Sobering Dose of Reality

This article caught my eye on a City Pages newsstand today, and here is the link to the online version:

http://www.citypages.com/2011-07-27/news/one-punch-homicide/

It has many thoughts running through my brain. Where to start, exactly? Might as well get right to it.

1) We've learned in class that it does not take much to hurt someone, and with our training it is likely that if we do as we are trained that an attacker may end up greying or blacking out as a result of physical interaction with us. As we have learned, there are many very hard obstacles to bang one's head into at the end of a fall or throw. This article points out just how common it is for that fall to be extremely injurious and even fatal.

2) This is a HUGE wake up call to me, a guy who wants to protect myself but would rather not tour the state's resort facilities for murder or manslaughter. Even my aikido techniques come under scrutiny here. Causing a fall can cause as much damage as a standing knockout if the surface the attackers head finds is a concrete floor, steel door frame, or other such brain unfriendly surface.

3) How to avoid this? Avoid like hell drunken morons and places they hang out, for one. For two, avoid getting drawn into the monkey dance of ego and bravado. Not that I have ever been tempted to do so, but it pays to spot this kind of behavior coming if possible and LEAVE. I can soak up a lot of bruising to my ego at home, enjoying a beer and watching a movie instead of in a lockup listening to rap music and enduring company with the slimy underbelly of humanity.

4) I am not a cop and will likely get no consideration of being in the right if some guy ends up seriously injured or dead at my hands, even if it was the fall that hurt him and there was no premeditation or intent. Video and witnesses make no real difference. Self-defense evidently means little when someone is on a respirator or dead. Now, perhaps I would get dealt a friendly card by a prosecutor but I certainly wouldn't want to bet on it.

This article was sobering in context of the level of damage we are learning to administer. The human body is pretty fragile, especially head impact on hard objects after a free fall.

A sobering dose of reality for us, at least in my mind.

Bringing a knife to a gun fight

It's up to you. Your survival is up to YOU. The police can't protect you all the time, the court can't protect you, only you can protect you. The sooner you understand that, the better off you are.

It's important for everyone to take a personal inventory of their spirit and come to grips with what weapons, systems, styles, and violence you are okay with using.

Some folks promote passivism. Some folks hate guns. Some folks can't bare the thought of stabbing someone.

I encourage everyone to do some soul searching and discovering what they are willing to do to protect themselves. Really invision a deadly or violent encounter. Concentrate and prepare your spirit for what you might have to do.

"Your body cannot go where your mind has never been."

The article: http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/126214618.html

Here is a criminal history of one of these attackers obtained from public record at https://cch.state.mn.us/


Reported Names
Last Name First Name Middle Name
SHELBYPTY ROBERT
SHELBY ROBERT EMMANUEL

Reported Dates of Birth
Date of Birth
2/26/1984

Conviction Summary
Disposition Date Disposition Statute Description Conviction Level
9/16/2003 Convicted Drugs-5th Degree Felony
4/21/2003 Convicted Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle Misdemeanor
1/14/2005 Convicted Unlawful Possession of Pistol/Assault Weapon Felony
1/29/2007 Convicted Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle Felony
1/29/2007 Convicted Driving While Impaired Misdemeanor
9/25/2006 Convicted Drugs-5th Degree Felony
7/10/2008 Convicted Drugs-2nd deg-Sale 3grms or more cocaine or heroin Felony
10/30/2007 Convicted Driving While Impaired-Alcohol Conc 0.08 or more Gross Misdemeanor
10/24/2007 Convicted Driving While Impaired Gross Misdemeanor
4/7/2008 Convicted Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle Felony
12/15/2010 Convicted Drivers License-DL Cancelled/Denied, Knows, Drives Gross Misdemeanor
1/13/2011 Convicted Drivers License-DL Cancelled/Denied, Knows, Drives Gross Misdemeanor
3/17/2011 Convicted Drivers License-DL Cancelled/Denied, Knows, Drives Gross Misdemeanor


