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.

Hickory Self-Protection and ...

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

Where I live it takes a bit of research and understanding to achieve self-protection for self-defense in regard to tools that extend and enhance our natural bodies tools, i.e., karate or empty hand or weaponless protection. 

Humans, naturally and almost instinctively will use tools for protection rather than depend solely on our abilities and skills in fighting empty handed. We naturally and instinctively work hard to put distance between us and an attacker yet most predatory incidences would be at close distances - to the point where you can smell what the attacker had for lunch. 

In the place I live you really have to choose carefully what you keep around or carry for protection ergo another reason why learning how to avoid is critical. Once you enter into a situation that exposes the likelihood of conflict and violence you face more than just your attacker because what you use, how you use it, the level of force being applied and a myriad of other factors come into place that will trigger a secondary predatorial nemesis, the legal system. 

When you are left using violence to deal with violence then, regardless of your being the target of an unwelcome attack, you are going to face not just the attacker in the street but also the attacker in the courtroom. This means you really have to have your proverbial dung together. 

What I am leading up to and what I am asking the reader to chime in on is the current tool I think will be easily explained and accepted as a tool to achieve true and acceptable social and legal self-defense. You really have to know and understand things to get this done and you don't want to rely on luck to get-r-done. 

I drove semi-trucks for the Marines and a tool we used when performing safety/maintenance inspections was the tire thumper. It was a baton-like piece of wood that you went around the entire vehicle and thumped the tires to ensure they were properly inflated and safe to drive on. One can tell from the bounce you feel and the sound of the thump that proper pressure was present. You then put the thumper behind your seat and after the rest of the inspection is completed successfully you went on your way. 

I still remember how that works and use it to test out my tires when I do a safety check of my vehicle at home so I can carry that in the car and put it in the house by the door to use when I get up in the morning or go out during the day. 

Considering this scenario, give me your thoughts on having this around because if for some stranger and bizarre reason I am faced with someone hell bent on doing me harm can one, would one or would others accept that my use of the thumper to stop an attacker is justified. Assuming all other factors and force levels meet or exceed the self-defense social and legal requirements of the system. This is assuming as well that for some unforeseen unavoidable reason I was unable to avoid or escape-n-evade an attack. 

Here is a graphic of the thumper. 

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)

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