Comments on: Do Something Useful for Your Children for a Change: Krav Maga http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html Tue, 22 May 2012 02:24:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Dean http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-563 Dean Sat, 25 Jul 2009 02:09:40 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-563 You know, Bob, Karen posted my reply at the same time she posted your little addendum. So I didn't see it as I was rethinking my position and coming to the conclusion that maybe I was taking her a little to literal, and being a little thin skinned based on your counter arguments. I still concede, but I've come to another conclusion, that, well, you are a jerk (I'd love to use more course language, but out of respect for Karen, and her many rational, and intelligent readers, I'll refrain ). You won the argument, but sank into ad hominum BS. Karen - I now agree with the overall point of your post. Bob - you can kiss my a$$. You know, Bob, Karen posted my reply at the same time she posted your little addendum. So I didn’t see it as I was rethinking my position and coming to the conclusion that maybe I was taking her a little to literal, and being a little thin skinned based on your counter arguments. I still concede, but I’ve come to another conclusion, that, well, you are a jerk (I’d love to use more course language, but out of respect for Karen, and her many rational, and intelligent readers, I’ll refrain ). You won the argument, but sank into ad hominum BS. Karen – I now agree with the overall point of your post. Bob – you can kiss my a$$.

]]> By: Dean http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-560 Dean Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:52:21 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-560 The post speaks directly to the reader. The title sets the tone "Do Something Useful for Your Children for a Change: Krav Maga." It doesn't speak to a group, as in "Parents, Do Something Useful for Your Children for a Change: Krav Maga." But I will concede and agree with your point, and the overall point of the post, that, in tough times, a re-examination and change in priorities is in order until things clear up. However, please keep in mind that even the Jews would still hold musical performances while living in NAZI concentration camp squalor, if only to maintain a connection to their humanity. You can't abandon it completely just because times get tough - http://www.symphonymusicians.com/WelcomeAddressbyKarlPaulnack/tabid/87/Default.aspx The post speaks directly to the reader. The title sets the tone “Do Something Useful for Your Children for a Change: Krav Maga.” It doesn’t speak to a group, as in “Parents, Do Something Useful for Your Children for a Change: Krav Maga.” But I will concede and agree with your point, and the overall point of the post, that, in tough times, a re-examination and change in priorities is in order until things clear up. However, please keep in mind that even the Jews would still hold musical performances while living in NAZI concentration camp squalor, if only to maintain a connection to their humanity. You can’t abandon it completely just because times get tough – http://www.symphonymusicians.com/WelcomeAddressbyKarlPaulnack/tabid/87/Default.aspx

]]> By: Bob http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-555 Bob Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:25:41 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-555 Addendum. Aren't the majority of sane people tired of our oh-so-sensitive culture? Whiners complain about finding things "insulting" or complain about being "offended" at the slightest remark. The only men I know who make these kinds of statements are wusses, speed bags or no speed bags. Addendum. Aren’t the majority of sane people tired of our oh-so-sensitive culture? Whiners complain about finding things “insulting” or complain about being “offended” at the slightest remark. The only men I know who make these kinds of statements are wusses, speed bags or no speed bags.

