My 4-year-old rules the roost!

What is wrong with parents? There's a goofy couple in Mesquite who are allowing their 4-year-old to sit in alternative classes because they won't cut the kid's hair. And they're griping about the school district because, "they care more about his hair than they do his education."

The clueless parents of this child say, "The school cannot give us an honest reason why we should force him to cut his hair." Sure they can and did -- it's in the written school policy that a boy's hair cannot touch his collar or hang down into his eyes. The father says, "My son is being singled out. I don't know why." Well, duh! Because he's the one with the long hair!


I don't recall being asked when I was four how I'd like to wear my hair, what I'd like to put on that day, or anything else pertaining to my upbringing other than I might have a few choices on what to eat. This child's father says, "He loves his hair." Maybe so. Maybe he also likes to play in the street, jump into water over his head, play with matches, and dance around outside in lightening storms. Four-year-olds don't know what's good for them. Unfortunately for this one, neither do his parents.

"A hairy situation for 4-year-old." The Dallas Morning News; December 16, 2009; p. 1A.

Shame on you for being sober!

There is a column in the newspaper called "Workcoach." This supposed expert gives advice on getting along in the workplace. Personally, I think she's just a little bonkers.

In a recent column, a person wrote about a quandary he was experiencing. He doesn't drink alcoholic beverages. He says his office Christmas party is basically an "alcohol fest" that lasts until the wee hours of the morning at a local bar. He says that if he refuses a drink, the others want to know what's wrong with him. He doesn't want to be conspicuous.

Well duh! Get you a glass of 7-Up if you don't want to be conspicuous. Who needs to explain to a bunch of drunk clods why you're not making a fool of yourself along with them? Ms. Workcoach told him that when he was offered a drink, he should say, "I'll get something later." What's wrong with, "No, thank you"? She says he should answer inquiries with "Alcohol doesn't agree with me." What's wrong with, "I don't drink"? They're acting like being sober is something to be embarrassed and ashamed of. It's certainly a topsy-turvy world!

"Can nondrinker blend in at boozefest?" The Dallas Morning News; December 16, 2009; p. 2D.

We welcome all!

The new gay mayor of Houston, Annise Parker, says her election will "change some people's minds about the city of Houston. It's a diverse, international city that welcomes everyone."

Really? Would she welcome Osama Bin Laden to Houston? Would she welcome David Duke to Houston? Would she welcome Nidal Malik Hasan to Houston? Would she welcome Hosam Smadi to Houston? You get my drift?

"Winner focuses on job, reflects on milestone." The Dallas Morning News; December 14, 2009; p. 3A.

Who's the scapegoat?

Two Episcopal bishops recently had a debate in Dallas. Katharine Jefferts Schori is the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church. Her views have stirred quite a bit of controversy -- mainly because they are anti-biblical.

When asked whether or not non-Christians go to heaven, she said, "It's not up to us to say this person's out of heaven. It's up to God." While that is true as far as it goes, I can unequivocally say that non-Christians do not go to heaven. It is up to God, and He said they won't. Jesus Christ is the only way.

Schori further stated that there is ". . .an ancient human desire to find a scapegoat, with the familiar targets in this society right now being Muslims and immigrants and gay people." Is Schori not making scapegoats of those who understand that we are at war with Muslims, and that their tenets include destroying all those who don't believe as they do? Is Schori not making scapegoats of those who understand that illegal immigration is costing this country millions in crime and welfare benefits? Is Schori not making scapegoats of those who understand that God said homosexuality was an abomination, and that He has historically destroyed countries who accept it?

She says, "Jesus' own witness is to continually reject that kind of response, for it always ends in violence and diminution of life." The Jesus I read about warned against false religions and gods. The Jesus I read about commanded us to obey the law. The Jesus I read about condemned immorality. Jesus' own witness, as far as I can see, is to stand up against that which is wrong -- and sometimes that means being politically incorrect.

As far as targets are concerned, I see more Christians than any other group. They are continually labelled as ignorant and dogmatic, and there is a concerted effort to shut them up through myriad frivolous lawsuits. So who is really the scapegoat?

