Wear That Controversial T-shirt Or Not, That Is The Question...
I believe the school was unfair. They respected the rights of the L.G.B.T.Q. community but not that of Seth Groody. The school administrators chose a side even though they were supposed to remain neutral. I do not like this current environment of forced sensitivity that is being pushed down children's throat today. Children, just like, adults have a right to disagree with something that do not believe in. I do not think that Groody should have had to change his shirt. His rights were violated and no one seemed to care. What kind of lesson is that to teach our kids? Not a good one in my opinion. I believe that actions like the ones taken against Groody keep people like him in the same mind state instead of opening them up to new ideas and will only cause them to push back more against system that they feel is already against them. Disenfranchisement is one of the worst things that schools do to the mindstate of our kids, yet it is done without even a second thought to passive those who disagree with it. When do we have the right to disagree peacefully when no one will let us?
Friday, August 14, 2015
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
No God? No Way
Copy straight from the Texas Constitution (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm):
Sec. 4. RELIGIOUS TESTS. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall anyone be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.-Article 1 Section 4
Sec. 6. FREEDOM OF WORSHIP. All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences. No man shall be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship, or to maintain any ministry against his consent. No human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious society or mode of worship. But it shall be the duty of the Legislature to pass such laws as may be necessary to protect equally every religious denomination in the peaceable enjoyment of its own mode of public worship.- Article 1 Section 6.
Yet sandwiched in between these two article is section 5 which kindly states: Sec. 5. WITNESSES NOT DISQUALIFIED BY RELIGIOUS BELIEFS; OATHS AND AFFIRMATIONS. No person shall be disqualified to give evidence in any of the Courts of this State on account of his religious opinions, or for the want of any religious belief, but all oaths or affirmations shall be administered in the mode most binding upon the conscience, and shall be taken subject to the pains and penalties of perjury.- Article 1 Section 5
So I can go to court and not be judge for not believing in “God” but I cannot run for State Office?
“We’re seeing the most religiously infused laws come from the state level,” said SCA spokeswoman Lauren Youngblood. Laws like these, she said, are “so unconstitutional and so discriminatory.”” - from Atheist Group Takes on the States out of The Texas Tribune (http://www.texastribune.org/2012/06/14/texas-atheists-lobby-texas-legislature/)
In 1961 and 1997, respectively, each state rejected an atheist candidate's application for office. Well looks like if you don’t believe as the machine wants you too, you cannot play.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Destroying Dreams
http://robertfaubion.blogspot.com/2015/07/destroying-dreams.html
KVUE author, Mark Wiggins, writes a compelling article about the elected lieutenant governor, Patrick, taking away the rights of foreign persons to apply for in-state tuition for college. Wiggins starts the article by showing a personal opinion by a young man with the last name of Villalobos. Gov. Rick Perry passed both the House Bill 1403 and Senate Bill 1528 which is called the DREAM Act. Without the DREAM Act, Villalobos exclaims that he would not be able to afford college nor law school.
Patrick along with other Republicans feel as if the law attracts more illegal immigrants and want to pass a law dissolving the DREAM Act. Rick Perry states, "Economically, what was in the best interest of the state of Texas was to give these young people the opportunity to be givers rather than takers...To be a constructive part of this society, and that's what we did overwhelmingly." While Rick Perry shows empathy for immigrants who are trying to better their lives, Greg Abbot shows a different emotion. Abbot says, "The way that it's supposed to work is a student is supposed to be showing that they are making progress toward establishing legal status...And that simply is not being done." Rather than showing support, they are trying to discourage DREAMers from trying to better their futures and obtain more knowledge.
Lastly, I want to leave my peers with this quote by Villalobos: "I also feel that most of the Texas Legislature is reasonable, is pragmatic, and knows that in-state tuition is something that's good for Texas. It's good for students and it's good for the future of the state." Do you agree?
