Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

• I may do a separate post on a caller to the Mark Davis Show who was a member of the Safari Club and who creepily explained that lion hunting was done solely because it was "the ultimate experience". Davis' embracing of him for Biblical reasons might have been even weirder. It's bugged me ever since I heard it. 
• There is, coincidentally, a new documentary on lion hunting called Blood Lions.
• Something criminal defense lawyers need to look at: There's a new opinion out of the Seventh Circuit which takes a very critical look at the reliability of "drug sniffing dogs".  In that case, the dog would "hit" on alleged drugs 93% of the time but was wrong 40% of the time. Loved this line: ""Lex is lucky the Canine Training Institute doesn't calculate class rank," a 15-page opinion said. "If it did, Lex would have been at the bottom of his class."
• The Wise County Sheriff's Office has a "Tactical Debriefing: K-9 Pepper Shooting" on September 9th at the Decatur Civic Center which is open to law enforcement but not the public. 
• An ad asking me to "Upgrade to Windows 10" is the equivalent of an ad asking me "Do you want to experience confusion and frustration?"
• Two new polls show Donald Trump is soaring. Delicious. 
• College Football is in the air: The USA Today Coaches Poll comes out in less than two hours. Sorry. Make that the Amway USA Today Coaches Poll. (And I just became giddy when I saw you can download the 2015 Big 12 Media Guide.)
• Gov. Bobby Jindal said that mayors of "sanctuary cities" should be held criminally responsible as accomplices for crimes committed by illegal aliens.  That's even crazier than something Trump would say. 
• During generic movie talk with a group yesterday, someone tried to help me identify an actress by telling me she was the "other girl" in the third Transformer movie. I didn't know I had a face that projected, "You really think there is in any chance in the world that is going to help me?", but I do. 
• I'm glad they found what will probably be determined to be the debris from the missing Malaysia airline, but if the wreckage provides no answers, I'd just as soon it remained a mystery of having vanished without a trace. 
• I haven't said anything about the two 14 year old boys missing in the ocean off the coast of Florida, but I echo what others have said: How in the world do you let them go out on a 19' boat by themselves?
• If you thought people liked the Cowboys, look at this crazy Vine of when they opened the gates at Patriots training camp. 
• I had a funny moment in the self checkout line late at night at the grocery store when I thought I scanned a bag of grapes (I heard a beep) but the "unidentified item" screen popped up. A young kid came over and told me they "don't scan anymore", and I'd have to enter the code 4066.  "How am I supposed to know that?" I asked. He replied, "You can just remember it next time." I did a very slow Archie Bunker head turn towards him which made him laugh.

Sports Illustrated Mentions Decatur and Bridgeport

In it's upcoming edition, the magazine will run a "whatever happened to" story about the stars of Friday Night Lights -- the book, not the movie.

The quarterback of the famous Odessa Permian team has been a long time Decatur resident, and he is the first one focused upon.

It's available online here.

Oh, and the locals may also know his sister:

Here We Go Again: Cop Just Indicted For Murder And Video Released

The last minute is when the killing occurs.

Hamilton County, Ohio prosecutor Joe Deters announced that a grand jury has indicted 25-year-old University of Cincinnati police officer Ray Tensing on murder charges in the July 19 shooting death of 43-year-old Sam DuBose, an unarmed black man who had been pulled over because his car was missing a front license plate. Deters released body-camera video of the incident, during which Tensing and DuBose discuss whether DuBose has a valid drivers' license before they begin struggling and Tensing draws his gun and fires while the car rolls away. The gunshot can be heard on the video but it's difficult to see exactly what's happening at that moment because Tensing is moving.

I'm waiting for the first person to say, "Just comply with the police and this wouldn't have happened." Because, as we all know, if you start to move from a traffic stop, you deserved to be shot in the head.

I'm glad things like this didn't happen before there was video. What was the first MTV video? "Video Killed The Radio Star"?  From humble beginnings to exposing corruption and lies.

He's Not Spyder Man

Karma.

(But what's up with the video editing?)

