Articles for November 15th, 2010
Kay Bailey Hutchison to Run Again?
I love Kay Bailey. But, really, this on again/off again thing is getting a little tiresome. Chris Cillizza at the Washington Post reports that the poll numbers are terrible:
Though she was once the most popular politician in the state, that is no longer the case. A poll from Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling in September showed just 56 percent of Republicans approved of Hutchison, and she was at just 34 percent in a ballot test against Michael Williams — horrible territory for an incumbent. Williams was at just 13 percent in the head-to-head, but much of that is because people don’t know who he is. When Hutchison was matched up against a generic “more conservative challenger,” that challenger beat her 62 percent to 25 percent.
Then again, there’s plenty of time for the public mood to change. But how often will the senator change her mind in the meantime?
Neftali Feliz Wins AL Rookie of the Year
What do you have to say about that, Tim McCarver? Did Neftali Feliz deserve that award?
I think, in Neftali Perez, the Texas Rangers have found themselves an outstanding relief pitcher, a pitcher who can come in at the end of a game, when relief pitchers normally come into games, in the eighth inning or the ninth, or even, sometimes, the tenth inning, and get batters out, which is what you want from a pitcher, specifically a relief pitcher, which is what Neftali Perez is. They call that “closing out games,” which is why some people would refer to Perez as a “closer.”
(Sorry. This guy does that shtick wayyyy better than me.)
The Dallas Morning News Goes Behind Pay Wall
The Dallas Morning News has a banner ad on its front page proclaiming changes – specifically, new subscriber content that is unique. If you click through, it sounds an awful lot like the DMN is going behind a pay wall. In fact, last week they pretty much said there would be paid content. So now I have questions.
1. How does this square up with the content sharing the paper does with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram?
2. Do they realize that a whole lot of blogs and other assorted online content will look elsewhere first before they link to a Dallasnews.com story?
3. What about the mighty multitude of blogs run by the DMN? They provide some of the most unique content the site has some days. If they go behind a wall, what’s the point?
4. Why does every link in the “Learn More” page go to a page that lets me enter an unnamed sweepstakes? Is it free content for life? A toaster? A black leotard and a hammer?
So I have questions. Many questions (or four, if you’re keeping score). What about you – will you pay to read online content?
First Baptist Church To Open Casino in Downtown Dallas
That’s what I thought when I saw the below animation of the fountain they plan to install at their new digs. I’m ambivalent about this thing. On the one hand, it strikes me as a gaudy (God-y?) waste of water. On the other, though, I work a stone’s throw from where that fountain will spurt, and I can’t wait to see it. (h/t Unfair Park)
Wanna Smoke? Move to Denison, Texas
Boy, do I love these maps. Here’s the latest from Slate. Twenty-six percent of the people in Grayson County light up daily, compared to 18 percent in Dallas and 20 percent in Fort Worth. Meanwhile, only 10 percent of Texans smoke daily, which must mean that somewhere in this state — but where? — nobody is smoking at all.
Plano ISD Pulls Humanity Textbook Because of Statue Nudity
It’s an old joke, but do you know the difference between naked and nekkid? Well, naked is no clothes on. Nekkid is no clothes on and up to something.
Now, with that definition in mind, we broach the subject of Plano ISD banning humanities textbooks because they have pictures of nude Greek statues. First, aside from busts (the noggin kind, not the chest kind), are there any other kinds of Greek statues? Second, these are books for high school students. Note to parents: if you have anything more than basic cable at home, your kid has seen naked. No, wait. If it was Cinemax, it was definitely nekkid.
Which brings me to my last point: statues are not animate objects. And these are works of art, to boot. Have you seen these statues? If your kid can get any kind of um, excitement, from a no-eyeballed, half-draped woman with one boob out, well, you have other problems with your kid than his or her anatomy textbook, IJS.
Things to Do in Dallas: Nov. 15
I have two cures for your Monday ennui: music (with jangly piano! And hand claps!) and a product giveaway courtesy of ShopTalk. Once you’ve experienced both of these pleasing diversions, head over to the next page for ways to spend the rest of your day.
Requisite Mention of Jessica Simpson’s Engagement
She likes football players, apparently. And she’s not seeking a prenup.
There. Satisfied?
Wade Phillips: “I’ll Be Coaching One of These Days”
You can’t accuse Wade Phillips of hiding after getting the boot as coach of the Dallas Cowboys. Phillips and his wife Laurie turned up this morning at the annual C.A.R.E. (Chemical Awareness Resources & Education) Community Breakfast at the Belo Mansion, where actor John Larroquette was the guest speaker.
Asked after the breakfast about yesterday’s big ‘Boys win, Phillips said, “I’m just so proud of them. They needed that, and I knew they’d come through.” As for his life post-Cowboys, Phillips said, “I’ll be coaching one of these days. I’m not talking with anyone now, but after the season’s over, somebody will need a defensive coordinator.”
The several hundred C.A.R.E. attendees appreciated Phillips’ showing up, by the way. When he was introduced from the podium they gave him a rousing standing O–one that lasted a long, long time.
Jason Garrett’s #1 Fan — Brill
This just might be the happiest and proudest woman in Dallas — Brill Garrett. Her Princeton-grad husband Jason Garrett had a very good day on Sunday in New Yawk.
Just like Jason, Brill graduated from Princeton, but she also picked up a law degree from Harvard. The Garretts not only have brains and talent, they’re not hard on the eyes either.
Time Running Out to RSVP for Thursday’s Screening of Conjure Women
The fifth installment of FrontRow’s film series takes place this Thursday at 500x Gallery. For all the details about the event and the film, as well as to RSVP, visit here.
Leading Off (11/15/10)
1. If I told you Southern Methodist University was the third best private university in the country you would probably raise an eyebrow. The university, however, does have the third highest-paid president of any private university in the country, according to a study that includes not only salaries, but other forms of compensation in its calculations.
2. An episode of teenage high romance ended so sadly and spectacularly Sunday morning, after a 14-year-old boy, along with his 14-year-old girlfriend and their 16-year-old friend, eased his parents’ SUV out of the driveway in neutral. They started the car in the street and pointed its bumper toward Oklahoma. They were running away, beginning a new life, and they celebrated (and, perhaps, bolstered) their boldness with beer, drinking while they ran. Then, the boy drove the car off the highway near Denton, killing his girl.
3. Dallas Police Officer Nick Novello told a Dallas Morning News reporter that he has no interest in climbing the ranks of local law enforcement. That’s probably a good quality for a local cop who is also the spokesperson for LEAP (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition), hosting a seminar over the weekend in an unnamed Fort Worth location, advocating for the full legalization of marijuana. “We can survive addiction, but not conviction,” Novello said, arguing that even petty marijuana convictions can ruin lives. In related news, MADD is pushing for federal legislation that requires technology in all of our cars that senses alcohol and locks down the car if the driver registers as having consumed alcohol.
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