Liberally Lean From The Land Of Dairy Queen

Man, That Koran Burning Has Really Stirred Things Up Over There

2012-02-27T14:41:00.000-06:00

Let's get out of there.

Story.

(And I'm putting the number of comments at four before a certain subject is brought up.)

Monday Afternoon Pick Me Up

2012-02-27T14:07:00.000-06:00

Illegitimacy Is The New Norm

2012-02-27T12:41:00.000-06:00

I've been seeing references to a recent New York Times article about the current trend of births in the U.S. to women out of wedlock. Wow, now I know why: "More than half of births to American women under 30 occur outside marriage."

From a racial background, 73 percent of black children are born outside marriage, compared with 53 percent of Latinos and 29 percent of whites.

I learned about that NYT article today at lunch while skimming through the new Time. Since we're talking about changing trends, look at this graphic about interracial marriage.

It ain't Leave It To Beaver anymore.

Wise County And Government Aid Received

2012-02-27T11:31:00.000-06:00

"The share of Americans’ income that comes from government benefit programs, like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, more than doubled over the last four decades, rising from 8 percent in 1969 to 18 percent in 2009."

Wise County is below the national average.
Pretty fancy NY Times interactive national graph here.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

2012-02-27T08:31:00.001-06:00

Whatever happened to SIDS - sudden infant death syndrome? I used to hear about it all the time, and now I haven't heard of a case in years.
I need to find out what happened, if anything, to the Palo Pinto County Sheriff who shot and killed a guy who was on a high (or low) speed chase. I'm guessing the answer is "nothing".
That super agent Leigh Steinberg alcohol-caused-his-fall-from-grace story is fishy. I thinks there's something more to it.
Some guy went to the Decatur Swap Meet over the weekend and took some pictures. I don't think I'd be interested in that.
The again, I went to a "cup stacking" competition on Saturday. I took a video of this kid practicing whose mother thought he wasn't focused enough.
I completed the Cowtown half marathon with a time of 02:03:13. My second fastest ever.
Wise County attorney, Thomas Aaberg, finished 27th overall in the full marathon. He's 39 and ran with a 7:15 per mile pace.. Amazing. It was a few years ago (and he won't mind me saying this) that he was an overweight guy at the courthouse who decided to do something about it.
Mrs. LL took part in a "flash mob" this weekend. It was the real deal put on by some organization called "Flashmob America" who required practices but even paid a small stipend. Those who were the subject of the mob was a conference of 1,200 TGIF managers at the Gaylord Texan.
Due to a mix up, I failed to register Mrs. LL for the half marathon like she thought I was going to do. I think she's still mad.
I don't watch late night TV but stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live the other day but he quickly went to break. I sat there wanting to see the next segment he teased but I had to wait through nine minutes of commercials. Never again.
The Michigan Primary tomorrow is the biggest day of the year for Republicans. If Santorum wins in Romney's "home state", this will become high entertainment. But I don't think it will happen.
Danica Patrick must have consulted (or at least finally listened to) a PR agent. She actually smiles now. But, man, she dropped some F Bombs when she was crashing on the race on Saturday.
I took a break from Tosh.0 for a few months but watched it again over the weekend. Shockingly funny.
Modern Family may be smartest written show since Arrested Development.
Baylor Athletics was featured this week in a Sports Illustrated article entitled "Baylor Rising" and yesterday in The New York Times named "No Longer Defined By Futility and Death." Edit: And RG3 will be on the cover of EASports NCAA 2013.
How can anyone say the Academy Awards is entertaining? Who does it appeal to? Even more so this year, there seems to be a huge disconnect between the show and the public.
Someone tweeted last night: "When is the awards show for movies people actually saw?"
Wrong way driver killed two last night but this time it was in Fort Worth.
Mitt Romney tried to be the common man this weekend and went to the Daytona 500. Asked by the AP reporter if he follows NASCAR, Romney responded, "Not as closely as some of the most ardent fans. But I have some great friends who are NASCAR team owners." And he's the most "electable" against President Obama?
The President this weekend announced the forming of "African Americans for Obama." Figured that would set you off.

