Blog 8

I commented on my colleague's Blog assignment 7 on The Death Penalty


Very Interesting topic. Now that i think about it, The United States should stop capital punishment. I do agree that the money that is spent on the death penalty should be used for something that will help our country be better. And you are right, being put in prison for life and not getting a chance at parole or any type of freedom, should be punishment enough. I do belief that it is not fair when innocent people get killed. Also, it is true that race has a big factor on the way the system gets rid of the prisoners. I hope that they look into abolishing the death penalty because their interests should be on more important things like getting innocent people their freedom and focusing on more issues like poverty, homelessness, the economy closed hands.

Blog 7

I came across an article in The New York Times about how 2020 Democrats Unapologetically Support Abortion Rights. The Democratic presidential field has come together as a whole around abortion rights. More involved tan any past nominees have ever proposed according to a New York Times survey.
All Candidates know that by doing something to change or make the abortion rights better, can get them more votes in their pockets. Each one of them would do as much as to try to revoke the Hyde Amendment the Helms Amendment and also removing funding restrictions that provide abortion referrals. Also, all of them say that they will nominate only judges who support abortion rights. Something that Democrats have ignored.
The 2020 candidates are trying to focus more on reproductive issues other than the same topics like health care to taxes. Jacqueline Ayers, vice president for government relations and public policy at Planned Parenthood breaks it down and says that the candidates are not just saying "They're pro-choice" when asked about abortion rights but "being more specific about how the rights of a women are under attack and how access to abortion is being undermined in this country." They want to do everything in their power if they have that power to protect them.
Most states passing near-total bans on abortion, and with the first Supreme Court majority could or might overturn Roe v. Wade which most of the public are strongly supportive of. These rights are very important for women to have.
Most importantly, These 2020 candidtates want to know if the public are on their side. Unlike Trump's Title X rules, which restrict family planning funding for organizations within the United States. Trump has a lot of white, working-class voters that are not in favor of abortion. If Trump gets re-elected, he might want to band many of the rights that we have. These candidtates better work very hard to convince and promise the public that supports them to make these changes. Or esle, we are doomed.

Blog 6

I commented on my Colleague's Blog 5 on the topic on Immigration 

Well said. Very strong statement. I do agree with everything. I am not in favor on how Trump is running this country on full hate and fear. I knew once he was pronounced President, I was like "oh boy" here we go. His campaign like you mentioned was only focused on Immigration and how to get basically everyone out of here. This country supposedly was built on Freedom, the land of opportunities and with the removal DACA it doesn't feel like it. Not everyone is a "hardened criminal" as Trump twitted earlier today. Do we really have hope for the future of our children? I really hope so.

Stage Five

The New York Times had a very interesting article about Warren's Education plan, and Why High-Stakes Testing Seems Here To Stay. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts proposes a plan for K-12 education which will help fund billions of dollars to impoverished children, aggressive efforts to promote racial integration, and sharp limits on federal support for charter schools.
This plan sounds so great. As a mother I want the best for my child, especially her education. Any funding to help schools in extra programs that will help these children get the best education, will give more of a motivation to our Teachers.
There has been a lot of speculation about Ms. Warren's proposal. The No Child Left Behind Act requires states to administer standardized math and reading tests in Grades 3 through 8 , and once in high school. This act later was modified by the Every Student Succeeds Act which was passed by congress in 2015. Many of the testing, is to see where the student falls in levels of  understanding the material and who is teaching it. To my understanding, these tests are also used to fund the schools or to eliminate the educator. I honestly did not know that. When I was growing up, we could not wait for testing week because that meant getting out early. No wonder the teachers were always acting funny. (They were nervous). I understand what Ms. Warren is trying to do. And that all teachers or schools should not be held accountable for the results that the student gets based on their knowledge. It is a good proposal.
Many of the ones against this plan really don't understand that this will help out many states and their school programs."Prohibit the use of standardized testing as a primary or significant factor in closing a school or firing a teacher."So far nothing will change in standardized testing according to her campaign. They have made that clear. I will agree with Ms. Warren and former President Obama is the time being spent taking these tests. I felt like our getting off early will never come. That should change.
No strains should be put on a child to take a test, to get separated into special classes because they couldn't understand the material better than another student. That is something Ms.Warren is trying to do. Give a fair chance to every child. Nothing should be different no matter what background you come from.

