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

Another Reason Not To Go Partying Past Age 60

"FORT WORTH - A Fort Worth woman died Friday night after a sports utility vehicle struck her Kia as she pulled out of a parking lot in the 6800 block of East Lancaster Boulevard. Dorothy Tate, 63, died at the scene, according to the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office. Fort Worth police Detective Trina Davis said Tate was leaving the Rogues Gallery nightclub when the accident occurred. " (Source: Star Telegram)