Thursday Morning Pick Me Up

And to think all these photos are from a Texas lawyer's web site.

"Son, You Got A Panty On Your Head"*

A panty mask, a dress, and white go-go boots.  I like his style.

_______
* Man in pickup to H.I. McDonough, Raising Arizona (1987)

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

• We've got a dead body and a "who done it" in Wise County (two posts down)  and we can't get the story on any metroplex TV station? What do we need? Two bodies?
• The Family Clothes Dryer no longer drys clothes. Ugh. But I've hated that thing from the day I bought it -- And I'm thinking of going Industrial Size this time. Suggestions?
• The remodeling of TCU's stadium is continuing. Did I hear correctly that there aren't any lights so two September games have been moved from evenings to the day, and that majority of the crowd will be forced into the east stands which (obviously) looks back into the sun? It'll be a nice stadium when completed but for now: Beat-Ing.
• And the death of the child in Bridgeport a couple of days ago was due to a gun accident. No foul play. Just a horrible and tragic accident. 
• My first club experience ever: Seeing a new wave band called The Telefones in a club called Tango on Greenville Avenue in Dallas. I was pretty sure I wasn't in Wise County any more. 
• I know you don't care about the current scandal at the University of Miami but you have to like the reason given for blowing the whistle on the school by the incarcerated ex-booster: "Straight up revenge." (And the story, investigated and broken by Yahoo! Sports has been said to be the "finest piece of online sports journalism in history.". Take a look at the story where they list the implicated players to the side with hyperlinks taking you to the allegations and supporting documentation.)
• "The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality said Wednesday that it has levied a $212,500 fine against J-W Operating Co. of Wise County."
• Nice moment when I woke up in the middle of the night: A quiet house, The Family Pup asleep under the sheets, the Family Cat amazingly asleep on the covers above my feet, and Mrs. LL quietly asleep as well. I tried to stay awake just to enjoy the picture. 
• Tony Romo said that his bachelor party consisted of a no alcohol evening in a cabin in West Virginia with a bunch of guys playing Hide and Seek in the dark. He's kidding, right? (The no alcohol part seems believable  but the rest of it is down right weird.)
• It's a little long, but if you want to read about a lawyer suing his ex-law firm this is really funny. Preview: Before he was fired, he sent an email to his bosses in the firm that said he had "a superior legal mind to most I have met." That'll get you points. 
• Little Miss Sunshine is growing up.
• Man, I should have made the Wise-County-Teachers-Get-Trained-On-Abuse-By-Watching-Shocking-Video a post all its own. (Tons of comments about it under yesterday's Random Thoughts.)

Liberally Lean Forecast

1) We're dying here.
2) We would be killing the 100 degree streak record right now but for your prayers for rain last weekend. Thanks a lot.
3) Should we start getting on the bandwagon to break the 69 days of 100 degrees or better?
4) If there is a bus in the sky on Monday, my life is complete.

We Got A Murder?

Messenger is on it.

What's the word people?

Edit at 7:30 p.m.: It has been confirmed that the body is that of a female although badly decomposed due to the intense heat. Body was found wrapped in a tarp tied on both ends which had been drug into a barn with what was presumed to be a tractor. A tip from a citizen of gunshots being heard a night or two ago led to a search warrant which then led to the body.  The owner of the home is being detained and interviewed.  A car with out of state plates is for sale on the property which might be unrelated to the incident. A juvenile is being detained.   The property will be kept secure overnight with a more detailed search tomorrow.

General area:

Constitutional Law Headline Of The Day

Even Forbes is getting into the act.

Liberally Lean News Across The Nation Report (Garbage Truck and My Favorite Trooper Edition)

In New York, we've got a garbage truck crashing through a building:

In Oregon, we've got a trooper who stops a car for going over 100 mph, finds a couple of star University of Oregon football players in it, asks who has the marijuana because he smells it, hears someone respond, "We smoked it all," and he lets them go without searching the car. Story.

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.