"No fireworks at bishops' debate." The Dallas Morning News; December 13, 2009; p. 9B.

Comprehension Problems?

Yet another Miranda warning case has made its way to the Supreme Court. Kevin Dwayne Powell says his Miranda warning wasn't explicit enough -- that he was not advised that he could have an attorney present while being interrogated by police. Yet Kenneth signed a Miranda statement that says, "You have the right to talk to a lawyer before answering any of our questions. If you cannot afford to hire a lawyer, one will be appointed for you without cost and before any questioning. You have the right to use any of these rights at any time you want during this interrogation."

Powell's conviction for illegal possession of a firearm was overturned by the Florida Supreme Court who agreed with him that the Tampa Police didn't adequately convey to him that he could have a lawyer. U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer said, "Aren't you supposed to tell this person . . . you have a right to have the lawyer with you during interrogation? . . . And I just wonder, where does it say in this warning, you have the right to have the lawyer with you during the interrogation?" Is this man reading the same thing I am? How do you get more explicit than "You have the right to use any of these rights at any time you want during this interrogation"?

I understand a con trying to get an overturned conviction on any grounds he can, but what is the matter with these judges? We need some judges who can read!

"A rewrite for Miranda rights?" The Dallas Morning News; December 8, 2009; p. 10A.

How to Get Out of a DUI Blood Test

Be a big shot pro golfer with multiple mistresses. The Florida trooper who investigated the Tiger Woods accident suspected DUI. He asked for a subpoena for a blood test. Prosecutors rejected his request despite a witness' statement that Tiger had been drinking and had been prescribed Ambien and Vicodin. They rejected it despite the fact that Tiger was obviously not in control of his vehicle and was unresponsive when the trooper arrived. I suspect had it been Joe Ordinary Citizen, a subpoena for blood test results would have been a routine matter.

"Trooper suspected DUI violation." The Dallas Morning News; December 8, 2009; p. 5C.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A very Merry Christmas to all of you! May you enjoy a wonderful day of fun and togetherness with your family and friends. And may we all remember the reason for the season!

"For unto you is born this day in the City of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord."

Why is that rate so high?

Patricia McBee of Houston says we shouldn't be talking politics on health care reform when we have one of the highest infant mortality rates of any industrialized nation. I don't know the statistics, but perhaps our infant mortality rate is high because we seem to have so many parents who kill their babies. Andrea Yates, Darlie Routier, Susan Smith, Deanna Laney, Deena Schlosser, Walter Reed Booker (who cut his 6-month-old great-granddaughter in a dispute with his grandson over who ate all the sausage biscuits), Isaac Daniel Bigley and Leanne Donovan (who police say savagely beat their 4-month-old in the "worst child abuse case" they'd ever seen), and the list goes on and on. Maybe if we concentrated on implementing the death penalty a little more consistently, our infant mortality rate would go down dramatically.

There's also another reason for the disparity. The countries she's comparing us to don't count babies for statistical reports until they're 6 months or a year old. The U.S. does. Our rate would be a lot lower, too, if we just discounted that first year of life.

"Results prove we need reform." The Dallas Morning News; December 4, 2009; p. 24A.

Salvation Army succumbs to pc pressure.

Mr. Essie May and I have supported the Salvation Army for many years. I've always thought they did a pretty good job of screening their applicants and effectively using their money. But this year, they are bowing to pc pressure.

In assessing applicants for Christmas help, they have always asked for a social security number. This was to insure that greedy scam artists weren't going to multiple locations to load up on Santa's goodies. Someone complained that the Army was using this method to cull out illegal aliens. Even if they were, that's also good stewardship. If I wanted to help Mexicans, I'd send my money to Mexico. So the Houston area Salvation Army will no longer ask for a SS number. "After much consideration and looking at what was being said, we realized there was so much confusion out there," said Spokesman Juan Alanis.

The new policy goes into effect next year. My donations stop next year.

"Toy drive changes policy." The Dallas Morning News; December 4, 2009; p. 4A.

It sounds good, but what does it mean?

