A republican is driving through the neighborhood, reluctantly. His kids are at home playing video games and his wife is watching them ordering a veggie pizza and those teriyaki chicken wings the kids like so much.

The republican sees the knife wielding terrorist and keeps on driving. He calls 9-1-1 as he has the presence of mind to realize the threat this knife-wielding man represents to other bystanders on the street.

His Glock is safely holstered and stored in a custom locked compartment. No need to use it. That's what the police are paid to handle.

He presses down on the accelerator of his SUV and looks forward to get back home to his wife and kids. Even their mundane discussion about raising virtual farm animals on Harvest Moon will seem like a relief. He will greet his wife and kiss her passionately, remembering again exactly how precious she is to him and her eyes will light up... and because she never misses a beat she will wonder what's going on and will ask later when they are going to bed. He will climb down on the floor, grab a controller feed the cow and greet the patched-eye mad scientist because that's what his kids want him to do. They will laugh and he will be happy.

After they tuck the kids in bed and kiss them goodnight, he will explain to his wife what happened and the ranting, knife wielding fanatic he saw on his drive downtown. She will mention how sad it is that folks get so distorted and he will agree.

After they change and go to bed, she will whisper "I love you" as she turns out her light and then the thought will occur to her and she will wonder aloud if the knife wielder has ever had someone say those words to him - and if not - how tragic that must be.

He will look at his wife in amazement, reminded of why he married her. He will set down his book, turn off his lamp and make a small wish for the knife-wielding ranters of the world as he embraces his wife.

A strange mood will settle over him, and he will know that somehow a positive difference has been made. A chill runs through his spine and a rustling branch brushes across the picture window, moved by a sudden gust.

The winds soften and a soft rain begins to fall. The slowly increasing pitter-patter of drops against the pane bring him quickly to peaceful slumber.