Follow-Up To The Last Blog Post On March 14th

 This is the company that provided training to the staff at the Michigan Synagogue.

Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance......And Saves Lives

This goes out to all the Assholes who don't believe people should be able to protect themselves from Deadly threats.

 A truck plowed into a Michigan Synagogue 

and the security staff and preschool teachers

knew just what to do

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/michigan-synagogue-attack-security-rcna262996

Increased security measures and training likely saved lives in Thursday's attack on Temple Israel, officials said.

Jewish leaders said they knew an attack like the one that unfolded Thursday at Temple Israel was possible, which is why they were prepared and why the car-ramming and fire wasn't deadly for the dozens of children and staff inside the Michigan synagogue.

Quick action from security guards, safety protocols, drills and training likely all played a role in limiting the devastation caused by an armed driver who plowed into the Detroit-area temple with his explosives-laden pickup.

“We’re angry, we’re sad. I wish I could say we were surprised, but this is the kind of stuff that’s happening in our world right now," said Steven Ingber, a member of the congregation and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Detroit.

The FBI has called the attack “a targeted act of violence against the Jewish community."

As the investigation continued Friday into the attack carried out by Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, Jewish leaders surveyed the damage to the shuttered temple in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, and re-examined the security measures and networks they say they've had to take to combat a growing threat of targeted violence.

Multiple security officers — and more than 100 preschoolers —were at the synagogue when Ghazali, 41, plowed into the building with his truck. The temple’s security director was hit by the pickup and knocked unconscious, according to Gary Torgow chairman of the Jewish Federations of North America, and Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

Engaged in a gunfight

TheFord F-150 Ghazali was driving got jammed between hallway walls, said Jennifer Runyan, special agent in charge of the FBI Detroit field office. That’s when Ghazali began firing through the windshield, and a security officer engaged him in a gunfight.

Ghazali was “unable to extract himself due to the vehicle being jammed,” Runyan said. A second security officer exchanged gunfire with Ghazali, and the truck’s engine compartment caught on fire. “At some point during the gunfight, Ghazali suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,” the FBI agent said.

That was the only fatality from Thursday's attack, which is a credit to the security personnel who Torgow said “helped ensure that the outcome yesterday was very different from what might otherwise have been.”

“No preschool children were injured, no staff members were harmed. The only injury was the heroic security guard,” Torgow said during a virtual law enforcement briefing Friday afternoon.

Teachers, staff and security personnel seamlessly executed evacuation protocols that led all the children, all under the age of 5, to safety, the sheriff said Friday.

Temple Israel’s injured security director was taken to the hospital for treatment and is expected to continue recovering at home, Ingber said.

That director had been working to increase security personnel and provide preparedness training since September.

Staff at Temple Israel had participated in a “run, hide, fight” drill just a couple of weeks ago, Ingber said.

'An FBI for the Jewish community'

According to Torgow, the Jewish Federations of North America spends more than $750 million every year on security efforts to protect their communities. A key partner helping them establish security protocols across the nation is the Secure Community Network, a nonprofit that says it serves as the official safety and security organization for Jewish communities in North America.

“We’ve created SCN as an FBI for the Jewish community,” said Michael Masters, chief executive officer of nonprofit.

Masters said Temple Israel had a clear, multi-layered security plan, including bollards and access control, and a security team that was capable of “identifying, deterring and mitigating or neutralizing a threat.”

He commended the officers who engaged with the suspect and put themselves between the threat and the people they were trying to protect. “That is a trained response,” Masters added.

The Secure Community Network said that such response training is necessary as the Jewish community faces increased threats. The group tracks online threats. Masters said that in the last six days, the group has tracked more than 8,000 calls for violence against the Jewish community in the United States.

Debbie Rottman, 86, a longtime member of Temple Israel, said the temple has taken multiple steps to upgrade security in recent years. Bollards were placed in front of the entrances. The doors are all bulletproof and numbered to help people who call 911 identify where exactly an emergency is taking place, she said.

“I have never felt unsafe,” Rottman said. “Our security guards are really well-prepared.”

She said there are at least nine security guards at the synagogue and most of them are retired police officers who exude competence and professionalism.

Major response to attack

Bouchard, the sheriff, said that on Thursday, 605 law enforcement professionals from 42 agencies responded to Temple Israel. At least 63 of them were taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.

“The vehicle itself became engulfed in flames inside the facility, pretty much destroying a whole hallway,” he said. “It was pitch black smoke, very toxic smoke in that building.”

Greg Flynn, chief of the West Bloomfield Township Fire Department, said first responders entered the building “in waves,” with police officers in the lead and firefighters and paramedics behind them.

Flynn said his firefighters are uniquely prepared to respond to events like Thursday’s attack. The department is part of a countywide law enforcement group, the Oakland County Tactical Training Consortium or OakTac, which holds regular trainings to improve coordination and enhance the ability to save lives during mass shootings and other major incidents.

Just a few weeks ago, they held a training with West Bloomfield Police in an abandoned commercial building that simulated a similar scenario “using simulated smoke, breaching doors, breaching walls,” Flynn said.

Though the temple will be closed until damage from this week's attack is repaired, congregation members said they are “holding up.”

“We will remain proud Jews tomorrow, and we’ll be at Shabbat services tonight,” Ingber said Friday.

