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Opinions

Know Your America: The Bill of Rights

The United States of America is the world's oldest surviving federation -- a federal republic and a representative democracy. 

We as Americans developed our ideology of "republicanism" in our quest of independence from Great Britain, asserting that government rested on the will of the people and expressed in their local legislatures. 

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the "Declaration of Independence," which proclaimed that the 13 colonies were forming an independent nation and had no further allegiance to the British crown.

Wright's Words: It Doesn't Seem Fair

The start of another 140-day circus occurred on Tuesday in Austin, as legislators from across the Lone Star State converged on the Texas Capitol to begin work on the 86th Texas Legislative Session.

Leading up to this week, I had been wondering what this upcoming session was going to bring. Will we have another push over how public bathrooms across the state are designated? Will marijuana laws become more relaxed within the state? Will we see yet another failed attempt on doing away with Texas public school funding mechanism? 

Musings by Marilou: Saints Fan in Cowboys Land

So far it has not been difficult being a “WhoDat” in West Texas but the next several weeks might prove to be a little tricky.

When I was teaching in South Louisiana, we wore our Saints shirts or jerseys on Fridays during football season.  One lone Cowboy fan, who grew up outside of Dallas, always proudly sported her Romo jersey, and we would give her a hard time.  Of course, it was all in fun and she, like the trooper she was, took it in stride.

Thinking Out Loud: Ghosts of McCarthyism

“Are you, or have you ever been, a member of the... Catholic Church?” That seemed to be what the Senators from California and Hawaii were asking as they grilled Nebraska U.S. District Court nominee Brian Buescher during his recent confirmation hearings. But rather than reveal their anti-Catholic bigotry overtly, Senators Kamala Harris and Mazie Hirono made the feeble attempt at going after a softer target, one of Judge Buescher’s affiliations, the Knights of Columbus. The KOC, according to them, holds “extreme” views. And who is this “extremist” group?

TribTalk: Vaccines and the Price of Opting Out

Imagine your child in the intensive care unit, sedated and on life support. You brought them to the emergency room with a fever and watched as their lungs faltered, the war being waged inside their little body. They are now attached to a ventilator that breathes for them, and a machine is delivering oxygen to their blood outside of their body. Your child is alive thanks to the unbelievable power of modern medicine, but fighting for their life. Your child has the flu.

Wright's Words:Already Dreading 2019

The change of the calendar year for many marks a fresh start. A chance to right the w–rongs of the previous year. A chance to start off with a clean slate.

And, looking back at 2018 in general, we need a clean slate.

But, it already appears the slate is full at the moment, and more is about to be piled on.

Musings by Marilou:Eager for a New Year

The 2019 calendar begins my third year in Seminole and my second with the Sentinel. If the next 12 months are anything like 2018, I know I am in for an incredible ride.

Two Views: Texas Runs a Short Change Con on Schools, Local Governments

The following is not satire, however much we might wish it were. We are going to visit the ruinous state policies on property taxes that have left our schools struggling and now threaten local police and fire protection and other services.  The story could reach its end during the upcoming session of the Texas Legislature, which convenes in January. How it ends is up to us. Follow along, if you dare. In Texas, property taxes are used to fund schools, police and fire protection, local hospitals, roads, bridges, et cetera.

Thinking Out Loud:

When President Trump endorsed the First Step Act, a bipartisan effort to reduce the federal prison population and improve the lives of those already incarcerated, his goal was simple, if not entirely clear, as he spoke to a rally in Mississippi: "criminal justice, Texas style." "You think of Texas as a tough, law-and-order state," he said. "Well, they've done it. ‘We want people to have better opportunities and a better life. Tough on crime, but also smart on crime.’” Trump was not alone in his assessment.

Musings by Marilou:I Can Hardly Wait

Ilove everything about the Christmas holidays but today, December 26, is my day. My two oldest grandkids, a comedic preteen and a full-fledged opinionated and moody teenager, are flying in