Shortly after the semester started the primary election was held. This gave students the opportunity to talk to others about thoughts on the election. I was asked to go to Kay Bailey Hutchison’s watch party in downtown Dallas. I was unable to go because it was Daniels birthday. It ended up being good because I would not have been a bias journalist because Rick Perry was voted as they Republican primary over her. This was an outrage to me and showed that my generation of Republicans are not informed and not voting. I offered to go to my polling place and talk to be voting, I also talked to a few students at Richland and UTA. When I went to my polling place I was excited because there were not that many people there. This is bad because voter turnout was low but I was also there in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday. The few people I stopped where more concerned with the propositions then people running for election. The main proposition they focused on were Prop 1, 4 and 5. One teacher was voting strictly for proposition 1 and 4 feeling that they were important issues. The propositions read as follows on the voter ballot.
Ballot Proposition #1: Photo ID-The Texas legislature should make it a priority to protect the integrity of our election process by enacting legislation that requires voters to provide valid photo identification in order to cast a ballot in any and all elections conducted in the State of Texas. YES OR NO
Ballot Proposition #4: Public Acknowledgement of God-The use of the word “God”, prayers, and the Ten Commandments should be allowed at public gatherings and public educational institutions, as well as be permitted on government buildings and property. YES OR NO
Ballot Proposition #5: Sonograms-The Texas Legislature should enact legislation requiring a sonogram to be performed and shown to each mother about to undergo a medically unnecessary, elective abortion. YES OR NO
The feelings were mixed on which way to vote. Many of the students I talked to were not voting. Some weren’t registered to vote; others didn’t have time or cared, while some said they would vote in November when it matters. I was wondering if teachers could distribute voter registration card in class or give extra credit if they do it online. This way you have no excuse for not being a registered voter. If you don’t want to fill it out don’t but at least you are given what you need to do so.
The first Thursday in May is designed as “National Prayer Day,” according to federal law.
However, as always, the nation is divided on this issue. Anytime it comes to religious issues, there’s always someone or some group objecting. This time a federal district judge has ruled that the Natonal Day of Prayer violates the U. S. Constitution.
Surprisingly, President Obama has encouraged people to gather and pray. I wouldn’t have expected that of him.
A May 6 Dallas Morning News writer, Sam Hodges, says in his article that “Prayer itself may be in need of a prayer - for its survival.” That’s just about right, considering how everything we Americans do seems to be attacked these days. A few years ago we had an attack on Christmas, but it didn’t go over very well. Many of us will continue wishing people a Merry Christmas.
This particular religious day goes way back to 1952. It’s rather sad when Americans of any faith can’t still enjoy a few minutes of peace and prayer without causing a ruckus. The controversy also rages with Christian vs. interfaith observances.
This is a Christian country, but at the rate we’re going who knows how much longer that will be true?
Plano has come up with a fairly good plan regarding this issue. They have dual events at City Hall - one for Christians; another at night for people of other faiths. Still, some people think the whole idea isn’t a good idea. Others don’t think the government should make up rules for Americans regarding prayer.
The main problem is that Prayer Day violates the 1st Amendment, which prohibits Congress from establishing a state religion. Even that doesn’t make much sense because we have so many states that who would determine which religion would go with which state? That wouldn’t make much sense at all. One thing is for sure - the issue won’t be resolved anytime soon.
The May 4 Chronicle editorial, “College papers must remain censor free,” makes a very valid point - that colleges can publiish without fear of being censored by advertisers, administrators, student government etc., and so far, our federal government. With the way Obama and his administration have already taken control with “big government,” I’m wondering how long we’re going to have our freedom of the press in any capacity.
In spite of that, in a March 8 Dallas Morning News article, “censorship” is a much more serious problem. In fact, it’s a dangerous one for journalists. The drug cartels are almost causing a “news blackout,” including “threats, abductions and attacks on journalists.”
Several Mexican journalists have been abducted in the Reynosa area, near McAllen. One died after being beaten and five are missing. And this was a month or two ago. One of the journalists died after being beaten and five are missing. Mexico is considered one of the most dangerous areas in the world for reporters.
