8.06.2015

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts




  • I really haven't paid much attention to the Planned Parenthood controversy, but I did hear Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick say that criminal charges should be brought against them.  He apparently doesn't understand the most basic criminal law premise that a person cannot be convicted based upon an out of court statement that has no corroborating evidence. 
  • I like describing the current heat wave as "oppressive".  And I can't imagine the beating it is upon those who have to work outside. Let me quote Ali G: "Respect".
  • I watched the first 20 minutes of Birdman and was hypnotized.  It is soooo Black Swan like.
  • I have the hardest time sitting down and watching anything more than 30 minutes long. 
  • I think it is weird that Waller County District Attorney Elton Mathis has created a "panel" of lawyers to review the Sandra Bland case. Hey, you were elected to do a job and make decisions. Do it.  (He is paid $125,000 by the state in addition to whatever the county decided to kick in.) 
  • Upon reflection, I think I was too hard on Tarrant County DA Sharen Wilson's for the policy of having prosecutors show up by 7:45 a.m. and not leave before 5:30 p.m. Her reasoning: "Well if you're a crime victim, if you're the police, if you're a court, or if you're a witness, sometimes you need to be able to call the government and get a response [after 5:00 p.m.]" Not to mention that the first part of having a job is to be there. 
  • I know I've been Mark Davis a lot lately, but I think he's lost his mind. Yesterday, he said he thought it was legal and appropriate for a city to ban the creation of a mosque if that was the will of the citizens of the city. (He's smarter than that.)  He made an exception if it could be assured that no one would ever be groomed for terrorism in that mosque. I almost hope he's doing a bit instead of actually descending into insanity. 
  • There was lots of praise for George W. Bush reporting for jury duty yesterday. Uh, what do you think what the press would have been if he had ignored the summons? But he seems like the kind of guy who jumps at the chance to get out of the house and hang out with people. 
  • Hot sports prediction: The Dallas Cowboys over/under for total wins this year is 9.5.  Take the under.
  • 700 people have signed up for Obamacare in the Decatur zip code of 76426. (If this site is cprrect.)
  • Overheard at the Wise County Courthouse yesterday from a lawyer: "If you get caught peeing on a tree two times you have to register as a sex offender for life in Texas."  I would love to have a picture of my facial expression at that moment.
  • Since I had an odd Bible story post yesterday, it reminded me of another: Moses persuaded God to change his mind
  • The first item in the Update proves that Rhome government has gone back to Full Wheels Off Status. 
  • Lake Bridgeport is full and I'm already getting reports that game wardens are jacking with people. I will never understand how the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals upheld a statute allowing game wardens to stop any boat for a "safety inspection." No probable cause. No reasonable suspicion. No logic. (The case originated when a boat left Sneaky Pete's in Lewisville.)