“Live Long And Prosper”

That was what Mr. Spock on “Star Trek” would wish his friends. But in order to do so, first one must live at all. Here is some advice:

• Do not annoy or attack people who carry guns. This includes civilian gun owners, gang members, and most especially, police officers.

• Do not escalate a bothersome situation into an acute crisis, or a verbal confrontation into a physical one.

• Ask yourself, is this a hill I am prepared to die on, either figuratively or literally?

• You may have a nonviolent confrontation in mind. But what does the other guy have in mind?

• You may have the best intentions. But the other guy cannot know your intentions.

• Do not poke a bear with a stick. This includes Smokey Bear.