Open carry law for students on campus could save lives should a mass shooting occur

You may not have heard of Suzanna Hupp but it’s a good bet you fully know about the mass shooting she survived on October 16, 1991 when George Hennard crashed his pickup truck through a Luby’s Cafeteria in Killeen, Texas and shot and killed 23 people before killing himself.

Hupp lost both her parents in the shooting and did own a gun at the time but, because Texas law forbid her to carry a gun into public places, she was unable to save her parents.

Hupp, a former Republican of the Texas House of Representatives from 1997-2007, testified before Congress in 2013 arguing against the state’s gun control laws.

“I don’t view myself as a victim of gun violence,” Hupp said in an interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly. “I view myself as a victim of a maniac who happened to use a gun as a tool. It still makes me angry when I think about it. You can’t go up against a guy with a salt shaker or a butter knife.”

Imagine if such a law had been in place when the mass shooting happened at Virginia Tech in 2007 where 32 people were killed by Seung-Hui Cho. 

If only someone in those buildings the killer was in had had a license to carry a firearm, the number of those dead and injured could have been lower.

It amazes me that when it comes to the possibility of allowing people with proper licenses to carry concealed handguns on campus, students are scared that every day could be a could be a “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” style situation where everyone with a gun will start shooting everyone else.

The open carry law in Texas does not mean there will be a massive jump in gun sales allowing students to buy a gun.

Personally, guns scare me. I have a dog who barks at anything that lets me know when there is trouble nearby and then I can take steps on what to do if I am face to face with a gunman. Buying let alone even considering looking into owning a firearm is not on my list of things I want.

The whole point, however, of owning a gun is to hopefully never use it. It’s a deterrent.

If you still think prohibiting students from having a firearm on campus is better then consider this nightmare scenario that, God willing, will never happen.

It’s around 11:30 a.m. and the hall near the Subway restaurant at your college campus is packed with students, faculty and employees waiting in line to buy lunch. No one notices a guy walking through the hall carrying a large duffle bag who goes into the back of the cafeteria where not as many students. He calmly starts taking out his cache of weapons. Still no one notices until the shots ring out from his AK-47 assault rifle.

Within a minute 60 or more are dead or injured. The call goes out to campus police. By the time they get to the building and students are running for their lives shots are still ringing out inside. Dallas police would still need time to assess the situation from witnesses.  

I would suggest the situation could have been resolved in the space of minutes if someone in that restaurant had a license to carry a firearm on campus and take out the shooter.

As Hupp told Congress, “I’m a mom and I just can’t imagine being back in that position, but instead of having my parents with me, having my kids with me and not have any way to protect them. You can be a liberal and talk about gun control all you want, but when you’re actually in the situation, most normal people want to be able to defend themselves and their children and grandchildren.”

©3/25/15

Are we ready for female standalone superhero movies?

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.

Shh! Can you hear it? Listen again! It’s the sounds of women everywhere shouting the phrases, “I am Woman! Hear me roar!” and “Women rule!” The chants are so loud I cannot even hear myself think writing this column! They are even drowning out the cheers of the “Big Bang Theory” crowd as well.

Like it or not, there’s a reason for this. On July 23, 2017, the big screen will no longer be a male superhero’s world anymore. The days where female super heroines occupying the same film alongside the male superhero in the same blockbuster franchise movie will officially be over. Two and a half years from now following her big screen debut in March 2016 alongside the “Man of Steel” and the “Caped Crusader” in "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice," the Amazonian princess Wonder Woman (aka Diana Prince as played by Gal Gadot of "Fast & Furious 6" - 2013) will get her own standalone superhero movie in what is already being planned as a trilogy by DC Comics and Warner Brothers.

Then in July 2018 Marvel Comics and Disney will bring their own female superhero to the big screen known as Captain Marvel. While I know enough about Wonder Woman, I am ignorant when it comes to Captain Marvel. The comic book nerds, the “Big Bang Theory crowd” and the “I am woman hear me roar” crowd will have to set me straight about who this female character is. The most I know is what Marvel President Kevin Feige said last November when announcing future Marvel Comic movie projects.

