In Response to Red-Light Camera Supporter

This article is a response to Abbey's blog post Red-Light Cameras reducing crashes in Texas:

A few weeks ago I wrote an article in regards to Houston Mayor Annise Parker's inability to properly handle the city's red-light camera issue. While the post had less to do with the issue of using red-light cameras in general and more to do with her blatant incompetence, I brought up a few key points to think about when discussing whether or not these cameras are a good idea.

I agree that these red light cameras are a good source of revenue. More red-light runners will definitely be caught using these than with uniformed officers alone. However, I'm not too sure about the significant decrease in red-light-related traffic accidents. Consider that increasing the number of red-light cameras could decrease the number of police vehicles on the road. Personally, I think I'm quicker to hit the brakes upon seeing a police car than when approaching a traffic light. Reducing the number of live officers on the road could potentially lead to "No cop, no stop" attitudes causing people to run more red lights, not noticing that the cameras are in place.

Another drawback to these cameras is that in the event of a citation, there are no human witnesses to testify as to what actually occurred and whether or not there were special circumstances that need to be considered that were in play at the time of the alleged violation.

I see these cameras as a two-edged sword. It's really a much more difficult issue to tackle, and definitely deserves a second glance by lawmakers all over Texas.

Review Of Higher Education Decisions in Texas

With the Spring semester in session, it was easy to miss what really went on just a few blocks away within the confines of The Capitol. I often find myself wondering if my tax dollars are being put to good use on the House and Senate floors. With a whopping 4000+ bills filed by the 181 members in both chambers, I can say that they have probably earned their $7200 a year.

Since it is unrealistic to cover every bill filed, the media focuses on few key subjects that spark debate, interest, or controversy among voters and Texans in general. One such issue most have probably heard about (if not found themselves discussing in a coffee shop among other intellectuals) is the cuts to student financial aid for higher education. While I may not have had much time to stay up to date on current events while in school, this was one issue that definitely did not fly under my radar. A total of 909 education bills from both the House (608) and the Senate (301) were filed, the largest category of bills for both chambers. With so much attention to the issue of education, I find it hard to determine why my aid was cut by almost 50%. Could 181 intelligent legislators not come to a consensus that education is vitally important to both our state and our nation? I don’t understand where the logic is in Texas having a lower education standard than it already has.

Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes’s proposed solution of tightening academic standards and deadlines for grant recipients is proof enough that legislators are in the dark when it comes to higher education. I’ll use my specific case as a testament to why this is. The School of Engineering at UT currently recommends that I take 16-17 hours per semester in order for me to graduate in 4 years. In my case, tightening deadlines would mean that I finish my engineering degree in less than 4 years, a feat that I have personally seen accomplished only once while I’ve been in school. At the very least, grant money would not be extended past the fourth year of college. Considering engineering undergraduates finish their degree in an average of 4.5-5 years, this scenario is also less than ideal. Funding the higher education of students is in the best interest of the State. If legislators aren’t competent enough to figure a suitable budget, how will the less educated legislators of tomorrow be able to manage it? We can’t keep settling for temporary solutions. Texas needs a vision that extends past this afternoon and looks beyond to the generations of the future; a well educated public pays good dividends.

$1.4 Million Mistakes...Worth Every Penny?

The following is a response to Raegan Bryant’s post “Texas Can’t Afford $1.4 Million Mistakes”

I agree that making mistakes of this nature are detrimental to the Texas economy. One might argue that mistakes such as this are simply unacceptable. However, I think you should look at this issue from a different perspective. You say that Texas is ranked 3^rd in number of exonerations out of the 28 states that engage in such a practice. However, consider the possibility that this might be a positive statistic. While I agree that it isn’t right to have incorrectly sentenced a totally innocent person, we’re all human and prone to error. It would be even worse to follow through with a death sentence of said innocent person, only to find out he wasn’t guilty after his death. Consider also the possibility that our exoneration rate is as high as it is because evidence in the cases of the other states may not have been sufficient for exoneration. Perhaps theses states make even more mistakes than Texas does, only they are never brought to light, and these convicts are allowed to die. Even though I agree that exonerations are a burden to the Texas economy, I believe that no matter what the costs, a high exoneration rate can be considered an overall good. Put in this context, Texas ranks 3^rd in saving innocent victims from being killed. Doesn’t sound too bad anymore, does it?

Let's Meet the 2012 Republican Presidential Candidates

As I mentioned last time, campaign season starts earlier and earlier every election year. While much of America still hasn't gotten over their excitement of the 2008 election, others are already gearing up for the 2012 race. Traditionally, while incumbents run opposed in their party's primary, they wind up winning the nomination. So a democratic opponent to Obama's means next to nothing as far as the fate of the Presidency. The real fun in the 2012 election will take place in the GOP nomination. With that said, let's look at my top picks for Republican Presidential hopefuls.


Mitt Romney

Whether you're politically inclined or not, chances are you've heard of Mitt Romney. The 63 year old former Governor of Massachusetts just recently announced his intention to run early last month. A viable candidate to say the least, Romney has been deeply involved in the Republican party, has many avid supporters (helpful when it comes to campaign finance), name recognition, and has a past Presidential campaign under his belt. However, Romney's Mormon faith could prove to be his downfall in a growing Christian conservative constituency.


Michele Bachmann

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've heard the name Michele Bachmann. The U.S. Representative has been in the media spotlight recently, but probably not for the right reasons. While this candidate is very popular with the growing "tea party" movement, her outlandish statements will more than likely keep the general population from taking her seriously. She has been quoted as saying the following ridiculous things: the Battles of Lexington and Concord took place in New Hampshire (they really took place in Massachussets); she stated that Barack Obama is "turning our country into a nation of slaves" (pun intended? doesn't matter, still inappropriate); and backing the outrageous belief that President Obama's trip to India was costing taxpayers $200 million a day. My bet is that she'll drop out of the race fairly soon due to lack of comparable support...at least by the end of next March.