First World Problems

2012-02-25T19:58:00.000-06:00

Today's Letter to the Editor in the Star-Telegram:

A search of the appraisal district records of the home:

Messenger Above The Fold

2012-02-25T18:59:00.002-06:00

Taking You Into The Weekend

2012-02-24T14:58:00.001-06:00

Hot girl in the foreground. Comedy gold in the background.

And Another: Houston

2012-02-24T13:56:00.000-06:00

Story. That's one pouty mugshot.

Mitt Romney Appeals To The Working Class Of Michigan Today . . .

2012-02-24T13:12:00.001-06:00

. . . by pointing out that his wife drives a couple of Cadillacs.

I'm just surprised he didn't realize his gaffe and then follow it up with a nervous laugh while softly saying, "Uh. Scoreboard?"

Throw together clips of this, trying to bet Rick Perry $10,000 during a debate, the "I like firing people" speech, the "I'm not concerned about the very poor" TV appearance, and the joint appearance with Donald Trump, and we've got a heck of a commercial in the making.

Quite The Scene Yesterday On The Tollway

2012-02-24T12:47:00.000-06:00

Now traffic cam video has been released.

NEW: Video of 18-Wheeler Tollroad Crash Released: MyFoxDFW.com

Is This A Bluff?

2012-02-24T11:17:00.000-06:00

Any of you guys ever get arrested at your house because of one of these "Traffic Ticket Roundups?" Sometimes you'll see a particular city send out a warning of "pay up" on your outstanding tickets or we might arrest you on a predetermined weekend.. This time, they claim, 276 law enforcement entities in Texas are going to take part in it. Even our publicity seeking Texas Attorney General is getting in on the threats.

I bet this is just a bluff to scare people into paying their tickets. There are a lot of municipal and JP courts that don't even issue warrants. They just put notice of the outstanding ticket in something called an OMNIBASE system that prevents you from renewing your drivers license until all tickets are taken care of.

I'm betting this is nothing more than a bluff.

Honestly, the amount of manpower expense to arrest someone solely for a traffic ticket doesn't' justify it. It would would cost more than the ticket revenue. And, if a person is arrested, they don't have to pay the ticket. Normally a bond is set and you can walk out for a fraction of the cost of paying the ticket.

Messenger Starting Online Newspaper For Justin?

2012-02-24T10:42:00.000-06:00

It's definitely the Messenger. There's a reference to receiving some type of print product in "your mailbox" but they certainly aren't charging for it.

Interesting.

Memories of Olga Korbut Came Rushing Back To Me

2012-02-24T09:51:00.000-06:00

Blockbuster's About To Be Down To 1,000 Stores

2012-02-24T09:47:00.000-06:00

Locations for this round of closures not disclosed. Wouldn't be surprised to see that one in Decatur to be the last one standing.

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

2012-02-24T08:40:00.002-06:00

I got honked at yesterday (in a bad way), and I have no idea what I did to hack that pickup driving guy/gal off. Lighten up, Frances. I bet you had to hurry home to yell at your wife again.
It seemed like Wise County Day at the driver's license administrative hearing office in Fort Worth yesterday. Four cops were down there to testify (and one more failed to show.)
I've got the Cowtown Half Marathon this Sunday. "Someday you will no longer be able to do this. But that day is not today."
The Dallas main post office shutting down so it can be consolidated with the one in Fort Worth is the biggest sign yet that the U.S. Postal Service is in serious trouble.
"And Another". (Doesn't get its own post because of a blurry photo, little details, and not even an arrest.)
Josh Hamilton meets with the press today in Rangers training camp. Prepare to hear, "I've already addressed that issue" about a million times. I would think his followers are beginning to tire of him.
I like politics but I've had no interest in this contraception debate. Maybe if I was Catholic. But the vast majority of Catholics ignore that Church edict, right?
Heard that in Mrs. LL softball practice that one kid tried to catch a fly ball with her eye socket. From the post injury description, it sounded like she took a left hook from Apollo Creed And her mom was there to freak out. Sorry I missed it.
I was at another practice where the coach decided to do two simultaneous batting practices very close to one another. Competing line drives made it like a Civil War battlefield walking through it.
"I need all the parents to help out and shag balls!" Since when does softball go like that?
Swap Meet in Decatur this week which means the real news is that every fast food drive through line will be 15 cars deep.
That would be Paradise model is still at it.
WBAP's Hal Jay had a funny line when he learned that Rick Santorum was at a meet-n-greet at Vaquero in Westlake yesterday at $2,500 a head (which didn't even include a dinner but "light hors d'oeuvres"): "I'm glad to see Vaquero has come down on its prices."
Edit: A buddy just busted in my office, threw down a Time magazine on my desk, and said, "You write like this guy and Dave Barry."

