Friday, April 27, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Man fatally shoots robbery suspect
CLEVELAND (AP) — A man who has a permit to carry a concealed gun shot and killed one of two teenage robbery suspects he encountered on his front porch, police said.
City prosecutors decided Monday that the 25-year-old Cleveland man was justified and would not be charged in the shooting Saturday night of 15-year-old Arthur Buford, a freshman at John F. Kennedy High School.
Buford and another teen approached the man on his porch and one of the youths pulled a gun, prompting the resident to pull his gun and shoot Buford several times in the chest, police said.
Police took a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson from the man as evidence, according to a police report.
Toby Hoover, director of the Toledo-based Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, said she had not heard of any other fatal shooting involving someone who has a permit to carry a concealed gun under the state’s 3-year-old law.
About 30 youths gathered Monday at the intersection where Buford died and set up a memorial. His cousin, Tameka Foster, 21, questioned the decision against prosecuting the shooter.
“They let that man run out freely,” Foster said. “My cousin is dead.”
Buford’s alleged accomplice fled after and shooting and has not been caught. Police believe a .38-caliber handgun they found in the mail chute of a nearby house belonged to Buford or the other suspect, Lt. Thomas Stacho said.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Do you belive in your muscles? You are mistaken
It is video of one fighting
club. Still there are people who trust, that muscles this main thing. It is a mistake. The main thing is fighting spiritFriday, April 20, 2007
A culture of self-defense
There's no polite way or time to say it: American colleges and universities have become coddle industries. Big Nanny administrators oversee speech codes, segregated dorms, politically correct academic departments and designated "safe spaces" to protect students selectively from hurtful (conservative) opinions – while allowing mob rule for approved leftist positions (textbook case: Columbia University's anti-Minuteman Project protesters).
Instead of teaching students to defend their beliefs, American educators shield them from vigorous intellectual debate. Instead of encouraging autonomy, our higher institutions of learning stoke passivity and conflict-avoidance.
And as the erosion of intellectual self-defense goes, so goes the erosion of physical self-defense.
Yesterday morning, as news was breaking about the carnage at Virginia Tech, a reader e-mailed me a news story from last January. State legislators in Virginia had attempted to pass a bill that would have eased handgun restrictions on college campuses. Opposed by outspoken, anti-gun activists and Virginia Tech administrators, that bill failed.
Is it too early to ask: "What if?" What if that bill had passed? What if just one student in one of those classrooms had been in lawful possession of a concealed weapon for the purpose of self-defense?
If it wasn't too early for Keystone Katie Couric to be jumping all over campus security yesterday for what they woulda/coulda/shoulda done in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, and if it isn't too early for The New York Times editorial board to be publishing its knee-jerk call for more gun control, it darned well isn't too early for me to raise questions about how the unrepentant anti-gun lobbying of college officials may have put students at risk.
The back story: Virginia Tech had punished a student for bringing a handgun to class last spring — despite the fact that the student had a valid concealed handgun permit. The bill would have barred public universities from making "rules or regulations limiting or abridging the ability of a student who possesses a valid concealed handgun permit . . . from lawfully carrying a concealed handgun." After the proposal died in subcommittee, the school's governing board reiterated its ban on students or employees carrying guns and prohibiting visitors from bringing them into campus buildings.
Late last summer, a shooting near campus prompted students to clamor again for loosening campus rules against armed self-defense.
Virginia Tech officials turned up their noses. In response to student Bradford Wiles's campus newspaper op-ed piece in support of concealed carry on campus, Virginia Tech Associate Vice President Larry Hincker scoffed:
"[I]t is absolutely mind-boggling to see the opinions of Bradford Wiles. . . . The editors of this page must have printed this commentary if for no other reason than malicious compliance. Surely, they scratched their heads saying, 'I can't believe he really wants to say that.' Wiles tells us that he didn't feel safe with the hundreds of highly trained officers armed with high powered rifles encircling the building and protecting him. He even implies that he needed his sidearm to protect himself . . ."
The nerve!
Hincker continued: "The writer would have us believe that a university campus, with tens of thousands of young people, is safer with everyone packing heat. Imagine the continual fear of students in that scenario. We've seen that fear here, and we don't want to see it again. . . . Guns don't belong in classrooms. They never will. Virginia Tech has a very sound policy preventing same."
Who's scratching his head now, Mr. Hincker?
Some high-handed commentators insist it's premature or unseemly to examine the impact of school rules discouraging students from carrying arms on campus. Pundit Andrew Sullivan complained that it was "creepy" to highlight reader e-mails calling attention to Virginia Tech's restrictions on student self-defense — even as the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence rushed to capitalize on the massacre to sign up new members and gather e-mail addresses for Million Mom March chapters. "We are outraged by the increase in gun violence in America, especially the recent shooting at Virginia Tech," reads the online petition. "Add your name to the growing list of people who are saying: 'Enough Is Enough!'"
Enough is enough, indeed. Enough of intellectual disarmament. Enough of physical disarmament. You want a safer campus? It begins with renewing a culture of self-defense — mind, spirit and body. It begins with two words: Fight back.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Do You have the Reasons to try Martial Arts? Here is it
Just about everyone knows about the popular martial arts, such as Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu and Tai Chi...some people have even thought about trying out a class. Bt have you ever actually done it? Do you need a reason?
Just about everyone has thought about taking up a martial art at some point in time. Maybe as another way to stay in shape. Possibly as a means to protect yourself from the school bully. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of reasons why people choose to take up an art, but I want to take a second to outline what I feel are the most important reasons to at least try a martial art. Maybe it's for yourself, maybe it's for your children...whatever the reason, all martial arts contain a unique wealth of knowledge and discipline that you simply can't get anywhere else. My hope is that this article will inspire you to get out of your chair and into a school to see what martial arts is all about.
