Liberally Lean From The Land Of Dairy Queen

Two Chicks Drive Into Lake In Rockwall

2012-01-30T15:18:00.000-06:00

I heard them talking about this on The Ticket this morning and two-thirds of the hosts said, "I can see how that could happen." Really? You can understand how someone can mistake a boat ramp for a road and then not use something called "a brake pedal" before you end up in the drink? Sheesh.

I also figured it was going to be an overblown news story of "a hero" but, after watching it, I bet those gals would have drown if it wasn't for the deputy. If they'll drive into a lake, I'm not betting on them to open a door, roll down a window. or break out the glass. Speaking of. What was that little glass-breaking-doo-hickey the cop had? I want one.

Boom!

2012-01-30T14:17:00.001-06:00

Did you guys hear that?

Dallas ISD Teachers Might Call In Sick To Protest

2012-01-30T12:25:00.000-06:00

The school board voted to have teachers add 45 minutes to their work day without a salary increase. None to happy, they began to organize a protest to call in sick. Kind of like acting like a union when you're not a union.

But this lead organizer appeared on TV in a silhouette because he feared retaliation from district officials. However, his voice was not altered at all. Call me crazy, but I think the chances of him being identified are about 100%. Can't you identify anyone you come in contact with on a regular basis by voice? The silhouette picture is just bonus information.

Monday Morning Pick Me Up

2012-01-30T11:59:00.001-06:00

Bus Driver In Charge

2012-01-30T11:01:00.000-06:00

Happened last week. Mouthy bus driver appears at around 1:50. She has a job to do, people!

To see how close she got to the reporters, here's a different angle.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-30T08:35:00.003-06:00

Iowa woman gives birth to a 13 pounder. Fox 4's Lauren Pryzbyl this morning commented with an "ouch" which led co-host Tim Ryan to stare silently off to the side.
The Boyd ISD held a meeting to get citizen input on what the wanted in a new head football coach. Most said they wanted a "godly" man. That sounds nice, but it also would be illegal discrimination based upon religion, wouldn't it?
I somehow got sucked into watching the "Winter X Games" on ESPN last night. Watching a guy attempt a double back flip on a snowmobile is 100% Idiocracy. And, if interested, it did not go well.
I got an AARP card in the mail. An authentic AARP card. I qualify. I depressed.
A guy in Dallas killed three family members last Friday and almost every media report noted that he was captured after going through Taco Bueno and ordering a "breakfast sauage burritto "
The "military's deadliest sniper" was on WBAP today hawking his book. I don't why that guy bugs me so much, but he really does.
I'm tired of hearing about Betty White.
Horrible accident near Texas Tech over the weekend when a vehicle driven by a twenty-something jumped a curb, killed a bicyclist, and then rolled the vehicle killing his two passengers. Yep, alcohol is suspected.
The Colts would have to pay Peyton Manning $28 million to keep him on the roster next year? That's a no brainer. Cut him.
The grandmother from Happy Gilmore and the old man neighbor from Home Alone died last year. For some reason, people were mentioning it this weekend. By the way, I think Home Alone is a horrible movie. Edit: Now news comes that Elaine's boss on Seinfeld, Mr. Pitt, has died. It character actor catastrophe.
I can tell when some people are having an emotional break down by just following them on Twitter.
People are calling Wise County residents (per the Update) and posing as DEA agents and wanting a fine paid because they know they had purchased drugs over the Internet. Which means that there are a lot of people purchasing drugs over the Internet if that scam works.
The Machine Gun Kelley shotgun auctioned over the weekend (another Update reference) has a weird history. It first ended up in the hands of Laz Vegas mogul Benny Binion who for unknown reasons gave it to the owner of Billy Bob's Texas who for unknown reasons gave it to a "prominent Las Vegas business man."

Messenger Above The Fold

2012-01-30T05:32:00.004-06:00

Bridgeport Sixth Grade Basketball Game Today

2012-01-28T12:59:00.001-06:00

One of the coaches got kicked out then "Cops called to restore order" per an email I just received. Sounds like a scene is breaking out. Stuff going on outside. People demanding money back.

Developing . . .

Press Release From WCSO

2012-01-27T15:39:00.000-06:00

On Tuesday, January 24, 2012, Wise County Deputies concluded an ongoing investigation by executing a search warrant at 400 W. Sherman Street in Chico, TX. Arrested at the scene was Shirly Stipes, 49 years of age, and Miguel Lira, 29 years of age. Both of these individuals were charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver, Possession of Dangerous Drugs, and Possession of Marijuana. Both of these suspects are being held in the Wise County Jail on $60,000 bond. Seized at the residence was approximately 19 grams of Methamphetamine, over 2 ounces of marijuana, 200 pills classified as a controlled substance, as well equipment and supplies utilized in the distribution of narcotics. Also located at this residence was approximately $8,000 worth of stolen property from three separate jurisdictions.

Investigators learned of the routine drug shipments to the address in Chico, TX, and arranged foranother package of Methamphetamine to be delivered to the Stipes residence on Thursday, January 26, 2012. Wise County Deputies were present at the house upon the arrival of the drug courier, Ketsana Phouttavong, 32 years of age. He was taken into custody at the scene during his attempt to deliver two ounces of methamphetamine. Based upon the method of distribution, Wise County Investigators believe this shipment would have been resold on the streets of Wise County at an approximate value of $11,000. Phoutthavong, of Haltom City, TX, has been charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver and is being held at the Wise County Jail on a total of $27,500 bond. This subject has a “NoBond” hold issued by the United States Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. An additional warrant from the Texas Department of Pardon and Parole is expected to be issued with “No Bond” for Parole Violations. This warrant would be based upon the suspect’s previous conviction for Robbery.
Wise County Investigators expect to make at least four additional arrests in this case.

Told You The Tarrant DA's Office Would Tweet That Case Like A Football Game

2012-01-27T15:36:00.001-06:00

The moment the verdict was read in the courtroom.

Edit: And they even work after 5:00 on Friday to put together a fancy press release.

Taking You Into The Weekend

2012-01-27T14:47:00.000-06:00

Oops. Wrong headline. She is associated with this . . .

Story.

55 MPH Seems Like A Long Time Ago

2012-01-27T14:24:00.000-06:00

I'm not sure I knew about that 80 mph stretch.

Texting And Movie Going

2012-01-27T12:11:00.001-06:00

If you'd support a movie theater who kicked a girl out who wouldn't stop texting during a movie and then would post her profanity laced phone call of complaint, you'll get a kick out of this.

Random Wise County Meth Post

2012-01-27T08:57:00.000-06:00

Not very exciting but the Fort Worth Court of Appeals affirmed this guy's conviction today. He got a 12 year sentence and a $2,000 fine.

