I think it’ similar to those that scream and shout and rant and rave or paint their bodies in their favorite teams colors…and those that enjoy a good game quietly at home. I’ve never understood the sports fan over the top enthusiasm either, but it is part of human kind and always has been. Especially after war. The vocalization and demonstration is a release for the emotional energy stored up in the body and it’s need to express and release it. Many do it because they need to…others follow their lead.

Screaming and shouting does little to console grief. Bin Laden’s death is bitter sweet for the many that suffered the loss of loved ones on 911 and later in the war in the mid-east….10 years of grieving the loss, then the recognition that the man responsible being finally killed, can not and will not bring their loved one(s) back. The jubilance one would expect is more a grim reminder that the lost loved one will not miraculously walk back in the door. No matter that the monster responsible has been slain. Justice served. Resurrection denied. The emptiness and ache of loss still clinging stubbornly to the heart. “So what…I’m glad they got the bastard, but that won’t bring my son, my daughter, my husband, wife, mother or father or dear friend back.” Justice has been served here. Hell will take it from here on for the perpetrators of evil. There is some comfort in that…but the empty bedroom, the memories, the sights, sounds and reminders of the loss…are overwhelming and weakening….for some there is no energy to shout or rejoice….only to shed tears in honor of the loved one lost…and our lost loved ones deserve every tear shed in their honor and memory.

Let the shouting, jubilant masses cheer the justice so long in coming, but delivered by courageous troops avenging the loss for those unable to. Now…there at least is some sense of closure….but now…the grief has no distraction. Now….the challenge is to continue on in a world where Bin Ladens and Gaddafis and Ted Bundys and Charlie Mansons all lurk in the shadows with different faces and names. They have always been there…waiting patiently….plotting and planning….they always will be….only vigilance and preparation can prevent them from destroying the one thing that gives us the strength to go on with our lives…that one thing…is hope….hope for a better, more peaceful tomorrow.

Below is a correspondence I’ve had with a few intelligent and opinionated instructors of various styles. It is a discussion of closed fist punches in life and death scenarios, over open handed eye gouging, throat crushing tactics that our system advocates.

Look….I’m talking about close quarter, mugging, rape, hostage scenarios when both weapon and assailant are within reach and have got the drop on you. That’s what armed predators do…They don’t square off and announce their intent…they jump you or control you with the weapon to get close enough to carry out there task…even Bruce Lee in his prime would acknowledge that.

I don’t want to get into a long, drawn out discourse about the pros or cons of theoretical circumstances. I have disarmed, armed assailants. I was a bouncer and bodyguard for years. I can give you circumstances and witnesses. A best friend died in my arms after a driveby shooting at the Agora Ballroom in Hallendale Florida. I have taken knives and hand guns off of nutbags threatening clients. I want my students to have the best chance of survival in a life death struggle. The bad guy has to be unable to function accurately or he’s still a threat. If he can’t see, breath affectively or stand…he’s less capable of hurting someone. I kickboxed competitively for years as a young Sifu. I fought heavy weights, Tony Palmore and Jaquet Basemore. I sparred with probably a few hundred martial artists over the years from many styles. I’ve been kicked in the balls and took some good shots to the head and kept fighting…so I do have some experience about the subject matter.

You are entitled to your opinion as is everyone else….but if someone, I don’t care who it is or what style he is, punches a desperate, amped up bad guy sticking a gun in his face or a knife in his throat….there is enough margin of chance with a punch that could result in the defender getting shot. And to teach that concept to women, is unrealistic and dangerous. Take that same scenario and add 2 or 3 accomplices and it gets dicier yet. Take out the pack leader in a gruesome, eye gouging and throat crushing way and chances are good the betta pack members will take off like the cowards they are.

The ending to another tragedy. Everyone, but especially ladies and young women, please keep your vehicles running smoothly and despite the price of gas…DO NOT let it get too low or run out of gas. You may end up alone on the side of a desolate road with your flashers on….Like this poor woman. Make sure tires and tire pressure are good also. Carry a can of WASP spray in your car, or pepper spray or a big ass screw driver or a handgun. If you carry a handgun…know how to use it. Know how to shoot from a seated position behind the steering wheel. Learn how to shoot while lying down on the floor of the car. Front or back. We use Airsoft guns at Safe House to train this way. Never get out of the car to go with what appears to be a good samaritan. Ask any responding police or towing truck for ID verification and take a moment to call respective department or service. And please folks….keep your cell phones charged and go with a company with the best reception and most towers. Be ALERT and AWARE but unafraid….Think like a predator would and make yourself a difficult target. Also a good idea if you’re traveling to new territory to map it out and have an itinerary to leave with family. Stay in touch with them. Try not to travel far alone or at night.

God Bless the Innocent and the families of this lovely woman who encountered what everyone fears but does little about.