Blog Stage 8

The commentary Doctors struggle with end-of-life talks is a well written piece by Bertha Juarez, published on April 28, 2016. 

The commentary states the problematic that people, who work in the medical field have, to have en-of-life talks. What I like about my classmates work is that her article is well organised. 

There are four paragraphs in total.In the first paragraph, she gives the reader an introduction or overview to the problematic. Further she states in the next paragraph, why the federal government has their saying in this problematic. The next paragraph gives an example, which backs up her argument. The commentary ends with the last paragraph which states her opinion. 

Overall, the commentary is well written and especially clear to understand for the reader. Maybe, there could have been one more example, to back up her argument.But overall, good job!

Blog Stage 7

On May 13, 2016, the Obama administration instructed every school district in the country to let transgender students use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity.

The separation of public bathrooms became basically a civil rights act in the 21st century. And, until this day, I am torn about the transgender, bathroom debate. 

The Unisex bathrooms that occur now in every, new, hip Coffee shop are totally acceptable to me. If I have the urge, I don't really care which gender symbol occur on the bathroom door.  

The real problems though start in school. Studies have shown that transgenders start their changes at usually a very early age or during puberty. But, they are not allowed to show their true gender. Kristina Olson, a psychology professor at University of Washington, started looking into research on transgender children, she was surprised. Olson said, "Nearly all transgender adults today were not allowed to live as their gender identity as kids, so we just don't know what life is going to look like for them." stated in the article When D' Kids Know They’re Transgender? Younger Than You'd Think' , by Posey Gruener.

This article contributes to the idea that Transgenders don't identify with one or the other gender. Here fore in schools, there should be, besides, separated bathrooms , also a unisex bathroom. For instance in my old high school, in Germany, we had separated bathrooms and one or two unisex bathrooms. 

I also totally agree on Obama's directive that stated transgender students have the right to use their preferred bathrooms in public schools because of Title IX, a federal statute that prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender at education institutions that receive federal funding. But, it doesn't solve the whole problem by itself. 

The Republicans are not convinced and don't want to spend more federal money on an issue that should not even be worked on, in the first place.

I do believe that the IX directive is a start to make Transgenders more comfortable in their daily life behavior and also show awareness. But, on the other hand, I think that society is not ready for a fully, liberal place. 

Blog Stage Two

The article,'Fire Causing West Plant Explosion Was Intentionally Set, Officials Say' by  Jonathan Silver that was published in the Texas Tribune, May 11 2016, talks about the deadly explosion on April 17, 2013, originated from the Adair Grain and West Fertilizer Company. 

The explosion destroyed buildings in a radius of a quarter of a mile.Officials found out, over the long period of three years, that the explosion was caused by  a criminal act. 'The explosion occurred when flames reached a tank of ammonium nitrate, a common fertilizer stored at the facility.', said the Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Texas state fire marshal's office. 

They also interviewed over four hundred different people that witnessed the explosion. But, they still haven't found the exact cause for the criminal act. The Senator John Cornyn stated, 'It’s one thing to think that this might have been just an accident. It’s another to know that it could well be the result of an intentional criminal act.'

This article just amazes me, because it shows the reader how long an investigations can go on and how many parties are involved in it.It also shows, how the executive , judicial and legislative branches have to work together to solve a tragic occurrence like the explosion in 2013.  

Commentary on a Commentary

Miss Petals commentary http://texasgovblog.blogspot.com/ on the abortion laws in Texas is a very interesting topic to write about.

I like that she chooses this prevailing and controversy topic. And, I also like that her commentary is well organised.

First, she introduces the reader to the stated example and gives a brief background information about the article in the Texas Tribune. In the middle section, she gives more background information about the abortion Bill that was passed in Texas. Her opinion is stated at the very end.  

I think she did a good job and made it very clear, what the article is about. Though, I am not truly convinced by the argument. I wish, she should have shown, just one or two more examples that support her argument. Either than that, very well done.

Is "Fracking", the answer?

So what is there else to say?

