This sadly is my final post. It has been a very awesome and informative semester, and I leave having grown substantially in my understanding of how our local and state government operates.
This post is in response to a classmates blog in which he addresses the possibility of Texas removing the Algebra II requirement to graduate high school found here . This is my response:
I absolutely agree with this post! I think removing the requirement for Algebra 2 will really hurt the youth in the long run more than help it. The U.S. and specifically Texas already rank depressingly low in math and science education, and this is only gonna make the matter worse.
Sure some people say that you don't use Algebra outside of school, but that isn't entirely true. Algebra isn't just about formula and numbers... it is about being able to work through a problem given certain parameters, and coming up with the solution regardless if you were given all the information in the beginning.
Taking away this requirement, and allowing high school kids to choose the math course they take is not a good idea. Most teenagers are lazy, and will choose the path of least resistance instead of learning to push themselves and figuring out how to conquer hard tasks and become better for it.
In an age of over entitlement and brats, kids need to learn early on that life isn't easy, things aren't gonna be handed to you, and you have to work hard for something you want, even if it's something you might not want to do.
An overwhelming majority of students already have to take some sort of remedial math in college before they move on to basic College Algebra, and if this passes, it will only make matter worse. Instead I feel we should be looking at the problem differently. WHY are so many kids having such a hard time in these classes and what can we do as a community to come together and help our your ( and ourselves) get over this stigma about math?
Speaking of required classes, at first I was pretty irked that I HAD to take this class as a requirement...having grown up in a different state that doesn't require to take a state government class, I though this was pretty dumb. But now I understand how important it is, and am VERY thankful for what I have learned as I feel a little less helpless to the system. It is my opinion that every state should require a similar class dealing in their state governments, as it would really help keep people from being ignorant of the change we are capable of making in our communities. Which is in part the reason why I feel removing the above Algebra II requirement is overall a terribad idea.
So long, and thanks for all the fish!
Friday, December 13, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
What Can We Do?
In a continuation of my previous post, I am gonna focus more on what we Texans can do to help solve this massive water issue we are facing. While there is no single or easy answer, if we work together as a community to do our part and push for big business to do theirs, we can really make a difference and get on the right path!
So what can we do as individuals and a community? The average Texan uses at least 72.5 gallons of water each and every single day. And this is considered conservative by many. This really adds up quickly given that there are roughly 26.06 million people in this state (as of 2012). Sadly, a lot of this water used is wasted due to outdated technology such as top loading washers, and outdated toilets. Purchasing a updated low-flow technology toilet, washing machine, and shower head can cut each and every citizens water usage by upwards of 40%. Another important thing to consider as a resident of Texas, is lawncare. Many people strive to have thick, lush yards of grass that isn't meant to grow in this particularly harsh climate. It is important to landscape using grass and plants that thrive in this climate, or even consider xeriscaping as an option. Drought is not stranger to Texas, and trying to live our lives oblivious to that fact is a dangerous game to play.
There are also updated technologies and agricultural practices that can be used domestically as well as commercially to help lessen the impact of the droughts this region faces while still promoting healthy growth. For instance, using drip irrigation and soaker hoses are much more effective and wastes less water than traditional watering methods. On a more commercial level, there are workshops available for farmers and ranchers who wish to learn how to conserve water while still maintaining their business. This however requires ranchers and farmers to be open to learning new practices and evolving the way they operate their businesses. As consumers, we can do our part to encourage this behavior by using our purchasing power to let them know what we want from our businesses.
Another very important thing we can do individually is to demand to our state lawmakers that policies be made to stop rewarding excessive water usage and update our terrible water rights laws. Right now, Oil and Fraking companies receive massive tax breaks and subsidies for their excessive water usage, and the more they use, the cheaper it is for them. What's worse is that over 50% of what they use is just wasted. There has been a push to get these companies to recycle the water they use, which has proven effective, but it is still cheaper to mine the water directly from the table below them so many are not interested in this avenue.
Like I said before, there is no easy solution to the monster we are all facing. But if we work hard, learn to adapt, and compromise, we can really make a difference. We are Texans, we deserve better and we need to fight for it!
