Let The Whining Begin

Well, the Dallas Cowboys have barely started work on their new stadium in Arlington. But it's never too early for minority leaders to start whining and demanding their, "fair share" of the construction contracts. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Rev. Dwight McKissic, pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church plans to be at the December 6th City Council meeting to complain that the 'Boys have awarded only one contract to an Arlington business owned by an African-American. Rev. McKissic says that the team is violating the spirit of the fair-share agreement it signed with the city back in October of 2004.

According to the Star-Telegram, that agreement suggests that a minimum of 25% of construction contracts, for example, should be awarded to minority- and female-owned businesses. So minority leaders are upset that they don't feel the Cowboys are meeting the quota that was called for. You might think that an agreement that calls for quotas based on skin color would offend minority leaders. You'd be wrong.

Don't Mess With Grandma - Part Two

What's with senior citizens these days? Last week an 84-year-old grandma chased off four men trying to steal her granddaughter's four-wheeler.

Now, the Associated Press reports on the story of 76-year-old Pearl Fritts. Ms. Fritts stopped by the nursing home to visit her mom on the way home from church last Sunday. As she was dropping off some recyclables, a 17-year-old girl came up behind her and slammed her head against the trash bin. The deliquent had run away from a treatment center. Looking to acquire a car, she apparently figured the little old, gray-haired lady with glasses to be an easy mark. But the teenage would-be car thief wasn't counting on a fight. When the senior citizen turned around and, "put up her dukes," obviously willing to fight for the auto, the young ran away. Police picked the girl up at a nearby restaurant.

Time Well Spent

The Dallas Morning News has a story today that says American workers, "will waste the equivalent of 551,000 years reading blogs." Waste? I'm totally offended by the idea that reading blogs is a waste of time. (I'm also offended by the idea that writing blogs is a waste of time, but my wife keeps insisting that it's true).

The story goes on to say the time spent reading blogs is equivalent to "a daily, 40-minute blog break" for every American worker. Now see, I figure you can read this blog in way less than 40 minutes. Unless of course you went to public school. So if your boss comes into your cubicle while you're reading this blog, just tell him that you're actually making very productive use of your time.

Self-Inflicted Wound

Studies show that due to their poor economy and high unemployment, Germans are among the most pessimistic and unhappy people around. The Washington Times reports that several of the top media companies in Germany had a brainstorming session on what they could do to boost the self esteem of Germans and get them to take pride in their homeland. Their idea was a $34,000,000.00 ad campaign designed to inspire Germans to stop whining and do something good for their country. The ad team used the phrase "Du Bist Deutschland" for their campaign. For those of you who in Crowley, that translates, "You Are Germany."

Aside from the stupidity of thinking that a catchy slogan is a substitute for real political and economic reform, there is just one problem. The slogan was originally coined by the Nazis.

Tis The Season

Ah yes, it's that special time of year. With Thanksgiving over, it's time to turn our thoughts to... protesting fur. Yep, while most of us were out shopping for gifts for loved ones, those folks at People For The Ethical Treatment were out protesting people that wear fur.

In Virginia, at the Hampton Roads Mall, PETA celebrated the holiday season in its usual fashion. By holding a protest. The Virginian Pilot reports that near-naked women were dressed to look like skinned animals, complete with fake blood. Besides just getting in the way and generally spoiling everyone's day, the protesters urged shoppers to boycott J. Crew because they said the retailer sells clothes with fur that comes from China.

This year, the animal rights group were met by a "counter-demostration" led by Jeff Hansen. Jeff and some buddies showed up at the mall, wearing leather jackets, where they set up a small charcoal grill and began cooking hot dogs.

Cowboys Boot Away A Win

The Dallas Cowboys saw their three-game winning streak end in an overtime loss to the Denver Broncos. Dallas should have taken the lead in the last minutes of regulation. But Billy Cundiff, who in the last game kicked a team record 56-yard field goal missed on a 34-yard try. The game went into overtime where the Broncos won the toss. On the second play of OT, Denver running back Ron Dayne broke free for a 55 yard run. Denver promptly kicked a game winning field goal.

The game marks the end of a difficult stretch where the 'Boys have had 3 games in 11 days. I suppose they should be glad to get away with 2 wins out of 3. Dallas has always shortchanged their kicking game. Today it showed.

Don't Mess With Grandma

Four guys were trying to steal a 4-wheeler from a home in Ennis. Inside were two girls. Now, most girls would probably dial 9-1-1. Not these girls. Who needs the police? The girls called their 84-year-old grandma, who lives next door. Nell Tonick is a retired Dallas County deputy. Apparently she gets pretty ticked off when people try to steal from her grandkids. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Grandma ran next door and yelled at the men who were trying to load the 4-wheeler into the back of their van. The men jumped into their van and ran off. So Grandma jumped in her car and gave chase. Speeds during the chase got up to 60 m.p.h. before the van blew a tire and hit a tree. One man was pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were arrested on the spot. One guy got away, but you can be sure he'll think twice before messing with a senior citizen.