Ms. Marvel as she is pictured in the comics.

“This Captain Marvel’s name is Carol Danvers,” Feige said. “This film has been in the works almost as long as Doctor Strange or Guardians of the Galaxy before it came out, and one of the key things was figuring out what we wanted to do with it. Her adventures are very earthbound, but her powers are based in the cosmic realm.”

The big screen isn’t the only place where female superheroes will make their presence known. Late last year, Thor became a woman in her own alternate comic series from Marvel.

"The inscription on Thor’s hammer reads ‘Whosoever holds this hammer, if HE be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor.’ Well, it’s time to update that inscription," said Marvel editor Wil Moss in a statement last year. "The new Thor continues Marvel’s proud tradition of strong female characters like Captain Marvel, Storm, Black Widow and more. And this new Thor isn’t a temporary female substitute – she’s now the one and only Thor, and she is worthy!"

This May, Marvel will introduce an all-female Avengers series called A-Force that will feature She-Hulk, Captain Marvel, Storm, Medusa, Jean Grey and Dazzler. I can already see a female Avengers movie coming after the male Avengers movies end in 2019.

Melissa Benoist as Supergirl.

While on television, CBS has been hard at work bringing Supergirl to the small screen and unlike producer/screenwriter David E. Kelley’s proposed Wonder Woman series in 2011 that crashed and burned before her invisible plane ever took off, I have not heard any critical rumblings about the upcoming series let alone the “Woman of Steel’s” costume which debuted on the Internet recently featuring star Melissa Benoist in the title role. Allow me to offer my own negative criticism of her. She looks too thin and has no muscle. I don’t think villain Lex Luthor has anything to worry about.

The question I have is who besides women, the nerds and the “Big Bang Theory” crowd will sit in front of their flat screens and computers and download the Supergirl series off Netflix and Hulu? Whereas the Batman, Superman and Avengers movies appeal to both sexes, how many guys will actually sit through a female standalone superhero film? It’s like having a girlfriend or wife drag their boyfriend or husband literally on a leash to see some romantic "Chick Flick" that appeals only to women.

It’s not as if women superheroes have had long running success in both television and the big screen. Yes, the original Wonder Woman tv series with Lynda Carter had a catchy song that I still can’t get out of my head but the show featuring the Amazonian princess in the “satin tights, fighting for your rights, and the old red, white and blue” lasted only 60 episodes from 1975 to 1979. Compare that number to the WB’s "Smallville" series about a young Clark Kent that lasted ten years (2001-2011) with 217 episodes.

ABC's Agent Carter.

I see ABC’s "Agent Carter" with Hayley Atwell which airs right after "Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D." on Tuesday nights as nothing more than a test to see if a female driven series about a woman who worked with Captain America can stand on its own without the guy with the red, white and blue shield.

How many remember the 1984 movie, "Supergirl," with Helen Slater in her movie debut? I suspect more people remember "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" (1987) whose $15 million gross was one million more than what "Supergirl" made at the box office.

Or "Catwoman" (2004) in which star Halle Berry won and accepted the Worst Actress Raspberry Award in person in 2005?

That doesn’t mean the powers that be at Disney’s Marvel and Warner Brothers DC comics don’t realize how much is at stake if they fail. I am sure somewhere at Disney’s Marvel offices is a rule written on a wall somewhere that says “Hell hath no fury like Mickey Mouse and former president and Marvel Comics chairman Stan Lee scorned” along with their own set of ten commandments where the first one says “Thou shalt not make any Marvel movie that becomes a box office flop.” (By comparison, I am sure the same rule and Ten Commandments are posted up on a wall on the Disney’s Star Wars offices of film producer Kathleen Kennedy as well).

The powers that be at Warner Brothers were apparently so careful to not hop on any eggshells with the Wonder Woman franchise that they hired Game of Thrones director Michelle Maclaren to helm the first film thinking the movie would benefit more if it were directed by a woman.

