It’s been something of an eventful week in politics. Three issues have been foremost in my mind for the past few days:

Redistricting

One word: YES! Thank God the Supreme Court has seen sense and given the original maps a chance. Not only does this give some great conservative candidates a better shot, it’s the first step to getting the Voting Rights Act off Texas’ back.

Key dates:

• Jan. 9: Oral arguments on the maps
• March 6: Primary for president, Senate, State Board of Education, Railroad Commission, and other races not affected by redistricting
• May 22: Primary for state House, state Senate, and the House of Representatives
• ???: Nobody seems to know what the filing deadline situation is yet.

Having two primaries will probably minimize already low turnout for state elections, but I’m optimistic and more raring to go than ever.

If your head is still spinning, this post explains what comes next. Texas Redistricting is a great blog to follow to keep up with what’s happening.

Virginia Tech

It’s heartbreaking to see Virginia Tech University going through a second tragedy only four years after the infamous shooting of 2007. Gun control advocates will tell you that this strengthens their argument: Guns are bad. But in reality, it does exactly the opposite.

Guns can be used to kill people. But they can also save lives when in the hands of law-abiding, licensed adults. What if a student or professor at Virginia Tech, in 2007 or 2011, had their concealed weapon? How much carnage could have been prevented or stopped?

Signs, stickers, and social norms mean nothing to criminals and murderers. Expecting them to abide by so-called “gun-free zones” is like asking a barn cat to stop eating mice because it’s just not very nice. There is no logical reason to prohibit the lawful right to bear arms by CHL holders on college campuses. Restrictions against guns on campus are not only pointless, they actually endanger lives.

Having a handgun is not a guarantee of safety. But I, for one, would like the chance to prevent a tragedy like Virginia Tech or UT or, even on a smaller scale, tragedies like the rape of Amanda Collins. That chance is all we ask for.

I’ve been an advocate for concealed carry on campus for about a year now, and I can safely say there are few issues I feel more strongly about. To learn more and join the movement, visit Students for Concealed Carry on Facebook and Twitter.

Lloyd Doggett

This morning I attended Congressman Lloyd Doggett’s neighborhood office hours. It was quite fun lurking on the sidelines in my Donna Campbell shirt, perplexing everybody in line to talk to him. I didn’t get the chance to talk to Mr. Doggett, but I did get to meet this fine patriot outside.

It was almost hilarious to hear someone thank a policeman for being there to guard Doggett “after what happened last time.” Because, you know, my mom and I standing there with our Republican getup and Starbucks cups were so intimidating.

We’re totally the mob. Don’t tread on us, libs.