Fracking is a very successful way to get access to oil and gas. When we see the low prices of gas, we are happy to pay less. No doubt about it. But, would we still be happy about the price, if it comes with a high cost of our own health?

“Fracking”, everybody heard about “Fracking”, but does anyone know exactly what it is and what it will cause?

“Hydraulic fracturing”, is a technique to gain access to gas or oil from shale rock. Fracking is the procedure of injecting water, sand, and chemicals into the rock at a high pressure to led the gas flow out to the head of the well.

This procedure gets more and more explored and shows it’s effectively. In 2012, Texas had listed over six thousand oil and fracking wells in the state. But, while exploring the technique, there is a cost, to pay.

First of all, Fracking uses humongous amounts of water, that the state needs more for their civilians. Furthermore, the chemicals that get pressed into the rock may contaminate the groundwater. Our own water, that who knows what these will do to our health. And, research shows that fracking can cause earthquakes.

In November 2014, the Texas town, Denton, wanted to ban Fracking in city limits, because the civilians were concerned about the environment and also the unknown outcome what comes with the procedure of Fracking. Unfortunately, they lost the lawsuit against the major gas companies. Fracking will definitely grow in the next couple of years. But, to what cost? That is the question.

We don’t know what Fracking will do exactly to the environment, but there is a price to pay. But, we will probably find out in a view years, when its usually to late.

So, while you have a hint on the gas price, think about the price it also comes with.

Editorial Comment

This editorial comment "School discipline takes a needed, mindful change", from Laura Buckman, published on the 22 of February in the Star-Telegram Newspaper, discusses the disputed "Zero Tolerance Policy”, in Texas Public Education system.

The author in this comment critiques the political decision that was made by the State of Texas in the year 1995 when Texas government adapted the "Zero Tolerance Policy", for all public schools in Texas.

First, the author gives an informal introduction to the topic, which makes it not really clear to the reader, what the author want to comment on. But, towards the second paragraph, it gets pretty clear, what the article or comment critiques on.

In general the author follows the guidelines of a well written, editorial. The author represents the topic, which is discussed. Furthermore, she gives the reader a short overview and a little bit of background information about the topic, which is; Why and when Texas law decided to adapt the “Zero Tolerance Policy”. Then, she states facts about the present and introduces the reader to the new law, that will change the “Zero Tolerance Policy”, into a different way of “thoughtful decisions on expelling students”.

The author gives us some examples that can defend her opinion, but the comment needs more details or facts about why Texas schools would benefit from the new law that would change the “Zero Tolerance Policy. “

The author’s tone in this commentary is sometimes informal for instance the expression “ cracked down hard”, would usually not be used in a formal newspaper. But, since it is editorial, I think, it is fine.

All in all, the article gives the reader a slightly overview about the topic “Zero Tolerance Policy“, but I critique the author´s lack of given examples to defend her opinion and that she does not tell the reader , what the “Zero Tolerance Policy“, actually represents.

The article "Cheerleader Case can proceed, State Supreme Court Rules", from the Texas Tribune, is about a high school cheerleading squad, which is suing for their right to use religious banners at football games.

The event occurred in 2013, when the cheerleader squad first waved their banners, and got instructed by the Kountze Independent School District, to stop painting Bible verses on the banners. After the ordered school restriction, the cheerleaders parents filled out a lawsuit of their own, to fight for their children’s right; Freedom of speech.

The case has been in the legal system ever since. Last Friday, the Texas Supreme Court revealed, that the lawsuit will be continued, because  “the ban could reasonably be expected to be reinstated.”

In this article there are two arguments involved; the separation of church and state and the freedom of religion/religious tolerance. If the cheerleading squad is a direct representation of the school and it’s believes, than it crosses the boundaries of the separation of church and state. But, if it’s the personal volition of the students cheerleading squad, than it could be viewed as religious freedom, if there is not a third party involved. For instance, if there is a chance created by the coach or an employee by the school, and not fully by the cheerleaders themselves, that would change the whole situation of the lawsuit.

I find this article very interesting, because its ongoing, and it gives us a very well view on how lawsuits are proceeded in the Texas Law System.