inteview of tkd blackbelt

[Kosho-Monk]

OK. Here's the question that I'm sure some of you must be asking yourselves.... How much money did he pay Sonny Gascon and Lou Angel for his promotions? I don't personally know either one of these well-known martial artists, but if the guy came up with some serious cash I wouldn't blame them for giving him a cert.

Does anyone here know Chris Geary?

 

[The Kai]

That office is just way over the top!!!

How much is he fleecing the public// Anybody see the continous ladder of belts??
Like the gold statues, wonder if he runs a dojo in all that mess?
Todd

 

[shane23ss]

LOL, but I need some cool certs. to hang on my walls in my apartment, they are so bare, and then I could have some braggin' rights like that Wu Shen Pai guy in Las Vegas LOL. Dark Lord status was easy to get, I want something with a challenge, you know, costs $425 for that 10th Dan cert. in "Swing your Weiner" style LOL.

DarK LorD

What you could do is take your AK, change it to "Dark Kenpo" become the founder, then change it again to "Lord Kenpo" become the founder, then yet again change it to "Dark Lord Kenpo" become the founder and you can be the Founder/Creator/SGM of 3 systems in 3 days.

 

[Danjo]

Is it my imagination or did this guy try to copyright the term "Shaolin Kempo" with the little cirlce R sign ? Er...isn't this a rather old term first used by William Chow?

 

[DavidCC]

Let me try to address some of these "questions"... I've been a student at his schools for over 2 years (although not directly under Geary).


money and decoration - CNG's schools use 6 and 12 month contracts. Adult students pay about $80/month, children slightly less. Testing fees are $25 for every rank. So yes the school is decorated nicely (some don't like the gold but it's his school so he can style it however he likes) but is that an outrageously high price? No it is not. I've been to more expensive schools that had crappy burber carpet that smelled like rank feet... it is nice to train in a place that doesnt feel or smell like a locker room.

"Continuous ladder of belts" : first dan black is the 10th rank you achieve. I think this is about average. That display has 19 belts on it, with first black being right in the middle, 10th at the top, white at the bottom. What's wrong with that? I've seen school that have 20 promotions to get 1st dan, and $250 each promotion!!! Tell me why 10 ranks / $25 is so bad.

Gascon and Angel don't sell ranks. If you think they do then why don't you ask them about it... I think Geary might have paid the airfare from Hawaii when Sijo Gascon came out here. Some at NCk like to lie about it, but Cerio promoted Geary to 1st dan - not an acknowledgment of rank, but a promotion, and I posted proof in the "Shaolin Kempo" variations thread. For anyone at NCK who wants to argue about legitimacy of ranks, first answer "Who gave Pesare his black belts"?

We don't refer to him as "Founder" in conversation, in conversation we refer to him as "Shihan" the same way my instructor is always "Sensei". In our certificates and documents he is often referred to as "The Founder" though. He created his own variant of SK and opened a chain of chools so he is the founder of all that.

cross-ranking - Above 1st black Geary's Kempo advances through learning the same kata's as found in Tenshi Goju Kai. So as one learns those katas they can be eligible for rank in Tenshi Goju Kai. And when apprporiate, Lou Angel will test and promote people who have earned it. So there is a lot of overlap between CNG's Kempo and Tenshi Goju so cross ranking recognizes that, it is not a totally seperate art learned in a vacuum. Also, the style comes from Geary's initial exposure to Villari, then influenced by NCK and Goju. I have spent a number of hours comparing and this is my opinion based on what I have learned and observed. KGS BBS recognizes CNG's style as a linear descendant of KGS, and recognized Geary as performing at 6th degree skill, so they ranked him. You have every right to second guess Sonny Gascon and who he chooses to promote, after all each of you is as experienced as he, yes?

kosho-monk said "but if the guy came up with some serious cash I wouldn't blame them for giving him a cert." Does this mean you would also have no qualms about buying yourself some rank, since you say you would sell it for enough money? k-m = hypocrite.


