Comment by Joe Virata on March 27, 2011 at 12:14pm

Well said, sir. We need to go beyond technique, and teach students to make good decisions based on strong, clear values.

Comment by Jacinto R. Rocales on March 28, 2011 at 4:53am

Dear Marc,

Its too bad these things happen!  That is the reason why FMA emphasized not only on the skills and techniques but also on the aspect of integrity, discipline, honor, value and respect towards the other person. True FMA not only trains the mind and body of a practitioner, but also the spirit and the total well being of a person. FMA is a holistic art.  

 

Jessie Rocales    

Comment by terry joven on March 29, 2011 at 2:28pm

Well said!

Comment by Edward jonathan Dockrill on April 1, 2011 at 1:10am

Well said Marc honor integrity and descipline is the key to respect and it should be thought

to all student from the begining.

Comment by Mataw Guro David Battaglia on April 8, 2011 at 12:05pm

Mr. Lawrence,

 

This is a very tragic and disturbing story. You make many good points.

I would hesitate to make a blanket statement about all MMA gyms. I know and interact with one that has a high degree of honor and integrity.

Like children, sometimes they can have a good upbringing and still go bad. Unfortunately, there are no guarantees.

Maybe you should check the gym's reputation before putting their name in an article like yours.

There's a great video where three prominent, pro MMA fighters visit the real Marine basic training facility. I'll try to post it.

Just my thoughts,

 

Guro Dave

Moderator

 

Comment by Guro David Hines on April 15, 2011 at 5:35pm

Dear Mr. Lawrence,

I understand your concern and feel for you and your students that they could be in any way confused with these low lifes.  Nevertheless, while you bemoan the fact that these young men have "just destroyed their lives", I did not see any words of sympathy for the young woman who was truly the victim in this tragedy.  The way that we project the arts that we love must include a clear sense of sympathy and support for those who cannot easily defend themselves and an equally clear separation from those who use their physical power against the weak simply because they can.     

Comment by Marc Lawrence on April 17, 2011 at 9:25pm

Guro Dave,

You offer a good perspective. This situation is an example of true life changing disaster to all of the parties involved, the young women who life will not be the same, she will have to face many issues that she never asked for as well as the young men who now will be imprisoned for their crimes. Had any of the parties involved made several better choices none of their lives would be smoking ruins.

Comment by Guro David Hines on April 18, 2011 at 3:56pm

Guro Marc:

Thank you for the follow-up comments.  

 

Bahala Na,

David

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