That Analysis Will Surely Cause The Judge To Dismiss It

The following is from Tom Delay's web site as he defends himself against conspiracy charges: "A Legal Analysis of Earle's Case in a Nutshell" "Ronnie Earle argues that Tom DeLay conspired to make a contribution to a political party in violation of the Texas Election Code. There was no contribution to a political party in violation of the Texas Election Code. There was no conspiracy. Ronnie Earle is wrong on the facts. Ronnie Earle is wrong on the law."

Worth The Download

I learned about this in Newsweek. Continuing with the theme of "mixing" music below, there's this guy named RX (that's all he goes by) that is a genius of editing the comments of George Bush and overlaying them upon popular songs. Here's his latest: George W's anti-drug rant overlayed upon Duran Duran's "White Lines" a dance cult classic better known for such lines as "Freeze. Get Higher Baby. Freeze." The song is here. Remember Kids, Don't Do Drugs. (Also, you might want to download "My Generation" which includes Bush, Hillary, and Bill).

Random Movie Thought

Love, Actually was on HBO tonight. I love, actually, the movie - especially the opening lines by Hugh Grant as we watch scenes of people reuniting at an airport: "General opinion is starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed. But I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy. Fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the twin towers as far as I know none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge. They were all messages of love. If you look for it I've got a sneaky feeling that you'll actually find that Love . . . Actually . . . Is All Around"

Random Song Thought

I really like Green Day's "Wake Me Up When September Ends" but the video, complete with a dialogue of a young couple fighting and fake scenes of the Iraq war, is silly. One growing phenomenon is renegade DJs "mixing" old and new classics and posting them on the Internet. If you want to here something great, download this song which is a mix of "Wake Me Up" and the Eagle's "Lying Eyes". If you know both songs, you'll love it. (To save the file to your computer, put the cursor on "this song", above, right click and choose "Save Target As"). Edit: For a weekly release of a 30 minute "sixxmixx", check out this web page.

Classic

This morning on The Today Show, Matt Lauer threw it to reporter Michelle Kosinski for a report on the flooding in the northeast. There she was, on a suburban street, paddling a canoe. Wow, the water must be very deep, we thought. There was one small problem. Just as the segment came on the air, two men waded in front of Kosinki and the water barely covered their shoe tops! Matt and Katie could hardly contain their laughter. Video clip: http://newsbusters.org/media/2005-10-14-NBCToday.wmv And I'll credit the blog where I obtained this link.

Now As You Look At My Client, May I Remind You That He Is Presumed Innocent

Although The Doves Don't Appreciate It

The Dallas Morning News has a story today about Olney's "One Armed Dove Hunt". It seems very unstable, but I'd be right there with them if I was an amputee.

My Vote For Mother Of The Year

As seen on The Today Show this morning: Molly Shattuck (center) is a mother of three, 38, and Baltimore Ravens cheerleader.

The New "James Bond"

That's him: actor Daniel Craig. I've only seen him in one movie, Layer Cake, but I was too distracted by Sienna Miller to assess his skills.

A Fund Raising Idea For The Local United Way

The Underwear Run. (I think one of the guys looks like Will Ferrell in "Old School".)

Is It Wrong . . .

. . . to try to cut out the unborn baby from your friend's stomach?

But Who Is The Commercial For?

I'm not exactly sure who is behind it, but this commercial bashing DA Ronnie Earle for going after Tom Delay is pretty good. For what it's worth, Earle is a nut case.

Two Words: Gaw Dee

I attend a lot of driver's license hearings where DPS is trying to suspend someone's license after being arrested for DWI. (Never mind that the defendant hasn't even had his trial yet, let's take his license up front. Sheesh.) Anyway, I pull up today in the parking lot in Fort Worth and see this monstrosity. Some DWI lawyer has bought himself a Hummer and tricked it up. Some days I'm so proud of my profession.