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

• We have a dead baby giraffe at the Dallas Zoo but you would have thought we had a national tragedy last night.  Fox 4's Clarice Tinsley reading viewer comments about the death was surreal. Or surreally typical.
• In case you missed it, the Rangers lost 21-5 last night after giving up 11 runs in the second inning. 28,000 paid to see it with the temperature at 98 degrees at game time. Count me out.
• Heard a segment on the radio yesterday about the Doobie Brothers suing a tribute band named The Doobie Decibel System.  First, that's the greatest name ever. Secondly, couldn't every band sue a tribute band for playing its songs and making money off of them? 
• I saw the headline that Donald Trump's lawyer had said a person cannot sexually assault a spouse and assumed it had been made decades ago by some old coot.  Nope, it was just made by a guy in his 40s. 
• Sidenote: I had completely forgotten about Ivana. Double sidenote: I had almost forgotten about Marla Maples. 
• "Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings sided with critics this week in calling himself 'deeply concerned' that the Dallas Convention Center will play host to sex expo Exxxotica."  I'd be deeply concerned about Dallas' 32,345 potholes.
• So many amateur legal experts on the Sandra Bland case. Among erroneous statements I've heard are: (1) They have to tell you why you are being arrested. (2) They can't make you get out of a car. (3) They have to read you your rights.  Police rights during a traffic stop are shockingly comprehensive. But one of the greatest questions is this: Can a cop ask you to put out your cigarette.  No one knows the answer to that. I can think of scenarios where it would absolutely be justified and others where it has no relation to the traffic stop (especially as it is coming to its conclusion.)  But my blood did boil when the trooper barked: "That's a lawful order!!!!" when she refused to put out the cigarette. 
• The concept of saying "Thank you" is completely lost on a lot of people these days.
• Along those lines: Hey, buddy, if I slow down or take action while driving which allows you access to where you want to go, how about a simple acknowledgment with a hand wave? 
• Wise County Commissioners were told that the county's health insurance provider paid out 17% more in health care costs than it received in premiums. There's a right way to do these things and that is not it. 
• Who is behind the commercial telling us to contact our Congressman to oppose the Iran Nuclear Deal.  I keep meaning to catch the sponsor, but have failed so far.  Any chance it is a very pro-Israel group?
• Vacation did not need to be remade. However, the car commercial with the original Rusty driving down the highway with Christie Brinkley as his wife is gold. Edit: I stand corrected. The commercial has Rusty from Vegas Vacation. 
• That weird Waco PD spokesperson who was blaming Twin Peaks while the dead bodies were still warm has announced he is running for Sheriff. 

Weird Tweet Of The Day

Infuriating lack of contrition from #TomBrady is s huge barrier to forgiveness. He needs to hit his knees and get right.

— Mark Davis (@MarkDavis) July 29, 2015

• Let's begin with this: Tom Brady has been one of the leading reasons the NFL has, and is, earning billions.  He is not pleased with a four game suspension that the commissioner handed out and who, after an appeal to the same commissioner, affirmed his own decision today. 
• That commissioner earned $44 million in 2012 and $35 million in 2013 from the NFL. Money earned because of people who now suffer lifelong complications from injuries. 
• More importantly, the four game suspension is twice as long as what the commissioner originally gave violent woman-beater-in-an-elevator Ray Rice. And it is equal to the suspension currently assessed against Cowboy Greg Hardy. 
• The Wells Report found Brady "guilty" under a standard of "more probable than not". OK. That's the general civil standard in America so that's an appropriate burden of proof for the NFL. But what exactly was found to be likely true?: "Tom Brady was at least generally aware of the inappropriate activities of [the ball boys] involving the release of air from Patriots game balls.”  What does that even mean?  Heck, I'm generally aware that there will probably be a murder in the metroplex tonight committed by others.
• Now to this tweet by Davis over what happened in an NFL game. Brady needs to "hit his knees" and "get right"? I had no idea God was interested in Deflategate. (I wonder what He thinks of the Dez "no catch"?) 
• And what's Brady supposed to say? "Dear Lord, forgive me for probably being generally aware of the PSI of footballs. And please bless those tonight who are starving in Africa." 
• And Davis finds Brady's attitude "infuriating". 

Dentist Is About To Feel Internet's Wrath

Story.

That's enough to make me anti-dentite.

Edit: Hey, here are other acts of his bravery!!

