Thread: What is wrong with people today?

Originally Posted by Costabro

Ya'll need to get off the kid's back about HOW he defended himself. I'm sure all of your suggestions were the furthest thing from his mind. He was confronted, commanded w/ imposing posture, and likely threatened. We all need to be thankful for his sake that he didn't just go ahead and gut the worthless piece of crap.

He was lucky, period end of story... he might not be so lucky next time... he should know and understand the consequences of not turning on his heel and running away.. I mean RUNNING... First thought to the brain should always be "Can I run"

Only stand your ground when you can't run

If you've ever had any martial arts training at all, you begin learning ways to hurt people and quickly. You have to also remember that you can be hurt just as quickly and easily. I'm very glad that your defense worked, and I'm not going to say one shouldn't defend themselves but Glen is right. If running is an option, it's normally the correct one to take.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

He was lucky, period end of story... he might not be so lucky next time... he should know and understand the consequences of not turning on his heel and running away.. I mean RUNNING... First thought to the brain should always be "Can I run"

Only stand your ground when you can't run

If you'll remember, he was injured and wearing a boot.

Originally Posted by ANelson

If you've ever had any martial arts training at all, you begin learning ways to hurt people and quickly. You have to also remember that you can be hurt just as quickly and easily. I'm very glad that your defense worked, and I'm not going to say one shouldn't defend themselves but Glen is right. If running is an option, it's normally the correct one to take.

Again, he was wearing a boot. And yes, I've had quite a bit of martial arts training and you're right. If at all possible, run.

Originally Posted by Costabro

If you'll remember, he was injured and wearing a boot.

When I read walking boot I was seeing a Military style boot

If he has a leg injuy it might fair better in court, as that makes him an easy likely target, but the knife might negate that advantage, basically a flip of the legal coin...

But it would change the moral code if you can't run then you have to fight with anything possible to stay alive, and make it to court

However that would bring in posts #17 & #18 never give your advantage of surprise away in combat...

But hey it worked and no one was hurt...

I did not read it as a leg injury, so I'm sorry if I was somehow offensive, it wasn't my intent. With a leg injury, running may not be an option, and I did mean to state that I was glad his defense worked.
Also what I had to say was more meant to be general advise, applicable in this situation (running wasn't an option, but was still a good first thing to consider) as well as any other that should happen.
I suppose I should have said to "consider your options and consider running the first and best option. Should that option not be viable, move on to the fight half of the lizard brain from there. I would consider the court case absolute last of all, if I am stuck in court, win or lose, I avoided the worst possible conclusion to the original problem.

Never mind....

The OP did not solicit advice. He asked a somewhat rhetorical question. Admittedly, I had to double-check to see if it was a medical boot or military boot. If it was a military boot, I'd have to ask him why he was only single-shod. There's no need for anyone to be defensive, as I was grinning and shaking my head when I wrote that.

All training advice aside, I am still under the persuasion that I'd rather be 'judged by twelve, than to be carried out by six'.

Now, everyone take a deep breath and say, "Costabro loves me".

"A knife is a TERRIBLE bluff. Every training I have engaged in held the same common principle: If you must use a knife in a defensive situation, the ONLY way the other guy should learn that you even it is when he/she looks up from the ground and sees it."

"NEVER bluff with a weapon, if a situation warrants a weapon, use it, if not keep it put away at the ready until needed."

Where do you guys get that the OP was just bluffing? I've pulled a knife as a defensive measure exactly three times in 24 years, and was not bluffing, fully prepared to use it each time. In all of the cases, there was not even a question of justification - one crackhead in NYC (yep, where knives are illegal ), right by the Park at 108th, pulled a belt-knife and started advancing with ill intent, thought better of it once he saw the blade I was carrying at the time. The other times were against multiple youths who had announced their intention to stomp me. In one case, I did have to slash someone across the forearm to make them go away. In general, I agree that pulling a knife (or gun) as a deterrent is unwise, and I never pulled mine with that intention, but in my experience sometimes it just works out that way, and ends the situation before you have to cut or shoot anyone.

If you can run, great, run. In many states in the US you are not obligated to run from a threat, but have the right to stand your ground. Nevertheless, running may be the wise choice. In the three cases I was involved in, running was simply not an option. In one, I was kinda cornered, and in two cases, there were other people to consider as well. Nowadays, I just have a bad knee, and can't run for s**t anymore...

As far as breaking the law by brandishing a weapon, that varies from state to state. I think Colorado calls it "felony menacing", but it always depends on the circumstances. If someone is outnumbered, outsized or otherwise in reasonable fear for his life and/or physical safety, he is not obligated to wait for an attack to actually commence prior to drawing his weapon. Far as the BG running straight to the cops and pressing charges, that did not happen with any of the individuals I had to deal with. Perhaps they were all of a persuasion that tends to stay away from John Q. Law as much as possible?

Originally Posted by Costabro

The OP did not solicit advice. He asked a somewhat rhetorical question. Admittedly, I had to double-check to see if it was a medical boot or military boot. If it was a military boot, I'd have to ask him why he was only single-shod. There's no need for anyone to be defensive, as I was grinning and shaking my head when I wrote that.

All training advice aside, I am still under the persuasion that I'd rather be 'judged by twelve, than to be carried out by six'.

Now, everyone take a deep breath and say, "Costabro loves me".

We love you too, bro' ... And I'm of the same persuasion!