curentn sevents squizzzy

1. The house of representatives passed a law this thursday that implemented more stringent screening procedures for Syrian refugees. This measure is popular due to the Paris attacks instilling a sense of terror in all of the western world. The senate is soon to take up this bill, but president Obama has promised to veto it. Syria and Iraq's refugees pose no threat, so this is unnecessary and makes it seem like we are being taken over by terror.

2. The Austin City council passed a decision this Thursday making it easier to build "garage apartments" the two benefits of which were that they provide additional housing options and provided homeowners with supplemental income. Kathie Tovo doesn't like the ordinance because the new places for garage apartments are mostly located in her district, which will negatively affect her and her house rates. Tommy Ates says that the bill will make his income higher, and the only way for him to live in his current neighborhood is through this supplemental income. Sabino "Pio" Renteria can only live in his house because of the tenant living in his backyard cottage. I don't have an opinion on the matter due to the information provided not being enough for me to make a decision.

3. Ora Houston

4. The FDA announced that a genetically modified breed of salmon was marked safe to eat, and it may now reach dinner tables. Opponents say that the studies were inadequate, and if the fish were to escape into the ecosystem, it could be permanently damaged. The Obama administration has been accused of delaying the decision due to the political backlash it may cause, but the FDA says it took so long due to it being the first of its kind.

5. Don Zimmerman made a proposal to prevent Austin from spending money on relocating Syrian refugees.  Greg Cazar and Steve Adler called the measure Xenophobic, and didn't agree with it. 1225 refugees arrived last year. Sid Miller, racist old coot, compares refugees to snakes in a controversial facebook post. Texas Democrats accused miller of fanning the flames of fear and xenophobia.

6. Raphael Holiday was convicted of setting a fire that had 3 kids killed. He is the 13th convicted killer to be executed this year in Texas, the other 49 had convicted 13 combined this year. Gretchen Sween thinks the case should be appealed because his court appointed attorneys abandoned him after his case wasn't reviewed. The trial lawyer filed an appeal due to both the conviction and trial testimony were both improper.The attorney general's office overturned both of these appeals.

7a UnitedHealth may end Affordable Care plans
I feel like there's some shady dealings in the healthcare business, as I believe healthcare shouldn't have a goal for profits, only a goal for lives helped. The fact that this corporation is doing poorly due to the staggering number of people getting help is good, but no healthcare is very bad. It's a fine line, and if we can get a good balance for profits and people helped, then we as a society may progress.

7b Film censors to mr bond; No kissing please.
Censorship is pretty stupid, and hypocritical as well. I know we aren't affected by India's censorship policies, but I truly feel that it is something that needs to be stopped. If you don't want to see two people kissing, you should at least try to not want to see the depictions of people dying in cruel ways. Sexual activity or implied sexual activity has such a social stigma while everyone is totally okay with death. It's unreal.

7c Syrian refugees turn themselves in at texas border
LET THEM IN!!!!!!! THESE ARE FAMILIES AND CHILDREN THAT AMERICA KEEPS OUT DUE TO THE REPUBLICAN OFFICIALS MONGERING FEAR AMONG THE RANKS OF MANY TO KEEP A FIRM HOLD ON THE GOVERNMENT. IF PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP CAN GET IT FROM US, ITS OUR OBLIGATION TO GIVE IT TO THEM.