On December 8th, 2010 my fellow classmate wrote the editorial entitled "What to do about these pesky drug cartels..." which dealt with the topic of how to handle the increasing violence in Mexico and other nations of Latin America due to the drug cartels and drug trade.
In many editorial pieces, the writer is trying to achieve an end goal within their article. This goal may be to better inform the reader, to reinforce a decision the reader has already made or to persuade the reader to change their position on any given topic. No matter what scenario the author is pursuing, the end result is that things are usually black and white in the article and clear right and wrong. These articles are reminiscent of the view Hollywood has taken on life where all life's problems can be addressed within a half hour sitcom and everything ends with a feel good wrapped up ending. Everything has and does have closure.
The article written by Dan bucks against this trend and better mirrors the reality of life and its choices. When dealing with the topic of what to do with the drug cartels, he points out several choices that the government can make or already has tried leading to results not as successful as projected or defined as failures. The end result is an article that ends without a Hollywood wrap up but leaves the reader with the question of "What is the right solution, if there is one, in handling the drug cartel and the violence associated with it?" It is a great article because it causes the reader to use critical skills and cognitive thinking to define the problem and come up with a proper solution of their own. The article can and does create discussion with others which creates better informed individuals as they debate the pros and cons of each choice that has been made or can be made.
I agree wholeheartedly with all of Dans assessments on the choices that the government may make in the future or already have in the past. We have already sent troops to other countries to the south to better deal with supply issues through the use of seizure techniques and training locals only to be greeted with limited success and failures. Even then, if we are not even able to police the production of marijuana or other narcotics in our own nation, how are we expecting to achieve total victory in other foreign nations? How are we to proceed without stepping on the sovereignty of other nations in a bid to fix a problem that we have helped to create and fuel in our own nation?
We can decriminalize marijuana and make it legal but there are many other drugs out there such as cocaine that add a power base to drug cartels. Even then, drugs are not just fueling the drug cartels as they dabble in other areas including human trafficking for prostitution or smuggling of immigrants and racketeering amongst many other illegal activities.
In my childhood a character appeared on a television show called "The Simpsons." One of his famous lines quoted were "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" which summarizes the view Dan has expressed in his article in a round about manner. No matter what choice our government may make in handling the rise of drug cartels and their violence, no choice is exactly a solution yet to not do anything is an even worse solution.
In the end, what can we truly do about this problem if anything at all?
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Blog Stage Seven
On November 2nd, 2010, the state of California voted on Proposition 19, a piece of legislation to decide whether or not to legalize marijuana in the state of California besides its current status of medical exemption. The proposition did not pass the state vote but supporters vow to bring the legislation up for another round of votes in the near future. The topic of legalization of marijuana has gained quite a bit of momentum in recent years with expansion of decriminalization and/or recognition of the legal uses of marijuana for medical purposes in over 15 states. The question, now raised is if, or when will Texas discussion the topic of the decriminalization of marijuana and its legalization and, if so, is legalization of marijuana a solution to seeking out a solution to a budget deficit we are facing?
Currently the state of Texas faces a shortfall in its budget for 2012 in the neighborhood of $18-24 billion dollars based on who is surveyed. The discussion of marijuana should be raised as a factor in addressing the deficit. One main area of the budget that marijuana would have a dramatic area of impact is the penal system.
Right now, projections have the Texas Penal System requesting $6.55 billion dollars, less than its current budget by 5%, yet has still been asked by the Governor to decrease its budget by 2%-5% more. To achieve that it will be required to lay off 3,100 guard officials while maintaining the same level of prisoners incarcerated. On average, about 12% of those incarcerated in Texas are due to drug related charges stemming from Marijuana. We can decrease those incarcerated by eliminating marijuana status of being an illegal controlled substance and raising the bar to acceptable levels of possession and use. Some of those incarcerated were due to intent to sell or transportation. With marijuana being freely available, it will eliminate the need for many of the mules transporting marijuana or those selling on the streets. With the decrease in incarcerated prisoners, who cost, on average $30,000 each, we can lower the necessary funds to the penal system while maintaining those cut jobs and providing a more safe work environment for both guards and prisoners as the incarcerated to guard ratio decreases.
