First Domino Falls In Corruption Case

Don Hill co-defendant Allen McGill pled guilty today.

“Yearning For Zion” Raid: Another Case Of Government Hysteria?

Now that 416 children are in the state’s custody, I put the question directly to a friend who is a child sex-abuse psychologist working feverishly on sorting through the mess in San Angelo, where the children and some of their mothers are being held. I asked if indeed there was probable cause for the raid, why did authorities remove all the children and not just pubescent girls in danger of being married, if such was the government’s complaint? She answers:

It is a politcal year. Their life was different but it is destroyed now. Still waiting for someone to explain it to me. If you were to compare the ratio of abused kids there to the rest of the world, you might laugh at the absurdity of our government.

I’m not laughing. Just the opposite. I believe these children are being held by the government because of the unpopularity of their parents. Polygamy, it is true, is illegal. But does it merit a court citation or a full-scale military assault? My bet is that when all comes to light, the State of Texas is going to pay dearly, perhaps not for the raid itself (whose complaintant has not been located, by the way) but for holding parents and children in a concentration camp detention center internment facility 19th-century fort when not one person has been charged with a crime. It looks to me to be plainly unconstitutional, even if it was sanctioned by some Amarillo state judge.

H.O.V Is Pain In Neck

I have, of course, driven on Central Expressway as it nears the High Five many, many times since the H.O.V. lanes have been there, but not until yesterday, when Tim, Zac, and I went on a mini-field trip, have I actually used the H.O.V. lanes in question. For months and months, my dad has complained about a) the lanes, and b) the fact that I have not called attention to them in print or online. I can now see why he’s so upset.

The H.O.V. lanes seem like a nuisance and an afterthought. I won’t get into their efficacy in general, as I’m sure people have plenty of opinions and Google searches to back them up. But specifically on north- and southbound Central, they seem silly. You have to know about them far in advance to be in the right lane to find them. And then, once you’re in the H.O.V. lane, it takes you off of Central Expressway. You have to drive on the frontage road and then re-merge. It’s like you’re being punished for riding in the carpool lane. And really, riding as a passenger with Tim at the wheel, in control of the radio and pseudo control of the car (iPhone texting plays a big role in his driving), is punishment enough.

Independent Book Store Landing in the ‘Burbs

Coming soon to Plano, where it’s not safe, is one of the country’s biggest independent book stores. (Really now, this can’t be true since the suburbs are bland, corporate, sanitized, and whatever else the hipper-than-thou types want to believe if it will keep them out of my neighborhood and off my lawn.)

Two Last Comments About Rod Dreher and Woodrow

Surely you’ve been following along. But if not: Dreher said Woodrow is a good school — if you’re white. Even Dreher’s own co-workers got all riled up. Jim Schutze called him an idiot. And the discussion continues all over the Internets. Eric and I had a 15-minute discussion yesterday about Dreher — and about race, class, culture, and education. We even let Trey join in.

So here’s the thing. While I disagree with Dreher (who is many things but certainly no idiot), I’m thankful for the column he wrote. That’s what a newspaper should do. Spark debate. Get you thinking. Rather than worry about redesigns, the DMN needs to figure out how to do this more often.

Finally, Dreher’s wife has shingles. He and his family are all stressed out. I consider them friends, so I gave Dreher some advice. I’ll pass it along publicly here. He needs to stop issuing such hot sports opinions. Take a cue from most of the other columnists at the paper. Go easy, man. Move to the suburbs. Write about how much you hate flying. Or how your gas mileage improves if you drive slower. And just feel that stress magically melt away.

What is the Worst Meal You Ever Ate?

We are vomiting here.

The Dallas Theater Center’s New Season

When Kevin Moriarty announced the Dallas Theater Center’s new season last night, he had everybody riveted with his plans. So far, he’s been doing everything right. He’s been all over town going to theaters and talking to people since he got here in September, and it shows. One big surprise was his praise of Paul Baker, whom he actually visited on his ranch several weeks ago. Baker’s difficult parting from the DTC (which he founded) has been an unresolved problem.

Then came the announcement of the season itself, which contained more surprises. Here’s the list, with an interview after the jump.

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Downtown Action?

From a FBvian in the field:

Five firetrucks, several ambulances are blocking off all traffic to Main Street in front of the Chase Building & the Merc. Anybody know what’s going on?

Not me. I’m still in the shower.

Leading Off

1. The Dallas VA hospital has closed its psychiatric unit after a recent suicide, the fourth this year. This despite that the hospital has spent a quarter of a million dollars the past six months to lessen the risks of suicide, including modifying doorknobs, light fixtures, shower curtains, and other plumbing items.

2.  Herschel Walker said on Nightline last night that he has a form of multiple personality disorder and that he’s nearly taken his own life.

3. I need some good news. It took me 20 minutes of talking to the Internet before I found some. But here it is: Bon Jovi still rocks! Woooo!