By David Montgomery's count, House Bill 1087, the school gunslinger bill, stands at 4–3 in Senate State Affairs, with two members undecided, Senators Corey Brown (R-23/Gettysburg) and Tim Rave (R-25/Baltic). Let your e-mails rain down on those fellas and all of the Senate State Affairs Committee.

And just for kicks, send them some Luther:

It therefore becomes the business of councilmen and magistrates to devote the greatest care and attention to the young. For since the property, honor and life of the whole city are committed to their faithful keeping, they would fail in their duty toward God and man if they did not seek its welfare and improvement with all their powers day and night. Now the welfare of a city consists not alone in gathering great treasures and providing solid walls, beautiful buildings, and a goodly supply of guns and armor. Nay, where these abound and reckless fools get control of them, the city suffers only the greater loss. But a city’s best and highest welfare, safety and strength consist in its having many able, learned, wise, honorable and wellbred citizens; such men can readily gather treasures and all goods, protect them and put them to a good use [Martin Luther, "To the Councilmen of All Cities in Germany," 1524].

Of course, Luther was arguing for local governments to spend tax dollars on Christian schools. Uh oh!

Add the Displaced Plainsman's commentary on fear and normativity, and you Senate State Affairs members have a fascinating philosophical discussion about HB 1087 for your Monday night powwow at the Ramkota bar. It'll hurt Russ Olson's head... but that's all the more reason to have that conversation.