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Old 08-14-2007, 11:48 AM   #12
Ron Tisdale
Dojo: Doshinkan dojo in Roxborough, Pa
Location: Phila. Pa
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,615
United_States
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Re: What makes Aikido aikido (to you)?

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I think anytime you grant yourself the sole right and responsibility to determine whether violence is acceptable you put yourself on very questionable moral ground.
In normal societal circumstances, agreed, certainly...but...

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What {who} has the right to determine what is "necessary?" If you give yourself this right, can you be sure you have enough wisdom or judgment to make this determination?
Nothing in life is sure. I have been sure in the past that I knew what aikido was...and was proved wrong. I'm sure it might happen again tomorrow night when I next hope to be on the mat.

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If you decide that it is necessary to kill someone because you think that this will cause the least possible harm, how do you know that you have made the right decision?
You don't. When someone physically attacks you, they take that chance. When I defend myself or another, I take that chance as well.

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What if it turns out that you are wrong?
Society exacts their price...and God exacts his. Such is life...

Best,
Ron

Ron Tisdale
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"The higher a monkey climbs, the more you see of his behind."
St. Bonaventure (ca. 1221-1274)
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