Josh do you have some sort of vested interest in the Ryu?
I'm not commenting any more on the so called validity of groups. I already perhaps commented too much. Whatever these people want to do or call themselves and seek validity by joining some association its fine by me.
One thing for sure is a 'Ha' or 'Ke' (family) is sanctioned by a particular Soke. One doesn't just go off and do ones 'own thing'. I was offered such an opportunity to form my own house when Soke passed on but declined. As time progresses these groups no longer resemble the original. Musashi did suggest 'Without adaptation'. If we are not going to follow that I see little point in practicing. I only have to watch people for a few minutes doing HNIR to see where they are coming from.
It seems to me that the the whole thing is falling apart as Soke's pass on. I will leave the thread open and my comments as testimony to having been stupid enough to get involved in such a thread.