Articles for September, 2009
Wyly Calls for Carbon Tax, More Power for FDIC
Sean McCormick photo
Dallas billionaire Sam Wyly (pictured) is out with an expanded paperback edition of his memoir, 1,000 Dollars and an Idea. In it, the successful entrepreneur (Michaels Stores, Green Mountain Energy, etc.) has penned a new chapter about the “Great Crash of 2008,” then argues for a tax on carbon consumption and against excessive government regulation of the financial markets, because “over-regulation in free markets is dangerous.” He goes on:
Having said that, there are two ways the government can use regulation to help. The first is simply to require that the truth be told. Regarding derivatives and securitization and all this alphabet soup of complicated assets, the government should require disclosure. … The second regulatory aid that can be provided by government is to give the [Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.] the power to liquidate bank holding companies. For banks, the FDIC has the power to merge insolvent banks into solvent ones. All it needs today is the same power to deal with bank holding companies. … If given [that power], the FDIC could clean up the mess that the bank holding companies have created with their mountains of debt in probably a few months.
Great Michael Jordan Story, Involving a Dallas Evangelist
Michael Jordan will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this week. ESPN has issued a special collector’s edition “bookazine” to honor the occasion, filled with stories and photos and whatnot. One story you may not have heard before is this one: the time when Jordan was almost sliced in half by a samurai sword (slight exaggeration), as part of a Carolina stop of Dallas evangelist Bill Glass‘ prison ministry. Ball Don’t Lie has helpfully reprinted the piece for those of you without a subscription to ESPN The Magazine. Good stuff.
Frisco Police Chief Spoils Gun-Lover’s Fun
So what if the Frisco police chief won’t let you have that fully automatic weapon you’ve always desired. You mean you were still hoping to buy your gun as an individual? All true patriots know that you should form a nonprofit corporation or gun trust for your firearm purchases.
That way you don’t need law enforcement to sign off, and you won’t have to give Big Brother your fingerprints. Best of all, the whole family will be able to enjoy your weaponry:
When an NFA firearm is transferred or registered to an individual, only that individual may possess and use that NFA firearm. However, with a gun trust, any trustee may possess the firearm … Hence, where a family sets up a gun trust, all family members over the age of 18 could be designated trustees; thus enabling them to have possession of the firearm.
Fort Worth Claims Its Share of Assassination
So the city of Fort Worth wants in on the JFK business.
The spectacularly named Farris Rookstool III is leading the charge to put up an eight-foot statue near the site of Kennedy’s last public speech. “It was his last happy moment,” he said. You know, before those jerks in Dallas gave Texas hospitality a bad name, he implied.
Emmitt Smith Continues to Say Things With His Mouth
In case you hadn’t heard, Emmitt Smith criticized Tony Romo for not being a leader. Which led to this funny line from Deadspin’s A.J. Daulerio:
Smith told Sirius’ NFL radio that he’s yet to see the smiley Romo “snatch somebody up” for not doing their job on the football field, which means, I assume, that he’s never seen him be a leader nor kidnap a small child in a shopping mall.
Note to co-workers: if you slack off today, I will snatch you up.
Leading Off (9/10/09)
1. President Obama’s mention of Waxahachie’s Robin Beaton in last night’s health care speech is enough of a reason to post the transcript. I probably would have done it anyway, because I want to keep someone busy moderating comments all day. One-two-three — not it!
2. Since no one will probably care what I post here after Item No. 1, here is Dokken vs. Chicken.
3. Here is a good Avett Brothers song. And here is the worst sports column in the history of ever.
Texas Gang Symbols Lack Creativity
I had occasion this afternoon to be in the office of a prosecutor with the gang unit of the DA’s office. On his office wall he had this poster, depicting gang tattoos and symbols from around the state.
I have to say that “Folk Nation” and “People Nation” seem to have drawn the short straw when it comes to symbols. Is that the Southwest Airlines logo in the top left?
Fed Says Things Could Be Worse
The Federal Reserve’s Beige Book says that the Dallas district’s economy has “firmed” somewhat in the last six weeks. That’s about a positive as it’s willing to get.
In a speech today, Dallas Fed President Richard Fisher takes extra measures to ensure we don’t get too excited, now that some of the Fed’s contacts say we’re “up off the bottom”:
“We are likely to see a prolonged period of sluggish economic performance and uncomfortably high unemployment as businesses reallocate capital and labor to fit the new economic landscape.”
I’m tired of this meltdown slowdown. Anything more inspiring on TV tonight?
