Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

Depressing little anniversary. 

---

• The Supreme Court hears oral arguments this morning as to whether Colorado can kick Trump off the ballot for having engaged in insurrection. I think they will ultimately side with Trump but they are going to have to make something up to get around text.  Not only did he engage in insurrection, but he dang sure "gave aid or comfort" to those storming the capitol -- and continues to do so to this day. 
  
  

  

  
  
  
  
• The man has a point. 
  
  
  
• It seems like old times to drop bombs on Iraq again.
  
   
  
  
  
• This story out of Denton is a little difficult to follow because it is  unclear if the judge dismissed the case because of discovery violations (a remedy which is pretty much unheard of) or if he dismissed the case for a Speedy Trial violation. This part proved that: "The Denton County District Attorney’s Office plans to appeal the ruling, First Assistant District Attorney Jamie Beck told the Record-Chronicle. Beck said it was her understanding that the ruling had more to do with a speedy trial violation." The judge was Steve Burgess. That's a pretty bold ruling to come out of Denton. 
  
  
  
• I'll sadly have to say it again: No one crashes more aircraft than the U.S. military.
  
  
  

  

  
  
  
  
• Wild. "EAST LANSDOWNE, Pa. - Law enforcement has yet to enter a crime scene in East Lansdowne more than 12 hours after officers came under fire, and a blaze erupted inside a house where officials say 6–8 people are still unaccounted for."
  
  
  
• It was 24 years old Des Champs, who calls himself the “Pro-Life Spider-Man.”
  
  
  
  
  
  
• It's behind a paywall, but the Dallas Morning News has a big feature on the former Dallas D.A. This sentence got my attention: "That first year, she never left her Lakewood home except to visit her doctor or therapist. Even after electroconvulsive therapy pulled her out of her suicidal spiral, medication failed to shake her deep depression."
  
  
  
• I only saw this story because a Texas rep  referenced it on social media.  I found the original New York Times story about the statute and there's nothing "satanic" about it all. People look for things to be outraged about. 
  

  

  
  
  
  
• It's February 8th. I'll take this every February:
  
  
  
• Messenger - Above the Fold

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

The Winter Olympics in Russia got off to a rousing start. 

---

• Smoke coming from a building next to Sweetie Pie's on the square in Decatur caused fire trucks to surround the area for over an hour yesterday afternoon. Even Bridgeport Fire showed up. Not sure what was going on, but everyone was very slow to leave. The Messenger caught video of the initial smoke.
  
  
  
• They got her after all. 
  
  
  
• And in today's America, the jury scrambles to get on TV.
  
  
  
• In an absolute clown-car type showing last night, the Republican led House failed to count the votes before they voted whether to impeach the Director of Homeland Security. They then lost.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• It took way too long, but an appellate court told a guy who is trying to become president that he can't do anything he wants with impunity while president.  This always seemed obvious to me. 
  
  
  
• From a timeline perspective, the federal D.C. Insurrection case has been on hold while the appellate court decided that issue. That stay expires next Monday unless the Supreme Court decides to keep it in place. Whether they do or not is a big deal since it will likely determine whether Trump is tried this year or not. 
• After an arrest in Texas, a person will normally be brought in front of a magistrate within 24 hours for bond to be set.  We had a ruling yesterday that those "hearings" should be public. I don't think Wise County holds them in a public place. 
  
  
  
• These are not impeachment related costs. Oh, no. This is taxpayer money used to defend Paxton in the Whistleblower's lawsuit -- a lawsuit where he admitted all liability last month. 
  
  
  
• Trump wielding more power over the Republican Party.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• They signed off on a resolution. And it comes as no surprise that Rep. Ronny Jackson is in this photo. He embarrasses us once again. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• And what's that Orwell quote in 1984?: “The Party told you to reject all evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.”
• I have no idea what this means other than streaming is about to become more confusing -- and probably more expensive.
  
  
  
• DPS Update: I kept my appointment to get my license renewed but wisely chose the Bowie office over Decatur since Decatur didn't have any "free" time for another two months.  There was one nice lady working in Bowie and it went off without a hitch. But get this: I had to fill out a long form and she told me "You can take this back to your car to fill it out." There was no one else in the office except her and me. There were empty chairs everywhere. DPS is the most dysfunctional organization in Texas.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

I nailed that one because a few weeks later this happened:

---

• Notable death this morning. Stomach cancer. 

• Another notable death yesterday.
  
  
  
• A Fort Worth fire truck on the way to a fire last night ended up on its side for an unknown reason. Four injured.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• No verdict yet.
  
   
  
  
  
• Members of Congress demonstrating how we are reaching Idiocracy.
  
  
  
• King Charles has been diagnosed with cancer.
  
  
  
• The border compromise bill is all but dead, but a noteworthy group endorsed it yesterday. 
  
  
  
• Even the conservative Wall Street Journal is on board.
  
  
  
• Ron DeSantis is back in Florida and held a press conference yesterday. I think that slogan could use a little workshopping. 
  
  
  
• Let's check in on Fox Business channel.
  
  
  
• Whatever that crazy lady is doing will always get my attention. 
  
  
  
  
• Legal nerdy Court of Criminal Appeals political news.
•  Ken Paxton has targeted three judges on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals who are up for re-election and one of them is firing back at him loudly on Twitter. This is very weird.
• This guy might want to consider paying that mortgage:
  
  
  
  
• NFL Fun Fact: The Philadelphia Eagles will open their season with a game in Brazil and on a Friday. Opponent to be announced.