Gun Control on School Campus

I have to strongly disagree! I'm against individuals carrying guns on campus. First, the nonsense will start by students carrying guns. For those students that are either anti-gun or not qualified to carry a gun will demand that they can carry some sort of alternative weapon for protection. What would that “alternative” weapon be for students? Some examples could be a butcher / hunting knife, a hammer, an ice pick, the list could go on for miles. I understand that nowadays individuals feel vulnerable and defenseless to unexpected tragedies. However, our schools are not battlefields. Therefore, each student has no reason to carry a weapon onto campus. I don’t want to question if the person next to me in class or walking down the hall is carrying a weapon. I feel that we should only let those properly trained carry a weapon (i.e. Campus Police, off-duty peace officer taking classes, etc.) versus the individual taught by their parent, sibling, relative, or friend over a weekend getaway. If everyone identifies school shootings as a reason to carry a weapon, should we allow all passengers via plane, train, or bus be allowed to bear arms as well?

Death Penalty -- Right or Wrong?

What crime would warrant the death penalty? Is the death penalty considered humane? These are just a couple of questions that our society asks? In my opinion, the death penalty is necessary and for some criminals it acts as a deterrent. Capital punishment is needed especially for those individuals who commit the most serious crimes. For those who are against the death penalty, what suggestions do you have to punish those who commit serious crimes? Currently, there are five methods of capital punishment in the United States: hanging, firing squad, lethal gas, electrocution, and lethal injection. The criminals of Texas can be thankful that our state only falls under one of these methods -- lethal injection.

In comparison to the other methods of capital punishment, I feel that we are giving the criminals the lesser form of death. According to Texas statute (Penal Code 19.03) here are a few crimes that merit the death penalty: murder of a peace officer or fireman in the line of duty; an individual who commits a murder in the course of kidnapping, robbery, or aggravated sexual assault; and an individual who murders a child under the age of six http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.005.00.000019.00.htm. There are more crimes listed, but I just named a few. At the moment, we have 9 women and 362 men currently on death row. Presently, Texas has executed 405 inmates since 1982. For those who say that capital punishment is not a deterrent, maybe Texas should consideration additional methods of executions that would possibly turn criminals away from committing these serious crimes. Given the history of Texas and for you criminals, don’t commit the crime because we will not hesitate.

College Students Allowed to Carry Guns to Class

I completely agree that allowing students to carrying guns to class is an outright foolish idea and would only create more problems. Who wants to entertain the thought that the person next to them might be carrying a weapon? Yes, in order to get your concealed handgun license you must pass a criminal background and the rigorous process. However, in every line of thinking, someone has always been known to slip through the cracks – there is always that “ONE”.

Schools are not battlefields; they are institutes of higher learning and we should keep them as such. In addition, weapons are not toys and they are not for fashion. In time (if a law like this passed), students have the potential to compare and possibly handle each others weapon to see has the better one. Not to mention, that one student who might be already having a bad day (who happens to be carrying a weapon in class) could be unstable at the moment and should not be carrying. Students do have the right to protect themselves, but not at the expense of others.

If students were allowed to carry weapons to class I could foresee an accidental discharge of the weapon, persons who may act or react on impulse to a situation, flaunting, comparing each others weapon, and much more. Students have various ways to protecting themselves and others. One way could be for all students to become aware of their surroundings – they should be observant to all that is around them and not have “tunnel vision”. Furthermore, students should report all unsafe findings to the proper personnel. The pre-list of protecting oneself could go on and on, but as I stated earlier it would be foolish to allow students to carry a weapon in class.

http://side-view.blogspot.com/2007/11/college-students-allowed-to-carry-guns.html

Public Assistance in Texas

Public assistance programs in Texas. As everyone may know, the United States is the land of the many opportunities. In other words, there are numerous programs out there crafted specifically for families in need. However, cleaver recipients of these particular programs have developed ways to manipulate the system by failing to record their accurate information. Therefore, allowing them to take full advantage of these programs for an extended period of time. Listed are several types of public assistance programs available in Texas. They include the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), food stamps, head start, Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program.

The way the system works is that if a person or family applying for these benefits meet the criteria to qualify (below poverty-level income), then they are entitled to receive the benefits for that particular program. Public assistance is designed to temporary assist persons or family members in need. The key word that people need to remember is temporary. It’s understandable that there will come a time in a persons life that they will stumble across a difficult path and will need help getting back on track. However, the government does not owe you anything and for those persons relying solely on these types of programs need to realize that it is unfair --- unfair to all tax payers. According to the website of Susan Combs (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts) more money goes into the category of public assistance payments then any other area --- $25.5 billions or 34.2% (year ending Aug. 31st, 2007) http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/expendlist/cashdrill.php?id=netexp
How much of this money is being distributed accurately to those in need? I feel that we need better guidelines and constant auditing to better grasp the misuse of these programs. If not, the ultimate consequence could be that we lose part or all of a particular program causing us not to help those actually in need.