Residents are turning to social networking sites like YouTube to keep information and video going as to what’s going on there - gunfire and deserted streets. I just heard on the radio driving to school (May 6) that people are afraid to leave their homes in Arizona because members of some drug cartel might taken your house over while you’re out. That is frightening.
In another Dallas Morning News article dated May 1, Texas universities have now decided to cancel Mexican study-abroad programs. A few of the universities are: UNT, the University of Texas system and Texas State University. One of the favorite spots for summer programs has been Cuernavaca, but drug violence has become so bad that universities don’t want to take the chance.
The Dallas Observer reports that drug wars pertains to two feuding cartels: the Jurarez Cartel and the Sinaloa Cartel.
Carla Davis -
Today CNN reported that there have been more that 200 terrorists threat in New York since the 1970’s. The most recent being a failed attempt this past weekend. Now what gets me is this one is being handled like it was 911. A great practice run I say, because it just doesn’t seem to fit. The culprit left a paper trail a mile and half long first off. How did some get granted. When approached by authorities it is being said that he was expecting them. He knew they were on his trail. I really believe our attentions are being diverted in order for a bigger scheme to have fallen through. Then he starts singing like a canary upon capture… Whatever….a thug is a thug…terrorist are nothing more than thugs with deep hatred…we are watching an listening and Audrey Kelly and I will be disecting this thing as the days go by…..stay tuned….MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM???????????
Here’s a puzzling situation: The number of illegal immigrants receiving in-state tuition and financial aid is climbing.
In an article by Katherine Leal Unmuth in the Dallas Morning News March 15, last fall 12,138 students, or about 1 percent of Texas college students were benefiting from a state law, according to the Texas Higher Education Board.
Most of these students are illegal. The problem is that when these students graduate, they are unable to work legally. This doesn’t seem to make a whole lot of sense - to first encourage them to go to school, get a degree and then not be able to work.
Since Congress has failed to address this issue and the immigration problem as a whole, everyone remains confused. Students are at a standstill unless the Dream Act passes.
A lawsuit was filed in December, challenging a Texas law providing in-state tuition. One State Rep., Leo Berman (R-Tyler), said he has concerns about the expense to taxpayers.
“We’re not providing enough grant and loan money to our own U. S. citizens,” he said.
This is another controversial issue, but I guess since there’s not so much written about it, few people actually know about it.
Recently, a 17-year-old kid ran onto an MLB field during a baseball game, and was stunned by an officer. Unfortunately, this act is done throughout sports, and is very easy to pull off. Most of the people who run onto the field don’t have much of a purpose except to maybe be recognized and seek some personal thrill out of the act. It rarely goes down like it did in Fever Pitch, where we saw Jimmy Fallon desperately rush onto the field to profess his love for Drew Barrymore. However, what should we do if the person/people running onto the field can actually danger someone? Years back, a first base coach got beat up by two fans who rushed the field, and in tennis, someone cut Monica Seles, which really affected her emotionally for a while. While the stun gun can stop someone for a short amount of time, it’s an interesting thought, but not a solution. This device won’t often deter someone from rushing on the field because it’s not threatening enough to keep them from doing so. A possible solution could be to put glass around the field to keep people from even trying to get on it. There isn’t enough security to fill every space on every field on every night because it’s just not safe. The security could get nailed by a foul ball. Whatever the solution is, it probably won’t come soon, but is an important issue if this keeps happening. Safety is of the upmost importance at these public sporting events.
This morning I was sitting in the car when I first heard the news of yet another, attempted terrorist attack. I remember that as soon as I heard the word terrorist, I literally held my breath as I waited to hear the name. When I heard his name, Faisal Shahzad, I could feel myself fuming.
I am a young American Muslim. I was born and raised here in the states and so were my parents. In fact they converted when I was younger. What I don’t understand is why people keep giving Muslims a bad reputation. There are people who would like to live in this country and not have to worry about authorities watching their every move.
