PRIMITIVE WEAPONS ARE ALIVE AND WELL

This past weekend, I attended the annual POW WOW at Warner, NH, and visited the Indian or Native American Museum there and,again, looked at the various weapons and tools displayed there in glass cases. I saw them last year, of course, but this year, my friend,Peter Freedman was there with me and I directed his attention to several things. But my main point here is that if you have glanced at the news stories and pictures coming out of China lately you will see the conflict between the Uighers(sic) and the Han involves such 'tools' and implements. In fact, over the years I have tried to compile a sort of scrapbook on photos and articles,etc. dealing with the use of machetes, swords, knives, clubs, sticks, slings, rocks and stones, and any number of these ancient, primitive, but still deadly weapons. The larger point that escapes most people who read of such is that oppressed, desparate people(s) who do not have access to modern arms, rapid fire or otherwise, will resort to the use of such weapons. This is not just during riots but as actual ways to thwart an enemy. There are quite a number of stories about such but it takes time to find them and also to really understand.