]]> By: Bob http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-529 Bob Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:50:23 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-529 You're missing the point. Propositions (arguments) are bound to offend because of their universality. Hence, when you labeled Ms. De Coster's comments as "insulting," you were taking them as if they applied to the particular (in this case, your family), and not to the universal. (Had Ms. De Coster written specifically to you, then I would have to agree that Ms. De Coster was, indeed, getting into your personal business. Such, however, was not the case.) Your complaints regarding Ms. De Coster's "insulting" rhetoric remind me of a sissy in grade school who runs to the teacher or principal when someone inadvertently takes the whiner's spot in the four-square or tetherball line. In addition, your averting to the particular (that is, your family) in this argument is fallacious, in that the argument pertains to the universal, NOT to the particular. In other words, through your averting to the particular so that it applies to the universal, you're telling others how they should live, THE very thing of which you're accusing Ms. De Coster (and, either directly or indirectly, me). My argument is slightly different from Ms. De Coster's. I believe that non-essentials like music lessons, dancing lessons, etc., can be valuable, PROVIDED that the parents are fiscally responsible (paying bills and saving money, etc.), provided that the child is interested in the activity, and provided that the child has an aptitude for the activity. If a kid is tone deaf, it's no use attempting to make a Gershwin out of them. Likewise, if a child is color blind, it's probably not a good thing to put them into a situation where color-discerning abilities (like working with electrical wiring or resistors) are required. In addition, I believe that economics--the marketplace--is the secondary consideration. Considering the state of our economy, is it a wise thing to invest in non-essentials like music lessons? Or would it be wiser to stock up on foodstuffs, teach your children how to defend themselves, etc.? Considering that we (the U.S.) are nearing a complete and irrevocable economic collapse, the questions answer themselves. Hence, if the economy sucks, don't invest in non-essentials. (Learning how to defending yourself is NOT a non-essential; just ask the Jews who survived the 30s and 40s in Europe.) If the economy's great, but you suck, don't invest in non-essentials. It's that simple. As for someone not having an aptitude for learning how to fight, that's a straw-man argument. The thing is, most people do not have an aptitude--physically or mentally--to fight. A lot of people don't have mechanical aptitudes, either; does this mean that they shouldn't learn how to change a tire (an essential)? When you said that I don't know what's right for your family, you are correct. You might want to keep in mind that I don't really care about them, or what happens to them, either. If you're stupid enough to pay for cha-cha lessons while Rome is burning, oh, well. You’re missing the point. Propositions (arguments) are bound to offend because of their universality. Hence, when you labeled Ms. De Coster’s comments as “insulting,” you were taking them as if they applied to the particular (in this case, your family), and not to the universal. (Had Ms. De Coster written specifically to you, then I would have to agree that Ms. De Coster was, indeed, getting into your personal business. Such, however, was not the case.) Your complaints regarding Ms. De Coster’s “insulting” rhetoric remind me of a sissy in grade school who runs to the teacher or principal when someone inadvertently takes the whiner’s spot in the four-square or tetherball line. In addition, your averting to the particular (that is, your family) in this argument is fallacious, in that the argument pertains to the universal, NOT to the particular. In other words, through your averting to the particular so that it applies to the universal, you’re telling others how they should live, THE very thing of which you’re accusing Ms. De Coster (and, either directly or indirectly, me). My argument is slightly different from Ms. De Coster’s. I believe that non-essentials like music lessons, dancing lessons, etc., can be valuable, PROVIDED that the parents are fiscally responsible (paying bills and saving money, etc.), provided that the child is interested in the activity, and provided that the child has an aptitude for the activity. If a kid is tone deaf, it’s no use attempting to make a Gershwin out of them. Likewise, if a child is color blind, it’s probably not a good thing to put them into a situation where color-discerning abilities (like working with electrical wiring or resistors) are required.

In addition, I believe that economics–the marketplace–is the secondary consideration. Considering the state of our economy, is it a wise thing to invest in non-essentials like music lessons? Or would it be wiser to stock up on foodstuffs, teach your children how to defend themselves, etc.? Considering that we (the U.S.) are nearing a complete and irrevocable economic collapse, the questions answer themselves.

Hence, if the economy sucks, don’t invest in non-essentials. (Learning how to defending yourself is NOT a non-essential; just ask the Jews who survived the 30s and 40s in Europe.) If the economy’s great, but you suck, don’t invest in non-essentials. It’s that simple.

As for someone not having an aptitude for learning how to fight, that’s a straw-man argument. The thing is, most people do not have an aptitude–physically or mentally–to fight. A lot of people don’t have mechanical aptitudes, either; does this mean that they shouldn’t learn how to change a tire (an essential)? When you said that I don’t know what’s right for your family, you are correct. You might want to keep in mind that I don’t really care about them, or what happens to them, either. If you’re stupid enough to pay for cha-cha lessons while Rome is burning, oh, well.

