In the Austin American Statesman I found an editorial called, Austin more than staying afloat. This editorial discusses new job opportunities for the people in Austin. The companies that are possibly opening up units here in Austin are Facebook and Yingli Green Energy Americans Inc. This also discusses that Austin is competing with Phoenix over Yingli and that “Yingli and Facebook announcements follow decisions by Hanger Orthopedic Group and LegalZoom Inc. to open operations here that combined would create 850 jobs over the next few years.”

Something I found interesting and important in this editorial was when it said, “There's still a gap between jobs lost and jobs created, but the additions are definitely a move in the right direction.” I completely agree that bringing in new companies and offering several jobs is certainly going to help those struggling with the recession and depression right now.

Also in the editorial it says that a team of economists, Kirk Ladendorf, Barry Harrell and Marty Toohey, agree that the value of jobs to be created are going to outweigh the tax breaks the companies are being offered to locate in Austin. I thought this was also important because it shows what they are bargaining for and what they are trying to make available in Austin. It also discusses the tax breaks for Facebook and Yingli. It shows that they are going to make a certain amount of available jobs, and it also shows the salary for the employees and managers. I think it was important to include this because it shows people not only what is being brought to Austin but how it will benefit them.

Something that I didn’t like about the article was when it said that Rick Perry took credit for the Facebook deal and will also take credit if Austin gets the Yingli deal too. I didn’t think it was necessary to include that in the editorial because it’s not something a lot of people want to know let alone care about. A quick note was made after that said, “The primary consideration should not be who gets political credit but matching willing employees with employers.” And I thought that was exactly correct and what we should be focused on.

I think opening these companies in Austin is such a great way to help those out who are unemployed. So many jobs will be offered, especially if Austin gets the deal with Yingli. However, a dramatic amount of people are going to have a job again and that’s what is most important. I really enjoyed the article and think it’s important information to learn and have knowledge on. And overall I think this editorial did a great job of getting the message out to the public to show them their hopefully soon to be options.

Feds score touchdown with texting ban

While recently reading the Austin American Statesman, I came across an editorial, Feds score touchdown with texting ban. In the beginning, it discusses how cars used to be back in the day, compared to how technology has improved in cars today. In the article the author makes an argument and states, “Yes, thanks to technology, we can do all kinds of things behind the wheel. And all of them distract from the only thing we should be doing behind the wheel, which is driving.” I definitely agree with the author’s clear statement placing his opinion on the situation with being on the phone behind the wheel.

Since the law was recently passed that banned texting, surfing the web, etc. while driving, us as individuals should abide by it. The law is the law and it’s a completely appropriate to take away this privilege that we used to have that causes several car wrecks and deaths every year. Something interesting I learned from this editorial was that the average amount of time a person looks at their phone is 4.6 seconds which is equivalent to traveling a football field distance including the end zones at 55 miles per hour, without eyes on the road. I completely agree when the Secretary Ray LaHood comments and says, “This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.”

Overall, I think that eliminating texting while driving will help drivers be less distracted on the road from now on, and hopefully the people out there will agree and follow the law. In this article I agree all the way with the author and I think they did a great job getting the message about this issue across in a well manner. And, I hope to see others follow the law and if not I know the consequences will help those understand what is really at risk.