And In Other Parts Of The World

France is in mourning after three national sports personalities were among 10 people killed in a double helicopter crash during the filming of a reality TV show in northwestern Argentina. Two Olympic medal winners — the 28-year-old boxer Alexis Vastine and 25-year-old swimmer Camille Muffat — and yachtswoman Florence Arthaud, 57, lost their lives in La Rioja province on Monday. Five other French nationals and two Argentinian pilots also died.

Our Lives And Dogs' Lives Are Very Similar Sometime

Just the perception is different.

(I have no idea how old this is, but it made me smile this morning.)

So Where Did It Come From?

Four officers say they heard a voice asking for help. But the mother was dead and an 18 month old could not talk.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• Tarrant County trial: A guy turned down a 30 year plea bargain in a murder case and was found not guilty.
• "An off-duty police officer working as a security guard at a Fort Worth night club shot and injured a man early Sunday." And to think I was worried about the increase in cops shooting people while on duty. (There sure are a lot of police shootings that are based upon a vehicle being driven "at" them. Is there some weird mentality of "I'll stand in front of the vehicle and if  he drives towards me I get to kill him"? It happens way too often.)
• I had to drive down I-35 into Fort Worth yesterday. Pothole city. They were causing traffic jams. 
• I mentioned the other day how silly I thought it was that the NFL was being sued for the Super Bowl ticket mess in Dallas. Not because the claim wasn't valid but because it couldn't be settled. There has now been a jury of regular folks who have been held hostage in that trial for two weeks and who have been inconvenienced far more than the Plaintiffs ever were. I think they will factor that in to their verdict.
• The OU fraternity racist rant situation has my head spinning. A kid(s) ruining his life within 20 seconds. A school crushing an organization in record time without even pausing to consider all facts and all options. Racism. Free Speech. Social media. Parents. 
• I really haven't paid attention to the story about the Republican letter to Iran because I can't get past the title, "Republicans Send Letter To Iran." 
• The Junior In The House will silently frustrate me because she doesn't seem to be interested in things I find interesting. Then I think back to when I was a Junior In The House and realize things aren't particularly different. 
• Sports: The Ticket's Hardline the other day said that the best thing troubled Josh Hamilton could do would be to walk away from baseball.  He is owed a mind-blowing $90 million over the next three years. How many of us would say, "I'm not worth it and you can keep the money"? 
• During every weather related TV shot of traffic, there always seems to be a Fed Ex truck in the picture. 
• Someone questioned the accuracy of the Fit Bit the other day. When Mrs. LL and I went sledding the other day we woke up early and walked forever to get to the hill. Later in the morning, our 10,000 step notification went off within ten minutes of one another. I think that's proof. Or a coincidence. 
• It was a big The Bachelor night in house last night as I casually glanced at the screen from time to time. I finally figured out why women love guys like him: He just looks at whoever is talking to him in a deep and longing fashion and keeps his mouth shut.  Genius. A beating for him, but genius. 
• Not sure what I think about this: Baylor women's coach Kim Mulkey went on a rant against the UT coach for not, in essence, giving up and pulling her starters during Baylor's win in last night's Big 12 Championship game. "When [we are] up 20-plus and you clear your bench, basically you’re trying to tell the opponent ‘OK, the game’s over.’"  I guess it depends on how much time is left.  (Video.)
• Saw a lawyer in the Wise County Courthouse the other day process a credit card payment from a client in the hallway over his phone.  It think Atticus Finch did that in To Kill A Mockingbird.

Nothing Like A Little ISIS Wedding Prank

Ahmed Shehata pranked his bride, Shaimaa Deif, at their wedding reception by having his friends dress up as Islamic State militants and capturing his new wife.

The video begins with Ahmed and Shaimaa sitting on a stage overlooking their wedding when the Islamic State anthem begins to play. His friends then rush the stage with masks on and fake swords drawn and the newly wedded couple hostage.

Shaimaa wasn’t in on the stunt and her father was on the verge of attacking the masked men to save her.

But the anthem son cut out after the couple was placed in a cage and dance music was played.

I tell Mrs. LL all the time: "The world's gone crazy."

More On The OU Fraternity's Video

Things are moving fast. They fraternity was promptly suspended  and this morning there was a rally at OU. Coach Bob Stoops was there as well as the university president.

