PoliTex makes an argument that Texas students are now facing a conflict with legislation and policies affecting their education. For example, 81% of the students argue against district leaders' proposal for same-sex school segregation plan. In addition, about 80% of the students are against policies that require students to wear uniforms. These policies are not in the students' interests generally.
The author provides good statistical information of the number of students who are against specific education legislation and policies. Furthermore, the author was effective in adding a perspective of the Board of Trustees President, Mark Williams. This insight emphasizes on how significant this issue is in Texas education.
The author, however, should've provided some more insight and background of how these controversial policies affect the students in "school, exams, and getting ready for college." The part about preventing pregnancies educationally is not necessary to support the argument.
I agree that majority of the students are against policies that restrict them of benefits and freedom in their education. Therefore, the Texas government should implement changes to policies that could eliminate the same-sex segregation plan and required uniforms. The Texas government should also work harder to fix up laws concerning with sexual orientation-based discrimination (such as the gay students) in public schools and universities. These laws affect students whose beliefs and lifestyles are different with the majority. The changes in the law should reflect on the benefits and interests of the students.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Friday, August 10, 2012
Improve Meningitis Vaccine Mandate for Benefit of Education
Texas is currently facing a problem tweaking a new vaccine mandate that is meant to protect college students against meningitis. The mandate requires all college students under age 30 to get a meningitis shot. However, it has been noticed that the mandate has directly affected many low income students with no health insurance (Statesman). The prices for vaccine ($100-200) have proven to have a negative impact on students who rely on financial aid. It is stated that students cannot receive financial aid if they are not enrolled. In addition, students cannot enroll until they get meningitis shot. Therefore, a possible trend could be observed: if more incoming students enter college and are required to get the shots, then less students wouldn't be able to enroll in school due to short supply of vaccines.
The Texas Legislature should make some specific changes in the new vaccine mandate so that the vaccine practices can generally be applied to students who need it the most. For example, the age range of the mandate is way beyond the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Texas Tribune). Since the meningitis risk is highest up to age 22, the Texas government should reduce the age range from 30 to 22. As a result, it would be expected that the number of students negatively affected by the mandate will decrease by half. Providing meningitis to all incoming students will cost around $7.8 million. If the Texas government were to raise the revenue to provide funding and grants to invest in supplying more vaccines.
The debate over the mandate concerns with both the public health and education, which are the top priorities for Texas. The Texas government needs to maintain the economy for protecting public health. Doing so will also affect education by increasing the number of students entering universities/colleges.
The Texas Legislature should make some specific changes in the new vaccine mandate so that the vaccine practices can generally be applied to students who need it the most. For example, the age range of the mandate is way beyond the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Texas Tribune). Since the meningitis risk is highest up to age 22, the Texas government should reduce the age range from 30 to 22. As a result, it would be expected that the number of students negatively affected by the mandate will decrease by half. Providing meningitis to all incoming students will cost around $7.8 million. If the Texas government were to raise the revenue to provide funding and grants to invest in supplying more vaccines.
The debate over the mandate concerns with both the public health and education, which are the top priorities for Texas. The Texas government needs to maintain the economy for protecting public health. Doing so will also affect education by increasing the number of students entering universities/colleges.
Friday, August 3, 2012
Need for Water Conservation in Texas
In Government: Deep in The Heart of Texas, the author claims that the Texas government needs to make stricter laws and standards in order to promote efficient water conservation in Texas. In Texas, there are a variety of technology and methods (agriculture, manufacturing, etc.) that use water. In fact, Texans are generally dependent on water for their health and lifestyle. As each of technology continues to consume water and the Texas population increases, water conservation will barely make any improvements.
What make the author's claim logical are the references to LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority), Texas drought history, and the list of information of the uses of water. The LCRA is an organization that seeks to protect the people and the environment with services concerning water, electricity, and public parks. Referring to the LCRA and their history of Texas makes a logical appeal to the authorities and emphasizes the negative effects of droughts that have occurred in Texas for the past years. The list of technology and methods that consume water accentuate on how dependent humans are to water. However, the author could've provided statistics and reference to how much water each technology takes in. Furthermore, the author reveals that there is still high hopes for water conservation with new technology currently undergoing innovation, such as laser-leveling of fields.
