Happiness is a warm gun, sanctioned by the state of Virginia and the US Army.
The Army has nineteen full-sized trucks with interactive, weaponry displays. Aside from the Adventure Van, the Army's Aviation Recruiting Van contains an interactive air warrior and weapons display. The American Soldier Adventure Van has a future warrior display. The Army Marksmanship Trainer has an interactive rifle range. The Army also brings machine gun-toting humvees, tanks and other military vehicles on high school campuses to enhance their recruiting efforts. The Navy and Air Force also have multiple 18-wheelers and assorted vehicles with simulated weaponry.
Firing the Adventure Van's 9 mm simulator produces a minor kick to the weapon and a small red dot is projected on a bull's eye target about 20 feet away. It's an exhilarating experience that rivals some of the most violent interactive games, like "Grand Theft Auto."
And teenagers agree. It sure beats Geometry class!
Despite protests by parents and civic groups across the country, the Army defends its right to enter high school campuses with their high-tech mobile cinemas. Kelly Rowe, public affairs officer for the Baltimore Recruiting Battalion, interviewed by the Washington Post, compared the Army Adventure Van to efforts by colleges to recruit students. "I don't think it's any different from an athlete who gets 10 letters saying, 'Come play for us,' " Rowe said.
Of course, these military vehicles go beyond the access required by Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act, which states that military recruiters are to have the same access as college and career recruiters.
Some school districts, like the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Montgomery County, Maryland Public Schools have policies that forbid military vehicles on public school campuses.
We shouldn't be shocked by the Virginia Tech Massacre. In a sense, the most shocking aspect of the episode has been our lack of shock, our collective resignation to this sort of thing. It's understandable in a society that encourages military recruiting on high school campuses using intoxicating weapons, like the 9 mm pistol.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
