Earthquake A Few Minutes Ago?

Any one?

Messenger Above The Fold

Body Found In Burning Car In Dallas This Morning Identified

Story.

Her Facebook.

College Football Takes You Into The Weekend

Prosecutorial Discretion

Story.

What was said:

"The case was a difficult one for the state," the prosecutor said in a statement. "We relied heavily upon the testimony of a previously convicted felon and evidence of an ongoing drug transaction. We believe, however, that it was important to prosecute murder as murder wherever it occurs within Tarrant County even if we don't approve of the circumstances."

What  I hear:

"We really didn't have a lot of evidence this guy did it," the prosecutor said. "As the government, we supported a witness who apparently couldn't be believed because he's a convicted felon who is still committing felonies. We believe, however, that when you've got a dead body we might as well try to convict someone of murder even with evidence like this."

Man Has Campaign Skills

Edit:

From the Texas Speedway this morning

Random Friday Morning Thoughts

• In watching some of the Michael Jackson doctor trial, I'm beginning to believe California has the worst prosecutors in America.
• WBAP reported the official temperature at Alliance Airport this morning was 25. Someone needs a new temperature gauge. (My only Hal Jay note is that he said he had never heard of the band 38 Special.)
• Fun stuff yesterday: Google the words "Do a barrel roll."
• Fox 4's Lauren Pryzbyl this morning on Justin Beiber: "It looks like he rarely says no. He seems to have his hand in everything." Her comment was innocent, and she was oblivious to her co-hosts "oh, my" expression.
• An actor in one of the worst movies every, Porky's, has committed suicide.
• Official unemployment number just released: Down to 9%. Advantage: The President.
• I hope it is not officially stealing to take candy from a kid's Halloween stash. 
• Fox News Stu Varney must wake up every morning convinced the sky is falling.
• I went to Sardine's in Fort Worth last summer and now it's closing to turn into an 1980s themed place. More of the Liberally Lean curse?
• Here's a pic of the mother of the teenage part of the Crazy Couple. Potentially a "Hey, Now."
• I'm not sure what she was typing, but Mrs. LL spent 20 minutes last night writing out a complaint to a pizza delivery company. I believe there  must have been a serious "toppings issue."
• I dreamed I was trying to take a flat screen TV in the woods behind my childhood home to watch a Cowboys game. Seems normal. 
• I don't know what the Felon in Possession/Tampering defendant in Wise County received as a sentence yesterday. No one was talking about it up at the courthouse late yesterday, and it was not in today's Update.  Not exactly To Kill A Mockingbird excitement.
• Sports: (1) I'm locked into Alabama/LSU this weekend, (2) A Bridgeport girl is playing basketball at St. Edwards University, (3) Decatur girls volleyball won last night as Bridgeport was eliminated, and (4) Bridgeport v. Lake Worth was the Ticket's Big Black Cowboy Computer's Craig Way Memorial High School Game of the Week this Morning. 
• Video of the Day yesterday: San Francisco guy not pleased with getting a traffic ticket.

One-Half Of The Crazy Couple Without Makeup

"That girl ain't right."

More.

The Humiliation Will Hurt More Than The Wound

Story.

Lawsuit Of The Day

Does this look like a man who married a hot chick, got divorced, and then filed suit against the wedding photographer because he wasn't happy with the wedding pictures? Yep. And not only did he want money, he wanted money to fly the complete wedding party back to New York to recreate the wedding for a different photographer.

Part of the lawsuit still lives but in dismissing part of it, the judge wrote:

This is a case in which it appears that the “misty watercolor memories’’ and the “scattered pictures of the smiles . . . left behind” at the wedding were more important than the real thing. Approximately seven years ago, plaintiff married his now divorced wife, with photographs taken by defendants. Although the marriage did not endure, plaintiff’s fury over the quality of the photographs and video continued on.

Brilliant. A whole funny review of the situation is here.

Halloween Just Won't Die

From some club over in Dallas.

1310 The Ticket Radio Fans: Norm Hitzges Got Married

I had no idea.  More here.

Judge Beating Victim On "Today Show" This Morning

Link.

