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142 Thoughts to “Open Thread…………………………………………Friday, February 18”
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Blogroll
- 9500Liberty
- Bacons' Rebellion Blogspot
- Bearing Drift
- Blue Virginia
- Citizen Tom
- Counts of Monte Cristo. The
- Derecho, The
- Dixie Pig, The
- My Side of the Fence
- My Star Journey
- NARAL Pro-Choice VA Blog
- New Dominion Project
- Nova Common Sense
- NovaTownHall Blog
- One Libertarians's Point of View by Al Alborn
- Pete Candland's Blog
- Potomac Local
- Prince William Muckraker
- PW Conservation Alliance
- PWC Moms
- PWCPolitics.com
- PWCPolitics.com
- Red NoVA
- Shad Plank, The
- She the People
- State of NoVA, the
- The Jeffersoniad
- Townhall
- VEA Daily Reports
- VivianPaige
- WDGolden.com
- You, Me and the Lamp Post
“jog down the National Mall in a French cut Speedo,”
BRAIN BLEACH! WHERE’S THE BRAIN BLEACH!
Don’t take it personally, I say the same when I look in a mirror…..
“I suspect those acts express the same message as someone carrying a firearm into a classroom or a coffee shop: Hey, honey, look at that a**hole over there.””
That’s why carrying it concealed is a good idea. That way nobody gets their knickers in a twist. Of course, the many WOMEN that I know that carry into restaurants would be happy to know that they’re compensating for ….well, you know what he was saying.
As for firearms in class rooms….why should people be denied the right of self defense in a class room? Why should a person qualified under law to be a concealed carrier be, suddenly, unqualified in a classroom?
From someone who has had to deal with it personally: Bradford Wiles Va Tech Graduate
Bradford B. Wiles
Wiles, of New Castle, is a graduate student at Virginia Tech.
On Aug. 21 at about 9:20 a.m., my graduate-level class was evacuated from the Squires Student Center. We were interrupted in class and not informed of anything other than the following words: “You need to get out of the building.”
Upon exiting the classroom, we were met at the doors leading outside by two armor-clad policemen with fully automatic weapons, plus their side arms. Once outside, there were several more officers with either fully automatic rifles and pump shotguns, and policemen running down the street, pistols drawn.
It was at this time that I realized that I had no viable means of protecting myself.
Please realize that I am licensed to carry a concealed handgun in the commonwealth of Virginia, and do so on a regular basis. However, because I am a Virginia Tech student, I am prohibited from carrying at school because of Virginia Tech’s student policy, which makes possession of a handgun an expellable offense, but not a prosecutable crime.
I had entrusted my safety, and the safety of others to the police. In light of this, there are a few things I wish to point out.
First, I never want to have my safety fully in the hands of anyone else, including the police.
Second, I considered bringing my gun with me to campus, but did not due to the obvious risk of losing my graduate career, which is ridiculous because had I been shot and killed, there would have been no graduate career for me anyway.
Third, and most important, I am trained and able to carry a concealed handgun almost anywhere in Virginia and other states that have reciprocity with Virginia, but cannot carry where I spend more time than anywhere else because, somehow, I become a threat to others when I cross from the town of Blacksburg onto Virginia Tech’s campus.
Of all of the emotions and thoughts that were running through my head that morning, the most overwhelming one was of helplessness.
That feeling of helplessness has been difficult to reconcile because I knew I would have been safer with a proper means to defend myself.
I would also like to point out that when I mentioned to a professor that I would feel safer with my gun, this is what she said to me, “I would feel safer if you had your gun.”
The policy that forbids students who are legally licensed to carry in Virginia needs to be changed.
I am qualified and capable of carrying a concealed handgun and urge you to work with me to allow my most basic right of self-defense, and eliminate my entrusting my safety and the safety of my classmates to the government.
This incident makes it clear that it is time that Virginia Tech and the commonwealth of Virginia let me take responsibility for my safety.
