Hey, Wise County . . . . . . . Duck!

Edit: When I posted this, I didn't know it would update itself.

Edit #2: That was a monster storm that was coming but it deteriorated rapidly over Jack County.

"Hey, Now"

Remember the bill introduced into the Texas Legislature that would require all women who wish to terminate their pregnancy to get a sonogram?

Well, the sponsor of the bill was Rep. Dan Patrick. That's him in Hooters. He's pro-life. Especially pro young and nubile life.

(Source.)

Edit: The original source is politicalblog.abc13.com.

The Christian Truck Driver Kinda Scared Me

Seen on the way back from Fort Worth this afternoon on I-35 right before the north loop. And I guess crosses on mud flaps are OK.

Edit: I meant that the "before it's too late" being displayed on a truck that looked like it could do some damage was a little menacing in appearance. It just seemed very Stephen King-ish to me.

Can You Hear Me Now?

The Star-Telegram says thieves are stealing copper from cell phone towers in Wise County. Edit: There should be a story on Channel 11 at 6:00 p.m. about this problem that I didn't know was a problem. Edit: Heck, I've heard this story on KRLD and WBAP (referenced here.) Man, this has to be a slow news day.

Well, There Is A Reason To Live After All

Jessica Simpson.

Drives Me Insane

A person which who works in my office, but who shall remain nameless (Sherry), backs her vehicle up every morning within a hair of the office air conditioning unit. She set an all time record this morning so I took a pic of it.

"I have my marks," she tells me.

Decatur Storm Damage

After scouring the town, or happening to come across this tree this morning, I've concluded that Decatur was hit with winds that were kinda, but not real, strong last night.

Gov. Perry will be here by noon to survey the damage.

Interesting Theory . . .

on The Ticket yesterday about why the public seems happy the Paris Hilton was sentenced to a 45 day jail sentence: We like society to be the great equalizer. We like the famous and the rich to be brought down, and we like the downtrodden to be raised (i.e. "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition".) I think there may be something to that theory.

Probably Too Long . . .

. . . but the Star-Telegram looks again at the allegation that Rep. Phil King abuses "legislative continuances." The Wise County Messenger even gets a reference near the end of the story (which is probably the most interesting part.)

I Always Make A Reference To This Scene . . .

. . . and end up hearing crickets chirping. Example. Girl at the courthouse will tell me she had a fight with her boyfriend over the weekend but made up. I'll say, "Did he show up outside your window with a boom box over his head and Peter Gabriel playing?" Then . . . . awkward silence. (From the movie, "Say Anything.")

A Sure Sign Of Upcoming Sickness

Send Cleburne A Thank You Note . . .

. . . for attempting to dethrone us as the most backwoods county in North Central Texas. (Story.)

Verdict Soon

A jury is deliberating the fate of this guy who was convicted last week of Intoxication Manslaughter in Tarrant County. (His blood alcohol concentration was .29 - the legal limit is .08).

From the best I can tell from Star Telegram reports, he had no prior convictions but admits to being an alcoholic for almost all of his adult life.

The range of punishment is anywhere from probation to 20 years in prison. My prediction: I think they'll give him 10 years without probation.

One wild card is that I haven't been able to determine if the jury made a finding of a "deadly weapon." If so, they have been instructed that the defendant, if sentenced to a term of imprisonment, would not be eligible for parole until 1/2 of the sentence is served. Although they are also given the goofy instruction of not to apply the parole law to "this particular defendant", they always do.

Edit: After 9 hours of deliberations the jury indicated they were deadlocked on punishment. Then a plea bargain was struck for 3 1/2 years. That's reasonable to me, but I'm surprised the Tarrant County prosecutors agreed to it. If a mistrial had been declared due to a hung jury, then a retrial only on the issue of punishment would have occurred - guilt has already been established.

The Update . . .

. . . has an update on the fatality accident this morning.

Edit: Star-Telegram has a small story here.

Edit #2: The Dallas Morning News has the same basic story here.

Not Much News (Or Hot Women) In CyberSpace Today . . .

. . . so let's relive one of my favorite Internet clips.

That was almost tornado like a second ago

Edit: That was a heck of a storm at the courthouse. For about one minute the winds got incredibly strong and every car alarm in the southwest proper went off. But there wasn't any damage. But I screamed like a school girl and ran to the basement.

From May 4, 2007 In Oklahoma

Pretty good video of a tornado. I'm not sure if that's a "big one", relatively speaking, but it's impressive. (From The Drudge Report.)

This Blew Into My Backyard