rmcrobertson said:
Dear, "Karazempo:"
Perhaps if you were a little less eager to try and pounce, you'd have noticed that, a) I'd not know that Mr. Kuoha referred to himself as, "'Grandmaster," b) he seems to be very polite--which I believe my post covered, c) as the real deal and a bit of an elder statesman, I believe that my note about, "as the occasion demands," pretty much covered the issue.
Could you perhaps explain which parts of what I wrote you disagreed with, and why? Thanks.
Personally, I'm wit' Kroh/Walt on this one. I think it's not only the common-sense approach, but the historically and culturally accurate one.
Not pouncing, Robert but okay, I'll elaborate. I think this 'general' statement you made is totally out of line and I used Grandmaster Kuoha as an example why and according to your response, I guess you agree. Here is what you stated that I take issue with: It's no different in academics. As I've had occasion to remark elsewhere, with maybe two exceptions, every single REALLY famous and deserving academic I've met in the last thirty years introduced themselves as something like, "Hi, I'm Ed," or, "Hi, I'm Barbara." It's the wieners who intro themselves as, "Dr," or put, "PhD," on their name tag, that you gotta watch out for.
Robert, totally unfair because I could name many martial artsits who don't use titles who are arrogant, cocky, pompous asses and whiners to boot! I could give you many examples of those that use titles who are highly respected stand up people. I hope your agreement over Grandmaster Kuoha isn't because he is not three thousand miles away and is someone you could bump into at the supermarket or a tournament.
Martial arts, Robert, originally was taught in a rather para-military way. Evidentally you were never in armed services or law enforcement, not a problem. My Chief of police, Thomas O'Laughlin is a total stand up guy, yet, at roll call or when I address him, I address him as 'Chief'. I have two personal friends who are police chiefs in two other jurisdictions and I call them 'Chief' also. You see, it's a respect thing, in the military and law enforcement, something so lacking in today's society and the martial arts. Should I go into roll call and address my chief as 'Tom' or 'Tommy' of Mr., no. of course not because it's not the proper protocol for that profession. Just like today's high schools, my childhood buddy is a teacher and a well respected teacher, yet some of the students' decided to call him 'Fran', need I say more on that situation.
Robert, we went through this before but I'll go through it again if need be. PROTOCOL.........I never used titles PERIOD until I was training under an instructor who did (Prof. Nick Cerio) and I respected his protocol. 'Sonny' Gascon does not use titles in in formal settings at all, as a matter of fact, he's uncomfortable with the 'Sijo' title out of respect to Sijo Emperado and has decided to give that title up. We must all respect each other's protocol. Robert, if your instructor starting using titles you would go along with it in a heart beat! Do you know why I'd be forward enough to say that? Simple. When Steve Spry went to his black belt video program he got the crap beat out of him on another forum. Whne fred Villari followed suit, he got pummelled also but when your instructor did, everything went quiet. Again, my philosophy threefold, 1) the 'glass house syndrome', 2) knowing what's happening in your own back yard and last but not least, 3) 'you mind your store and I'll mind mine'. That's what I live by because if you don't it will always come back to bite you in the butt. In closing, ya, I do agree with the overuse of grandmaster titles and so forth in the U.S.A. and there is nothing wrong with you voicing your opinion against it but please do so with respect to others, otherwise, you are sounding like those poeple you have met whom you didn't like that use titles, that's all I take issue with. A little courtesy.
