Above The Fold

Full pdf here.

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

• It looks like the Wise County Courthouse will get a metal detector for the first time in its history. If my tremendous sources are correct, the public will not be allowed to use any of the four glass courthouse doors but will instead be funneled into the basement on the Southeast corner of the building. (The basement, by the way, looks like a scene from some type of horror movie.)
• Some, if not all, of courthouse offices have a new phone system. The screen shows the current weather and, get this, the next county holiday.
• Want to see the stitches after back surgery? BagOfNothing's wife posted a picture. That's not too bad. 
• "Five months after opposing a motion to recuse 19th State District Judge Ralph Strother in the case of a Twin Peaks defendant, prosecutors from McLennan County District Attorney Abel Reyna’s office filed a last-minute motion Monday morning to remove Strother from hearing two bikers’ cases." That DA's office continues to scared and way in over their heads. 
• On Twitter, I'll see high school athletes tweet all the time, "I'm happy to announce I have received my sixth offer from [Baylor/UT/TCU/etc.]"  What they mean is that they have already received five offers from different schools and a new one has entered the mix. But it sounds like he's received six offers from one school. Drives me nuts. 
  
  
  
  
• A Texas DA asked local cops for help by asking them to review the list of potential jurors for those that would be inclined to impose the death penalty in an upcomng capital murder case. Honestly, there's nothing wrong with that. (There was an allegation that at least two potential jurors had been contacted by the cops. There would be something seriously wrong with that.)
• Watched some testimony in a DWI case yesterday where the defendant said she was brought up to "never trust cops" and "always say no." Let's see how that plays out. 
• Toys R Us is going to close 182 stores.  #winning
• Irving based Kimberly Clark will layoff up to 5,500 people. #winning
• Last night, with 25 seconds remaining, OU tried to finish off #5 Kansas by launching a three pointer. As the ball arched and headed towards the rim, this happened:
  
• I'd have to research it, but off the top of my head I'm not sure taking a BB gun to school is illegal. You can't bring a "firearm" to school but "firearm" is defined as "any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertible to that use." Texas Penal Code 46.01(3) and 46.03. If I'm wrong, I'm confident I will be told shortly. (I'm assuming it's one of those BB guns that you cock or pump instead of powered by a CO2 cartridge.)
  
• We've had two school shootings this week. And it is Wednesday. 
• Sooooo Texas: 
  
• No way! Seriously, that can't be true.:
  
• Mueller now wants to question Trump. If his lawyers let Trump do it, they should be disbarred for incompetence. 

So Who Is The Fake News Here?

OK, a lead CNN reporter quotes what others are saying about the temporary re-opening of the government.

What does Trump say about it this morning?

Incredible. He will say anything.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• Breaking: Five kids shot in Kentucky high school.
• I had no idea that the Fort Worth Golden Gloves is still going on. 
• I've never understood "halftime adjustments". Heck, if the defense is struggling in the first quarter they will all be on the sideline at some point. Make "adjustments" then. 
• An Oklahoma rig exploded and five workers are missing. You don't here about rig explosions very often (other than offshore wells.)  
• Personal note to whomever told me to go and listen to a January episode of This American Life. You were correct, it was right up my alley. 
• Ummmmmm . . . . 
  
