Closing Time

My son, Preston Watson, graduated from UT-Austin this past weekend. But it may as well have been the rest of us up there with him.

Almost everything about the experience seemed designed to leave a memory – the commencement ceremonies, the fireworks, the parties, the topical and timeless speech by former Secretary Robert Gates.

It felt like the whole family was part of it, sharing in Preston’s success.

But there was exactly one hiccup. Preston got his Bachelor’s in history, and there was a special ceremony where he and his history classmates walked across the stage.

Well, as you probably noticed, Preston’s last name is Watson. So is mine. And in the several years I’ve had this last name, I’ve come to expect that whenever there’s a large group listed, gathered or lined up – whether it’s 31 state senators or a bunch of graduates – “Watson” tends to come at the end of the line.

So when the procession of graduates started walking to their seats, I sort of sat back and relaxed, made small talk with my brother, and read the program. I might have even checked my email and Twitter feed.

I was waiting for the first three rows to fill up and then I’d start looking for my boy and take his picture as he entered. Imagine my surprise when, relatively early (make that quite early) in the ceremony, I heard Liz say, “There’s Preston.” I looked up and saw his back as he was well past me.What happened to the alphabet at UT?

Anyway, we all scrambled to whip out our cameras. My iPhone shot was … not my best work.

This one’s much better:

Congratulations to Preston McDaniel Watson and the University of Texas at Austin Class of 2012. We’re proud of you all – and your university.

Not-Late Early Voting

Normally, I would have already started nagging you about getting out to vote. I mean, early voting for this year’s county and state primaries started last week, and the election’s just a week from today.Well, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. First of all, the election schedule’s all screwed up because of the legal wrangling over the state’s redistricting process (or what passes for it), and who wants to relive all of that?

Besides, those of you who live in Austin had just finished voting in the City Council elections (in fact, given what I trust is the fine civic engagement of Watson Wire readers and the truly tragically low turnout in the local elections, we all may have constituted a majority). It seemed odd to start talking about early voting three days after another election day.

So I’ve got just one week to cajole you into heading to the polls. It’s easy. It’s painless. It’s the right thing to do.

(Besides, if you don’t vote early this week, you’ll have to run to your local polling place on the day of the primary, which will also be the day after Memorial Day. How screwed up is that? Thanks, everyone responsible for the redistricting process!)

Anyway, here’s more information about early voting in Travis County. Here’s where to go if you’re in Bastrop County. And if you live anywhere else in the state, try this site.

Go vote.

A Smart DREAM

One of the items on the Democratic ballot this week is a non-binding referendum. It asks whether Texas high school graduates who’ve lived here for a number of years should be eligible for in-state tuition at Texas universities and should have the opportunity to earn legal status by serving the country in the military or contributing to the economy through higher education.

This, of course, is a reference to what’s known as the DREAM Act.

In Texas, the Dream Act generally refers to the law (already on the books) that allows kids who are brought to the state through no fault of their own, who do well in school and who meet other requirements, to pay in-state tuition at a state university that accepts them.

The federal DREAM Act, unfortunately, is not yet law, but it would serve a similar purpose. It would:

  • Help those who were brought to the United States as children through no fault of their own by their parents or others, and who don’t know any other home besides here.
  • Reward responsibility by creating a path to citizenship for these young, talented, committed Americans – but only if they meet strict legal requirements, serve the nation, and contribute to our prosperity.
  • Add billions of dollars to our economy through income and innovation.

This is a compassionate, common-sense proposal – a limited but important part of the Texas solution we need to address immigration. Sadly (but not surprisingly), it’s having trouble finding traction in the overheated politics surrounding the issue.

The opportunities of diversity

You know, it’s a tragedy of modern politics that immigration has become such a divisive issue. Some of America’s greatest historical strengths, after all, have flowed from the country’s ever-changing, inclusive culture.

Diversity shouldn’t be viewed only for the challenges that come with it. It also should be recognized for the boundless opportunities it presents – opportunities that Americans should recognize, from our history, better than anyone else in the world.

Unfortunately, the federal government has pretty much abdicated its responsibility by failing to confront the immigration issue. And that vacuum has been filled by shameful rhetoric that does nothing but divide and weaken us.

Even the DREAM Act, which was really just meant to be a limited, bipartisan solution to a specific issue, has fallen victim to short-sighted, extremist ideology.

What we need is a Texas solution on immigration. That solution, first and foremost, must secure our borders and keep us safe. And it must show zero tolerance for those who commit serious crimes.

But it also must recognize people who have lived as Americans for years – and who will meet stringent requirements to serve our country and contribute productively to our economy.

The DREAM Act should be one part of that solution. So I hope you’ll vote in favor of this referendum on the Democratic ballot this week.

×

Comments are closed.