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.

Historical Facts - An Editorial Opinion


Historical facts do not come from opinions or theories, they come from documented facts. The caveat with most historical facts are they tend to be the facts according to only one side of the story - often the victor or vanquisher of others. It is a matter of dominance and perceived authority, the person or group that is in charge and governs those who are followers either reluctant or willing.

Historical facts are subject to change at the whims of whomever is in charge. As a result you find factions and disparities that will refute or cancel one another out simply because it is a belief system of one or the other group, tribe or society. As one power leaves and another enters thus changes historical facts.

In Isshinryu since its naming or birth January 15th, 1956 there have abounded many views, theories and opinions as to what Tatsuo-san meant to be his Isshinryu. Even with admissions of language, culture and belief differences between Tatsuo-san and his Military students it remained a blockade to truth as Tatsuo-san intended. 

It is and always will be a bone of contention as to what one shall believe and practice according to the tenants of Tatsuo-san but since there are absolutely no written historical facts from the man himself this will continue to be a bone of contention. The human condition will always put one belief above another even it they are not wrong but simply different. 

The chasm between the many factions of Isshinryu remain and will continue if for no other reason than stubborn selfish closed minded thinking. It takes greatness to achieve the type of open minded thought to change and bring all of Isshinryu under one roof but alas the nature of mankind does not allow for this type of cohesive connections. 

As I read from the Shinseidokan Dojo blog today, out of context here for this post, he stated "people are all too quick to claim master these days, mistaking their physical prowess, their personal beliefs, the hoards of followers and their accumulated shelves of accolades as proof of master." (I redacted it a bit to fit this post :-)

I sadly believe now that Isshinryu that was Tatsuo-san's is dead and gone with a few scattered true first generation adherents that cannot overcome such dogmatic adherence to prideful egoistic efforts that the day those few pass beyond the gates of reality into the realm of Tao will then be completely lost to man forever and a day. 

Historical facts, there are none from the Isshinryu well owned by Tatsuo-san. The well has dried up and his passing into the next realm left Isshinryu in the throws of death which will soon claim it completely bringing it full circle - back to Tatsuo-san's home.

Let the flame wars begin!

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