Opinion

As of this writing, SpaceX, whose last heavy booster rocket launch caused the Federal Aviation Administration to look further at its permitting, is now applying to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for a treated wastewater permit to dump up to 200,000 gallons into South Bay nearby, which is the first coastal preserve named in 1984 and is important ecologically to our and other areas.

A debate is growing regarding how much time students should be in school. Some schools are adding time while others are cutting it.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced the first 10 drugs that will be subject to Medicare’s new price controls. More drugs will follow each year.

The greatest danger to U.S. democracy is our political system itself. Among the greatest problems are the practices of gerrymandering and the passage of the Citizens United legislation. Both practices are counter to the idea of a democratic government as intended by our constitution. They are counter to the idea of one man, one vote. A third problematic and counterproductive part of our political system is the absence of term limits.

I like to buy local when I can find it here. I have found that the absence of shipping charges (on many, not all products) more than makes up for the higher price needed by a company that has brick-and-mortar overhead.

A recent article about how we are changing our view of the evolution of man through new and better information reminded me of my part in original research in man’s journey from primitive hominids to modern humans.

While doing my usual rushed grocery shopping at H-E-B, I came across the kindest people, a young mom and her son, presumably around 13 or so, who both came with a big smile on their faces, to help me unload my cart of groceries at the checkout registry. They probably noticed my frail attempt to do it on my own, and both came to my rescue.

Something to think about, courtesy of the Rai Physique. Please read slowly.

We join the community of San Benito, and the entire Rio Grande Valley, in mourning the loss of Police Lt. Milton Resendez. The 27-year veteran was fatally shot Tuesday night during a multi-agency vehicle chase and shootout that stretched from South Padre Island to Brownsville.

In his Sept. 19 commentary Mr. Brian Phillips states that Texas public school students are not getting the education they deserve. That unfortunately is true, as every test not based on Texas’ contrived measurements has shown. However, he goes on to find fault with politicians and school boards and proposes that it can be solved with charter schools. The first is incorrect and the second is dangerous.