I'm Insane Now

With each iteration, this meme gets more and more disturbing (hat tip: CSL, riffing off an image RT'd by @cstross) pic.twitter.com/fZUmF3IPBU

— Peter B (@peterb) August 25, 2015

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• Fox 4 had a story last night about some Fort Worth standoff where two women were brought out and a reporter told us that "both were handcuffed with zip ties for their own safety. Moments later they were released and are not suspects". (I would give you a link but going to the new Fox 4 website is like sinking in quicksand while blindfolded.)
• Donald Trump entered the Alabama football stadium last weekend for his rally to the music of Lynyrd Skynyrd and exited to Twisted Sister. 
• Throw in Trump (and other Republicans) current attack on the constitutional requirement regarding "anchor babies", and this is getting insane. Those who already love you (politically speaking) may love you more for these hard lines, but your chance for love by others is being destroyed.
• Loved this moment on Meet The Press from last week: Donald Trump doubled down on calling Hillary Clinton "the worst Secretary of State in the history of this country."  Host Chuck Todd then asked,  "Well, it begs the question. I'm a history buff. Who was the worst before her then in your mind?"  What a great question. If you believe X is worse that A through W, you need to know A through W before you can compare them to X. Of course, Trump just went on an irrelevant rant. 
• Wise County will given sheriff's deputies a $1 an hour pay raise. What's an entry level deputy make per hour?
• Lots of news story said yesterday we saw "the largest single day point drop in the history of the stock market." Technically true. But isn't it the percentage that it dropped a more important stat?
• The NFL for some reason put a video on its website of a Rookie Symposium where Chris Carter told the new guys they needed a "fall guy" to run with. That is, someone to take the blame for you if you get caught breaking the law.  It really was amazing. But I'm almost more amazed that a reporter with the often praised Monday Morning Quarterback controlled by Peter King was in the room at the time. He didn't report Carter's statements because the NFL told him not to.  And you wonder why Peter King is considered a lap dog for the NFL. 
• Dale Hansen went Unplugged on Baylor last night (and signed the screen to let us know the views coming out of his mouth are really his words.). It wasn't much of an effort. But the weirdest thing is that he brought the University of Texas into it. He said, "Texas football coach Charlie Strong says he knows how to handle the Sam Ukuwachus of the world, and I hope he does. I really do. But I just don't know if he really means what he says, and — unfortunately — we'll probably have the chance to find out."  Does Hansen know something that's coming? If he doesn't, the shot at UT is just plain bizzare.
• There were 32 million email addresses released by the hackers of Ashley Madison -- the adultery site. And to think that many who opposed the same sex marriage decision by the Supreme Court said it would destroy the sanctity of marriage. 
• Ad disguise: KXAS, The Dallas Morning News, and The Ticket all mentioned yesterday that Whataburger will be available for delivery by some service called DoorDash.  Really? That's just a coincidence? I don't know if they were ads for Whataburger, DoorDash, or both.  KXAS even did a preview of their 6:00 p.m. news by teasing the Whataburger story. (A story that was so important they didn't get to it for 17 minutes.)  The Ticket was weird because The Hardline, which talked about it, acted for minutes like they had never heard of DoorDash when they talked about the app just a month or two ago. 
• If those weren't ads, Whataburger is a master in getting in the news. Recall just in the last couple of months their were stories about it cutting its breakfast hours (and then coverage again when those hours went back to normal) and there was news coverage of the chain opposing Open Carry. 
• "Judge denies request by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to skip his arraignment on Thursday" in Collin County. That reminded me of a couple Texas laws which make no sense and/or ignored. "Art. 26.011. WAIVER OF ARRAIGNMENT. An attorney representing a defendant may present a [written] waiver of arraignment, and the clerk of the court may not require the presence of the defendant as a condition of accepting the waiver." Ummkay. But the "clerk" never requires anyone's appearance. If the statute read the "judge may not require", this would make more sense. Also, there is "Art. 26.03. TIME OF ARRAIGNMENT. No arraignment shall take place until the expiration of at least two entire days after the day on which a copy of the indictment was served on the defendant . . . . " The defendant will certainly eventually see the indictment, but he is never  "served" with an indictment. They are supposed to be, but there is no legal repercussions if they are not. So that formal process is ignored.

