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Out of the blue, I recieved the following email (the whole message is shown, unedited). I really don't care whether people like the style of Tae Kwon Do or not. In fact, I'm not sure I'm sticking with it, long term. But this email got under my skin a little because the author so totally missed the point of this site (sharing & uplifting martial arts). So, I had some fun with my reply. Let me know what you think.
>I think tae kwon do stinks
Mr. Maharaj,
How wonderful it must be to be to be so experienced in the martial arts to know exactly what is taught in ALL Tae Kwon Do schools. In addition, to make such a blanket statement, you must be a true master of all other martial arts. It is unfortunate that the countless fools that take Tae Kwon Do world wide don't have your obviously well trained, razor-sharp mind.
I appreciate the time you spent sending me this personal message to share your thoughts. I can't imagine the time it must have taken you to carefully reduce what I can only assume must be volumes of reasons, experiences, and for that matter, proof that one of the most popular arts in the world is inferior, down to this one statement, "I think Tae Kwon Do Stinks". BRILLIANT! Bravo! I bow to your obvious, superior intellect.
If only you had sent me such a message years ago, before I wasted so much time in an art that, "Stinks". But, how was I to know? No one spent the time to personally share the fact that "Tae Kwon Do stinks". I didn't hear about it in the Media; You know, it's probably some sort of global governmental military-complex cover-up. I could have spent my time much more valuably; Instead of making friends and enjoying Tae Kwon Do, I could have helped your crusade. I could have spent all that time sitting at a computer, letting each poor, disillusioned individual, that I found slaving over a Tae Kwon Do web site, know your gospel words.
I only wish you had told me what style didn't "stink"; I really don't want to make the same mistake again. How about Aikido? Does that suck? Tang Soo Do? Ninjitsu? Jujitsu? Hapkido? Karate? Oh well, I'm sure it's all part of your clever plan. Now that my eyes have been opened, I should be able to gauge "stink-age" by myself.
I've always been an advocate of being open-minded about all martial arts styles, taking from them what works for you as an individual. But I guess I'm wrong. I understand now that it's always more important for those of us that practice the martial arts to let each other know which styles are superior, and which styles "stink". There really is nothing anyone can learn from martial arts other than the one that they may practice. There really is no reason for martial artists to respect one another's style of preference, especially,...if you know that their style "stinks".
It just chokes me up that you spent your valuable time to contact little, insignificant ol' me with your thoughts. I will be sure to quit my practice of Tae Kwon Do instantly and to urge my fellow classmates to do the same. We will attempt to spread the truth about Tae Kwon Do's stinking before it grows any more in it's popularity. My God! do you realize it's an Olympic Event?!!! We don't have much time. I'd advise that you go right to the top of the bigger Tae Kwon Do organizations, ITF, WTF, ATA ect. and tell the grand masters and founders that they've wasted their very lives promoting something that "stinks". Won't they be happy to hear from you!
You, my friend, are a true hero. Thank you for everything.
In grateful admiration,
John Melton
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