Blog 8 Commentary

In Brandi’s Tx State Blog post “Texas and gun control,” it states the lack of regulation that Texas has for gun owners and gun control. The blog post starts by why there is such a low ranking in gun control laws and the increase in violence and criminal acts. The blogger’s opinion is made clear through out the whole blog post that gun control is really important for the state of Texas and for the citizens that affected by gun control laws. 

In the blog post, the blogger stated that an increasing amount of violence between the Texas and Mexican border is a great concern. I agree with that statement and would like to see local and state government start with a stricter gun control laws in that area to tame and control the violence and chaos.

I agree with the argument that people should be more educated and trained to own and handle guns. There should be strict age limit and requirements to buy a gun. The most recent controversial gun ownership legislation is having guns on campuses is mentioned at the end of the blog post. This ends the reader to think about the impact guns on campus would have after reading the blog commentary.  This last statement relates how gun safety and gun control is important to a college student if the legislation is passed and what future events would come out of it.

Overall, the blogger stays on topic and provides examples of lack of gun control that supports her opinion. 

The Six Withdrawal Rule Should Be Dropped

In 2007, the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1231 that limits first time undergraduate or transfer students from dropping six classes upon entering colleges and universities. To some dropping six classes is a lot but to others it is a hassle to make sure nothing goes wrong to prevent them from dropping a class. There is a way around to drop a class to classify a drop as an Academic withdrawals or a non-academic withdrawal.

Academic withdrawal is not petitioned or need approval to dismiss the drop against the limit. This counts as a drop on their six-drop limit. Non-academic withdrawal is a drop that goes beyond the students control like getting sick, work schedule and personal reasons like loss of a family member. The student must complete a written petition detailing the reason of the request and include supporting documentation and evidence before the drop can be dismissed.

Dropping a class within the first 12 days of the classes that have started for the semester will not be counted as a withdrawal. It is a problem for students who might not yet realized how the professor teaches, the full workload and grading scale for the class. If students go past the six-drop limit they are not allowed to drop the class and are stuck with the grade they get at the end of the semester. This forces students to fail more classes if they don’t do well the first time. Students get three tries to pass the class and after that they are forced to pay higher tuition. This forces students to possibly fail a class that they are stuck in which lead to lowering a GPA.  There are many questions that come up from this issue. What if students want to pursue a dual degree? What if students need a good GPA to enter graduate school but can’t because these drops affected their GPA?

When first entering college, I knew there was a drop limit and I thought I never would drop a class but life isn’t always perfect. I would be in a class and the first week seems to go ok and already having an idea that I would pass the class until I faced problems with the workload or issues with the professor. Now I have to make sure I can do the workload, research the professor, review my schedule and make sure my work will not conflict my schoolwork. It adds unneeded stress for me to make sure I can finish my degree on time. I would love to pursue a dual degree but I realize if I am unable to drop a class, what is the point of taking a risk to lower my GPA and waste more time and money to get credit? Does this prevent students to take on a degree that they are passionate about and stick with something easy and safe?

Paying for college isn’t easy and cheap and I don’t think the state government should decide what happens in my college experience and success to get my diploma. Life throws obstacles and things don’t turn out to be perfect. Students can plan and study as much as they can but sometimes no matter how hard you try the grade you get might not be the grade you want.

Commentary of Equal Pay Bill

In Texas Government Online Journal blog post called Governor Perry Vetoes Equal Pay Bill, it discusses the Equal Pay Bill and the reason why Governor Perry turn down the bill. The blog post is very organized. In the beginning of the blog post it goes by stating what the bill is, why would the bill important and what has happened to the bill. It flows from each paragraph and provides a good explanation for those who weren’t following the news or are new to the Equal Pay Bill’s existence. The blog’s author, CKernam’s opinion of what Governor Perry veto caused and what the Equal Pay Bill would have been important in the workplace. It shows that women have a firm and justified argument to have equal pay to their male coworkers by blog post. Overall, my personal opinion of this blog post is really good. I agree that women should have equal pay and with another bill it would have supported previous equal pay legislatures. 

Governor RIck Perry Not Seeking Re-election

Governor Rick Perry announced earlier this month that he would not be running for re-election for governorship. Perry will be ending the year of 2013 with a bang by: passing an anti-abortion law, dismissing the expansion of Medicaid and his obvious feelings of gays relating to the Boy Scouts decision of lifting the rule earlier this year. Perry had a good resume with a 30-year political career, being the longest elected Texas governor, and running as candidate in the presidential election of 2012.

The question that I have: will there be any change after a new governor is elected? Knowing very well that Republicans rule over the state and its political seats but do any Democratic candidate has a chance to win over the hearts of Texas? Talks of prospective governor candidates are: Attorney General Gregg Abbott, Tom Pauken and Larry Kilgore has been declared. As usual, the favorites or most talked about are Republicans. Seems that there will not be a variety of different party candidates in the future governor election. It is too early to tell but the odds are not in the favor of Democrats.

There needs to be a more refreshing and new approach to Texas state and local government. It seems like we are going nowhere, always taking a step back from progress. This election for a new governor seems to be a great start to hit refresh, instead of clicking back.

If people want change, they need to vote. Protests and rallies bring attention to politics but it is after the fact when the governor is already elected. Voters bring change for progress by numbers and casting ballots. 

We will not see the last of Rick Perry with speculation that he will return in 2016 for another chance to run in the presidential election. I am sure Rick Perry will take advantage of the time he still has left. 2013 is not over yet.