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-27T08:35:00.003-06:00

We're almost into February and it hasn't really been cold yet. Weird. All the trees will bloom in a little over a month.
The Messenger has added five online ads surrounding its online Update.
Thirty-one killed in Iraq because of a bomb blast. The Vietnam War will look like a good idea compared to W's decision to invade that country before long. Edit for commentor: Nope. Congress did not authorize the war with a declaration of war as required by the constitution. Edit #2: A "resolution" supporting the President if the President chooses to invade a country is no way a "declaration of war" by Congress. Edit #3: And the resolution supports my initial point 100%. It was Bush's War.
The capital murder jury in Fort Worth deliberated most of the day yesterday without reaching a verdict. One odd thing they asked for from the judge: The transcript of one of the lawyer's closing argument. I've never heard of that before.
There was a drug arrest out of Chico yesterday of a guy whose last name was Phoutthavong. He has an immigration hold on him.
Mark Cuban was not impressed ("total idiots") with a Ticket round table discussion last night about Lamar Odom.
Regarding the shocking picture of the Decatur school bus and the collapsed bridge, I'm surprised we don't have more country road bridge collapses. I bet they aren't regularly checked.
Wichita Falls (AP) – A 5-year-old North Texas girl is dead after she was found hanging by the neck from her jump rope on a piece of playground equipment. Good grief.
Hypothetical we had up at the courthouse yesterday: If you had to be sentenced to prison, at what point (in number of real years) would you make the decision to flee to Mexico? Your current age plays a huge factor in the decision, but we all agreed a 20 year sentence would cause us all to head South.
I'd take a 20 year sentence if I could kill those Sweetjack commercials.
The Republicans spent time in their debate last night talking about colonization of the moon? Really?
I debated whether the death of "Epstein" from Welcome Back Kotter warranted a bullet point.
You could have a movie preview of Liam Neeson tracking down and killing a butterfly and it would still look good.
There was so much impromptu singing in my house last night that I felt like I was in an episode of Glee.

Wise County Bus Tries To Drive To Underworld

2012-01-26T20:47:00.002-06:00

Story.

And Another (Louisiana)

2012-01-26T14:59:00.000-06:00

Strong to quite strong.

Story.

Tom Brady's House Is Finished Just In Time To Go To The Super Bowl

2012-01-26T13:58:00.000-06:00

More.

22,000 square feet. Built from scratch on land that was purchased for $11,000,000.

Now that's a one-percenter.

Let Me Set This Spike Up For The Comments

2012-01-26T11:55:00.000-06:00

Story.

Rhome Assistant Fire Chief

2012-01-26T11:40:00.000-06:00

Story.

Mayor Taco

2012-01-26T10:16:00.000-06:00

Someone mentioned this to me yesterday -- the mayor who had some Latino issues to deal with in his city and, when asked what he will do for the Latino community, said, "I might have tacos when I go home." That got him in hot water so he apologized. (Video is in that link.)

But, man, I love his delivery of that line. When he followed it up with "I'm. Not. Quite. Sure. Yet." it was some fine comedic timing. (But you could see him backtracking from that moment on.)

P.S. That reporter needs to remember he ain't working for 60 Minutes. Lighten up big fella.

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-26T08:34:00.002-06:00

Lake Bridgeport will probably rise a little over two feet due to the storms and will remain about two feet low. [Edit: I meant "ten feet low". Really. I knew that.] It takes about a four day storm over the watershed to see a dramatic change. (I just like saying "watershed.")
At 5:30 this morning, I stumbled upon the semi-final match of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open. I couldn't (and probably wouldn't) sit around and watch it, but live sports before dawn is cool.
I follow a country pastor on Facebook who just oozes hatred. It's the craziest thing I've ever seen.
The Arizona governor sticking her finger in the President's face did her party no favors with that sign of disrespect.
In a press release yesterday by Garland police about the murder of a 40 year old by two teenage girls he had met in a hotel to share sex, drugs, and alcohol, I loved this sentence: "At some point during the night, the party got out of hand," At some point? How about the moment they walked through the door.
Odd conversation with Mrs. LL last night: If I have felt better because of adding a salad to every meal, is it because there is something intrinsic in lettuce or is it because it is "empty calories" simply taking the place of bad food?
I saw an old girlfriend firing off real time Facebook pics from a bar last night. You know, it was good to be home.
WBAP's Hal Jay on Tom Brady this morning: "He does have kind of that scumbag side to him." Really?
A jury begins deliberating today whether to give the death penalty to a guy who killed two people during a robbery. Although death sentences are becoming less frequent, if they don't vote for it in this case then there truly is a change in the wind in Texas on the issue of capital punishment.
But the Tarrant County DA's office will be tweeting about the verdict like they were watching a high school football game.
A name connected with a famous Tarrant County murder case that I hadn't thought about in years: Kristi Koslow.
Several buildings of the Selwyn School in Denton (off to the right as you drive towards I-35) burned this morning. As a kid, I'd look at it and think really smart kids probably went there. I was probably right. (That link has a picture of the fire.)
Another wrong way crash on the Dallas tollway last night. Seems like it had been a few months since we have had one.
I couldn't pic Lamar (Kardashian) Odom out of a lineup, but everyone sure is griping about how he couldn't care less to be a Dallas Maverick. Yet another reason rent-a-player killed pro sports.

Giggle

2012-01-25T21:49:00.000-06:00

Interesting When All That "Crazy Government Spending" Takes Place

2012-01-25T15:40:00.001-06:00

The chart was created in April and President Obama's current percentage is actually up to 41%. However, that's on pace to tie W after eight years.

(And before you think Bush The First had a fairly low number, remember that he was a one term president.)

Source. (Thanks, Ben.)

Edit: Even with all the criticism, those numbers are fairly accurate.

Hey, I Think I'm Going To Film Myself Stealing Weed From A Dealer!

2012-01-25T12:51:00.001-06:00

I wasn't expecting much from this one but it had a pretty funny payoff. Little white boy gangsta had the look of fear on his face when the theft of pot didn't go quite as planned. I bet he could just hear the guy he ripped off saying, "I'm gonna call a couple of hard, pipe-hitting [friends] to go to work on the homes here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch."

(Language warning -- albeit understandable.)

"There's something I know" - Nancy Pelosi Says Newt Won't Be President

2012-01-25T10:19:00.000-06:00

That's a really strange thing to say. I wonder what she knows.

Random Ice Rink Collapse

2012-01-25T09:23:00.000-06:00

I think it's in Russia. Not a lot of back story.

Which reminds me. I wonder if the Cowboys will ever rebuild their indoor practice facility?

Of Course You Can Make It

2012-01-25T09:16:00.000-06:00

In Haltom City.

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-25T08:33:00.001-06:00

How many times have you heard, "How about that rain?" this morning?
But that is a lot of rain.
A guy came up for parole in a case that some say gave rise to the most famous headline ever by the New York Post: "Headless Body In Topless Bar."
The more I watched the State of the Union, the more convinced I became that President Obama will win re-election. And it may not even be close.
He started off with a boom: We are out of Iraq and no longer have to fear Osama Bin Laden.
Business quick hits: (1) The company behind Del Frisco is going public after having grown to 31 restaurants in 18 states -- I had no idea they were that big, and (2) Apple Inc. just had the second most profitable quarter in the history of any company in America with a net income of $13.06 billion -- Exxon holds the record.
Mrs. LL signs up for a lot of workout programs. Some of them pretty odd.
Someone commented about the difference between the "effective" income tax rate and the "marginal" income tax rate yesterday. I don't think many people understand that.
Admittedly weak Random Thoughts. I had an 8:10 appointment that was a must-do.
Since we love talking about field turf, looks like a high school in Beaumont is having trouble with theirs:

Messenger Above The Fold

2012-01-24T19:27:00.002-06:00

I'm Firing Up The Liberally Lean Radar. Pete Delkus On Red Alert.

