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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
New Fashion Statement: A Glock 23
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Los Angeles Times reports about a fledgling movement among gun owners: open carry. Tired of concealing their weapons, they now carry them openly.
“For years, Kevin Jensen carried a pistol everywhere he went, tucked in a shoulder holster beneath his clothes,” the newspaper writes. “In hot weather the holster was almost unbearable. Pressed against Jensen’s skin, the firearm was heavy and uncomfortable. Hiding the weapon made him feel like a criminal.
“Then one evening he stumbled across a site that urged gun owners to do something revolutionary: Carry your gun openly for the world to see as you go about your business. In most states there’s no law against that.”
Thge story continues, “Now Jensen carries his Glock 23 openly into his bank, restaurants and shopping centers. He wore the gun to a Ron Paul rally. He and his wife, Clachelle, drop off their 5-year-old daughter at elementary school with pistols hanging from their hip holsters, and have never received a complaint or a wary look.
“The Jensens are part of a fledgling movement to make a firearm as common an accessory as an iPod.”
Critics say this the open weapons display trend can scare children and lead to increased confrontations with law enforcement officers - several gun owners have reported such cases. - What’s your preference: concealed or open carry? Is it too much Wild Wild West or would you rather know upfront whether a person is armed? Read full LA Times story here.
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Do we need to learn more languages?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Writes a high school senior, in today’s New Attitudes column:
“The state of Georgia recently cut down on foreign language funding in schools, and many other states are debating whether to require foreign language credits for high school graduation at all. This is a great mistake. Multilingualism should be greatly encouraged, and government funding for foreign language programs needs to be a priority. If future generations are going to grow up in a global economy, foreign language education needs to begin at an early age. Elementary schools should receive the funding they need to introduce young students to foreign cultures and languages.
“In 30 years, when those same students are interacting with business partners halfway across the world, who do you think will be more successful —- a student who knows about the Spanish language and culture, or a student who was never even given the encouragement to pick up a second language? International education is more than learning about verbs, vocabulary and grammar. It is about understanding cultures and diverse peoples.”
Do you agree we need to be learning more languages?
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