Critique Blog 4

The Statesman provided some interesting and very informative topics in the opinion section. I came across Sen. Kirk Watson's opinion about how Texas should continue investing in cancer research and prevention of saving lives.  What drew me to read Mr. Watson's opinion is that anything to help save lives it is a must.
Mr. Watson gave us a little bit of background from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas and what they do and how so far they have saved lives. In 2007 voters authorized 3 billion in bonds to fund the institute. That is a lot of money. It has led to an incredible research, and if it is doing really good that the mortality rate in Texas has dropped down 8% from 2011 to 2016 keep voting to help these Organizations, Research Institutions, Programs keep saving lives.

As said by Dr. Michael Pignone, "A big part of this effort also involves raising community awareness." and also to help people who are facing financial and access barriers that cannot get help, get help from programs that help with at least screenings and also smoking cessation and lung cancer-screenings.

A little background goes a long way to get you "The reader" to get involved and go out and vote. On November 5, Texans have the opportunity say "Yes" on Proposition 6 for another 3 billion. Without this, the institute's money will run out and like Mr. Watson says "They will lose momentum on researches, medicines and lives will not expand.

Cancer does not run in my family but they got my vote.

Critique an Editorial

I came across an opinion in one of the suggested sources USA Today on Why Trump is increasingly desperate to avoid an impeachment conviction and win in 2020 written by Opinion columnist, Michael J. Stern. His argument which I feel is more like a heads up, it's mostly directed to Trump supporters and future voters.


The argument here is that Mr. Stern is making sure that everyone will open their eyes and be very careful on how we see Trump before the next election. He gives the reader a little background on what's happening at this moment in America. Surely, he wants Trump impeached also.


 Mr. Stern gives good thought into what he is writing. Clearly, for Trump there is always something interesting to write about him. Obviously, the media is always focused on what he does and says wrong and there it is, News for the longest time. In this case everyone is focused on the whistleblower complaint.


 In Mr. Sterns opinion he gives a good summary of what is happening for the past few weeks. He gives links to the sources where he got his information and they are all accurate. He gives the reader a little background of Trumps legal exposure referring to the whistleblower complaint. He also gives the reader information of Trump's past crimes which he also gives links for us to get informed or reminded of what Trump has done in his past.


I was very convinced reading his opinion on this article. Very clear information Mr. Stern gave the reader. At first, I was not very informed on what was happening with Trump's situation. Mr. Stern broke it down for me and made very clear to me and I hope to other readers on what we're supposed to be focusing on.


I have never been a Trump supporter because of how he talks about people and about everything. I have always thought of him as a joke. Like a little kid that cries too much. With this information that I just read and that will keep reading, I surely have not change my mind. I definitely agree with everything that Mr. Stern wrote about.


Mr. Stern does bring up a big eye opener for his readers. He states that Trump needs the protection that comes with his reelection. Meaning, that Trump will not go down without a fight. Sure, because he cries too much.

Homelessness in California

Media Matters had an article about how "Fox News have been spending months demonizing homelessness in California. Now Trump wants a major crackdown." Written by Courtney Hagle. It has been reported that President Trump wants to force homeless people into government facilities because he has cited "the state growing crisis" as justification.
California is the number one state to have the highest concentrations in homelessness in the United States. Fox News has always had a big focus on California and have aired many segments on the topic which caught the attention of President Trump. The Washington Post reported that Trump "has ordered a big sweep on homelessness in California." They are considering destroying tent camps and getting all the people into a government-backed facilities.
The complaint here is that Fox News have been pairing this issue with indictments of Democratic elected officials, "socialist," "liberal" policies of the Democrats. Basically dehumanizing homeless people.
This article caught my eye because I am from California and Homelessness has been an issue for many years and nothing really has changed. Maybe it is good thing that Trump is consiring doing this. It might help decrease health risks and violence.


source: https://www.mediamatters.org/fox-news/fox-news-has-spent-months-demonizing-homelessness-california-now-trump-wants-major