"chair pinning" there was no ceremony, I think he got a new camera that week and was taking pictures of everything form putting a headrest on his chair to the grass growing outside the dojo... some of that stuff is a little tongue-in-cheek you just have to not take yourself so seriously to get it.


"he has way too much money" - how much money are we each allowed to have? And how may we spend it? Please point me to the rule book, I missed it...

copyrighting "Shaolin Kempo" : what is copyrighted is the name "Christopher N Geary's Shaolin Chuan'fa" as the name of the curriculum and "Christopher N Geary's Kempo Karate" is the name of the corporate entity.


Geary's style and presentation might not be to everyone's taste, but well-respected people, people with impeccable credentials - have tested him and ranked him. Some of you choose to then impeach those who are otherwise impeccable, that is your choice. It is easy to flame anything on the internet, any loser can get his jollies doing so. The internet dogpile is a common pass-time and means very little.

 

[The Kai]

Again you learn USSD katas up to black, Goju Katas (like sanchin, suriepei) from 1st to 5th dan, and then start in with Karazempo Kata after 5th dan?? There is a lot of jumping around going on.
As the founder of a new style waht is the stylist differences between the this style and the UDSSD/Goju/karazempo mix?

I know I am stepping on your toes, and I apologize if I am hurting your fellings.

Here's a little co-incidence for ya'

http://www.karazenpogoshinjutsu.com/photos-misc2.htm

Todd

 

[Kosho-Monk]

David,

It seems that some of us have upset you. Perhaps you should not take yourself so seriously and see that many of us are poking fun at the fact that Chris's website seems to portray him as someone who is really into himself.

Again, I don't care how much money he has and what his dojo looks like. I don't train there and never will. But I do have the right to voice my opinion of it. He has it posted on the World Wide Web so he should be prepared for this kind of "feedback".

No, I would not buy rank or sell it - that was a joke. Perhaps I need to use more of these little smiley faces to get that across.

If Lou Angel and Sonny Gascon promoted Chris based on his martial abilities than so be it. Perhaps it really only took Chris 10 years to get himself to the same level as the majority of people who have been training 20-30 years or longer. I doubt it, but I am skeptical by nature. Maybe I'll meet him someday and be able to judge for myself.

Well, I've said enough... back to the bottom of the meaningless dogpile.


-John

 

[DavidCC]

no , my feelings aren't hurt and I'm not upset LOL but some of the statements you guys were making were going into the realm of ridiculous and the just plain made-up BS so I thought I would address some of it. I thoguht my post was calm but direct :/

I'm not a black belt yet and I don't know the whole system... but it's not so disjointed as you make it sound. We have 10 kata to get to black, they are based on KGS and NCK forms (go read any of Prof. Shuras posts about pinan genealogy and you will quickly go cross-eyed, ours is part of that heredity).

Above black we have goju kata (seisan, suparanpei, others whose spelling I could butcher worse) and more KGS kata (Statue of the crane, 2 man sets etc). I've watched USSD videos and NCK videos and CNG's bears a stronger resemblance to NCK than it does to USSD.

 

[Danjo]

copyrighting "Shaolin Kempo" : what is copyrighted is the name "Christopher N Geary's Shaolin Chuan'fa" as the name of the curriculum and "Christopher N Geary's Kempo Karate" is the name of the corporate entity.

That's not what it says on his web page. I don't see Chuan Fa anywhere. It says Shaolin Kempo Karate.

 

[The Kai]

Is it the Patch that is Copywrited??

Todd

 

[Karazenpo]

OK. Here's the question that I'm sure some of you must be asking yourselves.... How much money did he pay Sonny Gascon and Lou Angel for his promotions? I don't personally know either one of these well-known martial artists, but if the guy came up with some serious cash I wouldn't blame them for giving him a cert.

Does anyone here know Chris Geary?

