Articles for November 2nd, 2012
Steve Kroft of 60 Minutes: “We’re Always Looking for Somebody Who’s Getting Screwed”
60 Minutes correspondent Steve Kroft says he’ll have a piece on Sunday’s show about the U.S. Senate, and how it isn’t working because there’s no compromising “middle” there anymore. He’s also preparing a story for later about a hospital chain (he wouldn’t name it) that’s somehow using jacked-up Medicare payments as a money-making strategy.
Appearing in Dallas today at a luncheon put on by the National Center for Policy Analysis, the veteran journalist for the top-rated CBS news program submitted to a grilling by Dennis McCuistion, a local TV host and professor at the University of Texas at Dallas.
During the interview Kroft disagreed that there’s overt liberal bias in the mainstream media; asserted that Dan Rather rushed his controversial 60 Minutes story about George W. Bush’s service in the Air National Guard; and said he doesn’t believe the explosion of Web-based New Media is good for the country.
Here’s Why You Don’t Want To Depose Wick Allison
Back in August, I told you about a 4-year-old defamation lawsuit that D Magazine had finally won. At the time, I wanted to share something with you but was advised not to by our wise Haynes and Boone counsel. The five cops who sued us — Jeffrey Nelson, Alfred Schoelen Jr., Timothy Stecker, David Kattner, and Walter Clifton — could have appealed to the Texas Supreme Court. So there was a slight chance that we weren’t done with the matter. Now there’s no chance. I learned yesterday that the Fifth District Court of Appeals issued a mandate affirming the lower court’s judgment. Now it’s really over. Which means I can now share. I’ve been sitting on this for four years.
Following are two excerpts from Wick’s deposition in the case. The man posing the questions is the plaintiffs’ attorney, David Schiller. The Mr. Bloom who periodically raises an objection is Jason Bloom, our attorney.
The Magnolia Theater Renovations: Are Cinemas For Watching Movies or Eating Empanadas?
Today the Magnolia movie theater at West Village opened its newly renovated theaters to audiences. Among the changes is that tickets to all of their shows are now purchased with reserved seating. Your ticket guarantees you a specific seat.
While I generally prefer the flexibility of beating the crowd to get myself my preferred seat at the theater, and to perhaps change my mind about my preferred seat at the last minute, I understand why the Magnolia made this move. On busy nights their upstairs lobby often became a madhouse due to patrons jockeying for position in lines that snaked around and down the stairs, or mobs that swarmed the ticket-taker all at once. There’s not a lot of space up there, and so the reserved seats should allow everyone to relax and not have to get to their seats until just before showtime.
The other part of what the Magnolia has done – converting two of its screens to “VIP experiences” – concerns me. (more…)
Backlash (or Backpedaling, Depending on Your POV) Continues For Dallas State Sen. John Carona
The Texas Tribune published this video piece Wednesday (after the Observer earlier this week) on the growing stink Dallas State Sen. John Carona has found himself in. To catch everyone up, Carona was talking with the Dallas Voice, said this about gay marriage/civil unions:
“I struggle with it because, on the one hand you practice your faith for a reason. On the other hand, I look at the issue and say to myself ‘What could be bad about anything that encourages monogamy?’”
…then said this, after a bunch of folks/donors ground him into a pulp over his comments:
“Consistent with my voting record, I do not support gay marriage. This is my view, and I believe it reflects the view of an overwhelming majority of voters in Senate District 16.”
The Voice responded yesterday, in a John Wright editorial entitled “Time for John Carona to Grow a Pair“:
So here’s our advice to you, senator: Grow a pair and own your comments that we got on tape, then tell the Pastor Council to take a flying f*ck. You told me you were concerned about representing constituents in your conservative district, and you questioned my statement that poll numbers show a majority of Texans support equality. Well, the latest poll shows that 70 percent back relationship recognition for same-sex couples, which based on several previous polls includes a majority of Republicans.
Carona’s office, expectedly, has stopped commenting on the issue.
Dallas Fire Department Baseball Team Wins North Texas Title, Makes Awesome Video to Rub it in
The Dallas Fire Department baseball team took the 35+ division crown in this fall’s North Texas Amateur Baseball League recently, but that’s not the point. The point is this awesome video with players exploding out of flames and fireworks, with some real Gladiator ish as the background music.
BBQ Snob Daniel Vaughn’s Book Cover Revealed
As Nancy mentioned earlier, the first book to be released on Anthony Bourdain’s Harper Collins imprint will be The Prophets of Smoked Meats, by BBQ Snob Daniel Vaughn.