During the 1920's and 30's, organized crime gained strength and power due to the prohibition of alcohol. In recent years drug cartels have gained the same level of strength and power due to the designation of marijuana as a controlled substance creating a war on drugs. This war on drugs is costly in both terms of manpower, monetary expenditure and lives. With the legalization of marijuana, we can eliminate one of the main pillars of support that give rise to the power of drug cartels. This will result in less funds being spent on the war on drugs, it will decrease crimes being committed and citizens being incarcerated by the state freeing up resources and those killed as a result of the actions put into motion by the drug trade will be saved.
In California, a state that is very similar to the state of Texas in the social demo-graphs of its citizens, it was projected that the legalization of marijuana would raise over $1 billion in revenues from taxes with most surveys pinning it at $1.4 billion in raised revenues. Besides the decrease in expenditure to pursue marijuana as an illegal controlled substance, revenue can and would be raised through its sales helping to decrease the budget deficit even more so.
There are many reasons why to support the legalization of marijuana with the biggest being the Texas creed. As Texans, we pride ourselves on personal liberties and individualism. We value our personal freedom and responsibility for our own selves in this life. This choice, this liberty we have that allows us to make a choice and exercise does not go against the liberties of others. We have to ask, do we need another form of government control in our lives to dictate and control a personal choice which goes against our belief in a decentralized limited government?
I will leave the concerns raised dealing with the topics of ethnics and morality for another day. For now, I leave you with understanding that the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana is one outlet of several that will be needed to address the upcoming budget crisis in Texas.
Currently the state of Texas faces a shortfall in its budget for 2012 in the neighborhood of $18-24 billion dollars based on who is surveyed. The discussion of marijuana should be raised as a factor in addressing the deficit. One main area of the budget that marijuana would have a dramatic area of impact is the penal system.
Right now, projections have the Texas Penal System requesting $6.55 billion dollars, less than its current budget by 5%, yet has still been asked by the Governor to decrease its budget by 2%-5% more. To achieve that it will be required to lay off 3,100 guard officials while maintaining the same level of prisoners incarcerated. On average, about 12% of those incarcerated in Texas are due to drug related charges stemming from Marijuana. We can decrease those incarcerated by eliminating marijuana status of being an illegal controlled substance and raising the bar to acceptable levels of possession and use. Some of those incarcerated were due to intent to sell or transportation. With marijuana being freely available, it will eliminate the need for many of the mules transporting marijuana or those selling on the streets. With the decrease in incarcerated prisoners, who cost, on average $30,000 each, we can lower the necessary funds to the penal system while maintaining those cut jobs and providing a more safe work environment for both guards and prisoners as the incarcerated to guard ratio decreases.
During the 1920's and 30's, organized crime gained strength and power due to the prohibition of alcohol. In recent years drug cartels have gained the same level of strength and power due to the designation of marijuana as a controlled substance creating a war on drugs. This war on drugs is costly in both terms of manpower, monetary expenditure and lives. With the legalization of marijuana, we can eliminate one of the main pillars of support that give rise to the power of drug cartels. This will result in less funds being spent on the war on drugs, it will decrease crimes being committed and citizens being incarcerated by the state freeing up resources and those killed as a result of the actions put into motion by the drug trade will be saved.
In California, a state that is very similar to the state of Texas in the social demo-graphs of its citizens, it was projected that the legalization of marijuana would raise over $1 billion in revenues from taxes with most surveys pinning it at $1.4 billion in raised revenues. Besides the decrease in expenditure to pursue marijuana as an illegal controlled substance, revenue can and would be raised through its sales helping to decrease the budget deficit even more so.