Get Me This Stuck Dog!

My goofy dogs flip out if you walk out the room.  This thing is happy to be stuck in a bush.

Source.

It's The First Day Of School For Some Colleges, Too

The Old Dominion administration was not pleased.

Story.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• The stock marker just opened down over 1,000 points. Don't panic. We knew this would eventually happen. And this S and P chart puts it all in perspective.
• Dallas DA Susan Hawk hasn't been seen in three weeks.  Great line from the story is that her office makes jokes about Desperately Seeking Susan. 
• Regarding the Baylor scandal, I forgot my own advice: In this day and time of a 24 hour news cycle, just ride it out. 
• Edit: Dang it.  I forgot what I was going to say about the investigation ordered by Baylor president Ken Starr: We know from history it will cost millions of dollars with no results. 
• The Ticket's Corby Davidson went nuts on Friday and went off for two segments on Baylor and then went back again in his routinely ill-prepared Community Quick Hits.  As always, he had a little trouble with facts. Sidenote: The awful Ben and Skin Show on The Fan is beating The Hardline in the ratings as well as ESPN's Mosley and Cowlishaw (which, by the way, isn't bad.). How times have changed. The most powerful station insports talk radio in Dallas for two decades now has a show in third place in drive time. 
• Try this some time: Try to find the traditional blue post office drop box at a location other than at a post office. 
• I've learned that if I ever try to take a shot at one person in a bullet point (and I do mean a blog bullet point) that I'll inadvertently hit others who think I'm talking about them. 
• Thoughtful and weird black hole I went down last night: Some commentor complimented me (I think) yesterday  under the name of Double Fake Marcus Aurelius. There was no way I wasn't going to research that. I found out he was a  real Roman Emperor who had been depicted in Gladiator and murdered in the beginning of the film. Connection?: I constantly refer back to the line in the film of, "Are you not entertained?" That led me to learn that Aurelius' writings had been preserved and published. I then found a review of them and it said this: "'Do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life,' he advises - you can commit injustices by doing nothing. Above all, strive to make yourself a better person. Control your arrogance. Stop getting angry with stupid and unpleasant people. Be upright, modest, straightforward and cooperative. When you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, remember that what makes you human is working with others. And when people become a pain, and you want to get away from it all, to the country, beach or mountains, remember you can escape any time you like, by going within, to 'the back roads of your self'". Connections? (1) I always mention "walking away" from it all and normally mention a beach, (2) The "back roads of your self " sounds like  "mindfulness" that I have promoted, and (3) that same phrase made me thing of Glen Campbell, who I've oddly mentioned a number of times and who suffers from Alzheimer's. Recall his lyrics: "That keeps you in the back roads -- By the rivers of my memory -- That keeps you ever gentle on my mind"
• I know that just sounded like the ramblings of a lunatic, but I'll explain it all some day. 
• There was an article yesterday in the Dallas Morning News about Mark Cuban's views on Trump and guess what? It just happened to once again mention an app he constantly promotes and has invested in. Twice. 
• If your top issue in the presidential election -- above everything else -- is illegal immigration, tell me why? This seems to be the catalyst for Trump's surge. 
• Special note to a DFW radio personality: Were you sending a message with bumper music on Friday?  Probably not. But if you did, it was brilliant.   

I Would Never Burn You

I am watching The Insider for the first time right now and this scene is on. I've hit the pause button.

Pacino plays a producer for 60 Minutes and is trying to convince a key person that he did not disclose what was previously told to him in confidence. 60 Minutes is considering whether they have just cause to expose bad people for doing bad things.

And he didn't. He has kept his word.

Do you know how many times over the years someone has told me "don't post this" or "you can post this but don't use my name"? It's a shocking number. Do you how many times I violated that trust? Zero.

If you tell me something, I will keep my word.

(I always think about taking a silly blog to a level which isn't so silly. There are people who need to be exposed -- with facts.)

Lubbock Police vs. Man

Link.

