Phil Redmond
08-05-2003, 08:29 AM
These 2 emails were sent to me after I informed some students of the Alex Gong tragedy.
Phil
"This is tragic.
When I was a teenager I studied karate with a group of guys that were very
hardcore. They started in the late 60's early 70's and believed the only way to
test your ability was real fighting. They would do full contact, no protection
sparring and many of them (ex bikers and gang members), seemed to get into
fights every other weekend. They were actually very nice guys and didn't look
for trouble, but the didn't shy away from an opportunity to test themselves
either.
Anyway, my instructor was very good. He constantly told us not to go out into
the world with a chip on your shoulder because you know a martial art, that in
the real world so many things can go wrong. They may have a gun or knife, three
of their buddies might join in, you could slip on some gravel in the street, or
the individual simply may be strong, aggressive, and enjoys violence and over
powers you. That kind of person can still beat a well trained martial artist.
Martial arts prepares us for violence buts does not make us invincible. Never
underestimate your opponents abilities.
The best defense for a confrontation is to avoid the confrontation. A true
martial arts understands this, the value of self-confidence and humility."
John
"I agree with John. Especially with the scenario. Based on what I learned
from you and previous instructors, we are not invincible. There are always
things that can go wrong and the consequences can be just as damaging.
According to one of the stories....he broke the guys window and then was
shot. That could have happened if it was a little old lady. Plain and
simple..somethings are better handled by the law, and vigilantism is not a
good thing at times.
What if the guy didn't have a gun. What would he have done...beat him up?
Then who goes to jail. Who serves felonious battery with intent to commit
extreme bodily harm. I guess this is a good lesson to all of us that
control over your emotions and thinking about the consequences of your
actions is an important aspect of what we learn."
Phil
"This is tragic.
When I was a teenager I studied karate with a group of guys that were very
hardcore. They started in the late 60's early 70's and believed the only way to
test your ability was real fighting. They would do full contact, no protection
sparring and many of them (ex bikers and gang members), seemed to get into
fights every other weekend. They were actually very nice guys and didn't look
for trouble, but the didn't shy away from an opportunity to test themselves
either.
Anyway, my instructor was very good. He constantly told us not to go out into
the world with a chip on your shoulder because you know a martial art, that in
the real world so many things can go wrong. They may have a gun or knife, three
of their buddies might join in, you could slip on some gravel in the street, or
the individual simply may be strong, aggressive, and enjoys violence and over
powers you. That kind of person can still beat a well trained martial artist.
Martial arts prepares us for violence buts does not make us invincible. Never
underestimate your opponents abilities.
The best defense for a confrontation is to avoid the confrontation. A true
martial arts understands this, the value of self-confidence and humility."
John
"I agree with John. Especially with the scenario. Based on what I learned
from you and previous instructors, we are not invincible. There are always
things that can go wrong and the consequences can be just as damaging.
According to one of the stories....he broke the guys window and then was
shot. That could have happened if it was a little old lady. Plain and
simple..somethings are better handled by the law, and vigilantism is not a
good thing at times.
What if the guy didn't have a gun. What would he have done...beat him up?
Then who goes to jail. Who serves felonious battery with intent to commit
extreme bodily harm. I guess this is a good lesson to all of us that
control over your emotions and thinking about the consequences of your
actions is an important aspect of what we learn."