Maybe Kanye Was Right

From the Today Show this morning discussing Bush's 39% approval rating: RUSSERT: And Matt, the most astounding number in this: 2 percent – just 2 percent - of African-Americans give George Bush a positive rating for his performance as President. The memories of Katrina very much in their minds. LAUER: Is that what this is all about? I mean, obviously that is just a startling number, 2 percent of African-Americans. Is this all about the aftermath of Katrina? RUSSERT: Well, the imagery of that along with the economy and fuel prices and Iraq, but that event, Matt, really did have a searing effect. George Bush and the Republican Party has tried very hard to reach out to African-American voters, but this is a very dramatic setback. I cannot find a pollster who can remember any President ever getting just 2 percent approval from African-Americans

Reflective

Anybody 35 and up out there who is a football fan remembers Johnny "Lam" Jones of the University of Texas. Those that saw him anchor the mile relay for Lampasses in the high school track finals will never forget it. This from the Morning News about Jones: "He has been hospitalized at Brackenridge Hospital with advanced stages of multiple myeloma, a cancer that attacks plasma cells and bone marrow."

Well I'll Be Dang

"IMPORTANT VICTORY – The Texas Public Utility Commission Wednesday ordered TXU to build its new cross-country power line north of Decatur instead of through high value real estate south of the city." - From the Update I refuse to acknowledge that Rep. Phil King had anything to do with this (although he probably did which seriously reduces my inclination to bash him).

I'd Be Screaming Like A Madman

Katie Holmes, the movie star with Tom Cruise's baby in her belly, will probably have a silent birth since both are part of the Church of Scientology. That means that the mother can't say a word, or make a noise, during the birthing process. I bet a guy came up with that idea.

Future?

Apple made big news yesterday when it unveiled its new IPod that will allow you to view video. (It even cut a deal with ABC that will allow a user to download episodes of Desperate Housewives, Lost, etc. for $1.99). I think downloadable video is the future. I'm not sure watching that video on a 2 1/2 inch screen is. I'm curious. How many of you folks even own a portable music device? I own a Rio Cali MP3 player.

And I Thought The Due Process Clause Was Confusing

There was a controversial ending to the Angels-White Sox game last night, and if you want to read about it you can do so here. The brohaha was about this rule: A runner who swings and misses on his third strike may try to advance to first base if the catcher does not catch the ball. (Althought the catcher can tag him or throw him out at first base). That may be the oddest rule in baseball.

Oh, The Pain (Part 2)

Fox's The Simple Life has been cancelled.

I Think The Dear Lord Would Say, "OK, Stop It!"

A woman, age 39, in Arkansas has given birth to her sixteenth child. May favorite tidbits: (1) It has been eight years since they had a girl (2) The father is a former state representative (3) The father said: "We both just love children and we consider each a blessing from the Lord. I have asked Michelle if she wants more and she said yes, if the Lord wants to give us some she will accept them." (4) Here are the kid's names: Joshua, 17; John David, 15; Janna, 15; Jill, 14; Jessa, 12; Jinger, 11; Joseph, 10; Josiah, 9; Joy-Anna, 8; Jeremiah, 6; Jedidiah, 6; Jason, 5; James, 4; Justin, 2; and Jackson Levi, 1.

Poorly Written Law

A story has been broadcast over the last couple of days about a man who took "inappropriate" pictures of females at an Octoberfest in Southlake. Look closely at the story. The pictures were taken in public. There is no allegation that he took their photographs as they were in a state of undress in, say, a private bathroom. Here's the goofy Texas statute at issue - Penal Code § 21.15: A person commits an offense if the person photographs . . . another without the person's consent and with the intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. That, my friends, is a State Jail Felony. So if I take a picture of a Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader because she, uh, "jazzes" me, I've committed a felony in Texas?

Something Isn't Right

I wrote a couple of weeks ago how odd I thought it was that an OU student blew himself up outside of a Sooner football game packed with fans. Slowly, but surely, evidence has been discovered that indicates there may be more to the story. An actual attempted terrorist attack with Islamic ties, perhaps? Mark Davis' column in the Dallas Morning News is worth reading about how this story should be huge but, for some reason, is not.

