Please remember that Tarrant County [Texas] has a very important bond election coming up this saturday, May 13th. There are 5 different bond proposals, and all are needed. If approved, these bonds would finance a new county jail, a new civil courts building, a new county crime lab, expansion of juvenile detention space, and the repair and upgrading of over 60 roads and streets in the county. Tarrant County is growing very fast and these improvements are needed now, not later.
Perhaps the best part is that the Tarrant County Commissioners have assured us that the passing of all these bond proposals would result in no new taxes. Please go to the polls saturday and show your support by voting for all five propositions.
NOTE - Remember that usually so few people vote in bond elections, that your vote will carry 10-20 times the weight it normally does!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Kinky
Just wanted to remind you of two great reasons to support Kinky for Governor:
1. He is not a republican.
2. He is not a democrat.
1. He is not a republican.
2. He is not a democrat.
Georgie Blows It Again
I don't know how he does it, but Georgie always seems to find the absolute worst candidate for any job. Can anyone forget Brown, the ex-FEMA head, who had absolutely no qualifications for the job? Or how about Bolden? Appointing a bonafide U.N.-hater to the U.N. was a masterstroke of stupidity!
Well, he's done it again. Georgie has now nominated Air Force General Hayden to be the new head of the CIA. Don't get me wrong, Goss needed to be replaced as CIA head. I just don't see Hayden as an improvement.
Several congressmen have objected saying it is not proper to have a military man as the head of a civilian organization. After seeing Georgie's facist tendencies, it is rather frightening to see the military being put in charge of the CIA. But there is an even more compelling reason to oppose this nomination.
General Hayden is the nutcase who convinced Georgie that he doesn't need to follow the Constitution. Hayden is the one who doesn't think a warrant is needed to wiretap the phone of an American. If we put this man in charge, he will continue to violate the Constitution with these warrantless taps.
All right, democrats! Have you found your spine lately? THIS ONE IS WORTH THE FIGHT. Please keep this criminal away from our CIA.
Well, he's done it again. Georgie has now nominated Air Force General Hayden to be the new head of the CIA. Don't get me wrong, Goss needed to be replaced as CIA head. I just don't see Hayden as an improvement.
Several congressmen have objected saying it is not proper to have a military man as the head of a civilian organization. After seeing Georgie's facist tendencies, it is rather frightening to see the military being put in charge of the CIA. But there is an even more compelling reason to oppose this nomination.
General Hayden is the nutcase who convinced Georgie that he doesn't need to follow the Constitution. Hayden is the one who doesn't think a warrant is needed to wiretap the phone of an American. If we put this man in charge, he will continue to violate the Constitution with these warrantless taps.
All right, democrats! Have you found your spine lately? THIS ONE IS WORTH THE FIGHT. Please keep this criminal away from our CIA.
Healthcare Below Par
The U.S.-based organization, Save The Children, has released the results of their most recent survey, and it really does not look good for the United States. In a comparison of newborn survival rates among the 33 industrialized nations, the U.S. finished next to last.
Latvia had the poorest infant survival rate, with a rate of 6 deaths per 1000 births. The United States [along with Hungary, Malta, Poland, & Slovakia] had a rate of 5 deaths per 1000 births. Japan had the best rate [1.8 out of 1000]. Several nations tied for second with a rate of 2 per 1000.
What has happened to the wonderful healthcare system we are supposed to have? It is because our system was created to be a business, with the dollar being the bottom line. In our for-profit system, those who cannot pay get poor or no medical attention. Even those in the middle class who have health insurance, can't get the care they want. They get the care the insurance is willing to pay for [and that's getting to be less each year].
There are around 41 million people without health insurance in this country. These people are the ones getting the shaft. Without proper healthcare for this many Americans, it is easy to see how our newborn death rate is much larger than it should be.
We need a single-payer system that covers ALL of our citizens. Our current system has not only failed to protect the youngest and most vulnerable, it is failing to protect many of our adults.
Latvia had the poorest infant survival rate, with a rate of 6 deaths per 1000 births. The United States [along with Hungary, Malta, Poland, & Slovakia] had a rate of 5 deaths per 1000 births. Japan had the best rate [1.8 out of 1000]. Several nations tied for second with a rate of 2 per 1000.
What has happened to the wonderful healthcare system we are supposed to have? It is because our system was created to be a business, with the dollar being the bottom line. In our for-profit system, those who cannot pay get poor or no medical attention. Even those in the middle class who have health insurance, can't get the care they want. They get the care the insurance is willing to pay for [and that's getting to be less each year].
