Articles for May, 2011
Friday Afternoon Question: Castle Law vs. Just Punching
So we all know about castle law, right? It basically says you can shoot people if they come up in your house without your permission. I’m paraphrasing here. So I have this question, and since it’s Friday, I thought I’d ask it.
Suppose, hypothetically, you were busy doing something you didn’t want to get interrupted during, say making a souffle or watching House Hunters International, and someone knocks on your door. A salesman. And it’s after 8:30, and very dark, which is against city ordinance. And say, hypothetically, you were very upset when you opened the door and it was not someone with a big check, but instead was a salesman, trying to finagle his way in to your house to sell you an alarm system or leg warmers or something. Since we can legally shoot someone, wouldn’t punching this person in the snotbox also be permissible?
And even if not, wouldn’t you be a complete and total baddie if you just opened your door, punched, and closed again?
Discuss.
Law Man Walking: Nature Treks With Bill Holston
Surely you know the drill by now. Our man Bill likes to walk. He likes to write. This installment takes us 25 miles east of Dallas, into 1,800 acres of man-made wetlands. This one’s cool. Jump for the goodies.
October’s Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge Launch Party Postponed
Rumors that the October dedication of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge would be postponed were confirmed today by organizers. Seems winds, rain and other Pete Delkus-type problems were blamed for the delay.
Event planners are considering March for the new date. How about March 2, Texas Independence Day? Or is that too optimistic?
Let’s Go Mavs! Let’s Go Mavs! Let’s Go Mavs!
Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs! Let’s go Mavs!
Dallas PD’s iWatch App Nabs Ne’er-do-wells
In December, I wrote some jokes poking fun at the DPD’s iWatch app, which I implied was dumb. Okay, I more than implied it. Now comes news that tips submitted through the app have helped the cops bust folks who were growing pot. You would think that this news would call for a mea culpa, wouldn’t you?
City of Dallas Codes Only Apply to You and Me
Last night, WFAA had a story about the state of disrepair some of the Dallas Police substations are in. Some are so bad that, if they were homes in your neighborhood, they probably wouldn’t be up to city code. And yet, the situation is allowed to go on.
This got me thinking. See, near where I live, there are two abandoned buildings. Eyesores. Plywood is up, but it gets tagged regularly. The weeds and grass can get pretty high before it gets mowed. They’ve sat, vacant, for more than three years now. And yet, the city does nothing. Why?
Because they are buildings owned by the city. If these were houses, the city would consider the hobos, criminals and daring high schoolers the two buildings attract a nuisance, and the owner would be served notice and told to clean up or tear down. But these are city owned lots, and no amount of calling your council person will get the matter taken care of. You are assured that the city has plans for the building, and that we just need to be patient. And that’s if you can get your councilman or woman to respond.
Basically, city code only applies to you and me, and our homes and businesses. Any other office would be cited for not having working toilets. But if you’re a Dallas Police officer, you may have to hold it, or trek over to the 7-11. Any other homeowner would be cited if graffiti was left on his fence, or his house was in such disrepair that plywood replaced windows.
And I know these aren’t the only city-owned buildings that sit, abandoned. But looking at these two buildings every time I run an errand makes me angry. They’re at two of what you’d consider entry points to my ‘hood, which is full of people who presumably pay their property taxes and do their best to be good citizens and neighbors. Why can’t the city reciprocate the neighborliness?
So here’s what I propose: If the city decides to build a new building to replace an aging structure, the city must show that it has concrete plans for the existing structure before ground can break on a new one. And the new one? It can’t open until the city has carried those plans out to fruition.
A Little Dirk To Get You Ready for Tonight
I’ve heard this song before but just saw the video for the first time. Not afraid to admit it made me tear up.
Things To Do in Dallas This Weekend: May 6-8
Cinco de Mayo verdict: was it everything you hoped for and more? Red Bull set up some weird tent on McKinney in front of Primo’s. People were grinding awkwardly in a parking lot. As for me, an old friend and I walked over to the Ginger Man, which was awesomely empty thanks to the fact that they don’t serve margaritas. Next time you’re there, try the Baltika No. 7 from Russia.
Friday
Among other things, it’s Mother’s Day weekend. You have two days to come up with something great. D Home can help. Or, since you know Mom’s favorite gift was the one you made out of Popsicle sticks and glue when you were five, you could head to Oil and Cotton this evening and craft her something nice. Shannon Driscoll, one of the art space’s co-owners, is an expert in paper creations, and tonight, she’ll teach you how to make an adorable, one-of-a-kind chandelier out of paper, tree branches, feathers, and shells. The class fee includes the lesson, supplies and pizza for dinner— not a bad deal.