Self Confidence
As you train in martial arts, you will notice a lot if improvements, such as your physique, balance, awareness, flexibility, and many other physical and mental characteristics. Martial Arts will teach you how to combine these capabilities and use them to succeed in competitions, attaining higher belts, building friendships and protecting yourself if necessary. The more you can do, the more confident you will be.
Self Defense
One of the most common reasons to study martial arts is to learn how to defend one’s self. A number of schools may dedicate class time and/or offer a scheduled class that strictly goes over self defense tactics. Also, depending on the MA style or school, self defense can be a large part of the curriculum, which can be beneficial to those interested in "applicable arts" (arts you can use in everyday life) as opposed to "traditional arts".
Self Discipline
Webster defines self-discipline as the “correction or regulation of oneself for the sake of improvement”. Whether it be trying to make a high school team or meeting company deadlines, once you learn the focus necessary to succeed in Martial Arts you can apply it to the rest of your life. Success is mental, and Martial Arts will teach you the self discipline necessary to succeed at anything you put your mind to.
Coordination
Martial arts does require a lot of hand, foot, eye, and mental coordination, but all of this is developed over time. If you consider yourself as an uncoordinated person, training in the martial arts will help you grow those skills. You’ll be amazed what your body is capable of doing! Even if you are a natural athlete, standing on one foot, while kicking with the other, and blocking with your hands is quite difficult and involves coordination.
Fitness
Martial Arts does not have to focus only on fighting or self defense as some styles are based more on fitness. Tae Bo and Tai Chi are two examples of this. However, those with an interest in the fighting & self-defense aspects of Martial arts will find their fitness levels quicly increasing as training not only develops various muscle groups, but flexibility and balance as well. One's level of fitness can be just as important in winning a match as one's skills and abilities.
Family Enjoyment
Most people don't know that this is an excellent way to spend time together with your family! Some martial art schools allow families to train together and others separate classes by age groups. Regardless of how classes are segregated, families find themselves enjoying the time spent together. It is not unheard of having a family all test together for various ranks and black belts.
Meet New People - Martial Arts is for everyone...
Many martial art schools structure their classes into three age groups: Kids – usually ranging from about 5 to 11 years old, Teens – 12 to about 16 or 17, and Adults – usually starts at 18, but some schools make exceptions when necessary. Some schools also offer a “Little Dragons” program geared towards the 4 – 6 year old crowd. Age groups are then broken down into belt ranks allowing you to train with people that are relatively of equal skills and age. Often times people who begin martial arts together will develop a bonding friendship and even obtainin their black belts at the same time because they pushed one another during their tuff times.
Remember that there are thousands of martial art styles. Chances are there is a style and a school perfect for you no matter what your reasons are for trying it out. If you're interested in finding one near you, visit http://www.experiencemartialarts.com. You'll find more information about martial arts as well as a list of schools in your area.
Javier Lozano, Jr. has been training in the martial arts for over 15 years and is currently a 2nd degree black belt. In 2000, he was ranked as the #1 sport karate athlete in his division by NASKA.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
7 Tips to Defence yourself
Most people are incredibly unprepared when it comes to keeping their family and friends safe. But according to martial arts and self-defense expert, Chris "Lt. X" Pizzo, even if you have limited training, you can still protect your loved ones like a celebrity bodyguard.
"The first thing people need to remember is that in the street, any attack is a direct threat to your life," said Pizzo. "At the bare minimum, at least that will help change people's reality when it comes to the mindset of legitimate self-defense. Once they have that taken care of, they can move on to other steps that require a bit more effort."
Therefore, Lieutenant X recommends the following when it comes to protecting yourself and your own Entourage (or family) in the mean streets of reality:
1) "Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Never lead your group into any area where there might even be a possibility of conflict ... Seedy neighborhoods, back alleys, rowdy European soccer games, etc. This might seem like common sense to many, but police reports tell a different story."
2) "Always move with a purpose. There is a reason criminals prey on those who look lost, confused, or sleepy. Move to and from places with intent when out with your friends and family. If on vacation, do the whole 'tourist gaze' thing ONLY in public places that were designed specifically to do so such as museums, historical buildings, tours, etc."
3) "Have an emergency preparedness plan for self-defense situations. Professional bodyguards and private security teams all make sure their clients know EXACTLY what to do, and where to go for when things go bad. You most likely have a fire drill for your family, why not a self-defense plan?"
4) "Get in the damn car. Your vehicle is the ultimate weapon. Get a ton of steel in between your entourage and your attackers and its all over. Heck, you can even run the threat over during your escape. There's a reason why Secret Service agents are trained to go for a car extraction first, even before drawing their own weapons."
5) "The forward drive. Regardless if the attack comes from one person or an entire gang, there is still only one of you. Pick your target and start the forward drive leveling anything in your path. This will not only decimate your front target, but will also ensnare the remainder of the threats into following you."
6) "Gross motor movements. Jabs, crosses, arm bars and takedowns are all fine for the ring but will get you and those you're trying to protect killed in the street. Big, fast, thoughtless movement such as edge of hand strikes, whip kicks, driving knees, gouging, etc. are what will open up opportunities of escape or put your attacker down. Remember, combat sports like boxing, judo, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, MMA, etc. are not self-defense."
7) "Run you silly sod. Everybody out of harm's way? Good, now RUN. The stupidest thing you could do when trying to protect others is get yourself all tied up. If there's ever the option to hot-foot it out of there, take it. There are people depending on you, and your own ego is not nearly as important as their safety. If you want to 'fight' get in the ring, if you want to protect yourself and your family, get the hell out of there."