VyVy Ha: Homophobia is a Social Disease

    I commented on VyVy Ha's blog because I feel she is right that thinking homosexuality is wrong is no different than when it was socially acceptable to beat your wife.  That kind of ignorance needs to be stomped out at all cost.
    I completely agree with your argument that the government is overstepping its boundaries by denying same gender couples the right to marry. And the type of ignorance and discrimination that is homophobia is unbecoming and, for lack of a better term, just plain wrong in this day and age.  It's time that, not only Texas, nor America, but the world realizes that when it's all said and done, we are all human and the only way to grow as a race is to coexist and accept one another for who we are: gay, straight, white, black, Asian, hispanic, or whatever.

Gov. Rick Perry the Felon?

    On August 19 of this year, Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) was formally charged with two felony counts of abuse of power and coercion, as reported by Katie Couric of Yahoo News.  If found guilty, Gov. Perry could face up to 109 years imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
    Although I'm not a fan of Gov. Perry, even I think that's a bit excessive.  All he did was try to get a government official who was charged AND convicted of drunk driving, to resign.  I'm no politician, but even I know that if you do something that embarrassing, you should resign on your own accord without being asked.  After she refused, Perry decided to veto a $7.5 million bill that would fund her department.  Enter the criminal charges.  Although Gov. Perry might not have gone about it the right way, I honestly feel what he was trying to do was right.
    Some feel that he was trying to replace her with another republican to help in his favor, but that's to political for me so I'm staying out of it.

The Failure of Texas' Education System

    After reading my colleague's, Taylor Rao, blog entitled Failure of the Texas Education System I have to admit that I was quite intrigued by his topic proposal.  It made me reflect on my own educational history as well.  Looking back, I'm surprised anyone would call what I received an education.  All the corners that were cut, the grades that weren't deserved, everything.  Also, as a substitute teacher for Austin ISD, I see the same, if not worse, behavior going on today.  Teachers giving students passing grades when they scored a 5 on an exam.  That is NOT an exaggeration! This child scored 5 points on a test and the teacher gave them a 70!  I can also attest to the fact that when the government gave money to the national education system, at my Alma ma tar, instead of spending it on books and supplies, they built a brand new football stadium.

    In conclusion, Texas HAS failed in the education of its youth, and I for one will not tolerate it any longer.

How is Love Wrong?

    Imagine this: Two people lock eyes from across the room at a mutual friends party.  They approach each other and begin to converse.  After a brief, yet intense discussion, they realize that they have much in common.  They exchange contact info and agree to see each other again.  Over the next few months and a number of dates, they realize that they have grown rather fond of each other and begin to wonder if what they have has blossomed into love.  When they discuss these feelings with each other, they understand that what they feel is love and move in together.  After a year or so of going through the trials of living with one another, their love is still strong and they decide to move to the next step and get married.  They plan their big day, send out invitations, and pick the church to hold a ceremony.  The only thing left to do is to apply for a marriage license.  They head to the courthouse and file for a license to be recognized as a married couple in the state of Texas, only to find out that not only will the state of Texas not issue them a license, but it is also illegal for them to marry one another.  You may have guessed by now why, but just in case it's because Texas does not allow same sex couples to marry.
    Now why is it that, in this day and age, same sex marriage is still frowned upon?  And mainly by southern states no less?  One would think that, as time progressed and they saw that other states were changing and accepting others differences, these good ole boy states would follow suit and give in.  But for some odd reason, these southern states, Texas included, refuse to lift their ban on same sex marriage, despite it being taken to court several times.  Just this past February, a FEDERAL judge ruled that banning same sex marriage was unconstitutional, making it legal for same gender couples to marry in Texas, although not immediately because of an issued stay by the judge due to pending appeal.  An appeal which the state of Texas filed almost at once, and was denied by the 5th Circuit Court, which is a win for same gender activists, but the stay is still in effect which could lead to further appeals and eventually be taken to the Supreme Court.
    Even so, the ruling was monumental for couples in the state of Texas, but it leaves one to wonder:  Why is Texas so against same sex marriage anyway?  In my opinion, it's because they're beliefs are stuck in the past and they refuse to let go of the old ways.  It's a lot like the Jim Crow laws back during the Civil Rights Movement and same gender couples are the new "niggers" on the block.
     
     

Those Who Aren't Ready for Change

    I read a blog posted in the DallasNews.com's opinion section entitled "The Disgusting, racist anti-Miles flier going around at Dade Middle School in Dallas".  In the post, the author discusses how the new DISD superintendent, Mike Miles, is receiving rather harsh scrutinies from students and staff alike via hateful fliers deeming him a self hating African-American.  Rudolf Bush, the author of the blog, gives his argument that the slanderous fliers are highly uncalled for. He states that the changes Miles is making are for the best in bettering Dallas schools, "especially in areas of poverty".
    I, for one, have to agree with Bush.  Having been educated in both the Dallas and Arlington school districts in north Texas, I can honestly say that reform is needed and starting with the poverty stricken schools was the right call.  The fact that this was turned into a racial issue means that the real problem is not being addressed, and I feel the parents of the Dallas ISD should read this passage to get their priorities straightened.

Was it good enough?

    On Sept. 18, 2014 the Star-Telegram posted an editorial story entitled "State Board Takes Defiant Stand on National AP Test."  In a nutshell, the author described how the Texas Board of Education opposed the end of term AP test, or advanced placement, because it was "taught with an anti-American bias" and only focused on the worst parts of American history.  Although my views differ from their opinion, I will say their argument was well delivered.

    I'm sure it was meant for the ultra-conservitive Republicans of Texas that we all love, but they gave a rather compelling argument that would sway even the most liberal, bleeding-heart Democrat in the nation.  Of course, the main reason this caught my attention was their disbelief of the lack of resistance from the national government, whom essentially rolled over and let Texas have their way, almost like a severly spoiled child.  But that's none of my business.

    All in all, I feel the article was well written and the author conveyed their message effectivly. 

The Texas' GOP opposition to "Critical Thinking" and its support of corporal punishment

   On July 1, 2012, Megan Malloy, a writer for Mic.com, wrote an article on the Texas Republicans 2012 platform.  In the article, she pointed out the the Texas GOP's education reform which would remove any curriculum that wasn't "American". It also called for the reinstatement of corporal punishment, which is the policy that allows teachers to use physical discipline in the classroom.
   Now, I personally believe that to be two of the most asinine proposals in human history, but that's my opinion. If anyone other than myself or my child's mother were to lay hands on my child, I guarantee that I would be in custody the very next day.  As for the education reform, condoning this would only prove to the rest of the country how close minded Texas has become, and I for one won't stand for it.