Articles for December 14th, 2012
Texas Land Commissioner: Schools Should Have Armed Officers
In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting today in Connecticut, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson spoke out about gun violence, particularly a way he believes it can be curbed.
From the Chronicle:
“The common denominator for the school shootings in Aurora, Columbine and Virginia Tech is that we have a target-rich environment,” said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. “You have a shooter that is completely free to go about his sick fantasy. We need to do what it takes to change that.”
One game changer, Patterson said, would be to arm more police officers, security guards and responsible citizens on campuses to confront a mass shooter.
“Had there been (armed security guard and citizens) in Colorado, at Virginia Tech or now in Connecticut – someone that could have changed the dynamic and to do so by having a firearm – there would be fewer lives lost.”
I’m just gonna leave this here; I’m sure someone will have something to say.
Some Thoughts About the New Dallas Sidekicks
buy good essayntent/uploads/2012/12/tatuspeak.jpeg” alt=”" width=”635″ height=”381″ /> Tatu addresses Dallas Sidekicks players. Source: Dallas Sidekicks
Tomorrow night, the Dallas Sidekicks play the Texas Strikers in Allen. I mention this because a few weeks ago Brad and I went up to Allen, to watch a Sidekicks game. I also got the chance to talk with Tatu and new owner Ronnie Davis.
I should say: I grew up here watching the Sidekicks, going to Tatu’s camps, hoping more than anything that one day I would catch one of the jerseys he threw into the crowd after he scored a goal. (I never did.) I had the programs, watched the away games on TV, and knew the name, position, and hometown of every player on the team. I have a lot of the Never Say Die documentary memorized. (I am a nerd and I played soccer, so…) Brad had never attended a professional indoor soccer game before. He claims he played indoor soccer when he was younger, and was aware professional indoor soccer existed.
Here are some thoughts about the experience: (more…)
Rick Perry Sends Condolences to Victims of Sandy Hook Shooting, Condolences That Don’t Mention Guns Thankfully
From Perry’s press office:
“The horrific event that transpired at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut is as profoundly disturbing as it is impossible
to fully understand. The fact that so many victims were children weighs heavily upon the hearts and souls of each Texan and every American. Anita and I send our personal condolences to everyone touched by this senseless tragedy, pray for the quick healing of those injured, and extend our hopes that time will help ease the suffering of those who lost loved ones.”
I kept waiting for Second Amendment Rick to come out, but he didn’t. Good for him.
Why Doesn’t Texas Have Civil Unions?
That’s the question asked by TexMo editor Erica Grieder, on her blog. After all, as generic propecia online
/why-texas-doesnt-have-civil-unions.html” target=”_blank”>Andrew Sullivan points out, 69 percent of Texans polled by the Texas Tribune “would allow some form of legal partnership.”
Grieder says supporters shouldn’t hold their breath:
If you were just polling elected officeholders, however, I bet you could easily find a 75% majority against gay marriage, and probably against civil unions for that matter. The usual reasons apply: years of Republican hegemony and Democratic torpor have created a situation in which the Republican primary is, in many cases, more important than the general election. The political battles are therefore being fought between the right and the far right. And both camps have reason to oppose gay marriage. The latter because they’re against it, and the former because–even if they’re not philosophically opposed to gay rights– public displays of moderation, or even disinterest, bring them nothing but trouble.
Ex-Mav Bubba Wells Spins Back Into Our Collective Consciousness
Former Dallas Maverick Bubba Wells is known for one thing: fouling out of an NBA game faster than anyone in league history. Three minutes was all it took on Dec. 29, 1997, fouling Dennis Rodman six times in an effort to send the poor-shooting Worm to the line. Wells only played 39 games in the NBA, all in the 1997-98 season.
But now he’s back, in a New York Times story about another poor-shooting rebound cyborg, Dwight Howard:
(more…)
Centennial Offering Major Discounts This Weekend, Ctd.
The sale at retail locations turned out not to be as awesome as we’d hoped. Today is the first day of the warehouse sale. FrontBurnervian Justin B. tells us:
I stopped by there [10410 Finnell Street, Dallas] at 10:15, 15 minutes after it opened, and the place was already a zoo. Tons of wine and various bottles of liquor scattered throughout the cramped aisles. It appeared that there were only two cashiers setup, so I decided to skip the hour-ish checkout line. The deals are nice, but to me they weren’t worth the searching and waiting in line.
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In honor of my maternal grandmother, a Hanukkah treat. Today’s game is “Hanukkah Candles,” and it’s basically Bejewled, but with Hanukkah candles. It’s very easy; just unhook your eyes, like a Magic Eye poster.
And what better way to celebrate Hanukkah than some Cohen, right?
Things To Do In Dallas This Weekend: Dec. 14-16
Matt Shelley takes pretty pictures.
Happy Hobbit Day. I’ll probably be seeing that again this weekend, but for those you uninterested in wizards riding a sled powered by rabbits, there’s all this other stuff.
Friday
Our Matt Shelley is killing me with these Craft & Growler photos. He makes me want to go there immediately after work, order whatever they recommend, and sit forever. It’s all decorated for the holidays, too. This plan actually might be good for you, if you’re trying to rush On the Eve, the new musical happening in the tiny Magnolia Lounge in Fair Park. It’s completely sold out, so your chances of getting a seat are slim.
Craft & Growler is there to catch you when you fall, though. Or since you can get growlers to go, it might just prepare you for the BYOB madness of Ash Fridays, since the Green Bandanda Group is throwing yet another party at their Fair Park studio. As always with them, there’s art, hijinks, and free drinks.
For a decent dose of holiday cheer this evening, husband-and-wife country duo Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis are taking the Wyly Theatre stage for a concert of their Christmas hits. Austin folk singer BettySoo supports.
ding-off-113012/” target=”_blank”>the Brookings Institute reported that Dallas was one of only three American cities to have fully recovered from the recession. To discuss that, Mayor Mike headed to PRI’s The Takeaway Tuesday. He stressed infrastructure investments, tax policy, the Arts District, and high fives.
As for the Cowboys: “I have no idea why I root for them. No clue. It’s all drama, all drama…I love ‘em, but I hate ‘em at the same time.”