Projected ACC campus in Round Rock

How many students would like to attend an Austin Community College campus located directly in the heart of Round Rock, Texas? Currently, ACC officials would like to build the largest campus in Williamson County (Round Rock) that would serve approximately 10,000 - 11,000 students (according to Christi Snow; Community Impact Newspaper; title: ACC in Round Rock). The plan for a new campus has been long overdue and I believe that this would be an enormous benefit to all students. The thought of possibly having a new campus in Round Rock is historical. Reason being, ACC has never purchased property outside of its district. To accommodate this facility, they are looking to purchase 60 acres located east in the Williamson County district. The land is available; however, the voters will make the final decision in May 2008. In order for the proposed structure to take place, a petition containing roughly 4,300 signatures must be signed. Keep in mind that these signatures only initiate the election process. In addition, “they must convince the community that the cheaper tuition rates and the promise of a campus would be a valuable exchange for a property tax increase.”
http://www.impactnewspaper.com/www/docs/260.1715 For homeowners, our property taxes will increase. Not to mention, the possibility of heavy traffic and the continued growth of commercial businesses. However, the student’s tuition savings would be significant. At the moment, the in-district tuition cost is at $54 per credit hour compared to the out-of-district cost of $125 per credit hour. There are a total of seven Austin Community College campus strategically located throughout the Austin area and nine ACC Centers.

Each year, the number of students attending Austin Community College continues to rise. Dr. Stephen Kinslow (ACC District President/CEO) says the following, “From the Round Rock area alone, the college has seen a 40 percent increase in enrollment the past four years.” http://www.austincc.edu/newsroom/news.php/2007/06/542 The building of the Austin Community College campus in Round Rock is necessary and has the potential to benefit many students (financially and demographically).

Let Teens Work at Polls

When it deals with Texas politics how involved is today’s youth? In our society, many may add that our youth is far from understanding and grasping the concept of how politics work. For those teens that are unclear on the political process, they should be informed and allowed to take more of a proactive stand. As a concerned parent and Texan, we must view our youth of today as tomorrow’s future and mold them into becoming educated citizens in our society.

One particular method that has been addressed is to allow our teenage Texans (ages 16 and 17 year olds) to work as election clerks at the polls. At the moment, “Thirty-nine states and the District of Columbia permit teenagers to work at polling places in some capacity.” Former Texas Secretary of State, Roger Williams, is for the idea of allowing our youth to participate in such a learning experience. However, "A Texas Senate-approved proposal allowing teenagers to work at polling stations died before reaching the House floor in this year's legislative session." The thought of being politically involved to some extent could be frightful to some students. An opportunity like this that allows teenagers to work at the polls would encourage our teens to speak up on political matters. In addition, it may encourage them to vote (when of age) for specific issues that they believe in. The numbers show that “In the 2004 presidential election, 42 percent of Texas voters ages 18 to 29 voted.”

Allowing teens to work at the polls would be a great way to drive our youth in the direction of political involvement. It would establish responsibility and it would keep them informed as to what is going on in their area.

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/region/legislature/stories/10/05/1005elections.html

Tolls now enforced on 183A -- Toll Roads

As many of us may have heard or seen, the Texas Department of Transportation has developed new toll roads throughout the state giving Texans more options for travel. The toll roads first opened its lanes (free of charge) to the public in March of this year. However, the cost of the toll fare was reduced to half price in June and the full price took effect as of July. The state’s purpose for the development of these new toll roads is to reduce traffic congestion, increase our safety, improve the air quality, and to expand economic opportunity.

One particular toll road that I would like to point out is the located near Lakeline Boulevard called toll road 183A. In one day, about 5,000 drivers have used this toll road without paying the necessary fees. Drivers who have used the toll road without paying on more than three occasions, will receive a “Notice of Toll Violation” in the mail. The cost of this violation comes with a $5 administrative fee. However, if you decide to get a TxTag they will waive the $5 administrative fee. In addition, habitual offenders could face a $250 fine and have their information referred to a collection agency. Part of the confusion to whether or not drivers need to pay, originates from the fact that drivers pay at one toll booth then a few blocks later they find themselves illegally passing through another toll booth. I believe that this article will prove to be helpful to all drivers who live or travel in this area.

Here is the link to this article: http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=192288