tickets for the 1st showing Nov 1 at the Laemmle.
That song is so important. It's the perfect song since 10.7... that plus metallica creeping death which also bears a message. Lo liphached klal. Just perfect. I wish most American jews understood it.
Yes, you will rise from the ashes, but the burning comes first.
For this part, darling, you must be brave.
—Kalen Dion
Nothing says you can't show style and attitude on the narrow bridge. In fact, it helps you keep your balance.
On a very personal note:: I vowed to make every book club selection of mine about Jews/Antisemitism/Holocaust or Israel. I plan to utilize good fiction to educate one book at a time. I appreciate your voice in these challenging times. Keep up your good work!
I'm sure that many showings of "October H8te" will be disrupted by Jew-haters desperate to control the flow of information. Western civilization is being assailed by monsters from the 7th century. WWIII is already here.
I salute your courage, insight, and tenacity and look forward to every article you publish. I know that talking about a silver lining is trite and performative, but since I don't usually read music criticism, the only way I found you was from reading about your blacklisting. This does nothing to diminish your suffering, but you have clearly emerged a hero and are high on my A-list.
You were before your time dear Eve. Shame more did not listen to you 4 years ago because we might be in a better place than we are today.
Someone has to be made an example of first.
Eve, I do not have the grit needed even to watch the trailer, but I agree with every word you wrote about it anyway, especially about fighting the good fight. I am currently engaging the Vancouver Public Library, which has an excellent policy of forbidding employees to wear political symbols like kefiyyehs and watermelon pins, but maybe needs a push to enforce it properly. Small battles, one day at a time. Wearing my Magen David every day while walking Vancouver’s multi-cultural streets, volunteering outside the Jewish community bubble, attending rallies, writing letters, making donations, mentoring six Jewishly strong grandkids, having conversations with non-Jews when invited to do so, showing appreciation when something goes right for a change . . . hoping it helps in even a minor way to fight the insanity. Wishing you strength for your much larger efforts.
Just checking to see where this film will be screened in Canada