About This Blog
This blog was the first in the nation created by an editorial board to give readers a behind-the-scenes view of the discussion that goes into crafting the newspaper’s daily editorials. It includes updates on the work of the editorial staff and debates on general news issues. We welcome and read all letters from readers. Letters are selected for publication based on their clarity and brevity. They also are chosen to represent a diverse set of views on as many issues as possible. March 2010
Recent Posts
Making a difference in judicial races? (Updated) These races would be funny if it wasn't so tragic What is your most honest Debra Medina prediction? Live blogging for tonight's elections results Principle versus practical: Bunning stunt highlights what's at stake in today's Texas election Former Baylor coach Guy Morriss teaches players to steal Making a statement by staying home from the polls Categories
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Michael Landauer
March 5, 2010
![]() ![]() The entry "Lessons from the storm" has no entry tags. March 2, 2010
One of the things I truly enjoy about my job is getting to know the judicial candidates. In the primaries, it's especially fun because you get a sense you can really help make a difference when you research these folks and make recommendations. I'm glad to say that in early voting, nine of the 10 judicial candidates we recommended are leading. ![]() ![]() The entry "Making a difference in judicial races? (Updated)" has no entry tags.
Evans and Cortes face criminal and civil probes into questionable vehicle towing and employment practices, including numerous allegations that current or former deputies encountered threats or retaliation for not writing enough tickets, towing enough cars or campaigning to re-elect their bosses. And despite 18 years in office, Jones continues to draw state sanctions and public complaints for a sloppily run court. ![]() ![]() The entry "These races would be funny if it wasn't so tragic" has no entry tags.
From earlier, when I asked for predictions of tomorrow's top headline, I got a lot of Medina boosterism in the comments. But really, seriously, all boosterism aside, I'm curious. What percentage of the vote do you expect Medina to get? I expect 18 percent. I think she'll fall just short of the 20 percent that she hit in some polls. ![]() ![]() The entry "What is your most honest Debra Medina prediction?" has no entry tags.
The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board will be blogging live tonight as results come in. As we put together tomorrow's editorials, we'll also be sharing our analysis in blog posts -- and we'll be reading your comments. ![]() ![]() The entry "Live blogging for tonight's elections results" has no entry tags.
Jim Bunning's jobs bill stunt has split the GOP, with moderates blasting his move and siding with the hundreds of thousands of Americans whose benefits will be delayed by this political gesture. What's interesting is that very few examples highlight the split in the GOP. Is it a moderate versus conservative split? Or is it prinsipled versus practical? Or, to turn back te clock, is it conservative versus compassionate conservative? ![]() ![]() The entry "Principle versus practical: Bunning stunt highlights what's at stake in today's Texas election" has no entry tags.
Texas A&M-Commerce head football coach Guy Morris apparently told some of his players to steal copies of the campus newspaper because it contained a story about a football player being caught in a drug bust. His only defense is that he doesn't really consider it stealing if it's a free newspaper. (It's free for one copy, 25 cents for every copy after that). ![]() ![]() The entry "Former Baylor coach Guy Morriss teaches players to steal" has no entry tags.
Just got this from a frustrated voter: For the first time in 47 years I will not be voting. In Texas there no longer seems to be a two party system, especially not in Collin County. There does seem to be two parts of the Republican party, but neither express my views in any way , shape or form. I am in a sense along with many others, being disenfranchised as a voter. I know I could write in people, but that will not accomplish what is needed. ![]() ![]() The entry "Making a statement by staying home from the polls" has no entry tags. February 25, 2010
Today, in Geneva, more than 1,700 people from around the world are attending the 4th World Congress Against the Death Penalty. Several members of Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights are speaking. The following are drafts of their testimony, as provided to me by Susannah Sheffer.
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![]() The entry "Victims families speak out against the death penalty" has no entry tags.
The following is an exchange I have had with a group called Empower Texans. They claim they have made an error in a mailing, that it's not deliberate. They have attributed assertions in a State House race to the Dallas Morning News Editorial Board, have admitted this is not correct, but so far, have refused to correct this. I think it's fairly obvious why they haven't. The comments make it look like we said some very critical things of the candidate we recommended. Read the exchange here. It starts with my original e-mail to the group: It has come to our attention that a brochure is circulating, paid for by Empower Texans, that appears to fabricate quotes from The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board. Under the heading "Compare the candidates for state representative" with your group's endorsement of Cindy Burkett, a paragraph includes several statements about Greg Noschese. The source line says "Empower Texans interview and 2010 candidate questionnaire, Dallas Morning News Editorial Board 1/20/10, Noschese Campaign Finance Report 1/15/10" First of all, it is unclear which statements in this paragraph are supposedly from The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board on Jan. 20. The use of the word "our" compounds this confusion. Is that deliberate? But more important, no statement in the paragraph comes close to paraphrasing or referencing anything the board wrote in its recommendation of Greg Noschese. (Also, the date appears to be wrong. The editorial was posted online on Jan. 22 and ran in print on Jan. 25. There is nothing online or in print that ran on Jan. 20.) If the statements were derived from individuals during the interview process, then the Editorial Board should not be cited as the source. The only source material the board produced at all is included below. (Not included in this blog post, but available here.) It is the previously mentioned editorial. I ask that you immediately cease and desist in citing The Dallas Morning News Editorial Board as the source for your material on Greg Noschese. I believe after you review the editorial, you'll agree that an error has been made. Please let me know immediately that you plan to correct this situation. Thank you. ![]() ![]() The entry "Empower Texans refuses to correct misattribution in flier" has no entry tags. February 23, 2010
Embattled Collin County Judge Keith Self issued an e-mail to supporters in response to allegations from the John Muns campaign. Here's what he said: We talked to Mr. Self on a regular basis during the 2008 campaign, and of all Corbett's supporters and advisors, his strategic direction was by far the most aggressive. I asked Mr. Self if he'd like to respond, and here's what he said: "No, I have no intention of engaging in a public debate through the media that endorsed my opponent. It is no secret that I supported my friend Corb Howard." We did recommend John Muns. I stand by these words more than ever: It's not what first-term Self is for that causes concern about his time in office. Rather, it's what he's been against and how he pursues his agenda. Self doesn't shy away from butting heads with people he disagrees with and, at times, seems to go out of his way for a collision. ... With GOP voters choosing between two fiscally conservative Republicans, they should go with Muns, a leader with experience building coalitions. ![]() ![]() The entry "Keith Self attacks the tactics of ... Keith Self" has no entry tags.
