Two Drink Minimum

Although he stands No Chance of winning, former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell announced his Democratic candidacy for Texas Governor via email yesterday. (Two very bad signs there: Democrat and Email announcement). He did, however, come up with a very funny line. He said that Republican Gov. Rick Perry was so inept that he "couldn't lead a silent prayer."

Somebody Get This Man A Plasma TV

The White House released this photo the other day of the President watching the launch of the Space Shuttle. A thought occurred to me: Is this the best TV that the Leader of the Free World has available to him?

Lacy Peterson?

Ok, we've got a young, pregnant, twenty-something year old missing in Philadelphia. We all went crazy when Lacy Peterson went missing but there is one thing different: This girl is African-American. Will we care? So far there is enough publicity that I was able to stumble across it. But Lacy was a national obsession. Stay tuned to see if the press becomes infatuated with someone name "LaToyia".

Dope Nomenclature

Ok, a slight pet peeve of mine. The term is "methamphetamine" not "methamphetamines". There is no plural to the word. (I.e. "The cops busted in my front door, slammed me to the ground, told my woman I was no good, and took my stash of methamphetamine.")

Hey, It's Important Because It Impacted Me

You'll see on the news tonight that there was a chemical explosion near I-35 in north Fort Worth. You will also hear how it tied up traffic. You are hearing from me that it kept me waiting in traffic for hours. (This shot, taken with my cheap camera phone, is from I-30 and I-35 near downtown looking northward).

All Cruise Ships Be On The Lookout

The photos being released by NASA in connection with the Shuttle's current mission are amazing. This one is picture of the external fuel tank as it is jettisoned to the nether regions. Pretty cool.

They Dropped a Bomb On Me, Baby

From the looks of it, all of James Wood's Motors was shut down early this morning due to emergency personnel. Some reports (and this is all hearsay and unsubstantiated) is that someone of questionable mental stability had told officers that a bomb had been planted in one of the cars. Cops are checking it out as of 8:00 a.m.

Random Constitutional Thought

With all this talk of Supreme Court justices who should be "strict constructionist", I always scratch my head at the "literal text" of the free speech portion of the First Amendment. It reads "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech." If we read the text literally, it should be unconstitutional for Congress to enact any law regarding libel or slander, threats, pornography, or the overthrow of the government. That is, no law should be enacted which in any way abridges speech. That's what the constitution says, doesn't it? I suppose "liberal, activist" judges have somehow placed limits on that clause.

Maybe There's A Way To Get The Death Penalty, Too

I always try to educate myself by looking at the Message Board at the website of the Texas District and County Attorney's Association. It's normally pretty good stuff and I learn some law from time to time. But I almost spit out my coffee this morning when I saw that John Bradley (the frighteningly overaggressive DA out of Georgetown) is now trying to figure out a way of indicting someone for the Third Degree Felony of Tampering With Evidence in what would normally be a routine DWI case. His crazy theory: If the arrested DWI suspect doesn't provide a sample of his breath (which he has the absolute right to do), then he must be tampering with evidence (to-wit: his breath). So let me get this right: I'm arrested for DWI (a Class B misdemeanor that carries with it a maximum of 180 days in jail) and he wants to indict me for a Third Degree Felony (that carries a maximum of 10 years in prison)? All because I didn't blow into a machine that is in the exclusive control of DPS and whose accuracy is constantly being debated? It never ceases to amaze me how his mind works. (The discussion about this issue is here and its fun to see how all the prosecutors around the state are so scared of this guy that no one will put him in his place).

Whatever happened to John, Bob or Cindy?

From today's Update: "NEW COACHES – Three new coaches will greet Northwest High School students when they return to classes in a couple of weeks. Che’ Hendrix is the new baseball coach, Misail Tsapos will coach boys soccer and Dayna Horak will coach volleyball. " Che', Misail, and Dayna?

The Most Unlucky Bird In the History of Ever

This image taken from NASA TV, shows a bird being hit by the nose cone during launch of Shuttle Discovery at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, July 26, 2005. The illustration was shown during an afternoon news conference. (AP Photo/NASA TV)

This Guy Creeps Me Out

The father of the abducted-but-found Elizabeth Smart, Ed Smart, appeared on Good Morning America this morning. I don't know why he bugs me so much, but he always seems to be a publicity seeker. And it's incredible that he would allow Elizabeth's little sister, Mary Katherine Smart (photo), to be interviewed by Diane Sawyer for a prime time special.

diga qué?

The latest Arbitron ratings are out and for the first time ever a Spanish speaking station was the most listened to station for those individuals age 12 and over. The List: 1. KESS/107.9 FM (regional Mexican) 2. KKDA/104.5 FM (rap/R&B) 3. KPLX/99.5 FM (country) 4. KHKS/106.1 FM (Top 40) 5. KLNO/94.1 FM (regional Mexican) 6. WBAP/820 AM (news talk) 7. KSCS/96.3 FM (country) 8. KLUV/98.7 FM (oldies) 9. KDGE/102.1 FM (modern rock) 10. KBFB/97.9 FM (rap/R&B)

High School Football in July

I watched a little bit of the North - South High School All-Star game tonight. (Slow night). But I did see Boyd's Garrett Tidwell almost catch a touchdown pass in the final moments. I also learned about a shocking playoff revision for 2006: All 5A school districts will send four teams to the high school playoffs. Four! There is no question you will see a team with a 2-8 record make the playoffs (since 3-7 records get in now when "only" three teams are allowed). Oh, for the good old days.

That's The Last Time I Watch The News to Feel Good

After watching Fox 4 News tonight at 9:00 p.m, I've come to the conclusion that Becky Oliver is one harsh individual. And please, lord, never let her come after me with her camera. And my head also spun when Reporter Lari Barager spent about five minutes telling me about two puppies that were stolen from Hurst. And to think I believed crime was going down!!!

Makes You Gulp

I was roaming around Internet news web sites last night around 7:00 p.m. when the news broke that four Boy Scout leaders had been killed in Virginia at the Scout's national Jamboree. That made me gulp. My law partner and his wife were/are attending the event and the initial news reports were very crpytic with no details. I hate the telephone but I was on it immediately. All is well with my partner and all others from Decatur that are in Virginia for the trip.

You Know It's a Hectic Day When . . .

. . . you show up for court knowing that you are the #2 case on the trial docket only to learn that the #1 case has just reached a plea agreement thereby making your case the #1 case. That's what happened to me this morning. Hello, jury trial. And it makes for more of an emotional rollercoaster when a mistrial is declared that afternoon causing you to suffer "I'm not in trial - I am in trial - I'm suddenly not in trial" syndrome.

Remind Me To Get Rid Of All My Knives

I have finally found a person so hideous that even I wouldn't represent her. There are just some acts of violence that I won't tolerate.