On May 8th 2010 Austin voters will come to the polls to choose the next Austin Independent School Board. The Austin School Board has a year of daunting challenges ahead, including whether to tax more in order to provide raises, working with a new superintendent, and facing school closure due to under performance at two Austin area schools. In the seat for south Austin District 6 incumbent Lori Moya is running against Glen P. Mayes. Lori Moya is a State Employee and has served on the Austin School Board for four years. Her website states the she strives to "be the voice for those who don't have one." Glen P. Mayes works as a Juvenile Corrections Officer, working with at risk youth in an after school program.
According to the Chronicle endorsements of the School Board Candidates Lori Moya is the safe and best bet for District Seat 6. And after what I’ve read and seen I have to say I agree. Over the last four years, Lori Moya has represented Austin citizens’ interest with careful balance and tact. Working for a non-profit dedicated to strengthening AISD public schools, Austin Voices for Education and Youth, I’ve seen her at school board meetings, community conversations, and other school events. Moya not only attends these events, but is actively engaged and listening to the community. On the Statesmen blog Homeroom, the two candidates were asked about some of the larger issues facing AISD. Moya’s answers were not as definitive as Mayes, not out of an attempt to squirm out of answering hard question, but rather to represent the truth and the complexities of the circumstances. On the other hand, Mayes’ answers told the reader what they wanted to here, with no real plans on how he would do it. In the School Board Endorsements, the Chronicle mockingly refers to Mayes as a security guard, a comment I initially found distasteful; although with closer inspection of Mayes candidacy flyer I’m starting to think he may have been asking for it. Mayes’ flyer contained three major grammar errors including spelling impact as impajt, a terrible run on sentence, as well as stating: Glen Mayes is Higher Education of Christian…University. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying good grammar is the most important quality in a candidate, but the man needs to know how a sentence works to be on the school board!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Not So Keen On Green
Rick Green took first place in the March primary election for the Texas Supreme court. However he did not earn over 50 percent of the vote and now faces a run-off against Debra Lehrmann, a Fort Worth state District Court judge on April 2nd.
During this election Green has constantly taken the easy way out, getting people to appeal to his ideals rather than his ability to preserve law. Electing a judge shouldn’t be about their ideals but how they practice upholding the law. Granted your ideals will influence that process. However before considering a judge based on his ideals, we must consider a judge’s experience, skills, and respect for the law. For example, James Brown and I might share similar ideals. But that doesn’t mean I think he would be a good judge. He doesn’t have the skills, back ground, or respect for the law, not much unlike our candidate Rick Green.
Rick Green has zero judicial experience and only a background in contract law. With a lack of experience for the job, Rick has turned to the only method he knows, preaching conservative values and the godliness of the constitution to the Texan choir. Rick Green’s video message title “the right experience at the right time” construes Green’s lack of experience as a lack of entanglement with big government. The first minute and a half of this video message was used to convince the viewer that Green had enough experience and having specifically judicial experience wasn’t important. If this wasn’t such a big deal why does it take up such a significant amount of his promotional video?
In addition, do we want someone on the Texas Supreme Court with a checked ethical past like Green? In 2001 Green was accused of using state office for personal benefit when he filmed a T.V. advertisement promoting the use of focus factor. During Green’s time in the House of Representatives, he lobbied the state parole board to release a man who conveniently was in debt $400,000 to Green's father’s company. Prosecutors also investigated his part in lobbying on behalf of a dietary supplement firm to the Department of Health. Green’s law firm represented the dietary supplement, Metabolife. Finally, to top of the list, in 2006 Green clocked the Texas Representative, who won his seat from him in 2002, in the face.
Green is not qualified to be a member of the Texas Supreme court nor does he have the moral repertoire necessary to ensure justice. To say the least, I won’t be voting Green this April Run-off Election.
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Source 3
During this election Green has constantly taken the easy way out, getting people to appeal to his ideals rather than his ability to preserve law. Electing a judge shouldn’t be about their ideals but how they practice upholding the law. Granted your ideals will influence that process. However before considering a judge based on his ideals, we must consider a judge’s experience, skills, and respect for the law. For example, James Brown and I might share similar ideals. But that doesn’t mean I think he would be a good judge. He doesn’t have the skills, back ground, or respect for the law, not much unlike our candidate Rick Green.
