"I'll Take an 8 Ball and That Book on C++"

According to the USA Today: "SAN FRANCISCO — Methamphetamine addicts are using the Internet to commit identity theft . . . . Meth addicts — already adept at stealing personal information from mailboxes to finance drug habits — now are hacking PCs to steal information." Trust me, I know a bunch of meth addicts. Computer hacking is not on their list of skills.

The Daily Show

Jon Stewart last night discussing the complicated criminal charge against Texas congressman Tom Delay: "The relationship between corporate money and political influence is entrenched and complexed. And violations of the law are a little less obvious than say . . . (pause) . . . a dead hooker in a trunk."

Heck, Even I'm Almost Scared To Comment On It

Former U.S. education secretary William J. Bennett created a firestorm over the last couple of days on his radio talk show. The former U.S. education secretary-turned-talk show host said Wednesday that "if you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose -- you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down." Bennett quickly added that such an idea would be "an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do." But, he said, "your crime rate would go down." Uh oh. Frankly, if you aborted every white baby right now, crime, statistically, speaking would go down. (That's simple - less people - less crime). But you throw in the term "black baby" and the comment becomes a nuclear bomb that no one can rationally discuss.

I Love It When Someone Makes Me Think

Sociologist Andrew Cherlin (I have no idea who he is) made this statement in last week's Newsweek that focused on poverty: "We have a moral obligation to provide every American with a decent life."

Texas Judge Orders Teen Barred From Sex

The order was a (very odd) condition of probation. The story is here. This conservative judiciary doesn't play games. (Actual picture of the judge being sworn in).

Philip Seymour Hoffman

I think this guy is a tremendous actor although he is so low profile that I still had to search for his name. He's appeared in some of the oddest films: Boogie Nights (sexually confused microphone guy), Happiness (stalker telephone caller), Love Liza (gas sniffer) and then a bunch of mainstream stuff: Along Came Polly (washed up child actor), Cold Mountian (a preacher), The Talented Mr. Ripley (high tone friend). So.....uh.....good job, Mr. Hoffman.

Funny? Not Funny?

I can't decide if Mike Castellucci, Channel 8's "Why Guy" on their early morning broadcast is funny, weird, nerdy or a combination [edit for spelling - sheesh] of all three.

As A Kid on Sunday Night . . .

. . . nothing was better than watching wrestling on TV from the Sportatorium in Dallas. This month's Texas Monthly has an article entitled "The Last Von Erich" - retelling the story of the Lake Dallas family that has had more than it share of tragedy (four sons, three of whom have died).

Hey Kids, Tricks And Motorcycles Don't Mix

(Video)

Maybe I Would Be A Good Parent After All

Not much of an explanation to this pic.

An Actual Legal Point

There is the strangest thing in the Tom Delay indictment. The crime he is accused of had a three year statute of limitations. The State missed the deadline which normally means the charge would be dismissed. But the indictment has the following paragraph (the likes of which I have not seen in over 15 years of practicing criminal law): "The Grand Jury further presents that, with the advise and consent of counsel, the defendent, Thomas Dale DeLay, did heretofore knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive application of Articles 12.01 and 12.02 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure [those are the statute of limitation statutes] to the indictment presented herein. In particular, the Grand Jury present that with the advice and consent of counsel, the defendent, Thomas Dale DeLay, did knowingly, intelligently, and voluntarily waive the requirement that an indictment for the felony offense . . . be presented within three years from the date of commission of the offense . . . ." Huh? I've never told a DA to take his/her time to indict my client and we won't assert the statute of limitations as a defense. Something is going on.

Random Lunch Thought

With the State Fair of Texas opening, a thought occurs to me: Is the fair a beating to go to? Has time passed it by? Do we really need hundreds of people walking along with turkey legs? Is a Fletcher's corny dog any better than a high school football game corny dog? Should Big Tex be replaced with Cowboy Troy?

Nervous Weatherman

A video clip of a college newscast. (Clip is here and it takes a while to download - but funny stuff).

He Looks Like He Might Be On Steroids

Actual picture of the ceremonial first pitch prior to a game between the Boston and Toronto at Fenway Park last night.

David Finfrock . . .

. . . just told me that it was 104 degrees today - the hottest day of the year. When I wake up tomorrow (Thursday), I expect a very nice surprise. I can't take much more of this Texas summer.

He Can Wash Away Your Sins

Bush granted pardons to fourteen people today. Check out the list (bottom of this page). Most are for crimes that occurred quite a while back and for which the sentence has come and gone. I have no idea how these cases managed to gain the President's attention.

Random Thought

I was reading a book tonight that referenced Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp. That made me recall that Tripp had recorded many phone calls with Lewinsky without Lewinsky's knowledge. Isn't that one of the largest betrayals you can imagine? To have your friend record your private phone call and broadcast them to the world? Like I said, a random thought.

Gay?