Arlington ISD Didn’t Show Obama Speech, But Will Send Fifth Graders to Hear Bush Talk
Two things: 1) I know I’m more or less chumming the waters here, and 2) yes, I realize the events are not as similar as that simple headline implies (i.e., the Bush speech is part of a Super Bowl-related event). But still.
USA Today’s On Deadline blog breaks the situation down like a fraction here.
(Remember comments are being moderated. So consider what you post. And I’m talking to both sides of the aisle here.)
The DMN’s Mario Tarradell on the Beatles’ Remastered Catalog
Dallas Morning News music critic Mario Tarradell checks in with his take on the newly issued and virtually inescapable remastered version of the Beatles’ catalog. Unlike past instances where I’ve taken Mario to task, there isn’t a line or section that stands out. It’s actually not too bad, and adroitly covers most of the bases (how it sounds, where it’s at, how much it costs, etc.). But — and you knew that was coming — it lacks any real critical authority, because of too many qualifiers.
For instance:
Even the casual Beatles fan would recognize the importance of the band’s initial four albums remastered and in stereo, which is arguably a huge improvement over the original mono versions.
And:
Revolver, considered by many fans to be the Beatles’ finest album, also jumps out of the speakers.
I read those two passages and I wonder: Is the stereo version a huge improvement or not? Do you, Mario, consider Revolver to be the Beatles’ finest album? I don’t think there is necessarily a right or wrong answer to those questions, because it is an opinion. I just would like to see an actual opinion there without any sort of C.Y.A. tactics.
Cici’s Pizza Recycles Organic Material
Is this the secret to offering unlimited pizza for $5?
The Sustainability & Environmental Services Department for Plano, Texas awarded Cici’s Pizza with its Environmental Star of Excellence, thanks to a recycling program that has kept 55 tons of organic material out of landfills since May 2008.
“Organic material,” huh? Do we need to put Chuck Heston on the story?
The Attack of the Crazy Ants
Crazy ants — “so named because they move in all directions rather than in a straight line” — were first seen in Houston seven years ago. They’ve remained in Southeast Texas counties — UNTIL NOW. Delightfully named Pearland exterminator Tom Rasberry thinks they’ll make it at least to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, if not beyond. Why should you care? Oh, I don’t know, maybe because:
“They can so overwhelm a yard that your dog won’t even want to go outside to pee,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife entomologist Mike Quinn. “If a pet or even a person steps outside, they can be covered in ants within a minute.”
I’ll be picturing this when I go to sleep tonight, I can promise you that.
Why You Should Visit ShopTalk This Week
Do yourself a favor and get you some ShopTalk. Two reasons: 1) They’re asking folks to send in ’80s-era pictures of themselves. Winner in the clubhouse right now is Eric Celeste (scroll down). And 2) Stephanie Quadri is in Valencia, Spain, right now, checking out their version of Fashion Week. After Valencia, she’s headed to NYC for the real deal. Expect updates when she’s sober enough to operate her iPhone.
Leading Off (9/9/09)
A special nine-nine-oh-nine quiz for you. I give you the quote, and you pair it with its speaker and context.
1. “He’s just developing as a person in a leadership role.”
2. “I feel like I’ve been rode hard and put up wet.”
3. “I’m kind of surprised. I’m not going to lie.”
a. Julio Borbon, who only hit two home runs in 96 triple-A games, describing how he felt about hitting two home runs in one game, helping the Rangers sweep a double-header against Cleveland.
b. Bishop Suffragan Paul Lambert, of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, describing how he felt after dealing with a priest who resigned after the DMN showed that he’d “defrauded an ex-parishioner while serving as his stockbroker, lost his securities license, failed to pay child support, was put on probation for contempt of court, and didn’t pay federal income taxes.”
c. Don Hill defending his buddy D’Angelo Lee on the witness stand, even though he characterized the man in distinctly less flattering terms in a wiretap.
Project Green Summit Coming to Fort Worth and Richardson
Tim is the eco-friendly one on staff, what with the Prius and all, but a commenter asked me to draw the attention of FB Nation to the upcoming Project Green Summit, which happens September 15 in Fort Worth (11:30 a.m.) and Richardson (7:30 p.m.). It’s being put on by WFAA, is subtitled “Putting Green into Action,” and will be keynoted by actress Daryl Hannah, who apparently is, like Tim, an environmentalist of some repute. Everything else you need is in that second link.
Home |
Masthead |
News from D |
About Us |
Contact Us |
Subscribe |
Advertise |
Privacy Policy |
Customer Service |
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index
Awards | Archives | Reprints | d custom | Jobs | Advertiser's Index