John, you know you are my friend and I respect you. I can express myself to you as you can to me with no hard feelings. I scrolled down from your original post to read the one that stated the 'paying' thing was a joke and you were poking fun at Shihan Geary. When I was told about your orignal post as I was corresponding on the 'Differences'.........topic. I never would have guessed it was you. I responded about Sijo Gascon's dan ranking fees: $0 over at that topic, perhaps I should have done it here. Your post wasn't poking fun at Shihan Geary as much as it being totally disrespectful to Sijo Gascon and Hanshi Angel, both men who are seniors to your instructor, Hanshi Bruce Juchnik. Should I ask you how much serious cash did you pay Hanshi Juchnik for your promotions? How would that sound? It would not only be an insult to you but also to Hanshi Juchnik. One thing I will bet you on, Hanshi Juchnik is not shy on his dan rank testing fees and I'll just leave it at that.

All these questions about Shihan Chris Geary, do what I do when I'm curious about someone. E-mail him, call him or if nearby visit him rather than just lambasting the guy. Everyone has a story to tell, so see what he has to say and you decide. No one says you have to agree with him or like him for that matter. I'm sure he could care less. No big deal. I did and he was very cordial, professional and answered whatever questions I put in front of him. I was impressed by his truthfulness for he never 'b.s.'d me in any way, shape or form since I knew of some of what I was asking prior and he was the same way with Sijo Gascon and Professor Rash. I hate to be b.s.'d! He does seem to have an excellent repoire within his community and with it's leaders. Who cares about his license plate, I've seen guys over the years with all kinds of martial arts plates and even lettering & logoing their vehicles, some very prominent instructors, I'm sure you guys have seen the same. Who really cares? He could do his school in passionate pink if he chooses, like Dave said, it's his school. He also served honorably in defense of our country in the USMC, how many of us can say the same? Dorreen Cogliandro, highest ranking female in Ed Parker's American Kenpo at 8th degree, a hell of a tough tournament competitor and a nice lady (she's from my home state of Massachusetts) gave him a 'thumbs up' on his website, should she be sneered at too? I hope not! Sincerely, Joe

 

[The Kai]

absolutely agree with you. The seniors you speak of earned their ranks through decades of hard work and in their day they set the standard. It doesn't get any more legitimate than that. What I'm talking about are the ones with little training and little skill that go on award themselves high ranks or those that hand out rank like it's nothing. To me, that is disrespectful to those that trained hard with years of blood and sweat to get where they are. And that's why I believe it's better to be judged by what you can do or what you have done, not what belt happens to be sitting around your waist.

I probably got a little off the subject on my last post but this is a subject that always hits a nerve for me

I Guess i don't understand that you agree with this post yet back up this guy? 10 years to do what takes a normal man 30 years. Hanshi Juchnik has his faults, yet I have yet to hear of him meeting someone one time and raising them to 5th degree! (BTW he naever charged me for my tests).
Joe, I know you are ritfull proud and protective of your lineage, but by protecting yourself you also want use to believe this guy?

A lot has to do with the hot bed of martial arts that is Omaha Nebraska, Just think where will this guy be in 2 years, in 5 years?
You, Joe have done more to educate and promote Karazempo then to promote yourself, I respect you and look forward to reading your posts. I hope I have'nt hurt your feelings
BTW - It is a goog looking website
todd

 

[Karazenpo]

absolutely agree with you. The seniors you speak of earned their ranks through decades of hard work and in their day they set the standard. It doesn't get any more legitimate than that. What I'm talking about are the ones with little training and little skill that go on award themselves high ranks or those that hand out rank like it's nothing. To me, that is disrespectful to those that trained hard with years of blood and sweat to get where they are. And that's why I believe it's better to be judged by what you can do or what you have done, not what belt happens to be sitting around your waist.

I probably got a little off the subject on my last post but this is a subject that always hits a nerve for me

I Guess i don't understand that you agree with this post yet back up this guy? 10 years to do what takes a normal man 30 years. Hanshi Juchnik has his faults, yet I have yet to hear of him meeting someone one time and raising them to 5th degree! (BTW he naever charged me for my tests).
Joe, I know you are ritfull proud and protective of your lineage, but by protecting yourself you also want use to believe this guy?