There is still one other obstacle that the Amazonian princess and Captain Marvel’s Carol Danvers will have to conquer though and that’s the box office. Money is what makes the world go round. The amount of green will be what determines if what audiences get is another bomb the equivalent of a Supergirl or Catwoman movie or if they get another Superman/Avengers style blockbuster franchise.

©3/18/15

Gone Too Soon: Michael Frazier (1970-2015)

Michael Frazer in his Army uniform.

Some of my fondest memories as a student at Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas between 1984 and 1988 took place throughout much of my junior year whenever fellow classmate Michael Frazier was around. I recalled those moments a lot the past few days upon hearing through former classmates on Facebook that Mike had unexpectedly passed away March 11, 2015, following a brief illness at 45, leaving behind his wife of 25 years, Wendy, his son, Matt, two daughters, Monica and Katie, their two dogs, Vader and Woody, and hundreds of friends and family.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Mike in my geometry, religion classes and study hall. For me to call him the class clown would be wrong as he was far from it. True he always joked in class, but it was never to so much to draw attention to himself as it was to make everyone around him laugh.

Mike had me in stitches in study hall when he started talking like Elvis Presley sometimes singing one of the King’s songs. He would often times talk like an old man in a gruff voice that literally made him sound like he was in his 80s. If I made some smart aleck comment to him, he’d go into his “old man” routine telling me “Shut up you ol’whippersnapper! I’ll take you in the back room and bust you up!”

I know those of you reading this cannot understand why I found his antics so funny as the only way you would know is if you heard him in that voice. One time during geometry class when teacher Mrs. Clark asked him what he was doing, he told her, “I am my fellow student’s helping hand.” Then he started singing, “Lean on me. When you are not strong and I’ll be your friend.” Even when Mike upset me, which was only once, my anger at him lasted just a couple minutes as in the time he sprayed blue ink all over my BL uniform only to find the ink disappeared within seconds. Mike laughed telling me it was invisible ink.

I wasn’t at all surprised given how tall he was (six feet I think) and how built he was like a football player to learn when I connected with him on Facebook a few years back that he enlisted in the Army shortly upon graduating from North Garland High School and was honorably discharged in 1995. I remember upon my loaning him my copy of the 1983 military cadet film, "The Lords of Discipline," in high school, Mike told me his favorite character was Dante Pignetti, a tall bulky balding cadet played by Rick Rossovich who enjoyed kicking ass. It was because of that “old man” voice he did that I did not so much call him “Pignetti” as I did “The Godfather” though I’ll never know if he was able to mimic Marlon Brando’s mumbling voice.

There were a couple times because he made me laugh in class where I’d get into trouble as a result. One day during ethics class, Mike just sat there on one end of the room giving me the evil eye (with one eyebrow raised). My ethics teacher, Mr. Poundstone, stopped class to ask me what my problem was. I had no choice but to say Mike’s giving me the evil stare.

Other times during ethics class Mike would become the “old man” again which would annoy Mr. Poundstone where when the class was silent, he’d yell out loud to another fellow classmate named Diedra Brown and say, “How you doin there, Diedra!” Mr. Poundstone’s disapproving look to Mike was priceless; as though he was saying “Why don’t you people grow up?”

Regrettably the last time I saw Mike was during a BL football game as he didn’t graduate with us senior year in 1988. Upon my seeing him again that night, the first word he said to me was “Joseph!” The only one who calls me that is my mom and that’s when she gets pissed, other than calling me, “Joey”, which I also get ribbed about by friends who hear her say it.

My only contact with Mike in recent years was through Facebook. Every once in a while, he often clicked on the “like” option whenever I posted stuff he agreed with me on. I’m finding there is a lot you can learn about someone by just browsing through one’s Facebook posts. I could tell he was a Star Wars fan. When he posted the teaser trailer for "Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens" (2015) on Facebook last November, Mike wrote “I am unashamed and giddy to repost this. Reminds me of spending our 20-dollar vacation allowance on action figures. Of course, my Darth could fly. He had a cape.”