• Ending the government shutdown until Februay 8th means Congress will be back to square one in two weeks. 
• The guy in the Eagles jersey who ran into a subway pillar granted national interviews yesterday revealing his name (Jigar Desai.) He's even dumber than I thought he was. (You would think that would be a unique name but a Google search will show it also belongs to a physician, lawyer, and a student at UTA.)
• I've had enough of the "Dilly! Dilly!" crap. 
• That Amazon grocery store is almost like an episode of Black Mirror. You scan your phone as you walk in, grab what you want, walk out, and money is taken out of your Amazon account. They know what you take by hundreds of high tech cameras/sensors along with shelves which detect changes in weight. (If you take something all the shelf and put it back, Amazon knows.) 
• Wise County has offered a job for the soon to be vacated Director of 911 addressing. According to the Update,  'If [he] accepts the position he will oversee 911 addressing and the county’s 108 dams under the National Watershed Coalition" We have 108 dams? What's the definition of a "dam"?
• VP Mike Pence visited the Israeli controlled Western Wall. Male reporters were allowed up front. Female journalist were placed in the back and had to stand on chairs to see. Our "greatest ally" in the Middle East sure is progressive. 
• Very random basketball note: Some school named Purchase College (enrollment 4,121) pulled off a crazy buzzer beater last night and the kids acted like they had won the NBA Championship in what appears to be a basically empty arena. 
• Trump deleted a tweet this morning. I'm trying to figure out what it said. 

Let's Settle This In The Octagon!

District Clerk Tom Wilder and Republican challenger Frank Palomino exchange words at the Editorial Board. (1 of 2) pic.twitter.com/xZvZ5YNJxY

— Bud Kennedy (@BudKennedy) January 22, 2018

District Clerk Tom Wilder and Republican challenger Frank Palomino exchange words at the Editorial Board. (2 of 2) pic.twitter.com/es54LVWuzj

— Bud Kennedy (@BudKennedy) January 22, 2018

Funny

Eagles fan runs into subway column. pic.twitter.com/PxcQyF8yrH

— Gordon Keith (@gordonkeith) January 22, 2018

Above The Fold

Full PDF here.

Random Monday Morning Thought

• If Stormy Daniels has a non-disclosure agreement with Trump, she violated it with her poster at her appearance at a club over the weekend. But what's Trump going to do, sue her? "Plaintiff had an affair with defendant and, years later, entered into an agreement with the defendant not to disclose the affair."
• For there to be a government shutdown, government sure does appear to to be open. 
• Note: The Republicans needed 60 votes. They couldn't even get a majority [Edit:] of the total Senate seats of Republicans with five voting against the proposed deal.
• Addressing the Pro-Life Rally in D.C. on Friday, Trump said, "Right now, in a number of states, the laws allow for a baby to be born from the mother's womb in the ninth month. It is wrong, it has to change."
• Dallas County Republicans are suing to kick 128 Democrats off the ballot contending "that Dallas County Democratic Party Chairman Carol Donovan didn't sign the petitions of 128 Democratic Party." First, that's a sleazy move. Republicans can't win in Dallas County so resorting to this kind of tactic -- which will fail -- makes them look bad. Secondly, for all things holy, don't use a petition to get on the ballot. Pay the filing fee instead!
• Alvord's Davey Edwards announced earlier this year that he would get 5,000 signatures on a petition to get on the ballot for Texas Land Commissioner. I said he couldn't do it because the technicalities make it a Herculean task. I looked him up and he is on the ballot. Did he get the signatures or just pay the filing fee?
• I was looking at the campaign reports for Tarrant County DA Sharen Wilson and the largest downer was a $5,000 contribution from a former defense lawyer who now is part owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers? Whey would he do that? But it's a pattern. He donated $2 million to Baylor law school when neither he or his wife have an association with Baylor. 
• Going back to the government shutdown, the GOP's talking point of Democrats not supporting the military is odd. Any person in the military will eventually be paid every dime they have coming to them. 
• Trump working during the shutdown. Any chance there is anyone on the other end of the line?
  
• Anyone seen Ted Cruz?
• The Eagles have won more playoff games in 2018 than the Cowboys have won in 20 years. 
• New England is a 5.5 point favorite over Philadelphia. 
  
• The Women's March was impressive and this photo circulated a lot on Saturday. That is indeed the Women's March in Austin but it's a photo from last year. (It was retweeted 38,000 times.)
  
• Since there is a government shutdown, is Fox News still on the air?

It's Friday. Let's Get Out Of Here.

That didn't turn out like I expected.

There's a reason you don't see Olympians wear sweats, hoss.

