There Is No “Nice Way” to Defend Yourself

© COPYRIGHT 2010 BY BRADLEY J. STEINER - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Sword and Pen – March 2010 Issue

[Reprinted With Permission]

American Combato
Seattle Combatives

THERE are effective ways to deal with an extralegal physical aggressor, and there are effective ways to engage in and win hand-to-hand battles in a military or similar context, but there are no pleasant, nice, sporting and gentlemanly ways in which those objectives can be achieved. Idealistic "non destructive" methods of handling dangerous physical attackers may be entertaining to observe occasionally in the movies or on television, and in "martial arts demonstrations", etc.; and the practice of various skills that purport to enable those who master them to possess such a capacity to actually replicate the application of such skills against live, attacking enemies, may attract customers. However, the plain and simple truth is, physical violence is a dangerous activity. Those who initiate violence (as bullies, muggers, gang members, troublemakers, impulse-dominated savages, home invaders, rapists, etc.) pose what is ALWAYS potentially life-threatening harm to those against whom they act.

How often we hear that offensive bleat from some beast: “Oh, I didn't mean to kill him!” Or, “Well, I was just angry. I didn’t want to hurt him that badly”, etc. The gallows was and would still be the proper place to lead those out of control examples of human debris who "cannot help" but explode with violent fury against those whom they "don’t like", "feel insulted by", or "believe need to be taught a lesson", ad nauseum. Quite mainstream news and TV magazine shows have presented stories about children who were crippled or killed — or who were driven to suicide — by their contemporaries. “I (or we) didn’t mean it", means nothing after the fact
(and knowing how so many children are, we are inclined to believe that those who act as bullies or tormentors of their fellows DO and DID mean it, indeed. When not on camera or speaking with adult "authority figures" these miserable excuses for human beings laugh and snicker at having gotten away with their acts of evil. That these young bastards are not strapped in electric chairs after their conduct results in the death of an innocent child remains — as far as we are concerned — a disgrace.

One big problem in our society is that many have acquired a recreational view of violence. Most particularly today (during what many might identify as the end stage of Western Civilization, itself) we have the popularity of such bloodsports as cage fighting and related pastimes. Unlike what we personally see as legitimate martial sports (boxing, wrestling, judo, karate, fencing, kick boxing, etc.) the "challenge events", the so-called "anything goes" events, etc. are merely violent brawling contests in which individuals strive to win by injuring each other. And while we certainly believe that people must be left free to participate in whatever they wish to participate in (so long as the only individuals affected are consenting adults) we nevertheless have our personal opinion about that which they do. And "that which they do" in our opinion, is nothing short of stupid, mindless, adolescent, pointless violence. That’s our opinion. We are perfectly content to see those who disagree with us continue to either applaud others who participate actively in these events, or to participate actively, themselves. Personally, these people are no concern of ours.

We bring up this point, however, because we believe that it helps to clarify the point that we are trying to make.

If you wish to be a sporting competitor then be a sporting competitor. Adopt, accept, abide by, and live the rules of fair play, good sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, courtesy, non aggressive, dignified, and suitably civilized behavior. Forget about the brazen aggressiveness, the "let’s get it on, dude" attitude, the tattoos, the "tough guy" scowling, and the other assorted accouterments that have caught on in the unfortunately rapidly decaying world of competitive "martial arts". Those who have embraced this subcultural sewer-conduct are NOT practicing the martial virtues, and the physical skills with which they so enthusiastically pummel each other in the venues in which they perform, are not the best techniques for Mr. and Mrs. Typical Citizen (or for a typical soldier, sailor, or marine, for that matter!) to learn and to rely upon.

Preparing for self-defense is preparing for WAR. Perhaps it is not too surprising that many who feel the need for practical defense training fail to appreciate this fact; but FACT it is and fact it remains. And if anyone doubting that which we say will go to the trouble of speaking with someone who has suffered a home invasion, an attack by street scum, a mugging, a kidnap, a rape, or being set upon by some psychopathic trouble making bully and his cohorts, he will quickly come around. There is no "game" when violence comes down for real.

We have known, admired, and enjoyed the company of some really outstanding martial arts competitors. We have never met a single one who did not agree with us 100% about that which we say in regard to difference between that which wins contests, and that which saves lives. This, despite the fact that legitimate judo, karate, wrestling, boxing, and kick boxing men are all able to adopt, to some degree, that which they are able to do, to an emergency. They know all too well, however, that that which they compete with serves only to a degree to prepare them for action in a real world crisis. These men are at least aware of the inherent shortcomings of their respective arts, and do not deceive themselves. When one hears one of the current crop of "ultimate" fighters speak with an air of braggadocio however, one can only wonder just what the outcome would be if he were jumped by a gang, confronted by a knife-wielding thug, mugged suddenly by a lunatic, from behind, or taken by surprise in some context where the last thing on his mind was "winning a match".

Yes, the sporting fighters are tough. But their toughness relates to that which they are prepared for, willing to do, and experienced in doing IN COMPETITIVE CONTEXTS, AND AGAINST OTHERS WITH WHOM THEY COMPETE, IN A SPORTING VENUE. It’s something like a commercial airline pilot whose training and experience is centered around flying 747’s from city to city within the United States and occasionally overseas, and who possesses a perfect history of excellent flying in this venue, assuming that he therefore would have no problem getting into the cockpit of an F-35 Lightning II JSF, and flying it in air combat.

Real self-defense requires that you be prepared and willing, as Applegate said so perfectly in KILL OR GET KILLED, to "knock out, maim, or kill" when you close with your adversary. If you do not feel imminent danger to yourself or to a loved one, then it would be difficult to see how going into aggressive physical action against another human being could be justified.

"Aren’t there situations when a good controlling grip or hold would be appropriate?" some might ask. Certainly! For police officers, security guards, and others who are specifically charged with the responsibility of keeping the peace, and perhaps arresting individuals who, while not "dangerous" per se, are nonetheless uncooperative. Self-defense is undertaken when one is in DANGER, and its goal is to efficiently and decisively neutralize that danger by rendering the attacker incapable of and unwilling to continue endangering his intended victim.

It is justifiable to use destructive force against a human being ONLY when it is so imperative that he be stopped immediately from doing that which he is doing that it literally does not matter if he is seriously injured.— even killed. This is the correct, proper, and rational view that civilized human beings should be taught to take in regard to the employment of force against members of their own species.

Yes, predatory violence that is initiated by others is dangerous, evil, and must be stopped. That is precisely why defensive violence can never be "nice", "non-injurious", or "socially pleasant". It must be tough, brutal, savage, and dangerously destructive. Otherwise it’s a game.

And self-defense is no "game". There’s no nice way to "play" it.

Bradley J. Steiner