tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post4184280563154430788..comments2024-03-25T17:38:55.490-07:00Comments on Dar Kush: Caveat MeditatorSteven Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13630529492355131777noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-713541373440745462007-12-13T10:07:00.000-08:002007-12-13T10:07:00.000-08:00I read the first fifty or sixty Destroyer novels. ...I read the first fifty or sixty Destroyer novels. Back when they started, there were other paperbacks that dealt with marital arts, some of them not bad, most of pretty awful. <BR/><BR/>Like the rigged roulette wheel, though, they were the only game in town.<BR/><BR/>Some of the writers didn't know anything about martial arts but did a pretty good job -- I was and remain a Modesty Blaise fan. Most of the others probably watched a couple of kung-fu or samurai movies and used those.<BR/><BR/>Van Lustbader's Ninja books even made the bestseller lists in hardback. <BR/><BR/>Piers Anthony had a MA series featuring Jason Striker. He wrote those with Roberto Fuentes, his judo teacher, and they were fun. At one point, Anthony and I talked about rewriting and updating these and re-issuing them, but in the end he decided against it, for what he considered moral reasons.<BR/><BR/>I gave up on the Destroyer books when Remo and Chiun jumped out of an airplane sans parachutes, and by carefully attuning themselves to the winds, managed to glide hither and yon and then land safely. I think the writers were trying to see how much they could get away with, and that did it for me.<BR/><BR/>Half the Destroyer writing team passed away -- Richard Ben Sapir -- years ago, and Murphy has kept going. (Sapir, by the way, did a good science fiction novel, "The Far Arena," which is an execellent example of real fighting versus sport.)Steve Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12079658447270792228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-33418033272347514892007-12-12T21:31:00.000-08:002007-12-12T21:31:00.000-08:00Well, the first two Destroyer novels were pretty g...Well, the first two Destroyer novels were pretty generic "Men's Adventure" novels. It was only in the third one that they came up with "Sinanju" as the ultimate martial art (prior to that Chiun was simply teaching generic martial arts) and--more importantly--turned the series into a parody of the very "Men's Adventure" novel.<BR/><BR/>The series is still going strong (it just relaunched with a new publisher a few months ago) and, while it has had some seriously bad patches most of the run has been enjoyable popcorn for the mind, (As Steve Perry likes to put it, they've been good enough that I was willing to spend my beer money on them instead of a six pack.) I still enjoy reading them.Mark Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01994430001543710190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-62709222358378662632007-12-12T19:04:00.000-08:002007-12-12T19:04:00.000-08:00The first twenty or so Destroyer novels were great...The first twenty or so Destroyer novels were great fun. Too bad the movie was so bland. I understand there was a TV pilot as well...and by the way, both times they cast white guys (Joel Gray and Roddy McDowell) as Chuin. Jeeze.Steven Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13630529492355131777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-38959126944460676832007-12-12T10:33:00.000-08:002007-12-12T10:33:00.000-08:00Dan--yes, Sinanju is the name of the village Chiun...Dan--yes, Sinanju is the name of the village Chiun comes from, as well as the name of the martial art he practices.<BR/><BR/>As for starting from where/who you are instead of where/who you were, I always think of Raoul Julia in one of those silly road race movies.<BR/><BR/>"The first rule of Italian driving," he says, ripping the rear view mirror off the windshield and throwing it away, "what's behind you is not important!"<BR/><BR/>("Sinanju" was me, by the way. I didn't realize changing my blog name changed how my comments were signed too. So it's back to my name.)Mark Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01994430001543710190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-56939083878573606922007-12-12T07:18:00.000-08:002007-12-12T07:18:00.000-08:00EXCELLENT post, Frank. Couldn't agree with you mo...EXCELLENT post, Frank. Couldn't agree with you more.