Ed, don't put words in my mouth. I didn't say-or mean-to beat the snot out of him. What I said was to fight back instead of being passive. There's a big difference, in my mind at least. "Refuse to be a victim", if you will.

All you need to do is show that you are not going to just sit there and take it. The bully should move on to an easier target. Key is to do it right away, not to let him think that you are a willing victim, then try to change that opinion later.