Articles for February 6th, 2013
Should Klyde Warren Park Add Another Park?
Since Klyde Warren Park is moving forward with its planned ice rink, it feels like the powers-that-be are running out of usable real estate, what with the dog park, the children’s area, the performance stage, the putting green, ping-pong tables, the t-shirt cannon firing range, the Bonnie and Klyde improv troupe’s theater, and so on. Since my window overlooks Klyde Warren, I’ve spent a fair amount of time looking down at it and assessing the situation. And — I think — I’ve come up with a solution.
Klyde Warren Park needs to add another park.
Hear me out. Do you need sun to play ping-pong? Or putt golf balls? Or eat sushi? Or climb on a jungle gym? Or read a book? Or go ice skating? Or listen to Robert Wilonsky talk? Or whatever? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, and (depending on exactly whatever entails) probably not. Right? So you stack another park on top of the park that is already there, supported by 150 to 200 mostly unobtrusive concrete pillars, along with a series of steel support beams. You’d probably only have to close the park for, like, six months, a year tops. I’m not an architect, at least not a professional one. But I’ve sketched out what this will look like. I think you’ll find my solution both elegant and attractive.
D: The Broadcast: A Q&A With Suzie Humphreys
Last year, we announced a partnership with London Broadcasting, which owns KTXD, a local channel that, with our help, is about to get a whole lot more local. On February 18, we are launching a morning show called D: The Broadcast. It will be co-hosted by four ladies whose names you’ll likely know. Think The View — only not. This week on FrontBurner, I’m rolling out a new Q&A each day with a different host. On Monday, Courtney Kerr engaged in a little afternoon delight. Yesterday, I talked Fifty Shades of Grey with Lisa Pineiro. Today, we spend some time with a broadcasting legend, Suzie Humphreys.
Tim Rogers: Alright, are you ready for a hard-hitting Q&A?
Suzie Humphreys: Yeah, I hear you’re a toughie.
TR: My reputation precedes me. Who’s called me a toughie?
SH: I’m not saying.
TR: [laughs] That’s because you just made that up.
SH: No, I didn’t. We were talking about you yesterday around the table at the meeting that we had at KTXD, and one of the girls said, “I didn’t know he was taking everything down. I mean, right out of the gate, man, everything I was saying, and I said something that was kind of strong. And, boy, he just put that in there.” But we were all laughing about it. It was real cute.
TR: We’re going to talk a little bit about the show and about your relationship with these other ladies, but first I want to ask about your work with Ron Chapman. You were his co-host for 20 years, but you never broadcasted from the studio with him, and that blows my mind. I want you to explain to me how that worked.
D: The Broadcast: A Q&A With Suzie Humphreys
Last year, we announced a partnership with London Broadcasting, which owns KTXD, a local channel that, with our help, is about to get a whole lot more local. On February 18, we are launching a morning show called D: The Broadcast. It will be co-hosted by four ladies whose names you’ll likely know. Think The View – only not. This week on FrontBurner, I’m rolling out a new Q&A each day with a different host. On Monday, Courtney Kerr engaged in a little afternoon delight. Yesterday, I talked Fifty Shades of Grey with Lisa Pineiro. Today, we spend some time with a broadcasting legend, Suzie Humphreys.
Tim Rogers: Alright, are you ready for a hard-hitting Q&A?
Suzie Humphreys: Yeah, I hear you’re a toughie.
TR: My reputation precedes me. Who’s called me a toughie?
SH: I’m not saying.
TR: [laughs] That’s because you just made that up.
SH: No, I didn’t. We were talking about you yesterday around the table at the meeting that we had at KTXD, and one of the girls said, “I didn’t know he was taking everything down. I mean, right out of the gate, man, everything I was saying, and I said something that was kind of strong. And, boy, he just put that in there.” But we were all laughing about it. It was real cute.
TR: We’re going to talk a little bit about the show and about your relationship with these other ladies, but first I want to ask about your work with Ron Chapman. You were his co-host for 20 years, but you never broadcasted from the studio with him, and that blows my mind. I want you to explain to me how that worked.
DART To Hold Public Meeting About Downtown Light Rail Next Week
Downtown residents eager to see where the city might drop its proposed extension of the light rail are invited to an open house one week from today – Feb. 13 – at 5 p.m., at DART headquarters, 1402 Pacific Avenue. Per a DART email: “Phase I of the D2 study was concluded in Spring 2010. In response to comments received, alternatives and refinements were made that will be presented at the meeting. A review of how the Phase II effort is being coordinated with other relevant transportation projects and recently completed downtown plans will also be shared.”
So, light rail. DART’s come up with a variety of different routes, which you can see here.