Patrick along with other Republicans feel as if the law attracts more illegal immigrants and want to pass a law dissolving the DREAM Act. Rick Perry states, "Economically, what was in the best interest of the state of Texas was to give these young people the opportunity to be givers rather than takers...To be a constructive part of this society, and that's what we did overwhelmingly." While Rick Perry shows empathy for immigrants who are trying to better their lives, Greg Abbot shows a different emotion. Abbot says, "The way that it's supposed to work is a student is supposed to be showing that they are making progress toward establishing legal status...And that simply is not being done." Rather than showing support, they are trying to discourage DREAMers from trying to better their futures and obtain more knowledge.
Lastly, I want to leave my peers with this quote by Villalobos: "I also feel that most of the Texas Legislature is reasonable, is pragmatic, and knows that in-state tuition is something that's good for Texas. It's good for students and it's good for the future of the state." Do you agree?
My response: I have noticed this growing trend where the Republicans seem they are switching sides on how to deal with immigration. On one hand you have members like George W. Bush and Rick Perry. they were more about turning illegal alien into legal citizen or having people here in the U.S. legally. Bush had the path to citizenship become easier and he made the national i.d. for foreign workers known as the Guess Worker Program. Once Bush left office it became a different told to the masses. No need to help those who are not helping us right? I see a similar situation happening again. Rick Perry had an awesome idea. It was such a good idea it even got mirrored on the national. But now his replacement is trying to convenience people that this wonderful idea is a bad one. I do not understand why the Republican party wants to hurt those people who are trying to comply with the laws. These are not Anti-American or a foreign threat. They are our neighbors trying to create a better life. To answer your question; yes it is to keep in-state tuition low so everyone that's wants has a chance to better themselves.
Posted by Robert Faubion
Monday, July 27, 2015
East Meets West:Bipartisanship that could be accomplished through Marijuana Policy.
Wishful thinking that is not as far off as the title suggests. Texas finds herself on the edge of territory that has been unforeseen since the '70s. Could there ever be a Legal Marijuana Program in the State of Texas? If you were to ask this question ten years ago, you would a very different answer that you would get today. Well let's get introduce to two voices from the side of "Yes We Can". From East Texas by way of Longview we have State Representative David Simpson, who just so happens to be a Republican. And from West Texas by way of El Paso we have Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke who is the U.S. Representative for Texas's 16th congressional district and a Democrat.
Rare winds seem to be blowing in from the east. It is not everyday that you hear a Republican from (anywhere in)Texas on the side of Marijuana legalization. Let alone talk about making money off of it. Rick Perry made mention of decriminalization toward the end of his tenure because of the high profile Williamson County pot brownie case but all that came out of it was a quote. Our current Governor claims that he carries the current tone of there is no scientific medical value for it. A stance that I believe he will not be able to hold for long as society begins to shift. As the laws begin to loosen up, many politicians, sensing the changing winds, have began to switch sides of the debate as more and more information becomes available. Representative Simpson is one of those politicians. He, unlike former Gov. Perry, set forth a bill that would have repeal the current Marijuana offenses (A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to repealing marihuana offenses.). "All that God created is good, including marijuana. God did not make a mistake when he made marijuana that the government needs to fix," he said. "Let's allow the plant to be utilized for good -- helping people with seizures, treating warriors with PTSD, producing fiber and other products -- or simply for beauty and enjoyment. Government prohibition should be for violent actions that harm your neighbor -- not of the possession, cultivation, and responsible use of plants." With those words, the State Representative made his position known.
Beto O'Rourke I would you suggest that you stop by his page because it would take a lot time putting down his feats. (Congressman Beto O'Rourke Official website of the) I view him as a sign of hope in the Texas Democrat Party. Head has major headway since entering the United States House of Representatives. "I will be getting more involved ... but I will do so through the perspective of the community I represent," O'Rourke said in an interview Friday. "I have three kids. I never want them to use it. I want to do everything I can to keep them away from it. But I've come to the conclusion that I stand a far better chance as a parent of controlling their exposure to that if it is controlled, if it's taxed." This quote comes from a great Huffington post article from last year( Rep. Beto O'Rourke Says He Will 'Be Getting More Involved' In Legalizing Marijuana).