Which of the following revenue sources has grown the most since Rick Perry became governor? ![]() ![]() The entry "Rick Perry's Texas depends more and more on federal government" has no entry tags. February 22, 2010
For years, I have followed efforts to build a shared arts hall in Collin County. I was disappointed when the McKinney bond election years ago failed at the polls. That left only three cities to participate. Really, the effort never seemed to get on track, though not anyone's fault. It just always seemed that the cities needed a fourth major partner. ![]() ![]() The entry "Good things come to those who wait, especially the Arts of Collin County" has no entry tags. February 19, 2010
I love that the Golf Writers Association of America is boycotting the Tiger Woods show that is coming up in just a few minutes. I am willing to root for Tiger again. So that's not my issue. But I like that this group is sending him a message that he doesn't get to dictate how his return to the spotlight will go. ![]() ![]() The entry "Tiger can't dictate his comeback" has no entry tags. February 18, 2010
In yesterday's meeting, Mike and Colleen made the point that we should not confuse air pollution with Greenhouse gases. Mostly, the regulation of such gases is a climate change thing. I get that. One University of Michigan site describes it this way: ![]() ![]() The entry "Greenhouse gases and air pollution" has no entry tags. February 16, 2010
Debra Medina's idea of replacing local property taxes with a higher statewide sales tax is intriguing, and it got me to thinking: What's my favorite tax? ![]() ![]() The entry "What's your favorite tax?" has no entry tags. February 15, 2010
Somehow, Debra Medina, the toxic GOP candidate for governor, used her empathy for 9/11 truthers to explain why she thinks there should be a moratorium on executions in Texas.
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![]() The entry "Debra Medina equates doubts about justice system with 9/11 truthers? Huh?" has no entry tags. February 10, 2010
When I first realized that the Democratic debate was addressing death penalty issues, I got excited. Perhaps this is the place where an honest debate and discussion about flaws in the system will finally take place at the governor-level.
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![]() The entry "Farouk Shami badly sidetracks death penalty issue in governor's race" is tagged: Death penalty February 4, 2010
I admit, when I heard what the Baptists from Idaho did, I thought about nominating them for a Miss, one of our brief editorials on Saturday. They were clearly too hasty and sloppy in their desire to help kids orphaned by Haiti. I don't think they gave enough serious thought to the problem that nation has had with child trafficking. ![]() ![]() The entry "A nation on the brink of ruin may charge careless Baptists" has no entry tags. February 3, 2010
Interesting question posed by Pam James, a Dallas-based freelance writer, blogger and educator. Her main point: If Michael Jackson had survived his propofol overdose, would anyone - outside of his children and closest friends - have cared? ![]() ![]() The entry "What if Michael Jackson had lived?" has no entry tags. January 27, 2010
OK, so I am skeptical of what an iPad might be able to do that I can't do on my phone and all that, but I have to admit, the iPhone changed phones. It changed them for people like me who didn't even buy an iPhone, people who still live in a Windows world. But this seems likely to force change from all players in the mobile technology world. Not sure I'll buy an iPad, but I am excited about the new wave of innovation and competition this will bring. I can't wait ... ![]() ![]() The entry "iPad stirs the imagination" has no entry tags.
All I can say to this blogger is amen. I agree that victims of crimes should not be tormented by anonymous commenters. ![]() ![]() The entry "Why are some of our readers attacking a crime victim?" has no entry tags.
I find is amusing (in a sad sort of way) that the general consensus seems to be that Obama has somehow failed to get his message out on economic policy. ![]() ![]() The entry "What's Obama's problem: Message or policy?" has no entry tags. January 25, 2010
This message just went out to Organizing for America supporters from David Plouffe: We've hit some serious bumps in the road recently in our march toward change. We always knew it would be difficult, but this past week has definitely been a hard one, for all of us. I don't know about bumps in the road, but what I see is that more and more people who liked Obama's message of change don't like a lot of his policies and reactions to a bad economy. I am such a person. I'm not one to cry "socialism" or "birth certificate" or any of that nonsense, but I don't like that Obama has failed to see that the problem is not just about message. For example, more child care tax credits, caps on student loan payments, help for retirement planning and tax credits for elder care. These are not targeted tax cuts that will add jobs. These are, essentially, social programs and/or subsidies. Public spending on big projects will not build jobs. Tax cuts for businesses -- especially small business -- would. That's not about "bumps in the road." That's about being on the wrong road. ![]() ![]() The entry "Obama's 'bumps in the road ... in our march toward change'" has no entry tags. January 22, 2010
Jon Stewart attacked Keith Olbermann's attack of me for attacking his attack on Scott Brown. ![]() ![]() The entry "Jon Stewart gets the last word" has no entry tags. January 20, 2010
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
![]() ![]() The entry "Keith Olbermann has asked me to get specific ... " has no entry tags.