I really don't have an opinion how they handled this. I'll give them a benefit of the doubt that a bean bag deflected off his shoulder and may have put out his eye.

But the explanation below needs some work.  Who came up with the term "less lethal" ammunition? Doesn't that mean it will "kill you less"?   And the sentence which said the suspect "dropped the weapons before deadly force had to be used" made me initially think that deadly force was used.

Changing gears: There's a Marsha Sharp Freeway in Lubbock?  Does Waco have something like that?

"Have you not been entertained?"

That "Crazy Texas Mommy" Can Be Silent For Months

But when she gets pissed about something she is at her best and reminds us again that she is a fantastic writer. Why? She writes from the heart and has a tortured soul.

Excerpt:

And because, six years later, I am still ashamed. I forgive him (or at least I tell myself that), but I still fear him. I hate that the ordeal caused something to twist off inside of me that makes me know, without a doubt, I will end the damn life of any other man who hits because I know the local police won't help me— just like the Waco police didn't help the girl at Baylor. They already proved that to me twice. They don't get a third chance. 

Full Post

Rangers Need To Sign This Kid

can this kid be our new president https://t.co/2Jp8e5RDTg

— Lana Berry (@Lana) August 22, 2015

Yeah, there's some comedy in this video but that is one heck of a swing. The form is perfect.

Trump 2016 Gains Steam!

He spoke in front of a raucous crowd in . . . Alabama last night in a . . .  football stadium. (This is getting too fun.)

But if I had a Liberally Lean Hall Of Fame Photo Gallery, this pic would be in it. There is a lot going on there.

Taking You Into The Weekend

(1) "Get me this dog!"



(2) "Kill this cat!"

I'll Be In The Storm Cellar For A Bit

This is kind of a big story this afternoon in the sports world.  I'm OK. Really. I'm fine.

And get ready for the Art Briles sound bite of "Let's talk about football" from this morning. That will not play well.

Random thought: I'm in the criminal law business. The power of a verdict has consequences for many, many people other than those involved in the trial. A guilty verdict is considered as conclusive proof of guilt. A not guilty verdict is interpreted as a conclusive finding of innocence. Both propositions are incorrect. Baylor and Briles are now in the media's cross-hairs. A guilty verdict yesterday prompted this. A not guilty verdict yesterday would have brought news today of how an innocent man was wrongfully accused and Baylor supported him through it all. This isn't to diminish the crime if one was committed, and I'm not saying this jury was wrong. I am only saying a jury's decision changes everything.

I tell every jury panel: "There are no second chances. There are no do overs. You cannot afford to be wrong."

I Missed This Press Release From The Wise County Republican Party

I'll call it "interesting." It's basically:  "Republicans aren't mad enough about this same sex ruling!  But I'll tell you one thing, preachers on TV are telling me to take a stand. And Robert Jeffers is one of them!"

Friday's Supreme Court really did not come as a huge surprise, we all suspected it was bound to happen. What was really surprising is the response, or lack thereof, by the GOP leadership.

Facebook is awash with those who are blatantly against it (as well as the whole rebel flag controversy), and those who have changed their profile photo to a rainbow.  However, we are in a time where we truly must know what we believe, and actually take a stand.  Not get caught up in the issues that may take away from the importance of things that speak to the very heart of our belief system.  

I happened to be in a store on Sunday and saw a headline on the TV screen that said "GOP Split over Same Sex Marriage."  I was a bit shocked until I saw it was CNN... so you have to take it with a grain of salt.

Then I read an article and realized that we are not hearing the huge outcry one would expect from the leaders of a party that is supposed to STAND for traditional marriage.  You see the article stated that the GOP is split on the issue because many are leaning more toward the younger conservatives acceptance of gay rights.  To read the entire article, click here.

You see, the Republican leaders are more concerned about the issues with the health care law among other things.  While the health care law is extremely important, why aren't our leaders being more vocal on this vote and the real impact it has on their constituents?  We do have some, like our Governor, who is being very vocal, while many at the national level are not. 

Wise County will be issuing the marriage licenses soon, and other counties are seeing their County Clerk's refusing to issue the licenses, and either resigning or having to go into hiding due to threats. 

