Traditionalist, Have you ever been in a que to get in to a club or a show or a particualr venue. Then one of the a) doorman b)Event Organisers c) VIPs recognised you and invited you to skip the Que. Did you accept if so you are being hippocritical. And for sure you will counter that standing in a que is hardly comparable to a serious crime - but it is exactly the same principal - taking advantage of someone know know to get preferential treatment. Maybe it is not fair but quite simply put your friend didn't do his home work. And although I'm sure he is a good bloke and an honest one - had he done so he would have stayed in Japan.

Also the so called "serious crime" - Forget Mark that is well established, with out going into too much detail, I was in Palmerston at the time and know Paul fairly well. The incident in question was a case of several gang affilliates attacking the big muscley guy - another guy, who just happened to being related to the local Police Seargent, ran into the fray got knocked out and the charges stemmed from that. As I said check your facts and context before raising dirty linen. Paul didn't then and does not now go out looking for trouble - your choice of example to illustrate your point is not appropriate nor is the way it was delivered.

Finally start another thread - perhaps even asking how to circumnaviagate the visa entry issues. If you don't think that is appropriate then why have it in this one.? At least if you start your own thread you draw valid answers from interested parties rather than Hijacking (which admittedly I have done becasue of the bee in my bonnet more than anyone - sorry guys) this thread.

I have now finished my tirade and lecturing - and will go and medidtate on the wrong doings of the all martial artists in the world and try and achieve enlightenment and zen through unsdertanding.