Stage 8

Planned Parenthood

As Keturah Colds said, Planned Parenthood does a lot of beneficial things for woman that do not have a large income and/or woman that do not have insurance, so I agree that their funding should not get pulled.  However, there are a few things that concern me.

I have been without insurance for the last 4 years and understand that medical care is unbelievably expensive and Planned Parenthood is a great asset for situations like that.  By providing screenings and other necessary care for these women they are allowing medical care that would have possibly been ignored if they did not have this option.  I agree they do a very good job of all of the reasons I have listed.

As far as the abortion issue is concerned, I agree that there are certain situations a woman may not want to carry a child.  Incest and rape would be the only reasons I could accept.  Any other case I do not agree with.  If you are irresponsible and get yourself into an unplanned pregnancy that is unwanted then you have so many other options than to terminate the baby.  So many couples cannot have children and would do anything to adopt an unwanted baby.  So while I do not judge people in any decision they make, it is nice to know that woman get to think about every option that they have such as adoption.  I have heard from several pregnant women that have visited Planned Parenthood and they say that one of the pushed conversations is about getting an abortion and rarely the option of adoption.  This would be my only gripe about these facilities.

Overall, I agree with what Keturah is saying minus the abortion issue.  Planned Parenthood does help a lot of women get through pregnancy, screenings, pregnancy prevention and many more things which is awesome.  They help save lives of woman that may have otherwise not had to chance to take care of themselves.

Stage 7

Trigger happy Texas cops??

     Sometimes you hear stories of a cop using lethal force to protect him or herself, but are they happening too often now?  Is the police officer doing everything they can before they use their weapon?  There has recently been the case of an Austin dog owner losing his pet because of a police officer and now a 14 year-old boy was shot in the Houston area.
 
     Cisco was a blue heeler owned by an Austin native, the dogs' life was taken by a police officer.  The cop was reporting to what he thought was a domestic disturbance, but the address he received was incorrect.  When he arrived to the WRONG address the dog ran towards the officer like a lot of normal excited dogs.  The firearm was drawn and fired, instantly killing the dog.    

     The most recent story out of Austin Statesman took place in Pasadena, which is in the Houston area, where a 14 year-old boy was shot.  There was apparently a burglary that took place at the Pasadena school and when the police officer responded he shot the boy in the chest.  The officer said he thought the boy was reaching for a weapon and said he was unaware that the suspect was so young.  The young man is currently at a Houston hospital and it is projected that he will live, but the question of why the officer thought he had no other option that to discharge his weapon. 

     These two cases are clearly a shortened version just to get the main point across that the guns are being fired with lack of responsibility.  I understand that these cases are pretty rare but are rapidly becoming more common.  These officers have pepper spray and taser guns which are non lethal options that should have been considered instead of pulling their gun so quickly.  What do we do to fix this??  In my opinion, our officers clearly need extensive training in high stress situations.  I am sure with all the crazy things that happen to the boys in blue that they do get nervous in some situations and I am sympathetic about that but something has to happen to stop the killing and wounding of innocent people and/or animals.

Stage 6

Speed Limit Changes Aren't So Bad

By:  Lee Mitchell

     There were a couple of good points that were brought up when Mr. Mitchell wrote about the recent speed limit changes, although overall I disagree.  Maybe I am turning into my mother in my old age but I think that the negative would outweigh the positive because of the nature in which people drive.  I agree that traffic is ridiculous and it does take a terribly long time to get somewhere if you are driving during peak hours but this is something we all have to get used to if we continue to reside here.  

  

     I have covered the fact that I am turning into an old lady and for this reason the speed limit increase makes me a little nervous.  While driving at times that the roads are not very congested people drive with little regard to anyone else, like they own the road.  With this being said I don't think anyone really pays attention to the speed limit as long as they aren't going that much over, for example if the speed limit is 70 generally people will probably push it to 75-80, so with the increase it just means we will have drivers thinking that it is acceptable to push the limit.

     I do understand the point that when you are driving on a road that has nobody else on it and you have miles of visibility it should be acceptable to drive as fast as you want but again I disagree.  There are a lot of experienced drivers on the road but there are a large amount of very new drivers as well.  When your vehicle is moving at a very excessive rate your reaction time is terrible so if a deer or even an armadillo were to jump or crawl out in front of you and you are caring of all natures creatures, you will probably swerve, crash, and possibly die.     

     

     We live in Austin, traffic is very crazy and I agree with that but if we choose to live here we understand that traffic is going to have to be something we deal with.  If everyone could be trusted to do the speed limit and be cautious while driving I would be just fine with the increases, I am just not ready to have some irresponsible asshole crash into me because they have somewhere to be in a hurry, which is typically an appointment for a hair cut or something stupid.   