Word is that Conan O'Brien will be paid something like $30 million to walk away from NBC. That's the price for the second-worst mistake that the company is paying for this month. The biggest mistake, made years ago but payable now, is that the network will lose about $200 million on its Olympics coverage. With such big dollar figures floating around, one guy is trying to draw attention to the little guy, the 200 or so people who will be out of work after Conan is jettisoned from "The Tonight Show." Yes, champion of the people, Conan. Now, NBC executives have called him names and have said his negotiation stance demanding greater severance deals for his staffers are just a PR ploy. But shouldn't a company built on PR understand the value of such a move? ![]() ![]() The entry "Conan O'Brien: A man of the people" has no entry tags.
A lot of Tea Partiers are claiming victory today in the Scott Brown race. He sorta denied awareness of the group in an interview, although that's not an entirely accurate representation of the facts. I think from the interview in question he was simply denying that the Tea Party movement is "trying to take over the country," as the interviewer suggested. ![]() ![]() The entry "Is Scott Brown a Tea Partier? Does it even matter?" has no entry tags.
Of the big three cable news networks, only one really carried Scott Brown's speech live: Fox News Channel. CNN was preoccupied with Anderson Cooper in Haiti. Apparently the 24-hour news cycle just doesn't have enough space for a 10-minute speech by someone who just turned the tide of, not only the U.S. Senate and the health care debate, but possibly of national politics. ![]() ![]() The entry "Scott Brown coverage last night was sickening" has no entry tags. January 19, 2010
Perhaps you saw this comment posted on a few Monday blog posts: Medina all the way!!! She will speak the truth about 9/11. Namely, that Bush knew and that it was step one to boosting his bank account and his buddies' war machine economy. Neither Perry nor Hutchison will speak this truth. Only Medina. It is also time to legalize marijuana now. Release all the drug possessors from prison. Only Medina is willing to admit this plan is the only way to balance the budget. Shut down our borders. Let nobody in, nobody out. Do NOT let any foreign goods on our soil. Root out the trilateral commission from the highest ranks of government and send them all to prison. Well, check out some of the other comments from this same IP address: Dec. 19: Perry has done a great job for veterans. Probably the most pro-veteran governor we have had in the modern era. Perry also IS a veteran, having served for more than half a dozen years. It is a clear violation of our terms of service for this blog to do what "Heidi G" did here. Our rules specifically state that users of the site may not:
Blog readers, we need your help. We uncovered this because one of you noticed that something was not right here and reported it. We will do everything possible to keep this kind of dirty trick off our blog. ![]() ![]() The entry "Perry supporter planted fake pro-Medina comments on our blog" has no entry tags. January 14, 2010
![]() ![]() The entry "Live blogging for tonight's debate" has no entry tags. January 13, 2010
I think this video is interesting, but even more so, one of the comments on it caught my eye. Someone said they wish they had been born 100 years from now. This video sure makes it seem like we're just moving so darn fast, but I think now's a very good time to be alive. I'm enjoying Outliers right now, the book by Malcolm Gladwell, and so much is written about how success is a trick of good timing. Not entirely, mind you, but it's a major factor. The book makes you think: So what are we seeing in our own time that we can seize upon? Good lord, the posibilities are endless ... ![]() ![]() The entry "Are we in the stone age?" has no entry tags. January 12, 2010
I have always liked Conan O'Brien. I think he's goofy and funny in a way that doesn't appeal to everyone, and I respect the fact that he's never tried to change who he is just to earn wider appeal. ![]() ![]() The entry "Conan: A lesson in class, dignity and self-respect" has no entry tags.
Hats off to the Texas GOP for its call to action involving Harry Reid's visit to Irving this week. The Texas party, at least, seems to have kept things in perspective, realizing that the health care battle is far more important to people than the year-old insensitive comments Reid uttered about Barack Obama. ![]() ![]() The entry "Clever GOp call to action against Harry Reid" has no entry tags. January 11, 2010
I applaud Mark McGwire's statement today about his past steroid abuse. I find it one of the saddest chapters in baseball history. I literally cried when McGwire broke that record, and I feel personally cheated. And yet, baseball still doesn't get it. Bud Selig's statement today is an embarrassment. He says, in part: "The use of steroids and amphetamines amongst today's players has greatly subsided and is virtually non-existent as our testing results have shown. The so-called "steroid era" - a reference that is resented by the many players who played in that era and never touched the substances - is clearly a thing of the past, and Mark's admission today is another step in the right direction." The record for single-season home runs is 61. The fact that MLB is allowing the charade to continue with admissions from Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and others is apalling. Go back and at least blot out the statistics as if baseball had its current policy in place. So, for McGwire, take away 50 games from the first season he used steroids and then pretty much anything after the second time. Same for A-Rod. Those home runs do not count toward the career record. Bonds is trickier, since he onyl admitted steroid use in confidential (sorta) testimony to a grand jury, but the same basic thinking applies. Cleaning up the record book is no small thing. It's a sacred text in baseball, and it means something to the nation, unlike records in other sports. It's a sort of encyclopedia of our nation. Let's bring some integrity back to the 1990s, or they will always be known as the Steroids Era, and the astrisk will be ther in fans' minds, even if Selig doesn't have the guts to do what needs to be done. Read McGwire's full statement. It's impressive (and much more forthright than Selig's): ![]() ![]() The entry "It's time to scrub baseball's record book" is tagged: Steroids January 8, 2010
I admit to focusing more on the practical and obvious news events around me, so it's no wonder I missed this development last year. The American Law Institute essentially backed off suport of the death penalty. It's not opposed, mind you, but it has removed the death penalty from its Model Code.
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![]() The entry "Death penalty abolished (in ALI's Model Code)" has no entry tags.
![]() ![]() The entry "Why is balloon boy's dad on Larry King?" has no entry tags.
