I'd like to see it sometime - Mr. DeLucia has certainly generated some controversy in the aikido world - or at least on Aikiweb. This is to my mind a very good thing - it means he's thinking, learning, exploring for himself; just 'doing what evererone else does' is boring.
I agree with your assesment of 'combat' aikido though. I've mentioned this before; and if Jason is reading this; I'd like to make the point directly to him.
The word 'Combat' is advertising; nothing more. False advertising, at that. There are those of us that have seen real-life combat; with all the blood, pain, death and ongoing emotional trauma that combat inflicts. No-one in his right mind would ever advertise a 'combat' system if he knew what combat really was. From a personal standpoint; I find the casual use of the word rather insulting.
Jason's teaching is from what little I've seen excellent - he doesn't
need to resort to such stupid tough-guy posturing.
Thanks.