I think that we get so caught up in history that we miss the most important part of the arts - actually practicing them today and making them work for us in the here and now. We all know the story concerning HRD, the dodgy business practices, and the fabricated history. These things, however, do not change the fact that Hwarangdo is an awesome system with awesome practitioners within its ranks who have the physical and mental skills to more than back up their training. Don't get me wrong - history is very important, however, the most important thing is the actual practice of the art itself and despite the shady goings on in the political side of the art, the skills and tactics taught within the art are legitimate and the skills of its highest ranking members are true. It is unfortunate that Hwarangdo has experienced such things, however, *every* style has experienced things like this to a varying degree at some point. When I trained in Shotokan, my sensei informed me there were many rivalries and splits that took place within Japanese Karate, itself. Don't even get me started on all of the tall tales within Japanese Karate that are treated as unquestionable truths, either. I was in Ninjutsu/Budo Taijutsu for a number of years too and I am quite sure that everybody is familiar with the issues that go on in that area, too. I am currently in TKD so that is a whole other can of worms, as well. Politics and lies are prevelant in *all* arts, but that doesn't diminish the skillsets or the proficiency of the masters in *any* art. The skills are still legit and the masters are still, well, masters (of course, I am talking about real masters here - people who actually put in the time and attained the necessary skills to rightfully be called *master*). Likewise, they *all* still deserve their due respect regardless of the politics that take place within them as the political side is touching a different area entirely. The most important thing is that we focus on our training and enjoy our arts. Humans will always be human, after all. I will always tell the truth and make sure those who train with me know the truth. I will also respect the art and its masters who put in the time and have the skills to back up their designation as masters.