2012-01-24T15:54:00.002-06:00

Murder Defendant From Bridgeport Pleas Out Today -- 25 Year Sentence

2012-01-24T15:28:00.000-06:00

From myspace

Book in photo after arrest

This is the one where she ran down 37-year old Jimmy Joe Robertson on 101 outside of Bridgeport. She becomes eligible for parole after 12 1/2 years.

Lots Of Women Must Be Packin' Out There

2012-01-24T13:01:00.000-06:00

Story.

Dayna Kay Purtee looks like another woman who forgot she had a gun. (We had a lady last week go into DFW Airport with one.) But she may have an excuse. The Internet tells me she donated $50 to former Tea Party Candidate Debra Medina so she is probably a big gun rights fan. The good news is that she got out of jury duty.

And I've heard those deputies running the scanners at the Tarrant County Courthouse are very sensitive. They won't cut anyone any slack or accept any "innocent mistake" excuses. (A Wise County resident ran into the same problem down there a couple of years back.)

I'm not sure, but the lady below may be her.

So You Want To Be A Kicker?

2012-01-24T10:53:00.000-06:00

You miss a field goal to lose the AFC Championship game and the next day some wise arse college kids use your last name as a verb in order to taunt the opponent into missing a free throw to the left.

(For those interested, Billy Cundiff explained why he was late getting onto the field for the kick.)

Utah People Drive Like Texans

2012-01-24T08:48:00.000-06:00

It starts a little slow but gets a little crazy. (I'm fairly sure this is video from yesterday.)

Edit: Direct link is here. Didn't realize the video self started. That is annoying.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-24T08:38:00.003-06:00

Family court judge in Tarrant County arrested for DWI.
I heard a rumor about the Wise County Domestic Abuse Task Force is in a little upheaval over a pedicure. Or the payment for a pedicure(s).
The State of the Union is tonight. Beat. Ing. (And I don't care who is in office.)
Viral video of day yesterday: Church singer.
Mrs. LL has come to the realization that the Oldest Girl In The House will be in high school next year. If I could just sit back and watch, I bet this would be entertaining. Instead, based upon countless advice, I'm building a bunker.
The Evil Empire extended Mack Brown's contract by five years yesterday now making it a nine year deal. ($5.2 million per year.)
Dirk Nowitzki ($19 million a year) is going to sit four games so he can get in shape? Talk about climbing Everest with no real desire to go back again.
Mitt Romney ($45 million over the last two years) said last night in the debate that the key to illegal immigration is "self-deportation." That's not the way to cuddle up the The Right.
Oscar nominations announced this morning. Best Picture: "The Artist," "War Horse," "Moneyball," "The Descendants," "The Tree of Life," "Midnight in Paris," "The Help," "Hugo" and "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close." I've seen none of them.
Our Wise County Solicitation of Capital Murder Lady took a deal for 21 years yesterday. I noticed the Update said she'd have to serve at least half her term. (For you legal gurus out there: Does criminal solicitation under 15.03 of a 3g offense invoke the maximum parole law? Edit: I know there was a case that ruled on parole eligibility when a person is convicted of an attempt to commit a 3g offense, but 15.03 seems like a stand alone offense. )
And the 70 year old dope guy who was convicted last ~~year~~ week got a 30 year sentence. (The Update says he'll become eligible parole after serving 1/4 of his sentence. That's wrong, but it's a mistake I see from lots of people. )
And a sad contrast in the death notices in the Update: A 101 year old and a 9 month old.
Why hasn't that price of natural gas (see chart on front page below) not hurt Devon?

Traffic Report

2012-01-23T13:29:00.001-06:00

Just A Day On The Job Site

2012-01-23T11:55:00.000-06:00

Super Bowl Bound: Foxboro : MyFoxBOSTON.com

Love the guy just mowing down the pole, backing up, and moving on. Not his problem.

(But, on a side note, the analogy of "#52" hitting Tom Brady in the back yesterday is proof positive that guy shouldn't be talking sports. Heck, I'm not sure I can name five Ravens but you have to live in a cave not to know Ray Lewis. Animated gif of that hit here.)

A Bunch Of Old Guys and Three Women Just Ruled In Favor Of This Guy

2012-01-23T09:40:00.000-06:00

Just handed down by the Supreme Court this morning is a ruling that the cops attaching a GPS device to a person's car without a warrant was an illegal search and seizure. I didn't see that one coming since I thought the Fourth Amendment was almost dead.

He was sentenced to life in prison on a dope case. But not any more.

And for you "activist judges" complainers, the opinion was authored by strict constructionist Antonin Scalia. If the constitution protects one of us, it protects all of us.

Messenger Above The Fold

2012-01-23T08:37:00.000-06:00

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-23T08:35:00.001-06:00

Watching any of the NFL pregame shows is torture, but one of them yesterday included a badly prepared, taped and spliced interview with the "Etrade baby". Idiocracy?
After seeing former Cowboys kicker Billy Cundiff miss the game tying field goal for the Ravens yesterday, I said out loud: "Who would want to be a kicker?" Seriously. You think he had a good flight with the team back to Baltimore?
I mentioned a month or so ago that some people were writing that Joe Paterno would die soon. No question your spirit impacts your health.
After getting killed in South Carolina, I bet Mitt Romney goes on the attack against Newt in Florida. I also bet that will not serve him well. (And we'll get to find out tonight after yet another debate tonight.)
If you didn't catch President Obama sing a verse of an Al Green hit last week while at the Apollo Theater, you have to. And if you can't smile about that, your hatred for the guy is blinding you.
There are currently 923 active drilling rigs in Texas. Six are in Wise County.
A 46 year old Sansom Park woman was found dead in her in-home tanning bed yesterday. I don't think that's what they meant by "tanning can kill you."
Over the weekend, Mrs.LL were in the presence of two guys arguing over who was a bigger baseball fan. She then called them out by asking who the new Rangers pitcher from Japan was. Neither knew it was Yu Darvish.
But she had a memory crutch because she had spent the day singing "Youuuuu!" from Crank That (Soulja Boy) that every local sports talk station has turned into a drop when Darvish was signed.
I've made reference to Colin Jones (Bridgeport/TCU/49ers) for years and the Messenger has ignored him. Now they are going overboard with a the special teams player being the subject of a a front page story over the weekend, a tweet yesterday, and in the Update today.
Going back to 127 Hours that I saw last weekend, a scene that was really moving to me was when the family out hiking ran, without delay, to help the hiker upon seeing him in distress. I don't know what that choked me up so much.
Just glanced at Facebook post from a Wise County resident which said: "If you believe in the 2nd Amendment, and you are not afraid to show it, re-post this!!!" Stop. Doing. This.
Bridgeport folks: There's a death announcement of Mack Adams, 50, in the Update.

"Iiittt Biiiiiiiiiit Myyyyy Shouuuuuuldder!

2012-01-22T20:19:00.000-06:00

Fox 4 News Date Of Death Fail

2012-01-22T19:37:00.000-06:00

??????

2012-01-22T13:35:00.000-06:00

Emailed to me. I never had such a huge question mark over my head.

Really?

2012-01-22T10:44:00.001-06:00

(Credit Bud Kennedy)

Edit:

The Internet And The Desire To "Be First"

2012-01-22T10:26:00.002-06:00

Taking You Into The Weekend

2012-01-20T15:53:00.000-06:00

Not Me!!