So what can we do as individuals and a community? The average Texan uses at least 72.5 gallons of water each and every single day. And this is considered conservative by many. This really adds up quickly given that there are roughly 26.06 million people in this state (as of 2012). Sadly, a lot of this water used is wasted due to outdated technology such as top loading washers, and outdated toilets. Purchasing a updated low-flow technology toilet, washing machine, and shower head can cut each and every citizens water usage by upwards of 40%. Another important thing to consider as a resident of Texas, is lawncare. Many people strive to have thick, lush yards of grass that isn't meant to grow in this particularly harsh climate. It is important to landscape using grass and plants that thrive in this climate, or even consider xeriscaping as an option. Drought is not stranger to Texas, and trying to live our lives oblivious to that fact is a dangerous game to play.
There are also updated technologies and agricultural practices that can be used domestically as well as commercially to help lessen the impact of the droughts this region faces while still promoting healthy growth. For instance, using drip irrigation and soaker hoses are much more effective and wastes less water than traditional watering methods. On a more commercial level, there are workshops available for farmers and ranchers who wish to learn how to conserve water while still maintaining their business. This however requires ranchers and farmers to be open to learning new practices and evolving the way they operate their businesses. As consumers, we can do our part to encourage this behavior by using our purchasing power to let them know what we want from our businesses.
Another very important thing we can do individually is to demand to our state lawmakers that policies be made to stop rewarding excessive water usage and update our terrible water rights laws. Right now, Oil and Fraking companies receive massive tax breaks and subsidies for their excessive water usage, and the more they use, the cheaper it is for them. What's worse is that over 50% of what they use is just wasted. There has been a push to get these companies to recycle the water they use, which has proven effective, but it is still cheaper to mine the water directly from the table below them so many are not interested in this avenue.
Like I said before, there is no easy solution to the monster we are all facing. But if we work hard, learn to adapt, and compromise, we can really make a difference. We are Texans, we deserve better and we need to fight for it!
Thursday, November 7, 2013
The Growing Water Issue in Texas
Texas has long been considered a deeply conservative state that is, above all else, business friendly. While considered by some to be a great standard to live by, it is not sustainable in the long run. Texas has only a finite amount of resources, and we are burning through them at an alarming rate. The most vital, and also most rapidly dwindling of them all, is our water supply.
Texas uses water like it is going out of style. Between fracking, out of date agricultural practices, crazy water rights laws, explosive population growth, and the over a decade long drought, we are rapidly heading towards a crisis. According to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, as many as 30 communities could run out of water by the end of the year. In early October, Governor Perry has even refiled a disaster proclamation, stating that "exceptional drought conditions pose a threat of imminent disaster in a specified number of counties in the state of Texas". Texans waste about 50% of the water we use, the big offenders being the fracking industry and ancient agricultural practices. Another factor as far as personal use is involved, is folks obsession with keeping the status quo. Not being able to accept that most of Texas is a desert or near a desert causes much water waste on keeping landscapes alive that are not meant to thrive in this environment.
Tragically there is little being done to address this issue. Proposition 6 was passed recently, but that really only put a band-aid on a wound that is in need of critical surgery. In order to face this beast head on, we are gonna have to do the unthinkable in Texas...make water waste reform a serious deal and hold offenders accountable for their actions. The government needs to stop attracting water heavy businesses (such as catfish farms) to the state, stop subsidizing extreme water usage, and charge fair market prices for water in order to really start making progress on our water problem. With 5+ cities in the state ranked in the nation's top growing cities, it is going to take a lot of effort from each and every one of us. Are we as a state up to the task?
Monday, October 21, 2013
Critique of an editorial or commentary from a Texas blog
This week's article I am critiquing, titled "Poll: Majority of Texans, half of Republicans favor marijuana legalization", is from the Grits For Breakfast blog. It addresses Texas' current stance on the "growing" movement (ah ah ah puns are great) of the green leafy substance.
Texas' political makeup is rapidly changing, and topics that were once considered "black and white" are now shifting to shades of gray. Especially regarding marijuana use. This article points out that in the most recent poll released, 58% of Texas voters support making marijuana legal for adults and regulating it like alcohol, while only 38% opposed. The poll even revealed that Texans are more supportive of regulating marijuana like alcohol than Americans as a whole. To break it down a little bit more by party, Republicans were split more or less equally with 48% supporting and 49% opposing, while Democrats showed a stronger support with 67% supporting and 25% opposing. As the state continues to transition to a more "purple" state, and as the fear mongering campaigns for marijuana continue to be debunked, I expect this trend to continue.
