1. I’m still trying to figure out what point James Ragland was trying to make. And, oddly, the online headline for his column changed this morning sometime between 7:30 and 8:15. It now reads “Some Preston-Area Reports Ring Hollow.” The earlier headline was something like “Bushes Likely to Move to Exclusive Neighborhood.” In any case, Ragland seems just now to have come to the realization that some wealthy people live in Preston Hollow. A fact that bothers him somehow. But maybe I’m missing the point.
2. Eric says I’m not a sports fan, so I won’t tell you that even though the Mavs lost last night to the Spurs in double OT, I’m starting to fall in love a little with that J.J. Barea. I also won’t make the point that Jason Terry’s lack of attention to detail toward the end of the game frustrated me. Finally, I won’t observe that Gina Miller looked smoking hot in the post-game show.
3. Someone in Dallas mailed harmless white powder to governors across the country. Why would someone do such a thing? The FBI says it has seen an increase in white powder hoax letters coming from Texas inmates. They do it to get thrown into federal jails, where the conditions are better. Not to condone such behavior, but [standing, clapping].
21 comments
Gina Miller looking smoking hot isn’t exactly news. But yeah, dang, wow…
I don’t get the James Ragland story either. What was his point? Rich folks have to live somewhere.
I think he was trying to say that the reports about it being racially exclusive and full of mountains were untrue. I think.
But he could’ve done it in a less “I’m going to scratch the inside of my nose by shoving my finger up my butt” way.
Ragland’s column started with a history of Preston Hollow, then made a point that it’s really not as racist as the national media says, then negates that point by saying maybe it is.
In summary, no real point, as you say.
Ragland even got the boundaries wrong — PH starts north of NW Hwy, not Walnut Hill. His point was so subtle as to be nearly undiscernible, but I think it was as Bethany says.
As for harmless white powder, I myself have paid good money for it. And boy, was I pissed.
indiscernible
Re: Ragland’s column, couldn’t figure out the point either. Unless?
-Not living in the Dalla metro, maybe he doesn’t know anything about the city. (Next week he’ll write “Deep Ellum, hip urban community.”
-Or is it just proof the Belo, through gutting it reporting staff, will now print anything no matter how incoherent, just to fill space around the adds?
I thinks its a combo of the two.
Next week: Southlake has lots of wealthy people, too. And with the exception of Nate Newton, most of them are white.
what’s going to happen to this blog when you don’t have DMN to link to?
Then the only topic to cover will be the bad news in the news-coverage industry. That and media criticism. Navel gazing at its finest.
@ Grumpy: Ragland recently bought and renovated a house in Dallas proper. Don’t hold me to this, but in Lake Highlands?
@ Ben: Good question. Please understand that Leading Off aims largely to be a digest of the DMN each morning. We don’t hide that. Think of it as a briefing for people who don’t take the paper. (See what I did there?)
Thanks Bethany for expressing what you think I was trying to say. I said what I intended: Some national media types have mischaracterized Preston Hollow; some have put undue emphasis on an old covenant disallowing black residents in the neighborhood; Preston Hollow has evolved into a place trying to maintain its old charm but building McMansions like other rich ‘hoods, a reality that makes it more economically exclusive than anything else; and finally, the point about the brouhaha at Preston Hollow Elementary is to underscore that, yes, class and racial tensions still exist in some forms — in Preston Hollow and across Dallas; pointing that out doesn’t negate the clarification I offered about the antiquated covenants either. Of course, those of us who live here in Dallas –that’s for you Grumpy (sleepy/misinformed?) Demo — know the class and racial tensions that exist.
Alrighty then. You’re all free to sling arrows again. Cheers.
Since when were we not free to sling arrows?
Frankly, around here, arrows would be a fresh alternative to what is usually being flung.
@james ragland
I’m more of a grammar observer than a monitor but I believe that could be the very first 4 semicolon sentence ever in the comments. Well played, sir. I hope you hold the record forever.
So that’s what an unedited column looks like?
Oy.
AlllllllllViiiiin!!!!!!
The deed restrictions that Mr Ragland referred to are very common among older developments in Texas. When you buy residential property they are usually blacked out by the title company, both out of respect for the buyers and sellers, and because they are unconstitutional. I’ve seen some in Ft Worth that dated back to the 19th century.
It’s my understanding that it’s fairly common throughout the former Confederate states, and it’s a reminder of just how completely out of touch some of our forefathers were with their humanity.
I hope I’m never out of touch with my humanity. I have too much time on my hand, so how else wood I pass the time when I’m board?
*fighting…urge…to…*
why didn’t james just use the above post as his dallas morning news column and save the time and space? just to mention W.?
Dallasite,
Not just in Texas or the South. Ohio, California, you name it.