Back To The Future

After having a day to contemplate the nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court, it has occurred to me, after all the debate over choosing a woman or a Hispanic, that he is a white guy. A very white guy. And he has a very white name.

Plane Crash Close To Wise County

"A small plane crashed in far northwest Tarrant County on Wednesday afternoon, killing all three people on board.The single-engine plane crashed into a boat that was sitting in the backyard of a home in the Bond Ranch subdivision, north of Hicks Airfield and west of U.S. 287.After hitting the boat, the plane burst into flames, witnesses said.Tarrant County Sheriff Dee Anderson said the plane probably crashed about 12:20 p.m." - Star Telegram

Spoil Me Now

I have this personal consumption rule: If the product is capable of spoiling, I'll never eat or drink the last portions of it. Bread? I'll never eat the last slice. Salsa? I'll always throw away the last 1/4 inch. Milk? There's no way I'm emptying that gallon - I'll always leave a tad bit in the milk container and then throw it out. Sorry, just a random thought.

I Hope He Got Beamed Up

James Doohan, the actor who played Scotty on Star Trek, has died. As much as I could not care less about Star Wars, Battle Star Gallactica, and all other science fiction entertainment, I've always loved Star Trek. I suppose it's because I spent my adolescent years sitting in front of the TV on school day afternoons watching Channel 11. Doohan's engines just couldn't provide more power.

RU Ready For A Warning

"The government warned doctors Tuesday to be on the lookout for rare but deadly infections in women using the abortion pill RU-486, citing two more deaths after its use. At least five U.S. women have died after taking the pill since it began selling in 2000, although the Food and Drug Administration stressed that it could not prove the drug was to blame." The pro-life crowd has been presented a PR gift by the FDA: It's a bit ironic to have a warning that an abortion pill causes death.

I'll Be Watching the Paint Drying Network

CBS has announced they will produce a mini-series on the life of Pope John Paul II which the network described as a "papal page turner." Heather Graham will play the love interest, and Jon Cryer will star as the "wacky neighbor". [Credit: The Ticket's Dunham and Miller]

Supreme Being

It looks like it will be Judge John Roberts, 50, to the Supreme Court. Good bye civil rights. Good bye church and state wall. The Right Wing is in charge, this guy will be on the court forever, and I think I'm gonna be sick. (But I will admit that after observing him speak to the nation tonight without the benefit of notes, he is very smooth).

Next It Will Form It's Own Country....And Attack

"SALT LAKE CITY - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has applied to establish a Utah industrial bank that would process credit card, debit card and electronic check transactions from its retail locations, the bank's chief said." What could be next? Walmart Cars? Walmart Electricity? Walmart Oil?

I'll Take A Judicial Supreme With Moderate Sauce

Yesterday a reporter asked the President, ‘We understand you are now close to a decision [on naming a Supreme Court nominee]," which caused the always likeable Bush to reply, ‘Well, thank you for telling me where I am in the process." It looks like the reporter was correct. The White House announced today that we will learn who the President's nomination to the Supreme Court is at 8:00 p.m. tonight. I wonder if it is Carrie or Bo?

I Didn't Know That

I didn't know that White House spokesman Scott McClellan(who has recently been beaten up, thanks to Karl Rove, more than a Wise County Democrat at an election party) is the son of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn (who announced her run for governor last month).

Tiger Woods Ad

For those of you that are patient (or have a high speed connection), you have to see the Nike ad showing Tiger Woods as a child superimposed on today's British Open golf course at St. Andrews. It's great stuff. And his swing was fantastic even way back then.

Hoping For An All Male Jury

"(AP) - Former middle school teacher Debra Lafave, waits for the start of a hearing before Circuit Court Judge Wayne Timmerman Monday, July 18, 2005 at the Hillsborough County Courthouse in Tampa, Fla. Lafave, whose sexual liaisons with a 14-year-old student made tabloid headlines, broke off plea negotiations with prosecutors and will claim insanity at a December trial, her attorney said Monday. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius) "

It Sure Beats Playing At The Bridgeport Country Club

Former NFL quarterback, former Texas Tech great, and Boyd's own Billy Joe Tolliver won a celebrity golf tournament this weekend and pocketed $100,000. And "celebrity" tourney it was - feel free to check out the star studded list of players here. And he was pretty funny in the post tourney press conference as he mused about how much his wife gripes at him for being lazy. Here's a sample: "It wasn't six hours later [when I'm home from playing golf] and she's staring at me. She's got that look and I said, 'What are you looking at?' She says, 'You're getting fat.'" "Getting?" Tolliver replied, "I've been fat, but you still love me, don't you? I'd love you if you were fat. I'd miss you, but I'd love you."

I'll Fix This Once I Figure Out How

Ranger pitcher Kenny Rogers turned himself in this morning to the Tarrant County Jail on the charge of Assault, a Class A misdemeanor. The offense carries with it a $4,000 fine. The guy makes millions a year and the most he can be hit with is four grand. This got me thinking: In our criminal system, it is so odd that a defendant's ability to pay is never considered. For example, most folks who plead guilty in Wise County to DWI-First Offense receive a $750 fine (in addition to probation). It doesn't matter if they make $10,000 a year or $100,0000. Likewise, a person is "punished" for speeding 10 miles over the speed limit in the same fine amount regardless of income. Then again, it should come as no surprise. If you are arrested and can't afford bond, you simply stay incarcerated in jail before ever being found guilty. Are the rich given a privilege or are the poor discriminated against?

He Knows That Already

After watching Tiger Woods win the British Open this weekend, I've finally determined his most admirable trait. It's not his golfing ability, nor his ability to "say the right thing" during every interview. Nope, it's not his stylish apparel or even his extremely hot/model wife. Nope: It's his ability to NOT take his driver and attack the spectator that yells "You The Man" after every single drive.

It would drive me insane.

Maybe He Did Something In the 1970s, Too

Over the weekend, Saddam Hussein was finally indicted after being held in custody for over 550 days. The charge? His alleged role in 1982 of the killing of 15 people who he believed were responsible for a failed assassination attempt of him (Saddam). 1982? That's the only charge they can bring so far? Something that happened 23 years ago?

Don't Try To Serve in That Outfit

I was watching the ESPY awards on Sunday night (why, I don't know). But I did do a double take when Destiny's Child ended the show and tennis player Serena Williams (far right- as if you had any question which one she was) joined them at the end of their performance. I don't know if it was seductive, odd, or neither.

Karen Bast, 1964-2005

There is nothing that makes you stop down and reflect more than the death of a young friend. I went out with Karen a couple of times in the 1990s and she even rented my out-of-county house from me when I moved back to Wise County in 1992 (to establish residency so I could run for DA). In all honesty, I hadn't spoke to her in a number of years but had kept up with her through mutual friends. Her obitutuary is in today's (Sunday's) edition of the Star-Telegram. Her death last Thursday is a sad occurrence. She was 41.