2012-01-20T14:42:00.000-06:00

Original story of crime.

Wheels. Off.

Rihanna Killin' It On Vacation

2012-01-20T13:06:00.000-06:00

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-20T08:29:00.000-06:00

For some reason yesterday, I thought about the "Hands Across America" bit that occurred in the 1980s. The concept was that on a particular date and time a human hand to hand chain would be formed that stretched from the east coast to the west coast. (I was actually shamed out of my car and took part in it in Rhome.)
Another Facebook beating: "Most are afraid to do this, but if you believe [insert dramatic social or religious themed stuff] then you'll repost this." Sheesh.
If you spend one second saying or writing, "I don't care what people say" then you ridiculously just admitted that you "care what people say."
I don't think Newt's ex-wife's "open marriage" allegation will hurt him at all. Anything an ex-wife (or ex-husband) says about the ex-spouse just doesn't carry a lot of weight with the public. Plus, after 18 years of marriage, I think he was basically asking for a divorce.
Newt's the smartest one of the four remaining candidates. Mitt will say anything to get elected. Santorum's an absolute nutcase who is trying to hide it. And I'd vote for Ron Paul over the other three.
And the only time I almost crashed my TV screen during the debate last night was when Mitt bragged how "80% of the time" when he appointed judges while governor of Massachusetts "they were prosecutors." Sir, if you only knew.
Inauguration Day is one year from today.
The Update today mentions the Commissioners Court refusing to pay for a paint job of Constable Tom Bishop's truck. That may be the most interesting story in tomorrow's Messenger, but you can read the more candid behind the scenes report here.
A faithful reader suggested this shock-the-conservatives Random Girl pic (which was actually first shown on Conan.)
Urban Outfitters is coming to West 7th in Fort Worth which is supposed to be a big deal. (I can't remember the last time I went clothes shopping.)
My left eyelid has been twitching.
I saw a Corvette on the square in Decatur yesterday which had customized Purple Heart license plates that read "VIETNM".

First A Sports Genius, Now A Political Genius

2012-01-19T14:29:00.000-06:00

My random thought from 10 days ago:

And today:

Here's The Chick Who Walked Into The Propeller Last December

2012-01-19T10:54:00.000-06:00

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-19T08:30:00.001-06:00

The Office fans will love this cameo appearance of Steve Carell in last week's show that almost no one (well, almost no one) caught.
The lady lawyer who managed to unwittingly take a gun onto a plane at DFW Airport yesterday didn't have the most flattering picture in a rotary club newsletter a while back.
You know it is tough in TV when Channel 8's Dale Hansen takes a paycut and doesn't complain.
A loyal reader suggested these as Random Girls. Hey, Now.
So when the Rangers win this summer, a regular guy who struggles to just get by in life is going to stand up and cheer because the player who helped a professional sports team win was purchased from Japan for a total cost of $111 million? I don't get it.
The Decatur ISD Superintendent makes $147,906? Did superintendent salaries somewhere along the line get out of whack?
The former Athletic Director of Southern University and ex-NFL player was arrested in Houston last year during the Final Four for soliciting prostitution after he was approached on the street by an undercover cop. A jury found him not guilty in 34 minutes yesterday. From the cops on the street, to the supervisor who authorized the sting, to the prosecutors who couldn't evaluate a case to save their lives, what a tremendous waste of tax dollars.
And get this: He was fired after the arrest. The only crime committed in that case was by The State of Texas.
The economy might be hurting, but Texas ads 58 new DPS Troopers to the payroll this morning.
If I'm reading this right, a former Bridgeport player is now the head coach and athletic director of Crosby High School. (And he has become the brother-in-law of former UT standout Jordan Shipley.)
We had a toilet crisis in our office which caused the City of Decatur to dig up a portion of our parking lot. "Toilet" and "crisis" are never good when combined.
President Obama's decided to care about the environment yesterday and kill the "Keystone XL" pipeline. Basically, he said more time was needed to study it but if Congress was going to force him to make a decision, he'd err on the side of caution.
There's a story in the Star-Telegram today about a historic home "overlooking Luther Lake" in Fort Worth that may end up getting torn down. Luther Lake looks more like a pond via satellite, but I had never heard of it. (It's not far from that traffic circle at the end of Camp Bowie.)

Breaking at 8:15 A.M.

2012-01-19T08:17:00.004-06:00

From February, 2010:

Edit from The Slap Your Forehead Department:

Does This Look Like A Man Convicted In The War On Drugs In Wise County Today?

2012-01-18T15:56:00.001-06:00

This is an interesting one.

He's 71 years old and was stopped in Bridgeport for an alleged traffic violation. He had about 25 grams of meth on him which is a pretty good bunch -- even for Wise County. He admitted it was his -- guilt was not an issue -- which is one of the reasons the jury took a whole six minutes to convict him. (I think the defense lawyer was alleging there wasn't a traffic violation and wanted that issue submitted to the jury. If there wasn't, they could find him not guilty due to an illegal traffic stop.)

I think he has about six prior drug charges and has been to the pen at least two times before. I'm not sure, but I know his history "ain't good." Because of this, he could receive any where from 25 years to life in prison for his new conviction. (Early parole laws apply. However, no one can accurately predict when he would get out regardless of the sentence.)

I know the plea bargain offer before trial was 60 years in prison, so it's not a case the defendant wanted to try. But what did he really have to lose by turning down that offer?

Someone said to me yesterday that the defendant, if convicted, would have more security than most Americans when is all said and done. For the rest of his life he'll have free food. free housing, and free health care. Heck, we may all be wanting to walk around with a bag of dope in front of the cops when we're 71.

There has to be a better way.

(Technically, when the hearing occurs before the judge to assess punishment, the State could "waive" the two enhancement paragraphs alleging prior prison trips and that would knock the punishment range down to 2 to 20 years. I don't need six minutes to make a guess as to whether that will happen, however.)

Edit: One of the commentors says I'm wrong about his history in that he had six prior trips to the pen. I wasn't wrong. I said he had "at least two" (that's why the minimum sentence is 25) and that his history "ain't good." That same person said I'm wrong on the plea bargain offer. Ok, I'll admit I'm wrong if both the prosecutor and the defense lawyer lied to me.

Mark Wahlberg Would Have Given Terrorists The What For! Saved 9/11 Plane!

2012-01-18T13:52:00.000-06:00

He tells Men's Journal:

"If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did. There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, 'OK, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry.'"

True that. Hey, I saw him in Fear and he could really put a hurtin' on a security guard. I have no doubt that he would have got up out of his First Class seat, wiped his brow with a hot towel, and start karate chopping the heck out of Hajji. Wouldn't even have to say, "Let's roll."

All kidding aside, who does he think he is? C.J. Wilson?

(As silly as this is, if John Wayne had been in his prime right now and had uttered the same thing, I got a feeling most folks around here would say, "Dang, right.")