Cowboys Take Care Of Business

The Dallas Cowboys took care of business Sunday, defeating the Detroit Lions 20-7. The Lions came to Texas Stadium with a record of 4-5 in 3rd place in the NFC North. Lions coach Steve Mariucci was quoted as saying that the 'Boys were the best team the Lions had faced all year. But they sure didn't play like it, committing 17 penalties and several turnovers.

Despite the score, you never got the feeling that the 'Boys dominated the game like you had hoped they would. Still, good teams win the games they are supposed to win, and the Cowboys clearly were the better team this week.

Highlights in the 'Boys win were Julius Jones and Marion Barber who teamed up to provide an excellent running game. The Dallas Defense held the Lions to just one touchdown, and Billy Cundiff, who kicked a team record 56-yard field goal. The game is the middle game of a critical stretch where the 'Boys play 3 games in 11 days. By taking care of business today, the 'Boys stay on track.

Nuclear Lost And Found

Nuthin' to worry much about, but thought you might want to know that an itsy bitty bit of radioactive material is missing somewhere in East Texas. Station KLTV reports that two vials of antimony-124, a radioactive material used in the oil and gas industry started out in New Mexico. On its way, it made stops in Abilene, Austin, Dallas and Tyler. Somewhere along the way, the radioactive material came up missing. When the folks in East Texas opened up the military style ammo box the vials travel in, there was no nuke stuff to be found. I suggest that officials arrange to turn off all the lights in East Texas and announce that if whoever has the nuclear material will just leave it at the nearest Love's Truck Stop, there will be no questions asked.

From the news report:

Authorities say if you see the box, do not touch it. Stay at least 15 feet away and call authorities. Anyone with information can call local authorities or the New Mexico Environmental Department's Emergency number at 505-827-9329. You can also leave a voice mail at 1-866-428-6535.

Voice mail? Are you kidding me? That's so typical of the government. They lose some radioactive gunk, but can't be bothered by retrieving it after hours.

Developer Threatens To Start Pig Farm

"If life hands you lemons, make lemonade" goes the old saying. So Steve Nagel figures, if county commissioners are pig-headed, make bacon.

From Associated Press:

A developer has threatened to make a big stink after the Kootenai County Commission denied his request to rezone property he owns at the edge of town for a professional building.

Specifically, Steve Nagel plans to park a pig farm on the site, with hundreds of squealing porkers greeting visitors to the northern Idaho town.

Cruel & Unusual

ABC News is reporting on what it calls the "harsh" interrogation techniques used by the Central Intelligence Agency. Among the "Enhanced Interrogation Techniques" instituted in mid-March 2002 and used by the CIA on a dozen top al Qaeda targets? The detainees were forced to listen to rap artist Eminem's "Slim Shady" album. I'd say that crosses the line from harsh to cruel and unusual.

Lobster Tale

From the, "Oh, Brother" Dept.: It appears that the folks at Whole Foods Market appears to be having pangs of a guilty conscience. The Dallas Business Journal reports that the trendy grocer says it'll quit selling live lobsters if a more humane way isn't found to handle them.

The Journal reports that Whole Foods says it will pay close attention "to significantly reducing the time from boat to shopping cart to avoid the long-term storage many lobsters endure after capture." Well, er, considering what happens to the lobster at the end of its "long-term storage" don't you think that given the choice, the lobster would just as soon be "stored" for as long as possible?

The Whole Foods spokesman goes on to say, "We are viewing the lobster as a live creature rather than a commodity that deserves no concern. Just because we sell lobsters and have customers who will buy them is not a compelling argument to maintain status quo." Puhlease. The end result is the same. The lobster ends up on somebody's table. Now

Potty Break Is A Thriller

Washed-up pop singer Michael Jackson caused quite a stir recently when he was seen leaving the ladies restroom at a shopping mall in the United Arab Emirates, the Associated Press reported. Local newspapers reported that 47-year-old, twice accused, but never convicted, child molester, was spotted applying makeup before leaving the women's bathroom. The singer's people claim that's all wrong, that Jackson did not understand the Arabic sign on the door and left the bathroom as soon as he realized his mistake.

City Fathers Know Best

The Keller Politburo, er, I meant City Council, voted to borrow $8,500,000.00 to build a new library on Tuesday. Back in 1999, voters rejected a similar plan for a library. This time city fathers decided not to bother asking voters what they thought about the project. After all, it's so much simpler to run a city when those pesky voters aren't mucking up things.

Analogous Name For Aussie's Mascot

AFP reports that Australia has started a competition to pick a new name for kangaroo meat. See, to many Australians, eating kangaroo is about like Americans eating Bald Eagle. So the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia is trying to find a more palatable name (bad pun intended).

People in charge of selling kangaroo steaks and what-not point out that a slice of cow or pig on a plate is called by a nicer sounding name. So why not kangaroo?

Cowboys Steal One From Eagles

Roy Williams' interception in the last few minutes of the 4th quarter as the Dallas Cowboys stunned the Philadelphia Eagles with a 21-20 win. The Eagles had dominated the 'Boys throughout most of the game as they have in Philadelphia the past few years, shutting down the Cowboy's running game. But the hated Eagles saw it slip away in the last few minutes of the game when quarterback Donovan McNabb threw the errant pass. The 'Boys are now 6-3 and tied for first-place with the New York Giants.

Pink Slips At Fort Worth's Newest "Tourist" Destination

The new Cabela's store opened in the spring in North Fort Worth with great fanfare. The Cowtown City Council was so excited about the prospect of landing the big sporting good store that they granted generous tax breaks, assuring us mere citizens that it was a sound, "investment" and would generate more jobs for us Cowtowners in the long run. Optimistic predictions were made that the store would become the biggest tourist attraction in the entire state, even more popular than The Alamo. Officials huddled together to try and figure out how to deal with the 50,000 people a day that were projected to visit the place. Well, apparently those rosy predications were a result of city officials looking through rose-colored glasses. NBC5 reports that Cabela's recently laid off 35 employees at the Cowtown store.

This is an example of why government should not be subsidizing private business. The Cowtown City Council should stick to fixing potholes and policing the streets, not get involved in economic development projects. Does anybody really think the folks on the city council are smart enough investors to play with our tax money? Let's face it, if they were that smart, they'd be so wealthy they wouldn't have time to serve on the city council.

Dinner Bell - Sweet Home Chicago

Time for another restaurant review:

Sweet Home Chicago
3501 Sycamore School Road
Fort Worth, TX 76134

Like a sign in front of a church, warning those that enter to be respectful, the sign on the front door of Sweet Home Chicago reads, "there are no heat lamps or microwaves in our kitchens." Don't let the strip mall location fool you. While the atmosphere is definitely casual, this is anything but "fast" food. They take their food seriously at Sweet Home Chicago. And that is a good thing.

The food in this kitchen is prepared from scratch, when you order it. On a recent visit, Mrs. Smith and I started our meal with, "Samosa". Think of it as sort of an Indian egg roll, only spicier. The appetizer was served piping hot along with some chutney sauce. It was incredibly delicious and served to tide us over while we awaited the main course.

We ordered personal pizzas, one with thin crust, one thick crust. The thin crust pizza was delicious, with each of the fresh ingredients adding its own flavor to the experience. The dough of the thick crust pizza is almost more of a serving bowl it is so weighed down with rich sauce and toppings.

Having never been to Chicago, I can't attest to the authenticity of the food. But having savored it, I can attest to the deliciousness of it.

Life Imitates Art

A 30 year-old man was shot and killed at a West Homestead, Pennsylvania movie theater on Wednesday. The theater was busier than a typical weeknight, since the movie, "Get Rich Or Die Tryin'" was debuting on 2 big screens. The movie glorifies the life of "gangsta" rapper and all around punk, 50 cent. Shelton Flowers was killed in the bathroom of the theater after an altercation with 3 other men. Oddly, despite the fact that the theater was pretty busy, police say that no one has come forward to identify the killer.

Appearing on the ABC women's show, "The View." The rapper said his violent movie had nothing to do with the killing, since as we all know, the media doesn't influence society at all.

Complete story here.

Texas Voters Say No To Gay Marriage

Texas will become the 19th state to ban same-sex marriage after voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly gave a thumbs-up to a constitutional amendment that would ban the practice. The amendment was passing with about 76% of the vote. Gay marriage was not permitted previously in the Lone Star State, but supporters of the amendment promoted it as an additional safeguard against court mandates in favor of the practice.

Gay-rights leaders were dismayed by the outcome, but vowed to continue to battle for recognition of same-sex unions. Ironically, it was a push by some leaders to have states recognize gay marriage that led to many states adopting laws to outlaw the practice.

Toshiba: Even Higher Priced, Low Tech Doorstop

So I'm still blogging on my old 'puter thanks to the fine folks at Toshiba. Previously, the hard drive on my 15-month old Toshiba went out. So I had a geek save my data and install a new one, thinking that would solve the problem. Five days later the laptop's screen went out. So just 3 months after the warranty expired, both the hard drive and screen are shot.

Land Rush

From AFP:

A Chinese company has had its license suspended after it tried to make money by selling land on the moon.

