[Grizzly]

<p>I've started this thread a good half dozen times.  Each time I come to the end of it I realize that I'm not sure what it is I'm trying to say or to ask.  So I'll start this one with the end and see how it goes this time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I felt paranoid about something for the first time in a long time this weekend, and it blew me away in its intensity.  I didn't like the feeling. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>It got me thinking about the banality of evil.  Most of us have thankfully not been touched by true evil in our lives.  Our family was brushed by it a few years ago and that was the source of the paranoia this weekend, not for us but for a new friend who has found herself caught up in something far beyond her. </p>
<p><br>
A few years ago we asked one too many (innocent) questions and found ourselves in a situation that seemed out of a Kafka novel.  We could have continued to fight, and golly gee it's the right thing to do ain't it?  But when your family is threatened, idly with no real focus from the evil party... and you're told by other victims and the police to just drop it "Because you don't know what you're dealing with..." you listen if you know what's good for you.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I found myself saying "Don't ever mention that you know us, if you know what's good for you..." and not feeling ashamed at the melodramatic tone.  Looking at this woman's eyes and seeing the "I'm caught in the headlights" look brought it all back to me.  Hard.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's easy to be a comic book film hero in our dreams and say "I'll fight this injustice!".  The reality is that it doesn't work that way.  It just doesn't. </p>

 

[ym]

<p><img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad5.gif" title=""></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I can't even begin to imagine. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>But I am imagining and curious as hell.</p>

 

[Notey]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>ym</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/68972/paranoia#post_1924441"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>But I am imagining and curious as hell.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
1</p>

 

[coachie]

<p>(gratuitous attempt to be funny)</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You're Paranoia!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(seriously, hope everything is ok, Grizz)</p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>The missus was serving on the board of a support group (of all things) for home schooled and distance Ed kids.  Asked why there was so much money in the bank.  That's it, that's all.  The people in charge had "plans" for the money and didn't want attention drawn to it.  That's the surface.  That's the Cole's Notes version.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pick up one rock and oh look at that...  it gets worse.  Much worse. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Mrtambalynman]

<p>So they were evil and stupid.  Not a good combination. <br><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Grizzly</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/68972/paranoia#post_1924477"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>The missus was serving on the board of a support group (of all things) for home schooled and distance Ed kids.  Asked why there was so much money in the bank.  That's it, that's all.  The people in charge had "plans" for the money and didn't want attention drawn to it.  That's the surface.  That's the Cole's Notes version.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pick up one rock and oh look at that...  it gets worse.  Much worse. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<br><br>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>Evil, but maybe not so stupid.  Again with too much stuff for posting and it is tangential anyway.  The money wasn't what they were worried about. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Small fry in the way?  Squish 'em like bugs. </p>

 

[ym]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Grizzly</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/68972/paranoia#post_1924527"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Evil, but maybe not so stupid.  Again with too much stuff for posting and it is tangential anyway.  The money wasn't what they were worried about. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Small fry in the way?  Squish 'em like bugs. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad5.gif" title=""></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Really.  I can't even imagine what it would be like to get caught in a web like that.  Sometimes paranoia is good.  It's really just your spidey sense kicking in and keeping you safe. </p>

 

[SportiGrl]

<p>just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you ... or something like that!</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>*yikes* </p>

 

[Grizzly]

<p>Nah, we're fine.  Just worried about this gal.</p>

 

[Floridaboiler]

<p>I saw the title and thought of this:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>

</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope everything sorts itself out.</p>