wai dan is NOT the same as purely external training. unless you spend years achieving grand circulation, your iron palm is still wai dan. that DOES NOT mean it isn't internal. it means it focuses on localizing qi where you need it, as opposed to building it up in the dan tien and then leading it where you need it. dc was right.
also, apparently we are discussing different levels of iron palm. according to dr. yang, the full "iron palm" curriculum involves using the hands to stir a pot of red hot sand, hence the other name "red sand hand". this and the use of herbs to kill nerves are what YMAA people mean when they talk about the higher level of iron palm. you appear to be referring more the middle level. so that's more a mistunderstanding than anything else. master yang is experienced with iron palm, and he does not recommend it anyone going to the higher stages and most people not even going to the middle. that's based on his EXPERIENCE, not logical guesses or inference or anything like that. so he does know what he is talking about.
They should get the chair scram.
indiscriminate hate solves nothing. absolutism solves nothing. try discussing this with master yang or any other true master of the arts, see what they say. mercy is an essential thing for a martial artist to learn. appointing yourself judge jury and executioner goes against all the teachings of humility i have ever learned. i don't want to discuss this any further.
from an article on this site, "common injuries to the joints of the arms" from the hand section:
The time when the hands had to be used as weapons is past. You do not have to condition and damage your hands to impress people. Iron sand palm training is harmful to the body, especially since you cannot predict the consequences of the training. If you need to impress people with your martial arts ability, impress them with your morality, wisdom, and knowledge.
think about it.