There are around 41 million people without health insurance in this country. These people are the ones getting the shaft. Without proper healthcare for this many Americans, it is easy to see how our newborn death rate is much larger than it should be.
We need a single-payer system that covers ALL of our citizens. Our current system has not only failed to protect the youngest and most vulnerable, it is failing to protect many of our adults.
Monday, May 08, 2006
2421 Dead
I apologize to any readers we may have for not posting the last couple of days, but I have been sick [sore throat, cough, fever, etc.]. I guess I've caught some kind of flu bug. I'll get back to posting regular after I shake this thing off!
But some things are too important to ignore. MSNBC just announced that another American soldier has been killed in Iraq. This brings the total of American soldiers killed in Iraq to 2,421, and there is no end in sight. We long-ago lost any chance to do any good in Iraq because of the incompetence of Georgie's administration. Now soldiers are simply dying to keep Georgie from looking like a loser. Personally, I don't think Georgie's reputation is worth a single life [of any nationality]. It is time to withdraw from Iraq, regardless of how it looks for Georgie.
But some things are too important to ignore. MSNBC just announced that another American soldier has been killed in Iraq. This brings the total of American soldiers killed in Iraq to 2,421, and there is no end in sight. We long-ago lost any chance to do any good in Iraq because of the incompetence of Georgie's administration. Now soldiers are simply dying to keep Georgie from looking like a loser. Personally, I don't think Georgie's reputation is worth a single life [of any nationality]. It is time to withdraw from Iraq, regardless of how it looks for Georgie.
Friday, May 05, 2006
Kennedy Crash
Early thursday morning, Rep. Patrick Kennedy crashed his car into a concrete traffic barrier. Police said Kennedy had been observed speeding in a construction zone, driving without lights, swerving into the wrong lane, and hitting a curb before crashing into the barricade. Police said when Kennedy exited the vehicle, his eyes were red and watery, his speech was slurred, and he was having trouble with his balance.
Kennedy said he did not remember any of the incident, and that he had been disoriented by his prescription medication. Now at this point, an ordinary citizen would be in handcuffs and on his/her way to jail, but that did not happen in this case. They wrote him three tickets and gave him a ride home [even though Kennedy claims he did not ask for preferential treatment].
This is a major problem in this country. The law does not apply equally to all citizens. The richer and more powerful you are, the more likely you will receive preferential treatment. I believe government officials should be required to obey the same laws as everyone else, and when they break the law, they should be punished the same.
The police union said the officers who stopped Kennedy were told by their superiors to not give him a sobriety test. These superior officers should be demoted and retrained. They have failed in their duty.
Kennedy said he did not remember any of the incident, and that he had been disoriented by his prescription medication. Now at this point, an ordinary citizen would be in handcuffs and on his/her way to jail, but that did not happen in this case. They wrote him three tickets and gave him a ride home [even though Kennedy claims he did not ask for preferential treatment].
This is a major problem in this country. The law does not apply equally to all citizens. The richer and more powerful you are, the more likely you will receive preferential treatment. I believe government officials should be required to obey the same laws as everyone else, and when they break the law, they should be punished the same.
The police union said the officers who stopped Kennedy were told by their superiors to not give him a sobriety test. These superior officers should be demoted and retrained. They have failed in their duty.
Tarrant Bond Proposals
In case you Tarrant County voters didn't know it, we have a county-wide bond election on saturday, May 13th. Early voting has already started and will continue thru May 9th. There are five propositions on the ballot.
Proposition #1 - This proposal includes over 60 road and highway projects countywide. These are definitely needed if we are to avoid gridlock in the future. Tarrant County has one of the fastest growing populations in the state of Texas. More cars are on the road every day and many of these projects are already overdue. The proposal is to use $200 million in bonds issued by Tarrant County.
Proposition #2 - This prop will use $108 million in bonds to build a new 432 cell maximum security county jail to relieve overcrowding. It also would build 96 medical cells. This would decrease or eliminate the need to transport prisoners to the county hospital, resulting in a saving of transportation costs and improvement in security.
Proposition #3 - This prop will use $62.3 million in bonds to build a new civil courts building. It should save money by putting all civil courts and their supporting departments in the same building.
