This is a very interesting thread comparing people defending their homes and our military personnel. I’ve never been in the military though many family members have; and I have several close friends currently serving our country. However, I will only comment based on my own experience. I don’t completely think that mere possessions are worth risking my life but for me it is a touchy subject, and I will try to explain my thoughts and reasoning.
I was seriously injured this past April. I broke 2 vertebrae, my right arm, and did some “damage” to my right hip. I say damage because with everything else, the hip sort of slipped by unnoticed for the first 2 months. I spent close to a month in the hospital (basically all May). I spent June flat on my back doing home based rehab, essentially learning how to walk; and July and August at physical therapy trying to regain range of motion and strength. So because of this situation, my outlook was forced to change.
For instance, I’m a pretty big guy, 6 foot, used to be above 300 lbs and extremely strong (now down to 265). You know, pick up and carry around couches, refrigerators, transmissions, stuff like that. Was no boxer/fighter but wasn’t ever scared about holding my own. Now since my accident it’s a struggle to get out of bed, walk to the street for the paper/mail, or even pick up a gallon of milk. I can honestly say that today there’s no way I could physically defend myself or my family; and there’s also no way that I could run away from a robber/burglar/other criminal. I could possibly sneak out but I never know how much pain I will have until I start to walk. Essentially if anyone breaks in while I’m here, then I’m here for the duration.
So it may appear that I would be defending my possessions, but in all actuality I would be defending myself. With the past trend of home invasions vs. burglaries, if someone breaks in and I’m here I must assume that they mean to cause grave harm to me and/or my family.