http://www.elpasotimes.com/opinion/ci_26138800/anti-terrorism-efforts-sometimes-trump-publics-right-know

This article seems to be geared to people living in areas where sensitive chemicals are stored. The author seems to be pretty credible due to the fact that he wrote his article for a major Texas news site: El Paso Times. Concerned about the fact that the “Texas Legislature has chosen to allow the location of chemicals… to be withheld from the general public to reduce the chance of that information falling into the wrong hands”, Greg Abbott argues that the general public has the right to know what chemicals are being stored in their hometowns. I have to agree with him due to the fact that knowing this information, could help towns prepare for disasters like the explosion that happened in West, Texas. This could prevent chaos, and could help cities develop evacuation plans and disaster plans in case anything were to happen. Abbott uses the disaster in West and terrorist attacks to prove how this information is valuable for American citizens to know in order to prepare for disaster. This is a good way to appeal to his audience because he makes valid points that people living in sensitive areas could agree with. Texas Legislature claims that after 9/11, the risk of having information about chemicals that could potentially be used to make bombs released, was too great. However, he makes a point to agree with the fact that the release of this information could also be valuable. Because he is the attorney general of Texas, he is pushing for a computer program that would allow citizens to input their address to find areas storing ammonium nitrate. He is also pushing for the information to be released to fire stations, so that way they would have the knowledge to at least know where a disaster could happen. With this information released, at least to the qualified people in cities, citizens would feel more protected and prepared in the event that something might happen.

Red, White & Rainbow - Inequality in Texas

     According to a recent article by Mary Tuma published in the Austin Chronicle, Texas Republicans are supporting a GOP draft which "granted 'legitimacy and value' to the reparative therapy" of homosexuals. In response, Democrats are calling for a ban on what world health organizations have proven to be an outdated and invalid practice. I personally feel Republican actions make Texans look ignorant but I want the world to know their actions do not speak for all of Texas. We've already established civil rights for different groups in America, what makes homosexuals any less deserving of these rights? They too have been discriminated and suffered for reasons they cannot change. In Austin, diversity is the lifeblood of our ecosystem and that variety is what makes Austin, Austin. So, why are Texas Republicans lagging so far behind in their views toward people with different sexual orientations? People from all walks of life should be celebrated and accepted not only in Austin, but all of Texas and from sea to shining sea.

Read Mary Tuma's full article here.