Opinion

There is a very delicate balance between our judicial system’s need to gather evidence and a person’s natural rights (rights every person has, not permissions granted by government) enshrined in the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights. The Fourth Amendment to our Constitution guarantees each citizen’s right to “be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures”. The key word is unreasonable. The amendment, and significant case law, goes on to list how a search or arrest warrant may be legally issued. As a Justice of the Peace, one of my most solemn duties is to ensure the law is followed while protecting the rights of the citizen. Indeed, as the Supreme Court opined in Boyd v. United States (1886), “It is the duty of courts to be watchful for the constitutional rights of the citizen, and against any stealthy encroachments thereon”.

“He’s a pinball wizard, There has got to be a twist. A pinball wizard’s Got such a supple wrist.” — Song lyrics ‘The Pinball Wizard” by The Who Remember video games? Yeah, I know they’re still around. I’m talking about early iterations: Nintendo, Pac-Man, Pong, Odyssey. I don’t know the history of video games, but I have no doubt my son does.

The week of Monday, May 4 is Teacher Appreciation Week. After a year of political scheming in Austin that held funding hostage for long-overdue teacher pay raises in a failed effort to push through voucher schemes, there has never been a more important time for local communities to show their teachers how much they are appreciated.

“If you don’t like the weather, just wait a few minutes. It will change.” — Attributed to both Will Rogers and Mark Twain, depending on what you read.

I’m trying hard to remember. What was so dad-gum funny about that?”— Me.

Sul Ross State University is pleased to announce the Lobo Promise Scholarship, covering the full cost of tuition and fees. It’s a commitment to empowering students, fostering academic excellence, and creating opportunities for social mobility.

“Remember the good times? When phones were dumb, and people were smart?” — Spotted on a T-shirt, worn by someone using a smartphone Old movies and television shows are the best. People enjoying life with each other.

As a lifelong Texan, I’ve witnessed the unique challenges faced by families in our rural communities, such as limited access to essential services like unemployment and childcare, as well as insufficient support in accessing resources for business development and assistance for veterans, to name a few.