Forgetting About the Gun: Firearms and martial arts

[Xiaobian]

A very well-written article about how traditional martial arts seem to be mis-remembered as separate from modern weaponry and firearms. The myth of Shaolin permeates. Thoughts?

[Daifong]

I could not possibly agree more. Once invented, to be in denial of firearms' preeminence is to take an "ostrich with it's head in the sand" approach. This is why I like Krav Maga...because, at advanced levels, they teach you how to take out machine gun nests and blow up tanks...now there's a REAL martial art!



Nice article!

Seriously though...some ten years earlier in USA, and in a similar vein to the "Boxer's Rebellion", the Native Americans had a vision of train-tracks, guns, and all things belonging to the white man being "rolled up", to reveal a pristine, unspoiled earth as once it was. This would require each individual to "believe", and in doing so, give up all white man's goods (such as firearms, livestock and booze), and join the others chanting and praying while wearing special ceremonial clothing, which was assured to make the wearer completely "bulletproof". This movement was known as the "Ghost Dance", and also like the "Boxer's Rebellion" that swept through China, it ended very badly, for all who were involved...