Short Article Comparing Reaction Regarding Coppell Mayor and Dallas Police Chief's Son

An excerpt:

Not only is Coppell flying flags at half mast at city facilities to mark the death of Mayor Jayne Peters, who shot her daughter and then herself Tuesday night: The city is bragging about it, according to this morning's story in The Dallas Morning News. A city spokesperson told reporter Brandon Formby: "She did a lot for this community, and that's simply what we're recognizing, that our head of state has passed." But in the wake of disclosure of a city investigation into the late mayor's expense account, we need to amend the spokesperson's statement in order to make it fully accurate: Coppell is honoring the death of its kid-killing, suicide-committing, possible embezzler mayor.

Link.

I Making This Guy My Parenting Role Model

Sheesh, this is easy. Let your emotionally immature daughter spend a lot of time on the Internet until something happens that gets her dog-piled and then you scream like Mel Gibson and threaten to call the cyber police. Where's that Father of The Year Award? (There might be a language warning. Not sure. But I swear I heard that female cop from Fargo in the background at one point.)

Barney?

Edit: Story. (And another reason to wear a bulletproof vest.)

Random Thursday Friday Morning Thoughts

• The murder/suicide involving the Coppell mayor gets weirder and weirder. She was being investigated about charges on her city issued credit card, her home had once been posted for foreclosure, and her daughter never applied to UT despite her assertions.
• It's long and I haven't read it, but I'm intrigued by a new article in Esquire about "the fascinating story about a man who made a perfect bid on The Price is Right." It's getting a lot of buzz. I'll read it over the weekend.
• Sadness: A couple in their 90s die after being trapped in their home elevator in Georgia.
• OK, the oil well is capped but why did that take so long?
• Funny line from yesterday: I think the well would have been capped a lot quicker if we would have had Mel Gibson call BP.
• It feels like global warming to me.
• Promo: This is the last weekend for the play Tuesdays With Morrie being performed in Decatur. Liberally Lean is actually sponsoring Saturday night. Doesn't mean I'll show up in public, but you should go and make me proud. Represent.
• Today is Phoebe Cates' birthday. Celebrate by slowly getting out of a pool.
• Waste of time: Dallas police used who knows how many tax dollars yesterday conducting a prostitution sting operation in Oak Cliff that netted four arrests.
• This video of a fight in a Burger King parking lot in Oakland has been floating around all week. It's the craziest thing you've ever seen (assuming you normally don't see pregnant people, hookers, and dope smoking pimps fight every day.) Warning: I watched it without the audio because my computer was screwed up but, from viewing the chaos, I'm guessing an EXTREME language warning should be issued.
• I came up on a multi car wreck on I-30 near downtown Fort Worth yesterday afternoon. There were two people in a pickup that didn't look like they were moving, but I haven't seen anything in the news about it. Man, that's so unnerving.

White Cop Slams Black Guy's Face Into Hood

Paris, TX.

Yep, we've come a long way. Sheesh.

(Sorry for the 30 second ad. All Internet ads should be 15 seconds or less.)

Sin City: Two Arrested In Decatur For Porn and Gambling

Stop the presses!!!! We got our own personal Las Vegas breaking out here! (Update story). But we'll all be sleeping a little sounder tonight, won't we? (Someone in the comments and another post alerted to the arrests at the Smoke Shop but didn't know the nature of the charges.)

Breaking: Plugged!

At least for now. Now walk it off, birds.

Cat Fight!!!!!

If these girls were at a slumber party with pillows, I'd watch this 24/7. Sure, all I could hear was "yap, yap, yap, yap" but it was fantastic.

(They calm down after about the 3:40 mark, so you can bail if you make it that far.)

Thursday Afternoon Pick Me Up

Kim Kardashian (in honor of the fact that she's now officially dating Dallas Cowboy Miles Austin.)

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

• Funny: Graph showing quality of M. Night Shyamalan's movies over time. (But that's still a cool name.)
• Study released indicates that pain pill abuse is up 400% in the last 10 years. I agree. Big time.
• I watched ESPN's The ESPY's last night which was broadcast live for the first time. Surprisingly not bad. (And I don't know who Michelle Beadle is, but everyone was talking about this dress -- I don't get the fuss.)
• The murder/suicide of Coppell mayor and her daughter is one of the strangest stories I've ever seen. She left four typed notes primarily dealing with how to handle her affairs but with no explanations as to her actions.
• When I hear stories like that, I sometimes think that crazy actions can be explained by a defective brain that we simply don't understand. Just like machines can be defective even when made to work, can that same principle apply to people who are a million times more complicated than the most complex machine?
• DPS troopers find $2 million in a big rig in Texas but no drugs, and the driver denies knowledge of it. So the government just takes the money? Why?
• Dave Campbell's Texas Football puts Bridgeport at #16 going into the season.
• I finally got sucked in and listened to one of the Mel Gibson tapes yesterday. That boy is certifiable crazy. Or maybe the word is defective.
• My writing style is like that of Edgar Allen Poe. Find out yours here.
• "A Mesa woman greeted police officers in the nude and holding a beer after allegedly vandalizing her boyfriend's car with a dog leash, court records state." If I told you there was a book-in photo of her would you click on it?
• Golf fans could have awoken/awakened/woke up at 3:30 this morning and watched live coverage of the British Open. (Only appreciated in my brain: Remember Kevin Costner's character in Tin Cup? His name was Roy McAvoy. The leader of the British Open as I type this is a golfer named Rory McIlroy.)
• A Dallas man hired a buddy to injure him with a gunshot so he could blame it on his ex-wife and then get custody of his child. Sounds like a plan. What could possible go wrong? Story.

Jack County Girl Missing Since Monday

Edit: Wow. This happened when I was out last week. She's been missing for almost 10 days. (Thanks commenter.) Edit: And this video was changed to "private"? Why? Edit: Update on this story in the Mineral Wells paper.

Perrin resident Krishonda "Shonda" Leann Townsend, 19, went missing sometime after 12:10 a.m. Monday, while reportedly returning home from Mineral Wells. According to Townsend's uncle, Jamie Rittenbury, Townsend sent her mother a text message shortly after midnight, telling her she was on her way home -- just east of Perrin in Gibtown. "Nobody's seen her since," he said Townsend was last seen around midnight Monday morning leaving the residence of a friend on U.S. Highway 180 West. The mother of a 2-year-old boy, she was last seen wearing pink shorts, a black tanktop over a black and white polka dot bikini and navy blue flip-flops. A Palo Pinto County Crime Stoppers reward is being offered for information leading to the whereabouts of Townsend. Anyone with information is asked to call (940) 325-0000. Provided anonymously, information leading authorities to Townsend will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. Information concerning Townsend's disappearance can also be provided by calling the Jack County Sheriff's Department at (940) 567-2161 or the Mineral Wells Police Department at (940) 328-7770.

Trial Update: Guilty

The Intoxication Manslaughter case is now in the punishment face, and I'd like to predict things are about to get ugly. He has four prior convictions for DWI (none of them felonies for some reason) and this jury took only 20 minutes to convict him. (And they didn't even know about his past trouble.) Throw n the fact that he didn't care enough to show up for trial today, this will not turn out well. The range is 2 to 20 and up to a $10,000 fine. If you want to bet on the maximum, I'm right there with you. Edit: Verdict came back and .......... The Maximum.

Teeeension

Ok, this isn't the biggest deal in the world but here's the set up: This is at the All Star game this week and the autograph signer is Gary Carter (who I'm supposed to know was a big time baseball player.) But Carter only signs white pieces of paper --- which has to have some connection to collectibles and value but I really don't know. Anyway, the filmer is going to call Carter out beginning at the :45 mark. Observations: 1. Gary Carter remains very cool. 2. The guy filming might be a closet nut case. 3. How many times can one man say "I'll put it on youtube!" 4. But the big finish is the security guard at the end. "You can film me all day long . . . . " Uh, not so much.

Commercial Banned From CBS

A group wishes to build a mosque near Ground Zero and many (surprise) are not too happy. So a different group produces this commercial and tries to get it on TV. Story. I, once again, am in the minority on this one. To me, Mosque = Muslim but not Mosque = al qaeda. And there is, after all, a huge difference. Now if the group wants to build it because of "in your face" intentions, I got a problem with it. But if it's just a bunch of peaceful folks who wish to worship, I have a hard time stereotyping them as wannabe killers.

Would It Be Wrong To Get A Divorce?

Because I think I've found the next Mrs. Green!!!!:

BISHOP — The odds that Joan Ginther would hit four Texas Lottery jackpots for a combined nearly $21 million are astronomical. Mathematicians say the chances are as slim as 1 in 18 septillion — that's 18 and 24 zeros.

Just as unlikely? Getting to know one of the luckiest women in the world.