I've Never Really Liked These . . .

. . . "feel good" touchdown plays.  This is pure Obama Socialism, isn't it?  A government sanctioned event where the masses give up something to assist the less fortunate. What's this country coming to? Throw in that the kid fumbled and still scored just proves it even more.

In the America I grew up in, one of the defensive players would have scooped up the ball and ran the length of the field for a TD. That's competition. That's what this country was built upon. (Not to mention that it would have been video gold.)

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts

• We'll see cold fronts many times a year but yesterday's was weird because of the change of strong winds. One second it was blowing 30 mph out of the South and then next it was 30 mph out of the North. Good times.
• Funniest thing in the Update today: "JUST A TEST – The Decatur Police Department will test the storm sirens at noon today, weather permitting."
• I was right about the Aransas judge media storm that was going to happen yesterday. And it'll be worse today.
• And that guy is done as a judge because there is no way he survives this. No way. But he's on paid leave at the moment. 
• I consider it a life's failure that I've never been placed on paid leave at some point in my life. 
• And whomever was commenting yesterday about how all Texas gun laws would be trumped by a conflicting federal law is correct. You just have no idea what federal gun possession laws are. 
• By the way, that guy in Wise County was found guilty yesterday of the gun crime and  the offense of Tampering With Evidence. He faces a ridiculous 25-99 years on the Tampering charge but that's only because (I'm guessing), his punishment range is enhanced for having twice been convicted and sent to the pen before. And he's only 27.
• The signs behind the set on ESPN's College Game Day are funny.
• I didn't think it was possible, but I hate small talk more now than I did five years ago. 
• The more I watch of the GOP presidential hopefuls, the more I'm beginning to think President Obama will win re-election even with the poor economy. 
• One of the members of the Family Household starts every sentence with, "Guess what . . . . " It's pushing me over the edge. Big time. 
• I tried to write a bullet point for the "x Greater Than Tebow" meme but I couldn't explain why I thought it was funny. 
• WBAP's Hal Jay expressed bewilderment this morning upon hearing about the game "Angry Birds."
• Yesterday I posted the front page of the Denton Record Chronicle about a "theft ring" and today the Update makes reference to the paper and that story. 
• Twenty years ago today: Bill Clinton was elected President. 
• Anyone who votes early in the arcane Texas Constitutional Amendment election may actually take their civic duty too seriously. 
• I was all excited when it was announced that Nancy Grace was going to be on Dancing With The Stars but I haven't watched a second of it.  
• So what's the story with the Decatur coach's son who injured his knee early in the season? There's a silent auction this week to help out the family, and the kid remains home-bound while he awaits another surgery. That's unusual. 

Snakes On A Post Office!

Just got a report from a lady in my office that a massive snake was outside of the door at the Decatur Post Office.  (Which probably means a little snake about a block away.)  No need to fear, some fine private citizen corralled the creature and rescued the town!

This reminded me of the Great Decatur Snake Incident of 2009 pictured below.

The Dallas County Model: A Sure Way Too Boost Attendance At A Commissioners' Meeting

Random Wednesday Morning Thoughts

• Guess whether the Senate or the House took the time to vote last night on a proclamation that "In God We Trust" is still the official motto of the U.S.? Guess which news organization led with the "American people can rest assured" after the vote? Easy answer.
• There's a criminal trial going on in Decatur for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and it sounds as though he possessed the gun in his home. To me, that means the guy simply failed to wait long enough. (He could legally possess a gun in his home five years after being released from parole. Edit for source: Texas Penal Code 46.04(a).)
• I think I'm the only person who thought Bank Of America's proposed (then dropped) policy of charging $5 a month to use your debit card for purchases wasn't all that unreasonable. If given the choice of not having that function or paying $5, I'd pay the $5.
• Saw in the obituaries that Tyler Trey Reasoner, 28, of Bridgeport died. His brother died six years ago in a four person fatality wreck in Decatur. 
• Prediction: One of the GOP candidates will call out Rick Perry on his immigration policy after the death of the Carrollton girl at the alleged hands of an the illegal alien.
• I laughed at a commercial for the new Muppets movie when it had of them in a group shot,  reacting with their mouths wide open, to the announcer asking, "You realize you guys aren't famous anymore, right?"
• Sports: Play by Play man Babe Laufenberg said on The Fan yesterday that the Cincinnati Bengals offered the Cowboys a first round draft pick last year for TE Martellus Bennett and Dallas turned it down. Really? Wow. 
• When all is said and done, the Herman Cain sexual harassment "scandal" may be the best thing to happen to him. He's getting a ton of free press at this critical time in the campaign. (But it'll get interesting if one of the ladies gets out of the confidentially agreement as she wants per her lawyer who was on CNN last night.)
• I don't know how many people are interested in Houston DA elections, a runaway grand jury, and crazy politics, but I found this to be good stuff.
• The Decatur Eagles: Still unbeaten. Still not in the AP Top Ten. 
• Funny: The one of the Occupy Dallas people unplugged the lights on the Fox 4 live remote crew this morning after being disturbed from sleep. 
• Non-story of the day: TCU official calls campaign sign of Graham "Cracker" McMillan potentially offensive although no one else on campus seems to care. Then again, the campus could be described as 98% cracker.
• Justin Bieber might be a Baby Daddy. But apparently the mother forgot to think about Bieber being underage at the time of conception. 

Get Ready For A Media Explosion Over This

Link.

Caution for language and obvious violence.

There will be outrage far and wide, but I promise someone will comment on here that they used to receive worse beatings from their parents all the time.

Edit: Aransas local media coverage is here along with a statement from the judge.

Edit: The daughter's twitter feed is here where she says she doesn't want anyone to threaten her father. She also says she is "on a plane to New York."  I bet it is Good Morning America or the Today Show.

Texas Alcohol Law?

I've never heard of the three sips rule. (Source: Huffington Post today).

Edit: I suspected this was bogus (that's why I posted it), but I've been leery of Texas alcohol laws ever since a Wise County deputy called my attention to some crazy bootlegging prohibitions that we have. By the way, some folks say the "three sips" law is actually an ordinance in Lefors, Texas (but I wouldn't bet on that either.)

Hank Hill?

At the 45 second mark:

"If you are a socialist liberal and/or voted for the current campaigner-in-chief, please do not take this class," Keller says in the ad's closing seconds. "You've already proven that you cannot make a knowledgeable and prudent decision as required under the law. Also, if you are a non-Christian Arab or Muslim, I will not teach you this class. Once again, with no shame, I am Crockett Keller."

More. 

That's Throwing Up A Force Field

In the midst of the sexual harassment story yesterday, Herman Cain ended a press conference by singing a verse of "He Looked Beyond My Faults."

Bull Uppercut

Not that I've watched a lot of bull riding, but I don't think I've ever seen that before. (This was also in Vegas last weekend as was the UFC monthly fight and some Drag Racing championship.)

Random Tuesday Morning Thoughts

• I think Trick or Treating has made a comeback over the last few years. However, Mrs. LL pointed out that I might think that because I'm no longer shutting off all the lights and pretending I'm not home. 
• Funniest costume to visit the front door last night. A girl with a blond wig and a dress with fake shrimp pinned to it. "I"m a Shrimp on the Barbie!"
• One of our neighbors decided it would be fun to run out from time to time from behind his house with a chain saw.  Might want to rethink that next year.
• Not sure what I thought about the pickup that parked in front of my house for an hour after unloading a ton of kids from the back. And by "back" I mean pickup "bed." 
• Awkward moment: Oldest girl in the House forgot to tell us she invited a friend over. The friend and her two sisters show up along with their dad who was in a full Michael Myers ("Halloween") costume. He never took off the mask. 
• Gordon Keith on The Ticket this morning: "I put out a sign that said 'out of candy' at 8:00 p.m. but the doorbell kept ringing. I might have helped if I had written it in five different languages." 
• I don't think it was necessary to have a bunch of fake spiders in my shower this morning.
• The Ticket's Junior Miller thought these lawn decorations looked like Klansmen. 
• Finally got to re-watch the 9th inning of Game Six late last night in peace and quiet. Oh, my. It was worse than I remembered.
• Most wheels off DWI driver ever. (That's a solid PG-13 link on The Smoking Gun which is owned by CourtTV.)
• When I heard the world's population reached 7 billion yesterday all I could think about was Kip Dynamite saying, "Like anyone could possibly know that."
• Edit: That crazy couple just got crazier.