Today's news that Rick Perry has a green light to pardon Tim Cole was greeted by the governer with nothing short of eagerness: Perry said the opinion "finally gives his family the opportunity to officially clear his name. Funny, the governor seems so eager now, but this follows 11 months of foot-dragging. Read more and comment.
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![]() The entry "Rick Perry's eagerness to pardon Tim Cole is disingenuous" has no entry tags. January 6, 2010
The good news about historically low murder statistics in Dallas (and all over, really) will prompt some folks to think that means our busy death chamber in Hunstville should get some share of the credit. December 29, 2009
Has anyone checked to see if Pete Sessions has written to Texas Tech coach Mike Leach? You know, just to let him know that Pete believes in him and loves him? ![]() ![]() The entry "Pete Sessions' bizarre love note" has no entry tags.
![]() ![]() The entry "My condolences" has no entry tags. December 28, 2009
Instead of focusing on what might stop terrorists from getting on planes, the fish-tailing TSA has announced all sorts of silly rules since the Christmas Day Detroit scare. For the last hour on an international flight, no bathroom breaks, nothing on your lap, and no personal items from your carry-ons. ![]() ![]() The entry "New rules won't stop a terrorist" has no entry tags. December 24, 2009
A creative take on the classic, via the Free-Lance Star editorial page (in Virginia). I don't agree with all of the sentiments offered here, but I applaud the originality ... and the concerns about cost and the deficit!
'TWAS THE NIGHT before Christmas
And all through the House The Democrats were smiling Like cats with a mouse. Their friends in the Senate Had just passed a bill Which Logic and Prudence No longer could kill. New health-care reform, Entitlements galore! By time that it's paid for All will be poor! The moon on the breast of rare Washington snow Did naught to enlighten those in the know. How much will it cost? What will it entail? Who's covered? Who's not? And who goes to jail? What bloom will this put on our national debt? What decrease in quality will it beget? The chatter we heard from up Capitol Hill Did not reassure us, it gave us a chill! Will Uncle Sam really replace our dear doc? Prescribing, transcribing, our options to lock? Will old folks be shut out from best patient care? And babies aborted before they have hair? There's much left to ponder, So much to discover, But who's reading a bill That long cover to cover? On Nancy, on Harry, On Jim Webb, Mark Warner, Slip off to your homes, But sit in a corner And contemplate there This thing you have wrought, A monstrous creation, One worse than we thought. And here's some advice, Of this we're quite sure: Killing the patient Isn't a cure. Linda J. White
Assistant Editorial Page Editor
The Free Lance-Star
Fredericksburg VA
![]() ![]() ![]() The entry "'Twas the night before health care reform" has no entry tags. December 23, 2009
This was the decade when we saw steroids tarnish sports unlike ever before, especially the cycling and baseball worlds. Fortunately, we also saw the rise of the Taylor Hooton Foundation. The New York Yankees organization became first MLB franchise to join the ranks of THF supporters. The Albuquerque Isotopes Minor League ball club also stepped forward and provided us with support. We are also pleased that NFL Charities stepped forward to offer their financial support to our work this year, and we hope that they become a long term supporter of our organization. We are also proud of our continuing close working relationship with Dick and Matt Butkus and their "I Play Clean" campaign. The entire Team Butkus group has worked tirelessly to speak out on this important subject through all of the various media that Dick is exposed to. ![]() ![]() The entry "The "Steroids Decade" is ending on a positive note" has no entry tags.
Tired of all the Best of ... lists? I have a couple of worst of's to float out there. I need your help though on movies. What was the worst movie of the year? I didn't hate anything that I saw this year. Ditto on music. I loved the new U2, but I didn't hate anything. Still, I can offer my suggestions for these: ![]() ![]() The entry "Worst of 2009 ... " has no entry tags. December 22, 2009
A Washington, D.C., off-duty detective came upon a flash mob of people throwing snowballs at each other and at vehicles in a busy intersection. So what does the reasonable detective do? He stops his Hummer in the middle of traffic, gets out and pulls his gun, then starts shoving people and yelling at them. ![]() ![]() The entry "A late entry for cop of the year" has no entry tags. December 21, 2009
I loved Rod's column on Sunday, and it got me and my wife to talking about Extreme Home Makeover. Rod wrote all about the charm and sensibility of older homes. And my wife and I bought a home in East Dallas about the same time as the Drehers, though our home is only half as old and far less charming. ![]() ![]() The entry "Rod's house is a very very very fine house" has no entry tags. December 18, 2009
OK, I hate those random, disjointed blog posts that people put together sometimes. One blog one topic, I say. Well, allow me to break that rule. Here are three things that are making me smile today. ![]() ![]() The entry "Things that make me smile today" has no entry tags. December 16, 2009
![]() ![]() The entry "Who wrote that Colt McCoy love letter, anyway?" has no entry tags. December 15, 2009
I find today's news story about crime stats troubling, not just because of the new examples it provides of deviations from FBI crime reporting methods by the DPD, but also because of the police chief's previous explanation on a similar story about burglaries. ![]() ![]() The entry "When's an assault "aggravated"?" has no entry tags. December 14, 2009
Folks, please enjoy this follow-up to a letter we ran last week:
I wrote last week about how a Collin County Professor, Mr. Michael Rose, was always smiling, bright and kind. His behavior helped me through my "malignant tumor scare." ![]() ![]() The entry "Some Christmas magic at the mall" has no entry tags.
The recent news of a lawyer who may have tricked an exonerated man into signing away a good chunk of his compensation is making some people question the motives behind attorneys who work to exonerate people. Please understand, this civil lawyer was not part of the famed Innocence Project or Texas Defender Service, both of which often pursue cases of wrongful conviction in an admirable fashion. ![]() ![]() The entry "A profit motive for exonerations?" has no entry tags. December 2, 2009
I don't know what to think of new videos from the Texas Observer showing Bobby Wayne Woods describe where he lived, books and writing, and jobs he held. He seems to understand that if they can prove he is mentally retarded, the governor might spare his life. He is to be executed tomorrow. ![]() ![]() The entry "Clock ticks for Bobby Wayne Woods" has no entry tags. December 1, 2009
I know the politcal pundits are ready to score tonight's big speech, but I think whatever the president says needs to make sense to the families of those who have died there. ![]() ![]() The entry "What the president will say about Afghanistan" has no entry tags. November 24, 2009
NFL Commissioner Rodger Goodell announced that teams will be required to work with independent neurologists on concussions. Only when those independent doctors say it's OK will injured players return to practice. ![]() ![]() The entry "NFL taking one smart step on head injuries" has no entry tags. November 23, 2009
But there has been a flurry of recent retail expansions in the area around the new Crow center. The site is east of the NorthPark Center shopping mall, which was almost doubled in size in 2006. And developers are completing the nearby Park Lane retail and mixed-use complex on North Central Expressway. This is definitely a change for Walmart. Not just two years ago, I was talking to some Walmart officials in Little Rock at our National Conference of Editorial Writers convention. The guy in charge of store planning was telling me about two-story stores they had built in Europe, where the footprint had to be smaller and the stores a little more pedestrian-friendly within surrounding communities. Just no such demands in the U.S., he told me. ![]() ![]() The entry "Sprawl comes home to the city" has no entry tags. November 19, 2009
Quick -- name a Democrat running for Texas Attorney General. Bet you can't. Which brings me to this ...
![]() ![]() The entry "Fun semantics debate gets candidate's name in headlines" has no entry tags. November 18, 2009
There has been a lot of coverage about the Bonfire collapse that happened 10 years ago today. I was very proud to work with some of the students at The Battalion as they worked to tell the story. These are students who were in junior high school when the stack fell, and discovering the story and telling it took its toll on some of them. When I was in College Station a few weeks ago to do one-on-one editing sessions with some of the writers, a copy editor suddenly got up and walked out of the room. She returned, sniffling. "Read another Bonfire story?" someone asked. She nodded, and awkward smiles broke out. ![]() ![]() The entry "Aggies tell their story of Bonfire collapse" has no entry tags. November 16, 2009
In the most pointless use of new technology in decades, NASA has assembled a team of Twits who will use Twitter to Tweet about the live launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis today. RocketMan908623: Smoke monster from Lost, eat your heart out!!!!! Astro-NOT826756: To sign a petition against unnecessary emissions into our environment click here! SapceCdet2039: True dat, StarShine! StarShine8377: "We have liftoff" Duh!! SpaceBoyeee222: Wow! There it goes!!!! SiFiGeek: Man, look at that!!! SpaceCdet2039: Whoa! ![]() ![]() The entry "Twits to follow NASA launch LIVE!!!" has no entry tags. November 13, 2009
A case out of Georgia is making folks wonder if a teacher can or should be fired for inappropriate Facebook photos that could be accessed by students and parents. But the real issue in the case is about whether the woman knew she was only being suspended for 10 days before she resigned. It has less to do with Facebook than with this language arts teacher not getting a clear understanding of the discipline she was facing before storming out of her job. Not a brilliant move.
It seems pretty simple. Districts need to develop policies that adhere to such common sense, but they won't. They will probably over-reach. In this case, though, a 10-day suspension seems to make sense. This woman is clearly not mature enough to make rational decisions, and it might send a warning to others that they need to think about what's out there and what their students and parents are seeing. She still hasn't accepted any responsibility for that, it seems. Even for me, I won't allow our teenage Voices to "friend" me on Facebook. I don't need the hassle. I have it set so that anyone who is on my "sources" list of friends cannot see my photos. Trust me, there ain't much to see. But I don't need people who see me as representing my newspaper associating me with a happy hour photo shot by my friend where I am tagged. I respect my employer enough to place such limits on my Facebook profile. It's a shame this 24-year-old teacher making the talk show rounds didn't have as much self-restraint. ![]() ![]() The entry "Should teachers be punished over Facebook photos?" has no entry tags. November 11, 2009
From our balcony, we have a great view of the start of the parade. I've come inside to get some work done about halfway through, but my general thoughts: My favorite band/ROTC/dance team was South Oak Cliff. They had the whole package, and they were disciplined. The dancers were tasteful. The drums were outstanding. Another favorite: Sunset. They were more spread out, but again, they had it all: Flags, good band, JROTC and spirited cheerleaders. Huge disappointment: A high school (should I name which one?) practicing in front of our building. The dancers were outrageously inappropriate for the tone of the day. They would make professional pole dancers blush. A constant barrage of pelvic thrusting is not dancing, and it is certainly no way to honor veterans. ![]() ![]() The entry "Veterans Day parade: An on-the-spot review" has no entry tags. October 27, 2009
Not surprisignly, pro-death penalty activist Dudley Sharp has taken aim at our editorial today:
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![]() The entry "Bias and assumptions in the Willingham case?" has no entry tags. October 9, 2009
TIme magaizine this morning has it right. Winning the Nobel Peace Prize may hurt Barack Obama.
Think about that. Before this bombshell, we were all talking about what he is working on, how he has too much on his plate: Afghanistan, health care, the economy, etc. Now, there seems to be some collective agreement that this honor is premature, at best. Indeed, the only way Obama can diffuse this tension is to agree with that consensus when he speaks later this morning. ![]() ![]() The entry "Maybe Obama should politely reject the Nobel Peace albatross" has no entry tags. October 7, 2009
Rick Perry is losing the message battle on the Willingham case. In elections, it's vital that you control the message. Control what people are saying about you. You define the issues.