Do You Have The Right Mindset To Defend Yourself

Sunday With Blackthorn - Steve Maxwell On Maintaining Your Fitness As You Age

 This came from an email I received from Steve Maxwell, the Fitness and BJJ instructor. Now for the record, I'm not a BJJ practitioner. This email is essentially an advertisement for a course he gives called 'Jiu Jitsu For A Lifetime'. However the write-up would apply to anybody who, like myself, is no longer a spring chicken, but would like to be able to maintain their fitness levels. So take  a quick look at it, not to sign up for the course (unless you are BJJ guy.

 

 Principles For Practicing Jiu-Jitsu As You Age

 From The Steve Maxwell Blog March 5 2026

I started jiu-jitsu when I was already 38 years old. According to the young guys, that’s already old! But I had wrestled all through junior high, high school, and college, even coaching wrestling at one point. Wrestling had been a very important part of my life.

After college, I continued wrestling, but it became difficult because training was scheduled in the middle of the workday. I was looking for something to replace wrestling … something that could fill that vacuum.

I tried various martial arts, including kung fu, karate, and kickboxing. I even found a Russian Sambo school, a wrestling-judo hybrid that I loved. Unfortunately, practice was held clear on the other side of the city, and getting there through rush-hour traffic was a bear.

An important aspect of aging well is maintaining good physical condition. Since I was already in the fitness business, I had that box ticked off. But I needed an outlet … something challenging, technical, and meaningful.

A friend called me about a seminar in New Jersey on something called “Gracie Jiu-Jitsu,” later known more widely as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I was excited to check it out, and the seminar did not disappoint. It was conducted by Rorion Gracie and his two younger brothers. I was immediately in love.

What drew me in was the emphasis on technique, strategy, and mindfulness over brute strength. I realized instantly that this was what I wanted to learn. It would replace wrestling in my life.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, a judo-derived system with primary emphasis on ground fighting, is well-suited for older practitioners. You don’t have to endure the savage throws and hard falls common in conventional judo. The Gracie system also emphasized realistic self-defense scenarios. For me, that was a real boon. Every man wants the ability to handle himself in a fight, even as he ages.

The Jiu-Jitsu I learned from the Gracies relied on positioning and control rather than speed. That makes it accessible and beneficial for the aging body.

When I first started at 38, I was powerful, fast, and strong. Like most wrestlers, I relied heavily on conditioning and strength. Some would have described me as a typical “spazzy white belt.”

But those assets eventually stopped working for me. By my mid-forties, I realized I would do far better relying on technique. I began developing precision, timing, and leverage. This conserved my energy and greatly reduced my risk of injury. I focused more on drilling and fundamentals.

Recovery also changed. In my forties, I no longer bounced back as quickly. In hindsight, I’ll tell you it’s critical to listen to your body…. something I didn’t always do. I suffered bouts of overtraining and exhaustion.

Although I began in the Gracie self-defense program, I eventually got pulled into competition. Every one of my jiu-jitsu-related injuries came from competition.

By my late fifties, I lost my desire to compete. It simply didn’t make sense for an aging body.

Because I ran my own school, I was able to structure practices the way I thought best .. fostering age-diverse training groups and a friendly, cooperative environment.

If you’re a mature practitioner searching for an academy, look for schools with students over 50. The presence of female students is also a good sign. It usually indicates a healthier training culture.

After fifty, you must account for reduced mobility, joint issues, and lower stamina. You must adapt your game accordingly.

Here are some practical principles for longevity in jiu-jitsu:

• Always warm up carefully. I discovered joint mobility work in my forties, and it has become more important than ever. I credit daily mobility practice to my longevity in martial arts.

• Drill more than you roll. Drilling with a cooperative partner — not over-resisting and not passive. Allows skill acquisition without excessive wear and tear.

• Keep rolling playful and relaxed. Have fun. Put yourself in defensive positions and problem-solve.

• Tap early. Beginners often resist tapping… that is the royal road to injury.

• Practice flow rolling. Work at about 60% with a cooperative partner, allowing movement and exploration.

• Brace compromised joints. Knee sleeves, shoulder braces … don’t fear support.

• Strength train once or twice per week. For older joints, I consider isometric strength training ideal for jiu-jitsu.

• If you’re a family man, involve your spouse or partner in your enthusiasm. Invite her to the gym. Let her meet your training partners. Alignment at home supports longevity on the mat.

All of these principles require continual adjustment as you age.

Now that I’m in my seventies, I still enjoy the camaraderie and the challenge of jiu-jitsu. I follow these guidelines and continue to enjoy life on the mats.

I consider jiu-jitsu, when practiced wisely, one of the greatest anti-aging tools available - especially for the mind. One of my inspirations was Master Helio Gracie, who in his mid-nineties was still on the mats.

That is the model. That is Jiu-Jitsu For a Lifetime.

And Now A Word From David James

 

It's Wheelgun Wednesday.......

 And the guy at this website REALLY likes his Revolvers.......

https://revolverdispatch.substack.com/p/why-carry-a-revolver

 

 

Scotus Makes A 9-0 Ruling That Stops Mexico's Lawsuit Against US Firearms Manufacturers And Will Make Bans Against Semi-Auto Long Guns Diffficult To Enforce

 And it didn't even make the News.

 

 

You Are Not John Wick

 

Blackthorn Fitness/Health Public Service Announcement

 As you age, your mobility does not degrade simply because of the fact that you are aging. Sitting on your ass and not attempting to maintain a base level of strength can delay and sometimes even partially restore your mobility. 

So get off your asses before it's too late.

 

Reality Vs The Bullshit Hollywood Myth

 You know all those Hollywood action movies where the Delta Force, SEAL, Ranger, SF, Recon, etc. guys are so jacked, 6ft+X number of inches and built like professional bodybuilders?

Well, here's the reality from two former SF guys.