A lot has to do with the hot bed of martial arts that is Omaha Nebraska, Just think where will this guy be in 2 years, in 5 years?
You, Joe have done more to educate and promote Karazempo then to promote yourself, I respect you and look forward to reading your posts. I hope I have'nt hurt your feelings
BTW - It is a goog looking website
todd

No Todd, not at all (hurt feelings), I respect you and I definitely see where you're coming from. Thank you for the kind words, I appreciate that. I can agree with you but here's how I view it. Early on, very early on, I was pretty naive about things. I would hear things about a certain master (I'm saying this as a generic example which can apply to many in the arts) that he did this or that, self promoted himself and/or bought rank, gave rank, sold rank, lied, you know what I mean. So, I kind of get down on the guy in my own head and thought to hell with him and then hear of someone else who is unlike him, I'm told totally legit, he 'da man! As a little time goes by, sure enough, the stories fly about him: self promoted and/or bought rank, gave rank, sold rank, lied, blah, blah, blah. Down the line comes another, now this guy is the tops, no way can anyone cast doubt on any of his credentials and background! Time goes by and again............self promoted and/or bought rank, gave rank, sold rank, lied, etc. As the years went by, next came the videos for black belt, send your money in for your promotion and you get a certificate signed by the master suitable for framing. I open my big mouth and said well so & so would never do that and what happens? I pick up a mag or log on the net and master so & so has a video black belt program out! Go figure!

My point being Todd, if I fight and argue with everyone in the martial arts world who listens to the beat of a different drummer than I do, or we do then I will end up becoming overwelmed, burnt out and making a lot of unneccessary enemies and over what? The commercialism of the martial arts? It's not worth it. Everything today is based on the all mighty dollar whether guys like us agree with it or not, we are certainly not going to change it. Are their big egos in our business? Absolutely! Is there arrogance in our business? Absolutely! Criminal behavior? Yes, that goes without saying. There are members in the few organizations I belong to that are recognized by the leaders or founders of such organizations, I have respect for these people, they are my seniors and they treat me with respect in turn. Since they are my seniors, my position is to not second guess their decisions. As a police officer we don't take kindly to a rookie second guessing a veteran either, it's not proper protocol. If Sijo Gascon wishes to have my opinion on something, fine. I will be honest and up front with him. If not, I simply mind my own business and instead of letting negative energy eat away at me, I use positive energy to assist in making the organization move in a positive direction in an effort to bring its members closer together. I look at people and try to see their good points rather than any negativism, of course that only goes so far, there is a line I don't cross and when or if it happens I cut them off entirely. Now, that is a goal that is achievable, trying to change the politics and commercialism of the martial arts world is not achievable and is comparable to banging your head against a brick wall where only two things will happen, you'll either get a concussion or the wall will fall on you, lol. In reference to Hanshi Lou Angel, I have direct knowledge that he was questioned on Shihan Geary's promotion and his response was something to the affect of "you watch your store and I'll watch mine", he had a nice way of saying he has his reasons for doing what he does and everyone else should mind their own business. Yes, that is what he said, pretty much verbatim. Hanshi Lou Angel has been around a hell of a lot longer than I and his accomplishments have made him a legend in the martial arts world. I think that fact stands undisputed. Jeff Speakman performed some Goju he learned from Hanshi to honor him in 'The Perfect Weapon". I'm sure you'll agree he is very highly respected, an honorable man, a man of character and morals.........I decided to listen to this wise man and take him up on his advice. Sijo Sonny Gascon told me personally his only goal in promoting his organization is to bring all Karazenpo and extended family members together in a feeling of 'Ohana' (family) and that's it! Not to make money and get rich, not for ego and publicity but just to bring us all together into one big happy family where we can make friends, train, exchange ideas and simply socialize, a true brotherhood. If Sijo Gascon found it appropiate to promote Shihan Geary to 6th dan then as Hanshi Angel stated, that is his perrogative and proper protocol should be respected by Sijo's students as far as questioning his motives. Remember, the controversy of the promotions of Elvis Presley from Ed Parker and Kang Rhee? When Mr. Parker was asked about Elvis' ability in reference to his high degree rankings he simply stated something very close to this: Elvis was a good black belt and that's all that should matter and be said, for what degree of death are you after your dead? (I could find the direct quote but that's pretty close). That was Mr. Parker's way of handling it and I can respect that also. Take care my friend, with respect, "Joe"