There are many reasons why to support the legalization of marijuana with the biggest being the Texas creed. As Texans, we pride ourselves on personal liberties and individualism. We value our personal freedom and responsibility for our own selves in this life. This choice, this liberty we have that allows us to make a choice and exercise does not go against the liberties of others. We have to ask, do we need another form of government control in our lives to dictate and control a personal choice which goes against our belief in a decentralized limited government?
I will leave the concerns raised dealing with the topics of ethnics and morality for another day. For now, I leave you with understanding that the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana is one outlet of several that will be needed to address the upcoming budget crisis in Texas.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Blog Stage Six
On Friday, Oct. 29th 2010 my fellow classmate, George Aguillon, wrote an article entitled “Abdallah’s Law.” This article discussed a new piece of legislation being spearheaded by Rep. Chris Turner referred to as “Abdallah’s Law.” The new law being proposed will allow the use of previous DWI convictions in other states to be admissible in the state of Texas. Previously, in the state of Texas, prior DWI convictions in other states were not a factor in cases pending in Texas. One of the reasons why this is an issue is that most states, such as Ohio which is a factor in the reasoning behind the law, constitute DUI’s as a misdemeanor while Texas constitutes DUI’s as a felony.
The article Abdallah’s Law is a well written article. The author showed he researched his topic extensively prior to posting an opinion on the subject. When reflecting his opinion, the author did not revert to the use of raw emotion to win over the reader but instead used scientific reasoning and observable data to reason with the reader. It allows the reader to be pulled into the subject, to become informed of the topic of debate and left to coming up with their own opinion without being forced or coheres into a conclusion or taking on the same side as that the author may carry.
Do I agree with the article? I am left undecided. I am fine with and support the proposal to include the admission of DUI convictions from other states in current states being prosecuted in Texas. There is no federal law dictating a standard for DUI and so it is left up to the states to interpret the consequences of a DUI. Some have an issue with this but forget that the United States is, in a way, a confederation of states that has unified under a national government but still each one retain a level of individual sovereignty. If Texas wants the ability to classify DUI’s at a felony level and allow admission in court of other states convictions they should retain the right to as long as they are not prosecuted for those crimes committed that violated those state laws and not the laws of Texas.
However the problem I see with the current law is the structure that follows. If previous convictions are allowed, what will then happen? Longer sentencing for those convicted in the state of Texas? More individuals placed behind bars? Are the current laws and programs in place a successful deterrent towards those that drive while under the influence so that if other individuals come into the state it will deter them as well? How much will the unintended consequences of this law cost the tax payers? One cannot put a price on life so if the author addressed this subject with maybe comparable statistics such as a decrease in the amount of roadway fatalities with an increase in the severity of DUI laws that would go above and beyond in addressing many tax paying citizens questions or concerns.
Again, in my opinion George Aguillon wrote an excellent opinion article.
The article Abdallah’s Law is a well written article. The author showed he researched his topic extensively prior to posting an opinion on the subject. When reflecting his opinion, the author did not revert to the use of raw emotion to win over the reader but instead used scientific reasoning and observable data to reason with the reader. It allows the reader to be pulled into the subject, to become informed of the topic of debate and left to coming up with their own opinion without being forced or coheres into a conclusion or taking on the same side as that the author may carry.
Do I agree with the article? I am left undecided. I am fine with and support the proposal to include the admission of DUI convictions from other states in current states being prosecuted in Texas. There is no federal law dictating a standard for DUI and so it is left up to the states to interpret the consequences of a DUI. Some have an issue with this but forget that the United States is, in a way, a confederation of states that has unified under a national government but still each one retain a level of individual sovereignty. If Texas wants the ability to classify DUI’s at a felony level and allow admission in court of other states convictions they should retain the right to as long as they are not prosecuted for those crimes committed that violated those state laws and not the laws of Texas.
