Op-Ed: Yellow Is the New Green

OP-ED CONTRIBUTOR

Yellow Is the New Green

By ROSE GEORGE

Published: February 27, 2009

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/opinion/27george.html?_r=1

 Being "green" is like being cool now, and we didn't start that trend. The idea of conservation and using our resources to their maximum potential has been around for a long time, but I agree that we all could do better, just not something as taboo as separating our urine from our bowel movements. This op-ed was done really well. I found it to be well-researched and easy to read. It has four good sources, and it focuses on a topic of the public's general interest. I thought it was a tad lengthy. It was, however, really good about localizing something from China and applying the same ideas to our lives here in the U.S.

Education could be key to a successful marriage

How to achieve 'happily ever after'

By: Ashley Sanchez, regular contributor to the Austin American-Statesman

Published: Feb. 27, 2009

As the rate of divorce climbs and the rate of marriage declines, Rep. Warren Chisum of the Texas Legislature is proposing education for couples who have minor children and file for divorce based on the grounds of insupportability. Those couples would have to submit with the divorce petition proof that at least one of them had completed a crisis marriage education course. There are certain requirements and waivers that are included in the bill, but overall Chisum is hoping that the education course could help out some couples who just need a little perspective. This would be a victory for adults and children alike.

I think this op-ed piece is very well-written and detailed. Ashley Sanchez clearly explains the different parts of the bill and why it is being proposed. In addition, I thought the piece was on a particularly interesting topic, one that needs to be addressed. Sanchez's thoughts on the bill seem to be quite valid, like when she mentions Chisum's bill appears to have no downsides. At worst, it eats up 10 hours of someone's time, which is nothing at the risk of saving their marriage.

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/27/0227sanchez_edit.html

Statesman Editorial: Sickening state of U.S. food supply

I chose an editorial from the Austin American Statesman that was printed on Feb. 11, 2009. The headline for the editorial is, "Sickening State of U.S. Food Supply." The piece uses facts about the peanut processing plant that was recently shut down in Texas to comment on the state of food safety in the U.S. The editorial also reports on a proposed legislation that would create an independent administration to oversee food safety in America.

I like this editorial because of how it employs the information within it. The writer delivered a very strong message by letting the alarming facts speak for themselves. Except for the last couple of paragraphs, the editorial is full of factual content. It is the manner in which these facts are presented that reveals the writer's strong sentiments on the subject. The writer backs up every bold comment with informative statements.

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/11/0211peanuts_edit.html

The editorial I chose is from the New York Times, published on February 5, 2009. It is a political piece praising President Obama's plans for America so far. I like the structure of the editorial and the arguments it makes. I also like the fact that it is a good reporting piece in addition to it being an opinion piece. It has good facts and sources and it is also a good length.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/06/opinion/06fri1.html?_r=1&ref=opinion

Editorial: Austin's slice of stimulus is a flippin' waste of money

Austin's slice of stimulus is a flippin' waste of money

This is an editorial about the frivolity of the items on a list by the U.S. Conference of Mayors of shovel-ready projects that would benefit from the economic stimulus. Namely, a proposal for a Frisbee golf course in Austin.

My main issue with this editorial is while at one point in the article the author does correctly define the list as being a list of what could be done right now if the money was there, but for the most part the author is talking about the items on the list as if Austin is requesting the money for these projects.

It's definitely arguable that a Frisbee golf course would be a tremendous waste of money, $886, 000 according to the Austin parks and recreation department, but Austin isn't requesting money so they can do this.

There was a multiple page list of things that COULD be done with stimulus money right away, so I don't like that this editorial was written as if this request was the most important possible project to Austin -- like given some money they would rush right out and start building this thing.

I think the Frisbee golf course project is one thing on a list of many that has been taken out of context and turned into something it's not. I think the author of this editorial took the easy way out by simply finding silly things on Austin's list as well as the lists from other cities and dwelling on them.

There are many points that could be made from these different lists.

There were over 18,000 different individual, shovel-ready, projects on these lists. I think by going through and finding projects that could be considered a waste of money and then harping on them is going to dramatically affect the way the public is looking at a stimulus package and the projects different cities have in mind. The reality is there are probably more worth-while projects than not, but editorials like this one are giving people a very narrow view of what is actually going on.

