I agree with what the author of this article is saying. I think the author of this article did a great job in stating how they felt about the whole drug testing procedures.The author also gave clear cut examples why he felt the way he did, and also gave explanations to back up his feeling.

In saying that I totally agree with the author that drug testing is biased due to the fact that each drug is detected differently. I also think there are cases when drug testing is necessary, but the testing needs to be fair. Like the author states in the article drug testing is necessary for those when our fate is in their hands.

In closing, again I think the author did a great job in explaining their reasons why they feel the way they do, and I strongly agree.

The article I read in the Statesman about the swine flu is very interesting. According to the CDC, the numbers confirmed in Texas are about 43, and no cases reported in Travis County. While the Center for Disease Control still has a lot of testing left to do, the numbers of this deadly flu are expected to rise.

I do feel that this outbreak is serious, but not that extreme. I mean yes, many people are dying from this flu, but thousands die from the flu every year. According to Schuchat,"...there are encouraging signs that, based on genetic research, the virus is not that severe." Considering that I have small children I don't take this out break lightly, but I have not broke out my gas mask.

I also feel that this virus got so much publicity because of something called the media. I do feel the media hypes up everything ten times worse than what it really is. Again the out break is deadly, but a little common cleanliness can go a long way: washing hands frequently, throwing away tissue with germs, and things of that nature.

Another issue is on the governments part. I mean what if this was a much serious out break, would the government be able to handle the situation? Nancy Cox, the CDC's flu chief stated, "the agency is preparing for a vaccine with the new strain of virus should the government decide to proceed with it." I sure hope the government does something before a much worse outbreak takes place here in the United States. I mean I do get that the government is ran by people, who make mistakes like many of us, but too many times little things slip down the cracks and later creates a mess.

In closing I do not feel this swine virus is not all that serious, and I do know like many other flu's it can be unpredictable. While I am not panicking about this virus, I am practicing common cleaning habits, which I do in every day life. I also feel the government needs to put in place something that can and will better protect the American people if a much deadlier virus takes place. I just hope as the years go by the government will do more research on certain diseases, and put in place a vaccine for the later future, just in case.

Wow! I can't believe Americans are still blaming restaurants for their bad eating choices. This bill about banning restaurants from serving foods that have more than 1/2 gram of fat is crazy.

I don't want to seem too harsh, but Americans really have to get over this obesity deal. I mean , I get it that some people have conditions that affect their weight, but at the same time they also have a choice where they eat. From what I see, most restaurants have already cut back on how much they serve. They also serve healthy foods at just about every restaurant.


In saying that, I don't agree with the author, but the argument was put together pretty well. I have to say that this type of bill can definitely cause some tension with Americans, especially those who dine out every night. Again, it is totally up to every individual to manage how much they eat.

Where were all the African-American politicians in Austin this weekend? I was looking, but I could not find one. By the way, who are the black leaders in Austin? These questions keep ringing in my ear as I think about the nasty dispute over the Relay's in Texas this weekend.

I can not help getting upset at the fact that racism is still present in this day in age. This weekend the city officials really welcomed our guest from other cities and states to Texas by closing the Highland Mall, closing different bars, and profiling all African-Americans. This is an outrage and embarrassment to a city that likes to "Keep Austin Weird."

The Austin Police Department states that this years Relay weekend had fewer arrest than the SXSW and Mardi Gras. The police department also stated that the closing of many businesses had nothing to due with pulling the race card, but the problem is safety control , crowd size, and vehicle traffic. They also closed MLK, which is largely populated with minorities, and during the Republican bike festival they welcome all bikers, that's funny. I also wonder why city officials are not closing these places of business when the SXSW and other events take place in Austin. I mean aren't they drawing in the same crowds?

If the city does there research they will find out that the St. John's Association, which was primarily African-Americans, use to own the Highland Mall strip. The Highland Mall also, when first opened, had one of biggest blacked owned businesses in town. It's sad that Austin has let this history of black pride slip through the cracks.

I wish the city council, NAACP, and other leaders in our community would pull together and change the laws in Austin. Austin needs to stay true to keeping it weird and truly embracing the different ethnic groups in Austin. The police department also needs to properly be trained and learn how to deal with minorities. If all minorities stand up and educate themselves and learn how to handle situations like this, I think we will all truly see change. The black city officials need to also be a voice in Austin and stop standing on the side lines. I hope to see change for next years events.

May God bless the Moat family as they have to deal with the death of their mother-in-law, and the unfair scrunity done by the police officer.

While reading the blog about Mr. Moat's family I have to say I totally agree with what the author is saying. I don't think this case is about race in the least bit. The author could not have said it better when saying, " There's plenty to criticize about the Moat's traffic stop without bringing race into the argument." This brings up the point when Mr. Moat's himself stated that he thinks this deal happened because his is an American, and he soon realized that the police officer wasn't going to listen to reason.

The good thing is the dash cam caught the whole ordeal on camera, and like the author says, " That dynamic of interaction with civilians is fairly typical in police misconduct cases, and it's something that's embedded in police training, policies, and culture, not just poor race relations."

Well in conclusion, I agree with the author and I like his approach and view about Mr. Mott's case. In this case the officer was reluctant to give the Mott family an apology.

I have to say I enjoyed reading the editorial about Obama's speech made on Tuesday. This piece of information was basically the review or outline of what Obama announced in his recent speech. In his speech he was talking about the budget plan he has in store for the economy, and he gave a little detail about how he was going to carry out his plans. In saying that, I think the author did a great job in giving clear cut facts about Obama's speech, and he also gave a little of his own input about the speech.

Although I agree with the author's ideas he gave, I do feel as though he should have gave a little more of his own ideas about the speech. His work is great, but he just reviewed what Obama said, and his own thoughts would have been a bit more interesting.

In saying that, I enjoyed reading again what the author has reviewed about the speech made on Tuesday. Although the author could have gave a little more of his own personal ideas, it is great to know that someone is listening to what our President is trying to say!

This brief passage is about Austin lawmakers trying to pass a bill for citizens ages 13 to 64 to get tested for the HIV virus. The author also states that legislation requires medicaid and other insurance to pick up the tab. I personally don't have a problem with the bill being passed, but I also feel that it is a personal preference for an individual over the legal age to have a choice in the matter. Being that the HIV virus is an extremely deadly virus, and all citizens should want to get routinely checked, the fact is,not all Americans have insurance to pick up the tab. So I also feel if the legislator is going to pass the bill, they need to include people who don't have insurance.