]]> By: Dean http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-507 Dean Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:57:28 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-507 Well, Bob, nice lecture. What if children don't have an aptitude, nor the desire, to learn self defense? Is it still worth the investment? Here's the bottom line - I know what's best for my family, and I know my financial situation. You don't. I make adjustments where needed, and in doing so, will still do whatever I can to give my children all the opportunities they need to grow into responsible, productive human beings. Well, Bob, nice lecture. What if children don’t have an aptitude, nor the desire, to learn self defense? Is it still worth the investment?

Here’s the bottom line – I know what’s best for my family, and I know my financial situation. You don’t. I make adjustments where needed, and in doing so, will still do whatever I can to give my children all the opportunities they need to grow into responsible, productive human beings.

]]> By: Bob http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-497 Bob Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:13:37 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-497 If our economy weren't so bad (let's face it, we ARE in the Greatest Depression), then I might be sympathetic with Dean's argument: I believe that violin lessons, etc., can be very valuable, provided that the child has the aptitude for such activities, provided that the child desires to do such activities, and provided that parents are first paying the bills and saving money. Given that most "adults" in our culture don't save money or pay bills, are boyish or girlish in disposition, and have an I-want-it-now! mentality, violin lessons, etc., for children ARE a waste of time and ARE a waste of money. (Hence, when we look at the taking up of activities, for ourselves or for others, we see that the market, for all intents and purposes, determines which activities we should choose. And perhaps you don't believe me about the boyishness and girlishness of most Americans? Look at the debt that the majority of Americans have incurred and look at the vapid cultural icons worshipped by most American "adults": mumble-mouthed [c]rappers, the Taco Bell Chihuahua [R.I.P., Pepe, or whatever your name was], and "films" like "Chicken Run," "Beverly Hills Chihuahua," and other drivel.) So, on this one, I'm siding with Ms. De Coster because if you ARE going to do something for your child, do something like giving them tools that are going to help them in the immediate, proximate, and distant futures. Such tools include fighting arts like krav maga, certain martial arts (Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other non-mystical-based fighting styles), etc. Krav maga and other real fighting arts will pay off in the long run because our economic circumstances are not--perhaps are never--going to change. In other words, the world's going to become very, very nasty in the not-too-distant future. Would you rather your child know how to pluck "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" or would you rather your child know how to crush a rioting molester's testicles? (Me, I take Ms. De Coster's argument even further; get a copy of "Get Tough!" by Fairbairn and follow its drills. Given that Fairbairn's techniques were used by commandoes and OSS officers in WWII to great effect, you might find that Fairbairn's fighting method might be more effective--prevention-wise and cost-wise--than krava maga lessons or other fighting-arts lessons.) As for a krav maga school, go to http://www.kravmaga.com. If our economy weren’t so bad (let’s face it, we ARE in the Greatest Depression), then I might be sympathetic with Dean’s argument: I believe that violin lessons, etc., can be very valuable, provided that the child has the aptitude for such activities, provided that the child desires to do such activities, and provided that parents are first paying the bills and saving money. Given that most “adults” in our culture don’t save money or pay bills, are boyish or girlish in disposition, and have an I-want-it-now! mentality, violin lessons, etc., for children ARE a waste of time and ARE a waste of money. (Hence, when we look at the taking up of activities, for ourselves or for others, we see that the market, for all intents and purposes, determines which activities we should choose. And perhaps you don’t believe me about the boyishness and girlishness of most Americans? Look at the debt that the majority of Americans have incurred and look at the vapid cultural icons worshipped by most American “adults”: mumble-mouthed [c]rappers, the Taco Bell Chihuahua [R.I.P., Pepe, or whatever your name was], and “films” like “Chicken Run,” “Beverly Hills Chihuahua,” and other drivel.) So, on this one, I’m siding with Ms. De Coster because if you ARE going to do something for your child, do something like giving them tools that are going to help them in the immediate, proximate, and distant futures. Such tools include fighting arts like krav maga, certain martial arts (Brazilian jiu-jitsu and other non-mystical-based fighting styles), etc. Krav maga and other real fighting arts will pay off in the long run because our economic circumstances are not–perhaps are never–going to change. In other words, the world’s going to become very, very nasty in the not-too-distant future. Would you rather your child know how to pluck “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” or would you rather your child know how to crush a rioting molester’s testicles? (Me, I take Ms. De Coster’s argument even further; get a copy of “Get Tough!” by Fairbairn and follow its drills. Given that Fairbairn’s techniques were used by commandoes and OSS officers in WWII to great effect, you might find that Fairbairn’s fighting method might be more effective–prevention-wise and cost-wise–than krava maga lessons or other fighting-arts lessons.) As for a krav maga school, go to http://www.kravmaga.com.

