Heh, yep I figured my take on the south might not go over well with everyone. It is absolutely just my 2 cents put in to answer a question, my own experiences (and those of people I know). My kids all chose to eliminate red states (not meaning just in one or two elections, which we’d consider purple). Some kids won’t go where it’s too hot or too cold, too big or too small, too rural or too urban. Any of these will eliminate large numbers of excellent schools. Each kid has their own “fit.” As long as my kids have a safety they’re willing to attend (and approved by me), they can have whatever deal-breakers they choose.
Okay, maybe I can get myself in more trouble:
Guns on campus
CU-Boulder (where oldest D attends) allows guns, not by their choice but because of a CO supreme court decision which doesn’t allow campuses to make their own rules. I hate this interpretation of the law. I have no problem with people hunting, target shooting, and defending their homes, but oppose guns carried in public by citizens (with some exceptions). I think campuses should be allowed to make their own rules.
Just how ridiculous is this? Oldest D planned a sword dance for a final project. Even though freakin’ real guns are allowed, any other kind of weapon, real or simulated is not allowed. D had to go through red tape (with her prof’s assistance and support) and get permission from campus police to bring her completely dull-edged dance sword onto campus, had to carry it in a bag and bring it immediately to her prof’s office which had to be locked right away. It was taken out for the dance, then locked up in the office again until the end of the day when she carried it in a bag to her car and drove immediately off campus. Thank goodness the CU students were kept safe from her! But if a student has a .44 Magnum – come on in, no paperwork or locked offices for you.
Recreational marijuana
I live in CO and voted in favor of rec for several reasons. It’s less dangerous than alcohol, and other controlled drugs (legal or illegal) that are used recreationally. As far as colleges go, it’s very easy to get alcohol or pot (along with other substances I’m sure) on campus if a student wants it. Oldest D’s close friend was on a “dry” campus and had a near constantly drunk roommate freshman year and said drinking was as common as any other school. I’d much rather have it taxed highly and sold legally. Keep money out of the pockets of drug dealers and give it to small business owners and schools (mostly where marijuana tax goes here). I think opioid abuse is one of the biggest problems we face now as a nation. I’d rather concentrate on fixing that, along with meth, cocaine, heroin, etc.
On testing, I feel strongly that medical users should be exempted as long as they have a doctor’s certificate. There was a terrible case locally in which a partially paralyzed man who used medical marijuana was fired after testing positive, even though the company had no evidence it affected his job performance. Most medical users consume fairly low doses of low-THC marijuana and are not going around stoned. I think companies should be be legally allowed to test otherwise, but I personally oppose it. It’s unfair that employee X can spend all weekend at bars or parties getting blasted, but employee Y gets fired because they smoked one legal joint. I’m assuming here that neither employees’ job performance is affected.
Maybe I’d better leave for a month now and hope everyone forgets me! X_X
:)>-
