Force progessions, etc

In my website I have a section for members that has an article entitled The question that won't go away, about use of force. This was added to it as a follow-up in answer to a rhetorical question I ask. It's submitted by Australian instructor Tony Perez. Have a look.

Hi Lee,

Thank you for posting our recent discussion on your blog (the question that won't go away) To answer your last question, "what are you going to do about it", I'd like to share with you the the mental conditioning I've introduced for my students.

1. Establish your belief system. Notice I've stated "your" belief system rather than "a" belief system. This is much more empowering. Your belief system establish clearly not only what you should and would fight but also that you can defend yourself. Just as importantly it gives you permission to fight. This programming instills the self confidence neeeded in step 2.

2. Let a smile and handshake guide your life. Your clearly defined belief system enables you to allow good manners and courtesy to be your first responses thus providing you with a tool to avoid confrontation. After all the best defence is not to be in harms way in the first place right? This level of thinking supports step 3

3. Respond with reason rather than emotion. This can be summed up simply as believing that,
" those who talk, can be pursuaded to walk." But there is a certain skill set needed to do this which leads to step 4.

4. Use choice speech. Engage in tactical dialogue to bring the person in front of you "off the boil". Rule of thumb to achieve this - never tell an angry person to "calm dowm" The key here is to use empathy. Over 2000 years of civilisation and we still don't get it that you don't fight fire with fire. Step 5 brings in the legal angle.

5. Ask Bruce. I've introduced a use of force model adapted from our states Police service which is what they are held accountable to. I've coined this the Bruce L.E.E. model. Basically when push comes to shove, to be deemed as having acted reasonably in the eyes of our state laws you must ask yourself is your intended response;- Lawful; Ethical and Effective. Hence the phrase "Ask Bruce" Once you've reached this point there is only step 6 remaining.

6. Resolute Action. If a physical response is your only option then basically it comes down to "He who hesitates will meditate in a horizontal position."

Anyway, Lee, this is my contibution to try and answer "the question that won't go away"

Cheers,
Tony