She tells her friends: "I work out all the time. I'm very regimented."

I normally don't post fights, but this is impressive. (I think he's done that before.)

"I'll just shut this gate and round him up . . . I NEED BACKUP. I NEED BACKUP!"

This Is A New One

Texas judge interrupts jury, says God told him defendant is not guilty. https://t.co/FDRZOnimJO

— Mark D. Wilson (@MDWilsonSA) January 19, 2018

The jury continued with their deiliberations "and you'll never believe what happened next!"

Those Hood County Republicans Are Serious

Most local political parties will accept anyone who wants to put an "R" or "D" by their name.

But not in Hood County. If the local party doesn't like you, they will disown you.

(Thanks emailer.)

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

• A lot going on here. (It was by Love Field):
  
• The jury in the Zoe Hastings murder trial in Dallas enters its third day of deliberations. Honestly, I didn't follow the trial to closely, but the defendant's "DNA [was] on the murder weapon." I wonder what's going on. 
• Hey, a church can give away its tithes to anyone or any group it wants to. But I'm not sure how often the money is donated to an agency supported by tax dollars. It's their absolute right, but it is not exactly Lottie Moon. 
  
• It's not a big deal, but one of the weirdest string of  comments yesterday was from a guy that said a withdrawal from a bank account should be put down as a credit in the balance book. I don't know if he was doing a bit, but he was insistent. But let's put it to the test. I have $1,000 in the bank. I withdraw $100 so he says add it. That puts the balance at $1,100. I make a deposit of $200 so, according to him credits are subtracted, my balance is $900.
• Radio guy Mark Davis said yesterday during an appearance on Fox 4 that "it should not be easy to become an American citizen."  It was easy for me. It was easy for you. It was easy for Davis. And it won't be hard for any baby born today on American soil.
• The DA in the case of the couple which held their children prisoner for years in their home in California held a news conference yesterday giving details of the case. He then said, "We will not try this case in the media but in the courtroom." Dude, you voluntarily called a press conferences to reveal facts.
• I would think the vast majority of doctors would laugh at this. They are in the business of healing, regardless of who it is. And did I miss the news story where a doctor wanted to not treat an individual for religious reasons but was forced to?
  
• Don't Google "Forbes" and "Trump."
• The Star-Telegram has picked up the "Presidential Candidate Arrest" story out of Wise County. It looks like he is still in jail. 
• This seems like a big deal for corporate America. "Tucked into the massive $1.5 trillion tax overhaul that Congress approved last month was the elimination of the 50 percent tax deduction that firms had long been able to take on business-related expenses for 'entertainment, amusement, or recreation.'” I presume that would include meals at high tone restaurants, too.
  
• State employees can take a paid day off today in honor of "Confederate Heroes Day." Wait, what? (Side note: Oddly, all state offices are still open. For those who come to work, they can choose another day off. I have no idea what happens if 99% of a state office has employees take the day off yet remains "open".)

I'm Not Buying This For A Second

Kid opens up package to find a bong and claims he only ordered an X box controller.

"What the frick" 😭😭😭@oldrowofficial

A post shared by Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) on Jan 17, 2018 at 6:15am PST

Then a video appears of a kid opening up a package with an X box controller and proclaims, "I ordered a bong!"


Obviously a bit. Who in the heck records opening up spare packages anyway?

DPS Arrests Presidential Candidate In Decatur

Well, a Libertarian candidate:

(More.)

And the guy decided to video it:

Part 1

Part 2


HEY, KEEP ME OUT OF THIS!

The charges:

Random Thursday Morning Thoughs

• The footage of the Tarrant County College astronomy teacher acting nutty in class in a crazy outfit, as well as Fox 4 catching him later as he talks from his apartment balcony, is high entertainment. 
  