The writer, Scott Henson, self described as "a former journalist turned opposition researcher/political consultant, public policy researcher and blogger.", writes primarily about the Texas criminal justice system. He also points out in this article that according to recent statistics, 98% of all marijuana-related arrests in Texas were only for possession. While during that same period of time, 88% of all motor vehicle thefts and 71% of burglaries, including home invasions, went unsolved by police. This strongly implies, and he states outright, that marijuana cases have distracted law enforcement from serious crime. While I don't think the above statistic clearly paints that picture, it certainly is thought provoking, and we can all agree that marijuana prohibition has been failing.
While the state is clearly showing growing support, legislators are still hesitant to put their necks out, so to speak, to push for marijuana regulation/legalization. They fear public backlash, even if it is now just a minority who will do so.
I find this writer's article compelling, and the poll's data revealing of the changing attitudes of this once super conservative state. I agree that this could mean a very exciting time for the 84th Texas Legislature in 2015, and look forward to seeing where the state goes from here.
Texas' political makeup is rapidly changing, and topics that were once considered "black and white" are now shifting to shades of gray. Especially regarding marijuana use. This article points out that in the most recent poll released, 58% of Texas voters support making marijuana legal for adults and regulating it like alcohol, while only 38% opposed. The poll even revealed that Texans are more supportive of regulating marijuana like alcohol than Americans as a whole. To break it down a little bit more by party, Republicans were split more or less equally with 48% supporting and 49% opposing, while Democrats showed a stronger support with 67% supporting and 25% opposing. As the state continues to transition to a more "purple" state, and as the fear mongering campaigns for marijuana continue to be debunked, I expect this trend to continue.
The writer, Scott Henson, self described as "a former journalist turned opposition researcher/political consultant, public policy researcher and blogger.", writes primarily about the Texas criminal justice system. He also points out in this article that according to recent statistics, 98% of all marijuana-related arrests in Texas were only for possession. While during that same period of time, 88% of all motor vehicle thefts and 71% of burglaries, including home invasions, went unsolved by police. This strongly implies, and he states outright, that marijuana cases have distracted law enforcement from serious crime. While I don't think the above statistic clearly paints that picture, it certainly is thought provoking, and we can all agree that marijuana prohibition has been failing.
While the state is clearly showing growing support, legislators are still hesitant to put their necks out, so to speak, to push for marijuana regulation/legalization. They fear public backlash, even if it is now just a minority who will do so.
I find this writer's article compelling, and the poll's data revealing of the changing attitudes of this once super conservative state. I agree that this could mean a very exciting time for the 84th Texas Legislature in 2015, and look forward to seeing where the state goes from here.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Critique of a Recent Editorial
This week's post is a critique of a recent editorial in the Dallas Morning News that I found interesting. With all the hullabaloo going on with the government shutdown, it was nice to see an article highlighting the increasingly exciting happenings in Texas concerning the race for Governor.
The article, titled Can Wendy Davis unite centrist Texans fed up with extremism, is incredibly pertinent on more than one level and I feel is largely intended for the Independent/ leaning masses in the state. Obviously, it covers the fact that Wendy Davis has in fact declared that she is putting her gloves in the ring to fight for the Governor spot that Rick Perry is leaving in the upcoming election. This, as the writer states, is a very good thing for the Democratic party in Texas because they have long since needed a charismatic, non-extremist to garner appeal from the public in a state that is rapidly changing. Which, I think leads us to the major point this article is making... In order for Wendy to stand a chance at winning the Governor race, she is gonna have to really play it smart and appeal to the centrists of the state. People have been polarizing more and more lately, but there are a growing population of folks who are getting tired of this extremist approach and are hungry for a more centrist, level headed candidate.
Of course, the Republican extremists and the Tea Party are gonna have the upper hand in a largely conservative state. But I agree with the writer that if Wendy Davis can negotiate this minefield and stay the middle course, she will definitely get her name out there and become quite the force to be reckoned with.