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-18T08:27:00.000-06:00

I would make this a "And Another", but I think I mentioned her at the time of her arrest. (Carter-Riverside connection.)
Double motorcycle death in Anna, Texas which the radio described yesterday as "gruesome," but I can't find a detailed story about it.
My "school dreams" (dreaming I'm late for final exams and can't find my classes or locker) have turned into more generic "I'm late" dreams. Last night I was going to a Rangers game, looked down and realized I had accidentally dressed in a suit, and had to stop and buy clothes even though I was already late with people waiting on me. I have a different one every single night, and it is always the same theme.
Let me look that up for you on Wikipedia. Well, not today.
I've not posted a lot of the "dumb cracker" comments because they whip me, although I'm sure some feel the same way about "2012 Guy" and "Drugs and Alcohol Guy". (But Double Fake Anything Guy almost always makes me laugh.)
For the first time ever watching the NFL, I've thought a couple of times this year that a team should intentionally not score too quickly or allow another team to score to get the ball back (just like Arena ball.). When 49er Alex Smith ran around the left end to score in the playoff game last weekend, I seriously believed he should have ran out of bounds at the one.
I'll never know, but I might have taken the biggest gamble in not striking a potential juror yesterday. She was the exact profile of who I didn't want: Professional, graduate degree, middle aged, kids, and oozed conservatism. But she absolutely locked onto everything I said during jury selection, so I left her on. I was either a genius or an idiot.
Talk about someone who needs a teleprompter, it's Mitt Romney. First, it was "I like firing people" (which was OK in context but something you simply cannot say), and then there was "I get speaker fees sometime, but not very much" (which turned out to be $374,327.62 in one year.)
I think I saw a post from the Messenger last night that announced the score after one period in the Bridgeport/Decatur girls basketball game was 7-6. Barn. Burner.
I heard a little bit about the Paula Deen/Diabetes controversy yesterday but I didn't pay much attention. I've never watched anyone who eats sticks of butter.
The Paradise ISD superintendant makes $111,447.54?
Lindsay Lohan enters court yesterday as a Hey, Now.
That was one serious arse chewing that the captain of the sinking cruise liner got from the Coast Guard when he decided to abandon ship. (Jump to about the 1:00 mark.) It was the only possible thing he could have done to make a career ending act become even worse.
The Rangers have until 4:00 p.m. today to sign Japanese sensation Yu Darvish. Headline if the don't?: "Yu Can't Always Get Yu Want." (Stolen.)

Sign From Bridgeport/Decatur Game Last Night

2012-01-18T05:22:00.000-06:00

Kids passionate about those three pointers?

(Thanks, Eric.)

Messenger Above The Fold

2012-01-17T20:10:00.002-06:00

Crank Yankers!

2012-01-17T19:02:00.002-06:00

But I've heard that a 71 year old is on trial tomorrow in district court in Decatur for drug possession. That makes the average age 43.5*.
___________
*Originally, my extremely complicated quantum physics calculation was in error. This post has been corrected.

Man, I Missed A Good News Day

2012-01-17T16:35:00.001-06:00

Former Fire Marshal Mike Bement crashed through a restaurant in Bridgeport, the guy who was allegedly hopped up on meth and died after being tazered on 287 by Fort Worth PD turned out to be from Newark, the Chico Superintendent got ~~a raise~~ another year on this $107,000 contact(which has to make him the richest man in Chico), and something about a Chico teacher and, uh, "alkeyhal."

County Law interfered with my news today.

Oh, and the teen celeb bride is on the move again . . .

DQ Travesty

2012-01-17T15:19:00.000-06:00

A faithful reader sent this in. How can this be? Every Dairy Queen should be free standing and sharing ground with no one. Decatur's "Red Top" and "Brown Top" history weeps a tear.

Jury Trial Day

2012-01-17T08:30:00.002-06:00

The normal entertainment level will be sporadic on here.

Edit: The State had to dismiss its case when their expert could not give an opinion as to whether someone who has a .02 alcohol concentration (.08 is the legal limit) and hydrocodone at .01 milligrams per liter (under "therapeutic levels) would be intoxicated.

Legal authority: Layton v. State.

Irony of ironies: The only reason we knew about the low level of hydrocodone and alcohol was because of a blood search warrant. My client refused a voluntary sample. Had the State not taken the blood by force, I'd still be up there.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-17T08:29:00.000-06:00

Kip Smith, a Republican state congressman from Georgia and sponsor of a bill that would have submitted all welfare recipients to random drug testing, was arrested Friday night for driving under the influence of alcohol. Nice.
I don't regularly watch 60 Minutes and I don't know why. They can make a segment (last Sunday) on the country of Qatar be fascinating.
WBAP's Mark Davis wasn't very Christian-like when posted a tweet last night during the GOP debates.
Did I see a couple of the GOP candidates argue in the debate about who is more in favor of allowing convicted felons to vote? Up is down (again.)
I don't know why NBC 5's Jane McGarry is so happy to pose with a cow.
I got a football for Christmas. Mrs. LL was amused when I told her that as a kid I would walk across Bridgeport to the nearest goal post with a football and an empty food can (to be used as a tee) in order to try field goals.
I might try one again.
Baylor basketball moved up to #3 in the polls only to get killed at Kansas last night. But that will happen in college basketball. (Didn't North Carolina lose by 30 or more over the weekend?)
Some of the "closed circuit" camera images seen on the news from bank or convenience store crimes are incredibly clear.
Muhammad Ali is 70 today. He maybe the only popular Muslim in America. (And it seems like a long time ago when he lit the Olympic Cauldron in Atlanta.)
I was going to say "Olympic Flame" in stead of "Olympic Cauldron" but the flame is actually used to light the cauldron. (Comment attacks avoided.)
A youtube video named "Saved By The Bell - Inappropriate Woo'ing" sounds lame until you watch it. It's inappropriately funny.
There are a bunch of burglars hitting the Woodhaven area in Fort Worth and one lady is estimating her loss at around $260,000. Hey, let's make it only one crime, lady. (Can't find the link from yesterday.)
Miss Texas in a swimsuit from last weekend in the Miss America pageant that no one saw.

May I Search Your Vehicle?

2012-01-16T13:57:00.000-06:00

I saw this video over the weekend, and I'm still not sure it's real. There's no description of news story to go with it.

But, man, if it is, that is one irate cop. I'm just stunned he didn't illegally search the car since he wanted to so badly.

Warning: Extreme language (that probably isn't taught at the Police Academy.)

Tasers, Meth Or Something Else Caused A Man To Die

2012-01-16T11:58:00.000-06:00

We had the Dukes of Hazzard headed to Wise County over the weekend!

Media Contact:

Sergeant Pedro Criado

pedro.criado@fortworthgov.org

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

1/16/2012
FORT WORTH, TX -

On January 13, 2012, at approximately 1:00 a.m., a Fort Worth Officer was in the nearby area of a hotel where narcotics transactions are common. Officer observed a cream colored Cadillac leaving the hotel and ran a check on the license plate. The registration information showed the license plate was expired (Sept -2011) and the officer attempted to stop the vehicle. When the officer engaged his overhead lights the vehicle accelerated and failed to yield to the officer. Officer initiated a pursuit and was assisted by other North Division units and Air 1. Officers were unable to determine a number of occupants in the vehicle.

The pursuit eventually went West/northwest on U.S. Hwy 287 where stop sticks were deployed in the 10000 block to terminate the pursuit. The stop stick deployment was successful and the vehicle began fishtailing across the traffic lanes. As the vehicle was moving side to side, officers observed gunshots being fired from the suspect vehicle and window glass flying back in the direction of their patrol units. One of the officers observed that the front windshield appeared to be damaged from gunfire.

