All posts filed under: Houston

Houston schools should keep their names/mascots

September 16, 2014
by wesley
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Houston / Political Commentary / Society & Culture

Back in April, the Houston Independent School District unveiled four new high school mascots after their previous names were deemed too “culturally insensitive.” The offending mascots included the Indians, the Redskins, the Warriors and the Rebels. The argument that these names are somehow discriminatory is absurd. School mascots are chosen because they’re awesome—something to emulate and admire. Students take the identity of the mascot upon themselves: “we’re the Indians!” But there are plenty of people for whom protesting […]

Houston Propositions

November 6, 2012
by wesley
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Houston / Political Commentary

There are five propositions up for vote in Houston, otherwise known as “bond issues.” For those of you unfamiliar with the way this works, here’s a quick FAQ. Bond issues do not technically require a tax increase because they are paid by essentially borrowing money, which is later paid back with interest. Investors buy the bonds, which are attractive because returns are nearly guaranteed, and because of the low tax rate typically attached to interest. However, because […]

Houston’s homeless will suffer under proposed regulations

April 3, 2012
by wesley
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Economics / Houston / Political Commentary

Too often we pay critical attention to national policy debates and miss the ones going on under our noses. Many Houstonians are unaware that on March 20, the City Council considered and thankfully postponed new regulations on feeding the homeless which would have made it much more difficult for local charities and generous individuals to meet the needs of the city’s poor. Community members pushed back and a revised version of the ordinance will be […]