Cargo
Not every student is as levelheaded as you seem to be. I can well imagine a student shooting a professor who has either flunked him or made fun of him in front of the class.
Big Dog, that is really an excellent article. It illustrates just how political some folks, the religious right, are trying to make contraception.
Title X, to me, is a conservative value, at least a fiscally conservative value. I try not to hate. It consumes too much energy, but I really do think I hate these people like Mike Pence. What idiot thinks promoting contraceptive use is funding promiscuity!!!
Should this Pence bill pass, my guess is it would be overturned by the courts anyway. It so clearly singles out one organization.
@Punchak, that nearly happened here about a year ago, at NVCC.
You can’t have everyone who thinks they are trained and mentally stable walking around in high density areas packing heat.
@Cargo, there is not a ‘right to go to college.’ Follow the rules or don’t go to college. Didn’t I just hear that about children of illegal immigrants? Same thing applies to guns on campus. I knew more hotheads then. They do not need to be armed. And guns and frat parties really don’t go hand in hand.
John Mosby might even back me up on this one. He sure got in a lot of trouble at UVA over a gun and his hot-headedness, even though I am on his side on that one.
@Cato the Elder
It sounds like we will have a bunch of Glenn Becks out there who know a bunch of facts but can’t see the issue holistically. Packets of facts sure isn’t the same thing as seeing the big picture. The technology is changing but parents still want their kids in with a warm, highly trained body.
I thought textbooks would become screens and printers back in 1980. That really hasn’t happened. Why? Textbook companies won’t give it up. They make a fortune.
I just read where some school system was putting all their books on Kindles. Its cheaper in the long run.
We shall see.
Cargo – No personal offense taken (I’ve got a mirror, too … oh for the days when my hair was thick and my waist was then rather than vice versa).
Two of the students leading the fight for common sense in Texas are from the Brady Campaign (apparently Ronald Reagan’s former Press Secretary is to the NRA and guns what Reagan’s former Budget Director David Stockman is to the AEI and tax cuts for the rich) and they’re from Virginia Tech, too. The guy you cite, Bradford Wiles, who sustained no injuries in the shootings, says the “feeling of helplessness has been difficult to reconcile.” Colin Goddard, one of the leaders of the effort to keep guns out of the classroom, had to reconcile more than feelings of helplessness … the gunman came into his classroom and shot him … 4 times. http://www.bradycampaign.org/media/press/view/1356/
So, you’ve got Jim Brady and Colin Goddard who both experienced the effects of gun violence firsthand on one side and Bradford Wiles who was in the vicinity of gun violence on the other.
If citizens have the right at all times to be ready to defend themselves with firearms then is there any place open to the public where guns could lawfully be banned? In the wake of the AZ shooting, Rep Peter King (R-NY) introduced a bill to prohibit carrying firearms within some distance (I believe it was 1,000’) of members of Congress. Why should they be treated differently than the people they represent? The Supreme Court does not allow firearms in their Courthouse much less their Courtroom. You can’t carry a weapon on a domestic airline flight. You can carry a firearm into a bar in VA, but not if you’re having a beer. Why should 3 guys in a bar have different rights to self-defense? The guy not drinking can carry a gun, so why not the other 2 that are drinking? Of the two that are drinking, why is the one who is not legally intoxicated treated like the other one that is? You can drive after drinking so long as you’re not intoxicated, so how do you justify a different standard for armed self-defense? Shouldn’t a gun be okay so long as you’re below .08%? As I said before, I own guns, I’ve been around them my entire life, and I suspect I always will, but I don’t believe the 2nd amendment is an absolute right that precludes common sense limitations. Rather than more guns in public I believe there should be steeper penalties for offenses where firearms are present so those who use firearms for other than hunting or defense of their homes go away for a very long time.
Oops — should read “… oh for the days when my hair was thick and my waist was thin rather than vice versa.”
