Dana: Great topic. Two observations. I am told that "down block" is not the right translation for the movement if one is referring to a gedan barai. I am told barai means to sweep. In most Okinawan and Japanese systems, the upper block is called jodan uke, and the middle block chudan uke. ...

While I understand most folks in the Uechi community have heard of our good fortune, I thought I would share with those who've been off line, away from the phone, or out of town. On April 20, 2002 the CSU, Sacramento Uechi Club will be hosting George Mattson. Joan Neide is MC, and has scheduled two ...

Student: I must disagree with you. Duty and proximate cause are not the same. If we're going to discuss the concepts, we don't need to use jargon, but we do need to follow the same steps a plaintiff attorney must follow to prove a case against a defendant. If there is a break in any of the elements,...

Gene and Alan:

OK, I will be the first to confess that it has been quite some time since I last curled up with Prosser on Torts, but Gene's list seems to be missing proximate cause. Is this no longer a requirement for negligence?

Robb

Bill:

The mirror image idea is one that many dojos seem to be using. Mr. Earle makes it a part of almost every class. One side advantage to doing the mirror image: the southpaw members of the class look really good, while the rest of us cope with a new experience.

Paul:

Follow the link to a school in Seattle.

Good luck and good training.
http://www.geocities.com/uechiryuwest/

Kusanku & Sochin: Thanks for making me feel better about the Gojushiho. It is a wonderful kata, and since I've been known to stagger and fall down in the course of jogging, a kata well suited to my physical temperment. Sochin: If you run into Mr. Kim, please express my thanks for his encourageme...

Sochin: You are quite lucky to train under Mr. Kim. Is he still teaching in San Francisco (was it the YMCA?). I have had the pleasure of speaking with him on a couple of occasions, and it was very insightful. So, why aren't any of you shorin-ryu guys mentioning one of my favorite katas, Gojushiho. I...

Lee & Ted & Kusanku Thanks for the insight. Can I tap you for some info on the differences, if any, between Shorin Ryu, Shuri Te, and Tomari Te. And, do you have any examples of a Tomari Te kata that is still being practiced within any of the Okinawan systems. Thanks in advance. Peace. Robb ...

Alan K. California has a similar prohibition on nunchakus, with the exception that one who is licensed (that would be a business license) may possess them on the premises (what is not clear is how the heck one gets them to the premises). The weapons prohibition, found in our Penal Code, also include...

David T. Good news for the gun manufacturers! Nothing like being able to put a dangerous instrumentality into the marketplace without regard for liability. Say, maybe the prezs bro would also like to shield the food industry from those bothersome lawsuits involving botulism. OH, and let's not leave ...

Panther: Nineth and Tenth Amendment? So besides Roe v. Wade (Justice Goldberg) have you ever seen any court enforce either amendment. Reserving to the people those rights not expressly enumerated must scare the p*** out of most government police types. (The police and military would probably like to...

Panther: I can't go with you on this one. If denying intent ended a case, there wouldn't be a single first degree murder conviction in the counrty (OK, besides some of the more well known crazies who not only admit they intended to do it, but are proud of the fact they did it). Intent can be demonst...

Alan: Socratic method? I don't think my professors ever thought I caught on to it. But I enjoyed the cool togas we wore in law school. Umm. Crimes. Is uttering obscenities a crime in Massachusetts? How the heck do you put on a sporting event? Maybe I just live too close to Oakland and Raiders fans t...

George & Alan: George, you might be correct that an MA would take hands on hips as a threatening gesture, but that is not the issue before the court. The question is whether a reasonable person would view hands on the hips as a threat. Also, this question started as whether one could defend one'...