Re: Tang Soo Do Evolved into TKD? did I miss this happening?
Yes, in many ways what you are saying makes since. A lot of since, Tang Soo Do was one of the major arts that were involved in the formation of TKD, it certainly influenced the formation though I am not sure I would say it was a direct line. And Yes, most certainly Mr. Pope I would say that the creation of TKD was in some ways an attempt to unify Korean Martial Arts, but also an attempt to purify and erase outside influences. I think flawed from the beginning, but what they could not remove from techniques, some have attempted to remove by revising history. So what you are saying, certainly makes sense to me.
The problem I think come in are those that perhaps wanted to do this (whether in the beginning or as historical revisionist) have two small problems:
1) Their techniques have a basis some place and that is not necessarily Korea, especially if you follow the historical trail.
2) Many wish to claim a pure Korean Lineage (it was born, made, originated from Korea without outside influence). Problem is no one has ever been able to prove this and evidence is always to the contrary.
In some ways, I have read and am tending to believe that much of this stems from a problem of nationalism and prejudice. Nationalism can be good when it is pride in one's nation, it can be bad when it obscures the truth, especially when the spirit of Nationalism results in revisionist history.
Anyway, like I said, one can't paint all TKD artists with the same brush, just as for example it would be unfair if I do something ridiculous for someone to hold Mr. Redfield or someone else responsible because we both are Tang Soo. But, it still doesn't mean that listening to ridiculous takes on history that have no historical bearing is aggravating.