An Ode to Chris Siron, an Editor at the Dallas Morning News
As you’ve no doubt noticed, I have a new hobby. It’s hounding the DMN to make a correction about a Justice Antonin Scalia quote that the paper mangled. While enjoying my hobby, I’ve poked at the night editor on whose watch the error occurred. His name is Chris Siron. I’d like to acknowledge that my hobby now transcends Siron. I believe the paper’s failure to correct its mistake is an institutional failure. And I now feel bad about poking Siron. Someone I know who works at the paper shared some details about the man. I thought it only fair to pass them along:
I don’t know any particulars of the Scalia situation, but I doubt Siron’s being as calculating as you think. That’s because Siron is incapable of being calculating. He’s almost freakishly principled and is probably the single most overworked person at the paper.
Basically, he oversees a small cluster of editors and one to two reporters responsible for covering all breaking news at night, editing all stories that come in late, editing the wire copy, managing our website at night, putting together the Lotto numbers and Boy Scout pages and crap like that, and answering ridiculous phone calls from old lonely people who constantly call the paper at night. I’ve often seen him come in on his days off or in the middle of his vacations. Never saw him take a dinner break.
Because none of the bosses ever stay past 6 p.m., the night desk is sort of the shitting ground of The Dallas Morning News. Whenever we do a layoff, more work gets assigned to it, and no resources added, because Siron always finds a way to deal. Siron has worked on the night desk from time immemorial and literally expects to die on the night desk, probably from stress. He’s not a climber. Not a suit. He comes to work in old sneakers and hair still wet from the shower.
He has probably passed your inquiry up the chain to a dep managing editor. Probably isn’t responding to you promptly because he’s slammed, as he is every night, and is unused to interactions with the day dwellers.
If the reporter got the Scalia quote wrong, that needs to be corrected, so I’m all for your campaign. And there are plenty of editors at DMN who would try to brush it under the rug. But Siron’s not one of them.
An Ode to Chris Siron, an Editor at the Dallas Morning News
As you’ve no doubt noticed, I have a new hobby. It’s hounding the DMN to make a correction about a Justice Antonin Scalia quote that the paper mangled. While enjoying my hobby, I’ve poked at the night editor on whose watch the error occurred. His name is Chris Siron. I’d like to acknowledge that my hobby now transcends Siron. I believe the paper’s failure to correct its mistake is an institutional failure. And I now feel bad about poking Siron. Someone I know who works at the paper shared some details about the man. I thought it only fair to pass them along:
I don’t know any particulars of the Scalia situation, but I doubt Siron’s being as calculating as you think. That’s because Siron is incapable of being calculating. He’s almost freakishly principled and is probably the single most overworked person at the paper.
Basically, he oversees a small cluster of editors and one to two reporters responsible for covering all breaking news at night, editing all stories that come in late, editing the wire copy, managing our website at night, putting together the Lotto numbers and Boy Scout pages and crap like that, and answering ridiculous phone calls from old lonely people who constantly call the paper at night. I’ve often seen him come in on his days off or in the middle of his vacations. Never saw him take a dinner break.
Because none of the bosses ever stay past 6 p.m., the night desk is sort of the shitting ground of The Dallas Morning News. Whenever we do a layoff, more work gets assigned to it, and no resources added, because Siron always finds a way to deal. Siron has worked on the night desk from time immemorial and literally expects to die on the night desk, probably from stress. He’s not a climber. Not a suit. He comes to work in old sneakers and hair still wet from the shower.
He has probably passed your inquiry up the chain to a dep managing editor. Probably isn’t responding to you promptly because he’s slammed, as he is every night, and is unused to interactions with the day dwellers.
If the reporter got the Scalia quote wrong, that needs to be corrected, so I’m all for your campaign. And there are plenty of editors at DMN who would try to brush it under the rug. But Siron’s not one of them.
Ray Washburne Named Republican National Committee Finance Chair
Washburne on a recent night out, celebrating a friend’s 50th birthday. Photo by Tim Rogers
From an email sent to RNC supporters:
“It gives me great pleasure to announce I have appointed Ray Washburne as the RNC National Finance Chairman as we look toward the 2013, 2014, 2016 elections,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus. “Ray brings a tremendous amount of fundraising expertise to the RNC as well as operations experience from his role as president and CEO of Charter Holdings. That experience will be an invaluable asset as the RNC begins investing in a permanent infrastructure across the country including ground game, engagement in key communities, data and technology. I look forward to working with Ray to ensure that last cycle’s successful fundraising campaign continues, and that the RNC and Republican candidates are well funded and have the tools succeed.”
