A few last thoughts before this Forum goes into the Archives -
The very few of you who bleat the loudest about "hero worship" and "thin skin" and so on are - in my honest opinion - the worst violators of the same. "BP" in particular offered nothing to any discussion on the Forum that wasn't tainted with his narrow-minded, emotional, view of the world to include attacking any view, opinion, or commentary that he elected to take exception to. When offered the opportunity to readress issues and not people via a quieter tone and manner he proved incapable of doing so, to include his postings on this thread. It's the Few like "BP" who make cyber discussions of any merit a trial and tribulation, and in the end turn something meant to be fun, interesting, and perhaps an exercise in growth little more than a **** sandwich.
Further, I don't stand in awe of military or LE credentials and certainly don't expect anyone to do the same with regards to me. Hang your "been there - done that" t-shirts in the closet and be who and what you are NOW. As Brian put so well, if you're not training, listening, teaching, learning, and growing on your own - and by doing so helping, encouraging, and bringing others up with you - then you're just a bystander with an opinion. When I created and edited Full Contact Magazine I went out on the mat from the first issue on, and that was what made the difference between FC and "the rest" of the martial arts publications put out on the stands. Talk the talk, walk the walk. But do so carefully and with respect.
"Blues" lambasted this poor old moderator without the benefit of checking with his peers to see "what's up?" before doing so. Oh what strident objections and near religious anger! Then comes the whining and the rationalization ("I vass only following zee Forum's orders.."). Like "BP", Blues takes his world a tad too seriously for me. This is CYBER VOID, fellas. Ain't no paychecks here. Best Old Spark can do for anyone involved is offer a really neat T-Shirt to wear around the yard on Saturdays while taking care of those "honey-dos". As with too many ego-tripping self-absorbed keyboard commandos you've forgotten the Forum, specifically "Battle Blades", was for THE PEOPLE and not for your personal enjoyment of mental masturbation in front a color screen.
Hey, there comes a time when one calls it like they see it, and I'm just sharing with the good folks who count out there - some of whom have posted their displeasure with how this all came down (and I thank ye very much, guys) and whose postings have caused toads in the road like "BP", and "Blues", and Leo D. to quiver and shake about how they've been "misunderstood".
Suck it up, lads. You screwed up and have been called on it. Welcome to the world of FK/FC editorial comment, courtesy of someone who has done his own work and continues to do so. As my good friend and much accomplished artist, writer, author, video producer, father, knife maker, knife designer, and teacher/instructor Datu Kelly Worden says (and I paraphrase), "What have 'they' done who talk so much **** about us? What have they contributed? Where are their books, articles, videos, seminars, classes, students, accomplishments? Who have they trained and lost to battle? Whose accomplishments do they suck off of to make themselves look better than they are - then they ever will be? Do they do more than whine, point fingers, talk behind our backs? No, they don't!"
Chris C. left this Forum because he's a goer and doer, not a sideline commentator and would-be, wanna-be "master" of the cybervoid. Chris teaches real deal folks and has earned his knowledge and experience first hand. He, like me, doesn't care if a small, vocal, simpering little group of trolls throw bitch fits in space. We, and our brothers, walk in the sunlight and feel the heat of the real world. When I see you in class, on the mat, on the range, with sweat coming down off your brow and bruises on your arms, and cuts on your knees, and a bit of well earned pain in your eyes...and your hard earned money paid out for the lessons being shared so you can grow and become a master student of whatever art you are engaged in, then I'll listen to what you have to say with respect and due honor.
Otherwise, you're kidding yourselves.
For the better men and women who contributed to "Battle Blades" you have my sincere thanks. You did so in a positive manner, with honor, with honest intentions, with a desire to become better in some way. You stretched, you opened your minds and hearts, you absorbed, chose, accepted, and put away that which didn't meet your needs quietly like Professionals must do. You DON'T NEED CYBER FORUMS AND CHAT ROOMS to grow and strengthen yourselves. You only need your hearts, minds, and a belief that every day brings us an opportunity to make headway, in some way, toward our goals and objectives. Continue to question, to train, to study, to share, to bring others up with you, to mature and become seasoned. Learn to recognize the difference between "blow hards" and "GO HARDS". Say what you mean, and mean what you say.
And be safe, protect yourselves and your loved ones.
A free key strike doesn't earn anyone the right to engage me privately. Nor does it you. For those of you wonderful people out there on the path to Truth, your Truth, walk tall. For those who need a life, seek one...
'Nuff said.
PSS: Cray, you and the others who contributed so much to the Forum are the BEST! Other good friends met here include Rob S., Mick & the Crew, M. Fuller, Spark, Rob H., Brian the Beheader, Vess, and a host of others (you know who you are
). Train hard, train safe, walk tall, look out for others than just yourselves, offer quality products, knowledge, and concern. You guys and gals don't need anything other than what you already have. Just fine tune it, hone it, grow it, make it SING when you need it.
'Cause it ain't nothin' but a thing, baby
