Of Martial Arts and Liberty

Wai Jia: The Kung Fu Forum Kung Fu Forum
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I propose that the school be called the " American Shaolin Academy ", or ASA. It will be shaolin style, customized for Americans and promoted not just as training but as an actual lifestyle with philosophy being taught as part of the classes, teaching people sound moral principles based in Chinese ch’an ( zen ) philosophy and wisdom, Objectivist ethics ( the philosophy of Ayn Rand, based on rational self interest ) , much of which was derrived from the ideas of Thomas Jefferson, and the basic principles of individualism and liberty. The aim would be for students to eventually become modern “Jedi” style Shaolin knights in the sense of the Star Wars movies and the spirit of the ancient Shaolin. Good people doing good things in the world and working for true liberty based in inalienable individual rights. Dignity and respect will be shown to all good people and the school will be accepting of people of all races, religions, national origins, colors and sexual orientations.

woh… Um, so some of this seems pretty cool… but it seems that you are almost trying to gather an army (an evil army to the “socialist”) of whatever polical view you have.

22

Re: Re: Careful…

Originally posted by MasterKiller
The origins and practices of these systems are highly contested and debated in Chinese Martial Arts circles. …

By the way, from everything I’ve heard, it seems like anything and everything is debatable in martial arts circles. :slight_smile:

23

Is there an assumption, or an observation from experience, that these martial arts schools and perhaps most martial arts schools instill the discipline, morality, confidence, and independence that I assume would be general human guidelines or resulting attributes/behaviors for this objective socialist marital arts school(s)? Or do I assume too much. The whole shaolin/jedi aspect brings up hokey images in my head. I’m sure it was just a sort of ideal representation of the positive aspects garnered from each.

I don’t know about Denver, but there are schools that already function better than 70/30 of what I assume Melissa is looking for in a martial arts school; I may be assuming too much again; that don’t bad mouth (too much) other schools, and don’t force or subvert beleifs to those that don’t want to accept any particular part of what is taught or open to learn.

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Anytime a 57 year-old woman beats me down, I’ll change my screen name to MasterBater. No offense intended, Melissa.

Can’t wait to see it!

I’m out!!

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It will be shaolin style, customized for Americans

lol:D

I think you’ve already studied two of them…:stuck_out_tongue:

Joking aside, what would be customized for Americans, the forms or the rules for sparring?

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It will be shaolin style

which one?

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I’m torn on where to start on this thread so I will start with this:

I’ll change my screen name to MasterBater.

that’s pretty much how I see it anyway :wink:

So if I’m reading you right Melissa, you want to start a martial arts school based on certain political principles?

By the way, from everything I’ve heard, it seems like anything and everything is debatable in martial arts circles.

I’ts a fundamental truth of the martial arts! :smiley:

28

here are couple of long threads on SD, it’s a long read.

http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32782

http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=34962

29

Back in…

Melissa, it seems you have started something substantial here.

Props, and keep discussing!!

30

Socialism has been slowly taking over this country for the last 40 years ( some would say twice that long ), in the guise of liberalism. A propaganda machine has been at work, with most of the news media at the center of it, and they’ve been making most Americans less independent and more like servile sheep.

Two things, Socialism isn’t all that bad. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I think that the economy should be kept capitalist and government and medical quarters should be nationalised.

But as far as Americans being sheep…That’s been going on for decades :slight_smile:

not realizing it’s an impossible task, for individuals and certainly for the government.

I’m not sure I’d agree it was impossible. For certain I don’t think it’s 100%, but you’ll notice that since 9/11/01, it’s been pretty quiet on that front.

I’ve observed in previous posts to this blog, that it seems like the global socialists are working symbiotically with Al Qaeda to bring down the west, because it serves their common interests.

France anyway, but that’s because we blew their cover in Iraq :smiley:

So all the while, the liberals ( socialists ) are cranking on the biased media propaganda machine, putting out that brainwashing message that people can’t possibly be free and independent anymore, not in this technological age, no

I see you’ve been lurking on this forum for a while! :smiley: :stuck_out_tongue:

I think you have some interesting ideas but I think mixing politics and martial arts is a disaster. If you haven’t been on this board long, spend a month or two participating in the politically based threads to see what I mean.

