Today another brief historical detour.

 

I want you to picture this--current President Barack Obama and Abigail R. Kimbell, our current head of the US Forest Service, meeting and greeting for some bureaucratic whatever on the tax-payer dime. After the confab the Commander-in-Chief offers a friendly challenge to hit the wrestling mat. Abigail, being a keen sportswoman says, "You bet." (I have no idea whether our chief forester wrestles or not, but for the sake of this example--she's all about it).

 

They hit the mat and POTUS gets the takedown and pin pretty quick--score one for the "Leader of the free world."

 

Abigail, is a good sport, but also mighty competitive says let's lace up the gloves and box a few rounds. The Prez is game, they commence fisticuffs and Abby bangs a good right to the chin and the Chief Executive goes down.

 

With a W in each column they bump fists and have a beer.

 

Hard to imagine, huh?  Maybe it was the mixed-gender nature of my example, if that's the case run the same above scenario with any of the political matches below (to be fair, put each of these folks at their prime--whatever that means)...

• Mitt Romney vs. Newt Gingrich
• Joe Biden vs. Al Gore
• Bill Clinton vs. Joe Lieberman
• John McCain vs. Paul Ryan (OK, with both in their prime, this one might happen).

 

 My point is, it's mighty tough to imagine our "leaders" engaging in anything more strenuous than golf or maybe pick-up hoops. Contrast that thought with this match-up:

• New York Governor (at the time) Teddy Roosevelt vs.  Gifford Pinchot (Future first head of the US Forest Service).

 

Teddy and Pinchot, both avid adherents of the "strenuous life" and, also, good friends played out our opening scenario at the governor's mansion in Albany in 1899.  Fun stuff. I have no love for TR's politics, and find some of Pinchot's approach mis-guided but I still can't help but conjure a little affection for the two when I ponder the scenario.

 

I wonder when it started that golf and "jogging" and such activities became the sport of choice for "our betters"? With the blooming of MMA it seems only a matter of time before we, perhaps, see a little playful throwdown in the Oval Office. A good double leg from our Secretary of State followed by a rear-naked from the Prez. I'm sure I'll like that story too--odds are, I'll almost certainly abhor their politics, but I'll cut them a tiny bit of slack for not having to hear one more golf story.

• 2-days of hardcore Old School inTENS Conditioning, Pugilism, and All-In Wrestling. 
• All material will be presented in integrated chains (strikes, submissions, and takedown material).
• This Boot Camp is suitable for all levels of experience and/or fitness.  All we ask is that you work to the top of your own ability/limits--not anyone else's-you're always the boss.
• Gear: Mouthpiece, boxing gloves, and MMA gloves are required. 
• This is a limited attendance Boot Camp-meaning, once a slot is gone, it's gone.  We like to keep the numbers low so that we can provide individual attention.
• The price is $175 for the 2-days. ($150 for past attendees, $125 for RAW Subscribers).
• There are discounts for traveling partners and groups.
• Attendance will also confer Lifetime Membership status meaning that you will receive a 15% discount on all Products from that day forth.
• For those with family in tow who have better things to do than to watch you sweat, we are less than a 1/2 hour drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, the Dollywood Amusement Park, and shopping opportunities too numerous to count..
• For accommodations, search in the Boot Location area:  Red Dragon Martial Arts Center 284 South Daisy St.  Morristown  TN  37813  (423) 587-3755 (School)  www.rdkarate.com
• For those of you flying in, your destination airport will be McGhee-Tyson in Knoxville, TN.

  

STREET SELF-DEFENSE SYSTEM: Vol. 1

 

This first volume is meant to accompany the harsh tactics we advocate in our street self-defense manual NO SECOND CHANCE.  This first volume clocks in at over 3 1/2 hours and introduces the Natural Weapons Vocabulary, The Head-to-Toe Target System, introduces Static Scenario Drilling, and closes with Fluid Scenario Drilling i.e., the statistically most likely assault situations.  (Disclosure: This volume is weapons-free; Volume 2 will cover that contingency in great depth.)  This month only, we're offering Street Self-Defense to Legends Newsletter Subscribers for only $44, shipping included($54 International).  You we're also offering a package deal of Street Self-Defense and No Second Chance for $58, shipping included ($68 International)

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