Kyoshi Mel,

It has been a rough year for gun violence in my home-town - we had 78
homicides in 2005, 52 of them being by gun. The last shooting of 2006
resulted in the death of an innocent 15 year old girl in the heart of the
Toronto shopping district - she died in the arms of her sister while shopping
on boxing day. The crime site was 1 block from my dojo, 5 blocks north of my
office and 3 subway stops south of my home.

Unlike the safety of New York, Toronto is in a crisis and could certainly
learn from the excellent work that the NYPD has done to create a climate of
community policing. We also have a lack of leadership in truly effective
community programs and funds directed towards that end - we have a lack of
focus and efficacy in our social programs here in Canada despite the tax
dollars spent on social services.

With such violence, there is much demand for street self defense and your
scenarios and techniques have always been an asset for my students. More
importantly, however, there is a role for the martial arts in helping to
direct the minds and energies of young people - sadly, we have shirked our
obligation.

I greatly admire the work you have done at the West Side Seido Club and hope
to do the same at the Ryerson Dojo. At times, I think this may be the
greatest contribution we can offer - a healthy environment of mutual respect
with a focus on positive growth creates excellent karate students and
excellent community leaders.

4 hours into 2006, Toronto had its first baby born - and 5 hours into 2006 a
20 year old was shot dead in the first gun incident this year.

Osu,

Michael