Many officials will be forced to choose between their moral conscience and the law, while the Southern Baptist Convention is calling for civil disobedience because of this ruling.  See complete article here.  16 million people in the US are being called upon to stand up.  This could have far-reaching implications in the work-place, in cities, towns, and governments, the likes of which we haven't begun to see.

While driving home from East Texas Sunday morning, I heard the live sermon from Dr. Jeffers, pastor of First Baptist Dallas, preaching on Civil Disobedience.  His basic message was how to know when it is proper.  Bottom line, Civil Disobedience is appropriate when the laws of the land go against the moral laws of God.  He used Martin Luther King as an example. 

MLK knew that civil rights were the rights God ordained for all men.  He also knew he would pay a price to stand up against the laws of the land, and he did, with his very life.  But Dr. Jeffers wasn't the only one preaching this message, many on TV and on the air-waves preached the same sort of sermon, stating we must take a stand.

Before too much time has past, I wanted to share the actual GOP platform on the issue so you can decide if you are willing to stand as a true Republican, much less a true conservative.  The statements are in the section below with a link to the entire platform.  Hopefully, you have already decided within your own conscience on the issue, understanding the full spiritual implications. 

Only time will tell what this decision will fully mean for our nation.  Now, however, we must decide what it will mean for Wise County.  If we don't think it will impact us here, we are only fooling ourselves. 

Connie Swain

Communications Director

I Would Pay Money To See This If It Had Been That Tweeting Texas Judge

(Source) A woman made quite the scene in a Broward courtroom this week when she flashed the judge. Susan Surrette, 54, of Fort Lauderdale was arrested on Wednesday for disorderly intoxication.  When Judge John Hurley asked Surrette what she does for employment, she said she works as an escort and porn star named Kayla Kupcakes.

While the judge was reading her charges in bond court, Surrette made some disturbing claims about being roughhoused by police. What she did next, however, left the courtroom in shock.

I don't know what gets my attention more. A gal trying to prove she's been injured and pulls no punches to make her point, or a judge who acts like he just seen something he's never seen before.  And think I'll take her side simply because of the name Kupcakes.

(Very random thought: If anyone else thought of a court scene from the very old movie Night Shift, we are kindred spirits.)

Get Me This Giant Red Ball!

250 lb redball on the loose! 😮 #redball #publicart #downtown #downtowntoledo #art #toledo #glasscity #igers_toledo #playtimeTMA #ohiogram #igersohio #itmatterswhereyoumakeit #youwilldobetterintoledo

A video posted by Jeremy (@jeremy419) on Aug 19, 2015 at 2:48pm PDT

That video had so much potential.

