Commentary of an Editorial

           I read an opinion blog Texas on the Potomac an editorial written by Jana Kasperkevic titled 

“Democrats single out Texas as the nation’s vilest villain in ‘war on women’ ” published on 

September 9, 2012. I am writing my commentary from this blog entry.

In her blog she discusses how “Texas Republicans have been singled out as villains in the war on women by none other than…Texas Democrats. At a Texas delegation breakfast, State Senator Leticia Van de Putte “warned that the attack on reproductive rights had roots in Texas with the Legislature’s law to require those seeking an abortion to first undergo a sonogram,” reported Robert T. Garrett for Dallas Morning News.” I do agree that this law is against the rights of women it takes away our freedom to make decisions and have control over our bodies.

“Carol Alvarado, a Democrat from Houston, described the sonogram required as “government intrusion at its best…a climax in government intrusion,” while trying to explain to her colleagues at the House of Representatives that the sonogram might have to be obtained by using a vaginal probe.” I think that the people who are putting these laws into play should consider what actually goes into getting a sonogram. I think that the number of babies that are in foster care due to abuse and/or neglect should also be put on the table. This to me should be considered in regards to forcing women that cannot or will not care for their child for whatever reason. I think the state government needs to but out of the decision making process in regards to controlling the rights of a woman and her rights as a citizen in this great state.

“They don’t respect us [women]. They don’t think we’re smart enough to make our own decisions,” Van de Putte of the Republicans of the DNC.

“Van de Putte is not the only one to draw comparisons between Texas and the state of national politics during the Democratic National Convention.”

“What Rick Perry has done to Texas, that’s exactly what Mitt Romney wants to do to the rest of the country,” Cynthia Wilson of Dallas told Dallas Morning News. “I join many women in saying. No we’re not going to let that happen.”

“If you want a Romney presidency might look like, look at Texas,” Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood and daughter of former Texas Gov. Ann Richards, told The Daily Beast.

“Richards spoke at the convention on Wednesday night. Besides saying that both her mother and grandmother are from Texas Richards said, “Back in Texas, we say that you dance with them that brung you. President Obama brought women to this dance and we’re staying with him all the way through November!”

I agree with the writer that changes need to be made to keep the funding for Planned Parenthood of Texas. I have seen that we as women have more rights than before. I  see though that  more rights given to women need to be protected. These issues may be more easily resolved if we take the power out of the hands of those that are not in support of  providing funding for Planned Parenthood, a charitable organization that is tax deductible. The funding would be available without judgment by the public or the state and local government. I have personally used to use the services provided by Planned Parenthood. Most people think that the only reason why people go to Planned Parenthood is for abortions. I will beg to differ: I never had an abortion,but I did go for checkups and to obtain birth control when I was struggling financially, like many other are today with the troubled economy.

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Critique of Editorial

Critic of Editorial

I was reading an article in the Amarillo Globe-News on October 6,2012 titled: “Editorial: Sex offender program needs federal review.”  The editorial discussed how implementing a federal program would cost more than $38 mil for requirements and changes to comply with federal guidelines. The state of Texas is one in five states that has decided to opt out, losing 1.4 mil in federal funds. I agree with Dave Henry, the writer of this editorial: “that it is a shame that public safety- especially is credible and has a when it comes to heinous crimes committed by sex offenders- has to be relegated to dollars and cents, but in this case, the state of Texas has little choice.”

I think this editorial is for anyone who cares about public safety. The writer is credible and backs up his story with solid evidence. I think that the states that have opted out should think again. They should brainstorm to develop a plan to work with  federal government to integrate the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act for the safety and well-being of our children and /or young people depend on it. This act did not just come out of thin air it was put in place by a father that lost his son and they never found out who killed his son. The person that was suspected of killing the Walsh boy was a serial killer by the name of Ottis Toole who is is now deceased, so no one knows who abducted and killed Adam Walsh. Imagine if this was your child or grandchild how would you feel. Would you not think it was important? Just consider the crimes that were committed that landed these offenders on the Texas DPS website. Then, think of what can happen if we let this national program to be proven ineffective. It is too dangerous to let this drop due to poor planning and funding. I think this is of extreme importance and needs to be a priority to the Governor of this state.