December 1 was World AIDS Day. Special Health Resources for Texas asked people to wear red ribbons "in support of those who have died from AIDS." Maybe I'm just a little unclear on the concept, but does a dead person really need my support? And if he does, how does my wearing a ribbon help him out? Or are they saying that dying from AIDS is somehow an honorable thing?

SHRT went on to say that Education is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the disease. No it's not -- not having promiscuous sex is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease. Maybe SHRT needs a little educating themselves.

"Red ribbons support the battle against HIV/AIDS." The Paris News; December 1, 2009; p. 1A.

It's not easy being green.

Being green is good! Wait a minute, maybe not. Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has experienced a green problem. They replaced all their traffic lights with LED bulbs. Unfortunately, the bulbs don't emit enough heat to melt the snow, and the lights get so much snow build-up that they can't be seen. The result? Dozens of automobile accidents. But the important thing is we're conserving energy!

"LEDs pose danger in snowstorms." The Dallas Morning News; December 16, 2009; p. 10A.

ESSIE MAY NEWS ALERT EXTRA

Philadelphia has received its second largest snowfall on record! The East Coast is snowed in! Travel is experiencing a major disruption due to the snowfall and low temps! Global warming is gonna' kill us all!

This was posted December 20, 2009.

The Paris News recently ran an AP article about tech gadgets used to measure calories, exercise distances, etc. Several photos of these gadgets accompanied the article. What I'm curious about is why The News thought it relevant to include in the captions the dates the photos were made. I understand this necessity if the photo chronicles an event, but why does it matter that a Garmin was photographed on October 29 instead of November 1? Did the Timex Expedition look different on October 29 than it did on October 26?

Another interesting point is that most all of the other photo captions in that edition of the newspaper included the dates the pics were taken, whether it was relevant or not. Is this some new policy? If they're into implementing new policies, I'd prefer to see them include some competent proofreaders and some accurate reporting -- no matter what day it is.

"Tech gadgets can boost your workouts." The Paris News; November 26, 2009; p. 12A.

I'm disappointed, Kay.

Kay Bailey Hutchison has turned out to be a big disappointment. She endorsed Robert Pitman for U.S. Attorney in San Antonio. Pitman is openly gay. Hutchison spokesman Jeff Sadosky said, he wasn't sure Hutchison knew about Pitman's sexual orientation. That makes it even worse -- why is she endorsing someone she knows nothing about?

"Hutchison irks right by backing gay jurist." The Dallas Morning News; November 1, 2009; p. 15A.

Propaganda hits Paris ISD.

In October, Paris Independent School District wasted three academic days with one of those touchy-feely seminars for junior high and high school students. I have no idea how much it cost monetarily, but I suspect a good deal. The "experts" were brought in from California.

The first thing I disagree with: The "experts" challenged students to talk openly with others about their feelings. When you're a teenager, you have feelings that no one else needs to know about. You're in the throes of raging hormones, uncertainty, and a desire to be accepted. Someday, revelations about what you're really feeling might be an embarrassment to you. Some things are just better left unsaid.

The second thing I disagree with: One student challenged his classmates to "trust each other." That's a dangerous thing to do. Not all people are trustworthy. In fact, it's been my experience that the untrustworthies far outnumber the truly trustworthies. The students were encouraged to share embarrassing stories about themselves. The better advice is to never share a secret if you want it to be kept a secret.

The third thing I disagree with: Team leaders promoted self-esteem. My observation is that teenagers today suffer from an over-abundance of self-esteem. They need to look around them and see that they are not the center of the universe. For example, the student who challenged his classmates to "trust each other" said, "I look for you to be there for me." If he's truly learning the lesson, wouldn't he have said, "You can be sure I'll be there for you"?

The fourth thing I disagree with: One of the "experts" said, "You can't be measured by who your friends are." As my mama used to say, "Birds of a feather flock together," and "If you lie down with the dogs, you'll get up with fleas." There's also an old adage, "A man is known by the company he keeps." If you run around with hoodlums, you'll gain their reputation and pick up their bad habits.