Rick Perry

For my thoughts on Texas Governor Rick Perry, please visit my previous post!


Sarah Palin

Who could forget about good ol' Sarah Palin. As if her's and John McCain's crushing defeat back in 2008 wasn't enough to break her spirits, Palin is coming back for round two, this time with her eye on the big prize. Palin probably has the best shot of all the candidates thus far, having superior name recognition, a strong support base, constant media exposure, and, if I may add, a pair of legs that just won't quit. If she can avoid making the same mistakes Michele Bachmann constantly reminds us not to make, she has a pretty decent shot. However, my guess is everything will collapse when she becomes the first person to publicly and violently criticize Obama for not only refusing to release the Bin Laden photos, but for capturing him to begin with. That's a pretty bold prediction, if I must say, considering not even Bill O'Reilly has been stupid enough to make that mistake.

There you have it, my top picks for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination. Honorable mentions not honorable enough to deserve my endorsement include Ron Paul, Congressman from Texas, Donald Trump, Real Estate Tycoon, and former Governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee.

What Is Perry Waiting For?

It seems as though every presidential election pushes back the start of campaign season. This year seems to be no exception. We are now a full 16 months before election time, and InThePinkTexas editor and Texas Monthly author Eileen Smith has already placed Governor Rick Perry in the spotlight as purposely delaying his announcement of his intention to run for President. Although Perry is Governor of Texas, his potential presidential race undeniably affects the U.S. population as a whole.

So why exactly is Perry putting off his seemingly inevitable announcement? According to Smith, "He’s waiting for a sign from God that it is time to lead the Austinites out of this city of sin and locusts, through the miraculously parted waters of Barton Springs, and into the Promised Land." Yes, this sounds absurd. But, is it really all that far off the mark? It seems as though Smith's outlandish reasoning could be an allusion to Perry's declaration of August 6th as the "Day of Prayer and Fasting For Our Nations Challenges". The Christian prayer meeting of sorts will be hosted by the American Family Association and will be held in Houston's own Reliant Stadium. Perry has already blown this up to the level of "a really big deal", so it makes logical sense to officially elevate August 6th to "an event of apocalyptic proportions" and use it to finally officially announce his candidacy.

However, Smith also believes that it is possible that Perry has not yet made his announcement because he knows he cannot win. I don't believe this to be the case. Perry has undoubtedly made intelligent political moves in the past, such as distancing himself from the now widely unpopular former President and Texas Governor George W. Bush. So, it is my belief that Perry's delay stems from an astute notion that the longer he waits to announce, the less time he will leave himself open to political slander.

Source: inthepinktexas.com     Author: Eileen Smith     July 13, 2011

Houston Mayor Fumbles Red-Light Cam Issue

In an editorial by The Houston Chronicle, Mayor Annise Parker is applauded for her decision last week to continue the use of red-light traffic cameras. While the issue might seem like it deserves a mere "agree" or "disagree" in passing conversation from Houstonians, let's examine how the issue came to be.

Houston signed a red-light camera contract with American Traffic Solutions back in 2004, which would not expire until 2014. Since Bill White was the then-current mayor, and putting personal opinions aside for now, Parker had no wrongdoing here. Although the city had a written contract with American Traffic Solutions, Parker decided to hold a referendum so that the citizens of Houston could decide whether or not to continue with the use of the red-light cameras (potentially not fulfilling a contract - strike 1). Although the referendum had been ruled illegal by a federal judge, Parker decided to continue with the election (strike 2). After the election results came out against the cameras, U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes ruled the election invalid (wasting voters' valuable time - strike 3).

And it doesn't stop there. The city of Houston is now pursuing an appeal of Judge Hughes's ruling, potentially wasting more time, and definitely wasting more tax dollars. After all this, the editors at the Houston Chronicle still applaud Parker for "making the right decision" (a "decision" she was really forced into). Unfortunately, that only bodes well for critics of the cameras. No one at the Chronicle took into account the big picture: if Parker can't handle what I would consider a simple issue, how can anyone expect her to handle a city crisis? I suppose their line of reasoning is that the ends justify the means, as long as the ends are the results the editors wanted.

Although sometimes conceived as a good measure for preventing collisions, red-light cameras have several shortcomings. In the event of a citation, there is no human to testify as to what really happened and what circumstances were present at the time of the alleged violation. In addition, they open the door to "no cop...no problem" rule violations.

Whatever the right decision is, Houstonians are unfortunately past that stage, thanks to the poor leadership of Annise Parker. As a native Houstonian, I think Parker should drop the issue before she makes it any worse.

Source: chron.com     Author: Houston Chronicle editors     July 10, 2011

U.S. Allows Cross-Border Trucking With Fewer Restrictions

Although the NAFTA agreement of 1994 had called for Mexican truck to have unrestricted access to U.S. highways, the U.S. is only now upholding their part of the agreement. The holdup was due partly to the concern of the safety of Mexican trucks, as well as the debate as to whether or not Mexican truckers will shift trucking jobs away from the U.S. Some advocates support the restriction lift. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood stated “By opening the door to long-haul trucking between the United States and Mexico, America’s third largest trading partner, we will create jobs and opportunity for our people and support economic development in both nations". When access was more restricted, Mexico imposed higher tariffs in retaliation. They promised to cut the tariffs in half when the agreement was settled.

This will definitely spark intense immigration debates in the weeks to come, especially in Texas, where our proximity to and border with Mexico has been a long-term issue.

Source: texasinsider.org   Author: Johnathan M. Katz   July 8, 2011