Confinement Summary
Confinement Date Statute Description Agency
4/16/2008 Unlawful Possession of Pistol/Assault Weapon MN COR FAC ST CLOUD
4/16/2008 Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle MN COR FAC ST CLOUD
4/16/2008 UNKNOWN CHARGE MN COR FAC ST CLOUD
4/16/2008 Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle MN COR FAC ST CLOUD
7/10/2008 Drugs-2nd Degree MINNESOTA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY LINO LAKES


Convictions (12)
Conviction 1 of 12
Disposition Date: 9/16/2003
Custody Institution Assigned To: RAMSEY CO WORKHOUSE
Probation Institution Assigned To: RAMSEY CO PROBATION OFFICE
Court: RAMSEY DIST COURT Court File #: K202004068
Controlling Agency: ST PAUL PD Case #: 02242796
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Felony
Statute: 152.025 Statute Description: Drugs-5th Degree
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 1Y1D; Probational - 5Y; Conditional - 39D
Fine(s): Pronounced - $100; Assessment - $65


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 2 of 12
Disposition Date: 4/21/2003
Custody Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO WRKHSE-ADULT CORR
Probation Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO PROBATION OFF
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: KX03004943
Controlling Agency: MINNEAPOLIS PD Case #: 03016929
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Misdemeanor
Statute: 609.487.3 Statute Description: Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
GOC:


Sentence(s): Probational - 1096D; Conditional - 60D
Fine(s):


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 3 of 12
Disposition Date: 1/14/2005
Custody Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO WRKHSE-ADULT CORR
Probation Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO PROBATION OFF
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: KX04015286
Controlling Agency: MINNEAPOLIS PD Case #: 04051041
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Felony
Statute: 624.713 Statute Description: Unlawful Possession of Pistol/Assault Weapon
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 60M; Probational - 5Y; Conditional - 110D
Fine(s):


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 4 of 12
Disposition Date: 1/29/2007
Custody Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO WRKHSE-ADULT CORR
Probation Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: KX06042778
Controlling Agency: MN STATE PATROL - GOLDEN VALLEY Case #: 06507438
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Felony
Statute: 609.487.3 Statute Description: Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 15M; Probational - 3Y; Conditional - 270D
Fine(s): Pronounced - $50
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: KX06042778
Controlling Agency: MN STATE PATROL - GOLDEN VALLEY Case #: 06507438
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Misdemeanor
Statute: 169A.20 Statute Description: Driving While Impaired
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 90D
Fine(s): Court Cost - $3; Assessment - $72


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 5 of 12
Disposition Date: 9/25/2006
Custody Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO WRKHSE-ADULT CORR
Probation Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO PROBATION OFF
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: KX06059965
Controlling Agency: MINNEAPOLIS PD Case #: 06248154
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Felony
Statute: 152.025 Statute Description: Drugs-5th Degree
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 15M; Probational - 3Y; Conditional - 180D
Fine(s): Pronounced - $6,000; Stayed - $6,000


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 6 of 12
Disposition Date: 7/10/2008
Custody Institution Assigned To: MN COR FAC ST CLOUD
Probation Institution Assigned To:
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: CR0820392
Controlling Agency: MINNEAPOLIS PD Case #: 07127528
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Felony
Statute: 152.022.1.1 Statute Description: Drugs-2nd deg-Sale 3grms or more cocaine or heroin
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 38M
Fine(s):


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 7 of 12
Disposition Date: 10/30/2007
Custody Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO WRKHSE-ADULT CORR
Probation Institution Assigned To:
Court: HENNEPIN MUN/DIST CT-EDINA Court File #: CR07109035
Controlling Agency: MN STATE PATROL - GOLDEN VALLEY Case #: 07406885
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Gross Misdemeanor
Statute: 169A.20.1.5 Statute Description: Driving While Impaired-Alcohol Conc 0.08 or more
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 365D
Fine(s): Pronounced - $50


