Articles for September 23rd, 2010
John Cornyn Jumps Aboard Tea Party Express
Here’s a new ad from the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee, which our distingushed junior senator heads. A FrontBurnervian points out that five of the candidates featured — Angle, O’Donnell, Paul, Rubio, and Miller — were opposed by Cornyn in the primary. (Yep, he knows how to pick ‘em.) But give the senator credit. The train may have left the station, but somehow he has leapt onto the caboose.
Where Should You Eat Dinner Tonight?
Heck, I don’t know where you live. I can’t possibly tell you where to eat tonight. But this thing can.
Texas Textbooks Rife with “Pro-Islamic” Bias
Forget that barely 50 percent of Texas public school students make it to graduation. Forget that those who managed to graduate ranked 34th out of 50 states on standardized test scores. Forget that the state is broke and that education spending is being cut by 10 percent.
No, the biggest problem — according to members of the Texas State Board of Education – is that we are turning out “pro-Islamic/anti-Christian” students. Who knew? Randy Rives, an Odessa school board member, that’s who:
In interviews, Mr. Rives has likened his concerns about Islam to those he and other Americans once had about communists infiltrating American society.
Yep, we’re now in full Joe McCarthy mode, with no apologies. (And, by the way, the textbook he quotes was last used in Texas in 2003.)
Hungry Thunderducks Get Fleeced
For the past few weeks, I’ve been taking a continuing education course at Richland College. (Conversational Klingon, if you must know.) Because I head there straight from work, I seldom have time to grab dinner. Thus, I hit the vending machines in Thunderduck Hall, which I believe may feature the highest prices in Dallas. Here’s a comparison of the prices there and the prices here at D world headquarters:
| Richland College | D Magazine | |
| Potato chips | $1 | 75 cents |
| Peanut butter crackers | 80 cents | 60 cents |
| Cookies | $1.25 | 75 cents |
| Candy bars | $1 | 65 cents |
| Sodas | $1.25 (20 oz.) | 60 cents (12 oz.) |
Isn’t community college supposed to be affordable? How can the vendor at Richland be charging so much more than the vendor here at the supposedly high-tone publishing empire? Does your building have a similarly out-of-whack vending machine? Comments are on.
Better Block Project Inspires Copycats in Maryland
The Washington Post today brings us a story about a city in Maryland called Mount Rainier that is borrowing a page from our buddies in Oak Cliff. They’re going to try to fire up their own version of the Better Block Project. Kudos to Jason Roberts and his merry band of hipsters.
What to Do in Dallas Tonight: Sept. 23
Two big announcements today: A) Adam Richman, host of the Travel Channel’s Man v Food, became one of my followers on Twitter last night. And guess what I learned? We’re both following Shaq and Neil Diamond! I love technology. B) I have unleashed onto the public my guide to the State Fair of Texas, which you’re going to need for the next few weeks beginning tomorrow.
But whatever should you do to amuse yourself tonight? I’m so glad you asked.
(more…)
Eric Celeste Rolls Up Sleeves, Does Some Work
Yesterday I chided our former colleague Eric Celeste, spokesman for the Craig Watkins reelection campaign, for giving a lackluster quote to the Morning News in defense of his boss’s expensive tuxedo. Late yesterday, Celeste, apparently having read my post, gave it the college try in an interview with Gromer Jeffers. He called Danny Clancy, Watkins’ challenger, “a sleazy defense lawyer.”
Eh, still pretty tame, Celeste. Now, if you’d called him a “d-bag defense lawyer,” I would have been impressed.
Pat and Emmitt Smith Welcome Elijah Alexander James Smith
On top of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and being all-around-man-of-the-hour, Emmitt Smith has become a father again. Gorgeous wife Pat (pictured right with Emmitt) gave birth last night to Elijah Alexander James Smith. The newest Smith weighed in at 6 pounds, 6 ounces.
Congratulations to Pat, Emmitt, Elijah and the entire Smith family.
Stephen Sondheim Appearances Postponed Due to Illness
Award-winning Stephen Sondheim was to appear at Booker T. Washington and the Nasher Sculpture Center today as part of the Nasher Salon Series, but has had to “postpone due to illness.”
According to Nasher spokesperson Kristen Gibbins,
“Ticket holders may choose to hold on to their tickets for guaranteed seating at a future Salon date with Mr. Sondheim yet to be determined or have the option to receive an immediate refund by calling Click N’ Print tickets at 888.695.0888. We are sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.”
An Open Letter to Jody Dean and His Morning Team
Dear Mr. Dean and Team:
I confess I missed your discussion this morning wherein you guys bemoaned the fact that you haven’t been mentioned on FrontBurner in a while. I tuned in just moments later, when you were talking about a new study out of Scotland that found that women prefer men who are relaxed as opposed to men who are uptight. But a friend called to inform me of your chitchat.
Here’s the thing: much like Scottish women, I, too, prefer men who are relaxed as opposed to uptight. Please don’t read anything homoerotic into that statement. I’m just saying that if I were working on a project — a business proposal, building a cedar fence — and I could choose a male collaborator who was either a) laid-back or b) wound up tight like a cheap watch, I’d go with option a) nine times out of 10. I’m leaving some wiggle room in there just in case the laid-back guy was ugly and the uptight guy was smoking hot.
Anyway, Jody Dean and Team, you’re on FrontBurner today.
Sincerely,
Leading Off (9/23/10)
1. Did anyone else plan to get up at 2:17 this morning to see the super harvest moon, which won’t come again until 2029, but instead of getting up, they turned off the alarm and justified it with saying, “Oh, well, it’ll be back again in 19 years”? At least I thought about trying.
2. There are about 3,500 really happy electric car drivers today. Why? Because Half Price Books has unveiled its charging station, which customers can use for free through September of next year. There are two other such charging stations in Dallas. I think this is pretty cool. Since I’m now a downtown dweller who yells often at car drivers for various, sometimes unjustified reasons, I applaud all the efforts for a greener world. And, if you must know, I do this applauding while walking to work. (Unless it’s hot outside, then I’m driving. Or humid. Or raining. I think I’ll walk in snow. We’ll see. Probably not, though. Wouldn’t want to ruin my shoes.)
3. And here’s a story with a happy ending. Christal’s, an adult novelty shop, went up in Haltom City. Within the first week, moms were on the phone complaining about the posters being used at the store. (No use in watching the video in hopes of catching a glimpse of any of the posters. They blurred them out). So, the store, in an effort to be a good neighbor, has changed the signs. And everyone’s happy. Count that as a win for the helicopter moms.
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