News
The Ten Commandments in Schools: A Necessary Change or a Constitutional Violation?
The recent enactment of a Louisiana law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms has ignited a national debate on the role of religion in education. This controversial legislation, signed by Governor Jeff Landry, requires all public K-12 classrooms and state-funded universities to prominently display the Ten Commandments. As legal challenges mount, the question remains: Is this law a necessary change to address moral decay, or does it violate constitutional principles?
Public Opinion and Religious Demographics
The law reflects a broader trend in public sentiment regarding religion in schools. According to a 2023 Pew Research Center survey, 37% of Americans believe there is too little religion in public education, while 31% think the current level is appropriate. This divide underscores the complex relationship between faith and public institutions in the United States.
Louisiana’s religious landscape plays a significant role in this debate. The state has a strong Christian majority, with approximately 84% of adults identifying as Christian, including 46% who are evangelical Protestants. Only about 13% of Louisiana residents are religiously unaffiliated, compared to the national average of 26%.
Legal Challenges and Constitutional Concerns
The law faces immediate legal challenges, with civil liberties groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), preparing to sue the state. These organizations argue that the law violates the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from favoring one religion over others or non-religion.
Historically, similar laws have been struck down by the Supreme Court. In the 1980 case of Stone v. Graham, the Court ruled that a Kentucky law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools was unconstitutional. However, the current conservative majority on the Supreme Court may lead to a different interpretation of the Establishment Clause, potentially shifting towards a view that emphasizes historical practices.
Implementation and Requirements
The law specifies that the Ten Commandments must be displayed on posters at least 11 inches by 14 inches in size, using a large, easily readable font. Schools are not required to fund these displays themselves but can accept donations for their purchase. This provision attempts to navigate around previous court rulings that have restricted government funding of religious displays.
Addressing Moral Decay and Violence
Supporters of the law argue that the Ten Commandments are foundational to the legal and moral framework of the United States and that their display in schools can provide ethical guidance to students. Governor Landry and other proponents believe that the commandments can help address issues of moral decay and violence in schools by instilling a sense of right and wrong.
Statistics from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) indicate that incidents of violence in schools have been a growing concern. In the 2021-2022 school year, 20% of public schools reported at least one incident of physical attack or fight without a weapon, up from 15% in the 2015-2016 school year. Proponents argue that reinforcing moral values through the Ten Commandments could help mitigate such issues.
Broader Implications and National Trend
Louisiana’s law is part of a larger conservative Christian legislative movement gaining momentum in several states. For instance, Texas is considering similar mandates. This trend reflects a growing push to incorporate religious elements into public education, raising concerns about the impact on students from diverse religious backgrounds and those with no religious affiliation.
Educational Impact and Hidden Curriculum
Curriculum experts warn about the potential effects of this law on the “hidden curriculum” – the implicit lessons taught through school policies and practices. There are concerns that mandating religious displays could create an environment that feels hostile to non-Christian students, potentially undermining efforts to embrace religious diversity in public education.
As this debate unfolds, it highlights the ongoing tension between religious expression and secular governance in American public life. The outcome of Louisiana’s Ten Commandments law and similar initiatives across the country will likely have far-reaching implications for the interpretation of the First Amendment and the future of religious displays in public institutions.
While the intention behind the law may be to provide moral guidance to students, its implementation raises serious constitutional and ethical concerns. The ongoing legal battle will determine whether this approach is a necessary change to address moral decay and violence in schools or a violation of the foundational principles of religious freedom and separation of church and state.
News
Texas Floods: 110+ Dead, 161 Missing After Historic Disaster

Catastrophic flooding struck Central Texas beginning on July 4, 2025, primarily impacting the Hill Country region, including Kerr County and the Guadalupe River area. The disaster has resulted in over 110 confirmed deaths and left more than 161 people missing as of July 8. The floods were triggered by intense, record-breaking rainfall that caused rivers to rise rapidly, overwhelming communities and summer camps.

