Home of Today's Common Sense

Published Brownsville Herald January 28, 2007

I am optimistic about seeing a reform of the immigration jungle that currently entangles the nation and encourages otherwise law-abiding folks to break the law. This issue, that keeps being pushed out of the way, has also gone on to precipitate a lack of confidence in the process and the “rule of law” that the “rulers” speak about so often.
Though the issue of a secure border and an orderly path for foreign workers to enter our country occupied only three paragraphs in the “State of the Union” address it was one of the few issues that was widely applauded in the Congressional body.
The Bush address was watched by 45.5 million folks on TV. A CNN poll described the audience as older than the average adult population, and more interested in politics in general. It was also reported that they were more likely to keep an open mind about the issues than those that don’t watch. More »

Published – Brownsville Herald January 14, 2007

Sometimes when attempting to solve all the problems of the world with “Common Sense” from this column, the ideas just jump onto the page, and this is one of those times.
Last Sunday, in this very space was a column titled “Where are today’s heroes?” by Marco Gonzalez.
Mr. Gonzalez’s passionate essay gave several examples of teachers who demonstrated extraordinary courage and made a difference. Although the difference, in some cases only found the proverbial fifteen minutes of fame in the media, they will live on in their communities and in the hearts of the students that were privileged to have been in those teachers’ classes.
He pointed out the personal funds that teachers spend on student necessities but what really caught my eye was the acts of nurturing and support that are part of the teachers’ day. Some of these things, which in today’s world of unthinking paranoia and litigational greed, could have placed that teacher at serious risk, and is becoming rare. To me it is just the picture of dedication and will certainly reassure some of our most vulnerable students more than a 50 on a test never taken would. More »