Washburne will take over for the outgoing finance chairman, Ambassador Ron Weiser. He most recently served as the Texas finance co-chairman for the Romney campaign. A little over a year ago, D sat down with Washburne for breakfast. And in 2010, Joseph Guinto profiled the man (in the magazine, the headline was “One Lucky Bastard”).
Things To Do In Dallas Tonight: Feb. 6
As Mal Reynolds would say, shiny.
I can’t believe only 87 people “like” Trader Joe’s gummy tummies on Facebook right now. This is a travesty. In other news, never bring a bag of these wonderful things to the office. Dangerous.
It’s pretty nice when you can discover a band, and then a couple weeks later see them live. I was listening to KXT (as I do), liked a song I’d never heard before, Shazamed it, then bought it. That song was Churchill’s “Change.” And now Churchill is here, playing a KXT-sponsored show at Prophet Bar. They were in Austin last night, and they proclaimed their set at Stubb’s the best show of their tour so far. Considering all the irrational hatred that flies back and forth on I-35, Dallas might take that as a challenge. Frankly, I just like what I’ve heard of this Denver group, which consists of four guys and one lady with a pretty voice, and a good concert is a perfect indoor activity for this dark, misty day. Señor Fin and The Venetian Sailors open.
I know there are closer places to grab a bite, but for some reason, I’ve found myself at Lakewood Landing both on rainy evenings and before a show at Prophet Bar. Not sure why. Comfort, maybe, and the fact that the Lone Star is cheap and the burgers are great. I’m going with my gut.
Dallas State Rep. Jason Villalba Files Bill to Allow Appointment of Armed School Marshals
Photo by Billy Surface
Republican state Rep. Jason Villalba, of Dallas, has filed a bill that would allow schools to appoint “school marshals,” employees who would carry guns in an effort to protect students. HB-1009 – the “Protection of Texas Children Act” – would allow trained and certified school employees to “use lethal force upon the occurrence of an attack in the classroom or elsewhere on campus,” according to the Texas Tribune.
“We’re going to make sure the person serving is essentially a peace officer,” Villalba told the paper. “We’ve created a new class of law enforcement.”
Current law states that Texas school district can grant permission to employees wishing to carry firearms on campus. Villalba’s bill would regulate the designation and training of the marshals. The bill is sure to draw support of state Republicans, something Villalba could use after a snafu last week. At a recent forum, the freshman rep suggested that President Obama’s Affordable Care Act was permanent, and Texans should make the best of the situation. This did not sit well with state conservatives.
“If the federal government wants to impose Obamacare, they should do so without the aid and support of the Texas Legislature,” wrote Michael Quinn Sullivan, the president and chief executive of Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility, according to the Morning News. “Mr. Villalba’s position on Obamacare puts him on a collision course not only with [Sen. Ted Cruz and Attorney General Greg Abbott] but also Gov. Rick Perry and the overwhelming majority of the GOP.”
It’s not hard to imagine a world where introducing a gun bill – even one planned for months – would help smooth those waves.
Man Kills Two People, Then Runs Some Errands
You’ve probably heard by now about the elderly man who gunned down his neighbors (paywall) because they repeatedly dumped dog crap on his patio. An alert FrontBurnervian who lives not far from where the crime occurred sends along an email that went out to her neighborhood group:
“Most of you are probably aware of the double homicide that occurred yesterday at the Sable Ridge Condos on Abrams Road near Northwest Highway. The suspect who shot and killed two people fled the scene, and witnesses were able to describe the car he was driving. The suspect turned on Larmanda and was intercepted by our ENP Officer, Detective Phil Gordon, who was patrolling our neighborhood at the time.
“Phil followed him as he turned on Kingsbury to Walling, stopping briefly at the cleaners and ending up in the Comerica parking lot, where Phil and other officers arrested him.”
Boy Scouts of America Delays Decision on Gay Ban Until May
From a statement released to the press:
After careful consideration and extensive dialogue within the scouting family, along with comments of those from outside the organization, the volunteer officers of the Boy Scouts of America’s National Executive Board concluded that due to the complexity of the issue, the organization needs more time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy.
To that end, the executive board directed its committees to further engage representatives of Scouting’s membership and listen to their perspectives and concerns. This will assist the officers’ work on a resolution on membership standards. The approximately 1,400 voting member of the national council will take action on the resolution at the national meeting in May 2013.
The big takeaway here is that the decision will include the full voting membership of the BSA, not just the executive board. Read into that as you’d like.
Dallas Morning News Editor Plays Brilliant Game of Email Dodgeball, Ctd.
