Examination: The Sonogram Bill Article

Christina Nguyen, a student in Texas Government at Austin Community College has written an article regarding the new House Bill 15, which states that a woman is required to have a sonogram and discussion with a licensed physician about her unborn fetus before having her abortion. After thoroughly evaluating her views on Bill 15, it is exceedingly obvious that she is against this new bill. She begins her argument by describing the emotional impact this requirement has on the pregnant women, stating “What if they choose not to involve with the interactions of perceiving the fetus’ beating heart and moving limbs?” She indicates that by forcing a woman to fulfill the constraint of a sonogram, she is obliged to learn more about the growing fetus inside of her. As a result, she may become more attached, thus making the decision to get an abortion more difficult.

Furthermore, she describes the idea that a woman may be protecting the unborn child from hardships such as poverty by having an abortion. “The main purpose of the abortion process is to prevent a life to evolve, and if there’s a possibility of an unstable environment, the child will suffer.” Yet, a woman may second guess providing this protection if she must see a visual picture of the fetus inside of her.

However, although she does explain the negative emotional impact of this bill, she fails to incorporate the legal violations it imposes. For example, this bill violates an aspect of a person’s first amendment right. By forcing a doctor to explain details of the woman’s fetus, when he might not otherwise chose to do so, the doctor is not being given his/her full rights of freedom of speech.

Additionally, she fails to express the infringement of a woman’s fourth amendment, which is unreasonable search and seizure.  In forcing women to have a doctor examine her and her fetus in an invasive manner through using a sonogram, than she would have otherwise chosen, could be construed as an unreasonable search.

Thus, Christina Nguyen does enlighten the readers in her article “Sonogram Required for Abortion” of the negative aspects of this new sonogram bill due to the emotional stress it causes for the pregnant women. However, she fails to fully develop the legal aspects of the argument against this bill. Had she added the violation of the first and fourth amendment I believe her article could have been more convincing, hence making a more substantial impact on all her readers, including myself.

How Harmful Are These Budget Cuts Going To Be?

The Texas Legislature ultimately voted in favor of the proposal to reduce the budget allotted for public education in Texas. After initially being passed by the House, the Senate failed to agree with the proposal, forcing the House to alter certain aspects of the budget cuts. The revised proposal eventually passed during the special session, finalizing the educational cuts.  

The fact that this idea was passed astonishes me, because of the potential negative impact it will have among students and teachers alike. The approved budget bill is said to cut four billion dollars from public schools, which is an astronomical percentage of the total.  In order to make up for these cuts Texas school districts are having to lay off hundreds of teachers and reduce funding for many extracurricular programs and activities that enhance a child’s educational experience, such as the fine arts programs.  In addition to teachers, many other school employees are being laid off as well. For example, at the schools in my neighborhood the counseling secretaries and lunch ladies are being told they can volunteer for these positions, but will no longer get paid. Though these jobs appear to be small in comparison to a principle or science teacher they are the ones to complete the tasks that allow for the Texas public schools to run smoothly. In addition, to the job reduction, these budget cuts are expected to reduce school supplies used in the classrooms.

 Although, many support these cuts because it saves them from having to pay higher taxes, many predict that local school districts will in fact still need to raise taxes to offset these drastic cuts. Therefore, the result will still be the same that many were trying to initially avoid. I dread seeing what the impact of these budget cuts will have on the students and parents of Texas. 

Zahira Torres Makes Her Mark On Abortion

“The state is violating the First Amendment rights of the doctors and patients”, states Zahira Torres, author of this political blog discussing the recent suit filed against the new pre-abortion sonogram law. After viewing Torres’ blog it is apparent that she is writing to express the strong views and reasoning of the abortion –rights advocacy group who has filed suit against the Texas law. She addresses how this law appears to violate the rights of the women by subjecting them to unwanted information about their bodies.