@Cato the Elder #1
Cato has a good point. As another example, some years ago I was teaching a college course at both a community college and an elite private college. Same subject, same course, same textbook, same teacher. I gave the same effort and attention to all students at both colleges. Essentially, all students at both colleges were receiving the same product. The differences were that the community college students were paying a few hundred dollars and the private college students many thousands. The private college students got to put that college’s name on their resume, however.
The marketplace is coming to realize this nonsense. Moreover, many colleges, both public and private, are dumbing down their curricula and ensuring all students get a diploma if their checks cleared or their government subsidy came through. The focus now is warm bodies in seats and the revenue they generate, rather than edcuation. This is true at even well-known institutions.
If I were hiring, I would look for good references and professional experience, and professional designations, rather than GPAs or what college/university someone attended.
“Why should they be treated differently than the people they represent?”
King got hammered by the 2nd Amendment crowd on this very point. Our best idea is that all politicians should not be allowed within 1000 feet of an armed person and should where a bell and a sign identifying them as “unclean.”
That should read “WEAR a bell”
Interesting. I agree that a flock of students will always be in need of a shepherd, but perhaps in the future it will be a virtual shepherd that can play emerging technology like a maestro in a 24 hour digital classroom.
@Need to Know
Actually, when I hire someone I look at a degree as an indicator that someone is capable of seeing a task through. Likewise, an Honorable Discharge tells me the same thing. They bear equal weight when I evaluate a resume. If I see they completed their degree at a prestigious university this tells me they know how to compete at a high level. Ditto sports championships, published work, or high level decorations.
In my business it’s very important to make reasonably good approximate calculations with limited data, and what to look for to derive a better answer as we refine and improve the initial calculation. I’m a big fan of Fermi problems in interviews.
@Cato the Elder
I didn’t mean to say that degrees have no value. I’ve spent enough of my own life chasing them. You are correct that earning degrees demonstrates an ability to complete something. However, given the way the higher education “industry” works these days, I want to see more.
Jon Stewart made the same joke… That and the NFL yard stick-thingy’s.
Mo, interestingly I can walk onto VT as a commoner wearing a handgun and for the most part do as I please legally. But, as a student doing the same I’d get expelled. But, if I was a union teacher in WI I guess I could just ignore the rules and carry anyways. 😉
Unless you are in a special field where a specific field of knowledge is revered, it probably doesn’t matter as much where a degree comes from. I am an advocate of taking introductory coursework at the community college. It falls into the category of who cares for most folks. It is a very good way to stretch education money,
Cato, for older kids, virtual high school isn’t a bad idea. You will never replace the human being for early and middle education though.
I have taken one virtual course. It was not in an area where main ideas needed to be unified so I am not sure how I feel about the ipad courses. I just threw something out and I wish I could remember the name of it. something like great courses. Things you just want to study because the subject interests you. The courses weren’t cheap. Anyone kno9w anything about those?
There are three things I tell myself when trying to rationalize my overpriced education:
1.) I got to go to classes and cohabit with some *really* smart kids. The crème de la crème. They were elite and proud of it. I learned more by osmosis simply by being around them than I did from any professor.
2.) The competition among students was vicious and brutal, but in a good way. The highly competitive environment encouraged me to achieve more than I thought I could.
3.) Just about everyone I went to school with is now very successful and well-placed. For a little guppy like me that swims behind some big fish such a network of friends has been of great benefit.
That said I don’t know that I would make the same choices again. I do like the community college model, especially here in NOVA where we have a high concentration of experienced professionals who can moonlight as instructors.
I found the quality of instruction excellent in the evenings.
Going to NOVA and then going to overpriced education are not mutually exclusive.
@Moon-howler
I like UC Berkeley for virtual courses: http://extension.berkeley.edu/
It’s around 200.00 per credit. so not cheap but also not expensive and fully transferable in most cases.