However the problem I see with the current law is the structure that follows. If previous convictions are allowed, what will then happen? Longer sentencing for those convicted in the state of Texas? More individuals placed behind bars? Are the current laws and programs in place a successful deterrent towards those that drive while under the influence so that if other individuals come into the state it will deter them as well? How much will the unintended consequences of this law cost the tax payers? One cannot put a price on life so if the author addressed this subject with maybe comparable statistics such as a decrease in the amount of roadway fatalities with an increase in the severity of DUI laws that would go above and beyond in addressing many tax paying citizens questions or concerns.
Again, in my opinion George Aguillon wrote an excellent opinion article.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Blog Stage Five
Will the Republicans gain control of the House and Senate on election day? Will Californians be the first state to vote on and make the drug Marijuana legal? This election day, November 2nd, 2010, there is excitement in the air as many of these questions and more will be answered after months of speculation. Voters will turn out in mass to the voting booths set up across the nation to decide which candidates will help carry this nation and decide the direction we will head towards for the next few years on both a national and local level. Besides voting for candidates, voters will be faced with many other propositions that will directly affect their local community. Unfortunately, looking at the ballot this year, I noticed one piece of legislation that is absent but is desired by many in my local area; the annexation of Pflugerville into the Austin Community College district.
Pflugerville is a community that started off the 1980’s as only a city of several hundred citizens but has recently been certified as having over 51,000 residents as of early 2010. With the tremendous growth in the community, the city has begun to show its own strength and separate identity from the larger cities of Round Rock and Austin by attracting dozens of major commercial companies and larger industrial corporations bringing growth and future to the community. With the explosion in growth and the housing population there has been an establishment of new educational facilities but one glaring omission is access to an institute of higher learning.
To be annexed into the Austin Community College district there are several steps involved. Mainly a resident must gather the signatures of at least 5% of the voting public in the given community. After a series of steps that involve the signatures being turned in and verified for accuracy along with an explanation to the community if annexation election passes, they are placed up for vote in the general elections in either May or November. In the general elections the community as a whole can decide whether to be part of the Austin Community College district.
Many residents have expressed concern for being annexed because it will lead to higher taxes on property. It will lead to a property tax increase of $.09 per $100 dollar assessed property value. This sounds like a very expensive proposition but on the value of an average $160,000 home, it only amounts to an extra $110 a year or, each month, about $12. The increase is barely noticeable on an average mortgage payment of $1,420 a month.
Some residents have stated that the cost of community college is already low compared to a four year university. Right now the cost of attending Austin Community College out of district is on average around $4,900 vs the cost of in-district is $1,700. The savings of annexation can be, on average, up to $6,000 or more on a two year program. As of 2008 there were over 1,177 households in Pflugerville out of 10,000+ that have an individual attending Austin Community College that are paying these higher “Out of District” fees. Looking towards the future over half the households have children under the age of 18 that can potentially benefit as well from lowered fees at Austin Community College. With an only $.09 per $100 property tax increase, you SAVE money by paying the property tax over the average ownership of the property vs the upfront cost of college.
Recently, as of last week, I preformed an informal study of 32 parents at Hendrickson High School during a recent layover after a marching band practice. I discovered that 10 children will be moving to within Austin city limits to attend the community college after graduation. They are relocating to pay a lower fee and due to the lack of community transportation to and from Austin Community College and Pflugerville. That is a loss of potential revenue in the form of employment and sales taxes due to the loss of residents departing the local area. The loss of residents are ones who may not return later on with the addition of their higher education that may benefit the local area with future businesses. Also, due to the fact that the payments are higher, many are applying for student aid from the government which means that even if you do not pay through property taxes specifically to be apart of Austin Community College, your tax dollars will still, in the end, be paying for these individuals maybe even themselves or their own family to attend the institution of higher learning.
It may not be enough time to be on the general ballet this November but the annexation of Pflugerville into Austin Community College district is a goal we should all set in the elections to come. Everyone has the opportunity to benefit from those who cannot afford an education, those already enrolled to those that will reap the benefits of having a better educated work force and community to live along side. It is planning for the future for those that may attend or have family that may attend in the years to come as the cost of higher education goes up each year with the most recent increase being, on average, 7.9% across the nation.