Yesterday I asked for help from the FrontBurner Nation. We needed clarification from someone who attended the January 28 given at SMU by Bryan Garner and Justice Antonin Scalia. The Dallas Morning News had quoted Scalia in a way that grossly distorted his view of the Constitution. Problem is, Scalia doesn’t allow recordings of his talks. So we couldn’t just go to the tape to hear what he actually said. Hence my call for help. And help came. Plenty of folks in attendance have confirmed that the DMN made a big mistake. As one sage commenter put it:
It’s a big deal because someone could use the quote in another article, paper, thesis, or book. A major newspaper is a reliable source, right? Then, the truncated phrase gets printed in another reputable publication and so on. So now, even though your professor says s/he doesn’t believe Scalia really said that, the Google provides you with two confirmed sources of the quote in the established press.
Then, interviews/panel discussions with Garner and Scalia could begin with that quote, which results in spending their time explaining why it’s not correct instead of moving on to issues that are of greater importance.
In short, publishing comes with responsibilities because of the ability to multiple and amplify what is stated as fact. If there is a factual error, it is absolutely imperative to attach a correction at the end of the article as soon as possible, and should be left there for all time. Doing so gives more cred to the professionalism of the source than to leaving hanging because someone made a misjudgment and thinks it will blow over.
Also, we’re talking about a Supreme Court justice here. What he says in public becomes an enduring record of his views on the Constitution.
[looks at imaginary wristwatch] Still waiting for the correction, guys.
Dallas Morning News Editor Plays Brilliant Game of Email Dodgeball, Ctd.
Yesterday I asked for help from the FrontBurner Nation. We needed clarification from someone who attended the January 28 given at SMU by Bryan Garner and Justice Antonin Scalia. The Dallas Morning News had quoted Scalia in a way that grossly distorted his view of the Constitution. Problem is, Scalia doesn’t allow recordings of his talks. So we couldn’t just go to the tape to hear what he actually said. Hence my call for help. And help came. Plenty of folks in attendance have confirmed that the DMN made a big mistake. As one sage commenter put it:
It’s a big deal because someone could use the quote in another article, paper, thesis, or book. A major newspaper is a reliable source, right? Then, the truncated phrase gets printed in another reputable publication and so on. So now, even though your professor says s/he doesn’t believe Scalia really said that, the Google provides you with two confirmed sources of the quote in the established press.
Then, interviews/panel discussions with Garner and Scalia could begin with that quote, which results in spending their time explaining why it’s not correct instead of moving on to issues that are of greater importance.
In short, publishing comes with responsibilities because of the ability to multiple and amplify what is stated as fact. If there is a factual error, it is absolutely imperative to attach a correction at the end of the article as soon as possible, and should be left there for all time. Doing so gives more cred to the professionalism of the source than to leaving hanging because someone made a misjudgment and thinks it will blow over.
Also, we’re talking about a Supreme Court justice here. What he says in public becomes an enduring record of his views on the Constitution.
[looks at imaginary wristwatch] Still waiting for the correction, guys.
Chris Kyle ‘May Have Failed to Understand The Difficulties Some Returning Vets Might Have’
In a critique that lays blame at the feet of society, the military, and, in some ways, Chris Kyle, administrators at the Soul Repair Center at Fort Worth’s Brite Divinity School addressed Kyle’s murder in a Star-Telegram editorial today. The military cocoon – the one Kyle wrapped around himself upon his return from combat, and sought to wrap around others – may have hurt the re-acclimation process, not helped. Sure to stoke debate, one commenter already responded: “Chris died because he had a huge heart and took time out of his day to help a fellow veteran. I know Chris and can’t tell you how difficult it is to be on our side of this situation and have strangers criticize his actions.”
Here’s an excerpt:
Kyle may have failed to understand the difficulties some returning vets might have with a “HOOHA” model of counseling, and training, especially those with traumatic brain injuries, PTSD and moral injury. For veterans who feel betrayed by the government, have serious trauma or experience a collapse of moral meaning after war, military life can be part of the difficulty in adjusting to the civilian world.
Kyle was not a trained clinician or minister. Yet, with the best of intentions and care for other veterans, he tried to help a troubled reservist he barely knew. Did he know of Routh’s treatment for mental illness, his DUI or his murder-suicide attempt? If Kyle knew these things and still took Routh to a live-fire range or tried to give therapy to a virtual stranger, we must question the judgment of his decision.
Man Falls From Top Floor of Crescent Hotel, Survives To Regret It
Weird deal this morning. After trashing his hotel room at the Crescent, a man survived a fall from a sixth-floor window. It’s unclear whether he jumped or — didn’t jump. Something I don’t understand about this DMN post: the writer calls the man “disturbed” but offers no evidence or citation. Okay, he trashed a hotel room. But you get what I’m saying. There’s a difference between “disturbed” and, say, “drunk.”
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