Columns/Opinions

By TONI WALKER

I am a baseball fan. I always have been. I have watched many games and many World Series. And I have to tell you, what happened Wednesday night in Los Angeles, from my perspective, was nothing short of amazing. Really, what has happened the last two seasons has been remarkable, not just for the fans of those teams, but for fans of all teams.

Last season, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Cleveland Indians, and their 108 year old drought, to win the World Championship. On Nov. 1, the Houston Astros brought their 56 year long championship drought by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers. Not only was the Astros’ win the first for the franchise, but it also served as the first ever baseball World Championship brought to the state of Texas. (Between the Astros and the Texas Rangers, the title drought for the state of Texas eclipses that 108 game drought of the Cubs!)

By ED STERLING

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott proclaimed Nov. 3 as Houston Astros Day, honoring the American League champions for winning the 2017 Major League Baseball World Series.

The Astros won their fourth game in the best-of-seven Series against the National League champion Los Angeles Dodgers on Nov. 1. It’s the first World Series championship for the Houston Astros in the 55-year history of the franchise and the first for a Texas team. Players wore “Houston Strong” patches on their uniforms in honor of those affected by Hurricane Harvey’s widespread devastation. More than one million fans lined the streets of downtown Houston Nov. 3 to see the players hoist the championship trophy during a victory parade.

by ED STERLING 

AUSTIN — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Oct. 27 filed a brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a lower court ruling that required nine of the state’s 150 House districts to be redrawn.

In September, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily stayed the federal district court’s ruling. That allowed Texas to continue to use the existing maps while the redistricting case remains pending.

Candidate filings for the 2018 elections begin next month. Early primary voting begins in February.

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by JIM SNYDER 

Well, it seems the daily onslaught of attacks on President Trump are as vigilant now as they were on inauguration day. And those who wish to take him down are a diverse group. Democrats, the mainstream media, and even members of his own party are actively participating in what has been appropriately named “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”

Those who participate in this activity are blinded by their hatred for the 45th president. They continually call for his removal by indictment, impeachment, or by any other means possible.

The biggest and most widely used battle cry to date has to be the premise that the Trump campaign somehow colluded with the Russians to steal the 2016 presidential election. Of course, the one continuing thorn in the sides of his detractors is the fact that after 16 months of attacks and investigations they have not been able to find any evidence to back up their allegations.

By TONI WALKER

As little children, we had a tendency to disassociate with anything we do not agree with or that is not our idea. Children are quick to say “You’re not my friend” when someone crosses them, and some will even tell the adults who care for them the most the same thing.

It is one thing for children to hold this philosophy, everyone knows a child’s mind, feelings, and even beliefs, change with every new wind. It is how they form their lasting values and become the adult they will be. But, I have heard and seen a lot of this same attitude from adults in the last few months.

I understand you may not like the same president, music style, friends, preachers, or anything else as I do. But for you to proclaim that “They are not my ____” simply because they are not your preference, to me is rather childish.

By ED STERLING

AUSTIN — Texas Education Commissioner Morath on Oct. 17 announced that school systems needing instructional materials — either because of enrollment of students displaced by Hurricane Harvey or from property damage caused by the hurricane — can create an online list for donors to access.

Potential donors can find the lists through the Texas Education Agency’s Instructional Materials Assistance web page: https://tea.texas.gov/Academics/Hurricane_Harvey_ Instructional_Materials_Assistance/. “From the initial days of the hurricane, many people have stepped forward wanting to help. The TEA Instructional Materials Assistance web page provides a way to see what school districts truly need and then allow for those needs to be met,” Morath said.

by ED STERLING

AUSTIN — Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath on Oct. 11 announced the establishment of the Hurricane Harvey Task Force on School Mental Health Supports to deliver needed attention to schools and higher education institutions impacted by the storm.

The Texas Education Agency, acting on orders from Gov. Greg Abbott, is spearheading the effort in partnership with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas Health and Human Services Commission, in collaboration with the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute. The task force will develop a list of tiered supports and resources that can be used by school leaders to address the mental health needs of affected staff, students and families.

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By JIM SNYDER

I really hope the majority of sports fans are fed up with the pettiness of the NFL players protesting the National Anthem. The only redeeming quality that has come from all of this is the fact that the NFL has lost viewers and revenue due to their inability to stop this. This entire embarrassment could have been avoiding had the NFL and the owners had the backbone to tell their employees (yes, that’s what they are) to knock it off and grow up.

Some of the reasons given by the players for their disrespect has included police brutality, oppression by America as a whole, and unfair treatment. Many of these players really don’t know why they are doing it other than they just want to be part of the protest for the attention. So let’s look at some of their reasons given.