Last month, the Virginia Supreme Court upheld a regulation at George Mason University that says: “Possession or carrying of any weapon by any person, except a police officer, is prohibited on university property in academic buildings, administrative office buildings, student residence buildings, dining facilities, or while attending sporting, entertainment or educational events. Entry upon the aforementioned university property in violation of this prohibition is expressly forbidden.” http://www.courts.state.va.us/opinions/opnscvwp/1091934.pdf
The lawsuit was filed by Mr. Rudolph DiGiacinto. He was not a student or employee at GMU, but said he used university facilities, like the main library and the law library, and objected to the university prohibiting him from carrying a firearm while doing on-campus research. He runs an organization called Virginia1774.org
@Morris Davis
I’m familiar with that case.
However, I admit that a few years back I carried a glock pistol openly at GMU law school while attending an ACLU Activist Training class. Security didn’t have an issue but it could be because I was flanked by ACLU lawyers. 😉
I quoted that website when Cato asked about self defense laws.
Juturna said:
And when people are not treated fairly – unions are born. That’s how they evolved and that’s why they’re needed in some industries today.
This is a critical statement. Unions don’t just pop up without reason.
Thank you for this reminder, Juturna.
The Huffington Post’s Amanda Terkel reports:
While there has been significant attention devoted to the fact that Walker’s 144-page budget repair bill would strip away collective bargaining rights for public employees, the site “Rortybomb” points out a less noticed provision that would allow the state to sell or contract out any state-owned energy asset in no-bid deals with private corporations. From the legislation (emphasis added):
16.896 Sale or contractual operation of state−owned heating, cooling, and power plants. (1) Notwithstanding ss. 13.48 (14) (am) and 16.705 (1), the department may sell any state−owned heating, cooling, and power plant or may contract with a private entity for the operation of any such plant, with or without solicitation of bids, for any amount that the department determines to be in the best interest of the state. Notwithstanding ss. 196.49 and 196.80, no approval or certification of the public service commission is necessary for a public utility to purchase, or contract for the operation of, such a plant, and any such purchase is considered to be in the public interest and to comply with the criteria for certification of a project under s. 196.49 (3) (b).
It’s unclear what “the best interest of the state” is.
But if this deal goes through, one of the companies that could stand to benefit significantly is Koch Industries. Koch already has several companies in the state, including a coal subsidiary, timber plants and a large network of pipelines.
During the 2010 election cycle, Walker received $43,000 from the Koch Industries PAC, his second-largest contribution. The PAC also gave significantly to the Republican Governors Association, which in turn helped out Walker considerably in his race. Koch also contributed $6,500 to support 16 Republican legislative candidates in the state.
The Koch-funded group Americans for Prosperity has also been standing with Walker throughout his budget battles, busing in Tea Party activists and launching the site, Stand With Walker. After the election, Walker and other Republican governors received guidance from the American Legislative Exchange Council, a group that is also funded by Koch dollars and has pushed anti-union measures.
@Juturna, Perhaps some of the Walker fans here ought to start asking the question, “who stands to gain?”
Thank you for providing this information.
@Juturna
My question is — why the hell does the state own a power plant??? That’s government interference in the free market. The only thing more crazy would be if the state sold moonshine to…oh, wait.
I’m sure there was an historically good reason – perhaps it was the only way to get electricity to the hinterlands. Now, of course there is no reason to continue to own them – although I would be interested in where the revenue stream and what will replace it.
You do realize too, that it’s the Koch Brothers (Industries) that want to buy them up. The Gov received $43k in campaign donations from Koch.
Color me shocked that the Koch Brothers gave money to Walker. It’s been reported for awhile. I think Maddow’s rant even had it. BTW, her rant got a FALSE on Politifact.
I get emails every day from Mr. Beck, the Koch’s, and FoxNEWS telling me what to say, do, where to send my money, which NASCAR driver to root for and where the ‘clubhouse meetings’ are. 😉
In 1898, in an address before the National Electric Light Association (the forerunner of Edison Electric Institute), Samuel Insull proposed that electric companies be regulated by state agencies which would establish rates and set service standards. The idea became increasingly appealing to shareholder-owned companies in the face of public enthusiasm for the growth of municipal electric systems. Privately-owned companies surmised that the public might be more supportive if their companies were regulated so that customer interest would be protected. By 1916, 33 states had regulatory agencies. Early regulation of the industry proved beneficial to both the electric companies and their customers, who got reliable, reasonably priced service without the uncertainties caused by duplicate services and inefficient operations
Marim – Don’t you have an unsubscribe button???!!!