The fifth thing I disagree with: Tymondre Robinson, a student, said, "I would have never thought that some people would become friends, but after Challenge Day they did." You can't tell if someone is a friend after only one day. A friend is tested by time. A Travis counselor said, "After Challenge Day, during lunch several of our students sat with other students they do not normally associate with. It was truly impressive and heartwarming . . ." If all those people who proclaimed instant friendships after Challenge Day are still friends today (2 months later), I'd be surprised.

I guess I'm a bit of a paranoid, but I see some sinister undertones in this "trust everybody" philosophy, and I'm a bit concerned about it being spoonfed to our children. The first thing that comes to my mind is government control. Trust the government! It knows what's good for you!

"Students take the Challenge." The Paris News; November 1, 2009; p. 1A.

Islam is not a radical religion!

If a Christian ran over his daughter and tried to kill her because she didn't want to be a Christian, do you think it would make front page headlines? Do you think it would be on all the CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS news shows? Do you think Oprah would be talking about it?

What if it were a Muslim? Well, Faleh Almaleki ran over his daughter and her boyfriend's mother in Arizona on October 20 because he thought she was becoming "too westernized." Did you hear about it anywhere but here?

"Iraqi accused of running over daughter." The Dallas Morning News; November 1, 2009; p. 3A.

How's that again?

There was an article in The Dallas Morning News during the Halloween season about a group of paranormal investigators going to the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas to give some peace to the ghosts inhabiting the building. I found it extremely funny.

One of their ghostly indicators was a pendulum held on a line of some sort. The pendulum swinging in a clockwise direction indicated a "yes" answer from the spirit. A counterclockwise direction indicated a "no" from the ethereal realms.

The ghost hunters became excited on the 22nd floor where a bride supposedly hanged herself years ago. When Sierra Sky (do you think that's her real name?) asked if the bride was present, the pendulums all rotated clockwise. Sky then asked the bride if she would like to go into the light. Again, the pendulums rotated clockwise. Sky then performed a ceremony to help the spirit. Here's the funny part. She asked of the ghost, "Are you still here?" The pendulums spun counterclockwise. Now, if she's not there, how did she answer?

"Dallas own ghost whisperers." The Dallas Morning News; November 2, 2009; p. 2B.

We are too pc!

Amelia, Ohio, has given in to the pc garbage of taking Christ out of Christmas. Their Christmas parade has been cancelled because they are afraid of lawsuits and protests. They thought about calling it a holiday parade, but enough good, faithful Christians protested removing the whole reason for the season that they decided not to do it. I agree with the Christians of Amelia -- if Christ isn't in Christmas, why do it at all? But isn't it sad that the mere threat of a lawsuit cowers a town council into refusing to do what's right? One day, Jesus may remind them that He said he would deny anyone who denied Him. I bet a threatened lawsuit will seem insignificant to them then.

"Ohio town cancels Christmas parade." The Paris News; November 6, 2009; p. 7A.

He just wants to control your kids.

Obama has called for more school time for our kids. He says we're behind because our kids don't spend enough time in school. Our kids spend plenty of time in school -- but it's largely wasted time. They watch movies, they prepare for state testing, they go on field trips, they do busy work.

If more time in school is the answer, why is it that Asian kids, who get an average of 993 instructional hours a year, consistently outscore American kids who get an average of 1146 instructional hours per year? Why is it that people of my generation, who never started school before Labor Day and who had instructional aids no more complicated than blackboards, some pull-down maps, an old projector and some slides and film, are far more literate than our younger counterparts?

And what about cost? Larry Throm, chief financial officer for the Dallas school district said one extra week of school in Dallas would cost the district about $32 million. Are five more days of movies and field trips worth that much?

No, if Obama is honest (HA!), he would have to say the whole reason for keeping your kids in school longer is so he has more time to influence their political thought.

"Obama calls for more school time." The Dallas Morning News; September 28, 2009; p. 4A.

It must be mad Cowtown disease.

The City of Fort Worth, known for its cowboy heritage and rugged individualism spirit, has lost its mind. The City Manager has endorsed a recommendation from a "diversity task force" that the city include in its insurance plan benefits for sex-change operations.