The vehicle travelled across the divided highway and came to a stop on the South shoulder of the roadway. When the suspect vehicle came to a stop a White female suspect exited the passenger side and began running to the rear of the car, a White male suspect exited the driver’s door and stood with his hands up. Assist Officers approached the suspects ordering them to surrender; the male suspect failed to obey orders and quickly dove back into the driver’s area and out of officer’s sight. Officer believed the subject was retrieving the gun from the vehicle and fired one shot from his duty weapon. The male suspect backed out of the vehicle and officers physically engaged him. The male suspect struggled with officers and resisted their attempts to take him in to custody. Two arresting officers deployed their taser in drive stun mode and were able to take the male suspect into custody.

The male suspect WAS NOT struck by the officer's gunfire and was taken to a nearby patrol unit. The male suspect collapsed in the patrol unit. Officers could not find a heartbeat and immediately started CPR on the male suspect. The female suspect told officers that she and the male suspect had ingested a large amount of “METH” during the pursuit while running from officers. Medstar made the scene and transported both suspects to the hospital. The male suspect was unresponsive and in very critical condition. Two days later he was pronounced deceased by medical personnel. The female suspect was treated for an overdose and determined to be in very critical condition.

A revolver/gun was recovered from the driver's area of the suspect vehicle. A white powder substance was recovered in and around the suspect vehicle and from both suspect's clothing.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office makes final determination as to manner and cause of death. This is considered a Critical Police Incident and still under investigation; therefore, it would be inappropriate to comment further or conduct interviews at this time.

Anyone betting that our Wise County boys were ready for them?
Below is from the the ME's site which seems to match the story (I think police always classify Hispanics as "white". Really.) The place of death is John Peter Smith.

Coach's Coaches Greet Each Other Differently in San Francisco

2012-01-16T11:31:00.001-06:00

Jon Huntsman To Quit Presidential Race: One Thing We'll Miss

2012-01-16T09:25:00.000-06:00

The Daughters

(Oh, and Boyd's long time coach and athletic director, J.G. Cartwright, is retiring at the end of the year. Unrelated, but newsworthy. )

Chisel This In Stone?

2012-01-16T08:47:00.000-06:00

"Black Sports Online" says Dez Bryant was "possibly" arrested over the weekend.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-16T08:37:00.002-06:00

Golden Globe observations . . . Woman crush: Kate Winslet. Man crush: ~~Gerald~~ Gerard Butler.
The Golden Globes are far more entertaining than the Oscars, and I'm not sure why that's not well known.
I actually caught the end of the San Francisco/New Orleans game on Saturday. Thumbs up for excitement. And Vernon Davis' "catch and cry" seemed almost like a carbon copy of the catch in the playoffs by Terrell Owens in 1998.
I watched 127 Hours (about the hiker who cut off his arm to survive) over the weekend. Good, but not great. I was struck, however, how the decision to cut his arm off was a no-brainer. Now the actual cutting, that's a different story.
Also caught the final of the three part documentary about The Memphis Three. Love that stuff.
Rihanna is in that photo? (Hey, now)
It's hard not to smile when you see this dog jumping in a field.
I was looking at little seen photos about the MLK assassination (credit bagofnothing.com), and I noticed that the first comment said the "tragic event happened only 5 years after Blacks in America gained the right to vote." Uh, not so much.
488 homes were sold in Wise County last year with an average price of $135,762
If you want me to buy a Toyota, having Chris Berman and Kelly Clarkson in a commercial together is not the way to persuade me.
I was talking to someone about the small number of African-Americans in Wise County. Percentage wise, it has to he one of the lowest in the state. ~~Then someone pointed out that a black guy who hails from Decatur was arrested in a car near Houston late last year with an alleged $37,500 worth of pot~~. Edit: Wrong, Decatur.
A 15 year old fell 18 floors to his death at a downtown Dallas ~~Hilton~~ Hyatt hotel. They are still not sure why.
I woke up the house this morning like I always do only to be informed there is no school today. Everyone was so sleepy they couldn't get mad. So I got out of there in a hurry.
Edit: My wheels might be off this morning.

Bye

2012-01-15T13:38:00.001-06:00

Messenger Above The Fold

2012-01-14T14:57:00.000-06:00

Something Doesn't Seem Quite Right

2012-01-14T08:32:00.004-06:00

Story.

North Texas Taking You Into The Weekend

2012-01-13T15:28:00.000-06:00

No Wonder They Didn't Draft Him -- They Couldn't Find Him

2012-01-13T14:40:00.000-06:00

Story.

Sports: Good Old Days Syndrome

2012-01-13T13:36:00.000-06:00

This is the 30th Anniversary of "The Catch" where the 49ers beat the Cowboys to advance to the Super Bowl.

I was always proud of myself for knowing that Dallas almost won that game despite that play. Danny White, on the next drive, hit Drew Pearson across the middle who almost got away. Conventional wisdom is that Pearson would have scored if Eric Wright had not got a hand on his collar.

That play can be viewed here. When I went back and looked at it I didn't recall #22 being downfield. Yeah, he might have been blocked if Pearson had broken away, but it is no foregone conclusion that Pearson would have scored. History keeps changing on me!

But, man, it was fun to care back then.

North Dakota Visitors Bureau Gets Creative

2012-01-13T12:08:00.000-06:00

"Arrive a Guest. Leave a Legend."

At Least Those Pesky Playoffs Won't Interfere With Practice Right Now

2012-01-13T11:56:00.002-06:00

You White People Better Step It Up

2012-01-13T10:28:00.000-06:00

I mentioned that the overall figure was 43%, but I had no idea the Caucasian faith was smaller than a mustard seed.

Source.

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-13T08:41:00.000-06:00

Bridgeport's Colin Jones has moved to wide receiver for 49ers playoff game. I'm not sure he'll see any action, but it's something to look for.
I've decided not to coach softball this Spring (although Mrs. LL has signed up for an assistant coach position for some team.) It was fun, but I also missed out on a lot of our own private practices with the Girls In The House as well as missed some of their games due to scheduling conflicts. I didn't like that.
The would-be Paradise model.
There were reports yesterday that Delta was eyeing an American Airlines takeover. That just seems, well, unAmerican.
I'm not that big of a Facebook guy, but it drives me crazy when I see a post of some child in a hospital bed with a caption of "If this picture gets 1,000,000 'likes', his life saving surgery will be free." Really? You falling for that?
I feel fat.
The Office just isn't the same since Steve Carell left, but we knew that would happen.
Styx is at Billy Bob's this weekend. Fifteen years ago I saw them play two songs outside of The Today Show studios in New York City. I guess I was literally outside of "30 Rock."
I would absolutely love for the Tebow Bronco's to beat New England this weekend. The aftermath would be absolutely entertaining. (43% of Americans believe that God is helping Tebow win.)
I could have sworn I saw what looked like a bobcat (or something) out of the corner of my eye when I was jogging in the dark a couple of weeks ago. Never thought I would need to jog with a pistol. Who's crazy enough to do that?
On my DVR is last night's new documentary from HBO on the "The Memphis Three." Mrs. LL is staring at the remote right now doing all she can not to hit "play" since she promised me we'd watch it together. (I think the gal is obsessed with whodunit-death.)
You can feel the passion being sucked out of right wing talk radio as they all come to terms with the fact that the Spartan that will lead them into battle against President Obama is Mitt Romney. Freakin' Mitt Romney. I think they fear this will be like 300 without the resistance.
ESPN's Gene Wojciechowski was on WBAP this morning to promote his new book about the Duke/Kentucky game 20 years ago that ended with the famous Christian Laettner turn around jumper -- a shot that some people think is the greatest moment in college basketball. WBAP's Hal Jay started the interview by saying he wasn't familiar with it.
Former ESPN spare Craig James apparently went off (and I mean really off) on a questioner during the Senate debate last night in Austin for asking a "gotcha" question of "Do you know who the Secretary of Defense is?" I'm looking for the video.