Proposition #4 - This prop would use $36.3 million in bonds to expand the juvenile detention center and construct safer juvenile courts. We have a very good detention center here in Tarrant County, but it definitely needs to be larger.
Proposition #5 - This prop will use $26.5 million in bonds to build a new crime lab. It will also enhance the DNA, Photo, Human ID, Intoxilyzer, Solid Chemistry, and Fingerprint labs. The tiny lab we now have will not be able to keep up as the county grows without this proposal.
I support all of these bond proposals. They make sense and they are desperately needed. Also, they would NOT mean a rise in taxes, even if all are approved. I urge the citizens of Cowtown and all the cowtownettes [suburbs] to vote yes to these propositions on May 13th.
Proposition #1 - This proposal includes over 60 road and highway projects countywide. These are definitely needed if we are to avoid gridlock in the future. Tarrant County has one of the fastest growing populations in the state of Texas. More cars are on the road every day and many of these projects are already overdue. The proposal is to use $200 million in bonds issued by Tarrant County.
Proposition #2 - This prop will use $108 million in bonds to build a new 432 cell maximum security county jail to relieve overcrowding. It also would build 96 medical cells. This would decrease or eliminate the need to transport prisoners to the county hospital, resulting in a saving of transportation costs and improvement in security.
Proposition #3 - This prop will use $62.3 million in bonds to build a new civil courts building. It should save money by putting all civil courts and their supporting departments in the same building.
Proposition #4 - This prop would use $36.3 million in bonds to expand the juvenile detention center and construct safer juvenile courts. We have a very good detention center here in Tarrant County, but it definitely needs to be larger.
Proposition #5 - This prop will use $26.5 million in bonds to build a new crime lab. It will also enhance the DNA, Photo, Human ID, Intoxilyzer, Solid Chemistry, and Fingerprint labs. The tiny lab we now have will not be able to keep up as the county grows without this proposal.
I support all of these bond proposals. They make sense and they are desperately needed. Also, they would NOT mean a rise in taxes, even if all are approved. I urge the citizens of Cowtown and all the cowtownettes [suburbs] to vote yes to these propositions on May 13th.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Religious Conmen
The tiny Caribbean nation of Trinidad is scheduled to get a visit from tv evangelist, Benny Hinn, on May 19th. Sanatan Dharma Maha Saba, Trinidad's largest Hindu organization, has asked the government to bar Mr. Hinn from entering their country. Secretary-General of the organization, Sat Maharaj said, "We need to alert the population that he is a fake healer. He will cause division in the religious community and should not be given a visa to come and preach here." The organization has claimed in full-page local newspaper ads that the scheduled revival is illegal. It is against the law in Trinidad to make money by "faith healing". Trinidad has about 1.3 million people, 25% of which are Hindu.
I am mildly shocked. I honestly didn't know there were any countries that tried to protect their citizens from the many religious conmen. In the U.S., being a "faith healer" is a license to steal. You can cheat, lie, and steal millions of dollars, and as long as you call yourself a christian, the government won't do a thing. In fact, you won't even have to pay taxes on the ill-gotten loot.
I try to support religious freedom, but I am convinced that people such as Benny Hinn, Oral Roberts, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Robert Tilton, Peter Popoff, etc., are nothing but conmen trying to suck every last dollar from the American people. Surely this is not the best leadership christians can provide.
I am mildly shocked. I honestly didn't know there were any countries that tried to protect their citizens from the many religious conmen. In the U.S., being a "faith healer" is a license to steal. You can cheat, lie, and steal millions of dollars, and as long as you call yourself a christian, the government won't do a thing. In fact, you won't even have to pay taxes on the ill-gotten loot.
I try to support religious freedom, but I am convinced that people such as Benny Hinn, Oral Roberts, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, Robert Tilton, Peter Popoff, etc., are nothing but conmen trying to suck every last dollar from the American people. Surely this is not the best leadership christians can provide.
A Competent Republican
If you've read this blog much at all, you will have picked up on the fact that I have little or no love for republicans. Often, I have taken them to task for their ridiculous ideas and actions. I am a proud member of the American left-wing. However, I consider myself to be an honest person, and therefore must admit it when I find a competent republican doing a good job.
I have found that competent republican official. He is Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson. Before Sheriff Anderson took office, the Tarrant County Jail was a mess. The prior two sheriffs were not only republicans, but right-wing fundamentalists. Both seemed to think religion was more important than professional law enforcement standards. The jail commissary was a mess and the jail food was awful. The morale of officers also seemed to be very low. Neither of the prior sheriffs could get along with the Tarrant County Commissioners Court [which controls funding for the department].