Some choice headlines:
In fact, if you Google just the words "Rick Perry," these are the top news headlines you get:
If the hearing had happened, the storyline would be much different. And RIck Perry might still be in control. ![]() ![]() The entry "Rick Perry's Willingham scandal could cost him his job" has no entry tags.
The most perplexing thing about RIck Perry's decision to block the search for the truth in the WIllingham case is that the report is very much public. It's included on this blog and in numerous other places. Indeed, the author of the report, Craig Beyler, says he is confused about why Perry pulled this stunt. After all, he was just going to go and answer questions about his already public report.
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![]() The entry "Rick Perry's cover-up blocks chance to question new evidence" is tagged: Death penalty October 2, 2009
Full disclosure: I think the state's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional. I think a court with appropriate authority will someday recognize it as such. Nothing in the U.S. Constitution says that two people cannot enter into a legally binding marriage contract because of some perceived moral reason held by the majority of the population. ![]() ![]() The entry "Can a state district judge rule something unconstitutional? " has no entry tags. September 30, 2009
I was wondering how Gov. Rick Perry might deal with the uncomfortable truth that would rise from Friday's state commission meeting on the Todd WIllingham case. Now we know. He fired the head of that commission and replaced him with someone else who promptly canceled the hearing. ![]() ![]() The entry "Rick Perry blocks search for truth in Todd Willingham case" has no entry tags. September 29, 2009
A lot of people opposed to the death penalty have stories of conversion, but none could possibly be more powerful than those who have been victimized by the crimes eligible for such a punishment. The family members of murder victims are often assumed to be of one mind on the death penalty. I know of no study that quantifies what percentage may be opposed, and I doubt we could ever really know, but the group Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights has asked some of its members to walk us through their own conversion stories. It's powerful reading. Here's part of one mother's story: It was expected by everyone that I would want the death penalty. Not Read more and comment.
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![]() The entry "Changing your mind about the death penalty" has no entry tags. September 22, 2009
One of our Voices columnists, Nancy Ruder, has a nice guest blog post today on the Education Front about efforts in Plano to reach out to students on their own turf: Let's think beyond language and race to help school district families. Two education items snagged my attention this week. The first was Matthew Haag's report of Plano's new mobile classroom, a $300,000 Winnebago. The second was Faith Davis Johnson's column about her experience as a "bad student" in a Spanish immersion program. Both items received online comments that can be boiled down to the one "Bukowski" posted on Ms. Johnson's op-ed: "Learn English or go home." I wonder what language "Bukowski's" ancestors spoke when they arrived in the United States. Mine spoke Bohemian and German. Fortunately, the importance of education for their children was impressed upon them, despite their struggles to make a living in a new land. Luckily, they became proficient in English within a few generations. Read more and comment. September 21, 2009
I have two new questions in the Todd Willingham case. I'd like someone from the governor's office to clarify the governor's comments. If there was no arson, how, does the governor propose, that this man killed his three children? Strangulation? Poison? And was the fire just a weird coincidence that covered up the murder? Because the science now shows that the assumptions that led to the arson finding cannot be supported. So how'd he kill his kids? ![]() ![]() The entry "Two new questions in the Todd Willingham case" has no entry tags. September 20, 2009
A lot of people opposed to the death penalty have stories of conversion, but none could possibly be more powerful than those who have been victimized by the crimes eligible for such a punishment. The family members of murder victims are often assumed to be of one mind on the death penalty. I know of no study that quantifies what percentage may be opposed, and I doubt we could ever really know, but the group Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights has asked some of its members to walk us through their own conversion stories. It's powerful reading. Here's part of one mother's story: It was expected by everyone that I would want the death penalty. Not ![]() ![]() The entry "Changing your mind about the death penalty" is tagged: Death penalty September 18, 2009
Rodger and I took a tour of the new (still in progress, actually) Winspear Opera House and Wyly Theater. I wish I had taken my better camera, but my phone did the trick, I suppose, in capturing some of the scenes. That's Rodger taking center stage at the Opera House. Check out the whole photo album on our Voices Fan Page on Facebook. While you're there, become a fan, why don't you? A few quick, raw videos after the jump ... ![]() ![]() The entry "Winspear and Wyly: The Arts District is on the verge of greatness" has no entry tags. September 16, 2009
The ruling today in the Hood case out of Collin County is shocking, but not surprising. Not for this court. Here, it is clear that applicant's trial attorneys were aware, before the 1990 trial, of the "common knowledge" rumors and gossip concerning the personal relationship, but it seems equally clear from the habeas record that applicant's attorneys did not know whether those rumors were true, either at the time of the trial or at the time that applicant filed his earlier habeas applications. The court asked the lawyers to prove it. They did. And now they say it's too late. Oh well, it's just a man's life and justice for the victim's family at stake. Sharon Keller has a reputation to uphold. ![]() ![]() The entry "Texas Court of Criminal Appeals: It's OK for a prosecutor and judge to have an affair if they keep it hidden" has no entry tags.
I've never been particularly moved by the "cruel and unusual" argument about executions. My opposition is based almost solely on the principle that this is an authority man is not given. But I think we do have a god-given right, and sometimes a responsibility, to be "unusual" in our punishment. I think of the Texas judge who forced a piano teacher convicted of moplesting students to give up his piano. It seemed cruel to him. I couldn't care less.