Pflugerville is a community that started off the 1980’s as only a city of several hundred citizens but has recently been certified as having over 51,000 residents as of early 2010. With the tremendous growth in the community, the city has begun to show its own strength and separate identity from the larger cities of Round Rock and Austin by attracting dozens of major commercial companies and larger industrial corporations bringing growth and future to the community. With the explosion in growth and the housing population there has been an establishment of new educational facilities but one glaring omission is access to an institute of higher learning.
To be annexed into the Austin Community College district there are several steps involved. Mainly a resident must gather the signatures of at least 5% of the voting public in the given community. After a series of steps that involve the signatures being turned in and verified for accuracy along with an explanation to the community if annexation election passes, they are placed up for vote in the general elections in either May or November. In the general elections the community as a whole can decide whether to be part of the Austin Community College district.
Many residents have expressed concern for being annexed because it will lead to higher taxes on property. It will lead to a property tax increase of $.09 per $100 dollar assessed property value. This sounds like a very expensive proposition but on the value of an average $160,000 home, it only amounts to an extra $110 a year or, each month, about $12. The increase is barely noticeable on an average mortgage payment of $1,420 a month.
Some residents have stated that the cost of community college is already low compared to a four year university. Right now the cost of attending Austin Community College out of district is on average around $4,900 vs the cost of in-district is $1,700. The savings of annexation can be, on average, up to $6,000 or more on a two year program. As of 2008 there were over 1,177 households in Pflugerville out of 10,000+ that have an individual attending Austin Community College that are paying these higher “Out of District” fees. Looking towards the future over half the households have children under the age of 18 that can potentially benefit as well from lowered fees at Austin Community College. With an only $.09 per $100 property tax increase, you SAVE money by paying the property tax over the average ownership of the property vs the upfront cost of college.
Recently, as of last week, I preformed an informal study of 32 parents at Hendrickson High School during a recent layover after a marching band practice. I discovered that 10 children will be moving to within Austin city limits to attend the community college after graduation. They are relocating to pay a lower fee and due to the lack of community transportation to and from Austin Community College and Pflugerville. That is a loss of potential revenue in the form of employment and sales taxes due to the loss of residents departing the local area. The loss of residents are ones who may not return later on with the addition of their higher education that may benefit the local area with future businesses. Also, due to the fact that the payments are higher, many are applying for student aid from the government which means that even if you do not pay through property taxes specifically to be apart of Austin Community College, your tax dollars will still, in the end, be paying for these individuals maybe even themselves or their own family to attend the institution of higher learning.
It may not be enough time to be on the general ballet this November but the annexation of Pflugerville into Austin Community College district is a goal we should all set in the elections to come. Everyone has the opportunity to benefit from those who cannot afford an education, those already enrolled to those that will reap the benefits of having a better educated work force and community to live along side. It is planning for the future for those that may attend or have family that may attend in the years to come as the cost of higher education goes up each year with the most recent increase being, on average, 7.9% across the nation.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Blog Stage Four
Recently Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo made a call for a new “Driving While Ability Impaired” law to go after those with a blood alcohol level under .08. In response Radley Balko wrote an opinionated article that called to abolish such drunk driving laws. On October 12th, 2010, the politically charged blog “Grits for Breakfast” published an opinion piece entitled “Balko: Abolish DWI laws to focus on impaired driving” by Scott Hanson in regards to both the suggestion for a new law and the article piece written by Radley Balko. The author, Scott Hanson, is a respected individual in the journalist field as he has contributed several pieces to well known news media outlets.
The opinion article is written in support of Radley Balkos rebuttal to the suggestion of a new law by Police Chief Acevedo. The article is written for general audiences since this new law will end up causing a ripple effect that will affect all of us as citizens. The enforcement of this new law will tie up manpower of the police force which will result in higher costs and lower standards of public safety. He maintains what feels is a neutral tone throughout the article and publishes statistical facts that back up his opinion to show it is not just a subjective opinion but has observable scientific data.