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 8 of 12
Disposition Date: 10/24/2007
Custody Institution Assigned To: RAMSEY CO WORKHOUSE
Probation Institution Assigned To: RAMSEY CO PROBATION OFFICE
Court: RAMSEY DIST COURT Court File #: KX07601200
Controlling Agency: MN STATE PATROL - OAKDALE Case #: 07510060
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Gross Misdemeanor
Statute: 169A.20 Statute Description: Driving While Impaired
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 365D; Probational - 2Y; Conditional - 90D
Fine(s): Pronounced - $1,500; Stayed - $1,428; Assessment - $78


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 9 of 12
Disposition Date: 4/7/2008
Custody Institution Assigned To: MN COR FAC ST CLOUD
Probation Institution Assigned To:
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: CR0811855
Controlling Agency: MN STATE PATROL - GOLDEN VALLEY Case #: 08502442
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Felony
Statute: 609.487.3 Statute Description: Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 15M
Fine(s):


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 10 of 12
Disposition Date: 12/15/2010
Custody Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO WRKHSE-ADULT CORR
Probation Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO DEPT OF COMM CORR ADULT FIELD SRVS-SUPV
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: CR1045355
Controlling Agency: MINNEAPOLIS PD Case #: 10249879
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Gross Misdemeanor
Statute: 171.24.5 Statute Description: Drivers License-DL Cancelled/Denied, Knows, Drives
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 365D; Probational - 2Y
Fine(s):


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 11 of 12
Disposition Date: 1/13/2011
Custody Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO WRKHSE-ADULT CORR
Probation Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO DEPT OF COMM CORR ADULT FIELD SRVS-SUPV
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT-RIDGEDALE Court File #: CR1056627
Controlling Agency: PLYMOUTH PD Case #: 10051956
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Gross Misdemeanor
Statute: 171.24.5 Statute Description: Drivers License-DL Cancelled/Denied, Knows, Drives
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 91D; Probational - 2Y
Fine(s):


Return to Conviction Summary
Conviction 12 of 12
Disposition Date: 3/17/2011
Custody Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO WRKHSE-ADULT CORR
Probation Institution Assigned To: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: CR114307
Controlling Agency: MINNEAPOLIS PD Case #: 11012002
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Gross Misdemeanor
Statute: 171.24.5 Statute Description: Drivers License-DL Cancelled/Denied, Knows, Drives
GOC:


Sentence(s): Pronounced - 365D; Probational - 2Y
Fine(s):


Return to Conviction Summary


Confinements (2)
Confinement 1 of 2
Confinement Date: 4/16/2008
Agency: MN COR FAC ST CLOUD
Disposition: Received
Case #: 04051041 GOC:
Statute: 624.713 Statute Description: Unlawful Possession of Pistol/Assault Weapon
Comment: WEAPONS-FE-POSS-PISTOL-PERSON CONV VIOLT CRIME
Comment: RECEIVED FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY (02)
Case #: 06507438 GOC:
Statute: 609.487.3 Statute Description: Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
Comment: ESC-FE-FLEE AN OFFICER
Comment: RECEIVED FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY (03)
Case #: 06507438 GOC:
Statute: 000.00 Statute Description: UNKNOWN CHARGE
Comment: TRAF-ACC-M-4TH DEG DWI-UI ALCOHOL-MV
Comment: RECEIVED FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY (04)
Case #: 08502442 GOC:
Statute: 609.487.3 Statute Description: Fleeing a Peace Officer in a Motor Vehicle
Comment: ESC-FE-FLEE AN OFFICER
Comment: RECEIVED FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY (05)


Return to Confinement Summary
Confinement 2 of 2
Confinement Date: 7/10/2008
Agency: MINNESOTA CORRECTIONAL FACILITY LINO LAKES
Disposition: Received
Case #: 07127528 GOC:
Statute: 152.022 Statute Description: Drugs-2nd Degree
Comment: CON SUB 2-POSS INT CRACK UNK


Return to Confinement Summary


This report is compared against data maintained at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. There may be other data maintained by other local or federal agencies that is NOT included in this report and there may be additional data maintained by this agency that is not public. A new copy of this report should be requested when the need arises because the data is subject to change.