According to the newspaper, this recommendation and 19 others were "greeted warmly" by City officials. But take heart: there are still sane people there. Stephanie Klick, The Tarrant County Republican Party Chairman said that this was evidence of liberal policies run amok, and that the policy change lacked common sense.

Assistant City Manager Fernando Costa said, "We pride ourselves in being an inclusive community." God said we're not to include some people -- II Timothy 3:1-9. Maybe Fernando shouldn't be quite so proud of himself.

This also made me wonder about Obama Care. Wonder if we'll all be forced to pay for sex-change operations under that fiasco. Knowing Obama, Pelosi, and Reid, I'd say it's a sure thing.

"Funding for sex changes?" The Dallas Morning News; November 5, 2009; p. 1B.

Was he really a savvy shopper?

David Null says he is a savvy insurance shopper, but the company deceived him. I'm skeptical of his story.

Null's 7-year-old daughter Tatum experienced an unexplained acute liver failure. She was in the hospital only 12 hours when the Nulls were advised that she had reached the $35,000 cap per medical event on her insurance. Null says he didn't know about the cap.

I would not consider myself a savvy shopper, but caps are certainly something I would inquire about. Null also says that he often bought and canceled policies just before low introductory rates expired. That may be OK for credit cards, but health insurance is a whole 'nother animal. If you're getting extremely low rates, there's a reason -- low caps and poor benefits.

As it turned out, the system did not fail the Nulls. The hospital proceeded with Tatum's $561,000 transplant. Medicaid picked up the tab. And the Nulls have the gall to complain that they must keep their income low to keep qualifying for Medicaid. I think they should be grateful that you and I are footing the bill for their stupidity.

"Adversity didn't end with transplant." The Dallas Morning News; September 20, 2009; p. 17A.

Are you caring and easygoing?

Royce Clyde Zeigler's friends and attorney say he was "caring," and "easygoing." Wonder if little Riley Ann Sawyers agrees with that. She was Zeigler's step-daughter. She's the three-year-old he beat with a belt, held under water, tried to suffocate with a pillow, and then hurled to a hard tile floor, fracturing her skull in three places -- any one of which may have been the fatal blow. Then he stuffed her body in a Rubbermaid container and left it in a storage building. A few weeks later, he threw her into Galveston Bay.

Lord, preserve us from caring and easygoing people!

"Man accused in girl's death called caring." The Dallas Morning News; November 5, 2009; p. 3A.

Inquiring minds want to know.

Michael Wayne Norris shot and killed Georgia Rollins and her 2-year-old son in 1986. He was convicted and sentenced to death. Now, 23 years later, his sentence has been upheld by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

The little boy was shot twice in the head, once in the chest, and once in the leg. Despite this, three of our esteemed appeals court judges believe Norris deserves a new trial on the grounds that the law making multiple killings a capital offense does not apply in his case since "he didn't intend to kill the child." Who are these three judges? Inquiring minds want to know so we can boot them out. Essie May did a little research and found out for you -- Judge Paul Womack, Judge Charles Holcomb, and Judge Tom Price. Remember those names next time an election rolls around.

"Death sentence upheld in slayings of mom, son." The Dallas Morning News; November 5, 2009; p. 3A.

This one's gonna cost us!

Bernardo Mario Pena violated his parole. He was picked up and placed in the Dallas County jail. There, he got into a fight with another inmate. He evidently sustained a head injury, and he died. Now his family is suing. And they'll probably win.

"Family to sue over death of inmate." The Dallas Morning News; October 28, 2009; p. 2B.

James O'Keefe: American Hero!

James O'Keefe is an American hero. We all owe him a great deal of gratitude. Even though we've known that ACORN was rife with corruption, it seemed they were invincible. Congress was afraid to say anything for being labelled racist. Obama surely wasn't going to say anything -- it's his pet organization, and it's highly likely it was ACORN's illegal activities that got him elected. They continued to receive millions in federal funds, they continued to fraudulently register voters, and that's just the corruption we know about.