Since Sheriff Anderson was elected, much has improved. The commissary situation was straightened out and jail food has improved considerably. Officer morale has also improved significantly. Because of my job, I'm in and out of the jail several times a week. It is obvious to me that the department and the jail are now being run in a competent and professional manner.
Sheriff Anderson has also established a very good working relationship with the Tarrant County Commissioners. The only disagreement they had was where to put a new jail. To his credit, Sheriff Anderson avoided playing politics and simply explained how putting the jail downtown meant better security and protection for his officers and for the public. Once the security situation was explained to them, the commissioners agreed.
Republican though he is, Sheriff Dee Anderson has done a competent and professional job. Thank you, Sheriff Anderson.
I have found that competent republican official. He is Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson. Before Sheriff Anderson took office, the Tarrant County Jail was a mess. The prior two sheriffs were not only republicans, but right-wing fundamentalists. Both seemed to think religion was more important than professional law enforcement standards. The jail commissary was a mess and the jail food was awful. The morale of officers also seemed to be very low. Neither of the prior sheriffs could get along with the Tarrant County Commissioners Court [which controls funding for the department].
Since Sheriff Anderson was elected, much has improved. The commissary situation was straightened out and jail food has improved considerably. Officer morale has also improved significantly. Because of my job, I'm in and out of the jail several times a week. It is obvious to me that the department and the jail are now being run in a competent and professional manner.
Sheriff Anderson has also established a very good working relationship with the Tarrant County Commissioners. The only disagreement they had was where to put a new jail. To his credit, Sheriff Anderson avoided playing politics and simply explained how putting the jail downtown meant better security and protection for his officers and for the public. Once the security situation was explained to them, the commissioners agreed.
Republican though he is, Sheriff Dee Anderson has done a competent and professional job. Thank you, Sheriff Anderson.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
More Cowboy Hopefuls
After completing what was hopefully a good draft, the Cowboys have added some free agents to the mix. The Cowboys will be holding a minicamp for the rookies this friday thru sunday. The following players have been signed or invited to the rookie minicamp:
Demetris Summers, running back, University of South Carolina [6' 1" - 205 lbs]
Sam Hurd, wide receiver, Northern Illinois University [6' 4" - 194 lbs]
Quincy Butler, defensive back, Texas Christian University [6' 1" - 190 lbs]
Darrell Brooks, safety, University of Arizona [6' 1" - 210 lbs]
Jeff Mroz, quarterback, Yale University [6' 5" - 230 lbs]
Miles Austin, wide receiver, Monmouth University [6' 2" - 215 lbs]
Kai Parham, linebacker, University of Virginia [6' 3" - 253 lbs]
Anwar Phillips, defensive back, Penn State University [6' 1" - 182 lbs]
Steve Williams, defensive tackle, Northwest Missouri State University [6' 3" - 300 lbs]
The odds of these players actually making the Cowboy roster is not great, but it can happen. Last year at least one free agent made the team [Tyson Thompson, running back]. I can hardly wait until training camp to see what happens.
Demetris Summers, running back, University of South Carolina [6' 1" - 205 lbs]
Sam Hurd, wide receiver, Northern Illinois University [6' 4" - 194 lbs]
Quincy Butler, defensive back, Texas Christian University [6' 1" - 190 lbs]
Darrell Brooks, safety, University of Arizona [6' 1" - 210 lbs]
Jeff Mroz, quarterback, Yale University [6' 5" - 230 lbs]
Miles Austin, wide receiver, Monmouth University [6' 2" - 215 lbs]
Kai Parham, linebacker, University of Virginia [6' 3" - 253 lbs]
Anwar Phillips, defensive back, Penn State University [6' 1" - 182 lbs]
Steve Williams, defensive tackle, Northwest Missouri State University [6' 3" - 300 lbs]
The odds of these players actually making the Cowboy roster is not great, but it can happen. Last year at least one free agent made the team [Tyson Thompson, running back]. I can hardly wait until training camp to see what happens.
Steven Colbert
The establishment in Washington is now mad at Steven Colbert. Colbert was invited to speak at the annual dinner for White House correspondents. It seems that they think he was too hard on Georgie, who was also at the dinner.
