Give parents, authorities, teens tools to deal with sexting

The editorial board of the Austin American Statesman wrote an editorial on the topic of a proposed bill by state Sen. Kirk Watson to make sexting, sending explicit or nude photos of themselves or others via cell phone, a criminal offense for minors in Texas. The editorial board's argument supports this bill and the measures involved, and I agree with their argument. The bill is tough but it does provide a second chance for the convicted teenagers by allowing them to have the first conviction expunged from their record, if they do not repeat the offense. Also, they support and add to Attorney General Greg Abbott's point that officials are right about not wanting to wait until a teenager is tried under the adult pornography law, which is a felony that leads to state prison and registering as a sex offender for the rest of their lives. The board's logic on this is just; this would be too great of a consequence for a teenager because they can make immature and impulsive decisions not understanding the lasting impacts of those decisions. But, there should be consequences. However without this bill it is the only option, to try minor teenage sexters under adult pornography law, other than doing nothing.
Another well made point by the editorial board is that it is important to get the word out of the consequences of conviction if the bill is passed. As they stated, getting the word out would cause schools to educate students on the dangers of sexting and the lasting impacts it can have. As well as for parents to get more involved in their children's lives by keeping a closer watch on what's happening with their children's cell phones, especially since they are the ones likely to be paying the fines.
The evidence the board gives in this editorial also gives rise to their credibility. They use direct quotes from people involved, give detailed information of what the bill entails, and they give supporting information from studies that have been done. They give just enough opinion to show their support for the bill but also provide facts to help the people decide how they feel about this bill. The above referred "people" are parents; the intended audience of this editorial. I am a parent, and when I read the first paragraph stating what the bill was, I was on the fence. However after reading the article and reading strong supporting facts and opinions, I fully support this bill!

Anti-abortion activists rally at Texas Capitol

The article I have chosen to summarize to you for this assignment provides some insight on a new bill that deals with abortion restrictions.

Thursday afternoon anti-abortion activists rallied at the Texas Capitol demanding tougher restrictions on abortions. This rally arose because of a bill that was approved by the state Senate on Wednesday that would require doctors to perform a sonogram before executing an abortion. If this bill is passed, it would require doctors to explain to the woman what they are seeing during the sonogram. Doctors would also have to describe visible internal organs, legs or arms. There are exemptions to this bill in such cases where there are fatal abnormalities or for women who have been sexually assaulted or a victim of incest.
In the House, three similar bills have been introduced. All of which, in addition to the Senate's bill, would require the doctor to display the sonogram image to the woman and play the fetal heartbeat. The woman could not opt-out of this. The House bills also don't provide for any exemptions. State Sen. Dan Patrick told the activists, "We're on the right side of God and on the right side of history".

This article is worth reading because not only is abortion one of the most controversial issues, it provides some detail on current abortion bills trying to be passed and how pregnancy and abortion could be handled in the near future in regards to government involvement. It affects the pro-life group in the sense that it is a step towards making abortions illegal. However, this especially affects the pro-choice group. It will not take away the choice of having an abortion but these bills will make the choice extremely difficult if the woman, and possibly man involved, have to see and listen to the baby.