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

• Man, Baylor got dog piled yesterday even before and after a "football player" was found guilty of sexual assault.  So much is weird about this. First, he has never played a single play for Baylor after transferring from Boise State. Secondly, the real story, other than the crime, is the lack of press about this case up until now. That prompted Deadspin to write a few days ago,"The Baylor Sexual Assault Trial You've Never Heard About." That's not Baylor's fault, that's the press's fault. Note this: The police never arrested him -- they just turned the case over to the grand jury so I'll give the press a pass at first because it's hard to report about a non-arrest. However, there undoubtedly should have been some news once the indictment occurred but the Waco Tribune Herald reported nothing (odd) and Baylor kept quiet (understandable - why do they want to announce it?)  A few years back I could have sworn the publisher of the Tribune-Herald became a member of the Baylor Board of Regent's but said it would not be a conflict of interest. I think he left the board shortly thereafter but that relationship was too cozy. But my memory might be wrong. 
• That being said, it is Baylor, and not the media, which is getting destroyed this morning by the, uh, media.
• And I hope the jury was right. This is a He Said/She Said case (by what I can gather from the little coverage there is) and the victim and defendant had been friends. 
• His defense lawyer "Claimed the sex was consensual, and called his client the 'victim' and said the woman had 'buyer’s remorse.'" Buddy, you should have stopped at "consensual." 
• I just looked at the lawyer's home page. He touts that he is the son of "Senator" David Sibley (that would be a state senator.) And there is this: "If you have found our website from a letter we sent after you have been charged with a crime, we want you to know that we understand what you are dealing with. We can provide you with aggressive representation." (Emphasis added.) 
• Speaking of trials, I had a bizarre one yesterday. Jury selection followed by four witness in a blood test DWI case that ended up with a hung six person jury at 3-3. All this in one day. 
• Shout out to the pastor on the jury panel who was aware of Liberally Lean and said, "I think my wife fights with you from time to time." 
• I'm still conflicted about a prosecutor in my cases bringing up Liberally Lean during jury selection -- even in passing.  I used to make me uncomfortable, but you can learn a lot of about a potential juror just by their reaction. Whether it be a smile from a potential jury member who looks at me with a "That's you!?" expression or the guy who suddenly glares at me.  The key is: I'm learning who I'm dealing with.  And full disclosure: It's rare to have anyone on a panel who is even aware of this silly blog. 
• One thought about trying a case all by yourself: It's all on you. Every brilliant move. Every dumb move. There is no hiding. You own it. 
• I feel like I'm the only one who has no idea who Josh Duggar is. Side note: I feel sorry for any girl out there named Ashley Madison. 
• In my never ending quest of exposing news stories commercials disguised as ads, there was a great one last night on Fox 4. There was a a very newsworthy story about a missing teen who was found via a GPS device. They showed the device and said the product's name. Ok. No big deal. But later, when Clarice Tinsley was doing her inane reading of Facebook comments, she read one that said, "That a great product. I own one." Tinsley then looks at the camera and tells the price of it and says, "It's well worth the price."  Come on. 
• That could be the future of advertising. Have the sales staff preview legitimate news story and see if there are any potential clients who are part of the story.  You know, see a story that will mention a GPS device and then contact that company cutting a deal for a Clarice Tinsley plug.
• RG3 suffered a concussion last night. (You gotta have a GIF).  That's his third one in his career. This might be the beginning of the end. 
• "Investigators say the [41 year old] girlfriend of a 70-year-old retired judge has been charged with shooting him in the head while at his Corpus Christi home." Tell me more. Tell me more. 

Lost Wise County Dog

I'm posting this for a buddy. (And I'm sorry it took me all day to get to it.)

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

• The Ashley Madison adulterer email list was released by hackers yesterday.  I envisioned Maury Povich looking at me and saying, "You are not on the list! You are not on the list!"
• There is another police controversial police shooting -- this time in St. Louis. 
• Mark Davis opened his radio show today talking about that shooting and asking, after some careful hesitation which apparently was not long enough, "Is it ever OK to shoot a black guy?" I should note that immediately after that he mentioned that line might have been a "career definer" for him. 
• Someone asked me what I thought about Hillary's chances for the Democratic nomination. If I had to bet money, I'd bet on her.  But there might be something in the air.
• Denton attorney Rick Hagen has announced he is running for a Texas House seat. I hope he wins  because I know him, and I think he would actually tell me what goes on down there. Also, he announced his candidacy at a restaurant called El Guapo’s. He should win by default simply for that power and/or comedic move.   
• I had yet another thought about my crazy-kill-your-child-before-age-of-accountability hypo: A believer wouldn't do that primarily because they have a doubt, a reasonable one, about whether the child would really go to heaven. Put another way, he does not believe it beyond a reasonable doubt. 
• How do Subway Jared'd federal case get wrapped up in record time while John Wiley Price's case goes on for years. 
• And is there something weird about the government collecting "restitution" of $100,000 each for 14 victims? Are they prosecutors or plaintiff's attorney? 
• Yvonne Craig, who appeared at Batgirl in the original Batman TV show (comedy genius by they way), has died. She was truly my first boyhood crush. And, as I look back, "Hey, Now" was justifiably deserved. (Fun fact: She appeared with Elvis in It Happened At The World’s Fair (1963) and Kissin’ Cousins (1964))
• I need to start a Liberally Lean Hall of Fame. It would be unique. For example, Yvonne Craig: In. Elvis: Out. 
• Eight years ago the starting salary for a new assistant DA was in the mid $50s. Has it gone up? There may be a new phenomenon going on where the public sector always gets a raise while the private sector wages become stagnant.