Personally I think a good martial arts school should be devoid of political or religious doctrine. For one, you’re going to attract extremists, or those leading towards extreme views. The same sort of people are going to automatically devolve and apropriate the first issue you have, that of tearing apart those things which are not them. Suddenly not only will your school be filled with people who strongly identify with your political bent, but that sort of identity will most likely spread to other things. People like that often need to beling and part of the human drive to belong is to cast those who do not belong, aspersions.

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Re: Back in…

Originally posted by tug
[B]Melissa, it seems you have started something substantial here.

Props, and keep discussing!! [/B]

“They do not argue. No one argues with them.” – The Tao

I didn’t come to argue. I realize everything is debatable and apparently everyone here will debate everything. :slight_smile:

I just wanted to post my piece and I did. Take care. :slight_smile:

32

sometimes it’s not about arguing but about expounding on what you’re trying to say. I find I learn the most in a discussion then any other way.

Posting your ideas and not providing any further input accomplishes nothing.

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Originally posted by red5angel
[B]sometimes it’s not about arguing but about expounding on what you’re trying to say. I find I learn the most in a discussion then any other way.

Posting your ideas and not providing any further input accomplishes nothing. [/B]

Ok, but no matter what I say, people go off on half a dozen tangents with it, and twist it into something I didn’t say. All I was saying was that I thought a school should be run as a business under the principles of liberty, not that politics should be pushed on students or even discussed with them.

Anyway I’m out of here.

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Ok, but no matter what I say, people go off on half a dozen tangents with it, and twist it into something I didn’t say. All I was saying was that I thought a school should be run as a business under the principles of liberty, not that politics should be pushed on students or even discussed with them.

sure but that’s why you discuss it. You say something and we interpret it how we’re gonna interpret it. If that’s wrong, it’s important for you to atleast get those things straight, in my opinion.
I certainly hope you’re not running away from it because some of us don’t agree with you. It seemed like it was panning out to be an interesting discussion.

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Anyway I’m out of here

No, don’t go! I’m with Red, this is quite interesting.

36

Originally posted by tug
No, don’t go! I’m with Red, this is quite interesting.

How so? I explained that I’m not into pushing politics in the school, but want to use Objectivist libertarian philosophy to run it with.

I have a vision for a dream school that apparently no one else cares about. If I win the big Powerball I intend to build it. Otherwise it’s meaningless, I suppose.

What else is there to discuss?

37

Melissa, I get this strange sort of picture of you. On the one hand you have these websites, and a strong sense of what it is you’re looking for. On the other it seems that when you’re challenged on your beliefs - and don’t get me wrong, other then a couple oif asshats on this forum, and there are plenty - I think most of us on this thread are just interested to hear more of what you are trying to say. I admit I don’t completely understand what you are shooting for and so have tried to open a dialogue with you to see what more you have to say about it. With kungfu and with politics you have to be prepared to at the least, just explain yourself more, if not defend yourself from those who do not agree with you.

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How can I safetly assume that when in your first post, you explained how evil socialists are, you wouldn’t look at someone differently?

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perhaps with the increased security in this country, people feel that it isn’t quite as necessary to defend themselves from being physically attacked. Although I doubt it. Just another perspective.

However, I also serious doubt that the lack of interest in MA has much to do with government control and “brain washing”. As long as there are still muggings and fights on the streets, this shows that the american people still have some “fight” in them. As even the bad guys in these situations represent Americans.

Although it would be quite a dream to live in such a non-violent society that there is no longer a need for self defense.

Mainly, what I see is a shift of interest from Traditional Martial Arts to the new, more tangible competitive martial arts of these times. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is booming, as are many types of UFC type fighting etc. It seems that Americans have more faith in these systems as they’ve been proven to work in major televised events (UFC). Just stirring up the pot I suppose.

40

am I an evil socialist?:frowning: