Movie Flashbacks

War of the Worlds is awful. Sideways is great. Million Dollar Baby is horrendous. 8mm (and old one I just rented) is very, very good.

Ten Marines Are . . .

. . . dead after a recent bomb in Iraq. Let's figure a way to get out of there. Please.

Amazing

A corporate CEO recently spent $10 MILLION for his daughter's Bat Mitzvah party! David Brooks, CEO of a huge defense contractor, DHB Industries, booked two floors of the Rainbow Room in New York last weekend, and arranged command performances by 50 Cent, Tom Petty, Aerosmith, Eagles Don Henley and Joe Walsh, Fleetwood Mac's Stevie Nicks, DJ AM, rap diva Ciara, and Kenny G. for over 300 guests, who listened during their pre-dinner cocktails. And there are pictures to prove it. And one other thing: Defense contractor? Hey! That's our money!

In Honor Of the 1,000th Execution

Here's a list of all "final statements" of those executed in Huntsville. Samples: "All right, Warden, let's do it." "I've got one thing to say, get your Warden off this gurney and shut up. I am from the island of Barbados. I am the Warden of this unit." Ricky Lee Green's is here. Edit: Here's one found by a Commentor about the Cowboys.

Ladies . . .

. . . the perfect Christmas gift for your husband.

10-2

You may have been following the horrendous capital murder trial of Joseph Smith (not the Mormon) in Florida. Tonight the jury voted 10-2 to impose the death penalty. 10-2? In Texas, it requires a unanimous vote.

Really Random Thought

Why do light bulbs burn out constantly but vehicle headlights can burn for years?

Worst Christmas Gift Ever

Great Photo

Here's the story.

Vince Vaughn / Jennifer Aniston

The cops stopped this new couple the other night and, after smelling alcohol on the Vaughn's breath, investigated him for possible DUI. The most amazing thing was that they let him go. (I think the law is in Texas is that an officer smells alcohol on your breath, then you must be arrested, but I'm not sure about that).

That's One Mean Paper

This was printed in the Dallas Morning News today. (They named names and that name was one of their own - in a story not really worthy of publishing). "A Hockaday student was arrested and two others were issued citations on alcohol charges after police broke up a party of about 50 teenagers in Highland Park on Friday night, police said. Highland Park police said a 17-year-old girl posted $256 bond on a public intoxication charge after a party in the 4200 block of Armstrong Drive. The two other students, including a child of Jim Moroney, the publisher and chief executive officer of The Dallas Morning News, were issued tickets for underage drinking. Those two are also Hockaday students, police said." Sounds like one heck of a rich kid party, though.

Kids, Don't Try This At Home.

A google video.

Banking News

Yeah, it's not a juicy tidbit but many Wise Countians will want to know that the sale of the First National Bank of Bridgeport was completed today.

Fox 4 News Major Screw Up

Ok, we all know about the Fort Worth officer clinging to life after being shot yesterday. Well, tonight, FWPD announces there will be a press conference to update the condition of the officer. Fox 4 News, anticipating his death and the poster child for sensationalism, runs this graphic at 9:55 p.m. as they explain that the officer's condition had only taken a turn for the worse. Bottom line: They expected the officer to be dead. They prepared the graphic. And then posted the graphic on live television even though the officer was still alive.

Mariah Carey At Halftime On Thanksgiving

Anybody Want To Be A Cop?

A Haltom City police sergeant has been fired and two detectives disciplined for taking soft drinks from a refrigerator while executing a search warrant. Two other police detectives with the suburban Fort Worth department who witnessed the theft received written reprimands for failing to report it. Sergeant Dennis Ochs was fired over the incident at a Haltom City house, and detectives Josh Boyd and Roger Dale were suspended for 15 days and ten days respectively. Ochs and Boyd have filed appeals with Haltom City's Civil Service Commission. The case has been turned over to Fort Worth police for consideration of criminal charges. (Source)

Tickle Girl . . .

. . . is back by popular demand.

Couple of Thoughts On The Police Officer Shooting . . .