Other times, Mike offered religious commentary when the time warranted it. When I questioned how when it comes to giving up things for Lent last month that decision is supposed to be between the person and God and not to be shared via social networking, he responded back to me writing, “I like to think those making such announcements are making themselves accountable to the public. Like me giving up the…LOL.”

When I posted a picture in July 2012 of what was believed to be an Angel hovering above the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado at a memorial service for the victims killed by mass shooter James Holmes, Mike replied to my post saying, “I believe there are Angels, and they are with us. It is not outside the Lord’s preview to perform miracles. I don’t believe this is an Angel any more than that picture of the twin towers had Satan’s face in the smoke after the planes hit. Angels are spirits, not clouds. If they were going to appear to anyone, why would they be veiled in a cloud?”

The most recent discussion, which caused differing perspectives on Facebook among former classmates was the subject of terminally ill patient Brittany Maynard’s decision to commit suicide last November when Mike posted a video from Fr. I. J. Menezes about Euthanasia.

“Just posting for practicing Catholics on my feed,” Mike wrote. “I believe the priest said that pain should be managed though and cost isn't really the issue either. Its a slippery slope from presuming what's best for the ill and what is best for the person watching or who gets to decide."

There is a part of me writing this column at hearing of Mike’s sudden passing that wants to express anger at God at having him been taken away from everyone too soon.

I know, however, that he wouldn’t want me to express any negative feelings of why God called him home but to instead recall the happier times.

Farewell Mike, I am glad to have known you. Thank you for making me laugh and anyone who knows me personally knows how hard it is for them to get me to do that.

©3/12/15

Who the Hell listens to movie critics today?

This past weekend I attempted to play catch up on a few movies I missed out late last year. Among them was the apocalyptic end of the world “rapture film", "Left Behind" (2014), with Nicolas Cage and director David Fincher’s critically acclaimed murder mystery, "Gone Girl" (2014).

When it comes to what today’s movie critics like whether they’re the ones who have written reviews for decades or those who hope to be the next Pauline Kael or Roger Ebert (good luck on that one) I am like Al Pacino’s character Ricky Roma in the foul-mouthed real-estate robbery film, "Glengarry Glen Ross" (1992).

“I subscribe to the law of contrary public opinion. If everyone thinks one thing, then I say bet the other way,” Roma says.

That being said, I liked "Left Behind", Nicolas Cage’s phoned-in performance and all. I did not like "Gone Girl" and the only reason why that film got any attention was because it was based on a best seller and the devoted readers wanted to see how faithful the film makers would be to the book. I have seen better psychopathic performances by Oscar nominated actresses before, in particular Glenn Close from "Fatal Attraction" (1987) and Rosamund Pike’s role didn’t compare.



In fact, I’m proud to say I’ve liked several movies the movie critics didn’t embrace which include "Superman III" (1983). "Dune" (1984), Rob Zombie’s "The Lords of Salem" (2012) and "Halloween III: Season of the Witch" (1982) – yes! The one about the Irish toymaker who wants to wipe out America’s kiddies with cursed Halloween masks! Can you sing “Two more days to Halloween, Halloween, Halloween! Two more days to Halloween! Silver Shamrock!”

A couple months ago I caught the first 30 minutes of the critically bashed "Leonard Part 6" (1987) with Bill Cosby, and I laughed my ass off! If you are wondering which Batman films I still watch today? Hint: It’s NOT the Christopher Nolan films! Pardon me but the first priority when I go see movies now is to be entertained. I don’t think about what the hell I am going to say about so-so movie in a review.

I don’t listen to movie critics. I don’t believe for one minute their critiques today, if you call them that, ruins a film’s chances at the box office let alone increases the money a movie brings in. The audiences are the ones who determine that!

If movie critics really mattered, why is it that in today’s world of struggling city newspapers that it’s the critics who get sent packing when the publications slash budgets?

I don’t read anyone’s film reviews. When I browse through Empire magazine, Total Film, Film Comment and go to rogerebert.com, I make a mental note of the latest movies out with plans to see them later. I don’t pay attention to Rotten Tomatoes movie scores. When I think of “rotten tomatoes” I think that is the reason I get heartburn every time I eat pizza and pasta.