 

[Kosho-Monk]

John, you know you are my friend and I respect you. I can express myself to you as you can to me with no hard feelings. I scrolled down from your original post to read the one that stated the 'paying' thing was a joke and you were poking fun at Shihan Geary. When I was told about your orignal post as I was corresponding on the 'Differences'.........topic. I never would have guessed it was you. I responded about Sijo Gascon's dan ranking fees: $0 over at that topic, perhaps I should have done it here. Your post wasn't poking fun at Shihan Geary as much as it being totally disrespectful to Sijo Gascon and Hanshi Angel, both men who are seniors to your instructor, Hanshi Bruce Juchnik. Should I ask you how much serious cash did you pay Hanshi Juchnik for your promotions? How would that sound? It would not only be an insult to you but also to Hanshi Juchnik. One thing I will bet you on, Hanshi Juchnik is not shy on his dan rank testing fees and I'll just leave it at that.

All these questions about Shihan Chris Geary, do what I do when I'm curious about someone. E-mail him, call him or if nearby visit him rather than just lambasting the guy. Everyone has a story to tell, so see what he has to say and you decide. No one says you have to agree with him or like him for that matter. I'm sure he could care less. No big deal. I did and he was very cordial, professional and answered whatever questions I put in front of him. I was impressed by his truthfulness for he never 'b.s.'d me in any way, shape or form since I knew of some of what I was asking prior and he was the same way with Sijo Gascon and Professor Rash. I hate to be b.s.'d! He does seem to have an excellent repoire within his community and with it's leaders. Who cares about his license plate, I've seen guys over the years with all kinds of martial arts plates and even lettering & logoing their vehicles, some very prominent instructors, I'm sure you guys have seen the same. Who really cares? He could do his school in passionate pink if he chooses, like Dave said, it's his school. He also served honorably in defense of our country in the USMC, how many of us can say the same? Dorreen Cogliandro, highest ranking female in Ed Parker's American Kenpo at 8th degree, a hell of a tough tournament competitor and a nice lady (she's from my home state of Massachusetts) gave him a 'thumbs up' on his website, should she be sneered at too? I hope not! Sincerely, Joe

Hi Joe,

Not sure if this whole post was directed totally at me or just the first section. I'll answer what I feel applies to me.

Yes, I questioned whether or not Lou Angel and Sonny Gascon promoted Chris Geary based on abilities or not. It seems odd to me that one would get such rank with only 10 years under his belt. I agree with Mr. Angel when he says, "you watch your store and I'll watch mine". If he wishes to recognize someone as a high-ranking master with only 10 years experience, that's his business. Personally it doesn't affect me at all.

I believe you when you say that Chris Geary didn't pay these men to recognize him as a 6th dan in three styles. I am moving on now.

I have never paid Hanshi Juchnik for rank. (and all the guys I know who have received rank from him have never paid for it either) I've paid him for lessons, books, training videos, etc. But never for rank. I wouldn't mind if anyone asked me that or made comment that Hanshi sold me rank. I would simply correct them and move on. If they didn't believe me after that, then that's their problem.

I can say that I served honorable in the United States Marine Corps. I was discharged as a SGT. in the fall of 1995.

Again, we all have different tastes. I don't care for his website and think it makes him look like an idiot. Free country, my opinion. I'm sure many think I'm an idiot too. I'm ok with that. I'm more concerned with how I feel about myself and not so concerned with how others feel about me.

So I will say that I apologize to all who have been made to feel badly by my statements.

Joe, one of the things I like best about you is that you don't mind telling it the way you see it. No hard feelings here!


-John


PS. Did I ever tell you that Hanshi Juchnik calls me his "trouble-maker"? I don't understand why? :idunno: :ultracool

 

[The Kai]

Okay here's the deal when do we start self regulating the style?? We always talk about the old days this and that. Well it's goning to be pretty hard when we tippy tap around these subjects. That's my 2 cents. I'm not saying that Sijo did anything wrong. Hell, with the best of intentions to unify and strenghten his style maybe he did gift this guy a certificate - with the hopes his future effort would be sincere. See now why Nick cerio gave up the NCMMA??

