I came across a very interesting article in the Fairfax Extra section of the DCPost. A student at George Mason Univeristy (my alma mater, twice) wants to overturn the University's ban on concealed weapons. The student, Andrew Dysart, is also a former Marine.

Dysart, who has a concealed carry permit, said he met with GMU administrators who were receptive to forming a club that met university guidelines on official organizations. The administrators were less encouraging about its goals, he said.

"At the same time, I think they're surprised at the number of students I've gotten behind me," said Dysart, 25, of Warrenton. "Talking to people, I get mixed reactions. I get people who support me and people who don't think it's such a good idea."

More interesting is this little tidbit:

George Mason's Board of Visitors reviewed its weapons policy and discovered that its prohibition was unenforceable. Policy No. 56, in effect since 1995, barred faculty, students, staff members, contractors and visitors from carrying firearms, concealed or otherwise.

But a search of board actions found no official action authorizing the total ban, raising questions about whether the ban was enforceable, according to a memo prepared for the board by chief of staff J. Thomas Hennessey Jr. and legal counsel Thomas Moncure. In any case, the university had no authority over visitors who were lawfully permitted to carry firearms.

"Since the current policy is unenforceable, it is prudent that the Board approves a policy as soon as possible that is both enforceable and unequivocal as to who may, and may not, bring weapons on campus," the memo says.

I think that if you can pass all the required tests and are over 21 years old, there is no problem with him. The lesson I took from Virginia Tech is that making college campuses gun free does not protect the, rather it makes them more vunerable to a madman. Somone like Cho was going to get a gun no matter how many laws were on the books--and its clear he went to great lengths as it was--and the gun ban on campuses only made his rampage easier. If a student like Andrew Dysart, a former Marine, can't have a gun to protect himself and his fellow studets and teachers, it leaves us all open to another Virginia Tech.

(cross-posted at MC)

"The Republican Party is the party of reform. Without reform, there is no Republican Party."

SST EDITION: I'm posting this here, despite it being a local Fairfax race, for several reasons. The 2005 and 2006 elections proved without a shadow of a doubt that there is just not enough votes in the rest of the state to go Republicans way to offset heavy lopsided loses in Northern Virginia. I've heard both Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell talk about needing just ONE PERCENT more in Fairfax to win statewide. If we have the chairmanship, I'm pretty sure he's capable enough to remind suburban voters why they voted Republican in the 1990s.

That was the message tonight preached by Fairfax Chairman candidate Gary Baise. For 12 years, he reasoned, Fairfax County has been misgoverned and mislead by entrenched Democrat power. Flanked by impressive charts for all to read, Baise made the case for reform in Fairfax country. His focus will be on "dinner table issues," things that he knows through his work in Enviromental law. Baise concentrated his arguments (ever the lawyer) on Connolly and growth. Growth isn't the issue per say, its that Fairfax County has grown while our transportation infrastructure has not. Baise vowed to widen 66 inside the beltway and add a lane each way on Route 7, just like in Loudoun County. Then we wonder, WHY is growth in Fairfax out of control? Perhaps is the near $200,000 Chairman Connelly has graciously accepted from donors who directly do business with the Board. Hmmmm. Baise pointedly said that Gerry Connolly has created an appearance of a conflict of interests. I would have gone further. The DCPost reported that $300,000 of Connolly's $1 million warchest came from, wait for it . . . . developers! Baise continued with how mismanaged the county has been. We have a gigantic budget, but our priorities are wrong. It took a front-page Washington Post stroy about illegal aliens crowding into houses for Connolly to act, after 31/2 years of pandering and doing nothing. As Baise said, a strike force in an election year isn't good enough. Fairfax County, Baise pointed out, only has about 35 zoning officials, TWO LESS than twelve years ago. How much has Fairfax grown since then? Baise continued, talking about spending. He pointed out that rail operators, bus drivers, and train conductors in Faifax make alot of money. . . some nearing $100,000 a year. There's nothing wrong with these guys, but wouldn't that kind of money be better spent on, oh I don't know, teachers?! It was an impressive performance tonight.

Gary Baise struck an impressive pose tonight. He looked and sounded like a Chairman. He had facts and figures on the top of his head, he spoke strongly but calmly. He stated his message, attacked his opponent, yet but was a gentleman throughout. His legal background and work in both EPA and Department of Justice gives him an excellent pedigree. But none of this matters until Gary Baise can prove he can raise the kind of money to put this message out there and really challenge Connolly. Right now, Connolly starts with over $1 million, Baise has just $20,000 according to the Post. Connolly has the big money in Northern Virginia (obviously). So its an uphill battle. One thing Connolly has done right as Chairman is consolidate all the power that incumbancy gives you. So go to Baise's WEBSITE and see what you can do to help him out. He's gonna need it. But trust me, it'll be worth it.

Cuccinelli named to Chief Justice’s Commission on Mental Health Law Reform

Centerville, Virginia, June 5, 2007 – State Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37) was asked this month by the Chief Justice of Virginia’s State Supreme Court, the Honorable Leroy Hassell, to join him on a commission to review the current operations of the judicial system with regard to the mentally ill.

The commission’s guiding principle states, “The mental health services system, whatever the source of financing, should assure access to recovery-oriented services needed by persons with severe mental illness, should facilitate consumer choice, and should protect consumers and others from harm.” Cuccinelli remarked that, “As a court appointed attorney for mentally ill patients, I have been advising mentally ill individuals dealing with the judicial system longer than I have been in the Virginia Senate. I am glad to join the Chief Justice in this effort and I am honored to serve on this commission.”

Senator Cuccinelli is the resident expert in the Virginia Senate on this issue of mental health in the judicial system, and he has sponsored bills addressing problems related to mental illness and the judicial system virtually every year since he arrived in the Virginia State Senate.

“I look forward to working with the other members of the Chief Justice’s commission and I truly believe that turning over rocks such as these will really shed some light on where our justice system is excelling and where it is falling short in dealing with the mentally ill”

Thats right, the 37th distirct is represented by a real senator, not a Tim Kaine yes(wo)man. Ken Cuccinelli is, right now, perhaps the best senator in Virginia, and keeping him in Richmond is paramount to every conservative in this state. So while Janet Oleszek talks about being a "leader," Cuccinelli is the real thing - and this validates that claim. I've heard Sen. Cuccinelli talk about this before, and his work as a lawyer has exposed him to all sides of the mental health world, with all its problems. He was the one who best explained how Cho snuck through the cracks. Dems want everyone to think that Ken is some right-wing wackjob, but the fact is that he is a real leader and he doesn't have to say it over and over like Commrade Oleszek does to prove it. On issues as important as this, it speaks volumes to Cuccinelli's abilities that he is asked to help in an area so critical to Virginia, especially now.

(originally posted at my blog)