State and Local Issues

Inspiring Song-"We're Not Going Down"

freddy — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 15:33:22 -0500

Hi guys, my name is Freddy Wexler. I'm an independent musician. I've written a song and created a music video as a call to action for young people everywhere, regardless of their backgrounds or political beliefs, to get out and make their voices heard.

How to save the world...

patriot-veteran — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 21:53:20 -0500

Would you like to save the world? Of course you would.

Here's how:

SAVE THE TEACHER...SAVE THE WORLD.

Recruit, support, appreciate, empower, and compensate teachers as if the future of the world depends upon them, because it really does.

Education

Just-thinking — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:12:02 -0500

The average salary in America is $58 thousand and someodd dollars a year. In Texas, a teacher can serve in this noble profession for over 20 years and not even make the average American salary. Pitiful situation. When one wonders what's wrong with education, perhaps the salaries of the profession should be examined. Why would anyone work so hard for so many years never to even make close to the average salary in our country? Very sad!

Just Thinking

What's wrong with this equation?

Zpadre — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:03:38 -0500

I love the Austin American Statesman!

Here's the latest in the what's wrong with this equation?

“Wynn proposes new rail project”; Front page 10/26/2007.

“This will be an extremely expensive undertaking, and Cap Metro isn’t in a position to finance it. And I’m not sure anyone else is, either”. Howard Falkenberg, Chairman of the Capital Area Transportation Coalition. page A13 same article as above, 10/26/2007.

“Dell begins cuts in local work force” Front page Business & personal finance section of the same issue, same date.

Why Do I Write?

Why Do I Write?

Zpadre — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:29:54 -0500

I am occasionally asked why I write a blog, in my case it is four blogs, often on the same subject matter. Actually it amounts to four as they fall into a somewhat liberal newspaper, the Austin American Statesman, a conservative My Fox Austin, and an independent, http://www.tellmeyouridea.com/.

There is a simple reason for this diversity, the most important being that I do not feel so self important that I tell my readers what to think or vote. I often refer to myself as an on balance independent, and try to see all sides of any given question.

Lets see if I've got it right department

Zpadre — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 06:44:17 -0500

Lets see if I've got this right department; is now in session.

First on the agenda; Andrew Clements leter to the editor bashing Ben Wea's stand on Cap Metro. My comment is, " Thank goodness for guys like Ben having a bully pulpit to help look out for those who don't." Cap Metro acts like they know everything about everything when in reality all they seem to want is more money, and have no idea how much money they really need and for what.

Aspiring writers and English teachers please feel free to criticise my last sentence structure.

Austin"s Open Government?

Zpadre — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:17:20 -0500

In gambling it's called a "stacked deck" when the cards in a poker game have been pre-arrainged so that particular people win and particular people don't have a chance.

More Cap Metro Foolishment

Zpadre — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:25:03 -0500

For all tax paying Austinites, I recommend reading Ben Ware's column in today's Sept. 24, 2007, Statesman, headlined. "Cap Metro finds 'rail effect' is at work once again"

My only comment is, "thanklully I live in an urban sprawl area that is not facing the unecessary tax burden that faces my Austin neighbors,"

Panhandling - Sign me up.

LakeMichigan — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 17:31:54 -0500

It is ridiculous to watch the majority of panhandlers here in Austin. I know, I know, some have severe mental health problems, drug issues, treated bad as children, blah, blah, blah. But just SOME. Trust me, I have seen them answering cell phones, park cars to get to their spot, and more. These people have decided that this is their JOB. Their source of income. It is embarrassing. But, it is the fault of the people that stop and hand out cash. You are encouraging it. If one car every three lights gives a dollar, that equals $20 an h

Open Season

Zpadre — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 18:12:22 -0500

I do not dislike Austin, Cap Metro, or TexDot. To the contrary, these enteties furnish me with some very neat grist for my insatiable satire mill, and for this I give thanks.

When I was writing my syndicated column, "39 and Holding", Bill Clinton who hails from Arkansas gave me the fodder for many of my weekly observations.