U GO GURL

In Ally’s article, she describes Proposition 8, a ballot proposition and constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections. This added a new provision which provides that “only marriage between a man and woman is valid or recognized in California. Also, she states that supporters of Proposition 8 are now fighting against an injunction passed by U.S. Chief Judge Vaughn Walker, a measure that banned the enforcement of this Proposition.

Based on her blog post, it’s obvious that she’s for same sex marriage, as she regards measures such as Proposition 8 as “unfair and unjust...preventing love, the basis of marriage, from prevailing.” Although, I would’ve liked a little more information on the court proceedings with African-American judges regarding civil rights, and the anti-immigration laws in Arizona.

I feel she makes a legitimate point though, that we have no right “to judge what we can not possibly know” Although Judge Vaughn Walker issued the injunction banning the proposition, it’s impossible to know whether his sexual orientation had an effect in his decision making. I feel, everyone who has had a personal experience (meaning everyone) will have a certain point of view on an issue. I mean seriously, it’s inevitable. You grow up, you experience the world, you form your morals and values, and you acquire your views, biases, and stereotypes. The people who make these decisions are in their position because they have earned it.

HIDE N SEEK CHAMP, 2001-2011

On May 2nd, Obama announced the death of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden. Near the White House in Washington and ground zero in New York, celebrations erupted following these reports. The point of my (very late) blog is that: Is it wrong to celebrate bin Laden's death?

Martin Luther King Jr. said "I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."

In an article on CNN.com, many religious leaders of different faiths remark that no one should be rejoicing in the death of a person, even a hated enemy. Now, while the man who created the al-Qaida terrorist network that killed 3,000 people in the attacks of 9/11 is dead, I feel people are confusing the difference between celebrating the fact that justice has been done, and celebrating death itself. The two sentiments should be kept apart.

America felt feelings of disgust when they witnessed the people in celebration of the deaths of 9/11, yet we take to the streets chanting "USA! USA!" Is this not nearly the same reaction? I'm glad that he's been found (in his $1 million "mansion"), and although this may not bring complete closure to the families who were affected, at least it gives them some peace.

Update: Actually, just found out that my quote from Martin Luther King Jr. was made up. You get the point though, I'd say it's an applicable quote, no matter who might've made it up.

Preach on, sista

In her article (which she describes as whining, but I label as brilliance), Mallorie R. describes her problem with government assistance. While you can definitely sense her irritation, she cleverly composes her commentary on the "fashionably tasteless person that looks like they've spent more money on their outfit than their childrens, pay for groceries using government assistance and then use their own money to buy alcohol." I completely agree with her, but if I were to verbalize my point of view, there would be a great deal of racially stereotypical comments.

She continues to describe her difficulty in filing for unemployment, which I feel is a situation which justified government assistance as a stepping stone in the transition back to a civilian. I have a family member receiving government assistance, and definitely would have an earful to tell her if she took blatant advantage of a system designed to better your well-being. I've seen people receiving the same assistance, who either have a pathetic job or none at all, and use this aid to fund their bad habits. Congrats! Get assistance in groceries, so you can spend money on booze and weed, while you live in income based housing, and raise kids who are likely to end up in the same situation as you. Way to have some purpose in life. (I couldn't stop myself, there's my short rant on the subject.)

Mallorie also provides some solutions to help determine if those receiving assistance are even attempting to better themselves, such as drug testing and oversight of those in this programs.

This article has flow. It explains her argument, provides her own experience, and proposes some solutions. Not much to critique, I think she did an excellent job.

mo money, mo problems

A risky health idea proposed by Obama could mean better care and savings all around, or just stick medical providers with additional costs if the experiment fails. I agree with Linda Fishman, a policy expert for the American Hospital Association, who gives credit to the administration for trying to accommodate a broad range of providers.

The $960 million that Medicare could save is nothing compared to the $550 billion per year spent on health care, but hey, $960 million is a hell of a lot. This plan which involves accountable care organizations, which are networks of hospitals, doctors, rehabilitation centers and other providers, calls them to work together to eliminate wasteful expenses.

