From: eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To: eskrima-digest@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Subject: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #105 Reply-To: eskrima@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Errors-To: eskrima-digest-owner@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com Precedence: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest Thurs, 11 March 1999 Vol 06 : Num 105 In this issue: eskrima: Blade-Oriented Training eskrima: Way to go Marc!! eskrima: synthetics, rattan & more eskrima: The Right of Self Defense eskrima: INOSANTO SEMINAR IN NY eskrima: Taping and Tool Dipping eskrima: Citizen's Self-Defense Act of 1999 eskrima: 'Skunk' Device To Repulse Rapists eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #104 eskrima: Re: The right of self-defense eskrima: Mugger repellant eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #104 eskrima: Mugging response, and spectrum of violence eskrima: back to FMA eskrima: . .......................................................................... Eskrima-Digest, serving the Internet since June 1994. 1050 members strong! Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, Inayan System of Eskrima, Martial Arts Resource Replying to this message will NOT unsubscribe you. To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe eskrima-digest" (no quotes) in the body of an e-mail (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com To send e-mail to this list use eskrima@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com See the Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) FAQ and online search the last two years worth of digest issues at http://www.MartialArtsResource.com Mabuhay ang eskrima! Ray Terry, PO Box 110841, Campbell, CA 95011 FMA@MartialArtsResource.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: "J H" Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 06:21:25 PST Subject: eskrima: Blade-Oriented Training Hey, Joe! He's been collecting collecting knives for 2 or 3 years now, and feels that he can never really appreciate them if he doesn't know how to put 'em to use.( I'm not talking about senselessly hacking someone up, I'm talking about good ol' blade oriented training.) Sorry, for the confusion. Mabuhay Ang Eskrima!!! Fry Bread Boy Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ------------------------------ From: Rocky Pasiwk Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 09:51:16 -0800 Subject: eskrima: Way to go Marc!! Hey forgot to say CONGRATULATIONS Marc and Cindy. Having a baby is the greatest thing that will ever happen to you. I look back at the way I use to be now and think what a fool I was!! I use to hang with a couple of fools that were to cool for kids and some of that stupidity rubbed off on me. Now that my daughter is coming up on 1 year next month, I can honestly say this has been the best year of my life, and why did I wait this long!!. When they wake up in the middle of the night crying and the only thing that will quiet them is you picking them up and holding them, you will be changed forever. However be prepared for no sleep for about three weeks. My wife still teases me about this, but for about the first three weeks I slept in my recliner with the baby on my chest or I would sleep on the couch with her bassinet right next to me so I could make sure she was breathing, in turn I would maybe dose off for only about an hour a night, but it was worth it. Well Take care, make sure Cindy eats right and exercise and takes vitamins, I believe it makes a difference. Rocky ------------------------------ From: Drew Zimba Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 07:22:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: eskrima: synthetics, rattan & more ******************************************************* > If you haven't seen a any of Jeff Finder's sticks, you really > should. I just got a pair of the Cobras in January and I've been > very happy with them. They are more rigid and harder than > rattan, but they also seem to be just about indestructable. Well, yes, but with all due respect to Jeff, they just aren't like using rattan. Sorry, just MHO. ******************************************************* At the risk of repeating myself after relating my interactions with Guro Rick Tucci, using rattan is not like using a blade, which is not like using an axe handle, which is not like using an ASP baton..... Train with what you like, it probably won't be what you have in hand if an uncontrived moment of truth ever arrives for you. Just my $.02... Drew _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: Kalki Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 09:27:05 -0600 Subject: eskrima: The Right of Self Defense Crafty has done some fine woofin' this time! Hey cuz, that was inspired :-) I haven't been able to find mention of the bill that I described anywhere via the Web. I've got a copy of the bill proposal around here somewhere -- good reason to straighten up the old workspace. It may be something to ask people in Congress about. Government is supposed to -protect- the citizens, right? So, we should be allowed to protect ourselves without undue fear of the potential unjust punishment we might suffer as a result of doing