But a question was posed on the radio this morning: Should those kids be kicked out of school? I'm really conflicted by that. Edit: You know, there would be a huge Freedom of Speech issue if kicked out (and I'm stunned I didn't see that.). A public university expelling someone for what they said? Don't think that can happen.

However, that guy in the tux is about to have his name exposed and this will not be pretty.

Edit: Different angle video surfaces.

This video hasn't been posted. Watch the guys behind him try to wave the camera away... #OU #student body needs to see this.

A video posted by David Smith (@soonerdave25) on Mar 8, 2015 at 9:02pm PDT

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• There was a WBAP reporter who was injured in a car accident in Wise County in December. He will be released from the hospital, finally, this week. (Facebook link.)
• I got curious about the origin of the bathroom sign that says "Employees must wash hands". I might have spent 10 minutes on Google looking for the source but couldn't find it (which I think is amazing.) I saw some reference to an OSHA regulation but nothing definitive. 
• My mind is blown about the video of the Oklahoma fraternity caught engaging in a racist chant.  This is 2015 and those guys were smart enough to get admitted to OU.  The fraternity has been suspended in record time. 
• Never have thought much of the frat boy. 
• An early edition of the Dallas Morning News over the weekend might cost someone their job. 
• Sports: (1) Yu Darvish is done and so are the Rangers, (2) It's looking more and more like Dirk is done. His last three productive years were wasted, (3) The Miami Dolphins will rue the day they signed Ndamukong Suh to a $114 million contract with $60 million guaranteed. Just ask the Redskins about Albert Haynesworth who they paid $41 million in guaranteed money and got squat in return, (4) I've never been to the state basketball tournament but Bridgeport's appearance makes me want to go. I started thinking about a trip to Austin and then discovered they've moved the tournament to San Antonio.
• I think Mrs. LL may have bought into the conspiracy theory about the Malaysian jet that disappeared one year ago. I just didn't have the energy last night to explore it. 
• There's a 22 year old from Alvord in the obits in the Update. Anyone?
• The death of Terry Dorsey was particularly sad because he only retired two months ago.  To work that long and not get to enjoy the benefits. But that is the concept of mindfulness: Don't get caught up in the past and don't dream excessively about the future -- concentrate on the now. 
• I threw the softball with the Sixth Grader In The House this weekend. One of life's great joys. 
• I'm confused. John Wiley Price gets a court appointed lawyer in his federal court case but has to contribute $80,000 for part of the fees? Maybe I'm focusing on the wrong thing, but a court appointed defense lawyer in one federal case will get paid in excess of $80,000? You kidding me? 
• The site that I get the screen shot of newspapers is down this morning. 

I Had A Rough Night

Damaged #Lamborghini abandoned on Dallas North Tollway STORY: http://t.co/DhuY7PjNJX pic.twitter.com/0A3oCc6cdA
— WFAA TV (@wfaachannel8) March 8, 2015

Breaking: Wise County Sheriff Hanging Out With Country Music Star

I'm not sure I have the energy to start a TMZ: Wise County site, but I may just have to.

Lubbock Journal This Morning

Next playoff game this afternoon. I keep telling the metroplex media, with the Cuban connection and with absolutely no history of basketball success, there's a story here.

And I have no idea it this link works from Facebook, but here's a dunk from last night.

DPS to Legislators: Look Out For Those Glitter Bombs Coming From Them Gays

Story.

Hot Girl Making Other People Uncomfortable With Selfies Taking You Into The Weekend

Let's Check In On The #1 Golfer In The World Today

That's on the ninth hole at Doral in the Cadillac Championship.

Teacher Of Sixth Graders Drunk In Class?

MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa —An Iowa teacher has been arrested and charged with public intoxication after she was allegedly drunk while teaching students earlier this week. Carissa Bryant, 33, is a sixth-grade teacher at Lenihan Intermediate School. The Marshall County Sheriff’s Office arrested Bryant Wednesday afternoon after the Marshalltown School District received a tip from a staff member that an employee may be under the influence of alcohol. Chief Deputy Steve Hoffman said the incident happened the same day a county deputy was at the school for DARE anti-drug and alcohol classes. “The irony is not lost,” said Hoffman.Sobriety tests were administered and she was charged with public intoxication. Authorities said Bryant had blood shot eyes, slurred speech, and a blood alcohol concentration of 0.19 percent.

