Piece of my mind on Jessica Flippen's "Please don't make me buy ANOTHER reusable bag because I forgot mine"

Hello Jessica,

All things being equal, we should not have Government dictate our personal lives and most of the choices we make. Unfortunately, we elect or vote an authority to do (in part) exactly that. We are humans with unlimited wants and needs and very limited resources. While ironic, it is true. If it were not for Government intervention and laws, we would not have regulations that have made us the most productive, healthy, strong citizens that are the envy of so many other nations. I was one of them and I am grateful for this system.

This brings me to your blog on Plastic bag ban in Austin. The benefits of removing plastic bags from stores are far more advantageous to the lingering concern to our environment in the future, which is devastating. According to healthguidance.org, approximately 300 million plastic bags end up in the Atlantic Ocean, which threatens the integrity of the ocean in sustaining pollution free environment for marine life. Fish and birds mistake plastic bags for food, which if consumed can block their airways leading to unwanted death. On a larger scale (and it is already a concern, hence the law in many countries including the U.S.), this would certainly be a devastation for all animals and aquatic organisms that come in contact with the bloody thing, which would affect us directly (unless we all convert to vegetarianism!).

 

The other issues with plastic bag (and most other plastic for that matter) are the longevity of its existence. These bad boys hang around long after you and me and our great great great great great grandchildren are long gone. A plastic landfill lasts a thousand years or more before it disintegrates, damaging the earth even at its smallest state. Not to mention the amount of fuel oil required to make the darn thing. I am certain we can both agree there has got to be a better place to spend it (heating, vehicle fuel, for instance).

Finally, I found your last point on your blog a little amusing, rather in a good way. Reusable bags do get dirty and disgusting, very true. But that is exactly why they are "reusable". They are so because we can clean them. Do you wear disposable clothes? Do you throw away your running shoes every two/three days and buy a new one because they have gotten sweaty and wet? Grocery bags are of the same category. We have to wash them and keep them clean, just like we do with our dishes and clothing (genius is whoever created dishwasher and washing machine). I sincerely hope this provokes your thoughts and reconsider your original argument. Plastic bags are a burden to our wellbeing. In the long run, they are far worse than our temporary contact with germs. Because the latter, we can wash away.

Texas should curb its prison population

In his book "Texas Tough: The Rise of America's Prison Empire," Robert Perkinson shares an insightful data on the ballooning growth of the Texas Penal System.

·Number of state prisons built in Texas between 1980 and 2004: 94
·Total number of university campuses in Texas: 94
·Percent increase in Texas corrections spending between 1980 and 2004: 1,600
·Ratio of growth in Texas corrections to higher education spending between 1980 and 2000: 7:1

Given population increase and the lack of opportunities for inmates following the completion of their sentences, it is not unusual to estimate an increase of the overall Texas penal system. For example, although the overall prison population declined, it has not been enough to avoid that sad distinction of being the number one state in the nation in prison population, surpassing the state of California. Texas had 156,000 inmates in 111 prisons alone (this figure does not include those on parole or probation). What our great state should adopt is a comprehensive rehabilitation and reform system that reintroduces former inmates to communities and nurture a productive citizen out of them. A recent bill introduced by Rep. Senfronia Thompson (D-Houston) is a promising one among other state officials that have done the same in the past. Rep. Thompson's HB 1188 will challenge the possibilities of lawsuits to businesses who hire former inmates who have reentered society. Although many companies in Texas are very reluctant to hire former criminals, it makes this particular house bill very unique due to the support it has garnered from Texas Trial Lawyers Association as well as the first time involvement of the Texas Association of Business, the biggest business group, Texas Tribune reports. At this stage the bill excludes sex offenders who have been released from prison and registered. However, given the fact that only less than 20% of sex offenders are convicted again while 90% of sexual predators are first time offenders, registered sex offenders and recently released ones should not be marginalized and subjected to the ever-rising recidivism pool that breeds more of the same, on steroid.

Speaking of recidivism, our reaction and treatment of released inmates or citizens with criminal records impact our society in the long run. Long gone are the days when law enforcement officials were looked upon with respect and gratitude, a good example of society. The more we focus on banishing former criminals with too little rehabilitation (and too much punishment), the larger the sphere of resentment. No longer is one individual that will feel the brunt, it will be an entire family, friends, and a community. And we just spent an average of $50.79 of our dues, per inmate, per day. Rep. Thompson's initial but important step is a great lead for others to follow.

There are brilliant ideas that other states have done to curb their prison population. For example, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana presented proposals to lawmakers that would encourage rehabilitation of drug offenders instead of incarcerating (Louisiana holds the trophy for the highest number of inmates). Other states: Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and South Dakota are implementing measures that would reduce inmate population and increasing rehabilitation. Menial jobs and positive behavior inspired activities aside, penal systems in Texas should take an example of a certain Cleveland unit in East Texas. By partnering with Baylor University, it is training inmates business entrepreneurship. Volunteering communities and investing on inmates while incarcerated is a sure way to sustain a future that is a citizen less resentful, less criminal and a productive member of society that bears the ideal social and political schemes. With over 700 per 100,000 Americans behind bars, this may seem overly ambitious and utopian, but it is very possible.

Even Australians have fewer prisoners than our great nation. And Australia was founded as a prison colony!