the right thing. Man, I couldn't believe my ears a few months ago when a so-called martial arts instructor said "If a woman is being raped, she should just lay back and enjoy it." This was after I'd described some things that the victim might do that would kill the MoFo (can I say that?:-) The 'instructor' continued with the comment that rape has not been punishable by death in X years. I suggested that he 'picture' his mother/sister/daughter/father/brother/son/self in the victim's place ... then what? I think that guy is in the wrong business. Every creature has the right (duty!) to defend itself [duty = Dharma]. No person has the right to -victimize- another. Isn't that why we have laws and lawyers? OK, I stray ... plan now is to find that bill and post not only its reference # but its content (not lengthy). Its value should become obvious. What with all the crazies and the reactions to them there's no telling what kinds of legislation poeple may try to pass in the future, e.g., some guy in Luisiana shot and killed a few people in a church service yesterday ... just walked in and did his thing, killed 4 I think (included his wife and child, shot his other child in the leg). This was after killing 2 others elsewhere before going to the church. Stuff like this and the recent Eskrima-expert-street-guy knifer provide wind for the sails of those who would unrealistically restrict what we can use in self defense, and possibly create an unfavorable legal climate for us to face if we have to harm someone in the process of defending self and/or those dear to us ... no matter what we use, limbs, stick, knife or gun. Be well, Mik ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 10:36:37 EST Subject: eskrima: INOSANTO SEMINAR IN NY Just a reminder: Queens, New York Seminar w/Guro Dan Inosanto is this weekend the 13th & 14th! Location: Bayside HS Gymnasium 208th Street & 32nd Ave 11a-5p Call for details 718-461-0700 or download an application http://www.progressivemartialarts.com/seminars.htm Thanks, Nick Sacoulas Progressive Martial Arts Academy www.progressivemartialarts.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 07:40:56 -0800 Subject: eskrima: Taping and Tool Dipping >What say ye Stickman? Have you seen the type of tape that I'm talking >about? Not that particular tape. The stick I currently use for teaching (that means every time I work out I use it) is at least two years old. I have some of that red vinyl pinstriping tape on it, marking 5 zones: the tip, for striking; the upper body, for most blocking; the lower body, for checking; the fist, for punching; and the punyo. I marked these with tape 1" from the tip, separating the main striking and blocking zones, and above my fist, just beyond where my thumb extends (we do this in Serrada as a brace when jamming the stick in as a strong arm check). At this point, the tape is so battered, most of it has been worn off. Time to retape, I guess ... BTW, Ray, you may have noticed that ALL my sticks have silver tape on the tips .... not a problem! Ah, yes, Tool Dip. I used to use this on my old fiberglass sticks (talk about real bone breakers! I learned of this stuff from Tom Meadows). I made some real cool handles on 3/4" rod (thin but VERY heavy, a most dangerous combination). BTW, I quit making these around '91 because too many beginners thought they were cool, but couldn't handle it safely when training with partners. I sold them with the disclaimer "NOT FOR BEGINNERS". This should give some relative perspective on the plastics, which I encourage my students to use on ME. Anyway, I would tightly wrap felt door insulation stripping around the handle, covering about 5-6" (takes a lot of the felt strip), which would be held in place with a little bit of duct tape over the upper end of the wrapping (at the base of the stick, I would overlap the first wrap to hold it in place, makes a good pommel). I would then apply a couple of dips in the Tool Dip (after dipping, turn the stick while SLOWLY and SMOOTHLY pulling out the stick to ensure even coverage. It will look thick but will shrink as it dries). This can be a very messy procedure: to avoid wasting tool dip, I'd hang the stick over the container to catch the drip. The dip can be too thick, so I'd thin it with acetone, which is nasty on the skin, but getting it too thin makes it drip too quickly, and the rising fumes also can increase the drip rate (so don't hang it too close). Too thin can ruin the result, leaving the top bare and a clot at the bottom. Don't leave the container open any longer than necessary, to avoid putting a skin on top; the stuff ain't cheap (though mixing in fresh solvent next time you use it will melt the skin again). This makes a GREAT grip, but I DO NOT recommend EVER using it on my plastic sticks!!!! BTW, that handle now makes the stick a sure-fire felony, at least here in sunny California .... Jeff "Stickman" Finder stickman@autobahn.org ------------------------------ From: Kalki Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 09:55:39 -0600 Subject: eskrima: Citizen's Self-Defense Act of 1999 Apparently new life has been given to this bill proposal. I apologize that it's firearms-oriented, but it has implications for the general use of force in self defense by means other than firearms. Maybe this is something to "keep an eye on" if we have any concerns about how legislation might affect the "martial artist" as instructor and/or practitioner. Be well, Mik Citizens' Self-Defense Act of 1999 (Introduced in the House) HR 347 IH 106th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 347 To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self , family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 19, 1999 Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To protect the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms in defense of self , family, or home, and to provide for the enforcement of such right. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the `Citizens' Self -Defense Act of 1999'. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. The Congress finds the following: (1) Police cannot protect, and are not legally liable for failing to protect, individual citizens, as evidenced by the following: (A) The courts have consistently ruled that the police do not have an obligation to protect individuals, only the public in general. For example, in Warren v. District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C. App. 1981), the court stated: `[C]ourts have without exception concluded that when a municipality or other governmental entity undertakes to furnish police services, it assumes a duty only to the public at large and not to individual members of the community.'. (B) Former Florida Attorney General Jim Smith told Florida legislators that police responded to only 200,000 of 700,000 calls for help to Dade County authorities. (C) The United States Department of Justice found that, in 1989, there were 168,881 crimes of violence for which police had not responded within 1 hour. (D) Currently, there are about 150,000 police officers on duty at any one time. (2) Citizens frequently must use firearms to defend themselves, as evidenced by the following: (A) Every year, more than 2,400,000 people in the United States use a gun to defend themselves against criminals--or more than 6,500 people a day. This means that, each year, firearms are used 60 times more often to protect the lives of honest citizens than to take lives. (B) Of the 2,400,000 self -defense cases, more than 192,000 are by women defending themselves against sexual abuse. (C) Of the 2,400,000 times citizens use their guns to defend themselves every year, 92 percent merely brandish their gun or fire a warning shot to scare off their attackers. Less than 8 percent of the time, does a citizen kill or wound his or her attacker. (3) Law-abiding citizens, seeking only to provide for their families' defense , are routinely prosecuted for brandishing or using a firearm in self - defense . For example: (A) In 1986, Don Bennett of Oak Park, Illinois, was shot at by 2 men who had just stolen $1,200 in cash and jewelry from his suburban Chicago service station. The police arrested Bennett for violating Oak Park's handgun ban. The police never caught the actual criminals. (B) Ronald Biggs, a resident of Goldsboro, North Carolina, was arrested for shooting an intruder in 1990. Four men broke into Biggs' residence one night, ransacked the home and then assaulted him with a baseball bat. When Biggs attempted to escape through the back door, the group chased him and Biggs turned and shot one of the assailants in the stomach. Biggs was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon--a felony. His assailants were charged with misdemeanors. (C) Don Campbell of Port Huron, Michigan, was arrested, jailed, and criminally charged after he shot a criminal assailant in 1991. The thief had broken into Campbell's store and attacked him. The prosecutor plea-bargained with the assailant and planned to use him to testify against Campbell for felonious use of a firearm. Only after intense community pressure did the prosecutor finally drop the charges. (4) The courts have granted immunity from prosecution to police officers who use firearms in the line of duty. Similarly, law-abiding citizens who use firearms to protect themselves, their families, and their homes against violent felons should not be subject to lawsuits by the violent felons who sought to victimize them. SEC. 3. RIGHT TO OBTAIN FIREARMS FOR SECURITY, AND TO USE FIREARMS IN DEFENSE OF SELF , FAMILY, OR HOME; ENFORCEMENT. (a) REAFFIRMATION OF RIGHT- A person not prohibited from receiving a firearm by Section 922(g) of title 18, United States Code, shall have the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms-- (1) in defense of self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury; (2) in defense of self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person's family; and (3) in defense of the person's home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person. (b) FIREARM DEFINED- As used in subsection (a), the term `firearm' means-- (1) a shotgun (as defined in section 921(a)(5) of title 18, United States Code); (2) a rifle (as defined in section 921(a)(7) of title 18, United States Code); or (3) a handgun (as defined in section 10 of Public Law 99-408). (c) ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHT- (1) IN GENERAL- A person whose right under subsection (a) is violated in any manner may bring an action in any United States district court against the United States, any State, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate. (2) AUTHORITY TO AWARD A REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEE- In an action brought under paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs. (3) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS- An action may not be brought under paragraph (1) after the 5-year period that begins with the date the violation described in paragraph (1) is discovered. ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 07:58:37 -0800 Subject: eskrima: 'Skunk' Device To Repulse Rapists STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Smell like a skunk to frighten off sex offenders. That's the aim of an unusual self-defense device a Swedish victims' agency plans to launch in the Nordic countries. The Recoil Protector can be worn around the neck or attached to underwear and broken in case of attack, releasing a powerful liquid that stinks of skunk. "I wish I had had this when I was very near being raped," Irene Holm of Stockholm's Victims' Support Center said Tuesday. "The reaction on people is that they almost go into a state of shock. The smell is so foul." The victim would also feel ill but presumably would prefer this to being raped, she said. The device, originally from Canada and already launched in some countries, is a small glass ampoule containing 0.1 milliliter of so-called skunk oil. It will be sold for 295 crowns ($35.90) in Sweden, Holm said. "The idea is that it will be difficult to continue the attack when it smells so damn bad," she said. Jeff "Stickman" Finder stickman@autobahn.org ------------------------------ From: Drew Zimba Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 08:10:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #104 ******************************************************* And then there are the nanny laws-- If you cannot be allowed to decide for yourself whether to wear a seatbelt or a motorcycle helmet, how on earth can you "allowed" to have the tools with which to defend yourself?!? ******************************************************* My understanding is that local law enforcement agencies have NO legal obligation to defend you. For example: a woman calls 911 to report an intruder in the house... police didn't/couldn't/wouldn't respond... woman is raped... woman has absolutely no legal recourse against the police department! As for helmet/seat-belt laws, these are for generating revenue, not increasing public safety or as, is generally claimed, reducing insurance costs by limiting the severity/number of injuries sustained. Follow... the largest amount of insurance payouts are for illness/death related to poor diet and lack of exercise. If the powers that be were really interested in reducing insurance costs of the masses, then wouldn't they make it illegal to eat poorly and/or not exercise? Try to pass that through our (over-fed, sedentary) congress!! The state is constantly in search of money and bodies. Helmet and seat-belt laws are to generate state revenues and give another reason for police to instigate contact which may (hopefully, in the minds of the legal system) lead to an arrest which will further support the legal/judicial/law enforcement machine. How does this relate to FMA?? If it comes down to it, do what those in the Phillipines did and take the arts underground for as long as is necessary. Drew _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 11:41:52 EST Subject: eskrima: Re: The right of self-defense In a message dated 99-03-11 08:50:09 EST, craftydawg wrote: << Well, the secret is out-- Animal can not have been hit in the head with baseball bats as much as he pretends, and his most cogent commentary is the proof! >> As I said to Jim Hrsulas when he looked at me and said "You're a knife fighter? I don't see no scars" "Knife fighter? Nah...I'm a knifer, I could back up" He sat there for a second with a wistfull look on his face and said "I couldn't. " I laughed "That's why you got more scars than I do" Baby cakes when it comes to blunt force trauma to the head, I was never too proud to duck. Therefore it should make sense that I can still create an articulate sentence. Of course my spelling is still lousey, but that was true even before I got hit. > Speaking as a retired attorney-- Right on! The problem here is often that the solution imposed by the court is violent not only to logic but also to the freedom of the rest of us. Absolutely, drama, flash and deception. Hmmm a verbal WFW? > Government is force, and progress is the increase of human interaction based upon voluntary interaction, calling the expansion of government "progressive" is positively Orwellian. But always remember that government is driven by a funny little blend of ideology, greed and blind stupidity. Furthermore any government is run by the will of the people, maybe a small select group, but it is a representation of what they want. Whether or not it is considered oppressive is determined in how in sync it is with the rest of the populace. Remember until the last, the bulk of the German populace supported Hitler. They thought he was the only one who could save them -- from the very mess that he got them into! Those that want to force everyone into submission to verbal weapons aren't necessarily in the government, but they support a government