Saturday, April 09, 2005|
I haven't much felt like blogging lately but I couldn't leave this alone Apparently, a Republican lawmaker here north of Dallas has introduced a bill that would allow the State to put transponders in all registration stickers under the guise of insurance compliancy. I find this rather absurd and it sickens me that Texas is turning into another nanny state, what with outlawing cheerleading and redlight cameras. Once upon a time, I though Republicans were the party of limited government. Reagan thought that. But somewhere along the way, the party leadership has decided that there's no stopping big government now so we might as well get in on the gift. It leaves those of us who wish they'd leave us the hell alone with nowhere really turn. |
Tuesday, March 15, 2005|
This is good news on the death penalty front. Apparently, there is some momentum behind adding a "life without the possibility of parole" sentence to the Texas sentencing. Currently, of the states allowing the death penalty, only Texas and New Mexico do not give juries the option of sentencing a convict to life without parole, a statistic that I find appalling. The article says that "critics of this measure say it will undercut the death penalty, jurors a middle ground that will allow them to avoid agreeing on the death penalty." to which I say, Here Here. Prosecuting death penalty cases costs tax payers more money. Inmates cost us more after conviction due to a lengthy appeals process. Families are constantly worried that if the appeal is lost, the inmate may get out on a technicality. All of these lend credence to the growing feeling in the country that the death penalty is outdated and ineffective in its stated intent. By allowing jurors the choice of life without parole, we lessen the burdens not only on our tax and penal system, but on the hearts and minds of jurors and victims' families that go along with death penalty cases. I for one am going to write my representives and voice my support for this bill. If you feel the same way, you can find your representative's address here. |
Wednesday, March 02, 2005|
Do not mess with Texas women 9:40:26 PM permalink What do you think? [] trackback [] |
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A tad late, but Happy Independence Day Texas! 9:03:41 PM permalink What do you think? [] trackback [] |
Thursday, February 24, 2005|
The Texas House passed a bill today that closed the loophole allowing red-light cameras in Texas. This is good news, not only because the cameras viability were suspect, but mostly because the government has no business actively monitoring for particular crimes. What this really had turned into was a cash cow for cities. Garland has issued 36,000 civil tickets for $75 each since September 2003 when the cameras went in. Lots of overwrought logic in issues like these. The Houston mayor said the following:
Of course, it doesn't follow that because we have a law, it has to be constantly enforced. Most murders happen at home. That doesn't mean we should have a police officer or a camera for that matter mounted in every home. It's good to see that the Legislature is solidly behind a ban that protects the liberties of citizens. |
Tuesday, February 15, 2005|
Some good news on removing red-light cameras from stop lights. The cameras are intrusive and don't actually do what they are supposed to do which is decrease side angle accidents. Conversely, according to the study quoted in the second link, they actually increase accidents overall because rear angle accident incidence goes up fairly dramatically as people become yellow-light averse. Of course, as noted in the DMN article above, they are excellent revenue generators which makes them popular among police and city types. It's nice to see that our legislators are so strongly against them. As soon as we allow government to set up ways to increase their monitoring ability, we begin the slippery slope slide towards the end of our privacy. I'm encouraged by this result in the Texas House. |
Wednesday, August 11, 2004|
This man truly deserves to be honored and revered. To show no bitterness towards a state that imprisoned him for 41 years on a false confession is amazing. If the people who performed the physical coercion on him are still alive, they are worthy of penalties worse than death. To murder a man is one thing, to steal his life and leave him living is abhorrent. 9:03:54 PM permalink What do you think? [] trackback [] |
Monday, June 28, 2004|
For any Austin ex-pats (and anyone else who loves the Texas Hill country), check out Austin Country Limits, a photo blog of the Austin area. 10:43:46 PM permalink What do you think? [] trackback [] |
Last update: 7/29/2005; 10:52:00 PM .
