Guns, guns, guns

I found this commentary by Ted Nugent, the rock star, about gun control. http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/04/19/commentary.nugent/index.html
The commentary is a couple of years old, but I think it still applies to the current issue of whether handguns should be allowed on college campuses.
Mr. Nugent’s intended audience was gun control advocates. In addition to being a multi-million album selling rock guitarist, he is a gun rights activist and serves on the board of directors of the National Rifle Association. Ted Nugent is a strong advocate of the right to bear arms. He has been quoted as saying that the second amendment is the only gun license or carry permit any law abiding citizen should need. In the late 1990s, Nugent began writing for various magazines, and he has written for more than 20 publications. Ted Nugent is known for being very outward with his opinions. He spent some time being a radio show host, shocking the people of Detroit with his opinions. He also has considered running for governor of Michigan.
In the mentioned commentary, Ted Nugent is giving examples of events in America, where deranged gunmen have attacked citizens. The point he is making is that if someone would have been there with a concealed handgun, they might have been able to defend themselves and others. He is trying to convince the reader that taking away our right to carry a concealed handgun makes citizens defenseless against attackers.
I understand Mr. Nugent’s point of view, but I think there is a time and place for guns. In general, I do think that people should be able to have concealed weapons. Currently there is a lot of debate over whether or not guns should be allowed on college campuses. I don’t think they should be allowed on campuses, at least not in the hands of students. I think that there should be security guards, and/or teachers with permitted firearms. The thought of my kids one day going to school with an abundance of guns around them is disturbing. When you look back at most of the attacks on our college campuses, the gunmen have been young. Guns in college sounds………….dangerous.

Our students learning Arabic? Time to panic................

I found this article on CNN.com about a school district southeast of Fort Worth Texas.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/02/10/navarrette.arabic.curriculum/

Mansfield Independent School District had made plans to implement an Arabic language studies program. The program was supposed to be integrated into elementary and intermediate schools, but not as a separate course. It was also supposed to be offered as an elective to middle school and high school students. The Arabic language studies program was funded by a federal five-year $1.3 million grant awarded the district by the Foreign Language Assistance Program (FLAP) of the Department of Education. The grant was sought after by the school system because the federal government lists Arabic as a critical language since there is a shortage of and a demand for people who are proficient in it.

Now because of the commotion cause by the parents of these students, the grant money will probably have to be returned, and the program canceled.

The parents were upset because they weren't notified ahead of time. Also, inaccurately, they believed the school district was going to contribute to the funding. In addition, they were unhappy about not being involved in the decision to start the program in the first place.

The article goes on to argue that the parents are being driven by fear, ignorance, and prejudice.

I think the article is worth reading because it is a touchy subject for Americans. In my opinion, Americans learning the language of the biggest group of people who threaten our future as a peaceful nation wouldn't be a bad idea. Other countries all over the world learn English, and it's not because they love us.