Re:New Texas Immigration Law Proposed

            Miss Avila makes good point on the new immigration law that has been proposed . I agree with her opinions. As matter of fact, I supplement her argument. To me, this is a form of slavery. First they induce fear of deportation. Second, they limit their rights and benefits. And now  this bill regulates the types of jobs they may do. Most of these jobs, are jobs that no one likes to do. They are harsh and poorly paid.
            Most immigrants migrate into United States for a better life. To keep warm food on the dinner table and to see their children grow in safe environment. With such limitations on the jobs immigrants may acquire, we take what we are offered. Work long harsh hours, poor pay, no benefits. That exploitation! Prove me wrong... if you can on that one.

            I was lucky enough to be born on this side of the Rio Grande. I give my parents and God a thank you for that. I take advantage of be a citizen by constantly trying to progress in school, in work and in life in general. One single documentation allows me to do that. If it wasn't for that single piece of paper, I would carry the same footstep as my parents. Working in construction, kneeled down all day with a hammer and nails in hand all day. That ridiculous!

Vicodin is one hell of a drug!

Travis County officials have sounded a public alarm on the dangers of overdose on prescribed drugs.  In the previous years, the number of deaths on controlled substances have been higher than those of illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Texas has very strict laws and regulations on drugs, Period. Regardless if it is an illegal or pharmaceuticals substance . Working in a pharmacy you see all sorts of people and situations. There are those who really need their medications. There are those who abuse their medications. And there is also those simply get the medication on Medicaid, then obviously resell them to the public. I say obviously, because it is quite obvious when they come through the drive through every so often in their brand new 2011 Cadillac Escalade to pick up their narcotics. Pharmacist are often sued or get their license revoked for not catching onto potential overdose on a medication. However, I can say sometimes those potential overdoses are not visible.  Patients who want to abuse their medication will do so and will find a way to their supply theri addiction. Computer systems are used in pharmacies, which will alert when it is "too soon" to refill a medication, and will not allow that pharmacy to do so. Unfortunately there is plenty of loopholes around that.  The computer programs are only linked within the company, and not across the nation. One can see one doctor today and get their prescription filled at X's pharmacy. The next day the same person can go the next day to another doctor, then get his prescription filled at Y's pharmacy. Since these computer programs are not linked, it is impossible to see potential abuse, overdose or drug interaction. Perhaps the local government should create not just laws and regulations but also a system to regulates and logs the number of prescriptions received per person. In the end, I personally believe there isn't much we can do to avoid overdose. Simply inform the public of the dangers on abusing medication. If a Vicodin addict wishes to take 4 pills at once, when he was clearly instructed to only use 2 at time, he will do so. If someone is careless and doesn't read the label on a Motrin bottle stating not to use the medication along with alcohol, then that is his issue.

Re:Paying Criminals for their Crimes

Erika De Los Santos gives a great description on The Youth commission as she argues its irony. The irony in here is that thousands of civilian are losing their jobs, while young criminal minded folks sleep, eat, dress and exercise with taxpayers money. Not only just that, but they also hold jobs for which they get paid with taxpayers money. Best of all, these monetary gains are tax exempt for them. Perhaps, I should be incarcerated too. The money I would save on food, clothing, bills, transportation and the nifty bank account I could build up. I agree with my colleague, "If the point of this program is to rehabilitate youths and bring them back into society, then why have they started crippling them with special privileges." I would suggest that Erika emphasized on this portion with some sort of emotional attachment in order to engage the reader.

"Mother used to always tell me not to touch the iron. One day I was able to reach it. I will never touch it again. We must burn our hand in order to learn. And these young criminals will never feel the burn if we continue placing handicaps for them.

Other than that, I like what I've read. I look forward to reading the next original editorial

Beer runs

Local government and its laws affect our everyday life more then we acknowledge. We don't question its authority nor know exactly why such law has been placed. Some laws have obvious reasons, others don't. Most of us find ridiculous how an American citizen has the right to vote, and or join the armed forces of this country, yet he may not purchase alcohol at his nearest liquor store. What are these age restriction based on? Are they there just because legislators can place such restrictions there? I agree with DWIs being enforced, and they should continue to be strictly enforced to avoid accidents and save lives. However, the policy on open bottle container is absurd. One can received a citation for simply transporting an alcoholic beverage simply because the seal is broken, Under the Texas Penal Code Section 49.031, even if you have not quenched from it. Absurd, completely absurd! Staying on the alcohol subject, it is insane how the legislation of Texas says when and when not you may purchase alcohol. Laws of this sort vary upon states. So why and on what does Texas base its hours and days of which liquor and beer can be purchased? Last night I wished such law didn't exist because we definitely could have used two more kegs. Our laws on alcoholic beverage should be more like Louisiana's I personally believe. Twenty-four-seven, three-hundred and sixty five days of the year to purchase alcohol.