Things That Make Me Do A Double Take

2012-02-23T21:13:00.000-06:00

If Decatur wants to be the "Cowboy Capitol Of The World", our guys need to step it up. Wade is full throttle. Let him be your goal.

Camels? Rhinos? Cash? Gives a whole knew meaning to, "I wanna party with you, cowboy."

"Go Daddy, Because Here I Come" (Right Into The Wall)

2012-02-23T16:29:00.002-06:00

Danica at Daytona today. This is worth enlarging to full screen for the replays.

Craig James Vows Not To Be As Gay As A Parade

2012-02-23T13:05:00.002-06:00

The things that Texas politics turns on.

That Tyler Paper Needs A Headline Writer

2012-02-23T11:13:00.000-06:00

If it read "Hairdresser Tried To Enlarge Customer's Breasts By Injection" then you'd get some readers.

Story.

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

2012-02-23T08:35:00.000-06:00

Motorcycle death in Dallas last night.
And there was a big motorcycle crash in North Dallas this morning that shut down traffic. I don't know if it gave rise to a fatality.
I think the hearing (which won't change anything) going on in Fort Worth reviewing the legal representation of a death row defendant are the same lawyers who represented Stephen York here in Wise County.
The first link in a Google search for York turns up this amateur piece on the tragedy. Who is that guy? Definitely from Bridgeport.
The lady who was severely injured last weekend when she was the passenger of the Chico man who crashed in downtown Fort Worth was the mother of the child who died last December in Boyd - - a death that police originally suspected, but later discounted, was the result of abuse. However, the lady was in the Wise County jail on a misdemeanor drug charge at the time of the child's death. She was released to attend the funeral.
The Parker County Torture Guy received a life sentence yesterday. Everyone saw that coming. The victim, who is really country, was very upbeat after the trial as she spoke to reporters. You normally don't see that.
The Star-Telegram is cutting its work force again.
We slept with the windows open last night. Apparently The Family Cat considered that to be an invitation of an all night party of violently running from window to window to see if another animal is outside.
News this morning that Fort Worth will purchase a device for police that will allow the "tracking of cell phones." But no one seems to know how it works.
Breaking: Seven marines killed in . . . Arizona. (Helicopter crash.)
Whomever was in charge of the crowd at the Republican debate last night must have been on the Mitt Romney payroll.
Rick Santorum is one strange guy. I hope he's the GOP nominee because that would be the most entertaining matchup in the Fall.
Mrs. LL took Defensive Driving yesterday. As she left after finishing the course, I texted her to "be careful." But I guess I didn't need to tell her that.
She learned two things: (1) it's illegal to drive with flip flops on [is it?], and (2) the word "comedy" in "Comedy Club Defensive Driving" is loosely used.
I could have sworn I saw an ABC News report last night about the lady below where she was shown in the middle of a residential area and remarking how the incoming bombs were landing indiscriminately around her with no sense of a target.

It Was A Big Deal After All

2012-02-22T15:10:00.003-06:00

Edit: Remember, I won't post comments that assert facts that are not readily verifiable.

Decatur Won't "Have Another Tequila Sunrise"

2012-02-22T14:59:00.001-06:00

That Was Almost Perfect Timing With Her Script

2012-02-22T14:56:00.001-06:00

Do These Look Like Girls Involved (At Least Some Way) In The Same Bar Brawl?

2012-02-22T12:29:00.000-06:00

Borromeo

Hart

Natasha Poly

Rubik

Zelyaeva

Am I gonna have to teach the world how to act when you're in a bar that just happens to be full of supermodels? Sheesh. I've been in Frilly's on a Saturday night and the cops have never had to be called. Lightweights.

And it gets better: One of the guys who got decked was the Prince of Monaco -- the grandson of the late Grace Kelly. It had to have been the greatest bar fight in the history of ever.

Story.