The State of Texas High School Graduation Plans

http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/02/05/0205diploma_edit.html

The editorial I chose comes from the Austin American Statesman and deals with changing Texas high school graduation plans. According the the writer, Texas graduation plans cater to students pursing a university education and white-collar jobs. Graduation plans don't properly prepare Texas youth who don't plan on attending college and don't equip them with skills for practical jobs such as electricians or plumbers.
The writer begins the piece with former Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff commenting on the state of public schools: "Which is harder to find a doctor or an electrician?" The comment also serves as a lead-in to a bit of background about Texas high school graduation plans followed by the case for the legislature to change the plans to include special training in technical fields for students who hope to pursue more hands-on jobs. The writer concludes with a statement specifically to the Legislature stating that they can and should amend the current state of Texas graduation plans.
I don't believe the writer contained enough sourcing for this story and although contained some logical reasoning, and a somewhat thought out plan, I'm not buying it.
The writer's argument here is that by offering courses and graduation plans that prepare students for post-graduation plans other than college, will keep more kids in school and eventually save tax dollars. This is bogus. Keeping kids in school involves strengthening their support systems outside the classroom and helping them understand the value of education, something you won't learn in any amount of technical skills classes. Secondly, allowing students to follow a one-track plan to no where, or even straight into a university, only sets them up for failure. The average college student changes his or her major three times before graduation. Without a diverse academic background as a foundation, high school students who completed a fine arts track and find themselves wanting to pursue engineering will have to play math and science catch-up to be on a level playing field as their classmates. A lack of academic diversity doesn't just spell ruin for those pursuing college, but those not. If upper-level math courses, history and science classes are ditched for plumbing and electrician classes, the student will leave with a practical skill but no knowledge and no framework for higher reasoning. After all, isn't that what education is supposed to be all about in the first place?

Editorial Post: Some college tuition relief a good idea in hard times

The editorial I chose to post comes from the San Antonio Express-News. It was published February 2. The editorial discusses the need for the Texas legislature to focus on college tuition rates during the current legislative session.

I liked that the author used a lot of background information to support his/her points about freezing tution rates. Just incase the link does not work, the URL is posted below.

-Carline

http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/editorials/Some_college_tuition_relief_a_good_idea_in_hard_times.html

An Ode to the Stimulus Bill

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/opinion/05collins.html?_r=1&ref=opinion
I found this article at nytimes.com. It was published on February 4. The columnist, Gail Collins, is making the point that the Republicans are reverting to politics as usual in regard to O'bama's massive stimulus bill. She mentions John McCain pointing out all the "earmarks" in the bill when in reality there are no earmarks. The Republicans claim that the bill is attached with all sorts of liberal spending that they are being forced to vote for since the economy is in such bad shape.

I agree with Collins. The bill is very big and should definitely be thoroughly scrutinized, but it is also filled with good programs that will stimulate the economy. I like the fact that the bill is complicated. It shows a lot of thought was put into it, rather than some broad tax cut that was hastily put together. The Bush administration failed in many respects and the American people voted for competence when they elected O'bama. He has America's best interest at heart and his bill should be given a chance after it is thoroughly reviewed.

Dow Freeport site leader’s candor valued

http://thefacts.com/story.lasso?ewcd=6881b61968ecc516

This editorial was posted in the local newspaper, The Facts, in my hometown. Dow Chemical Company is what makes our community back home successful and like every other business in this economy, it is being hit hard. There have been thousands of layoffs and now many people in the community aren't sure what will become of Brazoria County and specifically Freeport, TX. Gary Hockstra, the new VP of Operations, held a press conference to try to ease the nerves of the community.

I really liked this editorial. I believe it was very well written and gave the view on the community's worries. The writer also made Hockstra seem more human instead of the VP that most assume would just feed the community lies to keep them from second guessing the company. The writer also expressed where The Facts stood in the whole situation and she reassured her readers that the publication will only be reporting the facts-- not the rumors.

Money down the toilet

Wall Street's boundless greed and self-indulgence

AIG, Merrill Lynch reward abject failure will million dollar bonuses.

This editorial is about some of the ways companies have been spending their bailout money. The bailout was supposed to help struggling companies and give our economy a boost, but some people have been using the money for their personal gain.
Executives have spent the money on everything from vacations to expensive toilets.
The writer seemed like he knew a lot about the subject, but I can't get over the typo at the top.
I'm pretty sure AIG and Merrill Lynch reward failure with bonuses.

Also, I posted on the site as KCTee.