Random email. Halloween just got its creepy on!

Horrible Story With Horrible Reporting Or A Horrible Spokesman Or Something Else

I mentioned this case this morning but an update came out later.  I'm still confused by the early quote. 

Earlier:

Well, We've Learned What Gets More Press Than The 9-9-9 Plan

This story has been floating around for 24 hours but presidential hopeful Herman Cain finally spoke about it in detail this afternoon.

Right Wing Radio has already been characterizing the media storm as a Clarence Thomas-like "high tech lynching."  The only weird part to me so far is that Cain can recall certain details (the odd "gesture" moment) but not others (like her name and the amount of the settlement.)  And certainly by this afternoon his team would know all the facts about the discrimination claim.

Edit: I had forgotten how harshly Clarence Thomas called out that Senate Committee.

Denton Mugshot Of The Week

More at Fox 4.

Halloween Pics From Over The Weekend

 In Dallas

 The Girl From The Crazy Couple

 Dallas, again

 Random Gal

 JWoww

 Kardashian (who announced today she was filing for divorce after 72 days.)

Forgot her name

Tennessee Titans Cheerleaders

Cops Stopping Cops For Speeding

"There ain't gonna be no rematch" - Apollo Creed

Something Seemed Different About Rick Perry On Friday Night

A different style? A little loopy?

Edit: An a bizarre animated gif to go with it.

Random Monday Morning Thoughts

• Security at the airport seemed heightened yesterday. There were more TSA agents who were just looking over the crowd instead of engaging in the regular searches and screening. 
• In the hotel hallway on Saturday night, I saw three guys in suits and Saudi type headwear that I thought was an over the top Halloween outfit. Then they started speaking in Arabic. 
• That loss on Thursday night for the Rangers could cripple them for decades.  And since I was finally back in talk radio land, I was glad to hear that I wasn't the only one who thought Nelson Cruz dogged it a little bit in trying to get to that ball in the ninth. 
• Somehow, someway I ended up in a "club" at the Wynn on Sunday night. Oh, my. 
• A casino should sell tickets just to people watch on Halloween weekend. 
• Halloween club pics from around DFW over the weekend. 
• Oddest remark I heard at dinner on Friday night: "You know the one good thing about AIDS?"
• Why is the Mario Brother costume so popular? Did I miss something? They seemed to be everywhere. 
• Did you the "flash mob" in the West Village in Dallas this weekend that did the "Thriller" dance? They looked pretty good. (Fox 4 story).
• I mentioned that George Lopez was at the hotel over the weekend and must have had attendance problems. I got a phone message from him, along with every other guest in the hotel,in the afternoon promoting it. ("Hey, this is George Lopez and I'm in your closet.")
• Can Tony Romo say anything in a post game interview other than "we just need to work and get better." 
• Hey, you Decatur fans who were at the Mineral Wells game on Friday and saw one of their players score three TDs in the first half? Texas coach Mack Brown called him on Saturday and offered him a scholarship. 
• Britney.
• Odd: Police believe a 10 year old girl who was found dead in Carrolton over the weekend was abducted but there was no trauma on the body.  Edit: Even odder. Now the medical examiner has announced she was stabbed to death. 
• I lost money betting against TCU and then won it back by betting against Baylor. 
• On the plane home, I met the mother of the Stanford player who recovered the ball in the end zone against USC this weekend. She had had flown out to Los Angeles for the game. 
• The Eighth Grader in the House went to a Haunted House last night. It was interesting hearing her describe what she had seen and then figuring out they were re-creation of old movies that, of course, she had never heard of. (The Exorcist and Carrie were a couple.)
• The girl from The Creepy Couple was in the Miss Washington Teen Pageant a couple of years ago.