RE: Re-Education

In browsing through a number of my classmate’s blogs I came upon one that caught my attention. It is by Chloe Yates, and is a critique of the current system of sex education in Texas-- which Chloe points out is currently failing to deter teens from having sex.

The critique begins with Chloe putting Republicans under the limelight for the current policy of abstinence-only education, which is odd considering the teaching of abstinence is more so an issue divided by conservative and liberal ideologues. If you continue to read, you quickly learn Chloe’s disdain of Republicans and their policy of abstinence-only education comes from the fact that as of current it “does not keep teenagers from having sex. Neither does it increase or decrease the likelihood that if they do have sex, they will use a condom.” Chloe then embodies the ideologue of a pragmatic liberal in wanting “to stop wasting our tax dollars on these obviously failed programs”, and in advocating to teach “raging hormonal teenagers ways to prevent sexual transmitted diseases as well ways to prevent pregnancies” as the solution. This is a great idea, however most schools do in fact already teach how to prevent STDs and pregnancies—my high school being one of them.

Overall, I can agree with Chloe that under our current institution of abstinence-only education we are in-fact not deterring teens from having sex or becoming pregnant, but is there even any way we could? I believe not.

However, I disagree with Chloe in that I do not see the expansion of schools teaching sex as the solution. For such a change is wrong, in that it would deprive parents of their right to choose how to educate their kids about sex.  But let’s not forget that Chloe argued earlier in her critique that it “is up to the parents to speak to their children but it should also be reinforced amongst teachers, staff, or even councilors.” Wait, but weren’t you just trying to indirectly do away with the need for mom and pops’ birds n’ the bees talk? And not to mention, wouldn’t teachers and other school officials speaking to students seeking advice about sex lead to a number of issues? I know I for one wouldn’t want someone in a position of authority that is supposed to be teaching my child Math giving them advice over sex—which among other things could be advice contrary to what a parent would have given.

In the end, Chloe did a great job of highlighting an issue of importance to the reader, regardless of their party affiliation. Yet in offering her solution, Chloe hindered her own argument by devoting a large amount of her critique to pointing fingers at Republicans, instead of elaborating and reinforcing the solution she offers to the problem at hand. Thus, by the end of Chloe’s blog I for one found myself still siding with our current system of abstinence. For sex education is not something the government should have any role in, it is a matter only parents should have a hand in. Which is exactly why the distinct line abstinence draws over sex works, in that it leaves room for parent’s to elaborate and instill their own opinions on sex while not giving teachers the range of motion to instill possibly biased opinions.

Traffic In Austin

In recent years Austin has experienced a great deal of growth, both in population and infrastructure. However the infrastructure of our roads and highways is lagging behind, which has led to Austin having the 3^rd worst traffic in the U.S.  according to the Austin American Statesman. Thus I propose an initiative be undertaken to improve the flow of our roads.

There are numerous benefits that the restructuring of Austin’s roads would bring, that far outweigh the initial cost of doing so. For better roads would among other things lead to an increase in business, in part due to commuters spending less time in traffic and more time in stores and the workplace. As well as attracting more businesses to expand into Austin, for compounding good roads, with a modern economy, and centralized location would be irresistible to businesses. And in regards to our environment—the inherent decrease in  time drivers would spend sitting  in traffic would also lead to less fossil fuel being burned wastefully. Thus by improving our roads, we would also be reducing the enormous amount of emissions produced on Austin’s roadways.

There have by all means been numerous roadway projects in recent years; however they are only band aids when in comparison to what is needed. So how can we fix such a crucial part of our Cities infrastructure?--By focusing on I-35, which is undoubtedly the most congested. Yet where it gets complicated is that due to I-35s location between historical monuments, the University of Texas, and even the Texas State cemetery, it cannot be fixed directly. Thus the only solution is to improve our other slightly less congested roads such as Mopac, so as to reduce their traffic which will in turn disperse I-35’s traffic.

Unfortunately, an overhaul of our road system would cost a tremendous amount of money—which in a recession such as now would be hard to come by. However, if we wait any longer to do so the cost will only multiply in size as our City grows even more so in population and business.  For as of now our City is doing quite well economically compared to other cities in America, yet not for long if our roads continue to handicap us. So to safeguard Austin’s future economy and population, it is only logical that an initiative be undertaken sooner rather than later, which requires that we embrace expansion instead of hindering it.