Above The Fold

And Tomorrow, Archie Will Die

Freckle-faced Archie will meet his demise when he intervenes in an assassination attempt on senator Kevin Keller, Archie Comics' first openly gay character, who's pushing for more gun control in Riverdale. Archie's death, which was first announced in April, will mark the conclusion of the "Life with Archie" series. More.

That's a long way from singing Sugar, Sugar.

Edit: And in case you were wondering if the Archie comic series was already financially dead . . .

As A Former Boat Owner, I Don't Think That's The Correct Way To Do That

So much going on here. One vehicle pulling another vehicle which is pulling a boat. The very timely "Oh, no" as we learn there is certainly more to come. The fairly calm reaction of the victims and especially the guy on the other boat who just takes another swig of beer. And all to "Turn Down For What."

Well played.

(F Bomb warning.)

I'm No Mental Health Expert . .

. . . but I think I'd keep this girl away from the cameras and make sure she has all the help she needs. You know the trouble is coming.

Story. (A brief one.)

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• OK you HVAC experts, my unit, which is about five years old and has always worked like a charm, has tripped the breaker for the last three days in a row. Is that an A/C issue? A breaker box issue? Something else?
• Yesterday I was on the verge of posting the video of a little girl who "came to life" in the Philippines during her funeral -- a story which has since gone somewhat mainstream -- until I read she had since been declared dead again. Frankly, I'm not so sure she was ever revived. I bet there will be lots of backtracking on this story today. 
• Bridgeport ISD's school board voted not to renew the superintendent's contract for "another year". But he still has three years remaining on his current deal. Do votes like that always take place so far in advance? Do superintendents like that so at least they have a warning about their future? Doesn't it create a lame duck and an uncomfortable situation? And isn't there always the chance that elections during the next three years could revamp the school board into a group that will then vote to extend him? 
• A hot mic caught ESPN's Chris Berman debating whether to stand during a "Stand Up 2 Cancer" moment at the (horrible) Home Run Derby last night. We also get to hear him grunt trying to get that body on two legs, and also get to hear him wonder if the cameras will be able to catch his tribute. 
• FBC of Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress thinks that we need a stronger border, but didn't spend any time talking about carrying for poor and needy children in his appearance on (sheesh) Fox and Friends. Another pastor in Dallas took him to task and also nicknamed him "Pastor Downtown." Funny.
• "30 years ago today an accident put me in a wheelchair." - Greg Abbott yesterday. Accident? He sued for millions about an incident he now refers to as an "accident"? 
• I think I figured out what bugs me about Fox 4's Clarice Tinsley: After a reporter on remote throws it back to her, she always has to throw out some mundane comment. (i.e. "Thanks, Lara. That was inspiring." "Thanks, Todd. We'll all can learn something from that little girl.")
• SMU basketball lost a prized incoming freshman yesterday who shockingly decided he wanted to play overseas for a year and then go to the NBA. Some think their might be academic issues or amateur status issues. Why? He's a product of Prime Prep Academy. Prime Time. Prime Time. 
• The Senate is considering legislation which would basically trump and repeal any state law restricting abortion (sonograms, waiting periods, clinic regulation.) I'm surprised they've waited so long because they probably have that power under the Commerce Clause and any federal law would trump state law. But practically speaking, the Democrats would need the House to get that thing passed so it's probably just a time waste. 
• After checking the radar and thinking that the storms were over yesterday, I proclaimed to the Sixth Grader In The House that "Rain can't touch me!" and then took off jogging. Five minutes later I was caught in a soaker. 

Tony Romo And Hooter Girls Wrapping Up Your Monday

Random Basketball Clip

Sudden death? In basketball? Yep, in this "D League" game last night, it came down to the first team to score wins.  If I've got this rule right, sudden death kicks in if the game goes to a second overtime.

I'd much rather see that then foul, free throw, foul, free throw. Time out. Repeat.

Public Service Announcement

Hey, all you kids out there. Now this is how you're supposed to react when you get a gift. Complete joy. Complete appreciation.

Now the fact I want that reaction when I bring home a loaf of bread from the store might require some adjustment of expectations. Other than that, let this be our guide.

Texting And Swimming

Random DWI Arrest

The only good thing for her is that the jail wouldn't release her book-in photo so they had to run a "Hey, now" pic.

Story.

