October 27, 2011Dear Sir,As I become more and more dismayed by the news of our young men seriously wounding and even killing each other I have a heartfelt suggestion for them to think about.For much of my adult life I have been associated with some of the Indian folks of North America and historically they had a grand way of living up to the name “brave” that they bestowed on the male members of their tribe. It was called “counting coup” and for those of you who do not know, I would like to explain.A brave could prove himself by going into battle without a weapon that could kill at a distance. For instance a lance was preferable to a bow and arrow. A war club was better than a lance and the bravest of them all would only carry a coup stick with which they would touch the enemy but not wound him. A notch was put on the stick for each time this was done and the highest honour was to escape unharmed and for this an eagle feather could be worn in the hair. Sneaking into an enemy’s tent and touching him while he slept, or stealing a weapon from him, or even his horse, involved courage and nerve. Just imagine what our Island would be like if only our young men would chose to prove their valour in a way that did not involve injury or pain.MICHAEL ROBINSONPaget