You do realize, too, that Koch Industries has no existing business units which operate power plants or in any way, shape or form provide electrical power to anyone, right?
But I suppose you’re right. It makes perfect sense to invest lots of money to open up a new line of business that has nothing to do with your core competency to compete in a low margin market space that is regulated up the wazoo, like utilities.
I’m not making the announcement that Koch is interested. They did. Are you saying I’m stupid?
Where did they announce they are interested, do you have a link? And the stupidity would be on their part if they actually went through with the transaction.
Perhaps they want a sweetheart deal in providing fuel and resources to said plant, but I very much doubt they would acquire any plants themselves.
Who says they’re going to run it. It can be bought dirt cheap and sold. Weren’t we just talking about monopolies.
I see also that they founded the Cato Institute. Maybe there’s a conspiracy theory there.
The “unlawfully present persons” virus has struck again–Delegate Lingamfelter claims the Democratically controlled senate is stifling his anti-illegal immigrant legislation (say that three times without fumbling). Lingamfelter says “The effects of illegal immigration are being felt in communities across Virginia and those who continue to make excuses for unlawfully present persons and neglect their duty to represent their constituents will learn the cost of that inaction.” Lingamfelter claims “They are acting a bit like Democratic senators in Wisconsin who are in hiding, shirking their duty, when they should actually vote on the bills.”
Poor Scotty–sucking his thumb again.
@George, refresh my memory, which bill did he want to pass? Was he the one who wanted to bring probable cause back?
http://www.slate.com/id/2285703/
What happened to Faisal Gill? (Will Dr. Lateef get the same treatment?)
Grover Norquest “carries water” for Islamic terrorist?
Humm-
@Big Dog
Probably. And it already began. How does one disprove false information, especially if deliberately distributed?
———————————————————————————————–
To all:
That brings up a related subject.–ad hominem attacks. I don’t care if people attack public figures but….please try to tell the truth. George Bush is not an axe murderer. I will take remarks like that example down. However, I am more concerned about the personal attacks on here, amongst our readers. It puts me in the position of having to choose sides and it gives the blog an ugly reputation. Thanks in advance for your cooperation.
Another reminder. I never promised not to censor. I read (present tense) on other blogs that I did. Nothing could be further from the truth. Alanna tried very hard not to censor. She tried to give everyone a chance to express themselves. Right out of the gate people abused her generosity. (what happened to Steve is a good example)
Me? I don’t even care. I don’t have time or inclination to be charitable.
I listened to Marketplace Morning, the NPR show about money and investing. A guest did a pop quiz with the host. The question was how much do we spend per year per troop in Afghanistan? The answer, according to the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, is $1.2M per troop. That’s nearly double the $685K per year we spend on each troop in Iraq. The difference is the greater logistical challenge in landlocked Afghanistan. The price of nation-building isn’t cheap, particularly at a time when many are intent on deconstructing the nation we spent 2+ centuries building right here. I haven’t found concrete figures on Wisconsin teacher pay and benefits, but it appears an average is low $50K pay plus $20-30K in benefits. Even if you inflate those figures a bit to add some margin for error, what we spend on 1 troop in Afghanistan would fully fund 12 teachers in Wisconsin with enough left over to buy as much justice as you’d want or as much representation as a wad of campaign cash gets from the elected representative of your choosing.
@Morris Davis
The difference is that Wisconsin can’t print money. You are comparing apples to oranges. Nor is education part of the duties of the Federal government. I understand what you are attempting, but, under that logic, where do you stop the comparisons? How many teachers do we get if we cut out “x” program elsewhere? Even if we shut down all military operations everywhere, not a single Wisconsin teacher would be hired. How many teachers could we get if we saved the money from the entire department of Education?