I searched the austin american statesman and didn't find anything that interested me but when i went to the dallas news i read about the possible sate-wide smoking ban in texas. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-smokeban_20edi.State.Edition1.2a12244.html written by a staff member who is unknown.

He/She definately has a strong opinion on what our state should do, and who to favor on this possibility. The writer explains how there are many business who will be to not have this ban. although 28 tx. cities already do. This could cause issues with people going out to eat, going to a bar, or outside events. They also discuss how it is a threat to non-smokers in the environment, and thier health.

I would most definately agree with the writer. He does give reasons for both sides feeling the way they do but taking the final side of the non-smokers. He states that the law makers should finally take thier stand and not give in to lobbyist. from the beginning of this editorial you can certainly see that the writer has made up his decision and really believes in the ban. Not to mention he has confidence in it which is importantly good to other readers to be convinced to have the same opinion has him. The writer is not debating on whether or not to have the ban nor are they siding a little with both. This is good.

Many texans, both non smokers and smokers are not quite sure what to think of this potential ban and i feel as though the writer could encourage others to side with him. However i think he should have added more reasons as in to why we should want the smoking ban in public places, more so of its benefits. He used a date and numbers to set it in that these are facts he based his opinion on and not just other opinions or a gut feeling. In Austin, even with the smokeing ban, many people of all ages still smoke. For the sake of our neighbors health and our own, we should have respect for each other and fight for the ban.strong vocabulary used throughout the article.

Army rethinks plan....

In the Austin American statesman i read an article about how as of now we have 42,000 soldiers in europe, that is just the army alone. The original plan was to cut back on our european soldiers to only 32,000. Although this may not interest you it does me because my younger brother is 18, graduated high school a semester early and is currently at boot camp at ft. Benning, Ga. I just recieved a letter from my brother telling me that he will be shipped out to italy in may after he gets out of his training. Althouh the plan is to cut back, General Carter Ham, the head of army troops located in europe has changed his mind and feels that our troops are needed over there, and cutting back will help with our allies. They also mention that these troops have recently and in the past have helped with our wars in afganastan and iraq. Interesting again because my brother will be deployed to afganastan in october of this year, after being in europe. Although my wish is that gen Hams plan does not go through, because i would like to see my brother closer home. On a broader note, i think the war has been going on for way too long, too many lives have been taken, enough families have been broken and more than enough damage has been made to our country. We stand tall still but it is most definately time to bring our troops home and end this war.