Messenger Front Page

OK, I have fun with the Messenger all the time, but I'll admit it's a good paper. I am, however, troubled by this week's front page. It has a photo of Allan Smith, former EDC director of Bridgeport, being arrested outside the district courtroom in Decatur. (I was in the courtroom at the time and those flashing bulbs got my attention). I'm not exactly sure how the Messenger knew there was a new warrant for his arrest or how they knew that Bridgeport PD would be in the courthouse to arrest him at the time of his court appearance, but the photo seems a little sensational. Then again, I'll admit I'm far more compassionate of those that make appearances in the criminal courtrooms in Decatur than the average guy.

OK, I Will.....But What Ya Gonna Do About The Chickens?

Believe it or not, that's a "fake bottom". Where does one buy one?

"I Got It! I Got It! I . . . .. . Uggghhhh"

And I Thought I Had A Bad Day

Now We Can Double The Amount Of People We Waste Time With

Yahoo and Microsoft have finally worked out their differences with their Instant Messenger chatting software. Now both will be able to communicate with each other. Let the chit chat begin.

Oprah Is . . .

. . . now in the business of tracking down missing sex offenders. But in the end, I bet, she will make it all about her.

Kind of Reminds You of "My Cousin Vinny"

As I was working on an appeal this afternoon (not one of my trial cases), I came across this quote in the transcript from the criminal defense attorney as he addressed the jury panel for the first time. "It's been so long since I've tried a case, it's sort of like the first one I ever did." (Vol. I, Page 67, Line 6-7)

School To Use Breathalyzer At Dance

"At Santa Barbara High School, officials will screen every third or fourth student who arrives [for the homecoming dance] and anyone who appears drunk, said Principal Paul Turnbull. "But senior Alexander Argyropoulos said alcohol testing encourages students to use drugs that cannot be detected with the Breathalyzers. Drinking, he said, is 'better than possibly trying cocaine.' "

Lots Of Death and Destruction Over There

The death toll due to the Pakistani earthquake (there was one, by the way) is now at 45,000. Unlike the Tsunami, there does not appear to be the outpouring of aid from Americans. Either (1) we're tapped out, or (2) who cares about Pakistan - it's full of those terrorism guys, isn't it?

What's This World Coming To . . .

. . . when a witch can't open up a public meeting with a prayer! "WASHINGTON --The Supreme Court rejected an appeal on Tuesday from a Wiccan priestess angry that local leaders would not let her open their sessions with a prayer. Instead, clergy from more traditional religions were invited to pray at governmental meetings in Chesterfield County, Va., a suburb of Richmond. Lawyers for Cynthia Simpson had told justices in a filing that most of the invocations are led by Christians. Simpson said she wanted to offer a generalized prayer to the 'creator of the universe.' Wiccans consider themselves witches, pagans or neo-pagans, and say their religion is based on respect for the Earth, nature and the cycle of the seasons."

From The Update

"OFFICER HONORED — The Decatur City Council on Monday approved naming the new Decatur public safety complex after Decatur Police Officer James “Poncho” Bennett, who was killed in the line of duty in April 1980. A new sign with his name would be erected to replace the old sign in front of the building facing Charles Street. " I remembered when that happened. The shooter had stolen a gun from a home in Bridgeport and then traveled to Decatur. Seldom, back then, had news spread so fast throughout the county.

If I Were a Carpenter

This stuff drives me crazy: The Today Show was in Covington, La this morning along with President Bush. And then we see the inevitable: Bush helping build a home by banging a nail into a sheet of plywood. (Poorly, I might add - even I know you grab the handle of a hammer by its end, not in the middle). This isn't Bush bashing, it's politician bashing. Don't show up for 10 minutes to bang a nail for the cameras and then leave. It's insulting. And I see everyone do it - Democrats and Republicans.

Funny Column Headline Re: Wright Amendment and Love Field

From the Dallas Morning News: "Do A Little Dance, Make A Lot of Fuss, But Get Used to Wright" - by James Ragland

And I Had Just About Raised The Money

Britney Spears has taken her bra off of Ebay (which had been for sale to raise money for Katrina victims). Ebay had originally removed the item after determining that the proposed sale violated its "no used underwear" policy. I didn't even know it had such a policy. (The company changed its mind and had made an exception for Britney). Note: I don't know who the guy in the pic is that I found off of Google, but I'm sure he wants a "do over".