I believe that both of these men can create great change in the way that the state of Texas handles minor drug cases. Beto and his colleagues in the U.S. House are writing and filing many different bills, from how and who can handle money from legal marijuana businesses to safe access to the medical treatment. No person should have to leave their home state and become a refugee in another when that person's home state has the capability to help heal them. Beto's work at the federal level is what is giving these so called conservatives the courage to speak up. The Hope here in Texas is by 2017 we will have a medical program and full legalization by 2019. All things are possible. I do not think it is only the politician that have to change. The people of the society have to change as well. That is already happening, hence why this conversation is getting louder and louder in both the Texas and the Federal Congress.
What I fear is that the politicians by some miracle write a bill that makes sense and covers all that it needs to cover, then gets defeated because there was not enough votes to pass it {this has already happened in several states}. Texas is notorious for low voter turnout, especially in non-presidential years. The greater challenge is getting people to the ballot box where decisions like these are ultimately decided. All in All, things are looking up for the end of marijuana prohibition. We have a heavy hitting U.S. Rep. not only looking out for his voting block but the entire country and an unlikely ally in a God Fearing East Texan State Rep. Unity is the key and it is accomplishable if all parties can come together.
Rare winds seem to be blowing in from the east. It is not everyday that you hear a Republican from (anywhere in)Texas on the side of Marijuana legalization. Let alone talk about making money off of it. Rick Perry made mention of decriminalization toward the end of his tenure because of the high profile Williamson County pot brownie case but all that came out of it was a quote. Our current Governor claims that he carries the current tone of there is no scientific medical value for it. A stance that I believe he will not be able to hold for long as society begins to shift. As the laws begin to loosen up, many politicians, sensing the changing winds, have began to switch sides of the debate as more and more information becomes available. Representative Simpson is one of those politicians. He, unlike former Gov. Perry, set forth a bill that would have repeal the current Marijuana offenses (A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to repealing marihuana offenses.). "All that God created is good, including marijuana. God did not make a mistake when he made marijuana that the government needs to fix," he said. "Let's allow the plant to be utilized for good -- helping people with seizures, treating warriors with PTSD, producing fiber and other products -- or simply for beauty and enjoyment. Government prohibition should be for violent actions that harm your neighbor -- not of the possession, cultivation, and responsible use of plants." With those words, the State Representative made his position known.
Beto O'Rourke I would you suggest that you stop by his page because it would take a lot time putting down his feats. (Congressman Beto O'Rourke Official website of the) I view him as a sign of hope in the Texas Democrat Party. Head has major headway since entering the United States House of Representatives. "I will be getting more involved ... but I will do so through the perspective of the community I represent," O'Rourke said in an interview Friday. "I have three kids. I never want them to use it. I want to do everything I can to keep them away from it. But I've come to the conclusion that I stand a far better chance as a parent of controlling their exposure to that if it is controlled, if it's taxed." This quote comes from a great Huffington post article from last year( Rep. Beto O'Rourke Says He Will 'Be Getting More Involved' In Legalizing Marijuana).
I believe that both of these men can create great change in the way that the state of Texas handles minor drug cases. Beto and his colleagues in the U.S. House are writing and filing many different bills, from how and who can handle money from legal marijuana businesses to safe access to the medical treatment. No person should have to leave their home state and become a refugee in another when that person's home state has the capability to help heal them. Beto's work at the federal level is what is giving these so called conservatives the courage to speak up. The Hope here in Texas is by 2017 we will have a medical program and full legalization by 2019. All things are possible. I do not think it is only the politician that have to change. The people of the society have to change as well. That is already happening, hence why this conversation is getting louder and louder in both the Texas and the Federal Congress.