Key Facts
- Death Toll: Over 110 confirmed fatalities, including at least 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
- Missing Persons: At least 161 people remain unaccounted for, with ongoing search and rescue operations.
- Affected Areas: Severe impacts in Kerr, Kendall, Burnet, Travis, Williamson, and Tom Green counties. The Guadalupe River rose by more than 26 feet in under an hour.

Emergency Response
- State Action: Governor Greg Abbott deployed more than 1,750 personnel and nearly 1,000 vehicles and equipment from over 20 state agencies.
- Federal Aid: President Donald Trump declared a major disaster, unlocking federal resources for relief and recovery.
- Ongoing Risk: Additional rainfall is forecasted, and flood watches remain in effect for much of Central Texas.

Communication and Alerts
- Emergency Alerts: The National Weather Service issued multiple flash flood warnings, but some residents did not receive alerts due to the lack of a local outdoor warning system and inconsistent cell service.
- Mobile Coverage Issues: Some areas near the Guadalupe River have spotty cell service, which may have prevented some residents from receiving critical alerts.
Aftermath and Community Impact
- Search and Rescue: Hundreds of emergency personnel continue to search for missing persons in challenging conditions.
- Infrastructure Damage: Roads, bridges, and homes have been severely damaged or destroyed.
- Calls for Change: The disaster has intensified calls for improved flood warning systems and greater investment in emergency preparedness.
What Texans Should Know
- Stay Alert: Residents in affected areas should monitor weather updates and follow local guidance.
- Support and Resources: Emergency shelters and assistance are available for displaced families.
This update reflects the situation as of July 8, 2025, and will continue to evolve as search and rescue operations progress.
Advice
How to Create Emotion in Film

Emotions are the foundation of the human experience. They shape our decisions, color our memories, and drive our relationships. In cinema, emotions are not just an added layer—they are the very heart of storytelling. If a film leaves its audience unmoved, it is often deemed a failure. Understanding how emotions work, both psychologically and cinematically, reveals the secrets behind films that truly resonate.

The Psychology of Emotion
Where Do Emotions Come From?
Modern psychology has long sought to answer two central questions about emotion:
- Where do emotions originate?
- How can they be categorized?
For filmmakers, the origin of emotion is especially relevant. Evolutionary psychologists argue that basic emotions are products of natural selection, serving crucial roles in survival by aiding decision-making, motivation, socialization, and memory.
Components of Emotion
Psychologist Klaus Scherer identifies five components of emotion:
- Cognitive Appraisal: The brain’s identification of an emotion.
- Bodily Symptoms: Physical manifestations, like a racing heart.
- Action Tendencies: How we are motivated to respond.
- Expression: Outward signs, such as facial expressions or gestures.
- Feelings: The subjective experience of the emotion.
Theories of Emotional Experience
- James-Lange Theory: Early theorists William James and Carl Lange posited that emotions are the result of physiological reactions. For example, “I’m sweaty, so I must be nervous.”
- Cognitive Appraisal Theory: Richard Lazarus later argued that thought comes first. We appraise a situation, then experience both physiological and emotional reactions. One person might see a rat and feel fear; another might see the same rat and feel joy.

How to Create Emotion in Film
1. Write Emotion into the Script
- Script as the Heart: The emotional impact of a film begins with its script. Audiences must care about the story and its characters; when characters feel, viewers feel.
- Recontextualized Repetition: Repeating lines, objects, or motifs in new contexts gives them deeper meaning (e.g., the shoes in Jojo Rabbit or the song “Remember Me” in Coco).
- Dialogue: Well-crafted dialogue can move through a spectrum of emotions, as seen in the monologue from Steel Magnolias, which shifts from sadness to rage.
Example: “Toy Story 2” Flashback
Jessie’s flashback uses dialogue, repetition, and context to build a powerful emotional arc, culminating in the line: “You never forget kids like Emily or Andy. But they forget you.”

