Article: Are You a Sheep or a Sheepdog?

This is a great article, "On Sheep, Wolves and Sheepdogs" by LTC Dave Grossman who wrote the Pulitzer Prize nominated book, "On Killing".

The letter is in response to a young woman's objection to a memorial for famed USMC pilot Pappy Boyington at her school in Washington.   Please read it and send it to your friends.

Training: Considering Terrorist Shopping Mall Attacks

My friend, Pascal, pointed out a TV series called "Surviving Disaster"  which featured an episode called "Shopping Day Disaster."

Check out "Shopping Day Disaster"

Training: Women's Self-Defense

Women are particularly underrepresented in the martial arts and self-defense training courses.    One such course in West Los Angeles is AngelSelfDefense.com which is run by my friend, Robert Lennon.    He is an astute and knowledgeable teacher, considerate person and a meticulous presenter.    With his experience in the U.S. Army Intelligence Section, specializing in the Korean language, as well as learning the Korean Art of Tae Kwon, he is steeped in their traditions and culture.  But don't let this vast knowledge dissuade from even a short course to better your fighting skills.  Whether in Los Angeles or your home town, seek out a course and practice, practice, practice!

From his website here are some Guidelines to consider:

Angel Defense teaches the best practical effective full-force women's self-defense that can help to save your life!  This system is designed for any woman, young or old, who wants to learn what to do in a dangerous and desperate situation.

You will no longer have to fear a situation where someone exerts power over you. Angel Defense will teach you:

• Simple and effective defenses to escape from your assailant

• Effective self-defense moves that can take down a 220 lb man

• Environmental Awareness - how to not become a victim

• How to create "your" Safety Zone - Rings of Life

• Verbal Deterrents

• Striking Points & Techniques

• Your body’s weapons & how to use them

• Stance, Balance, Movement

• Fight Scenarios with Practical Mugger Defense

Action: Field Stripping Record by 11 year old - Compete

Action:  You should know how to field strip your weapon as a matter of practice and skill.

In difficult economic times, crimes goes up.  And in these difficult economic times, many cities throughout the country gave lavish pensions to their police, fire and other public servants.   Police and Fireman certainly deserve good pensions, but perhaps at 100% of their pay scale, these pensions were given without proper financial projects for the future when property and tax revenues declined.   If so, then cities may be considering bankruptcy to reorganize and reset their pensions.  This situation might mean fewer police - and more crime.  Not to mention that when the Los Angeles riots occurred in 1992, the police would only respond to major emergencies - and still then not right away.

So be prepared to defend yourself.  Practice your skills to see if you can get a better time than this 11 year old girl.