The Beijing Lunar Village Aeronautics Science and Technology Co. managed to sell large swathes of pristine lunar property before being shut down, the state -owned Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.

The company, claiming to act on behalf of an entity referred to as the Lunar Embassy in China, charged 298 yuan (37 US dollars) for each acre (0.4 hectare) on the moon, according to the report.

Each lucky new owner of lunar soil was issued a "certificate" that ensured property ownership including rights to use the land and minerals up to three kilometers (1.9 miles) underground, Xinhua said.

Li Jie, CEO of Lunar Embassy, said that 34 clients bought 49 acres (20 hectares) of land on the moon in the first three days after his company became operational last month.

I'll bet you are kicking yourself for not getting your piece of the lunar land while you could.

PETA Attacks Fort Worth Shrine Circus

The spoil sports at PETA want to deprive the childlin' of Fort Worth the joy of the circus. The animal rights group sent a letter to Will Rogers Memorial Center Assistant Director Chris Harmon, warning him that the upcoming Shrine Circus is both dangerous and cruel and urging him not to host circuses such as the Shrine Circus in the future. According to PETA, there have been at least 10 "dangerous" incidents involving animals used in Shrine Circuses since 1997. I'm not exactly sure what a "dangerous" incident is, but if my math is correct, that averages out to about 1 and a quarter "dangerous" incidents a year. That makes going to the circus a lot safer for kids than taking a bath, and a lot more fun too.

According to PETA, animals sometimes snap and attack trainers and members of the public. I'm sure that does happen on rare occasions, but there's just a bit of hypocrisy on the part of one of hollywood's favorite charities. See, PETA really isn't interested in protecting the circus going public from animals that, "snap." What the animal rights group is really after is the banning of all circuses, safe or not. In the eyes of the animal rights nuts, there is no circus safe enough, humane enough, or loving enough, to justify the "enslavement" of our fellow animals.

Dinner Bell - Dixie House Cafe

Time for a restaurant review:

Dixie House Cafe
6100 E. Lancaster Avenue
Fort Worth, TX 76110

As a kid, no matter where we were, my Dad could always find the best cafe in town. You know the type. Where the waitress brings you a glass of ice tea before you even order and calls you "honey" and you don't think anything about it. I dropped in to the Dixie House Cafe in east Fort Worth recently. I wanted it to be the kind of cafe I remembered as a kid. I wanted to like it. I wanted to be able to rave about the place. But I just can't.

I entered the east side version of the locally-owned cafe chain feeling good, after all there was a sizable number of pickup trucks in the parking lot. I ordered the ham and cheese omelet, with toast, and a coffee. The food arrived more or less promptly, and more or less hot. But overall, the food was only average. I've had better at Denny's with much better service. Something about the way the waitress set the food down told me that she was done waiting on me that morning (and she didn't even call me, "honey"). I'm sorry, I happen to like more than one cup of coffee with my breakfast, and I don't like to chase the waitstaff down to get it. I wanted to like it, I wanted it to be great, but I just can't recommend it. The food is okay, but if you go for breakfast, pack a thermos of coffee to take with you.

On The Border

Folks in Washington are hatching a new plan to crack down on illegal immigration. From the Washington Times:

House Republicans are looking closely at ending birthright citizenship and building a barrier along the entire U.S.-Mexico border as they search for solutions to illegal immigration.

"There is a general agreement about the fact that
citizenship in this country should not be bestowed on people who are the children of folks who come into this country illegally," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, Colorado Republican, who is participating in the "unity dinners," the group of Republicans trying to find consensus on immigration.

Birthright citizenship, or what critics call "anchor babies," means that any child born on U.S. soil is granted citizenship, with exceptions for foreign diplomats. That attracts illegal aliens, who have children in the United States; those children later can sponsor their parents for legal immigration.

Most lawmakers had avoided the issue, fearing that change would require a constitutional amendment -- the 14th Amendment reads in part: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States."

But several Republicans said recent studies suggest
otherwise.

Several lawmakers said the U.S. and Mexico are the only major Western countries to have birthright citizenship. Most European countries have moved away from birthright citizenship in recent decades.

The question that is not answered in the article is if the government cracks down on illegal immigration, who is going to work on our construction sites, hotels, and the kitchens of our restaurants?

You Mean You Have To Pay?

Evangelina Gonzalez must be a woman in a hurry. According to the Dallas Morning News, over the last 20 months, she ran through toll booths 2,953 times wihtout paying. The tab? $76,039.00. A Dallas County constable arrested her on multiple Class C misdemeanors. Ms. Gonzalez can take some pride in the fact that according to the North Texas Tollway Authority, Ms. Gonzalez has racked up the highest fees ever owed by a violator in North Texas. What Ms. Gonzalez can't take pride in is her math skills. Tollway officials say that a TollTag for those same trips would have only cost her about $1,800.00.