<BR/>##<BR/>Dan, I agree that Obama has an advantage over Hillary. What I disagree with is whether it has anything to do with his race. If Obama were white, there would be some changes in people's perceptions ("he's so articulate!") but all of the personal energy he's expended burning through his baggage would (in my opinion) have been invested in making him even more intelligent, perceptive, etc. Yes, I believe that. So whereas Obama as a PERSON has an advantage, a a BLACK MAN he has a disadvantage--which his huge personality seems to be overcoming.Steven Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13630529492355131777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-29329965637855555522007-12-12T04:10:00.000-08:002007-12-12T04:10:00.000-08:00Steve askedNot sure what I mean by my memory may b...Steve asked<BR/><BR/><I>Not sure what I mean by my memory may be betraying me. Can you clarify?</I><BR/><BR/>Well, who we "are" is partially a construct of our perceived "personal history". But, of course, that is based on our memory of things that have happened to us in the past. And not only is our memory <I>selective</I> in that regard, but it is also flawed in the sense that is it based on our perception at the time the memory was made. And perceptions are notoriously unreliable.<BR/><BR/>This is especially true of very early memories where our knowledge and experience are incomplete. In many cases our memories are based on <I>mis</I>perceptions.<BR/><BR/>But in any case, our personal history is as much a construct as our personalities, but often is the anchor to which our personalities are bound. A weight that we unconsciously lug around with us everywhere.<BR/><BR/>We are who we are today. It's best, I think, to start from there and forget how we got here. Disconnect from the unreliable personal history. It is easier to move to a new place from this platform.<BR/><BR/>It is similar to how a person can affect a great leap in personal growth by simply moving to a place where they are not known. The freedom from the expectations of people who know you, and thus define you, allow you to more easily become something else.<BR/><BR/>In this case, it's the freedom from the definitions of "who you are" based on your perception of "why you are" that is the liberating factor.Frankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15123761608738909200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-7319751488910988632007-12-11T21:57:00.000-08:002007-12-11T21:57:00.000-08:00"I believe that" was in resposne to sinanju's post..."I believe that" was in resposne to sinanju's post, btw. (Sinanju -- isn't that the city the wise old dude came from in the old Destroyer series?)<BR/><BR/>Steve -- "I don't think the advantage is a huge one" -- going the other direction, admittedly, I'd be inclined to agree with that. I'd almost even agree with you in your direction -- if they were running for the same Senatorial seat, or other legislative position. CIC has a whole suite of assumptions about the kind of person who can fill that role, and honestly, I think Hillary challenges those assumptions more than Obama.<BR/><BR/>I'm voting for Hillary in the primary, which is probably not a surprise. I disliked her husband since a year or so into his first term, but I don't hold her responsible for that.Daniel Keys Moranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12992599044462413412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-27108558259362688492007-12-11T21:48:00.000-08:002007-12-11T21:48:00.000-08:00Oh, I believe that. Almost all of the people anti-...Oh, I believe that. Almost all of the people anti-Hillary are anti-Hillary on politics, not because she's a woman.<BR/><BR/>That said, I do think Obama has advantages over any woman in becoming President -- and I know Steve disagrees with me on that. Hillary (or any woman looking to be In Charge of anything) has difficulties. Obama's commanding, decisive, etc. -- looks good on him. Hillary's commanding, decisive, etc. -- she's a shrew and a bitch. There's a Catch-22 there Obama doesn't get hit with.Daniel Keys Moranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12992599044462413412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-45505690781745979242007-12-11T21:45:00.001-08:002007-12-11T21:45:00.001-08:00Hey, Frank:Not sure what I mean by my memory may b...Hey, Frank:<BR/><BR/>Not sure what I mean by my memory may be betraying me. Can you clarify?Steven Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13630529492355131777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-89770460885526666072007-12-11T21:45:00.000-08:002007-12-11T21:45:00.000-08:00"By the way -- if she turns out to have been corre..."By the way -- if she turns out to have been correct, is she still "somehow thinking?"