From: ma@sunfs4.Camex.COM (Mary Ann Purcell)
Subject: Re: Model Mugging (long)
Organization: Camex Inc., Boston MA
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 11 Sep 1992 14:02:10 EDT

In article <1992Sep11.121028.22591@relay.nswc.navy.mil> snorthc@relay.nswc.navy.mil (Stephen Northcutt - E41) writes:
>This post is long.  It is primarily targeted at female readers.
>It will attempt to show from an informed outsider's viewpoint where
>Model Mugging is coming from and why on this particular list it
>sounds a bit odd :-)  Please keep in mind that this kind of program
>is a *good* thing.  A bit pricey, a bit hyped up, but a *good* thing.
>
>From Andy's excellent questioning post:
>First a fragment from Natalie:
>>This does not mean that I think I
>>am invincible, that is unrealistic. There are indeed situations where I
>>might very well choose not to fight in order to survive. I trust myself
>>to make that decision and if I choose to fight, I trust that I can knock
>>the attacker out and avoid being sexually assaulted.
>

>So yeah, it is great that there is a program the ladies get to hit full
>contact (we did that in my program as well).  It is great that they focus
>on a palmstrike rather than forefist punch, it is great they teach a
>strategy and strike points.  It is great that they teach empowerment.
>All these things are necessary!!!!!  All these things are important.
>
>Keep in mind that the program is simply playing the odds.  If you are
>in a rape situation and you fight back you drasticly increase the odds
>the perp will back off and turn tail.  You also increase the odds of
>(your own) injury and death.  Obviously they are playing for the first
>case.  This is not a bad thing.  We know that we accept risk every time we
>enter a doj* period, no exception.  That is what I really liked about the
>san soo school in san diego, the enter at your own risk sign on the
>doorway to the training floor.

  <STUFF DELETED>

>So I haven't said a thing against model mugging or the ilk.  The problem
>is the confidence can lead to a belief in capability that just ain't there.
>They make light of the strength difference.  They ignore the plain and
>simple fact that against an opponent that has paid their training dues
>the 24 or so hours of training that they have ain't worth a wet paper bag.
>
>Natalie, sez she trust that she can knock the attacker out.  Well hey, that
>is interesting, I've been knocked out, I've knocked other poeple out, but I
>have also shaken and see other people shake some serious blows.  I'm 6'2",
>200 lbs,  I`ve got fast hands, sufficient stretch to kick to the head, 
>I've logged a LOT of training hours and I don't trust that I can
>knock someone out!  What does she know that I don't?  NOTHING.

  < STUFF DELETED>
>
>So on this particular list with nerds like me wandering aroung claiming to
>be junior sensei :-) trained for all these many years in multiple styles
>(and some of us are even telling the truth!!!!!) the claims of model mugging
>ring seriously hollow.  It isn't that these claims are as bogus as they
>sound, it is from the point of view of an experience MA, they just gotta
>be joking.  I hope this makes sense.  I hope it isn't offensive.  Thanks. 

   Perhaps you are not aware that MM was started by a male MA?  Perhaps
you are not aware that these technics are ment to fend off the avrage
rapest or mugger not a MA.  Perhaps you are not aware that the 'mugger'
in the class is VERY padded and some women still koock them out?  That
the padding came about because the 'mugger' was routenly getting knocked
out?  This is not just physical training it is also mental...  As Natelie
stated.. teaches the women to channel and focus fear and anger.  This is
no fly by night outfit.  And I am highy offened by the attude of some of
the posters who think that women are afraid of pain or afraid to get hurt.
Maybe seeing a graduation would help you see that this is very useful
and money well spent.

Mary Anne Purcell
ma@camex.com     ...!uunet!camex!ma (I do not speak for Camex)