As a resident of Texas, it’s disheartening to learn about the increase in infant mortality rates in our state following the implementation of the six-week abortion ban. The statistics are alarming, showing a 13 percent rise in infant deaths before their first birthdays, with the primary cause being congenital defects or chromosomal abnormalities. It’s devastating to think about the babies who are born only to endure a short life of pain and suffering due to these conditions.
The idea of forcing women to carry a child to term, knowing that the baby has little chance of survival outside the womb, is simply inhumane.… Continue reading
As I sit here reflecting on the recent news of a Texas school district agreeing to remove ‘Anne Frank’s Diary,’ ‘Maus,’ ‘The Fixer’ and 670 other books after a right-wing group’s complaint, I am filled with a range of emotions. The fact that books about the Holocaust and antisemitism are being lumped together with books containing sexual content is not only absurd but deeply concerning. The comparison itself is offensive and shows a lack of understanding or empathy towards the atrocities of the Holocaust.
The decision to remove these books reminds me of the actions taken by dictatorships and authoritarian regimes throughout history.… Continue reading
I am absolutely appalled by the recent news of a Texas woman attempting to drown a 3-year-old Palestinian American child in a possible hate crime incident. The sheer magnitude of this act of violence and hatred is horrifying beyond words. How could someone, in their right mind, choose to harm a defenseless child purely based on their background and religion? The thought of this innocent child being targeted in such a vicious manner is sickening.
The details of the incident, where the woman approached the child’s mother with racist interrogations and then proceeded to physically assault both the mother and the children, are deeply disturbing.… Continue reading
The news of 6 people injured in a shooting at a park in Round Rock, Texas, is deeply disturbing. It happened during a Juneteenth festival, which was supposed to be a joyous occasion celebrating freedom and unity, but instead turned into a scene of chaos and violence. No suspects have been arrested, and the lack of a suspect description from law enforcement adds to the sense of uncertainty and fear surrounding the incident. As a former resident of Round Rock who witnessed the aftermath of the shooting, I can’t help but feel a profound sadness for my neighbors and my city.… Continue reading
Texas, a state known for its sprawling highways and car-loving culture, is now asking its residents to avoid using their cars. As someone who has experienced the challenges of getting around in Texas, this request comes as no surprise. The layout of the state makes walking or biking impractical in most areas, and the public transportation system is lackluster at best. It’s no wonder that Texans have become so reliant on their vehicles – what other choice do they have?
The recent call to avoid using cars seems like a step in the right direction, but it’s hard to see how it can be realistically implemented.… Continue reading
As I sit here processing the abhorrent actions of Texas professors Daniel Bonevac and John Hatfield, who are suing to fail female students seeking abortions, I can’t help but feel a surge of anger and disbelief. These men, who should be fostering a positive learning environment, have instead chosen to weaponize their positions to control and punish women for their personal choices. It is a sickening abuse of power and a blatant violation of privacy to even remotely suggest that a student’s decision to seek an abortion should impact their academic standing.
The audacity of these professors to assert that pregnancy resulting from consensual sexual intercourse somehow negates a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body is beyond comprehension.… Continue reading
Living in Houston, Texas, has its perks, but it also comes with some inherent risks – one of them being the presence of alligators in our lakes and bayous. It was truly shocking to hear about the recent incident where a missing woman’s remains were found in the mouth of an alligator in the Horsepen Bayou just a few miles away from where I live. The police officer had to make a difficult decision to shoot and kill the alligator to prevent further damage to the remains as part of the investigation.
The circumstances surrounding this case are still unclear – whether the alligator killed the woman or if she was already deceased when the alligator came upon her.… Continue reading
Greg Abbott’s recent decision to pardon the killer of a Black Lives Matter protester is not just a travesty of justice, but a chilling message that sends shockwaves through the spine of anyone who values the rule of law. The fact that twelve Texans found the murderer guilty and sentenced him to prison should speak volumes about the severity of the crime committed. However, despite the cries of justice from the people, Greg Abbott saw fit to pardon this individual, sending a clear message that political violence against those seeking accountability for police brutality is acceptable in the eyes of the Texas government.… Continue reading
The recent decision by the Texas board to recommend a pardon for ex-Army Sergeant Daniel Perry, who was convicted of killing a Black Lives Matter protester, has sparked outrage and controversy. Perry fatally shot 28-year-old Garrett Foster, an Air Force veteran who was legally carrying an AK-47 while participating in a protest. Perry’s disturbing social media posts and text messages, which included racist and violent remarks, further paint a dark picture of his character. Despite being convicted of murder, Perry has now been pardoned by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, raising serious concerns about justice, accountability, and the value of human life.… Continue reading
Well, well, well. It seems like we can add “boats hitting bridges” to the list of bizarre incidents plaguing America. This time, a barge hit the Pelican Island Causeway, causing a portion to fall, according to officials. As if we didn’t have enough chaos in the world already.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen such incidents. Lakes, canals, oceans – nothing seems to be safe from these colossal maritime mishaps. Just last year, we were all glued to our screens watching train derailments unfold. Now, it’s boats hitting bridges. Are we all collectively losing our grip on reality? It feels like we’re living in a bizarre simulation where the laws of physics no longer apply.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood