Zaffirini Throws a Lifeline

In the article “Zaffirini Throws a Lifeline,”written on March 17, 2011 from the Texas Monthly, Nate Blakeslee talks about Senator Jane Nelson and her fight for programs that fund HIV medication for citizens of Texas. Nelson, a committee member of Medicaid, believes this is too much of a passionate subject for her to vote against its funding. Many of her recommendations were moved into the full Finance committee that she did not to get to hear the final choice about the budget cuts. 

Blakeslee’s intended audience primary is focused on the older, and more informed generation of people who read into politics in Texas. Health care issues are one of the most important issues that are going on in Texas right now and especially with many budget cuts from the state, it is important for the audience to understand what is happening. Not only does this focus on politics readers, it also concerns the Texas citizens that rely on Medicaid or need health support because they are the ones that will be affected. As the younger generation is expanding, it is important to keep them safe with the HIV medication in case something does happen.

The author, Nate Blakeslee, uses logical and emotional appeals through his writing to influence his readers. Because there is a person fighting and looking out for citizens of Texas, more readers may also feel passionate about this subject. Blakeslee quotes Senator Nelson by adding the quote, “’I considered voting ‘yes’ to move the process along, but I couldn’t do it. I feel too passionately about these issues. And there were people who told me if you vote “no” you can’t get on the conference committee. That’s not a factor. I have to do my best work.’” This quote shows that there are still people who actually fight for the rights of citizens.

Overall I agree with the author is conveying the Senator as a citizen-focused representative. With increased numbers of HIV and other diseases, it is crucial to have a proper funding for citizens in case of danger.

Austin Communities Can Help Shape Schools' Future

Mark Williams, a member of the AISD Board of Trustees, recently wrote a commentary article on February 24, 2011 about the schools in Austin facing budget cuts from the state government. The government is trying to find ways to optimize use of campuses and ultimately reduce spending to ease the budget deficit in Texas. In his article, "Willliams: The Austin community can help shape schools' future," he address the idea that Austinites still have an opportunity to have a say on public educational funding since public education is based on the taxes of Texas citizens. With the possibility of school closures, school staff members, families, and students will be tremendously affected in the future. He writes, the AISD school district could “face an annual budget shortfall ranging from $79 million to more than $170 million.”

Williams uses logical and emotional appeals to encourage the people of the Austin community to come to the Community Dialogue meetings and give in their input since the outcomes will ultimately affect them the most. This way, school districts will be able to interact with the community and ultimately make their decisions on the public education budget. The Board has “an obligation to inform (and provide assistance to) those affected as soon as possible.” Williams promises as a member of the Board of Trustees, he and other members are “committed in preparing our community's young people for college, careers and life.” From this statement, we can trust that Williams and the Board of Trustees are doing their best to bring the future of communities in Texas back on track.

Overall, I agree with Williams’ standpoint on this issue of public input on education. Because public education in Texas is based on tax dollars from citizens, we have to be more involved in order to benefit from our investments. I believe that citizens can really make a difference since our votes matter more locally over nationally. If we are able to solve local issues, there is a possibility that we can slowly solve statewide issues.  Education will surely be a big part of Texas and the citizens that live here in the future.

Abortion Bill Reveals Split Among Texas Senate Democrats

In the article from Feburary 10, 2011, "For Texas Senate Dems, Abortion Bill Reveals Split" by Julian Aguilar from The Texas Tribune, the future of abortion in Texas is in debate.  The abortion bill that is being reviewed now mandates that a doctor perform a sonogram 24 hours before the procedure. In addition to the sonogram, the doctor must play the audio of the heartbeat and show the woman the images of the fetus. The woman will have a chance to deny listening to the audio or look at the images but she must hear a description of the fetus. With these extra services, it might help the woman change her mind on the procedure. In this article, senators express their reasons on why they are pro-life or pro-choice. Senators who are pro-life explain that they were raised under the Catholic religion that ultimately influenced their view on this issue. In their Catholic view, abortion would just be another form of murder, killing the potential life the baby could have in the future. In contrast to the pro-life supporters, the pro-choice senators focus on the rights of women and that the government should not interfere with it. The pro-choice supporters believe that it would ultimately be the woman's right to decide after evaluation of her options.

I think this article is worth reading because this is one of the most debated issues at the state and national level involving a person's rights and the government's authority. This issue is very subtle that it cannot be decided in total favor of pro-life or pro-choice. As the debate go on, more details will be revealed on the abortion issue.