"The Rhome PD Motorcycle"

2012-01-12T18:56:00.000-06:00

At least that's what an emailer sent me.

(Thanks, Shannon.)

I'm Changing My Views On Police Chases

2012-01-12T13:54:00.000-06:00

Me advocate a "no chase" policy? Not anymore. The second the cops pulled out the rocket launcher/hand cannon, I was locked in.

If this doesn't become the new DPS Training Video by the end of the year, it is proof positive that we no longer care about keeping our roads safe.

Irony. She Haz It.

2012-01-12T12:37:00.000-06:00

I've been dogging the Tarrant County D.A.'s office for its new PR person's press releases/tweets.

Look what she just tweeted. When are they going to do something about crime down there?????

What is this thing?

2012-01-12T12:34:00.003-06:00

Mrs. LL sends this dispatch from ~~Fort Worth~~ Highway 287 in Wise County:

12 axles (approximately)
"looks like some motorized contraption designed by the pigs from angry birds" (Editor's note: What the heck is this crazy lady talking about?)
There are two motorcycle cops in front of it and a long line of vehicles behind it unable to get on the freeway because he's blocking the on-ramp.

Edit: She tracked the thing down later at Harmon Road and 287, and I enhanced the photo in the Liberally Lean Laboratory.

This Guy Will Not Let Court Interfere With Sleep

2012-01-12T09:46:00.000-06:00

Not the best picture, but this guy at the Wise County Courthouse this morning didn't budge for 30 minutes as he slept with a jacket over his head. (The red is a kid I cropped out -- momma was up there, too.)

The funny part is that a new Grand Jury was empaneled today and they had to walk past him to get to the jury room. I'll bet they'll be in an indicting mood now.

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-12T08:29:00.001-06:00

Now that's a cold wind out there.
New controversy: U.S. Marines urinating on the dead bodies of the Taliban. We're better than that. Or at least I think we are.
Rhome PD has a motorcycle? Hearing reports that the answer is "yes".
Saw a headline where a guy in Lubbock pled guilty to capital murder to avoid getting the death penalty. He had met his victim through a "dating service", it said, so I had to see what it was. The answer: BootyCall.com. What could possibly go wrong?
People's Choice Awards observations from last night: (1) Adam Sandler is no longer funny, and (2) Faith Hill has discovered botox.
The Tarrant County DA's office has turned into Pravda. Their PR person tweets yesterday, "Eddie Dorris [sentenced] to maximum 20 yrs in prison this afternoon for aggravated assault for brutally beating his ex-lover." They failed to mention that they had charged him with, but failed to receive a conviction for, Attempted Capital Murder which carried with it a maximum of life in prison.
Paying for a product or service on the spot with your cell phone makes a lot of sense. I'm just not sure how it will work.
Hot water heater issue: Mine seems to not be producing as much hot water. I checked it last night and the pilot light was on, and I saw the full flame kick on once someone was taking a bath. The only thing I can think of is that its internal temperature gauge is screwed up by reading the water as hotter than it actually is. I mean, if the full flame stayed on longer the problem would be solved, right? (The temperature knob/doohickey was set to "Very Hot.") ........Edit: I never knew that my readership was 100% composed of the Ghost of George Carlin.
Comment on "tankless hot water heater" in three, two, . . .
Today's Update oddly informs you about what dumps are closed for MLK Jr. Day: "MLK DAY CLOSING – Wise County Development Services and the Decatur dumpsite will be closed Monday, Jan. 16, for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. The Boyd, Chico, and Cottondale dumpsites will close Wednesday, Jan. 18, for their holiday."
Fox 4's "Job Of The Day" yesterday was Landmark Industries in Decatur which was looking for welders.
Who would have ever thought the Republican nominee would be a Mormon Gordon Gekko but without the personality? (Now if I can only find where to buy stock in Teldar Paper.)
"Super Agent" Leigh Steinberg declares bankruptcy and blames it on alcohol. I'm not buying it. I'm guessing he simply lived beyond his wage.
My flimsy basis for that opinion: Back in the 1990s, I used to watch The Ricki Lake Show. Every wheels off guest who didn't have a job and screwed up every relationship he had would say, "I really had a problem with alcohol back then." They may have but that didn't prevent them from getting up and going to work. It was an excuse.
A lot of people are upset with the Dr. Pepper/Dublin news yesterday, but I have no idea what the controversy is about.

Fun While It Lasted

2012-01-11T15:11:00.001-06:00

Official as of the 3:00 p.m. press conference.

Rush Limbaugh Went Crazy Over This Today

2012-01-11T11:24:00.000-06:00

But since I don't understand 95% of what Rush says, I'm not sure why he went nuts.

Story.

Tuesday Morning Pick Me Up (Edit: I Have Confirmed It Is, In Fact, Wednesday)

2012-01-11T11:08:00.001-06:00

That's Rita Rusic (I have no idea), and she's 51 year old. Killing it. Absolutely killing it.

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-11T08:38:00.001-06:00

Whatever happened to Ted Turner?
I'm sure he will, but ESPN Chris Mortensen has twice reported that Baylor's Robert Griffin III will enter the NFL draft only to have Griffin say he has not made a decision. (Mortensen must really want to be first with the news.)
That dump the Osama Bin Landin lived and died in was "built last year" per Fox 4 this morning as they reported Pakistan is going to tear it down to prevent it from becoming a shrine. They really are different in the Middle East. Over here we would give it a corporate sponsorship, sell tickets, and turn it into a War On Terror Graceland.
There were two guys sitting amongst the Mavericks on the bench last night just kicking back and drinking beer. Really.
I forgot my belt. I don't remember every forgetting to put a belt on before.
Pic of A-Rod's new girlfriend. I think her stomach looks like mine.
Oklahoma voters, in a matter that had to be an absolute emergency, approved a state constitutional amendment in 2010 barring Oklahoma state courts from "using Sharia Law" meaning "Sharia Law is Islamic Law ... the Koran and the teachings of Mohammed." A federal court struck it down yesterday. I don't know if the court relied upon the Free Speech clause, the Separation of Powers clause, or the You People Should Have Other Things To Worry About clause.
The rest of the GOP field has turned into a spread-the-wealth choir as they attack Mitt Romney's business record. Rick Perry called him a "vulture capitalist." Up is down. Down is up.
James Carville called Perry the worst presidential campaigner in the history of the United States. That may be true. He started on top, had a war chest of money, and the circumstances couldn't be more perfect for everything to fall into place for him. Instead he drove his campaign right into the wall on turn one.
That 18 year old gal from Oklahoma who shot and killed one of the two very alleged burglars is now facing the spotlight concerning allegations she knew the guy she shot and that he might even be the father of her new baby (instead of the 58 year old guy she had been married to for about a month before he died of lung cancer.*) [*Insert Ticket drop of "Off.']
But one thing that caught my eye about that story: The other "burglar" has been charged with murder in connection with his accomplice's death. Say what? Now that's creative prosecution.
I did an impromptu "Flying Super Dog" routine with The Family Pup last night ("I'm Super Dog here to fight Cat Violence wherever it happens in this house!!") only to find out I was secretly videotaped. There should be some kind of immunity.
The Dallas Cowboys fire secondary coach Dave Campo. Why? It's his fault that secondary doesn't have the athletic ability to cover even me?
College football: For those who thought Oklahoma State should have been in the title game instead of Alabama: What if Oregon had not lost to USC giving them one loss for the season (27-40 to LSU in the first game of the year.) In that scenario, which one loss team should have played LSU in the championship game: Alabama, Oklahoma State or Oregon. Doesn't Oklahoma State seem to be the clear third choice?
One thing I want to know about the tour bus accident in Rhome yesterday simply out of curiosity: The bus was going from where to where?
A Fort Worth whistleblower suit was settled yesterday for $145,000. I wonder why it was filed in Wise County? (But I know the lawyer is a Blog fan so I bet we'll find out.)
The Update generates revenue for the Messenger of around $150,000 a year.