The opinion piece written by Scott Hanson is based around the case made to justify such a law by Radley Balko. The article utilizes statistical information to back up the authors opinion that Radley Balko has a valid point in reasoning that we should abolish the DWI laws. Scott Hansons article utilizes statistical data to establish creditability for his opinion besides his educational background and experience. It has been established through research and studies that people are willing to put trust and faith within the results of studies if it utilizes a simple system of numbers. The thing, though, is that the data itself may be neutral but how it is represented can be manipulated by the individual who is presenting it to the public. How Scott Hanson presents the information, it is in an effective manner that has helped to convince and reinforce my feeling that Scott Hansons opinion is valid and correct and is something we, the citizens of Austin and the state of Texas, should look into doing.
The opinion article is written in support of Radley Balkos rebuttal to the suggestion of a new law by Police Chief Acevedo. The article is written for general audiences since this new law will end up causing a ripple effect that will affect all of us as citizens. The enforcement of this new law will tie up manpower of the police force which will result in higher costs and lower standards of public safety. He maintains what feels is a neutral tone throughout the article and publishes statistical facts that back up his opinion to show it is not just a subjective opinion but has observable scientific data.
The opinion piece written by Scott Hanson is based around the case made to justify such a law by Radley Balko. The article utilizes statistical information to back up the authors opinion that Radley Balko has a valid point in reasoning that we should abolish the DWI laws. Scott Hansons article utilizes statistical data to establish creditability for his opinion besides his educational background and experience. It has been established through research and studies that people are willing to put trust and faith within the results of studies if it utilizes a simple system of numbers. The thing, though, is that the data itself may be neutral but how it is represented can be manipulated by the individual who is presenting it to the public. How Scott Hanson presents the information, it is in an effective manner that has helped to convince and reinforce my feeling that Scott Hansons opinion is valid and correct and is something we, the citizens of Austin and the state of Texas, should look into doing.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Blog Stage Three
On September 29th, 2010 an opinion piece was published on the statesman.com entitled “Texas messes with Islam.” The article deals with the recent changes to education materials such as textbooks that the Texas school board have passed.
This article was written by an unknown author. Due to the authors anonymity, I am unable to verify their credentials. The article, though, is posted on the statesman.com therefore the individual must have a background that justifies his presence on the website. Why? Readers place trust in their media companies to keep them properly informed. If media companies are found to dispel facts or information that are incorrect, it would cause their readers to lose trust and faith in their reporting resulting in a loss of readership. It is also viewed as a civic responsibility of the media companies to properly inform their readers of current and political events, a distinguish many companies strive for.
I feel that the writers anonymity is a bit of an issue. One of the reasons why to write an opinionated article versus a straight factual article is that you do not have to be biased but are there to present and persuade a reader to your viewpoint you are presenting. Displaying your name and being proud of your work displays strength which translate into leadership to the casual reader which helps to gain their trust and to have them view more favorably your argument and maybe even have them believe in the same view point you are presenting.
The article deals with the topic of Texas recently passing motions to limit the references to Islam in textbooks. The author has aimed the article so this event is viewed in a negative light. The main focus of his article is not so much the change that is being presented but society being more concerned about political correctness then allowing the students to have access to an unbiased total view of the material that will better inform and challenge them.
His arguments are based on more of an opinion and observation then scientific fact or measurable data therefore it is hard to back up his claims he is presenting. The writer can better back up his claims based upon studies that have already been preformed in the field of psychology. Since he discusses “material that will better inform and challenge them” then he can focus on the field of cognitive psychology due to its field of study in the higher mentality processes of the human condition and how denying all opportunities can affect a human being and their behavior in the future.
The writer needs to understand, though, that there is always going to be a skewed perspective or biased view in any material written. In high school we did a project where the class was given ten factual bits of information and were told to write a summarization including all those facts. Each of our reports written were different from one another due to social conditions and our life's experiences guiding us on how we presented the facts. What he considers bias is not the same to others whereas what he views the truth may not be the same for others.