What I fear is that the politicians by some miracle write a bill that makes sense and covers all that it needs to cover, then gets defeated because there was not enough votes to pass it {this has already happened in several states}. Texas is notorious for low voter turnout, especially in non-presidential years. The greater challenge is getting people to the ballot box where decisions like these are ultimately decided. All in All, things are looking up for the end of marijuana prohibition. We have a heavy hitting U.S. Rep. not only looking out for his voting block but the entire country and an unlikely ally in a God Fearing East Texan State Rep. Unity is the key and it is accomplishable if all parties can come together.
Friday, July 24, 2015
Ordinary Texans and the Establishment
The Disconnect Between Texans and Their Elected Officials
I believe that the author, Stephen L. Klineberg, struck a very unnoticeable cord with this article. From the very first quote, " A violent, lawless, backward state, a hang-'em-high kind of place that relishes the death penalty, that's obsessed with guns, anti-education, anti-science, anti-immigrant, anti-environment (quote is from the Houston Chronicle)", the writer draws you into a tale that is kind of hard to believe unless you live here. The Texas State government for all intent and purposes is ran by the Republican Party and they are able to push forward their ideas, even if those ideas are not a reflection of the state's population as a whole. Greg Abbot only received 2,796,547 of the 4,718,268 that showed up to vote out of the 13+ million people that are/were registered to vote. His views on Gun Control, Abortion, the Death Penalty, Immigration, and the Future Marijuana Policy do not reflect the growing change in Texas social culture. The two areas that this article focuses on are Dallas and Harris Counties, home to Dallas and Houston. Two of the largest cities in Texas( and America) who's population usually are more liberal and traditionally vote Democrat in both State and Federal Elections and how they both seem to be disconnected from the everyday running of the state. The article focuses on the situation that may also dissuade your common Texan from taking part in the voting process as well. The two issues that stick out to me the most are redistricting, also known as Gerrymandering and the Power of Money. These two thing have had a powerful impact on the State's voting process. Republicans have worked very hard in the last fifteen years alone to drive as many Democrats from State Office position as possible through the legal process and have been able to accomplish that goal with little to no resistance. The power of money speaks for itself. It has become ever so hard to compete in the political process if you do not have a lot of it or come from it. Republican seem to draw most of their constitutes from single issue topics, where most Democrats are trying to focus on multiple issues at once and the Republican base takes advantage of it. I hope that the trend continues and spreads out to the suburbs and rural areas of Texas and more Texans come out to vote so we do not find ourselves in our current situation in the the future.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
What Went Wrong in Hempstead, Texas?
Waller County DA: Bland's Death Won't Be "Swept Under the Rug"
This article provides a short overview of the current situation at the Waller County jail in Hempstead, Texas. As well as a little history of how Prairie View A&M was/is viewed by the locals.The main point of the article is to make the reader aware that there was an African American, Sandra Bland women that was killed in a Texas county jail. This article does a good job in not trying to draw the reader into the race debate. It only states fact that are known about the situation (at this time). Everyone is wondering how a routine traffic stop turned into sitting in jail for three days before being found dead, hung in her jail cell. I wonder why so much focus is being put on the Texas Department of Public Safety Officer Brian Encinia when the world knows what he did wrong, and not on the staff at the Waller County Jail. Something went wrong inside that building that many people are not talking about publicly yet. Hopefully the F.B.I. and the Texas Rangers can figure out what happened.
This article provides a short overview of the current situation at the Waller County jail in Hempstead, Texas. As well as a little history of how Prairie View A&M was/is viewed by the locals.The main point of the article is to make the reader aware that there was an African American, Sandra Bland women that was killed in a Texas county jail. This article does a good job in not trying to draw the reader into the race debate. It only states fact that are known about the situation (at this time). Everyone is wondering how a routine traffic stop turned into sitting in jail for three days before being found dead, hung in her jail cell. I wonder why so much focus is being put on the Texas Department of Public Safety Officer Brian Encinia when the world knows what he did wrong, and not on the staff at the Waller County Jail. Something went wrong inside that building that many people are not talking about publicly yet. Hopefully the F.B.I. and the Texas Rangers can figure out what happened.