Martial Arts Police – Part Two
I think anyone who read my initial essay titled "Martial Arts Police," will agree I was civil, and certainly showed a lot of decorum. However, this morning I had too much free time on my hands, which led me to over-think/over-analyze the situation. Most likely more so than this topic deserves.
Maybe "The Martial Arts Police" have gotten under my skin because I was police officer. Or maybe its just the absurdity of someone or some group feeling they have—or at least fronting as if they actually have—some authority to investigate such matters that really irks me now.
Read their follow up letter to the response I sent them:
Exercise my right not to participate? Give up my rights if I choose to talk? What the hell are you talking about? Who the hell gives you the authority to tell me or anyone else what our rights are?
You don’t even sign your name. Coward! At least I’m not hiding in the shadows.
What’s next, subpoenas, background checks, dispositions from witnesses, and a trial? Oh I forgot I’ve already been put on trial and lost. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I guess that doesn’t matter on the Internet.
I rarely loose my temper when dealing with things like this, but the self-righteous, self-serving, and self-indulgent stuff people think they can freely exercise on the Internet is getting to be too much. I'm sure they think they are being witty and tongue-in-cheek by being the "police", but really they just come off as smug.
At some point people are going to have to say “enough already.” I guess I’ve reached that point.
People can talk about me all they want since I really don’t care. Few, if any, who make comments on the Internet know me, have seen me in action, or met me face to face to discuss these matters. Their opinion of me is meaningless. Furthermore, I truly believe many of these individuals who express themselves would be far more gracious talking with me face to face than they are over the net. The Internet allows people to let their rude and obnoxious side prevail.
However, publicly making accusations is another matter. State your belief or opinion that’s fine, but don’t accuse me of criminal conduct. Have you never heard of libel?
Back to the so-called “Martial Arts Police.”
First off, who are you, and what are your qualifications to be involved? How does this issue affect you? What training do you have that compels you to believe you have the investigative abilities to examine anything? You claim to be “The Martial Arts Police,” but you have no web site, and present nothing that indicates you the slightest authority and/or expertise to assert such a claim.
You attempt to come off as a disinterested third party, yet you use inflammatory language: claiming I’ve been charged with a crime, giving a case reference number, as if there is an actual case file, and explaing issues of my rights, to bait me into reacting. That is a trap I’ve apparently fallen for, at least to some degree (at least here on my blog I dictate what’s said).
More importantly, if anyone is committing fraud it is people like you, who pretend to have authority when they don’t. You are not peace officers. You have absolutely no authority except in your own mind.
So lets take a minute to educate the public on what the word “police” means. The word “Police” defined
Now I may be wrong (I’m not), but there is no, nor has there ever been a governmental body in charge of martial arts. Yes, there are associations, but these associations are not run by the government on any local, state or federal level.
Now, I cannot form a private police force to protect and police my neighborhood. That’s normally referred to as vigilantism. I also cannot pose or pretend to be a police officer, which happens to be a crime.
Secondly, as far as I am aware, there are no laws regulating martial art schools, and their curriculum. Some states have discussed legislation to license schools, but as far as I’m aware this has not happened yet. Mainly, this is because lawmakers haven’t figured out what parameters they would use when determining to license a school or not.
Third, I am unaware of any laws, patents, copyrights, or any other limits related to specific martial art techniques, theories, principles, etc. In fact, I would think trying to claim sole ownership of anything related to the martial arts would be improbable.
Simply stated, there are only so many ways the body can be attacked and used as a weapon. Most of these skills were already employed way back in history, when fighting hand-to-hand was the norm, not the exception.
Anyone claiming to have discovered something new, or revolutionary is just delusional.
Lastly, in order to “charge” one of committing a crime, as the Martial Arts Police asserted I have been, there needs to be a law, and sufficient evidence to indicate a crime was committed under that statue. That means those making the charge must be able to show a criminal act, and an intent to commit a criminal act. They must also have a victim of the crime.
First of all, there are NO MARTIAL ART LAWS!!!!!!! (Except those laws regulated to weaponry possession and usage.)
So far no victim has come forward. In this case, the victim would be Don Angier, he hasn’t said a word. I’m almost certain he wouldn’t care. His biggest complaint most likely would be how much I still don’t understand, and all the stuff that may be inaccurate.
The charge against me is “stealing.” What did I steal? I was given the information freely and with no restrictions for it’s further use. In fact, I was encouraged to explore it further, and make my own conclusions. That came from Mr. Angier himself (It should be noted he told everybody in the room that, not just me).
The fact that I rustled a few feathers by bringing this information to the public's attention before others—who I acknowledge may be better suited to do so—isn’t a crime either.
Furthermore, I gave credit where credit was due. I never said all the information I wrote was something I concocted out of thin air, or was given to me by some mysterious Tengu. I clearly admitted, conceded the fact that I don’t know everything. I also clearly stated that I’ve have been fortunate to studied with people who do, and they have helped me arrive at the conclusions I presented.