Allright next windmill to set my lance at!!
Todd

 

[Karazenpo]

Hi Joe,

Not sure if this whole post was directed totally at me or just the first section. I'll answer what I feel applies to me.

Yes, I questioned whether or not Lou Angel and Sonny Gascon promoted Chris Geary based on abilities or not. It seems odd to me that one would get such rank with only 10 years under his belt. I agree with Mr. Angel when he says, "you watch your store and I'll watch mine". If he wishes to recognize someone as a high-ranking master with only 10 years experience, that's his business. Personally it doesn't affect me at all.

I believe you when you say that Chris Geary didn't pay these men to recognize him as a 6th dan in three styles. I am moving on now.

I have never paid Hanshi Juchnik for rank. (and all the guys I know who have received rank from him have never paid for it either) I've paid him for lessons, books, training videos, etc. But never for rank. I wouldn't mind if anyone asked me that or made comment that Hanshi sold me rank. I would simply correct them and move on. If they didn't believe me after that, then that's their problem.

I can say that I served honorable in the United States Marine Corps. I was discharged as a SGT. in the fall of 1995.

Again, we all have different tastes. I don't care for his website and think it makes him look like an idiot. Free country, my opinion. I'm sure many think I'm an idiot too. I'm ok with that. I'm more concerned with how I feel about myself and not so concerned with how others feel about me.

So I will say that I apologize to all who have been made to feel badly by my statements.

Joe, one of the things I like best about you is that you don't mind telling it the way you see it. No hard feelings here!


-John


PS. Did I ever tell you that Hanshi Juchnik calls me his "trouble-maker"? I don't understand why? :idunno: :ultracool

Hi John, glad you responded. No, I made some generalized statements also that did not pertain to you at all. Again, John, if myself and many others, ever opened up, it would start a war with a lot of people. It would give all new meaning to the phrase: "to open up a can of worms". When I started delving into the history I found a lot of things that reflect from the past into the present. I was warned by a friend who did the same thing. He told me to be careful when you start digging into this legitimate rank thing, that I might be disappointed. I kind of scoffed at that. Mistake. This was after we had a discussion (it was on a forum at the time, but I knew him personally) on legit rank and I said something about Mitose. It went like this: 'Well, you can't say he's not legitimate because his ranking was passed down through his bloodline as 21st decendant of his family art'. Needless to say I have since then lost my virginity, lol, and told him some time later that he was right about some of the surprises I would find. I know of a very, very highly respected kenpo senior, respected not only by his students but his peers and seniors who in 11 years in kenpo made it to the rank of 8th degree and a year later at that rank founded his own system that has world wide recognition and accreditation to this day. Everyone knows it, he never hided it and his 8th was from a 'legtimate' master. His system today has numerous subsystems of his original style. This example is just one of many. There's another I know who criticized others excessively and a bit of his 'history' was released and came back to bite him in the butt (not that he wasn't a tough fighter, excellent black belt and teacher). One has to be careful when they point out these things in other people's systems because, trust me, you can easily start digging into their systems and find the same thing. "Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.' No matter how far I went back I found controversy. How about Funakoshi receiving his renshi 5th dan from a Budo Kai in Japan that was essentially a haven for practitioners of kenjutsu (the sword arts) along with jiu jitsu and akijitsu. Cross ranking, ya think? What's even better his student was on the board who gave him the rank! He was Japanese and was the alledged 'pull' Funakoshi needed at the time for an Okinawan to be accepted into a Japanese Kai. The Kai has since expanded to take in other arts but is essentially known in Japan as a 'paper mill'. Don't believe me? Talk to Robert Rouuselot of Japan of this forum. So, again, to paraphrase Hanshi Lou Angel -You mind your store and I'll mind mine. I have a different way of putting it. Be careful about criticizing others when you may not know what's going on on in your own back yard because one could end up with 'egg on one's face'.
John, yes, thank you for serving our country in the USMC, I totally respect that. Take care my friend, Sincerely, Joe

 

[Karazenpo]

Okay here's the deal when do we start self regulating the style?? We always talk about the old days this and that. Well it's goning to be pretty hard when we tippy tap around these subjects. That's my 2 cents. I'm not saying that Sijo did anything wrong. Hell, with the best of intentions to unify and strenghten his style maybe he did gift this guy a certificate - with the hopes his future effort would be sincere. See now why Nick cerio gave up the NCMMA??

