Early days! circa 1982; Left to right: Guest Black Belt, Bob “Trucker” MacFarlane RIP; Kiado-ryu Grandmaster Richard “Whitefire” King; Steven “Widi” Ho (1st KIA Black Belt and National Forms Champion); Guest Black Belt, Larry Vetter RIP
Picking up from “Smart Defense Part 2, De-Escalation,” what if an assailant does not want to calm down but “mix it up”
instead? Let’s take a look at our options.
OPTION 1
Run. Just get away from the situation. Such a withdrawal from a potential conflict is a sensible tactic. There’s no
disgrace in retreating from the turmoil. Retreat, in fact, is a common military tactic. It’s better to save the day than
lose it. In an “Active shooter” incident, the main reaction is “Run and Hide.” If such a decision is made, Kiado-Ryu
philosophy is to get away as far as possible from the shooter. Also, if you have to run, run in zig-zag patterns.
Bullets travel in a straight line and the farther away you can get from the shooter the better.
De-Escalation. If it’s not imperative that we physically engage an opponent in order to survive or protect ourselves
or our family, then it would be wise for us to de-escalate the situation if possible. Why continue to squabble and
create potential mayhem when there is no positive advantage in doing so?
The first thing to do to be safe at such a moment is to “create distance” of at least a two arms length from the other
person. Three arms length is better if we have the room. As Kiado-Ryu curriculum teaches, “Distance is the First
Security.” When we’re out of range of a kick or punch we have time to react if the opponent attempts to attack us. And
as we’re creating space, we must remember to never drop our guard. Stay focused and aware and never lose our
concentration.
SELF-DEFENSE has become an all-too-common public concern these days, and rightly so. However, how we protect
ourselves is important. Even more important are the self-defense laws of each state and how those laws are applied.
For example, let’s say a neighbor throws a punch at us. Do we have the right to fight back, maybe by throwing our own
punch … or even two or three punches for good measure? Maybe, maybe not. The law rules.
FIREARMS. Their primary use is for protection, plain and simple, as Finland has so clearly demonstrated by
announcing its opening of 300 shooting ranges to expand their capability of national defense with a goal of 1,000 ranges
by the end of the decade.
Why is this happening? Thank Vladimir Putin and his demented phobia of needless murdering in a desire to destroy Ukraine
and its people. It’s madness. Yet, it’s also reality. Putin is an evil man who, like so many other demonic dictators
throughout world history, is consumed with blood lust, power and domination.