I agree overall with the tone of the article but not the facts or perspective that was presented by the writer. Also I am understanding as well that there is so much out there that is of historical significance I know we cannot expect our children to learn and understand every aspect and that some items need to be left out if viewed as of least importance. If they are of importance to you and those are your children then it should be up to you, not a text book or an educator to present those views or historical events and values to your child.
This article was written by an unknown author. Due to the authors anonymity, I am unable to verify their credentials. The article, though, is posted on the statesman.com therefore the individual must have a background that justifies his presence on the website. Why? Readers place trust in their media companies to keep them properly informed. If media companies are found to dispel facts or information that are incorrect, it would cause their readers to lose trust and faith in their reporting resulting in a loss of readership. It is also viewed as a civic responsibility of the media companies to properly inform their readers of current and political events, a distinguish many companies strive for.
I feel that the writers anonymity is a bit of an issue. One of the reasons why to write an opinionated article versus a straight factual article is that you do not have to be biased but are there to present and persuade a reader to your viewpoint you are presenting. Displaying your name and being proud of your work displays strength which translate into leadership to the casual reader which helps to gain their trust and to have them view more favorably your argument and maybe even have them believe in the same view point you are presenting.
The article deals with the topic of Texas recently passing motions to limit the references to Islam in textbooks. The author has aimed the article so this event is viewed in a negative light. The main focus of his article is not so much the change that is being presented but society being more concerned about political correctness then allowing the students to have access to an unbiased total view of the material that will better inform and challenge them.
His arguments are based on more of an opinion and observation then scientific fact or measurable data therefore it is hard to back up his claims he is presenting. The writer can better back up his claims based upon studies that have already been preformed in the field of psychology. Since he discusses “material that will better inform and challenge them” then he can focus on the field of cognitive psychology due to its field of study in the higher mentality processes of the human condition and how denying all opportunities can affect a human being and their behavior in the future.
The writer needs to understand, though, that there is always going to be a skewed perspective or biased view in any material written. In high school we did a project where the class was given ten factual bits of information and were told to write a summarization including all those facts. Each of our reports written were different from one another due to social conditions and our life's experiences guiding us on how we presented the facts. What he considers bias is not the same to others whereas what he views the truth may not be the same for others.
I agree overall with the tone of the article but not the facts or perspective that was presented by the writer. Also I am understanding as well that there is so much out there that is of historical significance I know we cannot expect our children to learn and understand every aspect and that some items need to be left out if viewed as of least importance. If they are of importance to you and those are your children then it should be up to you, not a text book or an educator to present those views or historical events and values to your child.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Blog Stage Two
"Austin Grocer Unhappy Her Story is in Perry Ad"
On September 15th, 2010 The American-Stateman published an article by Brian Gaar titled"Austin Grocer Unhappy Her Story is in Perry Ad." The article revolved around citizen Peg McCoy who was displeased to find that her store, Farm to Market Grocery Store, was featured in an ad by Rick Perry who is currently running for re-election for governor of the state of Texas. The issue lies within the fact her store logo was used within the ad without permission. The citizen requested her store be removed from future advertisements which the campaign committee for Rick Perry has failed to do. They stand by the use that the use of the logo was due to public domain; video was shot from a public sidewalk therefore it is allowed for public use.
This argument and the use of the logo because it is seen in public domain disturbs me greatly. I work for several non-profit groups and prior to any published media or documentation we search out and receive permission (or are denied) by all individuals involved including business and locations. This store, used in the Rick Perry ad, now looks to the observer as if they are endorsing the candidate or were recipients of the policies put into effect by the governor. The use of “public domain” is disturbing. What if I am just walking along a sidewalk and a camera crew films me then slaps me in a commercial talking about how common men support Rick Perry? It now will look, to the observer that I support Rick Perry due to the ad.
I feel this article is deserving of the attention of other readers as it provides an insight into how a political campaign works. It reminds the readers that, in the world of politics, do not take everything for face value and tat there might be another side to each story presented.
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