who behaves in such a manner. It's not so much the government we need to focus on, but to showing the coworker who cringes at the site of you "because you are a violent martial artist" (and who would never dream of participating in physical violence) that we are responsible, self-controlled individuals. Because that is the person who is going to vote for some idiot who will pass a crime prevention bill without taking Lyndon B Johnson's advice of "When considering the passage of a law, we must not only take into account the good it will do if applied correctly, but the damage it will cause if misapplied." I think as martial artists we need to realize that we are representatives of the sane use of force. Years ago I read a great statement that I'm going to try to recreate. It's a little fuzzy (Hey, I never claimed all the brain damage came from impacts) "would you rather that the only people who used violence were the insane, criminal, sociopathic and those who would take from you by force? Or would you rather that there are people like me with scruples and morals who take up the sword to oppose those kind of people?" I think the fundamental flaw of the PC philosophy is that they think that if they talk enough everyone will accept the same definitions and philosophy as themselves. An inherent weakness of PC thinking (other than it is based on a pillar of willful ignorance) is that it relies on a servent class. They expect people to do the dirty jobs they don't want to do, but at the same time have the same way of thinking as themselves. Sorry you cannot have a servent job, with a philosopher/king attitude. It takes a different mindset to be an LEO stepping into a dark tenement hallway where there is tweaker with a gun. Yet somehow, the PCer expects someone else to not only do that job, but then blindly accept the PCer's self-righteous decrees about the inherent evils of using violence to protect self and society. In short, they think they can control and dictate to the forces that they rely on to protect them. If you look at it. Part of the reason these people are so down on martial artists is that such people are not an organization that they can control. What they cannot control they fear. This is why as martial artists we must always remember that we are representatives of the general populace's ability to rationally and reasonably use force. Face it, despite some serious notable exceptions, the average human being really has a better control over violence than alarmists give him credit. How can I say this? Consider what it would be like if for a week, every gun and knife in this country was used. It isn't until you realize what it could be like that we can realize how much self- control people really have. Show those who are afraid, that as martial artists we have more self-control than they do. ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 11:46:39 EST Subject: eskrima: Mugger repellant In a message dated 99-03-11 08:50:09 EST, you write: << "All you have to do to stop a mugging is to look the person firmly in the eyes and speak witha strong voice." On what planet man?!?!! >> From Animal I love the story of the three muggers who foolishly tried to mug my friend who is an Oppengate instructor. He did an alien in reverse. Hand over the top of the head, digging fingers into the eyes of the one guy he caught and with a bug-eyed maniacal laugh said "let's go bowling!" For some reason they ran and left their friend. ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 12:15:50 EST Subject: eskrima: Re: Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #104 Crafty has raised an interesting point, who to win on saturday night. After much delibreation, colourful language and a touch of physical enactment myself and the lads at work have decided on Lewis between rounds 5 and 8. It does have all the ingredients for a tasty encounter though, the speed and conbinations of Holyfield versus the power and athleticism of Lewis, who is not shy of the odd combination himself. At last, a proper heavyweight match up with all the belts. I can't wait! Now, back to FMA ( sorry Ray) Good Luck, KIT ------------------------------ From: Rick Lindquist Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 10:15:35 -0800 Subject: eskrima: Mugging response, and spectrum of violence It seems odd that no one has brought up the method of resisting muggings practiced at the highest levels of the US government; The Shalala System (or is it a style?). Simply lay down, roll into a fetal position, and shriek loudly. Why waste all this time and money on training when this sure fire method works 100% of the time (one time). **** Regarding the most thoughtful and thought provoking comments on violence by Crafty, Animal, Mik, and others: It seems one of the challenges of any society is to have a functioning system of discourse and even disagreement without having that disagreement degenerate into widespread violence which would destroy that society. The general chaos and systematic violence that has eventually accompanied the end of previous cultures comes to mind. Current versions are readily seen in in examples such as Rwanda and Kosovo. These days it does seem that anything goes in terms of political bullying without recognizing that it is indeed a form of violence. As