"She wants her privacy," friend Cris Carmona said.

On a $50 scratch-off ticket bought in this rural farming community, Ginther won $10 million last month in her biggest windfall yet. But it was the fourth winning ticket in Texas for the 63-year-old former college professor since 1993, when Ginther split an $11 million jackpot and became the most famous native in Bishop history.

But she's a celebrity who few in this town of 3,300 people can say much about.

"That lady is pretty much scarce to everybody," said Lucas Ray Cruz. (More)

She's rich, lucky, reclusive, and 63!!!! That's perfect for me. I'll outlive her (I think) and then, KA-CHING! I love you, baby, but this is destiny. But I promise to come back to you after I have a big ol' pocketful of lottery money. We'll even be able to get a new family truckster!!

Intoxication Manslaughter Trial Update: Someone Called In Sick

This is a new one, but the Defendant who is on trial in Wise County (see yesterday's post) called in sick and/or injured today and said he couldn't make it. So the trial is proceeding without him.

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

• The Mayor of Coppell was found shot to death in her home along with her 19 year old daughter last night. (Fox 4 said "murder/suicide" had not been ruled out and kept saying "police are not looking for any suspects".)
• Right out of law school, I had a once-a-month gig as the night court city prosecutor for Cockrell Hill. I had no idea what I was doing.
• There was a small plane crash in Hood County last night killing three.
• There was another small plane crash outside of Krum last night killing none.
• I don't believe in unexplained "sudden acceleration" in vehicles.
• As a kid, I remember the grocery store cashier having to pick up the can, read the printed price of of it, and then key it in to the cash register manually. And the best of them could work as fast as lightening.
• The iPhone 4's antenna/reception problem (which prompted Consumer Reports to issue a "don't buy" conclusion), is the first major blunder for Apple in recent memory. And the company is so arrogant that it refuses to even address the issue.
• Eight American soldiers killed in last two days in Afghanistan. And all we've done is push the Taliban into the mountains of Pakistan where we aren't allowed to go.
• Bristol Palin is marrying that Levi guy after all?
• The George Steinbrenner coverage was a little over the top yesterday.
• My right eye is watering like it's the Pink Eye, but I'm guessing it'll go away quickly.
• Spent a little time in a piano bar on vacation and was shocked to have a new appreciation for Billy Joel.
• I refuse to eat at Margaritaville because of my disdain for Jimmy Buffett.
• I've started some inside house painting projects. This will be a scene.
• Penelope Cruz and the bad guy from No Country For Old Men got married.

Shaun Rabb ... Fox 4 ...........News

Yep, one and the same. Southwest Texas State, 1981.

Minor News Unless You Are The One Injured

Intoxication Manslaughter Trial In Wise County?

Haven't heard anything about this other than the defendant's name is Billy Allred. Jury selection ongoing. Looks like Greg Lowery and Tim Cole for the State. Lee Ann Breading out of Denton for the defense. I'll get on it. Edit: Sounds like a one car accident where passenger died. Edit: Little bit of a crazy moment when the name of the 11th juror was called and she immediately began a litany of excuses why she couldn't serve -- none of which she had voiced during jury selection. She was sitting in the jury box last time I checked. Edit: Found the Messenger's story on the accident from July, 2009 here.

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• I woke up refreshed this morning because I intentionally missed the All Star Home Run Derby and, more importantly, ESPN's Chris Berman saying, "Back! Back! Back!" a million times.
• The Dallas DA's calendar (as well as other public officials) are subject to an Open Records request? Sure. Been the law for years.
• BP put a new container cap on the oil spill last night and for a second there it looked like it had shut the thing off completely. But an immediate fix wasn't intended. They have to slowly tighten valves which is a process beginning right now. We'll have the results within six to eight hours.
• Jogging in this heat and humidity is a beating.
• Viral video I missed last week: "Double Rainbow Man."
• While you were sleeping: Man with knife confronts deputy with gun on country road in Ellis County in Bristol, Texas. Deputy won.
• While sleeping #2: Yankees owner rushed to hospital. In bad shape.
• I really don't care if Mel Gibson is a nutcase.
• That CoCo chick is everywhere and I can't look away.
• Michelle Obama visits the NAACP and tells them they need to "increase intensity." And the story is what?
• My second bathroom which was hardly ever used but is now being used extensively has developed a plumbing problem I thought I had solved. Double beating.

Best Seat Belt Commercial Ever?