The information contained within this report is as of 7/27/2011 7:42:21 AM (Central Time)
And the other one:


Public Criminal History Search for: SEMAJ WILLIAMS
Date of Birth: 12/06/1989


WARNING: Criminal offenders frequently use aliases, including the names of other individuals. Do not assume search results correspond to the subject of your inquiry. Use EXTREME CAUTION in making employment, housing, and other decisions based upon this information.

Fingerprint verification is the only way of confirming a subject's identity.

Print Report




Reported Names
Last Name First Name Middle Name
WILLLIAMS SEMAJ
WILLIAMS SAMEJ
WILLIAMS SEMAJ

Reported Dates of Birth
Date of Birth
12/6/1989

Conviction Summary
Disposition Date Disposition Statute Description Conviction Level
2/16/2006 Convicted Aggravated Robbery-1st Degree Felony


Confinement Summary
Confinement Date Statute Description Agency
2/22/2006 Aggravated Robbery-1st Degree MN COR FAC ST CLOUD


Convictions (1)
Conviction 1 of 1
Disposition Date: 2/16/2006
Custody Institution Assigned To: MN DEPT CORR-ST PAUL
Probation Institution Assigned To:
Court: HENNEPIN CO DISTRICT COURT Court File #: KX06001917
Controlling Agency: RICHFIELD PD Case #: 05000233
Disposition: Convicted Conviction Level: Felony
Statute: 609.245.1 Statute Description: Aggravated Robbery-1st Degree
GOC: Aid/Abet

Sentence(s): Pronounced - 50M
Fine(s):


Return to Conviction Summary


Confinements (1)
Confinement 1 of 1
Confinement Date: 2/22/2006
Agency: MN COR FAC ST CLOUD
Disposition: Received
Case #: 05000233 GOC: Aid/Abet
Statute: 609.245.1 Statute Description: Aggravated Robbery-1st Degree
Comment: ROBB-AGG-NO BH-COM HSE-FIREARM-ADULT-STR
Comment: RECEIVED FROM HENNEPIN COUNTY (01)


Return to Confinement Summary


This report is compared against data maintained at the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. There may be other data maintained by other local or federal agencies that is NOT included in this report and there may be additional data maintained by this agency that is not public. A new copy of this report should be requested when the need arises because the data is subject to change.

You wanna be a rock superstar?

For those of you who never have heard of Prince Naseem Hamed, he is a figher out of the UK that is TOTALLY entertaining to watch.

First few things to know:
He is small.
He is a prick.
Arrogant doesn't even begin to describe him.
He is one of the most coordinated fighters I have ever seen.
He moves like lightning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLXcgZ84ndk

Now, I wanna talk about this video a bit.

First: Why all the theatrics? Why ride in on a planaquin?

Anyone who has been in a fight (street or competitive) knows the pre-fight jitters. I posted a interesting link about Tyson prefight a while ago.

The basics is this: EVERY fighter is scared shitless before a fight. Even Tyson was. Ali was. All of them were.

Prince Naseem is doing this to try to convince his opponent he is not afraid. He uses his cocky behavior to mask his fear. Can you think of any ways to use false emotions to ward of danger? Do you remember the "ATM Crazy Guy" defense?

There's a punch at 0:39. Does it look familiar? It's kind of a Jolt when you look at the shoulder rotation and drop step (that you really cant see). The dancing probably had this guy off guard, but the range is what landed the punch!

At 0:43ish you see a strange combo... What is really going on? He is throwing wild punches to get the opponent to put up a guard the blocks his view. Prince takes this oppertunity to get to a side. If you could punch the backs of heads in boxing, this guy would be a pile of mush by 45.

