Please take a look at Articles on self-defense/conflict/violence for introductions to the references found in the bibliography page.

Please take a look at my bibliography if you do not see a proper reference to a post.

Please take a look at my Notable Quotes

Hey, Attention on Deck!

Hey, NOTHING here is PERSONAL, get over it - Teach Me and I will Learn!


When you begin to feel like you are a tough guy, a warrior, a master of the martial arts or that you have lived a tough life, just take a moment and get some perspective with the following:


I've stopped knives that were coming to disembowel me

I've clawed for my gun while bullets ripped past me

I've dodged as someone tried to put an ax in my skull

I've fought screaming steel and left rubber on the road to avoid death

I've clawed broken glass out of my body after their opening attack failed

I've spit blood and body parts and broke strangle holds before gouging eyes

I've charged into fires, fought through blizzards and run from tornados

I've survived being hunted by gangs, killers and contract killers

The streets were my home, I hunted in the night and was hunted in turn


Please don't brag to me that you're a survivor because someone hit you. And don't tell me how 'tough' you are because of your training. As much as I've been through I know people who have survived much, much worse. - Marc MacYoung

WARNING, CAVEAT AND NOTE

The postings on this blog are my interpretation of readings, studies and experiences therefore errors and omissions are mine and mine alone. The content surrounding the extracts of books, see bibliography on this blog site, are also mine and mine alone therefore errors and omissions are also mine and mine alone and therefore why I highly recommended one read, study, research and fact find the material for clarity. My effort here is self-clarity toward a fuller understanding of the subject matter. See the bibliography for information on the books. Please make note that this article/post is my personal analysis of the subject and the information used was chosen or picked by me. It is not an analysis piece because it lacks complete and comprehensive research, it was not adequately and completely investigated and it is not balanced, i.e., it is my personal view without the views of others including subject experts, etc. Look at this as “Infotainment rather then expert research.” This is an opinion/editorial article/post meant to persuade the reader to think, decide and accept or reject my premise. It is an attempt to cause change or reinforce attitudes, beliefs and values as they apply to martial arts and/or self-defense. It is merely a commentary on the subject in the particular article presented.


Note: I will endevor to provide a bibliography and italicize any direct quotes from the materials I use for this blog. If there are mistakes, errors, and/or omissions, I take full responsibility for them as they are mine and mine alone. If you find any mistakes, errors, and/or omissions please comment and let me know along with the correct information and/or sources.



“What you are reading right now is a blog. It’s written and posted by me, because I want to. I get no financial remuneration for writing it. I don’t have to meet anyone’s criteria in order to post it. Not only I don’t have an employer or publisher, but I’m not even constrained by having to please an audience. If people won’t like it, they won’t read it, but I won’t lose anything by it. Provided I don’t break any laws (libel, incitement to violence, etc.), I can post whatever I want. This means that I can write openly and honestly, however controversial my opinions may be. It also means that I could write total bullshit; there is no quality control. I could be biased. I could be insane. I could be trolling. … not all sources are equivalent, and all sources have their pros and cons. These needs to be taken into account when evaluating information, and all information should be evaluated. - God’s Bastard, Sourcing Sources (this applies to this and other blogs by me as well; if you follow the idea's, advice or information you are on your own, don't come crying to me, it is all on you do do the work to make sure it works for you!)



“You should prepare yourself to dedicate at least five or six years to your training and practice to understand the philosophy and physiokinetics of martial arts and karate so that you can understand the true spirit of everything and dedicate your mind, body and spirit to the discipline of the art.” - cejames (note: you are on your own, make sure you get expert hands-on guidance in all things martial and self-defense)



“All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.” - Montaigne


I am not a leading authority on any one discipline that I write about and teach, it is my hope and wish that with all the subjects I have studied it provides me an advantage point that I offer in as clear and cohesive writings as possible in introducing the matters in my materials. I hope to serve as one who inspires direction in the practitioner so they can go on to discover greater teachers and professionals that will build on this fundamental foundation. Find the authorities and synthesize a wholehearted and holistic concept, perception and belief that will not drive your practices but rather inspire them to evolve, grow and prosper. My efforts are born of those who are more experienced and knowledgable than I. I hope you find that path! See the bibliography I provide for an initial list of experts, professionals and masters of the subjects.

Martial Arts and Perceptions in SD

Martial Arts and Perceptions in SD

Note: I am not an SD expert. I am not an firearms expert. I am not a lawyer or attorney. I am not advocating any of the following as more than my thoughts, perceptions and theories on the subject involved. Always, always seen professional advice for SD, MA and Legal. Always!