2. Use Visual Storytelling to Evoke Feeling
- Lighting: Sets the mood—low-key lighting creates tension (Alien), while bright light evokes relief (The Lord of the Rings).
- Camera Angles and Movement: High angles can convey guilt (Manchester by the Sea), close-ups foster intimacy (Interstellar), and wide shots can evoke grandeur or loneliness (La La Land).
- Color: Red can induce unease; cool tones suggest melancholy.
- Framing: Focusing on faces or omitting them (as with Emily in Toy Story 2) centers the audience on the emotional experience.
- Camera Movement: Moving toward a character can create empathy; pulling away can evoke isolation.
3. Hone Emotion in Post-Production
- Editing: The rhythm of cuts and transitions can heighten or prolong emotion. Dissolves can evoke memory and nostalgia; hard cuts can underscore abrupt loss.
- Music: Perhaps the most potent emotional tool, music can make us cry, thrill us, or terrify us. The song “When She Loved Me” in Toy Story 2 is a prime example.
- Sound Design: Beyond music, sound effects can amplify tension or anxiety (e.g., the fry cracker in Boogie Nights).

Table: Filmmaking Techniques for Evoking Emotion
Technique | Example Film/Scene | Emotional Effect |
---|---|---|
Recontextualized Repetition | Jojo Rabbit (Rosie’s shoes) | Heightens heartbreak |
Dialogue | Steel Magnolias (monologue) | Shifts through grief and rage |
Lighting | Alien (low-key), LOTR (bright) | Fear, relief |
Camera Angles | Manchester by the Sea (high angle) | Guilt, empathy |
Color | Toy Story 2 (golden to muted) | Nostalgia, melancholy |
Editing | Eternal Sunshine (intercutting) | Nostalgia, longing |
Music | Toy Story 2 (“When She Loved Me”) | Sadness, loss |
Sound Design | Boogie Nights (crackers) | Anxiety, tension |
Conclusion
No two movies are alike, but the best films share a common goal: to move us. Whether through writing, visuals, editing, or sound, filmmakers draw on the science of emotion to craft experiences that linger long after the credits roll. Great films make us feel—sometimes joy, sometimes sorrow, but always something real.
News
Kerrville, Texas Flood Disaster: Death Toll Over 80 and Still Rising

KERRVILLE, TX — July 7, 2025 — The city of Kerrville and surrounding Kerr County are facing a historic tragedy after devastating flash floods struck over the July 4th weekend. As of Monday morning, officials have confirmed more than 80 deaths, with the number expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue.

Flash Floods Hit Without Warning
On July 4th, torrential rain caused the Guadalupe River to rise an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The sudden surge caught many residents and visitors by surprise, leading to widespread destruction and chaos throughout the community.
Lives Lost and Many Still Missing
- Death Toll: Over 80 people have been confirmed dead in Kerr County, with at least 43 of those in Kerrville. Authorities warn that the count is likely to increase.
- Missing Campers: The tragedy is especially severe at Camp Mystic, a local girls’ summer camp. More than two dozen campers and counselors were swept away by the floodwaters. As of this morning, at least 11 girls and one counselor are still missing.
- Ongoing Rescues: Emergency crews have performed hundreds of rescues, using boats and helicopters to reach stranded residents and search for survivors.
Community Impact and Response
- Widespread Damage: Homes, vehicles, and infrastructure have been destroyed or heavily damaged. Entire neighborhoods remain underwater, and debris is scattered across the area.
- State of Disaster: Kerrville and Kerr County have been declared disaster zones. Both state and federal resources are being deployed to provide temporary housing, emergency aid, and support for families who have lost loved ones.
- Emotional Toll: The community is in mourning, with vigils and support services organized for those affected, especially the families of missing children.
Recovery Efforts and Ongoing Threats
- Continued Flood Risk: More rain is in the forecast, keeping the area under flood warnings and making rescue and recovery efforts even more challenging.
- Federal Aid: Residents are being urged to apply for disaster assistance and file insurance claims as help from FEMA and other agencies arrives.

Kerrville Comes Together
Despite the devastation, the people of Kerrville are showing remarkable resilience. Neighbors are helping neighbors, volunteers are mobilizing, and local leaders are urging everyone to stay hopeful and united.
The death toll, now over 80 and still rising, marks this as one of the worst disasters in Kerrville’s history. The focus remains on finding the missing, supporting survivors, and beginning the long road to recovery.
For updates and information on how to help, visit the Kerr County Emergency Management website.
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