Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

• The Arlington City Council created (a more accurate word than "approved") an ordinance banning texting (but not talking) on a cellphone while driving. Listen, just because you are elected to a rule/ordinance/law making authority doesn't mean you have to act.
• Based upon Rick Perry's initial comments (questioning whether the President loves America; calling the Federal Reserve Chairman's actions almost "treasonous"), he needs to learn he's not in Texas anymore. (But the President was pretty funny when he said we should "cut him some slack" since Perry "hasn't been at this very long.")
• Wise County teachers being trained yesterday saw some over-the-top child abuse photos?
• I suppose its the heat, but I don't think I've ever had to dodge the remnants of so many blown tires on the highways.
• Michelle Bachman urged the crowd yesterday, on the anniversary of Elvis' death, to wish him Happy Birthday. I don't fault her for the screw-up. I do fault her for any reference to Elvis.
• I don't eat hamburgers very often, but the the thick patty kind drive me nuts. Give me a skinny one -- like Sonic's.
• "Creepy Game Show Hosts Likes To Kiss Young Girls On TV."  And we thought Richard Dawson used to be bad on Family Feud. Oh, my.
• How have the Ecclestone Sisters not replaced the Kardashians, Paris Hilton, and every other fake celeb? How have I not heard of the Ecclestone Sisters? "Hey, now." 
• The Stray Dog is still with us. The only problem is that he starts barking at night until he is happily placed in the utility room. 
• Sports: (1) I might have to rethink my Rangers prediction. The lead over Angels is now at 6 games. (2) The Evil Empire has a big quarterback problem. (3) The Cowboys defense is going to be horrible this year. (4) I'm not sure what is going down at "The U", but that school is about to be killed. (5) Jim Thome hit his 600th home run this week. I saw him hit a home run in my only trip to Yankee Stadium in the mid 1990s. 
• An 11 year old from Bridgeport is listed in the Update's Obituaries. 
• Anyone remember when the Update would list those who were admitted to and released from the Decatur Hospital?  Talk about Gossip Central. 
• With the goofy electoral college (no need for any presidential signs in Texas, for example), the next election for the White House  is probably down to about 10 important states. Anyone know an objective website that identifies them? Edit: Thanks, commentor. Great breakdown is here.

Messenger Above The Fold

Another Pulitzer Prize Winning Photo

Yep, a once in a lifetime gem. That's what traffic looks like when a big rig loses its load near Rhome, southbound, on 287 this afternoon.

On a more relevant note: Cops are everywhere on 287.

New Rasmussen Poll: The New Golden Boy

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/elections/election_2012/election_2012_presidential_election/gop_primary_perry_29_romney_18_bachmann_13

I Don't Know If "Heated" Is The Right Word

But the President was probably right when he told the guy that he didn't seem to be interested in listening. Link.

Edit: Sheesh, that guy has already been on Rush Limbaugh's radio show today and didn't go a minute before he fired off "Bill Aires" and hanging out with "terrorists".  He also said he used to "work for a car dealership before Obama shut down those."

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• A career as a lawyer is constantly (and understandably) being discouraged due to the glut of lawyers going into the system over the last 10 years. But if you're an "elite" graduate (or come from the right bloodline), your starting salary next year at a high-tone law firm will be $160,000.
• One high-tone lawyer is in the D Magazine "The Most Beautiful Women In Dallas" contest, and the blurb about her says she can sometimes be found working at her desk at 2:00 a.m. on a Saturday night. That's probably true. And it's probably grunt work. 
• Someone asked me about this: On Sunday night Fox 4 had a story about a guy who was killed while with a woman in a car crash. They interviewed his "estranged wife", who we only heard from for just a quick sound bite, but she said something along the lines of, "At least he's done a good thing."  Huh? That video is not on the station's web site. 
• From the You've-Got-To-Be-Kidding Department: The guy who fell out the stands at the Rangers' ballpark and killed himself is getting a statue near the front gate. I'm speechless. We've got big problems when even Nolan Ryan, who has to be behind the decision, has lost his mind. 
• From the Did-You-Know Department: There is a monument on the Wise County Courthouse lawn which says our county voted against seceding from the Union during the Civil War. 
• I've heard almost universal good things about "The Help."
• Mrs. LL is in love with "Black Swan." We rented it again this weekend (for some reason it wasn't available of off Netflix downloads.) 
• Final movie point: The latest "Transformers" movie comes in at  #2 this year with $347 million in receipts. Really? I, mean, really? (And if you look at the Top 20, which that link will take you to, you'll note there's not a legitimate movie in the bunch.)
• I don't think this is the way it supposed to work: The minister of an 8,000 member congregation in Florida is found dead in the W hotel in Manhattan with a "white powdery substance" located in his room. (And he kind of looks like Will Smith.)
• A great line I heard yesterday as to why the Aggies should join the SEC: If you had a co-worker you hated (which Texas is supposed to be) or a boss you hated (which Texas actually is), wouldn't you do exact same job for someone else especially if they agreed to pay you more money? (By the way, the Messenger puts the blame at the foot of UT as well.) 
• Reese Witherspoon has a belly tattoo?
• News that a constable in Jack County had found a chupacabra made me roll my eyes. The report that the  game warden over there confirmed it to be a chupacabra is down right strange. (The confirmation is strange, not the animal.)
• I remember Rick Perry speaking in Decatur in 1992 in a school cafeteria. The Chamber of Commerce banquet perhaps? Anyone?

