That's A Pretty Good Argument

You may remember this kid, 17, who is accused of Capital Murder in Parker County of his mom and sister. It sounds pretty cold-blooded.

But his lawyers were in court today arguing that the indictment should be quashed because if he were to be found guilty of the charged offense there are only two possible punishments under Texas law: (1) death or (2) live without parole. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has recently held that it is cruel and unusual punishment for either of those sentences to imposed on a minor defendant. So the lawyers argued he was charged with a crime that he can't be punished for.

Above The Fold

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

• I can't stop sweating this morning. That can't be good. And it will make these thoughts abbreviated.
• The Collin County Sheriff says he will not enforce any federal gun laws that he believes are unconstitutional. I wonder if he has a copy of the Constitution?
• You would think Cowboys noseguard Jay Ratliff would be smart enough to not get a DWI but he went so far as to have it involve a wreck on 114.  (Just like Josh Brent.)
• Stolen from Twitter: "Welcome to the home of the Dallas Cowboys, where safety comes first! ___1___ days without an accident."
• A lot of movies blow right past me (or go straight to DVD). Case in point: Last night I saw one called Limitless from 2010 starring Brad Cooper and Robert De Niro.
• Why is everyone dogging Beyonce about lip syncing the National Anthem at the inauguration? Did Whitney Houston do the same at the Super Bowl one year?
• People gripe about the criminal justice system but over the last couple of decades Wise County has a pretty good reputation. Really. 

Decatur Begger

Spotted by a faithful reader by Lowe's in Keller.

When Did The Messenger's Facebook Page Turn Into The Liberally Lean Comment Section?

This is the reaction to the lockdown today.

Shooting At Lone Star College

What's "Lone Star College"?

Link.

Gov. Perry vs. The Supreme Court

And from last week's Time magazine.

Secret Service Pick Me Up

Update

Last year:

This year:

How Common Is This?

The University of Mississippi now requires students to scan their ID cards for class attendance.

Lockdown?

Edit: Hearing a report the guy might have been a Fed Ex driver who was involved in a weird lawsuit last year where a motorcyclist's family sued him after the motorcyclist died after crashing into him.

Lady With The Widest Hips In The World

More proof.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• Breaking: Major accident at FM 2123 and FM 51 this morning. Head on collision. 
• Yesterday seemed like a reality check for the Far Right.Yep, he's around for four more years.
• James Woods Motors has put up a billboard right by the Karl Klement dealership.
• Drunk driving death on the road that runs behind the theater and restaurants on the east side of I-35 as you are going into Fort Worth just before hitting 820. I feared the pot holes on that back road but never a drunk driver.
• President Obama was chewing gum like nobody's business when he watched the parade yesterday. He must be a serious smoker. 
• I understand James Taylor performing at the Inauguration but NBC turned him into a color commentator yesterday.
• Dallas DA Craig Watkins was on Fox 4 last night.  That man isn't smart (and I'm being generous.)
• Two strippers, one pregnant, battle it out over a dollar bill. God bless America.
• I'm not sure why the movie Sucker Punch is not a cult classic.
• Golfer Phil Mickelson is thinking about moving from California because of the overall tax rate. He's had a hard life, I'm sure. (He's made $69 million in PGA winnings alone.)
• Kelly Clarkson performed at the Inauguration yesterday. She's basically back to a "Hey, Now" status. 
• Four people in their 50s are listed in the death notices in today's Update. Freaks me out. 
• President Obama's "I want to take one last look." Credit Bagofnothing.com.

Flashback: The Courthouse Square in April of 2009

After a very long reading of the Declaration of Independance, the speech begins at 6:40.

I remember watching this from the balcony with an assistant DA who told me, "I'll tell you this, there is no way that Obama will get re-elected." I just replied, "It might be a little to early to start making predictions."

Fox News Wants To Remind You

Panoramic, Zoom In, Photo Of Inauguration

Really cool.

Link.

And from the Inaugural Address, there is the mention of gay rights:

"It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law, for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well." 

Shocking Assassination Attempt

Happy MLK Day

(I've been holding this post since May of 2011.)