Wishful Thinking

In Texas Falls Short on the Civil Rights Train, fellow classmate Michael Crump, writes of the injustice the gay community is dealing with regarding their rights, especially in Texas. Michael’s main argument is that the decision to allow or not allow gay marriages should not be a decision based on religious ideas. This is a heated topic that is often debated throughout the religious and political world and I can really appreciate Michael’s sensible approach to the matter. If we take the religious aspects out of the picture what do we have left? Nothing but a simple piece of legislation to be voted on and like the Civil- rights movements of the 1960’s directly affects the rights of a “different” minority group of the voting population.


Mr. Crump’s editorial was extremely well written and his calm demeanor helps his cause. I commend his bravery in being open about being gay because in a world like ours sometimes that means choosing the harder path. I agree with his idea that politics and religion should be kept separated, but realistically we all know that it will take society a lot more changing and growing to do before that will ever happen. But we can hope that one day we can all learn to accept gays and lesbians just as we now accept African Americans as our equal. I personally think, we as a nation ,are slowly headed in that direction, the first step was that first state that allowed same- sex marriage. I think it just takes patience, time and strength, afterall we do have a lot of minds to change. Michael, don’t give up your hope and fight for equality. I think its closer than we all think it is.

A Happy Halloween Indeed

Halloween is always a big celebration here in Austin. Over 60,000 mask wearing, costume flaunting patrons flock to the streets in the heart of Austin’s Entertainment district; officially known as 6th street and formerly known as Pecan Street. It brings out ghouls, ghosts, zombies, and even Leslie. It is a long standing Austin tradition that brings the good, the bad, and of course, the intoxicated. However, this Halloween weekend there is a new tradition implemented by the Austin Police Department; Halloween is now a ‘No Refusal’ Holiday that began last Halloween weekend. The ‘No Refusal’ policy was enforced by the department from 9pm to 5am Friday and Saturday. Suspected drunk drivers who were pulled over during those hours had to give a breath sample or were forced to give a blood sample by means of blood search warrants signed by an on call judge. During this time 46 people were arrested for DUI. If that seems like an awful lot to you, you don’t want to know last years total.

Last year 96 people were arrested during Halloween weekend. That’s almost 100 known intoxicated drivers out in your city streets and countless unknown. I don’t know about you but that scares me a little. How many times have you seen a drunk driver out in the streets? I’ve almost been hit by a reckless drunk driver and it is no joke. Drunk drivers are pretty easy to spot when they are swerving all over the road. I’ve personally seen quite a few coming home from downtown around 3am. And we all know someone who has gotten a DUI. One time I saw, I swear, two Hispanic men in a running car, lights on, windows down, and beers in their hands and completely passed out in the middle of the road. That’s crazy!

The best thing about the ‘No Refusal’ policy is that it seems to be working. The number of arrest was nearly cut in half. I’m no drunk driving advocate but less intoxicated drivers out on the streets means safer streets. And I am defiantly Pro-Safer streets; we already have to deal with enough crazy sober drivers. I think its safe to say that most people would agree that if ‘No Refusal’ Policy is getting more drunk drivers off the roads then it’s doing its job, and doing it well. We can only hope that next year’s numbers follow the present trend.

Whining about.... EVERYTHING

While scanning I came across a commentary in The American Statesman by what seemed to be one pissed off right-winged Republican named Dale Pyeatt. Pyeatt is outraged by the idea of Obama's health care reform . Pyeatt is apparently upset because Medicare will be cut to help pay for part of the health care reform. He believes that while he has worked 2 jobs for more than 40 years EARNING his share of Medicare the people who would mainly benefit from the Health care reform plan have not. He is appalled by the idea of "pay[ing] for someone else's health care."




Its difficult to sympathize with Pyeatt's opinion because the tone and mood he uses throughout the commentary. He starts by calling the opposing party names. Next, he criticizes the president. Then he bluntly stereotypes the "type" of people who would benefit from Obama's health care plan. Pyeatt says, "I am sick of liberals whining" but cant portray a message without whining himself.





