Can Religion and Government Mix?

         Found on The Daily Texan, Emily Vernon makes an argument that christianity beliefs should not be brought into governmental decisions.  She starts with talking about the Texas governor Greg Abbott. She says that he sides with christianity when making important decisions, and because the Texas government is made up of christians, they adopt an "ethnocentric religious view".  This is shown when they denied rights to the LGBT community.  She also claims that the constitution gives us the freedom of religion and if you make decisions off your own personal beliefs, then we run into a problem.  As she says, "in a country where freedom of religion is guaranteed, it is paradoxical to institute religious policy".  I can not say I disagree with her either.  She makes a good point, but what I believe she should have incorporated a little more, is the fact that the Texas government shouldn't make decisions off of personal beliefs and they should stay neutral.  She does talk about it, but I believe that singling out the governor is a little overkill and could have been a more general statement.  But she does have a good point.  The Texas government should be more neutral in making decisions, and it could be more beneficial to the citizens of Texas.  

UT Immigration Clinic

Hello Everyone! Today I wanted to talk about an article I found in The Daily Texan, and article written by Elizabeth Hlavinka, over the UT immigration clinic.  Her article was very interesting to me to see how immigrants are actually treated. She talks a lot how poor the conditions where they have to live with children are there.  As a prison for people who have committed terrible crimes, I could see this a valid place for them to stay, but for families with children, it is terrible. These kids are being brought up in terrible conditions, and it is, as she says "hindering their development.  In the article she describes this place as a room with bunkbeds and made of cinder blocks. The mothers of the children would not let their kids crawl or walk on the floors.  I would not wish a situation like this upon anyone unless they have committed a serious crime. Another big concern is about the children, and how these places are not a child care facility.  I know there might be more to the story than just these families being treated poorly, but when reading this article I couldn't help but think about the children in this situation.  A lot of the article is about taking a test and if you fail you are deported and  it is difficult for the women to receive any legal council due to the location of the facilities. But, I believe that no matter where you are from and illegal or not children should be protected.  This is not me saying parents should not be protected, but the parents know what is legal and what is not. This article is very interesting and shows people what it is like for immigrants who come into this country. If you have the time I would go read it.