Two quick thoughts: (1) The cops were called? Whatever happened to the days when a co-worker/friend would take control of a situation and help a girl out? Yeah, you shouldn't be drunk. And you probably deserved to be fired or suspended, but arrested?  (2) I've got her defense lined out: "You who have taught sixth graders throw the first stone."

I Followed This Guy On Twitter . . .

So much to wonder about. pic.twitter.com/9GvqQY1q79
— Ben Montgomery (@gangrey) March 6, 2015

. . . during the George Zimmerman trial because he is a reporter for at Tampa Bay paper. He posted this today.

The letter is like Christian Brothers Automotive but more direct.

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

• "The Tarrant County district attorney’s office has asked Grapevine police not to release dash-cam video of last month’s police shooting that killed an unarmed North Richland Hills man because it is considered evidence." Man, how bad is that video? And I bet DA Sharen Wilson didn't "ask". She demanded. 
• I wanted to rent a Rug Doctor again to clean the carpets yesterday but thought I should ask Mrs. LL beforehand since I was going to make a lot of noise. Her response, "Knock yourself out."
• I'm still working on "mindfulness" concept. At this point I just have my toe in the water and thinking "this really feels great". 
• I'm not saying I busted my arse yesterday working from home, but the concept is amazing. I have a paperless office and store everything in the "cloud" so I have every document and all case information at my fingertips. And, with Westlaw, I have the greatest law library in the world on my laptop. 
• I went all out last weekend with walking in the snow at night and sledding with the Family Unit until I was exhausted. On Thursday night at around 11:00 when the snow really came down the Junior In The House was looking out the window with me and (maybe seriously) said, "You wanna go make a snow angel?" I should have said "yes".
• Ran across a tweet by Houston judge Ryan Patrick last night who posted the cover of the most recent Texas Bar Journal which has a cover title of "The Vanishing Jury Trial". He wrote: "Um, not in the 177th. Criminal law is where the action is."  That sends me over the edge. He presides over felony cases which impact lives forever and he flippantly considers it to be "where the action is".  Quick research revealed he was appointed to the job to fill a vacancy, just happens to be the son of  Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick , and describes himself as "Christian, Husband, Father, Baylor Bear & Judge of the 177th Criminal Dist Ct. Youngest Dist Ct judge in TX". Since Harris County is a Democrat county, he'll be out of a job soon. 
• This isn't the best quality Vine, but it's a video of a one car crash this morning which resulted in a huge fire by the Texas Motor Speedway.
• Breaking: Unemployment is down to 5.5% -- the lowest in seven years. And that's without invading a couple of countries.
• BagOfNothing's dog in the snow is pretty cute. Ours loved it but were more cautious.
• Ringling Brothers has decided to phase out elephants from its circus. Donald Trump said he would never go again because "they probably used the animal rights stuff to reduce costs."  Interesting to think that he was invited to speak at CPAC a couple of weeks ago along with every other potential Republican presidential hopeful. 
• Ticket Fans: The Fake Michael Irvin's school closing song yesterday to the tune of In Da Club made me laugh out loud yesterday morning. 
• Former MLB pitcher Curt Schilling is reaching martyrdom status for defending his daughter against cyber-bullies. That's better press than he received two years ago when he was accused of defrauding the government of Rhode Island out out a $75 million loan for his private business that may have never had any chance to survive.

Big Loss For DA Even In Conservative Palo Pinto County

Do you remember this case? A lady high on drugs falls into a freezer and ends up locked in it and dying.  So what does the DA do? Prosecute the gal's husband because he admitted to providing her meth. But it wasn't just a "delivery charge", he charged the guy with causing her death because of the delivery. Really? (I know I yelled about this when I first learned about the charge.)

The defendant was dumb enough to admit to smoking meth with his wife earlier but that's about it. But is there any way in the world a prosecutor could think he could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this particular instance of smoking meth caused her death?  What if her "toxicology report also indicated other substances found in the body included marijuana, hydrocodone and a prescription anti-anxiety medication"? And what if we have an honest medical examiner who actually knows his limitations and ruled the death an "accident"?

Not guilty on causing her death. Guilty on providing her meth. And it's hard to be found not guilty of anything in Palo Pinto County.

Meanwhile, In Bridgeport

@DFWscanner @WCMessenger ...snakes and snow!!! This is one tough snake pic.twitter.com/qwsQ1YuWWT
— Bridgeport Fire Dept (@Br1dgeportFire3) March 5, 2015