Messenger Above The Fold

2012-01-10T22:01:00.002-06:00

A Bus And A Truck (And More) Got Tangled Up In Rhome . . .

2012-01-10T16:57:00.001-06:00

. . . this afternoon and caused a traffic jam on Northbound 287. The Messenger says minor injuries.

Edit: Traffic cleared to go at 5:04 p.m.

(Thanks, Paul.)

Dog Days #2

2012-01-10T13:37:00.001-06:00

ABC - On Saturday, Florida Highway Patrol troopers say that a drunk driver fleeing the scene of a prior accident struck and killed a 53-year-old Sarasota woman while she was walking her dog. The driver of the vehicle, Blake C. Talman, 22, lost control of his Nissan Altima and hit Donna L. Chen and her dog Barney on a city sidewalk. Chen was killed in the accident, and Talman is facing DUI manslaughter charges while being held on $121,000 bail. The accident took place on State Road, and Barney was so terrified that he fled the scene, made his way to the beach, and swam for the horizon. Most would expect that to be the tragic end to an already sorrowful tale, but fate had other plans for Barney. A local fisherman in his kayak happened upon the waterlogged dog just as he was pulling far away from shore – likely too far to make it back.

Man, this has to stop before I want to adopt every dog in the country.

I Was About To Call This County Out!!!

2012-01-10T12:46:00.000-06:00

Does This Look Like A Puppy Who Is On Death Row?

The Wise County Animal Shelter has a genius idea of having a Facebook page where they post pics of pups and cats that are about to meet their Maker. Mostly it's a bunch of mutts and they all can't be saved, but the postings tug on enough heart strings that probably quite a few get new homes.

Anyway, a picture of this little fellow (a mix between a Yorkie and a Dachsund) was posted over the weekend. What the the heck? If I had seen it I would have dropped the Family Cat off for an (un)even trade in a New York minute. Cuteness must be saved!! If someone else in this county hadn't of stepped up, we might as well have shut the whole place down. We'd be nothing but a bunch of Barbarians.

Never fear. The pup was adopted and saved. Faith in humanity restored.

Tarrant County DA's Office Is Prosecuting Serious Crime This Week

2012-01-10T10:08:00.000-06:00

Certainly there's more to this, but a quick search of the Internets didn't reveal anything.

And I'll admit that I didn't know what a "Fort Worth deputy marshal" was. But I learned: "The primary responsibility of this position is to serve various arrests warrants and misdemeanor writs issued through the Municipal Court on an assigned shift; to perform computerized warrant searches; and to serve as court bailiff in an assigned courtroom." It pays $42,244 a year.

New Hampshire: Four Years Ago

2012-01-10T09:50:00.000-06:00

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

2012-01-10T08:32:00.001-06:00

The first question by ESPN to winning Alabama coach Nick Saban concerned what his deceased father would think of the win. I soooo wanted Saban to say, "Did you seriously just ask that?"
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, with Mitt Romney at his side, says something pretty shocking to a female heckler. (And what size is his belt? "Equator"?)
Hostess filed for bankruptcy/reorganization. Do they make Ding Dongs?
Ticket fans: If you are being driven insane by those Sweetjack commercials and wondering why that company we spend so much on advertising, look who owns both the Ticket and Sweetjack.
Mrs. LL upon seeing the new Tom Hanks movie trailer last night (as I sat beside her not paying attention): "You want to see that?" Me: "Uh...I'd have to see the trailer again." Her: "Back it up then." Me: "I don't want to see it that badly." Her: [Glaring]
A popular doctor at Cook's Children's Hospital dies at the age of 51 after falling off of his bike. I bet that news made lots and lots of families stop down across the metroplex.
As the Right Wing realizes that Mitt Romney is nothing other than John McCain 2.0, I bet Newt Gingrich makes one last big run at the nomination before everything is said and done.
Pastor Ed Young of Fellowship Church (one of the hip mega-churches in the metroplex) will spend 24 hours in bed with his wife on the roof of the church to promote their new book, "Sexperiment." It's a modern day money-changer in the Temple, isn't it? (If they were to get hit by lightning, I'd absolutely believe it was a bolt directly from God.)
I don't think I've ever seen so much high school basketball coverage in the Update. (And I'm not real sure much of the county is worried about Slidell's streak --- no offense to the loyal readers in Slidell.)
Baylor could have scored on Alabama. They might have been beaten 70-7, but they could have at least scored.
Snoop Dogg gets arrested in Texas for marijuana possession. The most interesting thing about the story is that he just received the equivalent of a traffic ticket for the Class C offense of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (like possessing a roach clip, bong, or rolling papers). But the story says he had over two ounces of marijuana which should be a Class A misdemeanor (the equivalent of DWI-Second, Theft of $500, Assault-Bodily Injury, etc.)
Mrs. LL asked me what note we should put in The Family Cat's collar. I suggested, "This is a suicide mission. Help a kitty out."

I'm Watching The National Championship Game But This Southern Belle Is Now Stuck In My Head

2012-01-09T20:14:00.002-06:00

Edit: At halftime, it is a barn-burner with three field goals scored. College football has been transformed into NASCAR.

Edit: This gal scares me.

The Power Of Liberally Lean

2012-01-09T14:50:00.000-06:00

There is no way this is a coincidence. I start suggesting that LeAnn Rimes might be the new official Liberally Lean Gal and the next thing you know she's throwing a concert in Fort Worth. If this isn't a full court press on her part to replace Britney and Christina, I don't know what is. Heck, I suspect I'll get free tickets in an envelope with a lipstick impression on the back.

And Another (Wait. What?)

2012-01-09T13:19:00.002-06:00

This one is a little tricky. He is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with a high school student who is 17. In Texas, that wouldn't be a crime but for the fact he is a teacher and she is a student. And it doesn't matter that he doesn't even teach on her campus (he's a middle school teacher; she's a high school student.)

Edit: Wait a second! This is obviously a political prosecution by conservative, right wing local authorities who just got mad because they say this on his Facebook page . . .

Edit: Mrs. LL tracked down this guy's "YouTube Channel"