Sensitive Subject

You have a poor, uneducated mother of two girls, ages 9 0r 10 and the other 7. Both girls go to visit the mom's father (the girl's grandfather for a weekend). When they return, the older girl tells her mom that "her grandfather entered the bathroom while she was taking a shower and told her he needed to wash her. Despite the girl's protests, the man washed and fondled her and later exposed himself to her. " Mom doesn't call the authorities and, a week later, sends the seven year old back to visit the mom's dad. She is fondled during that visit. (It is unclear if the younger girl knew what happened to her older sister during the first visit). One of the girls finally tells their stepmother. Cops get involved. The molester receives a 15 year sentence. Question: Should the mom be charged? And, if so, should she get pen time (Huntsville), jail time (local county jail) or probation? What if she didn't believe her daughter? This week, the mom pled guilty to two counts of Failure to Report Child Abuse, a Class B misdemeanor, which has a maximum of 180 days in the county jail. (She received the maximum on both cases to run concurrently). I noted, however, that the plea was heard before a district judge. This tells me one thing: The case against the mom was originally filed as a felony but the case was reduced to a misdemeanor by a plea bargain. The story is in the Star Telegram is here.

Talk About Tired Head

The Yankees and Angels played game four last night in New York. Tonight (Monday) they are playing in Anaheim, California. I'm not sure, but I think those two cities are not close to each other. Edit: The Angels won and now they travel to Chicago to play a game on Tuesday night.

Can't We All (Still) Just Get Along?

I've seen the video of the elderly man be "beaten" by New Orleans police, but, I've got to tell you, it really doesn't get my blood flowing. Yeah, the punches were excessive, but it just doesn't seem as "outrageous" as the media portrays it. Maybe Rodney King has made my Beating Threshold too high.

This Guy Needs To Buy A Lottery Ticket

In the 8th inning of yesterday's Astros-Braves game, Houston's Chris Burke hit a grand slam. It was caught in the outfield by a guy named Shaun Dean. Ten innings later, the Astros win the game with a home run. Who caught it? The same Shaun Dean. Freaky.

Incredible

This 19 year old kid was shot and killed last night as he worked at a convenience store in Lancaster. On behalf of all liberals everywhere, that pisses me off.

It's Good To Have Some Prison-Break Experience

A 9 year old boy has swam (swum?) the 1.4 miles between Alcatraz and the San Francisco shore. I saw him on The Today Show this morning and he came across as a very typical (and I mean very typical) nine year old boy. I'm sure his father is very proud that he wasn't attacked by sharks, didn't drown, and didn't freeze. Ah, parenthood.

Holy, Holy, Holy

Is it OK to give a standing ovation in church? Edit: Is it Ok to give a standing ovation in a church for a reason that is unrelated to the purpose of worship?

Not The Best Way To Start A Weekend

"WOMAN INJURED — A woman was seriously injured Friday night when she was run over by a pickup west of Chico. She and her brother got stuck about 9 p.m. on County Road 1745 . . . the brother . . . apparently began to back the truck up while his sister was standing on the passenger side with the door open. The door knocked her down and the truck’s front right tire rolled over her abdomen. She was taken by helicopter ambulance to a Metroplex hospital. [The brother] was taken to jail for intoxication assault." - From the Update

Look Into My Eyes

Glory Days

For those interested in finding out how Bridgeport's Phillip Daugherty (right) fared in his first start at Sam Houston State as well as Decatur's Brian Christian, find out here.

A Supreme Court Nominee in Her Younger Days

Random Wedding Announcement Thought

Whenever I flip through the Sunday Star Telegram, I'll spend a few moments on the wedding announcements. But I tend to only look at (1) the picture (2) where they went to school and (3) where the honeymoon will be. There was a bit of a twist this week. One couple published the URL of where their photos could be viewed.

While The Cowboys . . .

. . . were beating the Eagles (how, I have no idea), the Houston Astros were winning an 18 inning marathon on ESPN to advance to the NLCS. Astros 7, Braves 6