Stage 5

Texas: Future Home of the Dehydration

     One issue I am very concerned with is the lack of water we have and the rate in which it is dwindling.  The regulations that are set as far a watering restrictions help but they need to be more firm on what they call "commercial" watering.  When I think of something being commercial, things such as construction projects or things of that nature come to mind.  I recently found out that apartment complexes are under the commercial category.  These apartments are watering their property so the grass stays nice and green, why is that???  Who cares if their property looks great when we don't have enough water to drink?
     There are also problems with our agricultural system and water use.  Farming takes up a ton of water and I understand that it is necessary but again would any of that matter if we don't have water to drink??  I know that we shouldn't stop growing crops but maybe we should be a little choosier on which crops we grow.  To ensure the growth of successful rice it has to be flooded and needs a high amount of rainfall.  Why would we think that is the best thing to plant here in Texas?  Since someone does think it is so a lot of water goes to keeping those alive even though other fruits or vegetables can be grown instead that are not so demanding on the diminishing water supply.
     Farmers have also gotten so desperate to get their federal crop insurance they even admitted to watering crops they knew would not grow as was written in a recent article in the Texas Tribune.  I understand that times are tough for everyone but there has to be some kind of bail out system for farmers just like we do for huge businesses that don't really need it instead of forcing them to waste water.  One of these men said they spent $25000 to water 175 acres.   
     We don't have much time before we are in serious trouble so all I can say to do is to start doing a better job of conserving.  Tickets are handed out constantly for speeding or traffic offenses so maybe when people decide that their lawn should be the most plush on the block, they should get fined.  Once citations were given out more regularly some people would get the hint that it is serious and stop being so damn selfish.  There is a solution to every problem and this is a very big one that is in serious need of immediate attention so I hope that we can do a better job of regulating residential, commercial and agriculture water use.

     
 

Stage 4 Blog

A Few Words Regarding the Obama Contraception Compromise

    

      A blog I recently gained interest in is one from Mean Rachel, who speaks out about the fresh topic of compromise about contraceptives.  President Obama decided to do what he could to try and come to a fair agreement with the religious organizations concerning the coverage of birth control for the women who are employed there.  The initial disagreement was over the fact that religious organizations did not want to be forced into paying for the contraception.  The Catholic church and certain other religious groups firmly stand by their belief that women preventing child birth through any means is going against the plan of God, which is where the initial problem was.  The conclusion was to have insurance companies offer the contraceptives instead of the organization itself.
 
     Rachel Farris, the author of the blog thinks of this compromise as a huge accomplishment for women.  There are still people fighting against the latest on this, saying that Obama is a cop out or that he caved.  Farris disagrees stating that this cases' outcome helps women's freedom.
 
     I feel like the author did a great job relaying her view.  She was even asked to do a little interview with KVUE, regarding her thoughts.  It seems like the audience she was trying to reach with this were people that were not sure about all the specifics to this matter and certainly women.
 
     I have actually followed this since there were first talks of changing the policy.  As a woman, I think it is fantastic that all women have the choice to get birth control no matter their religion or where they work.  I understand people have certain strict rules regarding their religion but I would rather people get on a contraceptive so we are not overpopulated by ancient thinking or beliefs.  Children should be planned to ensure the best possible future, for our sake and theirs.

 

Stage 3 Blog

A Confederacy of Very Smart Mice
Arnold Garcia Jr., Commentary

      This is a commentary I found on Austin American Statesman regarding the proposed new limitations on campaign contributions in city elections.  The limitations were brought up in 1997 by a group that calls itself "A Little Less Corruption", with the hopes of setting the maximum contribution level to $100 mayoral and council candidates.  In 2006, the council proposed and with voters' approval the contribution amount was raised to $300.  It is currently set at $350.
   
     Garcia says these limitations are what created "bundlers", which he says are typically lobbyists who represent development interests.  These bundlers have all of their friends give the highest amount allowed to present their candidate of choice.  It is a way to abide by the law and still get a decent amount of money to the particular candidate.  The author believes that putting a ceiling on the contributions makes it harder for people that are not already wealthy to get into the political system.
   
     A lobbyist by the name of David Armbrust, who is a known for being an experienced bundler, is not particularly worried about the proposal getting through due to the fact that it has to get passed by the council that got in the same way they would be turning against.  
   
     I think that Garcia is trying to reach an audience that may be unaware of what is happening with these limitations and who it is really harming.  He seems to be very knowledgeable about this topic in particular with having done research regarding the past proposals that surround the same issue, going back more than 10 years.
   
     I agree with the author of the commentary completely.  If we allow this to happen then we will continue to have the rich winning because it will be too hard for the "small fry" of the bunch to raise enough money to compete with the glitz and glamour of a candidate with a bigger personal stash.  The article really opened my eyes to the fact that some of the potential candidates need help to keep up with the wealthy and that we need people like the bundlers to help them achieve their goal of producing a nice campaign.

Perry Targets "Pro-Abortion Radicals" in CPAC Speech

     In a recent article in The Texas Tribune, the always well spoken and intelligent Rick Perry gets back to "work" in Texas after dropping out of the presidential race.  We all have our different views about birth control and abortion, typically very strong feelings, and Perry is no exception.  He recently gave a speech in Round Rock regarding a Medicaid program which provides health care to at least 100,000 Texas women, providing STD screenings and contraceptives among other exams, not abortions.  President Obama invalidated a waiver that funds this program.
    
     Our fearless Governor says that the waiver did not go through due to the fact that Texas does not want to pay for abortions.  Planned Parenthood is one of the major facilities that help these underprivileged women, there are current efforts to get rid of the facility in Texas.  Cindy Mann, director of the Center for Medicaid, said the state will not be able to end Planned Parenthood because they offer other services Medicaid does not pay for such as abortions.
    
     I feel very strongly about this issue but will not reveal which way so that I do not have to argue about it but I think it is wonderful that we can help needy women, WHEN THEY NEED IT.  The system will continue to be abused because there are too many handouts.  I am not rich by any means but I am responsible for my actions and these abortions are out of control.  The Earth is getting to a scary point of over population but that is not seeming to matter to some people and the middle class is, in lack of a better word, getting screwed and paying for it.