As I read an article by Kathy Jackson on A.O.J. it came to me that, “Ability” in deadly force involved things like guns, knives, a club, tire iron, etc. and that prompted the old false story that all black belts had to register their hands as deadly weapons. Now, it is very apparent in modern times that this statement of deadly hands registration is just plain bullshit but think of perceptions.

Although we MABB’s don’t have to register our hands we can rest assured, pretty much, that our history in MA will come up if we are changed with SD. If the prosecutor can, he or she will promote your abilities as the same as using a gun, knife, club, etc. i.e. a deadly weapon. It is, in my view, the same as the “Shod foot” being considered a deadly instrument of death or great bodily harm. 

Now, this does not mean cause I said it that the old false statement is to be resurrected. It does mean that if you train and practice MA consistently, diligently and over time with intent to continue for your life you “May, Could, Might and Maybe” find that this “expertise” will be considered deadly if used in SD and you happen to find yourself facing charges. Remember, it is a perception fostered by media, i.e. television, movies and news, etc., that will plant the idea of deadly hands as deadly weapons in the minds of prosecutors, defense and jurors, etc. 

I am not saying this to panic you but rather to get you, the martial artists who teaches, practices and applies MA in SD, to consider it in the scheme of things when applying SD regarding force decisions and so on. I don’t believe that this is actually taught in SD or MA dojo. 

Consider this, even those who participate in MA on a part time club like social basis where the apply it strictly as a sport in competition there is still a perception out there that anyone who is proficient in such things is or has a potential of being deadly even if they don’t use it in SD. Perceptions do matter and anyone who is in MA, etc. should consider it.

Add in the proverbial perceptions of being a black belt then add to that the years in practice along with the “LEVEL” of black belt. You and I know that often higher grades are not necessarily indicative of expertise in applying the MA in SD, Fighting or Combatives but others might think so. The higher the grade/level the higher the perception that person is a deadly expert in the Asian Fighting Systems!

So, when making force decisions you might consider, best to ask professionals both violence and legal about this, the perceptions of witnesses, what is recorded on video, what is documented in reports and what the legal system may apply to your use and levels of force toward staying within the SD circle/square?

Here is a quote that may convey the concept of MA ability, i.e. “disparity of force.” “If a weapon is not present, ability may be represented by something the courts call disparity of force. This is just a fancy phrase that means the fight would be so radically unfair and so unevenly matched that any reasonable bystander would agree that one of the participants could kill or permanently damage the other person even without a weapon. (When a known, skilled martial artist attacks someone who is not a martial artist)” Kathy Jackson: http://conflictresearchgroupintl.com/?p=1049

Some Mindless Meanderings: 

Q: A high school football player uses his skills to tackle someone when the head hits the ground he dies, is his ability something that pushes him up the ladder toward unjustified use of force?

Q: You are on your way to your car after purchasing a set of carving knives for your wife when you are attacked. You take one out and use it to protect yourself, is is a carving knife or deadly weapon? If a weapon is your use of the knife within the level of force acceptable to the moments circumstances?

Q: You are a coach for a local softball team, you are carrying the equipment to the field for a game when you are accosted by an angry person. You pull out the bat and hit him with it. Is this a reasonable means of SD? Is the bat now a deadly weapon? Are you going to be held to a higher standard because you are a coach who has knowledge of using a bat for protection? Are these just stupid questions?

Q: As a MA practitioner are you going to be held to a higher standard when using your ability in SD? Is the grade or level of black belt going to increase that standard in SD? Are the techniques used in SD going to be considered within the proper range or level of force when defined in relation to your applied technique, i.e. a fist vs. an open hand vs. a kick vs. an elbow and the head of a person hitting the ground?

Granted, these seem far-fetched but this may actually be the type of questions that will be asked that may or may not take you outside the circle/square of legally acceptable self-defense. At the very least, even if you win, may take you to a place of economic ruin and emotional damage for you and your family.  Is it worth it to scoff at the idea?

Addendum dtd October 23, 2014 at 13:27hrs:

I asked the "Armed Citizens Network" a question regarding the use of MA empty hand and here is how that went (bold/italics/underline is my emphasis):

Q: “Is it possible that the legal system might perceive martial arts expertise, even if just sport oriented, as a use of a "deadly weapon?"

A: “Not for an ‘assault with a deadly weapon’ charge, but yes for use of deadly force murder or manslaughter.  Look at your state criminal law statutes, and see what your state law says regarding definitions of what a deadly weapon is, and what deadly force is.”


Marty Hayes, Armed Citizen Network free Q&A

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