“if you listen to this you must turn off the lights and close your eyes. promise?”
“down comes the meteor rain
as i walk along the stars
will it wash away the pain
will it peel away the scars?”
download the mp3: Meteor Rain
song written on 8.18.2009
Firearms are currently illegal on college campuses in the States. But in recent news, a bill in Texas that would legalize students to carry weapons to school is close to approval. The oh so obvious logic behind this potential piece of legislation is that anyone will possess the ability to defend themselves at school just in case a gunman decides to come and kill people (the most recent incident being Virginia Tech). Very practical, eh?*
If this bill passes, students will start off the school year by packing a nine-millimeter next to their calculus book in their Jansports. Gun stores will have back to school sales for incoming freshmen and backpacks will have designated slots not only for water bottles but also for pistols.
But legal firearm possession on college campuses is just about as safe and appropriate as wizards carrying wands at Hogwarts, right Jeff? Right???
No.
Proponents of the bill point out the statistic recorded in 2006, stating that adults with legal licenses for possession of a concealed handgun committed .25% of all crimes in Texas for that year. They claim that these proud gun owners are super duper responsible people who could possibly never misuse their handguns, because of the amazingly rigorous process that is required to attain the license:
I don’t know about you, but I am a college student. I do not feel remotely comfortable walking on campus around students with guns. That cute girl you see on Sproul sitting on Memorial Glade? Think twice before you say ‘hi.’ Compact semi-automatic Smith & Wesson stuffed in hot pink Chrome bag. Old Pasty Male Professor of UGBA 10 who likes Asian boys hits on you during office hours, asks you out for dinner? Think twice before you say ‘no.’ 1930s vintage Enfield revolver hidden in redwood desk. Homeless guy on Sproul who asks you for a dime? Think twice before you say ‘fuck off.’ Shotgun hidden in sleeping bag next to sign that says “need money for 420.”
Talk about paranoia. Even professors will probably have to think twice before failing a student in a class.
Let’s face it, guns and school mix as well as oil and water do. School is a microcosm of the world – you got your cool kids, your jocks, your nerds, your embittered antisocial kids, psychopaths… you name it. Mix in drugs and alcohol and raging hormones – all indisputably available at any college campus in America, and you have hundreds of thousands of potential kill zones in every state in America. UCPD will have to play many more games of Clue and Whodunnit if firearm possession is ever legalized on the campus of UC Berkeley.
But then again, I guess this is how the world works on a global level, right? How do you dispel nuclear threats of other countries? You get your own nukes.
Maybe this is just a political ploy for Texans to distract everyone from the real issue at hand – the possibility of secession.
Don’t mess with Texas, or rather, Texan Students.
As always, I welcome your thoughts.
*(oh god im turning Canadian. ::shakes fists at vivek and jim::)
Change.
A common weakness amongst everyone in the world. A natural, innate fear. Our actions are ultimately governed by our fear of change.
Why are we so afraid of change? Why are we so against change? Because change is risky. Because with change, we may lose more than we can gain. And we may end up in a deeper hole than we were in before.
The truth is, change will happen, whether you like it or not. The inevitable transience of time will force everything around you to change – your family, your friends, your environment. Therefore, you will change.
Will you change for better or for worse? Now, that’s your choice. Do you want to be controlled by change, or do you want to control change through change? This question may be a bit confusing, but we’ve all been in this situation before. The girlfriend/boyfriend who broke up with you, the company that laid you off, that time you were forced to change middle schools and felt alone – we’ve all been through situations like this.
Citing Charles R. Swindoll’s famous quote, I read, “Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Fight change with change. Forget about that girlfriend/boyfriend who dumped you — go to the gym more, get better grades, try new things like rock climbing or break dancing with the newfound free time and freedom you have. Improve your mind and body. Work on being Mr. Right before you find Mrs. Right. For that employer who fired you, expand your skill set, sharpen up your resume, and show them what they’re missing out on. For all those people who never believed in you, show them that they’re fuckin wrong about what you can and cannot do and pass them right before they get to the finish line. I’ve heard this line before, and I never get tired of it: Success is the sweetest form of revenge.
While most of us fear change, we must understand how valiant it is to initiate positive change within ourselves. To be able to look at your own life situation and feel discontent is a great revelation, but to actually have the resolve to step outside your comfort zone and try ways to improve your life, your skills, your body, and your mind, is infinitely more honorable.
Change.
Why hello there.
Welcome to my virtual-thought-incubator, where you will find musings about the politics of love, the latest on technology, the musical creations of moi, and the intricate complexities of life. And maybe some swing dance choreo, too.
I welcome your thoughts.