Not only does Zahira Torres write her blog Texas Capitol Report, she has been a writer for the El Paso times since 1999. After researching Zahira Torres, I found that she received a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Texas at El Paso, indicating that she does indeed have a thorough background in Texas politics. Thus, once evaluating her work, and even more importantly, her experience I have confidence in stating that she is a credible writer and has the knowledge to take a stance and then inform her readers of this issue.

Torres supports her argument using specific quotes from the people directly involved in the abortion suit, which allows the readers to experience the argument first hand. For example, she explains the opinion of the President of the Center for Reproductive Rights, Nancy Northrup, that this law “discriminates against women by subjecting them to paternalistic protections not imposed on men”, expressing her view that this law indeed violates women. Furthermore, she discusses the potential outcome of the law by stating it “could help deter abortions by providing women with full disclosure.” Therefore, Torres’ use of examples to  intentionally convey the multiple negatives of the law, while still managing to incorporate the results of the law if it were to continue in Texas, makes her argument very clear and understandable.

Make It A Mission To Help Students Succeed: Strong Claim made by David Brooks

“Tests are not the end. They are the lever to begin the process of change. They are one way of measuring change.”, comments David Brooks, the author of an article discussing the controversial issue of public school reform, and more specifically, testing requirements within the classroom. Based on Brooks’ statements, it is evident that he is writing to address those advocating for test elimination, such as educational historian, Diane Ravitch, who believes that schools that emphasize test-taking “ease out the kids who might bring the average scores down.” He addresses how these views are understandable, yet inaccurate, because they fail to mention the success stories that have come from test-taking.

David Brooks has not only a written for the New York Times for over seven years but worked for The Wall Street Journal nine years before that. After researching Brooks I also found that in addition to being a notable newspaper writer, he is the author of two published books (Bobos In Paradise: The New Upper Class and How They Got There and On Paradise Drive: How We Live Now in the Future Tense) as well as the editor of an anthology. Thus, after evaluating his work and experience I have confidence in stating that he is a credible writer and has the knowledge to assert such an argument.

Brooks develops his argument using factual evidence, which in turn proves Ravitch wrong on many of her noted assertions that had earlier been mentioned. He claims that the schools that are successful have not eliminated tests but instead have developed a distinct mission for their schools to follow. For example, he describes KIPP academics and the Harlem Success schools that continue to emphasize testing but have also incorporated various other curriculum that encourage students to participate in activities that require for them to think outside the box. Furthermore, he continues his argument by indicating the positive attributes of reform such as the willingness to promote spiritual fervor and character. This is proven by the constructive changes occurring in the rebuilding of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. “Since 2007, the New Orleans schools have doubled the percentage of students scoring at basic competence levels or above.” Lastly, Brooks concludes his article by reasserting his argument in stating “If your school teaches to the test, it’s not the test’s fault. It’s the leader of your school.” This deliberately proves Ravitch wrong and leaves the readers understanding the necessity of test-taking. Thus, Brooks uses credible research and assertive claims to persuasively convey the need for rejuvenation within the schools without eliminating test-tasking procedures.

Obama Gives Texas Disaster Declaration

Citizens of Texas ranging from the East to the West have been affected by the lack of rain and high temperatures we have currently been experiencing. For many this impact has been as small as a burn ban preventing fireworks on the Fourth of July. However, for some this drought has caused disastrous wildfires that have destroyed their homes and the communities they live in.

The KXAN news reporter describes that on Friday July 1^st, President Obama declared Texas a state of disaster, ordering funding to help aid the recovery efforts among those affected so severely.  This declaration enables governments in numerous counties to seek help in debris removal and emergency measures. In addition, The U.S. Department of Agriculture is allowing farmers in Texas to apply for low-interest emergency loans; which is expected to create some relief for those who have lost as much as entire crops because of the droughts and wildfires.

While the drought may not have dramatically affected us yet, given that there have been over 11,900 wildfires in Texas since December we have no way of knowing when a wildfire might break out in our own neighborhood.