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• One odd and sad thing about the Sandra Bland case is that she couldn't afford a bond fee of $500 to $1,000 so she remained in jail.
• Yes, I saw the DA released the toxicology report which showed Bland had marijuana in her system. I'm not sure how that's relevant unless there's a list somewhere of people committing suicide after smoking a joint. 
• I haven't heard whether the trooper in the Bland case will even receive a reprimand for his unprofessional conduct from much maligned DPS Director Steve McCraw.  Recall that McCraw, when he's not involved in his own controversies, was very upset with a trooper who posed with Snoop Dogg a few months ago. 
• Weird Dallas story: A guy gets in a one car wreck in the middle of the afternoon, calls his sister to tell what happened, and then vanished.
• I've tried to lay off my "ads disguised as news" rants, but it really is fascinating. I was watching the end of Fox News Sunday and after the round table, they ran a three minute segment on Marriott hotels. It was nothing more than a "story" about how the founder had a vision, how well the company is doing, and the many brands they now work under.  
• The "Open Carry" new law may have a "flaw" (depending on your views.) As written, a prosecutor's office, a probation department, or a clerk's office cannot ban openly carried handguns by a CHL holder. (That may come as a shock to my buddies across the street.)  However, since a ban is allowed for  the premises of a "government court" and the "offices" of that court, one DA has asked the Texas Attorney General if the ban can apply for the entire court building even if it houses a clerk or prosecutor's office.  That is very relevant for the Wise County courthouse and almost all Texas courthouses. (But since the Wise County Clerk and Probation Department are in standalone buildings, they seem to be out of luck.) Here is the letter asking for the AG opinion which is really informative. 
• The Ticket afternoon show mocked UT coach Charlie Strong for laughing earlier in the day (a little too much) when asked the question, "Of all the places you coached, which fans have the greatest expectations?" He was laughing because he was thinking, "You want me to give an answer of anything other than 'Texas' fans? You know what that would mean?"
• Fox 4's Steve Noviello had video last night of him confronting a lady in a hotel that she had rented with his credit card number.  It was cheesy yet riveting -- Is this sweeps time again?  I did roll my eyes at the end of the segment when Noviello was complimented by Heather Hays for keeping his cool during the confrontation. After plastering the lady's image on their show for six minutes, Noviello said he didn't think he needed to "belittle" her. 
• Back to UT, BagOfNothing mentioned today that former great Jamaal Charles competed in the Special Olympics as a child. He wondered why and did some research. Made me wonder if BON ever heard the high school interview of Charles by Rick Renner at an all-star game. (It's on youtube but has offensively been visually tricked up.) 
• Very random front page below but the "Speeders Beware" headline got my attention. There is a reference to "grant money" from TxDOT for this program ("Operation Lead Foot" perhaps?) which will be used to pay for overtime for the cops. That pays for 45% of the overtime the officers will receive conditioned on the city agreeing to pay an additional 55% in overtime. So state and local government agree to pay a huge chunk of overtime pay to government employees to write speeding tickets which will generate more government money. Of course, all of this is to make "the roads safer." (I'm pretty sure this is the TxDOT "Step Program" which has been implemented in Wise County in the past.) 

Manager In Florida Had A Jerry Springer Situation Going On

As always, we at Liberally Lean do not condone violence. But this one is almost educational.

Buddy, that was a serious act of courage to stand between your wife and your girlfriend. But next time: Run. Even George Strait knows it's natural to lose a wife and girlfriend somewhere along the way.
I absolutely love Buford T. Justice just strolling in to break it up. And, I'll be dang, he did it (the stroll and the breaking up) perfectly.
I do have one complaint: He didn't shoot the guy filming who kept yelling "World Star!" That would have been justified.

I Wonder If It Was Cousin Eddie

This is from last week, but I just got around to watching it. She gives an explanation about the fire at the 1:50 mark.

Loved the, "I don't want to mention no names" part.  I bet every one of her other cousins appreciated that.

Get Me These Swimming Dogs!

