This may be my first ever rugby post, but this guy deserves some attention. First, he waylays a guy like nobody's business, and then makes the greatest "Who? Me?" defense in the history of ever. Then a teammate of the fallen soldier comes running in only to go down like he was hit by Chuck Liddel. Edit: An astute fake talk show host just pointed out that this wasn't rugby. My double fake bad. And I can't help but remember my first encounter with a rugby guy. Me and buddy were over at some girls' apartment in college when their upstairs neighbors (guys) drop by to visit with the girls. We tried to chit-chat but somehow one of the guys worked into the conversation very quickly that he played rugby. "Yeah, it's a pretty tough sport. You've got to be in shape," he said. Ooooooh. Stand back. But then he followed it up with this gem: "We lift weights quite a bit in the apartment. I hope we're not making too much noise." I can still remember my friend and I exchanging the most not-so-subtle glances at one another as we both thought the same thing. That's that been many, many years ago.

A Question Mark Has Formed Over My Head

A loyal reader sent in this pic taken "at a local Subway" yesterday. I think it says, "I Support The JENA (1)". I recall the Jena 6 out of Louisiana last year, but I'm not sure I understand the "1" in parenthesis.

Allow Myself To Credit Myself

Just so you know, the Messenger's print edition had a picture this morning of the Chicken Express "Great Hillary Controversy" sign, and I just heard the Bridgeport Index had a similar photo on the front page. That's why I've got a couple of Pulitzers next to my "2nd Place - Optimist Club - Bridgeport Little League" trophy on my mantle and they don't.

Stolen From D Magazine

Today, the Texas Solicitor General will argue to the U.S. Supreme Court the state has a right to execute child rapists. It comes one day after Dallas County announced its 16th DNA exoneration, this time for a man who was imprisoned for 23 years for burglary and — (wait for it) – rape.

Wednesday Morning Random Thoughts

- That raid of the polygamist compound is getting weirder and weirder. Now pictures have surfaced of Sheriff's Deputies in an armored tank-like vehicle. And "[t]he 416 children held by Texas authorities had been accompanied by 139 women until Monday, when officials ordered all the women away except for those whose children are under 5." What exactly is our government doing? And, really, why? There is lots of speculation but no proof.
- But those compound ladies look like they just walked out of Little House on The Prairie.
- The Pope doesn't seem very friendly.
- I'm about to give up on your Texas Rangers. And did you see that no one covered second on a throw by the catcher yesterday?
- Hey, now.
- Any story on "Cheese Heroin" seems to have a sense of sensationalism.
- We've got another DNA exoneration in Dallas. This one - who just happens to be black - has been in prison for 23 years. Those Henry Wade years were very bad years. And can you imagine the number of innocent people in prison who do not have DNA to come to their rescue?
- The concept of "iced coffee" does not appeal to me.
- Oil reached $114 a barrel yesterday. Devon printed more money.
- 18 cents of every gallon of gas goes to federal taxes. I don't know how much goes to state taxes.
- A blurry picture of me and W 10 years ago.
- I haven't driven down the new section 380 yet. I want to.
- I had forgotten that Texas Sen. John Cornyn, in the wake of violence against judges a couple of years ago, opined that it could be due to the judiciary being "activists." What an idiot. (This was mentioned in the Supreme Court book I just finished - apparently former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor called him out on it.)
- I think I'd like being a mailman.
- American Airlines pilots were picketing in Dallas yesterday. You don't see many female pilots.
- The motorcyclist in Dallas who ended up dead but not found for a few hours (I posted it a couple of days ago) had his wallet taken by homeless people. Tonight, Steve Egar of Fox 4 called them "bandits." When does one qualify as a bandit?

Random Legal Outrage

In perusing new cases, here was one that just floored me.

Cops read guy his Miranda warnings. Guy says, "I don't want to give up any right, though, if I don't got no lawyer." Cops question him anyway. Judge throws his statement to the cops out because the cops didn't honor his request for a lawyer. Simple enough. On appeal, the case gets reversed because the guy's statement wasn't "clearly an invocation of his right to consult with counsel." See State v. Gobert, 244 S.W.3d 861 (Tex. App. - Austin 2008).

I'm telling ya, it's hard out there.

Tuesday Afternoon Pick Me Up

Japan Public Transportation

I'd freak out.

New Crime Stoppers Card

The "We Don't Kiss and Tell" (meaning you will remain anonymous) is kind of funny but technically inaccurate. If a person gives a tip to Crime Stoppers indicating Mr. X committed a crime but Mr. Y is actually charged with the crime, Mr. Y is allowed to have access to the Crime Stoppers' tipster's name as part of his defense. See Thomas v. State, 837 S.W.2d 106 (Tex. Crim. App 1992).

Trivia: And the Thomas case has a strained Wise County connection. The trial judge in that case was Ed Kinkeade out of Dallas whose brother is Hal Kinkeade, the former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bridgeport.

Thought: Every person placed on probation in Wise County has been required to pay $50 into the Crime Stoppers fund. I wonder how much money is currently in that fund? Sheriff? Madam Treasurer?

I Got Nothing This Morning

I've only learned two things: Seth Rogan (above) is 26 today. Only 26!!! And, Rob Lowe's nanny, who is on The Today Show this morning because of some scandal, is smoking hot.

Edit: Here she is.


Edit: You guys are crazy.

Houston Texans Cheerleader Tryouts

A few krillion more here.

Oh, How My Political Machine Has Fallen

It's a little difficult to see, but a faithful reader stumbled across an "Elect Barry Green For District Attorney" sign (circa 1992) that is now being used as siding for a chicken coop on the east side of Decatur.

Random Crazy Story . . .

. . . I just saw in the Morning News while eating lunch.

Monday Afternoon Pink Me Up

That's Pink. Get it? Pink?

Spotted At The Courthouse

The largest Cabela catalog in the history of ever. And the thing is hard-backed bound. How much does it cost to produce and mail it?

Somebody's Day Has . . .

. . . started out very poorly in Decatur.

Monday Morning Random Thoughts

- Prom Night received horrible reviews, looks awful, and led the box office with $22.7 million.
- A letter to the editor in Saturday's Star Telegram was anti-gun with reasoning that "according to arguments before the Supreme Court" the right to bear arms is only for those in a "well regulated militia." That's your source? Arguments before the Supreme Court?
- I would at least like to see Augusta National before I die.
- Wind. I hate wind.
- "Dr. Phil has apparently bonded out one of the teen girls from Florida who took part in the brutal beating of 16-year old Victoria Lindsay." That guy may be more irritating than Oprah.
- I'm watching Into the Wild which is pretty good and faithful to the book. And I think it is the first time I've ever seen a movie after I read the book.
- Meredith Viera of The Today Show just said she never shops online. You're kidding.
- Crazy 6 minute video of "dangerous walk" on youtube. At least click over to the 5:00 mark.
- I'm five hours into The Fountainhead. It's really slow but, oddly, really enthralling. It was written decades ago but could have been written yesterday.
- Worst segue in a newscast ever.
- Worst baseball day for the Evil Empire ever.
- I bought a grocery store tote bag for a $1 at the grocery store - not because I'm a big "going green" fan - - but it seemed more sturdy than plastic bags. But I never remember to take it.
- Natalie Portman is my dream girl. Natalie Portman dates this.

Vague News Via Email