James O'Keefe did what Congress couldn't or wouldn't do -- he initiated the publicity to bring this disgrace to its knees. He's the man who took his camcorder and an actress portraying a prostitute into ACORN offices and documented the blatant disregard for this country's laws and for the people like you and me who are having our money confiscated and used to promote underage prostitution. Three cheers for James O'Keefe! He's proof that one man can make a huge difference!

Note to The Paris News: When you report on an incident on one of the numbered streets in Paris, you need to include the directional. Writing "Police arrested a man on 13th Street" does not provide the location of the arrest. It merely narrows it down to four possible places. We have 13th NE, 13th NW, 13th SE, and 13th SW. I've noticed a staff problem with directions, though. The new high school is on Southeast Loop 286 (Loop 271 in most of your references). Yet you reported the new high school stadium was located on the Southwest Loop. I suggest you ask Santa for a GPS!

"Youthful indignation created a firestorm." The Dallas Morning News; September 18, 2009; p. 9A.

Essie May predicts.

Academy Award for Best Picture for 2010 goes to Michael Jackson's This Is It. It will also pick up every other tom, dick, and harry award out there.

Note to the The Paris News: Just so you'll know for future reference, it's Loop 286, not Loop 271. Don't you know your own address? And it's the Clovis Graves Community Center, not the Clove Graves Community Center. And a person is renowned, not renown.

You voted for change and look what you got!

Would you like a visit to the White House bowling alley? You can get one if you give Obama $300,000. Documents detailing the "price" of meetings with administration officials and White House visits were discovered by The Washington Times in October. The White House calls this "donor maintenance." They said it does not provide any quid pro quo. Perhaps they need to get a dictionary. Quid pro quo means I'll give you x and you give me y. Sounds pretty much to me like I'll give you money and you give me a trip to the White House. I guess the proof would be in whether or not you could call up and get an invite from Barack and Michelle without contributing a small fortune. I kind of doubt it.

"GOP seeks investigation into donor program." The Dallas Morning News; October 29, 2009; p. 13A.

What a Wicked World!

Did you know that it is not against the law in Texas for a parent to expose his children to pornography? How stupid is that?

This absurdity came to light when a divorced mother learned from her small daughters that on a visit to their father, he woke them in the middle of the night to show them a hardcore film. The police investigated, but learned from the District Attorney that the man could not be charged. Tati Santiesteban, is an El Paso Democrat and criminal defense attorney. He said, "Who in the hell is the government to come and tell me what I can show to my children?" It's the same government that can tell you you can't beat them! Duh!

"Law allowing parents to show porn targeted." The Dallas Morning News; October 29, 2009; p. 13A.

Innocence Project -- are they honest?

The Innocence Project, the group that attempts to exonerate convicted persons they believe to be innocent, is blinded by bias and is sometimes intellectually dishonest. I don't put much stock in anything they say. Here's one example of what I'm talking about.

Todd Willingham was convicted in 1992 of setting a fire that killed his three children. He was sentenced to death. His execution was carried out in 2004. The Innocence Project doesn't believe he was guilty. Barry Scheck, co-director of the Project says, "There can no longer be any doubt that an innocent person has been executed." Well, I'll give you a few facts of the case, and see if you have any doubt.

1) He gave contradictory stories to different people, and some of what he said was not borne out by photographs from the investigation of the scene.

2) Witnesses in the neighborhood said he would not go back to try to rescue his daughters, but he was very concerned about moving his car away from the fire.

3) He had a history of family violence.

4) The Innocence Project is relying on the work of Craig Beyler, an expert in the behavior of fire. They claim that he says the fire was not arson, and therefore, Willigham did not commit murder. But Mr. Beyler says that's not what he said. What he said was that the fire was of undetermined origin. He couldn't prove it was arson, but he couldn't prove it wasn't.

5) Todd Willingham was not a saint. He was arrested at age 17 for burglary and paint intoxication. He was arrested more than a dozen times between 1985 and 1989 for theft, assault, burglary, and providing paint to minors. He spent at least two stints in mandatory drug rehab.

6) His wife claims he beat her, at least once when she was pregnant in an attempt to cause a miscarriage.

7) Willingham claimed he was awakened by the fire, and he could not find his children. Yet 2 year-old Amber's body was found face down in his bed. The sheets were pulled up to her shoulders as if she had been "tucked in."

