Troublesome Texas Voting

            Upon quickly skimming some blog posts from In The Pink Texas I knew it I could appreciate the style of writing Eileen Smith uses.  Aside from it being a political satire blog, hilariously critical humor filled the posts.  After weeding out some of the trivial post, I found one titled “Southern Discomfort” that was a bit short but still a good read.  The reader I imagine she has in mind can be one of many types, but ultimately has to be able to take a joke.  Initially I thought of the majority of her audience being Texan (because this post specifically effects Texan voters) but then read the article “Justice Department Bars Texas Voter ID Law” that she linked to her post.  The article states that, like Texas, other states are pressing new voter ID laws.  Another party of viewer Smith might aim for are those who criticize or just enjoy humor at the expense of Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry.  Tying in to the critics and Texans are the liberal-leaning readers and those that are just critical of the whole Republican party (who isn’t anymore?).  Smith might even be trying to cover all of her bases, making sure to add a witty disclaimer at the end as not to offend any Hispanic readers.

            When it comes to credibility, blogs are hit or miss.  Anyone can spew his or her political views through a blog.  To her credit, popular news outlets, such as the Dallas Morning News and the Austin Chronicle, praised Eileen Smith. Additionally, She does paraphrase and quote from an article on the Washington Post, showing she did some research.  Other than that though, her blog is meant as political satire, clearly stated at the top, and isn’t something to stress over, even with its current political issues. 

            Smith lathers on the sarcasm while making a point to show how ridiculous and transparent the Republicans (Rick Perry’s) efforts are at justifying a new Voter ID law.  The quote Smith used from the Washington Post quoting Rick Perry’s views on “pervasive federal overreach” is enough to identify Perry’s ridiculous stance.  Because of Perry’s train wreck of a campaign, the reader probably wont have a hard time believing that he is shielding a personal agenda behind the façade of a fraudulent voting concern.

            I can’t help but to agree with Smith, that Perry’s failed attempt at changing voting requirements seems to discriminate towards minorities, particularly Hispanics.  Some voters either can’t afford a license/passport or have no need for one.  Keeping those people from voting wouldn’t be reasonable.  Whatever your stance on the issue, Smith mocks both the Republicans and Hispanics, balancing them out and resulting in a humorous yet not overly offensive commentary.