Opinion

I’m looking back on all of the good news – some of it really big news – out of Sul Ross State University in the last few weeks or so alone. I’m so proud of all that we’re accomplishing, especially as we look to improve our student experience so that we increase enrollment and retention, which remain our two top goals on our Alpine campus.

Invasion and big government Texas and the USA have undergone an almost silent invasion, with what I call a Biden invasion. This invasion has allowed untold millions in illegal drugs and immigrant mules to enter the U.S. Some get captured. That is in the news we read, but when you push numbers, there is a lot more that gets in, than gets caught. Where does it go? Well, the cartels have their own system of business distribution. A well-regulated and well thought out business plan. This has to be true because of all the deliveries coming in that are producing illegal drugs easily obtained, and subsequent deaths due to overdose that are at an all-time high. Washington does not help the southern border. Texas is left to deal with the problem. And all the border crossers from countries not friendly to the USA come here and drain humanitarian resources that well deserving American citizens could use. These resources are now diverted to non-Americans. Now, the current thought is that all border crossers will vote Democrat and draw entitlement programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, housing, and so on. I believe this to be a product of a failing system of government. Republicans and Democrats fighting each other. What happened to “We the People?” It’s now a government of have and have nots. Salaries of politicians are a paltry amount, yet when they leave office, they leave with millions of dollars. Where does that money come from? Not from taxpayers, but lobbyists with pay off money, including China, Russia, Saudia Arabia, and who knows from where else. Robert Lafarelle Midland, Texas

Tis the season to be aware of your pet’s care in these hot summer months. Alpine Animal Services would like to remind you of some summer safety tips to beat the heat and make this time of year as safe as possible for you and your pet.

“You can live to be a hundred if you give up all the things that make you want to live to be a hundred.” — Woody Allen, filmmaker, actor, and comedian. Age and I have long been odd acquaintances.

“Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; — John Gillespie Magee Jr., World War II Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot and war poet. “Mistakes to avoid on your pilot’s license check ride,” the magazine headline declared.

Who was that amazing teacher you had? The one who helped you see your potential, your promise, a new future? The one who helped you navigate a difficult time, learn something new about yourself, or dream a little bit bigger?

With somewhat agitational words like “climate change” being thrown around these days, one may wonder what all that entails. People from all walks of life and political leanings will have an opinion on what they believe it means. Politicos would have us all believe that the increase in human population and greenhouses gases are the only culprits and that fossil fueled vehicles are evil and the biggest cause.

“If an expired license plate means another decoration for your living room wall … you might be a redneck.” — Jeff Foxworthy “I’m going to the courthouse to get new tags for the car,” I remember my grandfather saying as he tapped his pipe on the ashtray to empty the remains of Prince Albert tobacco. “You want to go with me.” That was a no-brainer.

Now that I’m six months into the County Judge position, friends are always asking me “Greg, are you regretting running for the position?” or “Greg, is being the CJ like having your wisdom teeth removed?”

“Don’t worry about getting older. You’re still going to do dumb stuff.