Based on the information and references provided, it should be suggested that the Texas government must make more innovative plans to conserve water for the future of Texas. In StateImpact, it is stated that the droughts in Texas have negatively impacted the rice farmers in South Texas. In response, the LCRA are working on a new water management plan. However, rice farmers are concerning that the plan may somehow reduce the amount of water they receive. Due to the development of community complaints and Texas droughts, the Texas government should reflect on the community's perspective of the use of water first and then invest in improving water management technology. As a result, Texas will have a better supply of water for the future.
What make the author's claim logical are the references to LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority), Texas drought history, and the list of information of the uses of water. The LCRA is an organization that seeks to protect the people and the environment with services concerning water, electricity, and public parks. Referring to the LCRA and their history of Texas makes a logical appeal to the authorities and emphasizes the negative effects of droughts that have occurred in Texas for the past years. The list of technology and methods that consume water accentuate on how dependent humans are to water. However, the author could've provided statistics and reference to how much water each technology takes in. Furthermore, the author reveals that there is still high hopes for water conservation with new technology currently undergoing innovation, such as laser-leveling of fields.
Based on the information and references provided, it should be suggested that the Texas government must make more innovative plans to conserve water for the future of Texas. In StateImpact, it is stated that the droughts in Texas have negatively impacted the rice farmers in South Texas. In response, the LCRA are working on a new water management plan. However, rice farmers are concerning that the plan may somehow reduce the amount of water they receive. Due to the development of community complaints and Texas droughts, the Texas government should reflect on the community's perspective of the use of water first and then invest in improving water management technology. As a result, Texas will have a better supply of water for the future.
Friday, July 27, 2012
New Public Health Issue for Texas
Indeed, Texas economy and education are set as one of the top two priorities for the Texas government to issue on; however, the Texas government is going to have to shift their focus to health care and public health due to the current circumstances of the West Nile Virus epidemic.
According to one TM Daily Post article, the West Nile Virus outbreak has reached epidemic levels due to environmental issues (weather and the population of the virus' carriers, mosquitoes). Due to the increase in the Texas temperature every year, the mosquitoes are able to thrive and migrate to Texas more easily. This leads to an observable trend: as the years go by since 2006, the number of cases for the virus has increased. There were 27 total virus cases in Texas during 2011. Comparing 2011 to this year, it has been reported that there are 59 virus cases in Dallas, 40 in Tarrant county, 19 in Denton county, 5 in Collin county.
Despite the prevention methods provided and informed, the number of virus cases seems to maintain or grow at a slight rate. Therefore, the Texas government should shift their focus more on health care and public health. The economy and education issues could be worried later since Texas' economy is one of the most diverse and technology-based. If the Texas government were to stick with the economy as the top priority, then more and more Texans are going to become afflicted by the West Nile Virus. As a result, the Texas government will eventually have weaker support due to the number of sick citizens.
In response to this threatening health issue, the Texas government should invest more into tracking down any sources of the carrier mosquitoes and the mosquitoes' entrances into Texas. Once the government and authorities have tracked down the mosquitoes path, the number of mosquitoes entering Texas can decrease and the number of virus cases will hopefully decrease as well. In addition, the Texas authorities should spend time in informing the public more, especially at schools and local areas. Once the students and other individuals are fully aware of the virus and its effects, practices of prevention will be strengthened and applied more.
According to one TM Daily Post article, the West Nile Virus outbreak has reached epidemic levels due to environmental issues (weather and the population of the virus' carriers, mosquitoes). Due to the increase in the Texas temperature every year, the mosquitoes are able to thrive and migrate to Texas more easily. This leads to an observable trend: as the years go by since 2006, the number of cases for the virus has increased. There were 27 total virus cases in Texas during 2011. Comparing 2011 to this year, it has been reported that there are 59 virus cases in Dallas, 40 in Tarrant county, 19 in Denton county, 5 in Collin county.
Despite the prevention methods provided and informed, the number of virus cases seems to maintain or grow at a slight rate. Therefore, the Texas government should shift their focus more on health care and public health. The economy and education issues could be worried later since Texas' economy is one of the most diverse and technology-based. If the Texas government were to stick with the economy as the top priority, then more and more Texans are going to become afflicted by the West Nile Virus. As a result, the Texas government will eventually have weaker support due to the number of sick citizens.
