05/22/10

From The Austin American-Spaceman

Austin, Texas is like a brown spot on an apple. You'd want to cut out the liberal rot spot before eating that nice big juicy conservative apple.

I lived in Austin, off and on, in the 1970s, stationed at Bergstrom AFB between assignments elsewhere, then returning to earn a master's degree (no, not at UT). I commuted to Austin from Dallas through the 80s and into the 90s for Air Force Reserve duty at Bergstrom. I'm now retired, and Bergstrom AFB is now Bergstrom international airport.

When I first saw Austin in October, 1970, the population was around 200,000. Ranchers, farmers, leftover hippies, students, rednecks, immigrants, illegal immigrants, military and politicians. Lyndon Baines Johnson and his family were the local ruling dynasty and everyone was a democrat. The Texas State Capitol building was 5 feet taller than the U.S. Capitol, and zoning laws forbade putting up any building that blocked the view of it. You could see it from 30 miles away in any direction.

The last time I saw Austin, it looked a lot like Los Angeles. Lots of concrete roads and high buildings full of greedy people from somewhere in a rush to take someone else's money. You can't see the Capitol anymore and it's hard to find a native Texan. They have a brand new generation of hippies, no military, way too many students, many more illegal immigrants than legal immigrants, and a whole lot of professional welfare clients. The city has sprawled many miles in every direction; scenic vistas and flood plains have been replaced by expensive suburbs and FEMA disaster zones.

I won't be going back, but here's an interesting article:

Checkpoints open; guns OK in ‘express lane’

By Mike Ward | Friday, May 21, 2010, 08:12 AM
(Austin American-Statesman)

Without fanfare, the first step to airport-style security checkpoints were opened today at the four entrances to the Texas Capitol.

The public, visitors and lobbyists must walk through metal detectors and have their purses and briefcases searched. In coming weeks, their belongs will have to go through X-ray machines yet to be installed that will complete the new screening procedures.

State employees can walk around the checkpoint if they show a valid state ID, as can Texans who carry a concealed pistol with a permit.

It’s perhaps the only public building in the country where pistol-packing average Joes can walk through security undeterred.

The express lane for gun owners is clearly marked: “CHL Holders.”

“It’s quite intimidating. We’ve never had to go through this before,” said Beth Lord, a retired personnel manager who was visiting the statehouse with her grandchildren.

“If they’re going to have security like this, why are they letting some people to come in with guns. That doesn’t make too much sense.”

Other visitors who came through the checkpoints seemed to agree.

Mark Casey, a Katy engineer who was touring with his family, called the checkpoint policy “bizarre.”

“I would hope our officials feel safer in a building where only they are allowed to carry guns,” he said. “If terrorists and criminals with guns can’t get in, why does anyone need one in here?”

Officials have justified their decision this way: CHL permit holders are required to undergo training and pass a background check, steps that will weed out potential nuts and terrorists.

A number of lobbyists who come and go at the Capitol several times each day — and who have been grousing about the checkpoints for months — say they plan to get CHL permits so they can go through the express lane and save time. They said they do not plan to carry a weapon.

With visitor traffic light this morning, there were no lines at the checkpoints and most everyone was smiling. Along with the checkpoints, there is a noticeable presence of more state uniformed troopers in the Capitol and on its grounds.

As part of the plan to upgrade Capitol security, officials have said they planned to increase the number of troopers, install dozens of additional surveillance cameras and implement new programs designed to thwart any terrorist attack.

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If the article at the American-Statesman is still online when you're reading this, you might want to go there and read some of the comments by the liberal residents of Austin in shock over the special consideration shown to the CHL holders.

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And just for the record, a Texas Concealed Handgun License applicant undergoes more scrutiny than barack obama did to become POTUS.

Texas CHL holders have to pass a battery of background checks. Texas DPS, FBI and local law enforcement. They have to take a course usually taught by former military D.I.'s or police instructors and pass a written exam plus a marksmanship and safety practical test.

Texas CHL Laws: Take a look.

Maybe that's why the Department of Public Safety trusts a CHL holder more than an unknown individual walking in off the street.