Lastly, and this pertains more to civil litigation than criminal, has anybody lost anything of value and have I profited from sharing the information?
The answer is no and no.
Mr. Angier freely and willing shares the information I wrote about with anyone who attends his seminars. Those who choose to use it, and explore it more in depth are free to do so. I’m sure that some of his ex-students teach these things whether or not those individuals have his blessing to teach his art. Clearly, they have profited more than I, which I agree they should.
The fact that I feel some of his principles, or terminology, are more important than others I use, past or present, is based on my respect for the man and his knowledge. I’ve said this time and time again, but since I’m on trail let me repeat: Mr. Angier has helped me tremendously in exploring my art, refining my art, and searching for the science that makes the techniques within my art work. With that said, it shouldn’t be surprising that if he places an emphasis on a principle, then so would I.
On the other hand, anyone who thinks I derived the information I presented from one source, especially from a few seminars where the topics are briefly discussed is crazy. I started looking into these things long before I knew Mr. Angier existed, and I’ll most likely be adding to my knowledge long after he is dead.
As for profiting from it, what have I gained? Besides being a better practitioner, and a better teacher, I’ve gained nothing. No one is calling me to do seminars now that they’ve read this stuff. I’m not making videos, nor are publishers offering me deals to write books.
The whole point of this rant, and I admit it is a rant, is that it all of these discussions are a waste of time. Who really cares, expect the few people who obviously have nothing better to do in life than surf the net and stir up controversy?
Yes, there are those who say my story and others like them affect the integrity of the martial arts in general (I won’t argue that assertion), but there are so many more, bigger fish to fry than me.
In addition, who has the right, or the credentials to question anyone’s legitimacy, especially when they start making criminal assertions? Just because you have a famous teacher, or a pedigree doesn’t make you or the art you practice any better than anyone else.
Maybe "The Martial Arts Police" have gotten under my skin because I was police officer. Or maybe its just the absurdity of someone or some group feeling they have—or at least fronting as if they actually have—some authority to investigate such matters that really irks me now.
Read their follow up letter to the response I sent them:
“Sir,
Thank you for your timely response.
Of course, you are free to exercise your right not to participate in the forum discussions.
Should you give up this right, you may register and respond on eBudo or other forums.
Your case reference number is USA-070301-002. Please keep this safe and quote this in any future correspondence.
Sincerely,
The Martial Arts Police (Koryu Division)”
martialartspolice@googlemail.com
Exercise my right not to participate? Give up my rights if I choose to talk? What the hell are you talking about? Who the hell gives you the authority to tell me or anyone else what our rights are?
You don’t even sign your name. Coward! At least I’m not hiding in the shadows.
What’s next, subpoenas, background checks, dispositions from witnesses, and a trial? Oh I forgot I’ve already been put on trial and lost. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? I guess that doesn’t matter on the Internet.
I rarely loose my temper when dealing with things like this, but the self-righteous, self-serving, and self-indulgent stuff people think they can freely exercise on the Internet is getting to be too much. I'm sure they think they are being witty and tongue-in-cheek by being the "police", but really they just come off as smug.
At some point people are going to have to say “enough already.” I guess I’ve reached that point.
People can talk about me all they want since I really don’t care. Few, if any, who make comments on the Internet know me, have seen me in action, or met me face to face to discuss these matters. Their opinion of me is meaningless. Furthermore, I truly believe many of these individuals who express themselves would be far more gracious talking with me face to face than they are over the net. The Internet allows people to let their rude and obnoxious side prevail.
However, publicly making accusations is another matter. State your belief or opinion that’s fine, but don’t accuse me of criminal conduct. Have you never heard of libel?
Back to the so-called “Martial Arts Police.”
First off, who are you, and what are your qualifications to be involved? How does this issue affect you? What training do you have that compels you to believe you have the investigative abilities to examine anything? You claim to be “The Martial Arts Police,” but you have no web site, and present nothing that indicates you the slightest authority and/or expertise to assert such a claim.
You attempt to come off as a disinterested third party, yet you use inflammatory language: claiming I’ve been charged with a crime, giving a case reference number, as if there is an actual case file, and explaing issues of my rights, to bait me into reacting. That is a trap I’ve apparently fallen for, at least to some degree (at least here on my blog I dictate what’s said).
More importantly, if anyone is committing fraud it is people like you, who pretend to have authority when they don’t. You are not peace officers. You have absolutely no authority except in your own mind.