Rick Green has zero judicial experience and only a background in contract law. With a lack of experience for the job, Rick has turned to the only method he knows, preaching conservative values and the godliness of the constitution to the Texan choir. Rick Green’s video message title “the right experience at the right time” construes Green’s lack of experience as a lack of entanglement with big government. The first minute and a half of this video message was used to convince the viewer that Green had enough experience and having specifically judicial experience wasn’t important. If this wasn’t such a big deal why does it take up such a significant amount of his promotional video?
In addition, do we want someone on the Texas Supreme Court with a checked ethical past like Green? In 2001 Green was accused of using state office for personal benefit when he filmed a T.V. advertisement promoting the use of focus factor. During Green’s time in the House of Representatives, he lobbied the state parole board to release a man who conveniently was in debt $400,000 to Green's father’s company. Prosecutors also investigated his part in lobbying on behalf of a dietary supplement firm to the Department of Health. Green’s law firm represented the dietary supplement, Metabolife. Finally, to top of the list, in 2006 Green clocked the Texas Representative, who won his seat from him in 2002, in the face.
Green is not qualified to be a member of the Texas Supreme court nor does he have the moral repertoire necessary to ensure justice. To say the least, I won’t be voting Green this April Run-off Election.
Source 1
Source 2
Source 3
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Skinner's Reprieve
The Austin American Statesmen article “Death row inmate entitled to delay for DNA tests” written by the Statesmen Editorial Board reports on Rick Perry’s pending decision on whether or not to grant Henry Skinner a 30 day reprieve from his execution scheduled for 6:00pm March 24th. Skinner was convicted of killing, his girlfriend and her sons, at their home in Pampa. The Statesmen argues that the inconsistencies in the murder case call for additional DNA testing of certain objects. There are currently 7 untested pieces of evidence. In this article, the Statesmen tries to convince the reader that it is Rick Perry’s moral responsibility to grant this reprieve.
The author tries to appeal to a wide range of readers, from those against the death penalty to those who advocate it. The Statesmen did this by appealing to the commonly held opinion that one should only be punished only if guilty instead of attempting to argue that is capital punishment wrong. Regardless of peoples differing views on capital punishment, people can agree only the guilty deserve to be punished. The article argues that evidence collected after the trial could disprove Skinner’s conviction. It also mentions investigators avoiding DNA tests in the past because it wasn’t helping their case. This article plays on the reader’s emotions by telling a personal story about a man who died in jail wrongly accused. This example helps to connect a name and a face with the issue.
Ultimately Rick Perry faces an important decision that not only impacts Skinner but the entire Texas Criminal Justice System. Is it really justice when there’s a chance the state has killed an innocent man? This is a subject matter where there is no room for error. How are we to respect and comply to a government that cannot ensure its citizens their right to justice? I strongly agree with the authors of this articles that the reprieve should be granted.
FYI Today, March 24th, Not Rick Perry but the U.S. Supreme Court granted Skinner the reprieve. Although this does not ensure the DNA testing will happen, Skinner’s lawyers have a bit more time.
The author tries to appeal to a wide range of readers, from those against the death penalty to those who advocate it. The Statesmen did this by appealing to the commonly held opinion that one should only be punished only if guilty instead of attempting to argue that is capital punishment wrong. Regardless of peoples differing views on capital punishment, people can agree only the guilty deserve to be punished. The article argues that evidence collected after the trial could disprove Skinner’s conviction. It also mentions investigators avoiding DNA tests in the past because it wasn’t helping their case. This article plays on the reader’s emotions by telling a personal story about a man who died in jail wrongly accused. This example helps to connect a name and a face with the issue.
Ultimately Rick Perry faces an important decision that not only impacts Skinner but the entire Texas Criminal Justice System. Is it really justice when there’s a chance the state has killed an innocent man? This is a subject matter where there is no room for error. How are we to respect and comply to a government that cannot ensure its citizens their right to justice? I strongly agree with the authors of this articles that the reprieve should be granted.
FYI Today, March 24th, Not Rick Perry but the U.S. Supreme Court granted Skinner the reprieve. Although this does not ensure the DNA testing will happen, Skinner’s lawyers have a bit more time.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Rick the Hippo?