Quick game. Name the joint that provided the meats for Vaughn’s cover. You can find the answer here, so don’t be a jerk and cheat.
Things To In Dallas This Weekend: Nov. 2-4
Jack Black as Bernie in the Richard Linklater-directed film.
Catch you guys on the other side of this weekend. I am not necessarily known throughout the United States for my optimism, but I think this one might be pretty great.
Friday
Tonight offers a good time at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture with Texas Monthly writer Skip Hollandsworth. Hollandsworth is a delight to hear speak, especially on the topic of the film Bernie that he worked on with Richard Linklater, which is of course based on the magazine article he wrote in 1998 about mild-mannered small-town undertaker Bernie Tiede (a story so crazy it had to be true). Hollandsworth will chat about Texas from a writer’s perspective. To hammer the theme home, there will be Texas country music, Shiner beer,and pots of home-made chili for your general enjoyment. Highly recommended, and the movie is worth your time, too.
Yes, the A$AP Rocky/Danny Brown show at the House of Blues is sold out. It’s too bad. But you can flex your own vocal cords at Theatre Three’s Avenue Q sing-along, which is brilliant. I cannot tell you how much I love sing-alongs. Okay, I will. It’s weird, because I usually don’t enjoy group activities. But I can also tell you that I don’t think I’ve ever been happier than I was screaming the lyrics to “I’ve Got a Theory” during a Buffy the Vampire Slayer sing along, surrounded by a ton of other equally zealous (read: crazed, rabid) fans. And Theatre Three’s production of the puppet musical Avenue Q, which our FrontRow reviewer called a “foul-mouthed, hilarious Sesame Street,” has basically been killing it for months–extended twice over, though December 9. You can still snag tickets online, but remember, adults only. Those puppets take their clothes off.
The Onion Analyzes Tony Romo’s, Let’s Say, Proclivity For Crappiness
Back in September, Peter broke down the best game of Tony Romo’s life, a 1997 high school match-up set in Wisconsin. Today, The Onion breaks down the rest of his career.
In a piece titled “ESPN ‘Sports Science’ Segment Reveals Physics Of Tony Romo’s Sh*ttiness,” the paper of record does a deep dive into Romo’s career, from a scientific point of view.
“It was truly fascinating to scrutinize Romo’s pathetic struggles on the field,” said physicist Charles Dunbar. “We are finally starting to unravel the science behind the dumb sh*t tripping over his own feet and falling down well before the pass rushers arrive.”
In case everyone forgot, the Cowboys are scheduled to get pummeled by the Falcons Sunday night.
Cuban Offers Trump $1 Million to Shave His Head
Watch this video, which appears to have been shot in a black-box theater.
Okay, you’re done, and you’ll never have those 37 seconds back. If you ignored my instructions, the headline should do enough to catch you up. In response to Donald Trump’s $5 million offer to President Obama’s charity of choice for the release his college transcripts and passport application, Mark Cuban offered that sputtering pile of follicles $1 million to shave his head. Thankfully, someone’s Xanga page has already imagined what he’d look like bald.
And as much as I’d enjoy this, I’d much prefer if Mayor Mike forked over $500,000 worth of P’Zones to former Mayor Tom Leppert, provided he stops wearing that flag/eagle shirt.
Early Voting Percentages Favor Republicans
Source: Darwood Technology
Courtesy of the West Dallas Chamber of Commerce and Darwood Technology, we have a quick look at early voting in the county. Draw your own conclusions, but Republicans (Park Cities, Preston Hollow, North Dallas) seem to like hitting the polls early.
(The circled red area is West Dallas, highlighted here because I pulled the map from the Chamber’s Facebook page.)
Leading Off (11/2/12)
Mansfield Man Jailed For Missing Jury Duty Five Times: Jose Bocanegra’s excuse was “Yeah I don’t want to wait,” which, really, is pretty spot-on. He also dodged his first summons by claiming he was a felon when he wasn’t, marking the first time in history that conversation has gone in that direction.
Temperatures Will Test The Record Books Today:Â The mercury could hit 90 today and tomorrow, 15 degrees warmer than the norm. Enjoy your pumpkin lattes!
Pantego Woman Sues Cops Over Burst Implant: I don’t know anything about breast implants, but it seems the technology should’ve advanced enough that I shouldn’t have to type that headline, no? Nonetheless, Rebecca Van Hooser claims one of her breasts popped when a Pantego cop threw her on the hood of her car following a headlight violation.
Goodbye, Bethany: I’m taking over the Friday Leading Off from Bethany Anderson, beloved commenter turned FrontBurner contributor. I will try to take the YouTube baton and run with it. Thanks for the memories.
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