Rest assured sometime this year, I will see Johnny Depp’s "Mortdecai", George Lucas’ "Strange Magic" and the Jamie Foxx remake of "Annie", none of which were fully embraced by the know-it-all critics.

I don’t need some want-to-be movie critic who uses that extremely boring unoriginal “You” phrase writing, “If you like action adventure” or “If you like horror” or “If you like comedies” who thinks he/she is Mr. Spock and through some mind meld they know what I like. It’s bad enough these writers treat me like I am still in grade school, and I got to decipher Entertainment Weekly’s C+ press release/kiss-ass/often times politically biased reviews of so-so film versus the one that gets an A.

When it comes to critic’s movie ratings, I use the four stars to no star rating system, or if I were reviewing movies for Playboy magazine like film critic Bruce Williamson did, I’d use four bunnies to no bunnies. That system is so much simpler, but I know, today’s want-to-be film critics want to be different.

My advice to those who rely on movie critics recommendations, DON’T! To quote George Harrison’s Beatles song, “Think for Yourself,” "Do what you want to do. And go where you're going to. Think for yourself. Cos I won't be there with you."

You’re only going to be disappointed, if not furious if you listen to how everyone embraced a movie like Gone Girl only to ask yourself if you and they actually watched the same film. Trust me, I’ve been there.

I’m still trying to figure out what the critics and audiences saw in "The English Patient" (1996).

To quote Elaine Benes (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) from that "Seinfeld" episode, “Quit telling your stupid story about the stupid desert, and just die already! DIE!”

©2/18/15

Does EVERY woman in America want to be tied up and spanked by their man?

Sometime in the next few years, hopefully sooner provided my financial situation improves and I can be allowed to finally get my own “man cave” before I get way too old to have one, I will have a “playroom” which I will keep locked. Inside that room will be a few curios of expensive 12-inch movie action figures from Hot Toys, possibly all the 6-inch Star Wars action figures from Hasbro if they keep making more, everything still inside their wrapped boxes along with several ultimate collector Star Wars Lego sets on display.

I will be exactly like Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) in that clip from the upcoming film adaptation out Feb. 13th of the first book of author E.L. James’ bestselling sadomasochistic trilogy "Fifty Shades of Grey" (2015) where he shows his girlfriend Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) his “playroom.”

The moment I prepare to show my girlfriend, if have one, my locked playroom, I won’t be surprised if she says exactly what Anastasia asks Christian.

“Like your Xbox and stuff,” she asks.

And yet I will NOT be anything like Christian Grey. True, I will be probably better off financially but I won’t be a millionaire CEO of a large company. I won’t own any “toys” that one either order from those leather s/m stores off the Internet to keep their identities secret like bondage equipment, blindfolds, posturing collars, an assortment of whips, crops and canes and whatever else the movie character Christian Grey has in his secret “Red Room of Pain.”

Therein lies my problem with the apparent sexually submissive hold James’ books have on women today. Maybe it’s just me but if after a few dates I showed my future girlfriend my “Red Room of Pain” I’d like to think she will immediately bolt out the door and never want to see me again. I mean what woman wants to be tied up, blindfolded and spanked by their man in this era where women are taking on almost the same, if not all the take charge roles men play?

Maybe it’s just me but I have way too much respect for women and would not feel comfortable doing what Christian Grey will do to Anastasia for a combined 20 minutes of the film’s 125-minute running time.

I won’t lie and say to quote the film’s tagline that I won’t be “curious” to see "Fifty Shades of Grey" opening weekend. The phrase “controversy sells” goes without saying in this case as I am fairly certain the film will literally blow away "American Sniper" (no bad pun intended) from the number one spot at the box office.

Like the "Sex and the City" movie (2008) which attracted female fans of the show and guys who either have a fetish looking at women in high heels or enjoy wearing them, I predict "Fifty Shades of Grey" will attract everyone from those who want to know what all the kinky hype is about, women and men who engage in the same sexual activities with their significant others as the two characters do in James’ novels, to women fans of James’ books who claim how much this book trilogy saved their doomed marriages and boyfriend/girlfriend relationships in the bedroom behind closed doors.

