Commentary of Theres No Place Like Texas Blog

Natasha, the author of the blog There’s No Place Like Texas, posted a blog discussing recent laws passed by some states banning the use of cell phones while driving. She states that Texas has failed to pass the law on banning cell phone use while driving. Through her blog she reveals the dangers of driving while talking pr texting on a cell phone. She is able to convey the dangers of cell phone use while driving by providing her own personal experiences. Natasha is very convincing with her arguments that a law banning cell phone use while driving is needed.

The blog also discusses about a safer alternative way of using a cell phone while driving. Natasha proposes the use of a hands free unit to talk on a cell phone while driving. The use of a hands free device to talk on a cell phone would reduce car accidents caused by talking on a cell phone. A driver would be able to talk on a cell phone and be able to keep their hands on the wheel with the use of a hands free device. With the law of banning cell phone use while driving would also prevent drivers to text while driving. The law would demand drivers to keep their full attention to the road.

I completely agree with Natasha’s blog. Texas is a growing state with a ever increasing population, which leads to roads being more populated. It is important to keep all of our citizens safe. Banning the use of cell phone while driving will help increase safety on our roads and reduce the number of car accidents. I am able to relate to Natasha’s blog because of her personal experiences, which is the reason for my support of a needed law to ban cell phone use while driving. A law to increase safety never hurt anybody.

Austin's Road Construction

There seems to be construction projects occuring on every street and highway in the city of Austin. It is rare not to see a detour sign on a street corner these days. As I drove home from work the other day, I ended up in Round Rock and I live in Pflugerville. I could not take my usual exit due to road construction. There seems to be more road construction projects starting or in progress than there are projects that are actually finished. There was a project by my house that started in 2004 that took four years to finish. The rate of progress of these road construction projects are terrible. I am tired of the noise and hassle of construction on Austin roads.

I believe that the city needs to speed up the progress of the construction on the roads. I understand that the construction will eventually lead to a better developed city, but it does not mean that we are supposed to suffer. These projects are causing more irritations and frustrations to Austin citizens than providing assistance. The city of Austin could have made more efficient plans for these construction projects. I have never been in a city that has taken so long to finish their road construction projects. There are bigger cities that get construction projects finished faster than Austin.

The city needs to be more considerate of its citizens. These road construction projects are causing numerous problems such as road congestion, traffic and even accidents. Citizens are forced to adjust their lives due to these projects. They have to wake up early to avoid traffic or try to sleep through the noise of the construction, such as Bill Reaves. There is an ongoing construction project that has disturbed his neighborhood for years. The city needs to be more aware of the effects that these projects put on the lives of people in Austin.

Commentary of The Texas Blogbonnet

Adrianna, the author of the blog The Texas Blogbonnet, posted a blog discussing the new plans made by the Austin police department to reduce drunk drivers from being on the road. The new plan made by the Austin police department went into effect on Halloween weekend. Austin police officers will test the blood of suspected intoxicated drivers if the driver refuses to take the breathalyzer test. Adrianna points out that the blood of the suspected intoxicated driver will be taken on the spot. The blog also states that with success of the new plan on Halloween night will lead to the use of the plan every busy party night.
Adrianna’s blog truly conveys the importance of the new plan for Austin police department against drunk drivers. She relates the importance of having fun on a holiday, but at the same time being safe is a major concern. Drunk driving does not benefit anyone and only has the possibility to damage lives. The blog also shows that with this new plan intact will provide not only safety for the drunk drivers, but also everyone that could be possible hurt. Adrianna demonstrates the concern for everyone, but displays the responsibilities to having fun.
I completely agree with Adrianna on her blog. The police department’s number one responsibility is to keep all citizens safe. One blood test could save many lives. Although I also think that the blood test is an intrusion of privacy, it may be worth it because it would save many lives. People should not suffer due to the poor decision of another.

Dumb Schools

Lately schools in Texas have started to ban students from wearing jackets with hoods on them. These policies are enforce by various schools in Dallas ISD, Garland ISD, and Arlington ISD. These policies are completely up to the school and the school’s district are not enforcing schools to enact the policy. The school’s claims the purposes for these policies is for security. That jackets with hoods on them prevents a security camera or a staff member to view a person’s head.

This is a absolute abuse of power by these schools. These schools mine as well switch to uniforms, instead of making up policies that violate freedom of expression. I understand that these schools are trying to keep students safe, but this policy is completely absurd. Furthermore this is message to students that your school is not a safe place to be. That students should constantly be on high alert at a place they attend everyday, which should not be a student’s focus. A student should be able to wear what makes them feel comfortable. These schools that are enforcing these rules are completely losing site of the bigger picture, which is education. Principals and teachers have bigger responsibilities than to play fashion police. Schools should not be focusing on what is on a student’s body, but instead on what is in their brain.

Recently schools have been dropping standards to allow students to succeed. As you can see, schools have not been dedicated to resolving that problem. They have instead been focusing on jackets. This policy is a complete joke. I feel they should solve the bigger problem first and deal with the nip bit problems last. As the saying goes, “there are bigger fishes to fry”.