Random Hail Storm On Beach In Siberia

I didn't know there were recreational beaches in Siberia.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• Mrs. LL slept walked last week and ended up standing in the corner. After I got her in back in bed I started thinking about Paranormal Activity and couldn't go back to sleep. 
• Fox 4 did a feature on Bridgeport's "off road park" which is apparently quite popular. I'm not sure I understand that "sport".
• I stumbled upon a 30 for 30 on Marcus Dupree again and couldn't turn it off. 
• Ticket fans only: Jake Kemp was on WFAA last night and they used a graphic referring to him as a "space enthusiast."
• I fell asleep during the World Cup final.
• Israel doesn't seem to care if it kills innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip with the launch of all of those missiles. 
• I'm hearing there will be an NBA players strike in two years. I mentioned the other day that I thought their current union contract really screwed them over.
• KISS played in Dallas over the weekend and only went for 75 minutes -- which is apparently routine for them. (That'd be 75 minutes too long for me.)
• Headlines in the Texas Lawyer this week: "Firm Sues Former Partner Over $1.4 Million Trustee Fee Earned in Dreier Bankruptcy", "Law Firm Files Defamation Lawsuit Over Ex-Client's Yelp Review Lawyer", "Law Firm Deny Allegations in Ex-Client's $2.64 Million Lawsuit Over Postnup", and "Personal Injury Law Firm Asserts First Amendment Defense in Internet Defamation Suit Filed by Competing PI Firm." It is commonplace to see lawyers vs. lawyers, and lawyers vs. clients these day. 
• Rick Perry seems to have gotten off the pain pills. There is no way he can give that many interviews without screwing up. 
• I've watched some parts of We're The Millers over again. I think that it is really funny.  And I'm beginning to believe that Django Unchained may be one of my favorite Tarantino movies.
• I kept hearing references to Cyber Dust in some of these Maverick free agent discussions. It's an app which (1) causes text messages to disappear in 24 seconds, (2) sounds a lot like Snapchat, and (3) is funded by Mark Cuban so it has a high possibility of failing.
• Mrs. LL and I saw a video of that Tupac hologram and she thinks in the future you'll be able to project a deceased loved one right into your living room and even converse with them. That sounds crazy but will probably be true. Then she gave me a stop down moment when she said she'll bring me back but have the hologram make me taller. 
• One thing I won't watch a second of: ESPN's Home Run Derby. 

Above The Fold

Strange Bedfellows But They Are In Bed Together

Look what I saw on the DPS page about surcharges . . .

And look what is currently in the news . . .

Best Excuse Ever For Medical Marijuana

Texas Rangers catcher Geovany Soto arrested Wednesday in Grapevine for marijuana possession http://t.co/KnSzpRyvHr pic.twitter.com/YaR8fZkw65
— Dallas Morning News (@dallasnews) July 11, 2014

In the middle of that losing streak, he has to be clinically depressed.

Our Week Long Nightmare Is Over

EXCLUSIVE: I'm Coming HOME by @KingJames http://t.co/3dAzWO3ZXH (via @SI_LeeJenkins) pic.twitter.com/wIxfyojPIQ
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) July 11, 2014

(So sick of everyone talking about this.)

Edit:

SICKENING CHAOS IN MIAMI pic.twitter.com/u3L9NGi778
— Ben Mathis-Lilley (@BenMathisLilley) July 11, 2014

Edit (one you'll either get or you won't):

http://t.co/gXw5RYRmrK
— mattisbear (@mattisbear) July 11, 2014

And Another - Denison

Story.

Edit: And Another Another - Pennsylvania

Story

Friday Random Morning Thoughts

• Small deal: The Tarrant Regional Water District had been sponsoring segments on WBAP until a taxpayer called them out. When contacted, the Board said that WBAP had screwed up and the sponsorship should have been for its program called savenorthtexaswater.com instead of the Water Board. They then said they corrected the error. Then yesterday on The Ticket I heard traffic brought to me by "The Tarrant Regional Water District." 
• The Ticket's Bob Sturm said last year that if a sport has to "tell its fans to read a league's CBA to understand it" then you've got a league that is in trouble with fans. Man, does that apply this week to the NBA.
• We've got a cold front coming in with highs in the 80s next Wednesday and Thursday. 
• I never watch a video or click on a twitter link that reads, "You have to see this" or "You'll never believe what happens next." And my max wait time for a commercial before an online video is 15 seconds. If it's 30 seconds, I'm out. 
• I stumbled across the Trinity Broadcasting Network last night (so horrible I hit record) and learned there was a "Holy Land Experience" amusement park in Orlando. 
• I would like to see a list of the all the property sold by Wise County governmental entities at the mass auction this week, for what price, and the name of the purchaser. 
• Colby Lewis had the worst outing of any Texas pitcher in Ranger history last night. 
• Does Uncle Nate still hang out with Johnny Football or has be been kicked to the curb?
• Mrs. LL gave the pig a bath yesterday. Due to all the pig squealing, I had to go up to the bathroom to make sure she hadn't decided to create a slaughterhouse. 
• I've touted the greatness of Aerial America before and their recent show on Alaska was fantastic. We got hi-def helicopter flyovers of the path that Christopher McCandless took (and the bus he died in) which was the subject of Into The Wild, an extended segment on the Iditarod while it was ongoing, and spent time on the area often camped in by the Grizzly Man.
• The Sixteen Year in The House has finally become serious about getting her license. I'm not sure what all this online studying is, but it seems a lot more complicated than when I was a kid. 
• I made fun of those DPS Gun Boats on the Rio Grande back when they were purchased, and I still think that was an enormous waste of taxpayer money. 
• That Houston area mass execution is an incredibly horrible story. The way the victims were tied up and then shot reminds me of In Cold Blood.