....today which happened in Tarrant County (but only a stones throw away from Wise County). The alleged gunman, after shooting the officer, reportedly fled to a random neighbor's house (occupied by a mother and daughter) and broke the door in. (1) According to Fox 4 News tonight "The mother managed to call 911 and escape but the daughter remained with the gunman." Say what? (Update: The "daughter" was 24 years old so that makes it a little different). (2) You have to like that shot of the the paramedic checking the guy's blood pressure after he had surrendered but before he was placed into the police car. (3) The injured officer (I hope it's only "injured") has a 9 year old daughter and 4 year old son.

Citation Issued To Michael Irvin (Click To Enlarge)

I'm Confused By . . .

. . . the television commercials this time of year where one spouse surprises the other spouse with a new car. (The current Lexus commercial come to mind). Why doesnt' the "surprised spouse" look at her mate and scream, "Are you freakin' crazy?!! We can't afford this!"

If You Hate . . .

. . . the "coming up on the 10:00 o'clock news" teases (and especially if you hate Jane McGarry), you've got to read this short blog from D Magazine.

Seriously, How Is This Possible

Southlake Carroll is marching through the playoffs again and I saw today that they are 60-1 since entering the 5A classification in 2002. Of course, they were just as dominant in 3A and 4A. How is that possible? Year after year? A completely different set of athletes every four years and they don't miss a beat.

From The Morning News Today

Death. Death. Death.

The 1.000th person to be executed by the government (since the death penalty was reinstated in 1977) is scheduled for Wednesday. Give it a 100 years, but society will look back at us as being barbaric for this practice.

I'm Insane . . .

. . . now.

Some Things Seem . . .

. . . dirty but they are not.

Busting Heads For God

I noticed this weekend in the sports page that "Prestonwood Christian Acadamy" had won some private school football championship. I wondered if the team was associated with the Prestonwood Baptist Mega-Church in Dallas. A little research (shout out to Mr. Jones, here) revealed that it was. But get this over-the-top description of the football team on the church's website: "Prestonwood Christian Academy's goal is to utilize football as a unique educational tool that will glorify God by developing Biblical character qualities as we equip young men intellectually, physically, and socially in Christ so that they may use their gifts and talents to impact their culture with the gospel of Jesus Christ." And I just thought they were running the West Coast Offense.

Another Drug War Casualty - Over Marijuana

Update from a previous blog: "A Springtown woman headed to Federal prison is found dead at an Irving motel. Sixty year old Daryla Julian was supposed to surrender herself to authorities the day before her death. She was to begin serving a nine year prison sentence following her conviction last month on drug trafficking charges. She was found dead in a motel room on Nov. 19th from an apparent suicide. Julian and her 39 year old daughter, pled guilty to transporting an estimated 11,000 pounds of Marijuana in order to support their large Parker County horse ranch." Source

Sand Has Never Been So Seedy Looking

He's On The Left

I noted that former Decatur resident Joe Armes got his picture in the Morning News today next to Tom Hicks and Tom Hicks, Jr. The three guys form the "executive team" for Hicks Holdings LLC. They are doing some business transaction which just smells like money.

Runaway Bay Fire?

I'm getting reports of a pretty big fire in Runaway Bay with multiple fire departments responding. It can be seen from the bridge over Lake Bridgeport.

Sheesh, That's A Lot of Noise Over a Class C Misdemeanor

From the Dallas Morning News' website's homepage: Irvin faces drug paraphernalia charge "Former Cowboy Michael Irvin, a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was arrested Friday in Plano and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, police said. Police pulled Mr. Irvin over for speeding in the northbound lanes of the Dallas North Tollway south of Spring Creek Parkway about 3:30 p.m. A computer check showed that Mr. Irvin had an outstanding warrant for speeding in Irving. A search of Mr. Irvin's car turned up drug paraphernalia, police said. Mr. Irvin was arrested and booked into Plano city jail. He was also given a citation for speeding. He paid the Irving fine and bond on the drug charge and was released at about 4:45 p.m., police said. It was unclear Sunday what the amount of the bond was. "

I've Found Another Way I Don't Want To . . .

. . . die.

I Have Yet To Have A Client Like This

"Angolan inmate Angelica Nsangu, 23, walks on the catwalk during a beauty pageant held at Carandiru Complex prison to choose the most beautiful inmate of Sao Paulo state, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday, Nov. 24, 2004. Nsangu won the contest.(AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini) "