This is all just too ridiculous. They act like Colbert ambushed Georgie. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I am a fan of the Colbert Report [the "t" is silent in both words] and I was watching the broadcast on C-Span [shows what a pathetic life I lead]. Colbert simply performed his schtick, just like he does on his show. In fact, many of the jokes he told had already been used on the Colbert Report. He was just performing his routine as he had been hired to do.
The organizers of this event knew the kind of schtick Colbert did before they ever hired him to speak. If they did not want Colbert's brand of humor, then why did they hire him? Colbert did nothing wrong. In fact, I thought he was great. If the organizers are unhappy, they have only themselves to blame.
Also, when did it become a rule that Georgie cannot be told the truth or ridiculed in person? Georgie is an adult. If he can't handle criticism, he should resign and go clear brush on his "ranch".
This is all just too ridiculous. They act like Colbert ambushed Georgie. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I am a fan of the Colbert Report [the "t" is silent in both words] and I was watching the broadcast on C-Span [shows what a pathetic life I lead]. Colbert simply performed his schtick, just like he does on his show. In fact, many of the jokes he told had already been used on the Colbert Report. He was just performing his routine as he had been hired to do.
The organizers of this event knew the kind of schtick Colbert did before they ever hired him to speak. If they did not want Colbert's brand of humor, then why did they hire him? Colbert did nothing wrong. In fact, I thought he was great. If the organizers are unhappy, they have only themselves to blame.
Also, when did it become a rule that Georgie cannot be told the truth or ridiculed in person? Georgie is an adult. If he can't handle criticism, he should resign and go clear brush on his "ranch".
Mavericks & Stars
Being a resident of one of Cowtown's suburbs, I am a fan of the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Stars. Both teams did very well in the regular season this year. The Stars finished second in the Western Division behind the Detroit Red Wings. The Mavericks also finished second in the Western Division. They were second only to the San Antonio Spurs. At the end of the regular season, the future looked very bright for both teams in the playoffs.
The Mavericks are making good on that promise. Last night, they eliminated the Memphis Grizzlies. For the first time in their history, the Mavericks swept a seven game series in the playoffs by winning four straight games. They will get nearly a week off now while they wait to see whether they will play the San Antonio Spurs or the Sacramento Kings. Currently, the Kings and Spurs are tied at 2 games apiece. The Mavericks were the only NBA team to sweep their first round games this year.
The Stars have not done as well. As the second-rated team, they played the seventh-rated team, the Colorado Avalance. Colorado easily ejected the Stars from the playoffs in only five games, making the series look like a mismatch. I don't know how the Stars could be so good in the regular season and then look so bad in the playoffs. However, they now have company. Last night, the number one-rated Detroit Red Wings were eliminated by the eighth-rated Edmonton Oilers. Looks like it's going to be a strange year for playoff hockey!
The Mavericks are making good on that promise. Last night, they eliminated the Memphis Grizzlies. For the first time in their history, the Mavericks swept a seven game series in the playoffs by winning four straight games. They will get nearly a week off now while they wait to see whether they will play the San Antonio Spurs or the Sacramento Kings. Currently, the Kings and Spurs are tied at 2 games apiece. The Mavericks were the only NBA team to sweep their first round games this year.
The Stars have not done as well. As the second-rated team, they played the seventh-rated team, the Colorado Avalance. Colorado easily ejected the Stars from the playoffs in only five games, making the series look like a mismatch. I don't know how the Stars could be so good in the regular season and then look so bad in the playoffs. However, they now have company. Last night, the number one-rated Detroit Red Wings were eliminated by the eighth-rated Edmonton Oilers. Looks like it's going to be a strange year for playoff hockey!
Monday, May 01, 2006
Corporations and the mob
Anyone catch The Sopranos last night? I'm not big on discussing TV shows, but last night's episode was interesting in that it showed the hold that big corporations have over America in a different light.
The episode started with one of Tony's capos collecting "protection" fees from local businesses. For those of you who don't know, "protection" fees are money you give to those who would otherwise kick your ass. Basically, it's the adult version of a bully stealing your milk money.
Well, the collection of the fees was going well until they stepped in on a newly opened business. The capo and his cohort explained to the manager that he would need to pay them for protection or else. The manager responded by telling them that if he did pay them with corporate money, they would be having the same conversation with his replacement very soon. Tony's men finally gave up and walked out penniless.
