Liberally Lean From The Land Of Dairy Queen

1.16.2006

Horrific

Have you seen the video of the two teenagers beating the homeless man with a baseball bat? Incredible.

Not A Typical Wise County Weekend

From the Update: "CHICO SHOOTING — The Rhome man who was shot Sunday afternoon has died at a Fort Worth hospital from his wounds. Wise County Sheriff David Walker said Marshall Roper, 67, died early Monday at John Peter Smith Hospital. Walker said that Roper and Tony Kempf, 46, of Chico apparently had an argument at Roper’s girlfriend’s house near Chico when the shooting occurred. Kempf received a superficial wound to the head. Walker said that the two apparently struggled over the gun and Roper was shot once in the head." This made the WBAP news this morning, but I haven't seen it on any other news web site.

1.15.2006

Post Christmas Depression . . .

. . . was relieved for a while today because of a great Indianapolis / Pittsburgh playoff game.

1.13.2006

Get Ready

The new-most-important-missing person in America is Tara Grinstead.

Don't Bother Me

I'm writing a check for $20,000.

Spot The Confused Cheerleader

Hold Me

Stolen from another site: "A lot was made over Samuel Alito's wife breaking down in tears yesterday and the reaction . . . was not unexpected. The following day after his wife's anguish, how do you think Alito expressed his sympathy for her at the end of the hearing-which obviously was a grueling ordeal for her?" Link

Home Size

The average new home built in 2005 had a record 2,412 square feet.

Maybe It's The Name

RadioShack has announced "it would miss 2005 earnings estimates" according to a cover story in today's Morning News. I wonder why they haven't thought of changing the name. Radio? Shack?

"And" vs. "Or"

Remember Harvey Joe Hanson who was sentenced to 75 years out of Wise County for Attempted Capital Murder? Well, the case has been reversed. Here's the reason. This jury instruction: Now if you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the 9th day of September, 2003, in Wise County, Texas, [appellant], did then and there with specific intent to commit the offense of capital murder of Penney Aslinger, do an act, to-wit: entered the residence of Penney Aslinger without her effective consent, or threatened her or cut her with a deadly weapon, to wit: a knife . . . which amounted to more than mere preparation that tended but failed to effect the commission of the offense intended, then you will find [appellant] guilty of attempted capital murder as charged in the indictment. Should have read: Now if you find from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that on or about the 9th day of September, 2003, in Wise County, Texas, [appellant], did then and there with specific intent to commit the offense of capital murder of Penney Aslinger, do an act, to-wit: entered the residence of Penney Aslinger without her effective consent, and threatened her or cut her with a deadly weapon, to wit: a knife . . . which amounted to more than mere preparation that tended but failed to effect the commission of the offense intended, then you will find [appellant] guilty of attempted capital murder as charged in the indictment. It's a crazy world. (Court of appeals opinion is here)

Paraskevidekatriaphobia

You could be suffering from it today.

Jack County Burning

It sounds like a bunch of Jack County burned last night. But no injuries. And I keep seeing Traci Weaver on the news. She is a spokesperson for some government agency (the name of which I can't remember), but she's always talking about fire danger. I have this weird recollection that she used to work for the Messenger.

Speaking of Teachers

What is up with all these hot teachers gone wild?

Pay For Grades

"By a 9-0 vote, the Houston school board approved a plan that offers teachers as much as $3,000 in extra pay if their students improve on state and national tests. The program could be expanded to provide as much as $10,000 in merit pay for teachers."