As much as s/m bondage enthusiasts, however, hope that this film will finally bring their mostly hidden alternative lifestyle out in the open and hope we “vanilla” people accept their questionable tastes the way a high number of states in America are accepting gay marriage, sadomasochistic activity is still taboo. It is still politically incorrect and is not the kind of conversation one discusses in public.

In this era of “I am Woman! Hear me roar!” and “Women rule!” I don’t believe every woman wants to be sexually submissive to their man.

Even Grey star Jamie Dornan doesn’t believe it in an interview with Elle UK.

“I can understand why people say tying a woman up and spanking her is misogynistic,” Dornan said. “But actually, more men are submissive than women. Very powerful men.”

I have a feeling he may be right. Sorry guys.

©2/11/15

My thoughts while watching "American Sniper"

I’m going to be honest with you. I had no desire to see "American Sniper" (2014), Oscar winning director Clint Eastwood’s pro-war biography of the “legend” navy seal Chris Kyle whose confirmed number of kills while serving four tours in Iraq totaled 160 but could have been as high as 255.

My reason for not wanting to see it had nothing to do with the film’s recent box office earnings now on its way to surpassing the $200 million mark. Nor did the phrase, “Controversy sells” which was marked by the hate speech about American Sniper uttered by “Hollyweird” leftists Michael Moore, actor Seth Rogen and comedian Bill Maher among them give me more reason to see it.

I didn’t want to see "American Sniper" (warning: spoilers ahead) because I didn’t want to see a movie where I already knew how it would end which was tragically. I found it depressing enough to watch clips of Chris Kyle’s funeral service, which was held at Cowboys Stadium on Feb. 11, 2013. I didn’t want to relive seeing that again on the big screen, despite the fact the funeral procession from Midlothian, Texas to Austin showing hundreds of Texas residents paying their final respects was shown during the film’s end credits.

Against my better wishes, I saw "American Sniper" and exhibited a number of reactions watching the film. I clung to the sides of the chair I sat in, for example, as I watched Kyle, as played by Oscar nominated actor Bradley Cooper, as he sets his sights on an Iraqi mother who hands her son a roadside bomb to throw at American marine soldiers.

Fine! Call me a baby killer if you want (I’ve been called worse and still sleep well at night) but I sat there silently yelling at the big screen telling Kyle to “Get him!” regardless of the fact the kid may have been the age of my two nephews, six and twelve. I said the same thing when the Iraqi mother, who upon seeing her son shot and killed, grab the bomb and throw it at American forces on the ground. Kyle got her. American soldiers were saved.

That kind of scene would have been no different if police sharpshooters had their sights on mass murderers Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, and were able to take them out with one shot to each at Columbine High School during their shooting rampage back in April 1999. You don’t suddenly develop a conscience when you are a sniper. A sniper’s job is to take out the shooters to save lives.

I had other bouts of emotions as well. I shed a tear or two when Kyle’s son was born. Then there was that inevitable ending I knew was coming which felt like something was eating away at my insides. I again wanted to yell at the IMAX screen telling Kyle to stay home and play a computer game with his son instead of going off the morning of Feb. 2, 2013, to help 25-year-old U.S. Marine veteran Eddie Ray Routh who reportedly suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder at a gun range. Routh shot and killed Kyle and Kyle’s friend, Chad Littlefield. His trial is scheduled to begin in February.

What American Sniper accomplished was what “good” movies are supposed to do; make us cheer on the good guy, feel the pain the lead character is going through and, in some cases, make us shed a few tears.

I have often heard it said how America does not have enough heroes to look up to anymore. Chris Kyle was a hero whose sniper kills saved a number of lives.

To quote a former wounded soldier in one scene during the film, "Your dad (Chris Kyle), he’s a hero,” the soldier tells Kyle’s son. “He saved my life. He helped me get back to my little girl. A lot of guys wouldn’t be here without him.”

I am sure a number of military veterans who knew Chris Kyle can attest to that.

©1/28/15