Closing Smelters is no solution

Stage 3

In the article “closing smelters is no solution” in the Dallas Morning News was published on February 17^th 2013. The author presented his editorial and I found it quite intriguing to know. The editorial is presented with the issue of recycling batteries, which is better than dumping them in a landfill. It is illegal to dump you’re car battery in the trash, which is why we recycle right?

Every car on the planet uses a battery, and these batteries are broken down into lead and acid. Which are very harmful when directly exposed to a human. There are various plants around the U.S. that break these down into their elements and make new batteries. Which in this process some vapors are exposed into the air, and the FDA regulates air pollution according to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Every power plant is required to maintain a “reasonable” amount of toxins and if they succeed in keeping them down, they are fined. According to CEC the plant in Frisco, TX has violated their agreements to keep the neighborhood safe and the urban community’s around the plant are fed up with them. Excide Technologies is shutting down there recycling plant in Frisco, TX. They have agreed to let Mexico handle the recycling and deal with the smelter problem. Excide can not compete with their low wages and turn a profit at the end of the day. In reality is this the true answer?

In my opinion this is stupid. The AIR which we can not control will eventually move to our country the United States, and Mexico can get away with a lot with less restrictions and less environmental regulations. I think we are running away from our problems and it will eventually bite us later on. Yes we will see a temporary fix for the town of Frisco, and save a few bucks but in reality all we are doing is passing our problems to a less sufficient country. I think the plant shut down in an effort to “stay ahead” with their bank accounts. I believe the cost would have been over their heads and their actions were to go as long as possible before they were ordered to shut it down. Instead of taking necessary actions to stay open for business, the plant is passing their environmental burden onto another country. 

Stage II- Narcotics Seizures Increase at Texas-Mexico Border

Narcotics Seizures Increase at Texas-Mexico Border

On February 1^st 2013, the Texas Tribune published an article relating to increasing numbers in drug seizures on the Texas-Mexico border. According to the statistics released last week, CBP agents seized more than 1.7 million pounds of narcotics in Texas alone. Which is more than Arizona, New Mexico and California combined. Not only did Texas lead in the U.S. for drug seizures, they are also apprehending more people to enter the country illegally. Although the borders have become more secure, it is still an on-going problem. This is a concern to me in that our President Obama is persuading his administration’s commitment to begin a dialogue on comprehensive immigration reform.

Until we see dramatic increase in law enforcement and a decrease in smuggling or drug seizures its in our best interest to focus on the safety of the people. Based on Worldcity, which is a tracking company that uses U.S. Census Bureau data to compile trade reports.  We can see a decrease in narcotics and illegal immigrants from the data over the past 10 years, but the problem is not solved or even remotely ready for a legalization program for illegal aliens to obtain U.S. citizenship.