The Tollbooth Of Permission And Training - And Response (2)

  • Monday, April 29, 2024

The logic of Slim Pickens and Mel Brooks... applied to arming teachers.

In the brilliant movie "Blazing Saddles," the political leader (God bless Harvey Korman) installs a tiny tollbooth in the middle of the desert. See image below.

A-l-m-o-s-t everyone who encountered it simply went around it. Save for the few deep thinkers that each paid a dime to compliantly ride on horseback through the booth.

And now the question is whether faculty members might carry weapons.

An answer in the affirmative will require schools to go through the tollbooth for permission and training.

Ironically, it feels like everyone else is walking around with a loaded weapon, and no permission, much less training, is required.

Bureaucracy.

Michael Mallen

* * *

I showed Blazing Saddles at the Marbro Drive In and I know almost every line and scene, (which may not be a good thing). I almost missed a change-over from reel to reel thanks to the "campfire scene".

Anyway, the toll booth was put up by Sheriff Bart and the Waco Kid to delay the bad guys (who were working for the evil Hedley Lamarr) from entering and destroying Rock Ridge. And no one went around the toll booth. Slim Pickens sent someone back to get a "---- load of dimes" so they could go thru.

As for teachers carrying guns in the schools. My understanding is that they will have to undergo training and prove the ability to properly handle the weapon before being allowed to have it on school property. It isn't the gun or the presence of the gun that hurts people. It's the person holding the gun with evil intent.

By the way, most shooters go to places where they know that they won't be opposed: schools, malls, etc. That's because they are cowards and don't want anyone fighting back.

Ed Bradley

* * *

Thank you, Mr. Bradley, for the clarification on one of the funniest movies ever made! It was much needed.

Ironically everyone WAS walking around with a gun, except for the teacher.

Rusty Chastain

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