Ike's Effects on Galveston Healthcare

Scott Henson, the author of the blog Grits for Breakfast, posted a blog on October 9, 2008 about the massive layoffs occurring at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston. Henson’s blog is based off a news article titled, Lawmakers promise UTMB rescue, which was in the Houston Chronicle on October 9, 2008. Galveston is still feeling the effects of Hurricane Ike after nearly a month of its occurrence. The effects are now hitting the medical care provided in Galveston by UTMB. With all of the damages caused by Hurricane Ike, UTMB will be forced to layoff employees to compensate for the revenue lost. Key state lawmakers have been trying to devise a plan to prevent these layoffs, but are unable to cogitate a plan. Kenneth Shine, the interim chancellor, states that these layoffs are unpreventable if UTMB hopes to build up for the future. The primary concern of Henson’s blog is the health care provided for prisoners of Galveston, which is mainly supplied by UTMB. Henson wonders if UTMB will be able to provide medical care for prisoners with the massive layoffs.

Henson’s blog conveys the serious implications of health care for prisoners due to the layoffs occurring at the UTMB in Galveston. To prove his argument he provides statistics and the importance of UTMB for prisoners. Henson’s credibility are backed with his long history of activism around the state of Texas. He attended college in Texas and has been active among Texas politics and justice for many years. Within Henson’s blog conveys the importance of UTMB’s medical treatment to prisoners. He presents the startling statistic that 80% of the medical care provided in Galveston for prisoners comes from UTMB. He also demonstrates the flaws of other area’s capability to provide for prisoners. Henson states that areas like Tyler does not have the technology to serve these prisoners. That UTMB used via satellite to service prisoners, which Tyler is not equipped with. To accentuate his argument, he presents the number of prisoners that UTMB cares for, which is around 150,000. This strengthens Henson’s argument that with UTMB‘s smaller workforce will leave the medical care for some prisoners in jeopardy. Henson displays a true concern for all Galveston citizens, which include prisoners. For all of Galveston citizens this blog by Henson should hit them hard. This blog should bring the realization that Galveston will not be the same for a while and that many things will be needed to be sacrifice to rebuild the city.

I agree with Henson’s blog fully. Henson brings up true and important dilemmas that UTMB and Galveston will be facing. That laying off many workers will have a big effect on the health care for prisoners. No matter the situation we must care for all humans, even if they are prisoners. Although Henson’s blog presented a strong argument for health care of prisoners it did not present information on the effects of the other citizens of Galveston. I believe that UTMB provided more than just health care for prisoners and Henson did not address those other patients. Overall Henson’s blog was ok, but it could have had more insight on the situation of health care for Galveston as a whole.

Austin schools benefit from home- grown talent (Blog stage 3)

The editorial, “Austin schools benefit from home-grown talent” speaks of Austin public schools frequent changes in the principal position. Each time there is a principal change in Austin it usually results in losing money, because of the recruiting and training expenses to stabilize the school. A change in principal also effects the school’s morale. In efforts to end changing principals, Austin has develop a plan to assist young and inexperienced principals. The plan includes a developmental program that will cost 3.6 million of federal grant and 1.2 million of its own money. The developmental program will not only train, but will provide experienced principals to assist inexperienced principals. This will help Austin develop the principals in place, instead of constantly searching for better principals.

The author of the editorial demonstrates a good argument by presenting great knowledge of occurring events in Austin public schools, such as the need to stabilize principals and the effects of changing principals within a school. In the editorial the author presents meaningful facts of Austin schools. For instance, the number of changes in principals that have happen in Texas in past years. There is a average of thirty principal changes a year resulting in 2.7 million lost due to those changes. The importance of the principal position is shown by the author. The author feels that it is worth the amount of money it will take to ensure stability at the principal position. The principal position is compared to a boss of a company in the editorial to display the stature of the position. The success and failures are directly on the shoulders of the principal, which is in charge of hiring teachers, managing schools budgets, and other important decisions for schools. The editorial also mentions who will be effected by the plan. Reagan high school will be one location that will be implementing the plan. The author exploits that Reagan high school has had seven principals since 2003. For the new principal there will be a experience team alongside to provide assistance. I feel a experience team of leaders will be good for a school with so many problems that one principal can not solve. The editorial ensues better schools will be provided for Austin citizens with the development of principals. The author gives high praises for this new Austin plan of developing principals.

I completely agree with the author of this editorial. The principal position today have been devalued and has become a doormat. We need to spend time to develop principals before giving them major responsibilities. A principal makes the most important decisions for our students and should be developed properly. If the guidance our youth receives is not correct will provide us with many implications in the future.

Austin Shelters for Evacuees

Many evacuees of Hurricane Ike that stayed in Austin shelters did not feel they were treated courteously. The evacuees were forced to sleep on gymnasium floors and eat unpleasant food. While the evacuees that stayed at shelters outside of Austin were treated to television, cots, and delightful food. Austin shelters could have requested items like cots, blankets, and ready to eat meals, but they did not. A representative for Austin’s emergency management felt it was not necessary for those request. What was provided by Austin shelters were medical care, basic food, and restroom facilities. Many of the evacuees that stayed in Austin shelters are now being shipped to the Austin Convention Center downtown, where they will be provided with fresh clothes, internet, and a children’s play area. If you would like to read more about this subject check out the Austin American Statesmen. I believe that this story is worth reading because it displays peoples’ non appreciation of grateful services. Austin shelters volunteered these services for no charge and out of care for evacuees, but all they get in return is disdain by the evacuees and I feel that is wrong.