You Tube might it cause you problems in Court

[Dr. Snubnose]

Seems like everyone today wants to be a movie star as evident by the popularity of web-sites like You Tube....Lately It has come to my attention that " My Space" (another popular site for individuals to make their own personal web sites) has been used in Court to prove different things about individuals who my be suspect...I see a lot of S/D, Knife related and Martial Arts demo's (good and bad) Martial Artists and wannabees taping themselves doing self defense techniques against others...This might be interesting to say the least to the viewers but I'm wondering how much of this type of material could be used against an individual in a court of law, to prove or make a point in certain instances.....What says You?...I for one would never make a You Tube Video....Doc

[snuffaluff]

Even if I had a video camera, I wouldn't post anything I filmed on the net. You raise a good question.

[ghostrider]

I agree Doc.

Your points are valid.

[The Deacon]

Classic case of over-reaction, IMHO, Doc.

Unlike probably 75% or better of the "You Tubers", you are a reasonably intelligent, mature adult. Thus, I'd tend to think the possibliity of you recording yourself advocating or doing something stupidly dangerous, or illegal, would be pretty low. You also are, IIRC, a teacher of SD, which in the wrong curicumstance would be enough to hang you. If you had a video out there advocating and demonstrating non-lethal techniques, it could conceiveably be beneficial, rather than harmful, in such a circumstance.

OTOH, something tells me you're a bit of a technophobe since you don't even own a digital still camera.

[cdf]

Good point Doc. , dont say anything in a blog , my space etc. , that you wouldnt say on a soapbox in a public place .

Chris

[Dr. Snubnose]

Classic case of over-reaction, IMHO, Doc.

Unlike probably 75% or better of the "You Tubers", you are a reasonably intelligent, mature adult. Thus, I'd tend to think the possibliity of you recording yourself advocating or doing something stupidly dangerous, or illegal, would be pretty low. You also are, IIRC, a teacher of SD, which in the wrong curicumstance would be enough to hang you. If you had a video out there advocating and demonstrating non-lethal techniques, it could conceiveably be beneficial, rather than harmful, in such a circumstance.

OTOH, something tells me you're a bit of a technophobe since you don't even own a digital still camera.

Deacon, I am guilty of being technophobic, however I don't think this is a case of over-reaction at all.....I think the issue (though I'm not a lawyer) has a double edge sword effect...For example If I make a video using non-lethal techniques to subdue an attacker, and I had to defend myself in a real life threat situation and did some damage to my opponent it might be considered unreasonable force, since I have this tape showing my skill level as not needing to be so aggressive...on the other hand demo something brutal and It might be dragged into court to show a predisposition for violent reactions once again viewed as a case of excess force used...If I demo against a large opponent...then whatever force I used would no longer be accepted as reasonable if I did more in a real life situation, and I might lose the states view of reasonable force benefiting the smaller man vs larger man for example....Doc

[Puyallupknifegu]

Deacon, I am guilty of being a technophobic, however I don't think this is a case of over-reaction at all.....I think the issue (though I'm not a lawyer) has a double edge sword effect...For example If I make a video using non-lethal techniques to subdue an attacker, and I had to defend myself in a real life threat situation and did some damage to my opponent it might be considered unreasonable force, since I have this tape showing my skill level as not needing to be so aggressive...on the other hand demo something brutal and It might be dragged into court to show a predisposition for violent reactions once again viewed as a case of excess force used...If I demo against a large opponent...then whatever force I used would no longer be accepted as reasonable if I did more in a real life situation, and I might lose the states view of reasonable force benefiting the smaller man vs larger man for example....Doc

I concur wholeheartedly, Doc! Sometimes it's best not to advertise in any way what one knows or is capable of...
The only thing that martial arts are defeated by are lawyers...!


T

[Th232]

I wouldn't post videos of myself doing anything. Seems to be another case of walking softly and carrying a big stick/gun.

[zenheretic]

Ok I was going to post myself "ice-skating" to techno music on a waxed floor in my bunny slippers and with boxer shorts on my head, but this thread has helped me to hit the delete button instead. I don't want those evil lawyers seeing my mad bunny slipper skills.

[Hannibal Lecter]

My Dear Zen,

Ok I was going to post myself "ice-skating" to techno music on a waxed floor in my bunny slippers and with boxer shorts on my head, but this thread has helped me to hit the delete button instead. I don't want those evil lawyers seeing my mad bunny slipper skills.

Yes, that is probably best. Who can say what kind of difficulties could befall someone of your exceptional prowess, sometime in the near future, when bunny slippers are identified as the truly evil plague on society that they are?

The mind truly boggles...

--------
Hannibal

[JaM]

Apart from posting on "you tube", how about THIS site ? or Bladeforums, or Bullshido...
Most discussions here are quite reasonable, but I dont doubt that if the SHTF ANY lawyer could find evidence here that you are a psycho knife wielding... ehm... bunnyslipper fetishist (sorry Zen ).

It wont stop me from posting here nor there though, but... think about it.

[Stenny]

I thought about it, and disregarded it. After all, your training would be pulled in the court, and until you made threads with titles like "How to deanimate sentries" , "I will kill anybody who would attack me" et cetera, I don't see it adding further problems.
But, true, in recent trial, they said that the guy carried a knive every day, and that it is a sign of psychotic mentality . They probably never heard that irrational fear of weapons is a sign of retarded emotional and sexual maturity - courtesy of Sigmund Freud.

[The Mastiff]

As usual I agree with the Doc. I'll add a dimension. Always watch what you say. It may come back to haunt you.

If I ever have a police officer sniffing my back trail all I'd want him/her finding are people that would state things like "if/when the subject ever came up ____ always stated he would do everything he could to avoid using force, and would try to get away if he could".

There would certainly be nobody telling the truth that could swear in court that I stated I'd kill a trespassing burglar, robber or anybody else. People that know me would swear that I stated things like "I'd never even use harsh language unless my or my famlies lives were in danger and we couldn't get away".

Those are the only quotes you're likely to hear about me. People often ask leading questions when any subject of knives/guns/crimes etc. come up. Don't leave any back trails that'll work against you.

This is real important for law enforcement types especially. The "code of scilence" is only a figment of fiction writers and not something to count on. Keep your mouth shut unless needed, then be in control of what comes out. Joe


PS Please excuse my typing. It's getting worse and worse. It'll be a while before it gets better.

[The Mastiff]

Please excuse double post. Joe