So lets take a minute to educate the public on what the word “police” means. The word “Police” defined
po·lice (p…-l¶s“) n., pl. police. 1. The governmental department charged with the regulation and control of the affairs of a community, now chiefly the department established to maintain order, enforce the law, and prevent and detect crime. 2.a. A body of persons making up such a department, trained in methods of law enforcement and crime prevention and detection and given the authority to maintain the peace, safety, and order of the community. b. A body of persons having similar organization and function. 3. (used with a pl. verb). Police officers considered as a group. 4. Regulation and control of the affairs of a community, especially with respect to maintenance of order, law, health, morals, safety, and other matters affecting the public welfare. 5.a. The cleaning of a military base or other military area. b. The soldier or soldiers assigned to a specified maintenance duty. --attributive. 1. Often used to modify another noun. --po·lice tr.v. po·liced, po·lic·ing, po·lic·es. 1. To regulate, control, or keep in order with or as if with a law enforcement agency. 2. To make (a military area, for example) neat in appearance. --po·lice“a·ble adj. --po·lic“er n.
Now I may be wrong (I’m not), but there is no, nor has there ever been a governmental body in charge of martial arts. Yes, there are associations, but these associations are not run by the government on any local, state or federal level.
Now, I cannot form a private police force to protect and police my neighborhood. That’s normally referred to as vigilantism. I also cannot pose or pretend to be a police officer, which happens to be a crime.
Secondly, as far as I am aware, there are no laws regulating martial art schools, and their curriculum. Some states have discussed legislation to license schools, but as far as I’m aware this has not happened yet. Mainly, this is because lawmakers haven’t figured out what parameters they would use when determining to license a school or not.
Third, I am unaware of any laws, patents, copyrights, or any other limits related to specific martial art techniques, theories, principles, etc. In fact, I would think trying to claim sole ownership of anything related to the martial arts would be improbable.
Simply stated, there are only so many ways the body can be attacked and used as a weapon. Most of these skills were already employed way back in history, when fighting hand-to-hand was the norm, not the exception.
Anyone claiming to have discovered something new, or revolutionary is just delusional.
Lastly, in order to “charge” one of committing a crime, as the Martial Arts Police asserted I have been, there needs to be a law, and sufficient evidence to indicate a crime was committed under that statue. That means those making the charge must be able to show a criminal act, and an intent to commit a criminal act. They must also have a victim of the crime.
First of all, there are NO MARTIAL ART LAWS!!!!!!! (Except those laws regulated to weaponry possession and usage.)
So far no victim has come forward. In this case, the victim would be Don Angier, he hasn’t said a word. I’m almost certain he wouldn’t care. His biggest complaint most likely would be how much I still don’t understand, and all the stuff that may be inaccurate.
The charge against me is “stealing.” What did I steal? I was given the information freely and with no restrictions for it’s further use. In fact, I was encouraged to explore it further, and make my own conclusions. That came from Mr. Angier himself (It should be noted he told everybody in the room that, not just me).
The fact that I rustled a few feathers by bringing this information to the public's attention before others—who I acknowledge may be better suited to do so—isn’t a crime either.
Furthermore, I gave credit where credit was due. I never said all the information I wrote was something I concocted out of thin air, or was given to me by some mysterious Tengu. I clearly admitted, conceded the fact that I don’t know everything. I also clearly stated that I’ve have been fortunate to studied with people who do, and they have helped me arrive at the conclusions I presented.
Lastly, and this pertains more to civil litigation than criminal, has anybody lost anything of value and have I profited from sharing the information?
The answer is no and no.
Mr. Angier freely and willing shares the information I wrote about with anyone who attends his seminars. Those who choose to use it, and explore it more in depth are free to do so. I’m sure that some of his ex-students teach these things whether or not those individuals have his blessing to teach his art. Clearly, they have profited more than I, which I agree they should.
The fact that I feel some of his principles, or terminology, are more important than others I use, past or present, is based on my respect for the man and his knowledge. I’ve said this time and time again, but since I’m on trail let me repeat: Mr. Angier has helped me tremendously in exploring my art, refining my art, and searching for the science that makes the techniques within my art work. With that said, it shouldn’t be surprising that if he places an emphasis on a principle, then so would I.
On the other hand, anyone who thinks I derived the information I presented from one source, especially from a few seminars where the topics are briefly discussed is crazy. I started looking into these things long before I knew Mr. Angier existed, and I’ll most likely be adding to my knowledge long after he is dead.
As for profiting from it, what have I gained? Besides being a better practitioner, and a better teacher, I’ve gained nothing. No one is calling me to do seminars now that they’ve read this stuff. I’m not making videos, nor are publishers offering me deals to write books.
The whole point of this rant, and I admit it is a rant, is that it all of these discussions are a waste of time. Who really cares, expect the few people who obviously have nothing better to do in life than surf the net and stir up controversy?
Yes, there are those who say my story and others like them affect the integrity of the martial arts in general (I won’t argue that assertion), but there are so many more, bigger fish to fry than me.
In addition, who has the right, or the credentials to question anyone’s legitimacy, especially when they start making criminal assertions? Just because you have a famous teacher, or a pedigree doesn’t make you or the art you practice any better than anyone else.
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