On Thursday, February 19th, 2016, The Austin American-Statesman published an article titled "Walk carefully toward 'new religious' freedom laws." This particular article was written by the 'Editorial Board', so it makes it difficult to establish the writer's credibility, but I will say that I very much agree with the points given throughout the article. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is in favor of offering protection to people and/or companies that have "sincerely held religious beliefs." The article discusses the dangers that can possibly stem from this type of "religious" protection. The main point that the editorial board makes is the exclusion and discrimination that the LGBT community might face if businesses are given the rights to discriminate based on their religious beliefs. With this being said it becomes clear that the targeted audience is the LGBT community and people who hold a more liberal view on politics.
Personally speaking, I have been in a same-sex relationship for the past 4 years and it angers me to think of laws being passed to protect religious freedoms that can very possibly affect me and my partner. The article makes a good point in saying "Federal and state laws...already protect the religious rights guaranteed by the First Amendment, and do so without throwing off balance the equally important need to protect competing rights to avoid faith-based discrimination. The legislative journey Patrick wants lawmakers to take next year is an unnecessary one."
In recent years, same sex couples have been gaining more and more freedoms that traditional male and female couples receive. I think this angers a lot of non-progressive religious thinkers, and they want to manipulate the law to benefit their agenda, but it's my belief that they are on the wrong side of history and to create laws that allow groups to discriminate against minorities will only stifle our growth as a respectable State.
Friday, February 19, 2016
Saturday, February 6, 2016
The Rising Hispanic Population
http://kut.org/post/blustering-rhetoric-may-bring-more-latino-voters-polls
On February 5, 2016 Ashley Lopez wrote an article for KUT.org titled "Blustering Rhetoric May Bring More Latino Voters to the Polls". This article sheds light on a topic we've been covering in class- the growth of the Hispanic population in Texas and how this growth will effect voting at the polls. The article talks about Mi Familia Vota, an organization that exists in Texas and five other states. The purpose of the group is to help eligible legal permanent residents apply for U.S. citizenship and encourage them to become active voters. The article mostly refers to the 2016 Presidential election, but I believe with organizations like Mi Familia Vota we will begin to see many changes in voter turnout at the State and Local level as well. National and State polls show that Hispanics vote overwhelmingly Democratic. Perhaps this is just what the "hairy-legged women and liberal fruitcakes" of Austin need to take Texas from a red state to a blue state (fingers crossed)!
On February 5, 2016 Ashley Lopez wrote an article for KUT.org titled "Blustering Rhetoric May Bring More Latino Voters to the Polls". This article sheds light on a topic we've been covering in class- the growth of the Hispanic population in Texas and how this growth will effect voting at the polls. The article talks about Mi Familia Vota, an organization that exists in Texas and five other states. The purpose of the group is to help eligible legal permanent residents apply for U.S. citizenship and encourage them to become active voters. The article mostly refers to the 2016 Presidential election, but I believe with organizations like Mi Familia Vota we will begin to see many changes in voter turnout at the State and Local level as well. National and State polls show that Hispanics vote overwhelmingly Democratic. Perhaps this is just what the "hairy-legged women and liberal fruitcakes" of Austin need to take Texas from a red state to a blue state (fingers crossed)!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)