Allright next windmill to set my lance at!!
Todd

Todd, the old days were just as bad. We just simply were not around then, weren't in the arts then or if so, may have been too naive or not privy to what was happening then. Nothing has really changed except the numbers and communication. More numbers, more controversy and with the advent of the internet and investigative reporters-no one can hide it anymore. Way back then you trained in Okinawa, Hawaii or Japan or maybe in the U.S. with some people three thousand miles away from home. Not easily traceable. No internet. No real reason to doubt anyone's claims with a little knowledge...you know, "The one eyed man is King in the land of the blind"-thank you KenpoJoe,lol. Ya, Prof. Cerio had the NCIMAA and was nice enough to recognize rank from instructors and systems he recognized only to find some of these people claiming being a private student of his and being tested and promoted by him. Hense, the abolition of his association. Look at the controversy of Hanshi Juchnik and the Mitose prison visits and what some out on the west coast call 'Jail House Karate'. John (Evans), what is more controversial and impacted more martial artists worldwide- Sijo Gascon & Hanshi Angel's promotion of a guy in Nebraska to 6th dan or getting handed over a legendary martial arts system with no experience in it from several visits to Folsom Prison? Oh, it's okay because Mitose said it was, right? Then I guess it's also okay because Gascon and Angel said it was too. Right? See what I mean about 'throwing stones' but not checking what's going on in your own back yard? Glass houses? I don't mean to sound harsh and this has nothing to do with the man's abilty but come on, what if this was Sijo Gascon or Hanshi Angel's claim to fame? You would be all over them for it and I couldn't blame you! That's the martial arts in general and I'm certainly not going to lose any sleep over it anymore. Respectfully, Prof. Joe

 

[The Kai]

Prof Joe

It's cool but lets call a horse a horse. Did Hanshi Juchnik learn the system from the jailhouse, probably not-but man can he hit! Also has some neat stuff to teach (weather you agree with him or not). The proof is always in the pudding(what a odd expression). Maybe the guy is that good, there are stranger things.
Todd

 

[bayonet]

I have been studying AK for 5 years now. I have been tested and promoted from orange to 3rd brown by Mr. Planas. I have been to Mr. Tatum's school and had the snot knocked outta me by Juan who is a 5th dan:asian:. This so called "Shihan" Geary is just a businessman. Come on, 6th dan in ten years in three styles? Are people in the mid west that dumb? Does he move like a 6th dan? NO Way. Not the 6th dans I have witnessed. This guy is a bunghole. Chris's web site has an article with a BB in taekwondo stating that all the years of kicking gave him arthritis!!LOL Hey,tell that to 64 y.o. Hee Il Cho. WOW just think in 5 more years I can get my 6th dan! Maybe Mr. Planas and Mr. Tatum will bestow and honorary GM title and send me on my merry way! Yeah right, I'd rather wear my tattered brown belt that I have spilled blood for than be "given" rank. Hope nobody is offended. If you are go tell Shihan:rofl:

 

[bayonet]

I also served my country honorably from 91-94 as an infantryman in the 7th Infantry Division(L), C 2/9 INF. Ft Ord/Ft Lewis, U.S. Army. My DD 214 reads honorable discharge. Is there honor in wearing a rank you did not earn? I don't care if all the AK Senoirs got together and bestowed rank upon me, I still would not wear it. The point is, can you defend yourself as a legitmate 5th or 6th? So don't give this dude Geary a pat on the back because he served in the USMC. Many have served in the armed forces. Chuck Sullivan, Larry Tatum, Steve Sanders, Mick Pick, just to name a few. There is one difference though, these Seniors earned their rank and can back it up.