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![]() The entry "Execution FAIL: Is it cruel and unusual to try again?" has no entry tags. September 14, 2009
A lot of friends joked that I had better go into hiding over the weekend after my Bonfire column last week: Bonfire doesn't fit today's A&M. I have to say, very few responses got ugly. Many said they felt Bonfire could be returned to campus under strict new guidelines. That was probably the most common argument. My response to that is that I don't think so. The people most zealous about Bonfire were the ones who made the culture deteriorate so much over the years. They would be the ones to go back to campus and show younger Aggies how it's done. That worries me.
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The people who say that Tod Willingham was guilty even without the arson evidence are ignoring a basic question: If there is no evidence of arson, then how do they propose that Tod Willingham killed his children? Is their theory that he killed them and then got lucky with an electrical fire that covered his tracks? Because that's the only thing I can come up with that would be consistent with the debunked arson "evidence" and the illogical assertion that a murder still took place.
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![]() The entry "How did Tod Willingham kill his kids if not by arson?" has no entry tags. September 11, 2009
But hands down, the Baylor station is the best of the new stops: It seems to be the complete package: ![]() ![]() The entry "DART Green Line: Baylor station a model of what light rail can do to a neighborhood" is tagged: DART , transit September 10, 2009
Some people think that Rick Perry is calling for Bonfire's return to A&M for political reasons, but I'm not so sure. I think his desire for Bonfire to be rekindled comes from an authentic place. I suppose, to understand why a sitting governor would get involved in this, you have to understand A&M and Bonfire a little better. ![]() ![]() The entry "Why does Rick Perry want Bonfire back at A&M?" has no entry tags. September 9, 2009
I'm increasingly worried that tonight's speech by President Obama will be short on policy and way too long on politics. If it's anything like his weekend speech, it will say nothing to the middle and only rally those already on his side. This morning in my inbox, I saw further reason to worry. I see an email inviting me to a "watch party." So we've organized special watch parties that night for all Organizing for America supporters, their friends, neighbors, and families -- and a local volunteer has decided to host one in your area. We'll gather together to hear directly from the President. And after the speech, everyone at these parties will be able to take part in an important conference call with former Obama for America campaign manager David Plouffe about the work we'll still need to do to help pass real reform this year. ![]() ![]() The entry "Obama's big night: Is it a campaign speech or a policy speech?" is tagged: Barack Obama , Health care reform September 8, 2009
Last week, we had an opportunity to get a sneak peek at the new DART Green Line stops that run from the Pearl Street Station down to MLK Boulevard. I was very impressed with the stations at MLK and Fair Park, as I blogged last week, but there's still a lot to be done in the surrounding areas to take full advantage of those stations.
Coming Wednesday, I'll tell you about the Baylor stop. It's actually in between the Deep Ellum stop and the Fair Park stop, but I thought I'd save the best for last. The Baylor stop is everything a light rail stop can be ... ![]() ![]() The entry "DART Green Line: Deep Ellum station doesn't really serve Deep Ellum" has no entry tags. September 4, 2009
UPDATE: A Frisco spokesperson responded to my question: "No, we did not ask to review and approve Congressman Johnson's speech. If we had asked, it would have been provided. He has visited the district several times over the years, mostly in high school government classes as he was today. If President Obama wanted to come speak to a high school government class, he would be welcome." I don't think it would have been provided. I've never seen Johnson speak from a prepared text except on the House floor. He's cool like that. And just a reminder: I support this effort by Johnson. I just point out the double standard. No one in Frisco minds a conservative politician speaking to students -- and they shouldn't mind. But ... well, we know the rest ... As reader Mike points out, Mr. Johnson is appearing at Liberty HS in Frisco today for his speech on the Congressional Youth Advisory Committee? "Johnson created the CYAC in 2004. The Council's goal is two-fold. An intrusion into the lives of young people? He is going to teach students about "the development of public policy"?? "As a district we believe that the best approach is to record the message rather than showing it live and then determine how it can best be used." I assume, then, that they demanded a copy of Johnson's remarks in advance of today's speech, right? I've called to ask. I'll let you know what I hear. And remember, this is a man who has a history of turning high school speeches political, as noted by one of our Student Voices in a column in November 2006 about his appearance at a Plano high school. I suppose, too, that Plano ISD will, in the future, ask for video of speeches from local congressmen to post online for review only, right? Here's the column on Johnson's political speech to high school students in 2006: ![]() ![]() The entry "Is U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson creating a conservative army of students?" has no entry tags.
In short, the recent history of Irving goes like this: Beth Van Duyne beat Herb Gears in a City Council race, unseating an entrenched incumbent who champions the rights of minorities and others. Then he wins the mayor's seat. Meanwhile, Hispanics accuse all of the council of racism and ignoring minorities, and they file a lawsuit. They win! They will get single-member districts. And lo and behold, one of the two people who will not be able to run again in their own spot ... Van Duyne, of course. Gee, nothing fishy there. ![]() ![]() The entry "Beth Van Duyne shines in Irving mess" is tagged: Irving
A few very reasonable people I know have said that there are valid reasons why people worry about the speech the president is giving to schoolchildren. Here's my best attempt at understanding the three informed lines of reasoning (I just don't have time to deal with the myriad uninformed opinions on this subject): 3. You just don't like Obama -- and, as one parent put it, you don't want your kid to hear a single word he says. That's honest, free from some of the delusion of No. 2. You've agreed not to bother claiming you're principled. But that's highly irresponsible, isn't it? I can't respect this line of thought. Parents who fall into this category -- whether they admit it or not -- are the best argument against the move to get parents more involved in our schools. Forget Why Johnny Can't Read. With parents like these calling the shots, Johnny Can't Respect Authority, and Johnny Can't Have an Informed Debate. Oh, and Johnny Can't Lose Elections with Grace and Dignity. One of these days, Johnny will discover that his parents cheated him, and he'll lose some amount of respect for them. ![]() ![]() The entry "Judging the arguments against the Obama speech" has no entry tags. September 3, 2009
UPDATE: Put Allen in the "gutless" camp with Plano. See the update on their page. Lovejoy's excuse the funniest, though. They say they don't have the bandwidth to show the speech. Don't they have access to C-SPAN? And Lovejoy thinks it's the next Highland Park? Even Lancaster has TV sets ... Here's a look at some of the most interesting comments on the web about this great controversy: Obama Dares to Speak to schoolchildren about Trying Hard in School 2009 ![]() ![]() The entry "Obama speech craziness wrapup" has no entry tags.