In response to this threatening health issue, the Texas government should invest more into tracking down any sources of the carrier mosquitoes and the mosquitoes' entrances into Texas. Once the government and authorities have tracked down the mosquitoes path, the number of mosquitoes entering Texas can decrease and the number of virus cases will hopefully decrease as well. In addition, the Texas authorities should spend time in informing the public more, especially at schools and local areas. Once the students and other individuals are fully aware of the virus and its effects, practices of prevention will be strengthened and applied more.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
President Obama's Efforts and So-Called Achievement in the Economy
One post in the UrbanGrounds blog, published in July 23, 2012 by Robbie Cooper, comments that the effort of President Obama in trying to create "a perfectly egalitarian society" has not been in vain for America (Cooper). Speaking of "hope" and "change", Cooper argues that President Obama has at least made one of the best efforts to have "most Americans on food stamps in the history of the program" (Cooper).
The information/evidence that Cooper is trying to argue against is Associated Press' article about the rising poverty rate in America. The article states that, during Obama's term, the poverty rate has increased from 15.1 to 15.7 percent.
Despite the provided evidence from Associated Press and economists, Cooper states that the poverty rate increase is not President Obama's fault.
Cooper's intended audience are most likely citizens of Texas and America who have been hit rock bottom by the bad national economy. Unemployed Americans are generally replying that their loss in employment is due to the President's fault in not achieving to build the perfect egalitarian society. Since he is speaking on behalf of the Liberals, Cooper is working to reach out to Conservatives who believe that Obama has failed his term.
Although Cooper is trying to make an effort to also reach out the viewers sentimentally about Obama, his argument is less credible as it should be. Cooper's argument topics are generally opinionated and Liberal-based. If only he had supplied more data and information from economists and other Liberals, then his argument would've been well supported.
Since Cooper brought a good point about the rise in poverty levels in America, it can be understood that this also has got to do with the efforts of the President. Perhaps if only President Obama were to add little more focus in fighting poverty, the level of unemployment in America would've decreased or maintained for a while. Furthermore, it is not really effective to persuade individuals by repeating the phrase "it's not Obama's fault" that Obama had nothing to with the bad economy.
The information/evidence that Cooper is trying to argue against is Associated Press' article about the rising poverty rate in America. The article states that, during Obama's term, the poverty rate has increased from 15.1 to 15.7 percent.
Despite the provided evidence from Associated Press and economists, Cooper states that the poverty rate increase is not President Obama's fault.
Cooper's intended audience are most likely citizens of Texas and America who have been hit rock bottom by the bad national economy. Unemployed Americans are generally replying that their loss in employment is due to the President's fault in not achieving to build the perfect egalitarian society. Since he is speaking on behalf of the Liberals, Cooper is working to reach out to Conservatives who believe that Obama has failed his term.
Although Cooper is trying to make an effort to also reach out the viewers sentimentally about Obama, his argument is less credible as it should be. Cooper's argument topics are generally opinionated and Liberal-based. If only he had supplied more data and information from economists and other Liberals, then his argument would've been well supported.
Since Cooper brought a good point about the rise in poverty levels in America, it can be understood that this also has got to do with the efforts of the President. Perhaps if only President Obama were to add little more focus in fighting poverty, the level of unemployment in America would've decreased or maintained for a while. Furthermore, it is not really effective to persuade individuals by repeating the phrase "it's not Obama's fault" that Obama had nothing to with the bad economy.
Friday, July 20, 2012
Focusing on Improving Lives in East Austin
In the newspaper Austin American Statesman, Scott Henson published (on July 19, 2012) a commentary about the increase in drug arrests in East Austin and how this is affecting our lifestyle in Austin.
Hoping he could reach out to the authorities (police departments, courts, etc.), Scott informs that the drug war has completely influenced Texas politics and policing. To demonstrate this, based on the KrimeLabb data, Henson suggests that the Austin Police Department (APD) has completely set controlling drug crimes as their first priority compared to the other crimes, such as "aggravated assault, robbery, and murder" (Henson). As a result, hundreds are arrested for drug crimes; however, crime is still increasing and needs to be controlled somehow. Henson addresses that the police departments and courts should therefore switch their focus in fighting crime.
Henson also shares his opinion with the citizens of Austin. Based on his neighborhood observations and reference to the authorities, Henson states that "children of incarcerated parents" are more likely to be exposed and turn to criminal lifestyle, such as the drug crimes (Henson). Basically, every individual should offer guidance and encouragement to these children in order to make an effort to reduce crime and drug arrests.
