Life is never what we think it is. I am probably much like yourselves, a hard working American who fell in love with the martial arts as a kid.
Sometimes I feel cheated. I never had the opportunity to study under some of the greats you have. But none the less I continued to study and like all who stay involved I slowly moved up in rank over the years.
42 plus years of training - and in my mid 60's to boot. Broken bones, hip replacemts, and knee replacements, those I can live with. Broken heart, and now a broken spirt, those I can not. I am sad to see where the martial arts have ended up since I first walked into Grandmaster Robert Trias's dojo at 15 years of age. At that time it was American martial arts history being made. There were no sensei's from across the waters, only Americans who sweat and had ingeneuity.
Not so today. As most of you call them, McDojo has taken over. Somewhere along the road I got sucked into the hype and put my reputation and faith into the king of McDojo. It was a huge mistake and I will regret it the rest of my life.
I am sorry if I have offended any of you. I came home the other day to find my dearest friend, Jackdog, laying dead on my bedroom floor. Later the same afternoon I get a call telling me that my rank is worthless. I guess things just caused me to boil over. I wanted to figure out some way to help others who might find themselves in my position.
In any event, I can tell you that I have placed this in the hands of the Attorney General. If I have accomplished nothing other than to light a small fire, the word is on the street. If you are selling underserved rank, I am the guy who is out to get you. I will bring Uncle Sam down on your head like nothing you have seen before.
Keep it clean and keep it honest.
Thanks to all of you honest martial artist.
Herb Weller