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Frank Dux & Fakes in General FAQ, Part 2
by M.C. Busman
Q: Some of these articles and books are out of print. ~or~ I contacted the publisher and they don’t have that article/book anymore. How can I obtain them?
A: My first recommendation is to write the publisher or author. Rainbow Publications, publisher of [u]Black Belt[/u] magazine is usually very helpful, and will often provide you with an article or two if you write to them and enclose a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope–your home address w/ enough postage for 10-15 photocopied pages). Most of the radio/online interviews can still be found online. The book Stolen Valor is available through Amazon.com.
Fortunately or unfortunately, [u]The Secret Man[/u] has been out of print for several years. Regan Books, a division of Harper-Collins, declined to issue more copies due to several discrepencies stemming from emerging realities about Frank Dux’s actual history vs. the classification of the book as non-fiction. You may be able to obtain a reading copy through interlibrary loan.
Failing this, these are sources I have in my file. If you’ve contacted a publisher for a specific article & they don’t have it on file, I or another martial artist here may be able to send you a research-only copy. I really don’t have the personal resources to snail-mail out a plethora of copies to 80+ people, so please utilize other resources (original authors/publishers!) first before contacting me for research-related copies.
Q: What about the charge that people who criticize others are hiding behind a keyboard?
A: The facts are the facts. That’s what is so great about doing research and reaching conclusions. Well done research can exonerate the innocent, and expose charletans, liars, and con men for what they are. The facts don’t care if one is a skilled world champion or a bespeckled weenie. The internet has merely levelled the playing field in making information more readily accessible to all. It is the men of dubious repute who have hidden behind lies and wishful thinking, and not the “messenger” who deserve your ultimate scrutiny. In other words, read the message, think critically, consider the csources and motives, and then draw your own conclusions. Don’t be disuaded to turn a blind eye on the mere basis of loyalty or sympathy for someone who has lost what he never had to being with.
Q: There’s a guy/gal who teaches karate/BJJ/ninjutsu/judo/kung fu/etc in my town who [you think is questionable for whatever reason]. What should I do/can you help?
A: I’m always happy to share what I have. However, you may be surprised to learn that this sort of research isn’t my entire life (gasp!). Unfortunately, myself and most of the other faker-uncloseters (Samuel Browning, Don Cunningham, Jeff Boler, and a lot of other nice people who have used their own time/resources to help inform./warn others about certain unscrupulous folk) don’t have time to fly/train/drive/bus around the country/world and research every martial artist there is a suspicion about. There are a lot (but thankfully far from a majority!) of martial artists who do everything from concoct splendidly fictitious histories for themselves to pad their resumees by adding a rank or two or claiming to have studied/met Bruce (the) Lee once. But don’t be discouraged! DON’T Give Up! Don’t let this opportunity pass you by–sieze this chance to learn some more and practice your own research & sleuthing skills. You might want to consider the following:
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Pick your battles. Is is something you feel is worth researching and/or publicizing?
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Is the claim so ridiculous, the average person with little/no real martial arts experience would disbelieve this individual?
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Is the offense a violation of law, or something which would violate your/the common man’s ethics?
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Is there reliable evidence to support your theory/case?
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Do you know how to present the facts without opening yourself to charges of libel? Hints: cite sources, get a decent guide to the research process, and make sure when you state an opinion you preface it by stating it is you opinion! Have a person with a background in research/libel law proofread your article. It is NOT a libel/slander to question someone’s credentials or present actual valid reliable facts. Don’t be FRIGHTENED or BULLIED into clamming up and running away by a confident con who simply threatens you with a lawsuit. If you act in good faith and can back up what you claim with facts and citeable sources, you’ll be o.k…
Q: I made a mistake/found out I was wrong/discovered a guy I called a faker was authentic! What should I do?!!
A: Questioning someone’s background is not wrong. If you’ve said/written something which you later find to be incorrect, present the accurate information. If you research someone and find out they’re bona fide, share that information with the public as well. The facts are the facts and as any researcher knows, sometimes what we discover exceeds our suspicions. There is nothing wrong with being suspicious, but if you make a mistake, you need to right that wrong as soon as you become aware of it.. If a situation warrants, apologize directly. If a situation warrants, apoogize publically. If you’ve caused damage through your mistake, repair it. We humans make mistakes. Be courageous, accept the responsibility, if you screw up, make things right. Better yet, do the research before you make a direct accusation. The facts have got to come first. If you doubt a source, you can mention it, but voice your doubts as well.
Q: You’re poo! I hate You! How dare you question my Sifu/Hanshi/Sensei/Soke/Daddy/Grandmaster/Kyoju Dairi/World Champion/10th dan/Civil War/Vietnam VeteranTeacher who taught Bruce (the) Lee everything he knew!
A: That first part wasn’t a question, actually (more of an opinionated declaration). Hey, if I’m wrong, show me the facts. I will apologize. But I won’t take just the word of any Sifu/Hanshi/Sensei/Soke/Daddy/Grandmaster/Kyoju Dairi/World Champion/10th dan/Civil War/Vietnam VeteranTeacher. Extraordinary claims do demand Extraordinary evidence. So if you tell me your G.M. was an 8-time bare knuckle death match CIA agent who beheaded errant child-molesting Yakuza Navy Seals by chewing their heads from their necks, I will ask you for some kind of documentation. For the World Champ stuff at least. I’m not a blank-eyed smiley sheep who is going to unthinkingly believe whatever I’m told.
You don’t impress me that much.
Under that intimidating black gold-trimmed red-highlighted patch-covered heavyweight stonewashed Gi and 3-inch thick black/red belt with red cover and white-gold stripes with impressive embroidery lurks a flesh-and blood man like any other. You’re not bullet proof, and you’re not Zeus. If you want unquestioning followers, start your own cult like a normal narcissistic Guru. And if you’re merely a defensive follower, get your own life.
Q: I’ve recently decided to…part from my Soke/Grandmaster after a number of years of study. I found out some things about his life/history which are just not true/ethically repulsive. I find that I really miss the practice, the group, the nice uniforms, the acknowledgement and cameraderie of the group. I feel like something is missing in my life now. Did I study all those years for nothing? Am I a total Loo-oo-ooser?
A: No. You’ve done a very courageous thing. The longer you’re in a group that sates some real social need, the harder it is to leave. Just because you studied with a liar or faker doesn’t mean every technical thing you learned is a complete loss. Let me suggest you find a legitimate teacher/expert to study with, and perhaps have this person assess your abilities and knowledge. Start by being honest with this teacher/expert about your past and experiences. You’ll find that there are many good legitimate people who won’t hold against you the fact that once, you were fooled. If anything, you will find people hold a lot of respect for someone who is trying to “go legit”. Don’t lose hope. You will make it through, and for the better.