DWI's

            In the San Antonio Express, Jessica Kwong, wrote an article regarding the “No refusal policy, which entitles a police office to get a warrant for a blood test to see the alcohol level in a person. In Bexar County the no refusal policy is going to be in effect everyday from now on. It stated, "that we are now the largest metro area in Texas to have an absolute no- refusal policy.” The audience the writer is trying to capture  awareness for everyone.

            In this article it states that in Bexar county there will be a  blood test done if someone is suspected of being intoxicated. The Texas department of Transportation and the interest group, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, have provided money to cover the expenses of the “no refusal policy.” How far is too far? Now police officers are extracting blood form people that may or may not be drunk. Has this gone too far? Jamie Balagia, A DWI attorney, states,” that the no refusal policy is ridiculous tramping or our constitution.” I am all for public safety. I do feel that this no refusal policy had gone too far. I believe that there are other ways to reduce the number of deaths by drunk drivers than extracting blood from people.  I don’t feel that this will stop people from drinking and driving. I believe if we had a better transportation system it may help the number of deaths from drunk drivers.

 The logic behind the no refusal policy is understandable for safety, because there are many people that get injured or die from drunk drivers. But there is room to brainstorm other options. There is evidence in this article that indicates how many die each year from drunken drivers. Last year the article indicated 13 manslaughter cases from DWI’s . I don’t disagree with trying to stop DWI’s, I just feel that this measure is not going to stop people from drinking and driving.

Social Networking in Mexico

In the El Paso Times, Lourdes Cardenas, has written a blog about the Mexico government is legally trying to ban social media networking. The reason Mexico is trying to ban social network like Tweeter and Facebook is to eliminate gossip and fear among the people about the cartels.  A bill was passed, in Tabasco, Mexico to punish people that are using social networks to stretch gossip or information that causes people to get scared involving the Mexican crime. Will social networking come to a point where people really serve time in jail for freedom of speech?  The audience here is anyone who is using social networking to inform people about cartel or crime in Mexico.  This critique is making an interesting point. That using social network for distributing information that causes fear among the people is not the problem; it’s the Mexican government that is lacking responsibility to communicate with the people.  I fully agree with this author that if Mexico is going to punish people just for posting news on a social network is ridiculous.  The evidence shows there were rumors about a shooting on a social network, in Saltillo, Mexico but yet no government officials gave people any news if the incident was false or true.  It is very obvious that the Mexican government is not taking action in allowing the people information about safety. The author does a great job of making the point so clear that it’s not the social networking that’s the problem it’s the lack of mass media in Mexico.  I agree with the author. People shouldn’t be put in jail for spreading information. The government should find better ways to communicate with the people and social networking wouldn’t be a problem.

School Funding Issues

Our Texas government makes it seem that education is one of the top priorities. However, funding schools continues to be a difficult situation, and will affect everyone that attends public schools. An editorial from the Austin American Statesman is called Politics Aside, School Funding a Real Plight. This editorial is an argument between the school district and how politicians are handling the financial funding. There is a current lawsuit that has been filed by a number of public school districts because they believe their funding has been unfair. John Sharp, Texas comptroller, stated that the school finance legislation that passes in 2005 is not performing as planned by Rick Perry.  Also, Seven Ogden, chairman of senate finance committee, resigned from his job because he didn’t agree with how the legislators were handling this financial issues with the schools. How will this affect our school system if this lawsuit goes though? It could mean that judges will be deciding how to fund schools and not the legislators. This editorial shows that this may continue to increase or decrease our taxes depending on the outcome. This issue with funding schools will not be solved fully until the legislature meets again in 2013. Rob Eissler of the house public education committee, said, “You don’t want the courts writing your schools finance law. It ties your hands.”

This editorial shows detailed proof of how local school taxes have changed over the years and how graduation rates continue to plummet because of poor funding. This argument between politicians and school districts appeals to an audience of local voters that are involved in the Texas school districts. I believe this editorial was well persuaded to its audience. This subject of how politics are handling the school funding issues is a great example of how politician just want another voter, and don’t truly deal with the issues.

Mandatory Meningitis Vaccination

Texas has recently passed a law that all college students under 30  need to recieve a meningitis vaccination. Students will not be able to enroll in classes if vaccination is not obtained or may opt out for a specific reason.  According to the,  Austin American Statesmen, there is a mandatory law that all full time or living on campus students will need to receive the meningitis vaccination.  Meningitis is an infection and inflammation around the brain and spinal cord.  This disease can be fatal.  This law was passed after Jamie Schanbaum contracted the disease and almost lost her life. Thankfully, she had fought through this horrible bacteria, but it took her legs and fingers.  Jamie and her family pushed for the legislators to make vaccination mandatory for college students.  Meningitis is on the rise in the Austin area, so go get vaccinated. This is a health hazard for all students. This laws will effect all of us that are going to college.  In this article,  Mandatory Meningitis, they interviewed Kathleen Christianson,  vice president of student support at Austin Community College. She stated, " That ACC will notify students through email,  posters, website and it will eventually be a part of the admission process." Sounds like this vaccination might keep students out of school if they don't receive the meningitis vaccination before January 2012. The State Government may be a lot closer to us than we think.