The Austin American Statesmen article “Is Governor Rick Perry a hypocrite?” written by State Representative Jim Dunnam argues Perry is more concerned with his political career than what will help Texas. Democratic State Representative Jim Dunnam represents Waco area and also is chairman of the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding.
This article is intended for all Texas voters. Dunnam’s argument is not partisan. Rather Dunnam describes Perry acting against party politics in secret. Dunnam gives several examples of Rick Perry publicly protesting the use of federal funds but accepting (over the next two years) $65 billion in federal money.
Dunnam claims Perry utilizes the “old Big Lie technique” constantly shouting he’s against Washington and big spending while living on the state’s tab. Dunnam argues that Perry’s denying of the Federal Stimulus unemployment funds and the “Race to the Top” Public Education funds, works against small businesses, the unemployed, and students. In sum the state budget has increased by $80 billion since Perry was governor.
I believe this is substantial information that must be considered. On the other hand, when reading commentary articles we must be careful. Someone for some reason is trying to sell us a certain point of view. Many of the facts given in this article seemed to be skewed. For example, I would have to do more research in order to know if 65 billion was actually a large amount of federal funding for a two-year period. In addition, it was hard, as a reader, to take great confidence in Dunnam’s word because his tone was negative and spiteful.
This article is intended for all Texas voters. Dunnam’s argument is not partisan. Rather Dunnam describes Perry acting against party politics in secret. Dunnam gives several examples of Rick Perry publicly protesting the use of federal funds but accepting (over the next two years) $65 billion in federal money.
Dunnam claims Perry utilizes the “old Big Lie technique” constantly shouting he’s against Washington and big spending while living on the state’s tab. Dunnam argues that Perry’s denying of the Federal Stimulus unemployment funds and the “Race to the Top” Public Education funds, works against small businesses, the unemployed, and students. In sum the state budget has increased by $80 billion since Perry was governor.
I believe this is substantial information that must be considered. On the other hand, when reading commentary articles we must be careful. Someone for some reason is trying to sell us a certain point of view. Many of the facts given in this article seemed to be skewed. For example, I would have to do more research in order to know if 65 billion was actually a large amount of federal funding for a two-year period. In addition, it was hard, as a reader, to take great confidence in Dunnam’s word because his tone was negative and spiteful.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Potential Energy Crisis in Austin?
Austin American Statesman Marty Toohey reports on Austin Energy’s green proposal in “Energy plan would put Austin among nation's greenest cities, but comes at a cost”. Next month the Austin City Council will vote on a proposal from Austin Energy to radically increase Austin's reliance on renewable energy. This initiative would make Austin become one of the greenest cities in the United States, but at a cost. Austin Energy estimates this proposal will increase energy bills by 20 percent over the next ten years.
Currently Austin receives the majority of its energy from a coal plant in Fayette County. Scientist reporting burning coal contributes to global warning and the Federal Government’s future plans to limit or tax carbon, both serve as catalyst to change our energy system. Right now only 11 percent of Austin’s energy comes from a renewable source. Austin Energy wants to increase Austin’s renewable energy usage to 35 percent by 2020. Although there were more affordable less dramatic proposals they did not get the same attention. Despite the proposal, Austin Energy officials report they will most likely have to increase rates anyway by 2012. A coalition of businesses and advocates for the poor say energy prices could rise up to 60 percent by the year 2020. Next Monday there is a forum held for the public to discuss this issue. Never the less this is an important issue that will affect all Austin citizens over the next decade. Please read the article attached above.
Currently Austin receives the majority of its energy from a coal plant in Fayette County. Scientist reporting burning coal contributes to global warning and the Federal Government’s future plans to limit or tax carbon, both serve as catalyst to change our energy system. Right now only 11 percent of Austin’s energy comes from a renewable source. Austin Energy wants to increase Austin’s renewable energy usage to 35 percent by 2020. Although there were more affordable less dramatic proposals they did not get the same attention. Despite the proposal, Austin Energy officials report they will most likely have to increase rates anyway by 2012. A coalition of businesses and advocates for the poor say energy prices could rise up to 60 percent by the year 2020. Next Monday there is a forum held for the public to discuss this issue. Never the less this is an important issue that will affect all Austin citizens over the next decade. Please read the article attached above.
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