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On one hand, it's clear that some Black Helicopter Republicans are hyperventilating over nothing. Check out Mark Davis from yesterday. Some tidbits:
But I wonder, too, if we give these people too much credit. Are we on the verge of over-recting to them? Very reasonable people on the right see the lunacy here. Fred Moses, head of the Collin County Republican party, is quoted in today's story, and he is very reasonable: "As long as the president is not talking about his agenda or policies, we all need to encourage our kids to do better." Amen. A wait-and-see attitude makes sense. ![]() ![]() The entry "Overreaction all around to Obama school speech plan" has no entry tags. September 2, 2009
Check out past polls. ![]() ![]() The entry "If you absolutely had to choose ... Kinky in the governor's race" has no entry tags.
I wrote yesterday about the end of the line for the new Green Line, the MLK station. The next stop, as you work your way back toward downtown, is the Fair Park Station. Even though most people will probably use this stop to come and go from the fairgrounds, the MLK station is, ironically, closer to the Cotton Bowl. ![]() ![]() The entry "DART Green Line: Fair Park stop is ready to go" has no entry tags. September 1, 2009
Today we had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the new Green Line, which runs out of downtown, toward Deep Ellum, right by Baylor, to the State Fairgrounds and then down to MLK Boulevard. We started our tour at the MLK station, and I'll blog about that today, with thoughts on other stops in the days to come. Here's video of a trip heading north out of the MLK station, which will be the end of the line (for now). ![]() ![]() The entry "DART Green Line: Very impressed with the MLK station" has no entry tags.
That's the question being asked by blogger Bill Baumbach after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals threw out a conviction in the well-known McKinney nanny murder case. A little background: Throughout the trial and appeals, Ms. Cuadros-Fernandez has maintained her innocence. In the appeals court opinion, written by Judge Kerry Fitzgerald, the court found that Judge Sandoval wrongly excluded expert testimony by David Gardner that contradicted the Collin county DA's contention that the young boy's head was slammed into a cabinet door. In both cases, the appeals court ruled that the judge exceeded his/her authority in granting the wishes of the prosecution. ![]() ![]() The entry "Can an immigrant expect a fair trial in Collin County?" has no entry tags. August 31, 2009
August 27, 2009
My neighbors and good friends are having a birthday party for their 1-year-old, and they have graciously identified a charity that they want people to donate to in lieu of gifts. I think this is a great idea because nothing is less fun than watching a 1-year-old drool as his mommy opens presents and daddy videos the whole mess. Besides, whatever jumper/pants/teething toy/stuffed animal or whatever is inside will be totally useless in a month or two, destroyed by said drool or too small for the fast-growing kiddo. ![]() ![]() The entry "Microloans: A great gift for 1-year-olds?" has no entry tags.
We're getting a lot of hateful letters and comments on the Web site about the late Ted Kennedy, and we're getting a lot of letters complaining about the haters. Why is this happening? ask the liberals, forgetting that similar hate spilled forth before the late Rondal Reagan could be put in his grave. It happens. That's the nature of some people. ![]() ![]() The entry "Why the animosity toward Ted Kennedy? I blame Johnny Carson." has no entry tags. August 24, 2009
There is increasing head-scratching going on about why the U.S. is not recovering as quickly as China, Japan, Australia and others. Their stimulus plans seem to be working. Meanwhile, here, we have the biggest bank failure in the state, with Guaranty being taken over by the feds and sold to a foreign bank. That's the first time that has happened. ![]() ![]() The entry "A recession double-dip?" has no entry tags. August 21, 2009
OK, just a few days into the governor's race, we have a strong contender for silliest campaign issue: The war of words over bill signing ceremonies. They are both wrong, of course. This doesn't bode well for the next six months. I say: Hey, that's part of the benefit of being the incumbent. The governor has every right to use his office to draw attention to issues he cares about. I say: Coming from the wing of the party that frequently squeals about staying true to the Constitution, Rick Perry may want to re-read the First Amendment. It does not contain a right to publicity. In fact, the point about media paying attention to these dog-and-pony shows is the only valid point in the whole silly debate. ![]() ![]() The entry "Hutchison v. Perry: Silly spat will be hard to top" has no entry tags.
I remember a family friend telling us that he was watching the movie Pearl Harbor when he realized that Alec Baldwin was in it. Not liking Baldwin's politics, he got up and walked out. Missed a good summer pocorn flick, but no matter. That, to me, seemed about as stupid as Baldwin saying he'd leave the country if Bush was elected. ![]() ![]() The entry "Boycotts are stupid. Except mine. " has no entry tags.
![]() ![]() The entry "Steroid testing has always been about sending a message" is tagged: Steroids August 19, 2009
Check out past polls. ![]() ![]() The entry "If you absolutely had to choose ... Summer vacation" has no entry tags. August 13, 2009
This morning I was listening to one of the Obama health care champions on CNN take on some of the tougher (and germane) questions about the proposals taking shape, and it dawned on me what my biggest concern is. ![]() ![]() The entry "My big health care reform concern" is tagged: Health care , health care reform August 12, 2009
Check out past polls. ![]() ![]() The entry "If you absolutely had to choose ... GOP governor's race" has no entry tags. |