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• There was a ton of employee "buyouts" at the Dallas Morning News on Friday and one was my frequent target: Steve Blow. 
• Lots of fire trucks around a plane at DFW this morning, but I don't know what is going on yet. 
• I remembered this weekend how much I love the voice of Alison Krauss, and then it dawned on me I had never heard a single song off her fairly recent album with the odd match of Robert Plant.
• I felt a little weird physically so I went to the Internet for a self-diagnosis. Within 10 minutes I was pretty much convinced I had a terminal illness. I'm guessing that happens a lot. 
• I kept hearing people say that there have been 3,000 murders by illegal immigrants in Texas over the last six years. I'd didn't think there was any way that could be true.  Quick research reveals that it isn't true, and that Rick Perry started the ball rolling on that misinformation last year, 
• Golfer Jordan Spieth turns 22 day and already has $18.4 million in winnings. 
• I read a Texas Monthly article over the weekend about the 35th Anniversary of Urban Cowboy.  For the first few years I dismissed that movie completely but grew to consider it to be an iconic classic. Love that script. (And I had completely forgotten that Debra Winger had previously played Wonder Woman's little sister on TV. )
• Trump got more love than I expected on the weekend TV news shows. And his poll numbers remain strong. 
• TABC actually conducted "Operation Bottoms Up" to investigate whether bars were selling cheap liquor but representing it to be top shelf stuff. One place busted was a Euless strip club. I couldn't help but think how we have government employees whose job it was to got to a topless bar to test the quality of drinks. 
• I haven't been to the Wise County Reunion in years, and I'm curious if teenagers attending it today just walk around looking at their phones. 
• Norm Hitzges on The Ticket has pondered on the air a couple of times regarding his current status in life after decades of being on the radio (and traveling to some great places.)   Both times he had a heartfelt thought of, "Time. I realize there is no longer enough time to do all I wanted to do. And we have no control over time." 
• A "legal diva" reality TV star has died and her boyfriend arrested. (I had never heard of the Sundance Channel show called Loredana, Esq.) It would be too soon to point out that she was kinda hot or to inquire if the name "legal diva" is available. 
• Every time I see that "Farmer's Only" dating commercial I think it's a joke. 
• I had to do some impromptu body work on one of the Family Cars this weekend. Whenever you take out a drill and zip ties to get the job done, you know you have a problem. 

The Power of the Press, The Courage of Women, And Art.

Adam Moss is the best mag ed of my generation. Was always true, is still true. And this cover is #proof. pic.twitter.com/sBHEk5gxdT

— Evan Smith (@evanasmith) July 27, 2015

All rolled into one fantastic magazine cover.

Salma Hayek Taking You Into The Weekend

Garth Brooks Will Have Seven Shows At The AAC?

Seven?

What? You Like Me? I Had No Idea

Dates:

And I never notice the resemblance:

Obscure Donald Trump Story

I have no idea why this showed up on my timeline:

"Donald Trump has swung back at a golfer who allegedly clubbed an exotic black swan to death." pic.twitter.com/ALCFC96BIK

— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24) July 24, 2015

But this may sway me on the guy. I, too, support the Black Swan.

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

• A guy opened fire in a Louisiana theater last night killing two, wounding nine, and then killing himself.  He was 59 years old. 
• Had a big religious discussion last night. Genesis 1:26 says, "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."  Us? Our? I'm not sure I had ever noticed that before.  Most people explain the terms as referring to The Trinity. 
• But I did sidetrack the discussion by asking if Adam and Eve had belly buttons. 
• Trump still leads in the Republican polls.  I thought he was just doing this run as a bit, but now I think he believes he can actually win.  It's the Angry White Male constituency last stand. 
• And he threw out a huge threat yesterday by implying he might run as an independent. Think about that. He just explained to any Republican candidate who opposes him that he holds his fate in his hands. Trump would at least take  3% to 5% of the Republican vote and single handedly guarantee the Republican candidate would lose. This is shaping up to be the most bizarre presidential campaign in history.
• There's a "confederate" flag flying on College Street in Decatur but it has a symbol of a motorcycle in the middle of it. 
• Southwest posts best quarter profit ever, American Airlines posts best quarter profit ever, and Amazon made a net profit of $92 million causing its share price to jump a shocking 17% in after hour trading.  Tell me again about how our economy/employment is really in the dump?
• The medical examiner concluded Sandra Bland died of suicide. All signs point to that. But, as I rant about this for the millionth time, isn't the only thing the corner can conclude is that she died from asphyxiation? 

Road Rage

Was that an Easton or a Mizuno?*
______________
*There has to be someone out there who laughed at that.