I Guess My Last Word On the Matter
You gentlemen make some valid points. I understand I am coming in late in the argument and probably do not have a complete picture of the situation. I know there are nuts and bullies out there that only respond to the iron fist. However, pre-meditated mayhem, is dangerous and against the law. If someone gets seriously injured it will not matter if it was a consensual altercation. Someone could end up maimed or killed. See the link to the Japanese MA in this thread that allowed his ego to destroy the lives of two families and damaged innumerable students not to mention spending most of the rest of his life in prison. I worked for the Calif. Dept. of Corrections for 10 years. The prisons are full of people that let their passions cloud their judgment.
If these two want to get it on; then they should both enter sanctioned competitions. Whether it is a local tournament or or the Ultimate Fighting type competitions. If they want to prove their arts and their manhood, these would be the appropriate and legally sanctioned means. Regardless of the history of unsanctioned challenge matches in the MA, it is not the wisest manner to resolve conflict. If these two want to prove their toughness and manhood they should join the Special Forces where they will have a opportunity to actually kill someone and prove how tough and manly they really are. I know people that have killed and injured people in the course of their jobs and in self-defense. The consequences are seldom worth the trouble their actions caused, regardless of how legal and justifiable their actions were.
I have tried to be gentle, but both these gentlemen are a couple of “wannabes” and they will continue to be “wannabes’ until they grow up, which does not appear likely to occur. It takes character to be a real man not self-centered, ego driven machismo. This is an argument of words and opinion not some nut who poses an immediate danger. That makes their actions premeditated and the consequences of making the wrong decision greater. They are risking personal injury, their own reputations, the reputations of their arts and the reputation of the MA in general. If they have families they are risking the trauma of the loss or injury of a father, son, or brother and/or the expense, embarrassment and trauma of trial and prison for one or both of them, all for the defense of little egos. This is not some profound cause they are fighting for. It cannot be reasonably justified morally, ethically or legally.
I have attempted to interject some reason into the situation. I hope the best for Reemul and Willow Sword. I hope no one gets seriously injured and the loser does not decide to press criminal charges or come back with a bigger gun. I also hope these two come to their senses and behave like responsible adults. I hope they quit thinking only about themselves and consider the poor example they are setting for younger members of the MA and possibly their own children..
Sincerely,
Scott
Hopefully My Last Comments
Mr. Willow,
I appreciate that you recognized my attempt to shame you and Reemul into thinking more clearly about your attitudes. I recognize it appears I have sunk to a lower level. Sometimes when reason cannot prevail, shaming someone will. It is clear my attempt has failed. I have never made the claim to perfection although I appreciate the high esteem you seem to consider I deserve. I am aware that my attempts to counsel temperance would most likely be ignored. My
Scott