Right at 2:29, he finds an opponent routed. This guy is in total defensive mode and is hiding for his life. He is against the ropes and just trying to survive the round. Does he give him room to breathe? No. A MASSIVE combo that just burns the guy to hell comes at him. The guy has his back to a wall and cannot free himself. Prince understands forward attacking!

2:58ish: The guy gets KOed... however, the body falls right at Prince... If this was a grapple might Prince have been tackled? Prince moves out of the way to make sure that this lump of human hits the ground with the maximum impact. No body to brace him. Also, the nano seconds that the whole thing happens in is confusing. So moving out of the way at an opponent coming at you is always good practice.

3:33ish: Wow... Just watch it. It ALMOST looks fake... Amazing speed, reflexes, and footwork!

Final Comments:

Leaping: Why does he leap at his opponent so much? Well.. Much like Dempsey, Prince is using body weight to launch himself like a missile at his opponents. Yes this is risky, but do you think such powerful forward movements have any place on the street?

The constant hand movement: This guy has his hands all over the place. Taunting, dancing, spinning, punching and all other manners of movement are constantly going through his arms. Why? Much like the Irish/LPR/Pancration we studied, movement is not only distracting, but it keeps the opponent guessing about what they will do next... of course, this includes punching your lights out!

See you in St. Paul!

More violence and some lessons from Wing Chun

The sad reality is that people go through life completely oblivious to danger. 

We live in one of the most peaceful societies ever to grace planet earth. More than any period of time before us, the world is at peace...

However, anyone can tell you that it's still dangerous out there.

We may not have any world wars going on, or barbarian hordes invading our lands, but life is still dangerous.

Too many people in this world go through life with their heads in La La land. No sense of danger, or dangerous people. I encourage everyone to take some time to research real violent behavior and work on their alertness. This is probably the most essential piece of any martial system... It's just not taught much...

The first video I have is from a New York Subway:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/07/21/stunned-straphangers-look-on-as-women-brawl-over-seat-on-l-train-in-brooklyn/

The head grabbing, hair grabbing, high wrestling is very common in a street fight. Notice the "3 Step Rule"? Did you see what happened with the wig? Did you see what happened with the footwear? 

This is a perfect example of a very common street fight. 

The second link comes from Tristan. It is more of a news story, but their is a news clip in the link. 

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/28599948/detail.html

Ask yourself: Why a baseball bat?

Simple. Baseball bats are perfectly legal for dirtbags to carry! I know of no law that prohibits felons, probation clients, or such dirtbags from carrying a bat! Most laws prohibit them from carrying knives, and all prohibit them from having guns, but bats are totally legal. Note: I don't know the ins and outs of every law (especially Colorado) but this is my understanding. 

The final thing I wanted to mention is the value of other Martial Arts.

Wing Chun is a Martial Art that falls into the more classical "Kung Fu" realm. As a system, it is newer than most Kung Fu, but is still fairly old. Wing Chun has been dismissed by many martial artist (mostly in MMA) as complete junk. That's why I chose to showcase it here.

I am going to put a link to the "Fight Quest" episode on Wing Chun. I know that this isn't a complete documentary or anything, and showmanship is heavy with Tee Vee shows, but this video explains the real value of some of their stuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3X7PDRG79Ls

Constant forward pressure. Stable footwork. Offense is the best defense. Strikes the intercept, and intercepts that strike. 

These are all thing's that I think we could all learn from Wing Chun. 

Educate yourself in other arts. Take what works, discard what doesn't!

Welcome to Survival Academy!

As many of you know, this is the new blog from the old blogger.

This is a brand new location for the Minnesota Western Martial Arts blog.

The Reason:
Our club is much more than a "Western Martial Arts" group. We have evoloved into a fully fucntional street survival and wellness group. Topics include everything from martial arts, fitness, street survival, health, and weapons.

We would like to welcome all the new people, as well as those who have been with us a long time!

For the old blog, check out

Minnesotawesternmartialarts.blogspot.com

See you soon!