A Yes Vote on Proposition 1 in Houston is Your Patriotic Duty!

     Initially this article on the Burnt Orange Report tugged at my veteran strings but did not seem worthy of a critique.  Not because it was poorly written but because it was written very well.  Allow me to explain.  The author, Andrea Greer, uses a simple and straight to the point writing style in A Yes Vote on Proposition 1 in Houstonis Your Patriotic Duty.  So when I first read the article it seemed logical, of course I am patriotic and support our troops.  Only after reading other pieces about Proposition 1 that the cleverness of Andrea Green’s unique approach really hit me. 

   There really is a whole lot of commotion about this proposition.  There are those who oppose it and voice their fear of men dressed in woman’s clothing being able to enter the woman’s bathroom.  Those that support the proposition trying to debunk the “bathroom” fear in Houstonians.  Both sides are taking their stance to try and win over the people but Andrea Greer did not speak to one side or the other; she appealed to the patriot in all of us.  SO CLEVER!!

    Aside from her writing style she gave a face to make the issue more personal via a video featuring the story of a veteran with first hand discrimination experience. A face to think of when voting.  She touches on one of the reasons why employers may be fearful of hiring veterans, PTSD, and backs it up with a link to a story by USA Today which talks more in depth about employers’ fears.  But just how many people does a portion of this proposition really affect? 1.5 million Veterans living in Texas.  And if for any reason the reader is skeptical a link is provided to the Demographic Study which was used to get the population of veterans living in Texas.

    Overall I think the author did a great job at bringing a different portion of Proposition 1 to light.  As a veteran myself I think she did justice to the cause.  I do however wish there were more information about the author to make a correct assumption about the author’s credibility. According to an editor’s note on a previous piece she is a recent addition and "a progressive activist from Houston, who will be covering women’s health, reproductive justice, and more”.

Help students get what they’ve earned

             Today in class we learned that the UT system has considered raising their tuition in order to attract and keep instructors.  With stories like these about students being targeted for their money, a title like “Help Students Get What They’ve Earned” from the Fort Worth Star Telegram catches one’s attention.  

            The editorial does a good job attracting its intended audience: students, both past and present.  The article plainly explains the benefits of a recent program passed by legislation, “Reverse Transfer”, which would award diplomas for transfer students who have earned enough credits but have transferred to a four-year university.  The argument the editorial makes is that “Life happens” and awarding a diploma to a student not only gives “a sense of accomplishment” but also that this may lead to a higher salary.  

           

            Although the editorial does a good job at informing the readers of the benefits of such a program, I do believe that a non-student would have questions.  Questions to do with funding and exactly how many people this program would benefit.   It does mention that about 270,000 students could be eligible to receive a diploma through this program, but I think more data in regards to how many people begin college but do not earn a degree would have helped solidify the argument.

            This does seem like a no-brainer argument.  Diplomas are good!  But I am speaking like a student…. So my opinion is of course biased.