Story.

Wow: He Was From Boyd

And the Star-Telegram reports it ended in a fatality.

Rick Perry Is Going To Have To Learn There Are LOTS Of Cameras On Him

Today (or yesterday):

 2010:

Speaking Of Burn Bans

Did you see the Wise County Commissioners enacted one last Tuesday, repealed it on Friday, and re-enacted it today?

Not The Family Cat. Promise.

But the blog post is interesting as to whether it's mutilation or just the result of other animals (as in real animals.)

Congressional Redistricting For Dummies Like Me

I think the Bridgeport Index got it a little wrong because the west of Wise County will be included in the newly realigned 13th congressional district. (Assuming no legal challenges.)  And take a look at that map below. We'll be lucky to ever see the congressman for that district.

(Be careful of that guy in the tie. He looks a little shady.)

Wise County is in the blue outlined box. The proposed new 13th district goes all the way to the panhandle.  Man, that's a lot of land.

The brand new 33rd district takes Decatur and loops through Parker County and into Arlington in Southern Tarrant County. I don't think we'll have much clout there, either.

Cops Chase Guy Drinking Beer And Driving Forklift (?) In Fort Worth Yesterday

I'm not saying its the most exciting video in the world, but you'll probably see it on the local news today and it does qualify as unusual.  The youtube video is in two parts, here and here. (Warning, the guys filming it cuss like sailors. I'm not exactly sure when that became a requirement of any youtube video.)

(Thanks, Lari.)

Wise County Might Want To Consider Killing Cellphones Like San Francisco . . .

. . . once the locals find out that this sign on the courthouse door proves that we don't honor a "If you come to America, learn how to speak English" policy.  There will be rioting in the streets!! Rioting, I tell ya!!!

President Obama's Approval Rating Drops Below 40%

He's in good company.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• Well, now I'm no so bummed about the 100 degree record falling on Thursday when that fluke thunderstorm came through. Saturday would have killed it any way. 
• I don't know if much will be made of it, but the government in San Francisco shutting down some cellphone towers to prevent the organization of protests should bother you greatly. Cue the "What is this? Communist Russia?" theme. 
• ESPN had a lot of little league games on this weekend. I think the kids are getting cockier with each passing year. 
• Michelle Bachman wins the Iowa Straw Poll, Sarah Palin shows up in Iowa just to sign autographs and say "Aw, shucks", and Rick Perry joins the race. I bet the President Obama haters couldn't turn off CSPAN this weekend.  
• An age that surprised me: Michelle Bachman is 55. That's a hot 55.
• An age that surprised me #2: Al Sharpton is 56. I would have thought he was in his 70s.
• Did you know that a Third Grader is capable of telling a very long story and then, without missing a beat, tell the same very long story over again when her momma enters the room? 
• Idiocracy: There's a kids' game named "Doggie Doo". (Thanks, Thomas.)
• Still no results in the search for the owner of the Stray Dog. We've put up posters as well as a listing on Craig's List without luck.  Did I mention that he'd been neutered? 
• And I gave him a bath this weekend. I think Mrs. LL is distancing from the doggie. 
• Hey, I'm no PR expert, but if I'm a Dallas cop who gets arrested outside of a strip club, I don't think I'd have a strip club picture as my facebook profile pic. 
• You always see a pretty big turnout whenever a firefighter is killed regardless of the cause of death. (i.e. the guy that fell out of the stands at the Rangers game.) It'll be interesting to see the response to the funeral of the Dallas firefighter this weekend who actually died while fighting a fire. 
• The Dallas Cowboys defense from last Thursday night: A pic showing 14 men on the field.
• Not much in the Update today but I still get to be bothered by the death of a 32 year old from Chico and a 43 year old from Bridgeport.
• Edit: Motorcycle death.

Stage Collapse In Indiana Leaves Five Dead

Sugarland was set to perform.

Grainy, but pretty dramatic.

Story.

Edit:

Weekend Messenger Above The Fold

Taking You Into The Weekend