The Editorial writer, Tod Robberson, is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who has over 25 years of experience as a foreign correspondent and international-affairs editor for many well known news corporations such as The News, The Washington Post, and Reuters News Agency. I think that his unique experience gives him an interesting insight to state matters such as these.
The article, titled Can Wendy Davis unite centrist Texans fed up with extremism, is incredibly pertinent on more than one level and I feel is largely intended for the Independent/ leaning masses in the state. Obviously, it covers the fact that Wendy Davis has in fact declared that she is putting her gloves in the ring to fight for the Governor spot that Rick Perry is leaving in the upcoming election. This, as the writer states, is a very good thing for the Democratic party in Texas because they have long since needed a charismatic, non-extremist to garner appeal from the public in a state that is rapidly changing. Which, I think leads us to the major point this article is making... In order for Wendy to stand a chance at winning the Governor race, she is gonna have to really play it smart and appeal to the centrists of the state. People have been polarizing more and more lately, but there are a growing population of folks who are getting tired of this extremist approach and are hungry for a more centrist, level headed candidate.
Of course, the Republican extremists and the Tea Party are gonna have the upper hand in a largely conservative state. But I agree with the writer that if Wendy Davis can negotiate this minefield and stay the middle course, she will definitely get her name out there and become quite the force to be reckoned with.
The Editorial writer, Tod Robberson, is a Pulitzer Prize winning journalist who has over 25 years of experience as a foreign correspondent and international-affairs editor for many well known news corporations such as The News, The Washington Post, and Reuters News Agency. I think that his unique experience gives him an interesting insight to state matters such as these.
Monday, September 23, 2013
We Are All in This Drought Together!
Greetings fellow readers!
For my first post of this semester, I am going to be covering a topic very near and dear to my heart...Environmental Protection. You may be asking yourself, "What does this have ANYTHING to do with Texas government?". The truth of the matter is that politics and our environment are deeply intertwined, as policies decided by not only national, but also state government have lasting deep impacts of the only place we have to call home...Earth.
The article I am specifically referencing to this evening, found HERE, is about an environmental issue that is effecting each and every Texan - the historic drought that has plagued our state for years. This drought is hitting an apex with our nearby lakes and rivers being lower than they ever have in history. Even though we have been getting some rain in the past week, it is no where NEAR enough to make up for what we have lost.
Anyway, the article specifically is talking about a push by the LCRA to ask permission from the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality to completely cut off freshwater flows that run down the Colorado River and into Matagorda Bay, in an attempt to keep citizens around the Highland Lakes area (like Austin) from having to go to the next stage of water restrictions. Doing so would be catastrophic for the Colorado River and Bay Areas, as they depend on that fresh water to keep the salinity of the water regulated and vital life in the water alive.
As stewards to the only inhabitable planet we have, is it okay to take away what nature needs to keep providing for us for generations to come, just so we don't have to be inconvenienced that we can't water our lawns and fill our pools?
For my first post of this semester, I am going to be covering a topic very near and dear to my heart...Environmental Protection. You may be asking yourself, "What does this have ANYTHING to do with Texas government?". The truth of the matter is that politics and our environment are deeply intertwined, as policies decided by not only national, but also state government have lasting deep impacts of the only place we have to call home...Earth.
The article I am specifically referencing to this evening, found HERE, is about an environmental issue that is effecting each and every Texan - the historic drought that has plagued our state for years. This drought is hitting an apex with our nearby lakes and rivers being lower than they ever have in history. Even though we have been getting some rain in the past week, it is no where NEAR enough to make up for what we have lost.
Anyway, the article specifically is talking about a push by the LCRA to ask permission from the Texas Commission on Environmental Equality to completely cut off freshwater flows that run down the Colorado River and into Matagorda Bay, in an attempt to keep citizens around the Highland Lakes area (like Austin) from having to go to the next stage of water restrictions. Doing so would be catastrophic for the Colorado River and Bay Areas, as they depend on that fresh water to keep the salinity of the water regulated and vital life in the water alive.
As stewards to the only inhabitable planet we have, is it okay to take away what nature needs to keep providing for us for generations to come, just so we don't have to be inconvenienced that we can't water our lawns and fill our pools?
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