<BR/>##<BR/>If she's correct, then no. But Hillary and Obama may not be the best test case (or it may be). The individual personalities loom large here. On the other hand, there may not be any test other than whether one of these two gets elected. If Hillary wins, one could well say it isn't about race, it's about experience (and many will say exactly that.) If Obama were to win, many might say that it was Hllary's personality, not her gender. Each position is arguable. My own position is that a white woman has an edge...but not a huge one, assuming equal experience and credentials. The problem would be acquiring same, along with the self-confidence necessary to believe it possible. Remember that women, as a group, actually outnumber men. If the genders voted in a block, a woman would win every time. Blacks being only 10% couldn't possibly win under the same conditions, so there is MUCH more need to reach across the cultural divide. Hillary can play the "gender card" much more safely than Obama can the "race card." But then, like I said, I don't think the advantage is a huge one, all other things being equal.Steven Barneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13630529492355131777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-62984063050933023532007-12-11T20:58:00.000-08:002007-12-11T20:58:00.000-08:00"if she turns out have been correct..."I think you..."if she turns out have been correct..."<BR/><BR/>I think you're assuming facts not in evidence. It would be a cold day in hell before I'd vote for Clinton, but I would never (and did never) vote for her husband either. It has everything to do with her politics and nothing* to do with her gender.<BR/><BR/>*to the best of my self-knowledge, anyhow....Mark Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01994430001543710190noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-11465727967953838512007-12-11T16:52:00.000-08:002007-12-11T16:52:00.000-08:00"She had been giving me the 'America won't vote fo..."She had been giving me the 'America won't vote for a woman' speech, somehow thinking a black man would have the advantage."<BR/><BR/>By the way -- if she turns out to have been correct, is she still "somehow thinking?"Daniel Keys Moranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12992599044462413412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-17107941247086773682007-12-11T15:27:00.000-08:002007-12-11T15:27:00.000-08:00you have to read the One Percent Doctrine by Ron S...you have to read the One Percent Doctrine by Ron Suskind. pretty much he discusses what happened in the bush admin right after 9/11 up until late 2004. interesting stuff. it shows how many in the intelligence community were between a rock and a hard place. it was roll with the administration or get rolled on.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13205384167481897308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-27651184738126200782007-12-11T12:35:00.000-08:002007-12-11T12:35:00.000-08:00Fasting and artery health, amongst the Mormons, of...Fasting and artery health, amongst the Mormons, of all things ---<BR/><BR/>http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/diet.fitness/12/10/skipping.meals.ap/index.html<BR/><BR/>Check it out.Steve Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12079658447270792228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-58649535859432322612007-12-11T12:28:00.000-08:002007-12-11T12:28:00.000-08:00Out of the Democratic Party's contenders, I deem o...Out of the Democratic Party's contenders, I deem only Clinton and Richardson electable in the General. Richardson won't get nominated, I think that's pretty clear. Obama won't get to be President in 2009 I'm willing to bet.<BR/><BR/><I>I’m trying to master the hologram called “Steve.”</I><BR/><BR/>I'm thinking this requires you to get control of your personal history. You memory may be betraying you...<BR/><BR/>Just a thoughtFrankhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15123761608738909200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-42334201641981570512007-12-11T12:14:00.000-08:002007-12-11T12:14:00.000-08:00Me, I'm voting for whoever the D's field, even if ...Me, I'm voting for whoever the D's field, even if it's a yellow dog. Whoever it is couldn't do any worse than the current occupant if they got up early and worked at it hard for a couple centuries ...Steve Perryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12079658447270792228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9339191.post-46564004647777220152007-12-11T10:33:00.000-08:002007-12-11T10:33:00.000-08:00I'd be happy to vote for Obama. That said, I'd enj...I'd be happy to vote for Obama. That said, I'd enjoy watching Hillary run just so she could campaign on "restoring honor and dignity to the White House." :-)Daniel Keys Moranhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12992599044462413412noreply@blogger.com