Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

Twenty-one year old Zuzu Renee Verk went missing from Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas.  It would not end well. 

---

• Deputy Adam Sherifi was identified as the Van Zandt County officer killed in the line of duty yesterday. 
  
• This pick-up, riddled with bullet holes, was photographed at the crime scene, but I can't find a report explaining why. 
  
  
  
• "The arrest followed an investigation into reports from an adult female, who stated Jenkins repeatedly contacted her through social media messages, phone calls and in-person contact." Uh, "repeatedly" needs some clarification here. 
  

  

  
  
  
  
• I'm getting reports that this mysterious pamphlet has been received by many, many Wise County residents. 
  
  
  
  
• Unrelated fun fact: 100 years ago yesterday "Frank Lloyd Wright and his companion Olga Milanoff are arrested at a Lake Minnetonka cottage on charges of adultery. He had fled Wisconsin to escape his messy divorce and pursuit by Olga's estranged husband. Wright spent a few days in jail before being released on bond, charges were later dropped."
  
  
  
  

  

  
  
• Breaking (literally) this morning. Gift link. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Fuhrer has spoken. 
  
  
  
• Russia released an American hostage yesterday and Trump contradicted himself in a matter of moments as to whether the U.S. gave up anything in exchange for that release.  
  
  
  
• There are few people as smarmy as Vivek Ramaswamy, and he may have really stepped in it this time. 
  

  

  
  
  
  
• Legal nerdy stuff: Second Amendment ruling: The Fifth Circuit struck down the Federal Switchblade Act yesterday.
• Messenger - Above the Fold

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

Runaway Bay always has a big fire from time to time. 

---

• Story. (Surprise: We don't know much.) 
  
  
  
• But that wasn't the only big news coming out of Van Zandt County last night: "The children who died were ages 3, 5, and 8." Good lord. 
  
  
  
• What a mess. They allegedly took the cell phone of their deceased father from their stepmother's home. And for some reason bond was set at $100,000 -- a comically high amount. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
• So what's the purpose of taking state tax dollars intended for a public school and forfeiting them to the federal government?
  
  
  
• "Investigators allege Willie Herndon stopped along Interstate 170, got out of his vehicle, and fired into Wilson's passing car. She was traveling to a Halloween event at the zoo." It sounds like it was a road rage incident. People are nuts. 
  
  
  
• Let me tell you, that is one fantastic mask.
  
  
   
  
  
  
• I keep saying to keep an eye on this guy: 
  
  
  
• Early voting comparisons for Dallas, Tarrant, and Denton counties. 
  
  
  
• Just when you think the grift can't be any more brazen. "Julio Herrera Velutini, a Venezuelan billionaire, really wanted a pardon. He got it not long after his daughter hired Alina Habba, a lawyer close to Trump, in a deal worth more than $50 million. Habba was also working at DOJ at the time." And the "deal" is to be general counsel for four years for a company that appears to exist in name only. New York Times gift link. 
  

  

  
  

  

  
  
  
  
• War criminals. From the Wall Street Journal:
  
  
  
• He's told us that we can't let the communists and the socialists take over the country. 
  
  
  
  
• I gave you a heads up yesterday: 
  
  
  
• Special envoy Steve Witkoff just told Putin to his face and in front of the cameras: "[Y]ou are a humanitarian also, sir, and I salute that.”

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

It has been 10 years since the very funny "No puppet!" exchange during their last debate.  However, this is what Hillary was in the midst of saying at the time:  "Putin would rather have a puppet as president. You won't admit the Russians engaged in cyberattacks against the US, that you encouraged espionage against our people, that you spout the Putin line, sign up for his wish list, break up NATO, do whatever he wants you to do."

---

• Woah. Early voting from four years ago for the first day totaled 1,645. Yesterday dwarfed that. And this will be an 80%+ Republican turnout:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Wise County: A road rage incident on 287 yesterday afternoon ended up with gunfire and a three vehicle wreck on FM 407 after the feud moved there.  One person was careflighted. 
• This story, based upon the mother's statement to police, is bad. 
  
  
  
• I bet a grand jury won't even indict this guy. It will save the time and expense of a "not guilty" verdict later on. 
  
  
  
• Ok, that would scare me. Although the banana is a nice soothing touch.
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
• After a slow start, the Tarrant County Sheriff is proving once again that he can't manage a jail. 
  
  
  
• See "10 years ago", above: 
  
  
  
• Point: 
  
  
  
• Counter-point from the Trump-friendly paper of record: 
  
  
  
• Lighten up, Francis. 
  
  
  
• Trouble in Argyle. They are currently ranked #3 ranked in the state with an offense that averages 53.4 points and 540.6 yards of total offense per game. And they might lose their quarterback to day.
  
  
  
• Can you imagine the good that could be done with the amount of money spent on ads for the senate race in Texas?