has been stated, if it's not physical violence, then it's not violence. The weird thing about this, it seems to me, is that this viewpoint forces people into disregarding the whole rest of the spectrum, grossly underestimating the danger from these other, more subtle, forms of violence. Sort of a "tunnel vision" phenomenon that never results in anything good, like being sucker punched, or shot by perp #2, or underestimating your opponent, like Rocky's beat up old fighter. Now there is a distinction between physical and non physical violence, but by focusing on only the physical violence as being "bad", and therefore worthy of suppression, it's possible to justify all kinds of actions and social policies aimed towards regulating the population even more. It, unfortunately, does seem to be true that government's job is to "eliminate the competition." Non governmental entities seem to be trying the same approach. Sarah Brady has termed it "forming a socialist society," and has chosen firearms as her current focus, and has taken a regulatory and legislative route. Out of a sense of righteousness, frustration, and self preservation "Interest Groups" have taken single issues to new heights (lows?). Groups such as PETA have deemed it necessary to justify physical and non physical violence as allowable to protect non human species. Doctors are portrayed on "Wanted Posters" as murderers. A common denominator here is a sense of disenfranchisement, of not having any other avenues to effect desired change, and so using whatever means possible to get the desired outcome. I think this is true even (especially?) with those in government who may be truly motivated to "do the right thing" but either have no idea what that is or lack any meaningful tools to do that. Passing yet even more misguided and unenforceable laws sure doesn't seem to work, but it seems like the only tool they have. I guess when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Another aspect is a prominent inability to accept that others may not agree, and to try to pound them flat. Unfortunately, these actions based on unrealistic viewpoints lead to lots of unintended consequences. Sort of like finding out that "all that fancy shit" looks really, really good in stickwork but doesn't work against a determined Kalista with a good forehand, backhand, roofblock and the desire to close (see any of the DB tapes as references). In our society the government legislates, regulates and judiciates more and more unenforceable laws, or makes illegal those things that are already illegal and wonders why the laws don't work (hmmm, must need more!). I would maintain that the good guys are already obeying the laws, even the ones we don't like, and the bad guys don't give a shit. In the civil world more and more lawsuits are used to violently enforce a point of view, and in my opinion, are every bit as dangerous as anything the government does, at least short term. The curve ball here is that I really don't think anything has changed over all these millennia! I think this kind of stuff went on in the past, just now we live in "a new paradigm" and "things are different," or so we think (just like the economy). I'm sorry, I just don't think human nature has changed very much. And unfortunately, as the legal screws are tightened, and as civil authority expands into new areas, and as those who can't afford a lawyer or politician or interest group find "alternative" means, at some point we may find ourselves even farther along in someplace we really don't belong, where very bad things happen to us as a society. So this is my analysis of at least part of the problem. What are the answers? I think not getting blindsided is a good place to start. And at least not rolling over and shrieking (although I feel that way myself at times) is another good place to start. Also, I really do think individuals, and groups of individuals can be forces for positive change. I have found that people are capable of truly alternative forms of functioning together, that there is a "higher nature," although it takes work to find and develop it on a day to day basis. Regards, Rick Lindquist - --------------4E9FE82ADFB6D6A4EC4CFEF2 Content-Type: text/html; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit [100 lines deleted. Do not send HTML to the list, especially double posts.] ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 10:28:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: eskrima: back to FMA Come on folks. Get back to FMA... Ray Terry raymail@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com ------------------------------ From: Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 10:30:48 -0800 (PST) Subject: eskrima: . ------------------------------ End of Inayan_Eskrima/FMA-Digest V6 #105 **************************************** To unsubscribe from this digest, eskrima-digest, send the command: unsubscribe eskrima-digest -or- unsubscribe eskrima-digest your.old@address in the BODY of email (top line, left justified) addressed to majordomo@hpwsrt.cup.hp.com. Old digest issues are available via ftp://ftp.martialartsresource.com, directory pub/eskrima/digests. All digest files have the suffix '.txt' Copyright 1994-99: Ray Terry, Inayan System of Eskrima, Martial Arts Resource Standard disclaimers apply.