I really do applaud the Obama administration in its effort to decrease the amount spent on health care, and to make an effort to save money for those insured. Although coordination between different providers and the possibility of hospital and doctor networks attempting to fix prices are some serious issues, it's possible to keep that in check and make a positive change.

Obama health idea could mean better care, savings By Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar

blatant corruption

In an article written by Pat Garofalo, titled "Subprime Schools Throw Fundraiser For Rep. Kline After He Blocks Funding For Proposed Regulation," it's been documented that for-profit colleges have taken a huge advantage of the system. Making the majority of their revenue from the federal government, they use all of their money to fatten the wallets of the CEOs owning the company, while leaving their students with crippling debt.

Garofalo pulls credibility from sources such as NewAmerica.net, a nonprofit institute dedicated to addressing the problems of the next generation of challenges facing the United States. Simply addressed to all those with open ears, "The Political Action Committee connected to the group formerly known as the Career College Association hosted a dinner reception for Rep. John Kline."

Claiming blatant abuse of the system, the author backs himself up with articles about the matter of for-profit schools leaving their once proud students with terrible debt, while not only making 90 percent of their revenue from federal government, but having the balls to post profit margins of only a mere 30 percent. Then they go ahead and double-whammy it with bleak job prospects, Garofalo makes a logically sound article with the resources to back it up.

I like his approach, and actually hope I can take some experience out analyzing his blog. These CEOs are stuffing their own wallets and leaving their students in a horrible situation. It’s a ridiculously unfair thing to do and that’s when I hope karma comes back around sometime soon.

A Call to the Community

In an effort to gain support from the community, Mark Williams, a resident and member of the Austin ISD Board of Trustees, writes an article for the opinion section of the Austin American Statesman titled “The Austin community can help shape schools’ future.” With the state’s cut to public education in both House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1 being over $9 billion, the Austin school district’s Board of Trustees face the crisis of deciding how to allocate that reduction in funding. The issue in allocating the reduction of public education funding is in whether the state distributes the cuts across-the-board, or to distribute cuts more heavily to districts that are more property wealthy or with a higher target revenue. Superintendent Meria Carstarphen has already raised discussions about staff reductions of more than 1,000 positions held by those devoted to the education of Austin’s children, and other conversations have been raised about underutilized campuses and optimization of these as well as reduced spending. A decision of this magnitude put life-changing decisions in the hands of the Trustees, as district employees face losing their jobs, and children and their parents face losing their schools. Being both a resident of Austin and a member of AISD’s Board of Trustees gives him the credibility needed to call on the community to “give its best advice, guidance, and support” to help shape the future of it’s district. I applaud the way in which the trustees are looking towards the diverse and passionate Austin community to voice their opinions and support towards making thoughtful decisions to cause the least harm to the fewest, a “help us, help you” approach. Although there is a great chance of the unemployment of current teachers, it seems that the Board of Trustees is doing their best in order to hurt the fewest amount of people. This decision will be affecting the collective community over the next few years, and it only makes sense that those willing -- parents, families, students, employees, and any other members of the community -- are able to provide their support.

Sup Egypt?

In an article in the Austin American Statesman titled Tweets, cheers, fireworks: The world praises Egypt, by Raphael G. Satter, U.S. and European officials saluted the demonstrators in Cairo for their efforts in achieving freedom from President Hosni Mubarak. Starting as a peaceful protest, things quickly escalated. Rapidly moving events eventually cause the military to try and defuse popular outrage by promising reforms, but thousands still marched on presidential palaces and the state TV building, key symbols of the authoritarian regime. As things escalate farther, two protestors are killed, and crowds set a police station on fire. The army evacuates the local governor and Mubarak flies to his isolated place in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. The Vice president announces that Mubarak will resign and turn over power to the military and fireworks burst over Tahrir Square and Egypt explodes with joy and tears of relief.

I thought this would be an interesting read for those who don’t necessarily keep up with current events. This shows the power of peoples’ wills and their collective power.  As Eugene Rogan, the director of the Middle East Center at St. Antony's College in Oxford said, “This is the popular demonstration that proves any leader can be toppled,"