Fencing is actually the very best martial art to learn, if you want to be able to defend yourself well into old age. It's all about economy and efficiency of motion, moving your foil fast enough to kill your opponent while moving your own body as little as possible.

It still sucks compared to learning how to shoot, though. The funny thing about it is that the only defensive technique fencing has that works on someone who isn't also a trained fencer is to kill him before he gets close enough to kill you. This is hard to do, considering how refined the methods assailants use to sidle up to their victims before they realize the danger have become. Guns, at least concealable ones, can at least be fired at point-blank range, through the holster if need be. A rapier is only useful in the hands of a particularly flexible master at the ranges assaults are likely to take place at these days.

Also, did you really have to ban the entire Charter IP block? I'm reduced to posting with my cell phone again because I get a 403 whenever I come here from my real computer.