Last Days to Vote in Best of Big D: Shopping Poll. Once an Hour Through Sunday.
This is it, folks. Time to put up or shut up. We’ve come to the home stretch in our Best of Big D: Shopping poll, where were are deciding such important questions as: what’s the best furniture store in town? the best clothing store? the best comic book store? the best gift shop?
These are not trivial matters. Great songs will be written about the triumph of the winners. Honors shall be bestowed upon them, their children, and their children’s children. (But not their ne’er-do-well great-grandchildren.)
Most importantly (and truthfully), the winners will be recognized in the August 2011 issue of D Magazine. So vote now, and up to once an hour, through the last minutes of Sunday.
Leading Off (5/6/11)
Trey Garrison Should’ve Unbuttoned One More Button. Fox 4 not only did a rundown of a bill that would force companies to allow employees to keep their guns in their cars, but it had local gun rights advocate and writer Trey Garrison, and his manly chest, on to talk about the bill. Spoiler alert: He likes it. I think. I didn’t watch all six minutes because there was a Rangers game on. But I’m betting. Trey?
Is Our Children Learning? Listen, I don’t wanna pick on Richardson, but um, oops.
Something Something Naked Burglar Something Raw Chicken. So a Dallas mom comes home from dropping her kid at school to find a window broken. Inside, there’s a bloodied, naked man, eating raw chicken. I’m not sure which part of that sentence is most unsafe.
Someone in Dallas Dislikes Schools. Several Washington D.C. schools have received letters containing white powder, similar to other letters mailed to other schools in the U.S. At least one of the D.C. letters came from Dallas.
Why, Hello There, Ron Artest. Ron, we in Dallas are saddened that you will not be joining us for Game 3 tonight. However, when you do return to play the Mavericks, our mothers gave us an advanced directive.
City of Richardson Finds Itself At Odds With Its Citizenry
From a FrontBurnervian, I was alerted to some apparent skirmish involving city leaders and some citizens, who have apparently formed a PAC and are alleging some fiscal malfeasance of some sort by certain city officials. Apparently it’s been ongoing, and the subject of a whole lot of FOIA requests and videos.
The Richardson Citizens Alliance spells out some of their beef in the aforementioned videos, and here. City Manager Bill Keffler responds on the city website here. The FrontBurnervian in question asked me if this is legal – the question was apparently posed because Keffler is responding to campaign ads, and well, if that constituted campaigning on the city website. I do not know – that is for some elections law knowing readers, I suppose.
Soo?
Planning On Going to Game 3 of Mavs-Lakers?
You should probably get there early. Due to a possible increased threat level after the capture and killing of Osama bin Laden, the NBA asked all playoff teams to increase security. This, of course, means you will need to arrive earlier than usual on Friday if you plan on being in your seat for tip-off.
Also, free blue t-shirts for everyone! And, of course, be careful out there. In general. Regardless of possible terrorist threat.
Brokaw OK With White House Handling of Bin Laden Aftermath
Tom Brokaw
Unlike some, Tom Brokaw is declining to criticize the Obama Administration for its handling of the media in the wake of Osama bin Laden’s death. Details are often a little fuzzy right after such events, the former NBC News anchor said in Dallas today, and the White House has been quick to correct its errors. In any event the flap is “not central” to the bin Laden story, Brokaw added. “The important thing is, people understand he’s been eliminated. That was a tough move.”
Brokaw made the comments after addressing the Genesis Women’s Shelter’s annual Mother’s Day Luncheon, which raised $1 million for the nonprofit. In his talk to the 1,900 attendees, he said he learned about the bin Laden raid Sunday night after 9, when a “senior member of the White House staff” called him and said, “It’s a guy we’ve been looking for for a long time.” Brokaw said he hung up the phone and said, “They got Osama bin Laden.” He applauded the celebration by Americans that followed, and said he hopes the “wave of bipartisan approval … of what was accomplished” will continue.
People Actually Injured on Escalators at Mockingbird Station
I have this thing about escalators. I tend to step gingerly on them, especially if say, wearing flip flops. And now, today, with news that several people were injured on the escalators at Mockingbird Station and then hospitalized, I feel vindicated. So quit laughing at me.
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