Free In Idaho!

I’ve heard a few stories about the university and college presidents getting together to talk about lowering the drinking age because, after all, the drinking age of 21 isn’t stopping anyone from drinking, is it?

Sounds logical to me.  Feels good too.

Now, while we’re talking about what does and doesn’t work, how about we reopen discussion on that other idea that doesn’t work?  You know…

gun free zones…

There’s an idea that doesn’t even work as well as the 21 year old drinking age, and the same two arguments apply.   The individual rights argument, as in, if they can go to war, vote, contract, and someday drink legally, then, if they can legally own and carry a firearm off campus they should be able to own it and carry it on campus as well.   And the “gun free zones” don’t work argument, as in, only the law abiding leave their guns at home while criminals, the real threats, bring theirs right in.  If you’re going to use the “doesn’t work” argument about drinking (or sex, or drugs, or whatever) then be prepared to be challenged on the gun issue. 

update: David Codrea  reminds us the same university presidents defend their no guns policy by pointing out the irresponsible underage drinking on campus… yup.  They’re geniuses.  That’s why they’re in charge.

Yellowstone 1988… twenty years ago Yellowstone National Park suffered one of the worst fire seasons we’re likely to see in our lifetimes.  Major portions of the park burned, with the worst single day happening on August 20th.  And the debate about wilderness wildfires continues to this day.

If you don’t remember it, or if you’ve never been to the park, take a minute to hit a couple of these links. 

Yellowstone’s Year of Fire–1988

Yellowstone National Park forest fires of 1988

wiki

One of the best videos I’ve got in my Yellowstone collection is “Yellowstone Aflame“. (advert, but it’ll give you a good idea)