Shit My Son's, Dad Says...

Reading the Tribune the last few days, I've been informed that we here in Utah, have the worst air in the country. That local officials, even the COP'S for crying out loud, have been raiding the public coffers. We spend less money to educate our children than any other state in the country, and national chains of restaurant's won't locate here, bringing new jobs, because they can't get a liquor license.

There are some nut's who think that every Utahan should be able to mint his own gold and silver money, and it will be guarded by a currently non-existent state Militia. We should repeal the health care reform passed last year because it's always better to have Lot's more poor people who can't afford insurance, than to lessen the burden on all of us and have everyone insured.

Well, with the Legislature about to start this years session, and with such a full plate including redistricting, what issue have our esteemed Legislators set their sights on, to tackle first and foremost?

The University Of Utah would, please, like you to cover your gun while on campus.

Yikes! That's UNAMERICAN! And probably, SOCIALIST! We need to FORCE them to change their policy, right now!

Oh, what a load of BULLSHIT! Any one with a CCW Permit can already take their gun onto the campus. They forced and won that issue years ago. But in the spirit of being an academic institution, where freedom of thought is valued, and debate is important, is it too much to ask that you COVER your gun? I think not. The Legislature is proving a point to the University, that THEY are in charge. Even though they aren't the SMARTEST dog in this fight, by, God (guns and guts) they are the most POWERFUL, because they control the budget.

If you run a, "House Of Worship" you can post a sign that says you don't want me to bring my gun into it. That's legal. And if you are a Private School, even a, "University" you can tell CCW Permit holders, that they can't bring their gun onto YOUR campus. We all know who I'm talking about here people, do I have to spell it out for you? B-Y-U (But Your Uneducated) can ban your gun. The University Of Utah can't.

You best just keep YOUR mouth shut, Utah State! You might want to go to conference that still plays football one day, and you missed your chance last summer trying to keep the Legislature happy by not, "dissing" , You Know Who and staying in the WAC, just for them. How'd that work out for you? Not so good? I thought so.

So now, as The University Of Utah (The UNIVERSITY, IN Utah) makes plans to join 11 other internationally recognized, academically and athletically, elite Universities (Colorado? Not so much on the athletic part, but they could come around), with their history of Pulitzer Prize Winners, Nobel Laureates, award winning scholars, and graduates. Our Legislature is determined to show the world that we are still, Dodge City, circa 1870 with dirt streets and a cowboy on every corner with a pistol on his belt. And to quote, Townes Van Zant, "He wore his gun outside his vest, for all the honest world to fear."

How DUMB are these people? Carl Wimmer? You're an idiot! Let me tell you how tough it is to buy and carry a gun around with you in this town. And why, in a civilized society, especially a UNIVERSITY, which you, I'm pretty sure, have never attended, discourse, and the open exchange of ideas is what learning is all about. And why it's hard to have an open conversation with a person you disagree with, while that person is carrying, in plain sight, a GUN!

For the record, I just checked, Carl's web site. He makes no bones about it, that he didn't have the smarts to go to college. Under the, "Meet Carl" part of his web page it says, "He doesn't have the privilege of boasting an expensive degree from an established University..." Lets break that down, shall we?

"Privilege". Education is a privilege? Like someone closed a gate on him? He could have applied to any college in the state, and probably have gotten in. Even at the JC level. Education isn't a privilege, it's something you have to work for, but it's not a privilege. He was just too lazy to get one.

"Boasting". So if I run against you, and happened to mention in my campaign literature that I have, "An expensive Degree" from an, "Established University", I'm a braggart? I can't tell everyone I'm better educated than you, or I'm somehow being an elitist? Well then GOOD, I want the smart people in office! Not morons like you!

Now lets address the gun part of the problem that you seem to want to make such a big deal.

Since you don't know what they are for, I'll tell you. Universities are there to educate people by teaching them to critically think. To question not only authority, but the status quo. Religion, science, engineering, math. Question them ALL! THAT'S how you LEARN! Not all of your questions are answered. That's what makes some people scientists instead of Priests!

At the Law Schools, learn the Constitution, then question how it's interpreted. At the Medical Schools, question treatment of EVERY disease until you find something that works! Don't just take the known for an answer. Explore the unknown! What might work BETTER to treat Cancer, or Diabetes? Is Terry Vs. Ohio REALLY the best way, Constitutionally, to rule on how Cop's approach and search people?

For the record, I think, "The Terry Frisk" ruling is great. I'm just saying... When you're TEACHING IT? Explain why it's great.

Now, in a classroom where the Professor, or the person you are debating, disagreeing with, arguing with, is openly carrying a gun. How hard are you going to argue for YOUR side? I have a theory that this would NARROW the debate a bit. Maybe not lead to the TOTALLY open exchange of ideas and emotions. Don't you think?

And I would also have to argue, that in the relatively safe environs of a University, even taking into account the Texas Tower Shooting, and Virginia Tech, would having your gun UNDER your shirt, as opposed to on our hip where it might really bother someone, make any difference? As a former Cop, I'm telling you right here and now, NO! It would not if you are good with your gun.

If Carl has had all the training he claims to have had, he's gone through the, Calibre Press Street Survivor training. I've done it four times, and was asked by them to set one up in SLC, which I did and for that I got myself and five of my friends into the whole three days for free.

He would know that carrying your gun outside your clothing is nothing more than making a statement. You're showing you're the bad ass in the room. Great at a, Sarah Palin rally. Not so good at a University.

But since he never went to one, I can't expect him to know this. We can only hope that some of the Republicans who DID get an education will talk to him, in a private room, and tell him to put down his hard on, er handgun for people who are smarter than him, and let it go. Leave the University Of Utah alone, and let them set their own firearms policy.

Now, let me address, again, buying guns in Utah. For a long time I wanted a .45 ACP, 1911, had nothing to do with what happened on Saturday, so I've been looking for a year. But after Saturday, I might just carry a little more often.

I walked into Galleson's on Monday afternoon and spend an hour or so talking to a knowledgeable gun guy about what I wanted and what was available and he was really helpful. I won't mention his name so he doesn't get in trouble for selling a gun to a Liberal, but he was awesome. And when I found the one I wanted, and the ammo I wanted with it, it was pretty easy to walk out of there with the gun.

I had a valid ID, a current CCW Permit and a Platinum Credit Card. I was gone in a few minutes.

The problem with this is that the same thing happened in Arizona at a Sportsman's Warehouse a few weeks ago. The guy had a credit card that was good. A valid ID, and in Arizona, you don't NEED a CCW Permit to CCW! Any one can. And Arizona was behind on it's background checks.

Problem is? This guy wouldn't have shown up on background checks. He had no felonies, he was never declared, "mentally ill" by anyone. He was able to buy a Glock 19 semi-automatic handgun with an extended magazine that held 30 shells.

I worked in Law Enforcement for 20+ years, the biggest magazine I EVER had was 15. And at one point I carried one in the gun and two back ups. That would have been a hell of a gun fight!

This guy can buy a 30 round magazine? Why? Who needs that?

Crazy people who want to shoot Congresswomen and others, that's who!

We do need some gun control in this country. Some sensible control of the ability to kill a lot of people in a short time. Not the ability to defend yourself or your house or your family. But 30 rounds? Really? That's just wrong.

I'm going to bed with my new .45 under my pillow now. Some of you know I'm kidding. Some of you don't. Even those who know me well, don't know if I'm kidding.

I'm kidding about, under the pillow. Guns are cold.

But if someone breaks into my house, the second LOUD noise they hear after my dog barking, will not be in their best interest.

And it won't take 30 rounds. Trust me.