• The U.S. Government commissioned a study regarding ways to strengthen DWI laws. It suggested lowering the legal limit to 0.05 depending on (1) the size of the individual, and (2) whether the person had recently eaten. Not only is 0.05 a ridiculous number, the "recently eaten" standard is unworkable. Ok, I'll stipulate a steak dinner counts. But what if it were four hours ago? What about six? What does "recent" mean? And what if a person at one small appetizer two hours ago? Would that count?
• There are no federal DWI laws just state DWI laws. Astute readers will wonder how the federal government can dictate state DWI laws in the first place. Just like when all states went to 0.08 in the 1990s, Washington just told the states that it would withhold highway funds if they didn't change their laws. (For you CDL holders out there, that's the same reason you can't get deferred on Class Cs. The feds forced the state's to change its laws.)
• Trump's ex-porn star girlfriend (once again, while Trump was married with a new baby Barron) gave an interview to In Touch magazine in 2011 where she confirmed the tryst. 
• Worth watching (and quick loading): A big boat runs over a fishing boat as the fishermen/fisherwoman jump into the water. 
  
• Do people "balance" their "checkbooks" any longer. Or in modern terms, keep track of beginning balance then subtract debits and add credits in order to see if the ending balance matches the bank's balance?
• The murder trial in Wise County may go on for two weeks. Here's the Messenger story about the incident when it happened. 
• Fascinating: 
  
• Dallas and Austin are also on this list. But this whole show is basically a PR campaign for Amazon. Are they going to narrow the list to 10 later and announce it? Then five? It's kind of like a high school football player announcing he has narrowed his recruitment choices to three schools. 
  
• Tom Brady hurt his throwing hand when he made contact with another player. He had to miss a press conference later in the day because he was getting medical attention. If he hit the helmet of another player after he released the ball, look out. (It was a long time ago, but Baylor's J.J. Joe did that during practice back in the day and had to miss the next game against Texas.)
• We might actually have a federal government shutdown tomorrow. 

You Can Take The Trump Cognitive Test

Here. The brief "Attention" and "Language" portions technically requires someone else to read what is required of you.

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

• It's a cold morning for that to happen. 
  
• Someone told me a story of three people dying a few months back due to an incident at a Best Western in Perryton when the indoor pool malfunctioned and carbon monoxide was released upwards into the rooms above the pool. Two of those people were from Bridgeport. There is very, very little coverage of this event. 
• A Canadian judge resigned after remarking to law students "that she felt uncomfortable having to walk into a room 'full of big dark people' during judicial dispute resolutions, and that she was used to being in an 'ivory tower,' where she’s 'removed from the riff raff.'” (Good. Although I'm of the firm belief that "riff raff" is a funny term.)
• The White House doctor who performed Trump's annual checkup said that Trump asked him to give him a cognitive test. There is no way Trump knows the word "cognitive."
• The Wise County marijuana bust has now made it to the DFW news outlets. They need to ask why the WCSO stole the 287 sign. 
  
• Trump's porn star girlfriend, who he saw while he was married, spoke to Slate in 2016.
• Dallas lawyer Doug Mulder has died. He might be most famous for being a prosecutor on a case which led to the movie A Thin Blue Line detailing how the conviction, which included a death sentence, was wrongful.  When I was DA in the the 1990s he actually came up to my office. He was representing a guy in a drug case where there had been a seizure of the defendant's car. He wanted to give the State the car in exchange for a lenient sentence on the criminal case. I said, "It sounds like your trying to negotiate the criminal case and civil case together." His reply, "That's exactly what I'm doing."
• Wow: Washington State quarterback Tyler Hilinski has committed suicide. He was a sophomore who started at the end of the year including the Holiday Bowl. 
• Let's see what Trump is doing this morning: 
  
• Bonham ISD has shut down school for a week because of a flu outbreak. 
• National Park News: Nearly all members of a board advising the National Park Service abruptly quit Monday night out of frustration that Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke had refused to meet with them or convene a single meeting last year. (And, by the way, the fee to enter a park has doubled to $80 a vehicle.)

Above The Fold

Full PDF.