HongKongFooey

Here is what HobbitBob was talking about, Ad. What makes you think you deserve it? The fact that you stated that you WILL be obtaining your BB next march, kind of sits uneasy with me. Did your instructor promise you this rank, or are you just trying to keep a positive attitude? HKF

short form 1

Does anyone carry any type of knife or self defense device such as pepper spray or a kubaton? I usually carry a folding knife and sometimes a ASP baton. We have a lot of dunderheads in Baltimore, so I never leave my home without some kind of protection. What about you?

Good question, Draven. I would think that is a hard question to answer, though. People seem to worship Bruce like he is a martial arts god, so getting a truthful answer may be difficult. None wants to tarnish the image they have of him by admitting he had to take any type of medication to obtain sleep. Just look at his death and the conspiracy theories that came to be because of it. Fans couldn't accept the fact that he died of an allergic reaction to an over the counter medication, so they had to fabricate death matches, assassination plots and other bogus scenerios. The man was just human, so yes, he could have taken a sleep medication.

Try this web link. http://www.allbrucelee.com/article/mystery_of_bruce_lee.htm

I think too many people are uniformed about the traditional martial arts to make an assumption about them. It has been my experience that the people who sound off the loudest about traditional arts, are the people who have NEVER practiced those arts. There information is second or third hand. The bash what they don't understand because their teachers or instructors do so. Their opinions are formed by events like the UFC and other events that enlist PROFESSIONAL fighters who compete for money and to entertain viewers. Too many times in forums like this one there are pissing matches between posters over style effectiveness. Grapplers claim that strikers can't fight because they saw so and so lose to so and so on in the UFC, or their system is worthless because they don't address ground work as effectivly as BJJ schools. Strikers claim that grapplers can't touch them because they will kick them in the head when they shoot in. In all reality, who really gives a rat's *? Not all that trian in BJJ/MMA can take out a good striker. The same goes for strikers, not all strikers can floor a BJJer or MMAer. Besides, this kind of attitude can get you killed. I can't think of anything more pathetic than being shot or stabbed by some idiot in a bar, over a few words. Boo Hoo, people are mean. Deal with it. I don't care what Royce Gracie or Cung Le, did to their opponets, the average MA will never obtain the skill of those guys. They are professionals, and their training is their means of support. They also possess natural talent and a fighting spirit that most people do not. Lets be realistic here, the average MA will not be able to perform at the level of the Gracies, regardless of what discipline of MA's they partake in. Could they defend against average Joe Blow, sure, but if they step up against a pro they will get creamed, and that includes the grapplers. I guess what I am trying to say is this......practice what YOU enjoy, and become good at it. You don't have anything to prove to anyone but yourself. Self defense can be and is learned from TMA's and from more modern arts. It's time to put away the egos and grow up a bit. People practice MA's for many different reasons, and for me fighting isn't as important as I grow older. Now stepping off soap box. HKF

Ed Parker.

What is everyone's opinion on YMCA Martial Arts programs? No contracts and low fees seem like a good way to go, as long as the instruction is good. Any thoughs?

So, does your comment also include MMA'ers, who constantly put down every other style that they don't do? I hope it does. I for one am tired of the pissing contests, that seem to go on forever. We should try to learn from each other for a change.

Weapon, American Kenpo is a self defense based system. You will learn effective self defense from white belt up to 3rd black, and it doesn't take three years to be able to execute it. I f you do decide to join, be prepared to work on your basics and lots of self defense practice. There is also contact in many Kenpo schools. It usually starts light, then becomes harder as you progress. The way that the self defense is layed out is pretty cool. In the belt ranks you will learn defenses against, punches, grabs, kicks, pushes and shoves, joint locks, tackles, headlocks, weapons, etc... The best way for you to find out is to watch a few classes and the participate in a few before you sign up. ASK QUESTIONS!! LOTS OF QUESTIONS! Try this link. https://www.pcwood.com