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MA-Caver
03-14-2005, 07:13 AM
Ladies, first of all forgive me for posting if this is not the appropriate forum but I felt it was fitting. Though the woman this thread is about might not be a MA-ist she certianly has courage and inner strength that (I feel) is fitting to any MA-ist.
Mods if needed move this thread where appropriate. :asian:
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In this scary world it's heartening to find/read about courageous people. As in this example (http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050314/ap_on_re_us/courthouse_shooting) of the woman who was taken hostage and calmly talked her way out and found a peaceful resolution. I bow to such courage & strength. :asian:

"She acted very cool and levelheaded. We don't normally see that in our profession," said Gwinnett County Police Officer Darren Moloney. "It was an absolutely best-case scenario that happened, a complete opposite of what you expected to happen. We were prepared for the worst and got the best."

The crime spree began when Nichols allegedly overpowered a courthouse deputy escorting him to his rape trial Friday and took the deputy's gun, then killed the presiding judge and court reporter. He also is accused of killing a deputy who tried to stop him outside the courthouse and a federal agent during his flight from authorities.

Smith said her ordeal began around 2 a.m. Saturday morning with Nichols sticking a gun in her side in the parking lot of her apartment when she returned from a store.

He tied her up and told her to sit in the bathroom while he took a shower. "He said, `I'm not going to hurt you if you just do what I say,'" she said. He told her: "I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt anybody else."

Choking back tears Sunday, she said she told Nichols that her husband died four years ago and if he hurt her, her little girl wouldn't have a mother or father. Smith's attorney, Josh Archer, said her husband died in her arms after being stabbed.

Lisa
03-14-2005, 08:00 AM
Mac, excellent story. Courage comes in many forms. Some of us train in MA to gain strength, knowledge and courage and others use words. Her calmness, attitude and compassion for this stranger is to be commended.

:asian:

mj-hi-yah
03-14-2005, 08:58 AM
MACaver I think it's fitting. She is a very lucky and smart lady I think, and had she handled it differently she may not be alive to tell the story. I usually believe that it is best not to go with a gunman, and luckily in this case he was not looking to hurt her, but I don't think anyone could really tell that from a gun in your side especially at 2 am. Apparently he just wanted to find sanctuary, but I don't think that is the norm. Thankfully, her cool head kept her alive. :asian:

loki09789
03-14-2005, 10:55 AM
Watched the press conference she gave on the morning news....WOW!

She did an excellent job and I agree that she demonstrated an application of 'martial arts' that speaks to the 'intangibles' of training that go beyond Kicking and Punching. Unlike some of the reality tv Celebrities that are getting all the attention, I think she really earned her 15 minutes.

Feisty Mouse
03-14-2005, 11:48 AM
Amazing. I saw a brief report of what happened on the news last night. She is very impressive, and fortunate. After what she must have suffered with her husband dying, I am even *more* glad that she got through this ordeal to be reunited with her daughter.

MA-Caver
03-14-2005, 07:43 PM
This is a transcript (http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/14/smith.transcript/index.html) of the woman's ordeal. Makes for interesting reading.

Seems that there was a higher-power involved (if one chooses to believe in that sort of thing...and I do) as Nichols was as dangerous as you can get. This woman's calming influence is something to be admired if not emulated. Who's to say that this peaceful resolution to the crisis is always the right and safest way. Surely there was something more at work here.

mj-hi-yah
03-14-2005, 10:57 PM
I second that Paul WOW!

KenpoNoChikara
03-15-2005, 08:41 AM
A very courageous woman indeed. Great article, MACaver