The whole “terrorist” thing is something that I will never understand. It does make me mad every time I hear a name that even sounds halfway like a name that a Muslim would have. And I really.. I just wish that these things weren’t things that I had to deal with. I wish I could completely ignore the stereotypes that were pinned on me. But the judgmental world, will probably never change, and so all I can do is keep my head up.
Early yesterday morning over 20,000 people gathered in the parking lots, and the surrounding areas around Texas
Stadium to witness the historic stadium come down. The stadium was scheduled to be imploded after the Mayor of
Irving decided that it would be demolished once the Cowboys moved to their new stadium in Arlington. The stadium
was the official home of the Dallas Cowboys for 38 years. The implosion went off without a hitch, but there were
still many people who definitely had mixed feelings about seeing the historic stadium come down. I myself didn’t
agree with the decision to implode the stadium. I didn’t want it to happen. Texas Stadium had so much history
attached to it with Super Bowls, and rushing titles, and stuff like that, that it just isn’t right for them to simply
destroy the stadium, and the history that goes with it. Even though some people thought the stadium had
become really worn down over the years, i really didn’t see anything wrong with it, and it looked fine to me. Even
if the stadium is worn down a little bit that is not a reason to implode it, they can simply renovate it. I don’t agree
with destroying historic landmarks, i think that you should do whatever you can to preserve them. I was planning
on watching it live, but i fell asleep and missed it, so i watched the replay of it later on, and i was very
disappointed to see Texas Stadium go.
Erykay Ba”Fool”
I must admit I was very disturbed yet not surprised at Erykah’s video. I have always known that celebrities will do whatever it takes to achieve more attention and notoriety. They act as if their fans purchasing their music and aiding them to achieve a certain quality of life is not enough. They are constantly demanding more from their fans. Although I must admit, I saw this coming along time ago, because we as a society are embracing any and everything nowadays. If we are not trying to legalize two men or two women conduction themselves as though this were natural, we allow celebrities to shoot nude videos. Who would have known what Erykah was up to when she decided that everyone in downtown Dallas wanted to see her naked bottom? The truth of the matter is that she clearly didn’t care. It wasn’t even about President JFK’s Assignation. It was about her showing off what she thinks is a nice body. A nice body, in my opinion belongs to the “lady” who understands that here nakedness is sacred. It was a complete mockery. We live in world where people just don’t care. They don’t care if you are on vacation with your daughter and low and behold you see a naked woman on the street. Needless to say the decision was made for the nine year old child. Whether she wanted to see Erykah’s butt or not, there it was. My question is: How far we are going to go with our lack of morals? How far will we stoop for front page press? Will we abandon all of the values, standards and principals that our parents instilled in us? I seriously believe that we are going even farther than naked people in public places. I truly believe that people will start marrying their beasts, after all some already kiss them.
My advice to Erykah is to accept Christ while He will still accept her.
Just a thought.
I had my first taste of the Tea Party movement at the University of North Texas, where a rally was held on the town square during the last presidential campaign. Children held signs featuring political jargon that they surely didn’t understand and conservative men and women protested progressive politics with unwavering gusto.
For the first time (excluding the stone-walled health care bill) I am beginning to see the effects of such radical conservatism. Educators will vote in May if Texas students will be able to learn about the deist, Thomas Jefferson. They might be given a skewed perception of the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement because of its liberalism. Hip-hop music might not be credited as an influential musical genre. Anything featuring liberal or progressive ideology will be reduced, restricted, or eliminated and replaced with Christian and conservative ideas if the Texas State Board of Education has its way.
Students should be taught an equal amount of conservative and liberal ideas and not smothered in either. I always hear conservatives decry the liberal agenda and how its always shoved down their throats, but if this education overhaul takes effect they will be doing exactly the thing they condemned liberals of doing.
I’m opposed to political fanaticism and partisanship and all its facets. These adults are harming future generations by tailoring history to suit their agenda. Politicians should not have the power to dictate what is to be included and excluded from the history books.
The original article can be found here.
Anything of interest to community college students; please blog with care and common sense. Pretend your teachers are reading this - they probably are!
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