Henson's arguments for changing the local politics in Austin are convincingly credible based on the reference to collected data, such as KrimeLabb's. In addition, Henson supports his argument really well by referring to one of the highest authorities in Texas: Texas Department of Criminal Justice. However, his argument may be questioned since he also included his observations of some neighborhoods. In order to support his argument even more, Henson should've included other people's observations of Austin.
It is understandable that the data collected indicates that the APD has had more drug arrests than any other crime arrests. However, APD should shift their focus not strongly on drug crime but equally with all the other crimes.
Children's knowledge and background are influenced by the company they keep around them. If they continue to live in pain and exposure to drugs, then the children will turn to a harsh path that will affect the entire city of Austin. Crime will only continue to grow and become less easy to control. However, Austin's current situation can improve if every individual is open to understand the children's pain and guide them to a better, cleaner lifestyle.
Hoping he could reach out to the authorities (police departments, courts, etc.), Scott informs that the drug war has completely influenced Texas politics and policing. To demonstrate this, based on the KrimeLabb data, Henson suggests that the Austin Police Department (APD) has completely set controlling drug crimes as their first priority compared to the other crimes, such as "aggravated assault, robbery, and murder" (Henson). As a result, hundreds are arrested for drug crimes; however, crime is still increasing and needs to be controlled somehow. Henson addresses that the police departments and courts should therefore switch their focus in fighting crime.
Henson also shares his opinion with the citizens of Austin. Based on his neighborhood observations and reference to the authorities, Henson states that "children of incarcerated parents" are more likely to be exposed and turn to criminal lifestyle, such as the drug crimes (Henson). Basically, every individual should offer guidance and encouragement to these children in order to make an effort to reduce crime and drug arrests.
Henson's arguments for changing the local politics in Austin are convincingly credible based on the reference to collected data, such as KrimeLabb's. In addition, Henson supports his argument really well by referring to one of the highest authorities in Texas: Texas Department of Criminal Justice. However, his argument may be questioned since he also included his observations of some neighborhoods. In order to support his argument even more, Henson should've included other people's observations of Austin.
It is understandable that the data collected indicates that the APD has had more drug arrests than any other crime arrests. However, APD should shift their focus not strongly on drug crime but equally with all the other crimes.
Children's knowledge and background are influenced by the company they keep around them. If they continue to live in pain and exposure to drugs, then the children will turn to a harsh path that will affect the entire city of Austin. Crime will only continue to grow and become less easy to control. However, Austin's current situation can improve if every individual is open to understand the children's pain and guide them to a better, cleaner lifestyle.
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
Federal Health Care Law saves 4,000 Texans
PolitiFact Texas published an article on June 29, 2012 that highlights the impact that the federal health care law has on the people of Texas.
The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care act provides insurance plans to individuals who have not been insured for a long period of time due to a pre-existing condition, such as "diabetes, cancer, and HIV/AIDS" (PolitiFact). Now, it is celebrated that the health care law has been able to assist/save more than 4,000 Texans who would've been struck by pre-existing conditions that would've prevented "them from obtaining insurance" (PolitiFact). It is also questioned that some patients who have been newly enrolled in the plans may have even worsened conditions. However, the big picture is that individuals who have not received insurance before and are now receiving it are guaranteed better treatment for healthier lives.
This article is of great significance, because health care is indeed one of the top concerning issues in Texas politics besides economy. Understanding the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care act and its impacts will be able to point out more details that should be fixed to help build stronger public health for Texas. Furthermore, sharing the news of the new health care law will be able to save the lives of other Texans who may have not heard of the law's provisions.
The 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care act provides insurance plans to individuals who have not been insured for a long period of time due to a pre-existing condition, such as "diabetes, cancer, and HIV/AIDS" (PolitiFact). Now, it is celebrated that the health care law has been able to assist/save more than 4,000 Texans who would've been struck by pre-existing conditions that would've prevented "them from obtaining insurance" (PolitiFact). It is also questioned that some patients who have been newly enrolled in the plans may have even worsened conditions. However, the big picture is that individuals who have not received insurance before and are now receiving it are guaranteed better treatment for healthier lives.
This article is of great significance, because health care is indeed one of the top concerning issues in Texas politics besides economy. Understanding the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care act and its impacts will be able to point out more details that should be fixed to help build stronger public health for Texas. Furthermore, sharing the news of the new health care law will be able to save the lives of other Texans who may have not heard of the law's provisions.
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