Monochromatics

                Eileen Smith's commentary "The Amazing Technicolor Dream Vote," catches my attention since it refers to Hispanics. An ethnicity which I belong to. The SB14 is a proposition that would require voters to present some sort of identification issued by the state before voting.  After realizing that this Voter ID Bill is supported by Hispanic Republicans, I myself asked the same question as Eileen. "Why would Hispanics support a bill that could negatively impact voting by, well, Hispanics?" An explanation to that I do not have, but I can see why Republican would support this bill. Statistic show that the Hispanic population is increasing rapidly. By nature  Hispanics tend to favor the democratic party and I can see that as a threat to Republicans.  however, by law one must be a American citizen to vote. That law cuts the Hispanics eligibility to vote by a great percentage. This voter ID bill might then not make a huge difference in Hispanic voting participation.  What it may bring to a stop is the  fraud in voting, when the a vote of an elder who has deceased is used.

                Now, when Ms. Smith says that she "feels uniquely qualified to comment on this [subject]," because she has married into a Hispanic family, is completely disagreeable . Hispanic culture, tradition and beliefs begin to disintegrate from generation to generation. Even the Spanish language is lost from one generation to the other.  Perhaps that is the reason why her in-laws are Republicans. She has all the right to comment on this subject, just her justification to do so is not acceptable.

Gas prices and BS

Fox 7 News published an article on February 25th, after seeing gas prices increase up to ten cents a gallon. It is claimed that the event occurring in the Middle East is the biggest factor affecting gas prices. Now, I personally think that is a bunch of BS. The article says that "Our major oil supplier is us. After the United States, our next big oil supplier is Canada, then Mexico, Venezuela and Saudi Arabia." Therefore I do not comprehend why gas prices are increasing so rapidly, if we supply our own selves or import from other American countries before we import Middles Eastern petroleum. On the Tax foundation website, it shows that there is twenty cent tax for every gallon of gasoline. Now, the consumer will not discontinue pumping gas, we must commute from one place to another. Transportation is a must. However, the government does not benefit on price increase since the tax is set by the gallon, not by percentage of price on the gallon. In fact it may get hurt. Consumers will keep driving to a minimal. Business will decrease, specially the delivery industry. Where the government would benefit is by ruling the oil industry in the Middle East. Every time oil prices go up there is an issue in the middle east. And every time there is an issue in the middle East, the U.S wants to intervene.  The article says,  "the US may have to step in.... [since] Iran is perfectly capable of taking over the entire region, politically, culturally maybe even militarily in America's absence." I'm sure Iran I capable of doing such thing, but where do we get the idea that they want to do that in the first place? Perhaps it is us, the U.S that would like to prevail in the Middle East. Gas prices and politics is a bunch of BS, just like this article. The untitled author has no credibility for trying to influence our minds, that Iran will attempt to dominate in the middle east and that the U.S should step in and stop them, so we will not suffer of higher gas prices.

Their savings. Our burden

The Austin Chronicle released an article regarding Austin's Independent School District and its plans to save a few dollars. Most often, schools look at extracurricular activities they can cut or reduce when it is unnecessary and a expense to the district. The Superintendent Meria Carstarphen, however has looked into the staff to reduce its expense. Just how many staff members has she looked into? "Superintendent Meria Carstarphen will ask the trustees to cut 1,1017 jobs." That is a lot of jobless people who will soon roam the streets. Why is it important? Sure, it is projected to save the district $53.6 million dollars. However, that is now 1,1017 people added to the unemployment rate. That is now 1,1017 checks being distributed by the Texas Workforce that are funded by us, the taxpayer. This is not good for Austin. This is it not good for Texas. This is not good for those who will be jobless. The superintendent needs to find an alternative to cutting cost