Almost 10 million views on youtube. Link.

That Relationship Is Doomed

He proposes while in his Broccoli Mascot outfit (whatever in the heck that is), and she doesn't put down her drink when she accepts. Over/Under is 22 months.

Carls Jr. Haz New Cheezeburgerz

After that, you can go back to KFC's Double Down. Folks, we're headed downhill fast. But, uh, are there any Carl Jrs in Texas?

Jesse Jackson Says Labron James Treated Like Runaway Slave

“His feelings of betrayal personify a slave master mentality,” Jackson said in a statement released Sunday. “[His former team's owner] sees LeBron as a runaway slave.”

And this column by Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock in response to Jackson is getting lots of buzz today.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• Jerry Jones was on Entourage last night and was fantastic. Edit: Jerry's scenes are now on youtube.
• That Lebron James hoopla last week might have been the silliest fluff I've ever seen. That guy's popularity had to plummet because of his demonstration of arrogance.
• Being disconnected for a week was refreshing.
• Caught about 1/2 of Pineapple Express last week. Funny. Very funny.
• As much as I tried to get into the World Cup, that final yesterday was boring.
• On the way home Saturday, I sat by a burn victim on the plane. It had to have been a horrifying experience because one of his ears was completely gone. I so wanted to talk to him about what happened and offer him encouragement, but there's just no way to bring the subject up. At least I couldn't think of one.
• Those crazy protesters from Westboro Baptist Church were in Fort Worth yesterday but were met with counter protesters that brought some funny/crazy signs. Example. (Edit: And the second pic on this page is fantastic.)
• iTunes lets you rent a movie but once you start it, you have 24 hours to finish it. That policy failed me on the trip down to Jamaica as I got to see ten minutes of Rear Window and couldn't get back to it in time.
• WBAP's Hal Jay to the sports guys this morning: "You've got to stop calling it the Big 12." Uh, it is currently the Big 12.
• That Oncor power line that may go across the southern end of the county sounds like it'll be incredibly ugly. They put one in along the northwestern part of the county a few years back and a scenic drive along 1810 became not-so-scenic.
• News this morning: "Switzerland will not send Oscar-winning filmmaker Roman Polanski to the United States to face child sex charges, the Ministry of Justice announced Monday." And they have released him from custody.
• I mentioned the Master Cleanse last week and now Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher are doing it. Coincidence?

I Need A Vacation After Vacation

• Can a man walk 100 yards in Jamaica without being offered weed? Sheesh. I would go on a rant that they need to make it illegal there but it is illegal.
• After Mrs. LL and I tried to relax on the beach, and after being interrupted every five minutes with people trying to sell us crap, she fired off a very loud, "Are you selling some peace and quiet? Because I'D BUY SOME OF THAT!!!"
• I immediately renewed my two week old vows to her on the spot.
• And I go away for one week and some guy does a swan dive off the second tier of The Ballpark? Could he have at least waited a few days so I could be all over it? (Video as it happened from broadcasts but I don't anyone has a clip of the actual fall. Which might not be a bad thing.)
• And when I left Texas was looking as brown at the desert. When I come back it looks like the Garden of Eden. Did it rain here or sumptin'?
• I learned Mrs. LL can dive. (I mean, absolutely no splash whatsoever.) And I learned she'll jump off of a 40 foot cliff. (See above picture -- the cove to the right -- that's where it happened. Some place called Rick's Cafe.)
• Girl ain't right.
• I like all-inclusive resorts but they might want to trick up their food every now and then.
• I went deep sea fishing for four hours and despite have eight hooks in the water, we got nothing. But I did see dolphins and one whale, so not a bad bit.
• Funniest unsolicited line from a guy on the fishing cruise: "I spent six years as a Dive Master in the Florida Keys. You think it'd be great? I'll tell you: I was sick of the weather. I was sick of the job. I was sick of my wife. I had to get the heck out of there."
• I spend a ton of the time at the pool on vacation. And I always bring along a college football preview edition and read almost all of it.
• Traveling out of the country is a beating. If I told you how many times at the airport I had some security person look at my passport, then at me, and then at the passport, you'd be amazed. And I'm pretty sure the 9/11 terrorists used their real identities, didn't they?
• My favorite line to drop when I'm getting beat down waiting in a security line is, "Thanks, a lot Bin Laden."
• I stubbed my toe on the concrete while walking in sandals and almost bled to death. (Slight exaggeration, but not by much. )
• More later. Still recovering.