At the end of the episode, they were met with the news that one of the business owners that had been paying them had his building sold out from under him (by Tony) to a corporation. The capo was left wondering (and I paraphrase), "What's happening to this neighborhood?" At this rate, he would have to take over a new neighborhood in order to maintain his lifestyle.
The effect big corporations have on small business is an everyday sight. The Sopranos made the topic fresh and interesting by showing corporate effect on Tony's criminal enterprise. Who knew that a TV show could be both interesting and economically aware?
The episode started with one of Tony's capos collecting "protection" fees from local businesses. For those of you who don't know, "protection" fees are money you give to those who would otherwise kick your ass. Basically, it's the adult version of a bully stealing your milk money.
Well, the collection of the fees was going well until they stepped in on a newly opened business. The capo and his cohort explained to the manager that he would need to pay them for protection or else. The manager responded by telling them that if he did pay them with corporate money, they would be having the same conversation with his replacement very soon. Tony's men finally gave up and walked out penniless.
At the end of the episode, they were met with the news that one of the business owners that had been paying them had his building sold out from under him (by Tony) to a corporation. The capo was left wondering (and I paraphrase), "What's happening to this neighborhood?" At this rate, he would have to take over a new neighborhood in order to maintain his lifestyle.
The effect big corporations have on small business is an everyday sight. The Sopranos made the topic fresh and interesting by showing corporate effect on Tony's criminal enterprise. Who knew that a TV show could be both interesting and economically aware?
There must be a better way
For the life of me, I simply cannot understand why someone would voluntarily imprison themselves! Not only that, but to claim it as a good idea as well! Personally, I like freedom to move around, but maybe I'm part of a dying breed.
I'm talking about the erection of walls (or in some cases fences) along borders in order to keep "bad people" out. It is a very popular idea among Israelis and is becoming so here in America as well. Some people actually believe that people will give up and go back home if they run into a wall. Ha! If only it were that easy!
Walls will do absolutely nothing to keep unwanted people out of any particular area. Someone who really wants to get past a wall will. Simple as that. We humans are a creative bunch. If we can't go over, under, or through, we will find a way to go around.
And really, is there anything more offensive to the eyes than a big wall blocking what could potentially be a beautiful view? I grew up on the plains in north Texas. Unless it's a foggy day, you can see at least twenty miles in any direction. At night, you could see lights from towns over fifty miles away. I could stare forever at the oceans of white that cotton season provided. I can't imagine how disappointed I would be if those wonderful views were obstructed by a useless wall. The feeling of freedom the plains had to offer would be replaced by a feeling of imprisonment. Not exactly my idea of a good trade.
When I look across the Rio Grande, I want to see Mexico. Even better, if I'm fishing from the Texas side, I'd like to see someone fishing from the Mexican side. There's something comforting in the knowledge that we're all in the same boat even though we may be waving different flags. To me, it promotes a sense of world community.
If a wall was effective as a barrier in any way, shape or form, then I might reluctantly consider it. But I know better than that. I suggest we think of a better way to spend our tax dollars. I suggest we find a way that could actually work.
I'm talking about the erection of walls (or in some cases fences) along borders in order to keep "bad people" out. It is a very popular idea among Israelis and is becoming so here in America as well. Some people actually believe that people will give up and go back home if they run into a wall. Ha! If only it were that easy!
Walls will do absolutely nothing to keep unwanted people out of any particular area. Someone who really wants to get past a wall will. Simple as that. We humans are a creative bunch. If we can't go over, under, or through, we will find a way to go around.
And really, is there anything more offensive to the eyes than a big wall blocking what could potentially be a beautiful view? I grew up on the plains in north Texas. Unless it's a foggy day, you can see at least twenty miles in any direction. At night, you could see lights from towns over fifty miles away. I could stare forever at the oceans of white that cotton season provided. I can't imagine how disappointed I would be if those wonderful views were obstructed by a useless wall. The feeling of freedom the plains had to offer would be replaced by a feeling of imprisonment. Not exactly my idea of a good trade.
When I look across the Rio Grande, I want to see Mexico. Even better, if I'm fishing from the Texas side, I'd like to see someone fishing from the Mexican side. There's something comforting in the knowledge that we're all in the same boat even though we may be waving different flags. To me, it promotes a sense of world community.
If a wall was effective as a barrier in any way, shape or form, then I might reluctantly consider it. But I know better than that. I suggest we think of a better way to spend our tax dollars. I suggest we find a way that could actually work.
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