Barrack - I have always been a very non violent person and the best weapon I have has always been my mind as this has saved my butt more than my physical skills ever have.

I have also always thought that when a non violent approach fails, you need to have a backup plan and the skills to carry it out... I hate fighting but if it comes down to having to open up that can of whupass... I pack a 2-4.

I have told this before... and have used it as a teaching example.

I was waiting on the train platform after seeing a concert and was approached by a rather drunk and very large, cowboy hat wearing, huge belt buckle sporting redneck.

A large group of young Asian youths started up the stairs to the platform and he gave me a nudge and said we should go kick their f-ing gook asses.

I ignored him and he gave me another nudge and spewed some more racist comments and threats.

I turned to him and signed and said (in my best deaf voice). "I'm sorry I can't hear you, do you know sign language ? "

He cursed and walked away to catch his train.

A couple on the platform were staring at me and I told them, "it's okay...I'm not deaf" and the fellow pretty much fell down laughing his ass off and on the ride home kept telling me that this was the coolest thing he ever saw".

This could have been a very ugly situation if he had started a fight or if he had actually known ISL...