]]> By: roy http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-458 roy Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:01:21 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-458 I'm been looking for a good krav maga course for ages, and I've finnaly found one (I'm getting sore these days) I wanted to add to my training by doing some work with video training. Any recommendations??? thanks I’m been looking for a good krav maga course for ages, and I’ve finnaly found one (I’m getting sore these days) I wanted to add to my training by doing some work with video training. Any recommendations??? thanks

]]> By: Dean http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-312 Dean Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:39:32 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-312 Your post may have ended up about Krav Maga, but it started out denegrating other activities by implying that they are a waste of time. As a parent, I find that insulting. I want what is best for my children. I do teach them about self-defense, and how to get out of a bad situation. My workout regimen includes both a heavy and speed bag. I'm teaching my children how to use them as well (my daughter throws a pretty solid punch). I will probably go to the next level and get them into a martial arts program (Krav Maga looks inviting). I will, however, balance it with other activities such as music, art, and sports. Not doing so would deny them their full potential as human beings. Your post may have ended up about Krav Maga, but it started out denegrating other activities by implying that they are a waste of time. As a parent, I find that insulting. I want what is best for my children. I do teach them about self-defense, and how to get out of a bad situation. My workout regimen includes both a heavy and speed bag. I’m teaching my children how to use them as well (my daughter throws a pretty solid punch). I will probably go to the next level and get them into a martial arts program (Krav Maga looks inviting). I will, however, balance it with other activities such as music, art, and sports. Not doing so would deny them their full potential as human beings.

]]> By: Brandon http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-278 Brandon Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:41:59 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-278 Krav Maga is a great combat martial system that is constantly evolving as it takes the best techniques from other martial arts. It will condition you physically and more importantly mentally. It will get you into a combat mindset when driving, shopping and anywhere in public. I am a 20 year police veteran and Brazilian Jujitsu student. I recently added Krav Maga to my martial arts training as it provided some stand up skills that grappling alone does not provide. I highly recommend Krav Maga especially if you are new to martial arts. Krav Maga is a great combat martial system that is constantly evolving as it takes the best techniques from other martial arts. It will condition you physically and more importantly mentally. It will get you into a combat mindset when driving, shopping and anywhere in public. I am a 20 year police veteran and Brazilian Jujitsu student. I recently added Krav Maga to my martial arts training as it provided some stand up skills that grappling alone does not provide. I highly recommend Krav Maga especially if you are new to martial arts.

]]> By: Karen De Coster http://karendecoster.com/do-something-useful-for-your-children-for-a-change-krav-maga.html/comment-page-1#comment-276 Karen De Coster Mon, 13 Jul 2009 11:09:58 +0000 http://karendecoster.com/?p=4834#comment-276 Kirt, I guess Paris Hilton is very physically and spiritually conditioned, then. Also, the blog post was about Krav Maga, not about giving one tips to "enjoy" their life. I'm sure people can do that on their own. Ask Krav Maga instructors if they don't "enjoy" their chosen careers and their day-to-day activities. Kirt, I guess Paris Hilton is very physically and spiritually conditioned, then. Also, the blog post was about Krav Maga, not about giving one tips to “enjoy” their life. I’m sure people can do that on their own. Ask Krav Maga instructors if they don’t “enjoy” their chosen careers and their day-to-day activities.

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