Pyeatt is obviously very compassionate about this issue but this commentary was written very hastily and poorly. Pyeatt seemed to be speaking angrily and emotionally. While he is already speaking to a largely republican population who already don't like Obama; they already agree with his way of thinking. He would have been better off making his argument more appealing to people who dont already agree. He failed this objective miserably they are the people who are in need of convincing. His message was entirely too cluttered with rude, meaningless comments to convey his true opposition. He doesn't portray a good argument with evidence to back it up. He offers no alternate solution and offers nothing but negativity.



The worst part is that I agree with him. But I also don't have health insurance. I pay for my own schooling and housing AND I work. But I can't afford health insurance but I still agree with him. I Don't the health care reform plan is such a great Idea and I am personally effected because I need health care coverage. However Pyeatt's commentary is so unappealing that I wouldn't admit that else where. I think the health care reform is a big mistake, I think it is going to be a great burden to our country in the long run. I think we'd all be better off managing instead a way to lower health insurance costs.

Uneducated view of a story

The Austin Chronicle recently posted a commentary called "Unfair View of the Unfortunate," Written by a man who was previously a downtown Austin business owner. The commentary was in reply to an article written by The Chronicle called "Panhandlers for God" The story was about "panhandlers" harassing people in the streets of Austin. However, it was actually concentrating on people who are not homeless and work for a church; who take to the streets looking for donations.

The Author of the commentary, Paul Silver, claims that story was an "unfair persecution of the unfortunate"; that instead of the city devising some sort of Panhandling Ban that perhaps the City of Austin should instead post signs at heavy Panhandling spots that warn motorist not to give money to the panhandlers. The author holds this belief to be true because he once owned a business downtown and had personally dealt with the panhandlers in the past.


The author would have a very valid point IF the original story was about the regular typical panhandler. But it wasn't. The story was about ARM Restoration Ministries of Austin, a local church that targets drug addicts and alcoholics. ARM supposedly "rehabilitates" them even though they are not a licensed practitioner and sends them out to the streets to help raise money for the church.


I think the author of the commentary, Paul Silver, is a complete idiot! I don't know if he hadn't read the whole story or is an ARM member himself. What I do know is that Ive dealt with homeless panhandlers and Ive dealt with ARM employees and there's a big difference between the two. What the Chronicle had said about ARM is completely true; they are loud, obnoxious, and obtrusive. Unlike, the laid back homeless begger's you usually see out on the streets of Austin. I commend Mr. Silver's Idea of signs about the shelters, its not bad, however his idea is hard to take seriously when it seems that he only read the title of the story he was commenting on.

Quit Horsing Around- Someone Might DIE

Remember when your parents used to tell you to quit horsing around because someone might get hurt? Well, they might have actually been right. On Sept 22, 2009, according to Austin Statesman in Cedar Park two men at their home began to arm wrestle which led to them wrestling on the floor. The Younger man, LeCroy age 23, pulled the legs of the older man, Bannen 49, out from underneath him and caused the man to hit his head on the floor.
The older man seemed supposedly fine and went to bed shortly after the incident. The next morning is when LeCroy found Bannen in his bed, dead. Another witness says that Bannen was unresponsive immediately after the fall and that LeCroy and the homeowner carried the unconscious Bannen to the bedroom and left him be. LeCroy is now being charged with Murder, or technically "Negligent homicide". I find this interesting because we have all horse-played with friends or siblings and, well, I doubt any of us would expect to accidentally kill someone. My heart really goes out to this poor 23 year old who's life is also now basically over because he'll be spending the rest of his life dealing with this accident. I cant say he necessarily handled it the right way, obviously calling paramedics immediately would have been a wise choice but now this kid has to spend years in prison with real murders and rapist, that, to me, doesn't seem right. What do y'all think?