8) Investigators found charcoal starter on the steps of the house.

9) At the trial, the defense did not present a fire expert.

10) Willingham's own attorney thought he was guilty. "I think Willingham was a true sociopath," he said.

11) One of the jurors said she had been contacted by news organizations who wanted her to say, "I can't sleep at night." "They want me to say I did wrong [in voting to convict]," she said. "I can't say that."

12) Willingham confessed to his step-mother that he had not gone into the baby's room.

13) Willingham's ex-wife says he confessed to her in a round-about way that he had killed the children to spite her.

14) His last gestures and words were defiant. As he lay strapped to the gurney, he raised one middle finger to the mother of his dead children and said, "I hope you rot in hell, bitch." The cursing became more vile from there. His last words were obscenities.

Now, none of this proves his guilt, but you'd have to be out of your mind to say that it doesn't raise any doubt. That's why I don't trust the people of the Innocence Project.

"Dad's case has cracks." The Dallas Morning News; October 25, 2009; p. 1A.

Your business may be next!

It seems Obama, Barney Frank, and their cohorts are determined to take over every aspect of the U.S. economy. Frank is pushing the "too big to fail" proposal. Companies deemed too big to fail could borrow from the government. In return the government would seize the firm's profits. AND they would seek restitution from the entire industry. That means that if your firm operated within its means, you would be required to pony up for the firm that didn't while the government enjoyed the profits. It would give the government power to seize nonbank firms, dismiss their management, and wipe out shareholders.

Admittedly, I don't understand all the ins and outs of big finance; however, Scott Talbott does. He is a lobbyist for the Financial Services Roundtable. He said this plan would "expose the entire industry to paying for an unquantifiable risk and impose upfront additional costs during a recession." Wow! Sounds eerily like the health care plan, doesn't it?

"'Too big to fail' proposal is close." The Dallas Morning News; October 27, 2009; p. 3D.

Congratulations, Carrollton!

I'd be so proud if I lived in Carrollton, Texas. A real estate agent there predicts a gay-owned business boom sprouting up near the Green Line station that will connect the area with the queer Dallas Oak Lawn area. He said he expects the Carrollton's gay and lesbian population to grow. Congratulations, Carrollton! You get this week's Sodom and Gomorrah award!

"Gay-owned business boom predicted." The Dallas Morning News; October 27, 2009; p. 3B.

This ain't room service, folks!

I sometimes think I've heard everything, but then something else comes down the pike that truly amazes me. Have you heard of Yuppie 911 devices?

These are gps devices that bored people with too much time on their hands are buying. They use them to hike or do other stupid things in dangerous remote areas. Then, when they get into trouble, they push the panic button and we pay for helicopters, rescue teams, etc. to bail them out.

In September, two inexperienced men and their teenage sons decided to hike the Grand Canyon Royal Arch Loop. This is not a trek for sissies. In the span of three days, they pushed their panic button three times. The first time, they ran out of water, but they found a creek before the helicopters got there. The second time, they thought the water tasted salty, and they were afraid they would become dehydrated. The third time, the rescuers finally wised up and forced these idiots to leave.

This ain't room service! It should be policy that any time a call for help is made, the caller is evacuated. Then, he should be billed for the expense of the rescue. Let's use a little common sense here!

"'Yuppie 911' keeps rescue teams busy." The Dallas Morning News; October 26, 2009; p. 6A.

It still won't work!

I am amazed at how Obama thinks the way to get out of our financial difficulties is with the same things that got us there in the first place. It's kind of like if your kitchen sink is leaking, you say let's punch a hole in the bathroom sink, too! That only gets you in deeper water.

Obama said in October that the banks who got the bailout funds should start lending more money to small businesses that can't get credit. And why did the banks need bailout funds? Because they made too many bad loans! Obama says that these are the very taxpayers who stood by America's banks in a crisis. No, they're not! They're the very people who defaulted on loans and had a big hand in causing the crisis!

Obama said his administration will "take every appropriate step to encourage them to meet those responsibilities." That's code for "We're gonna make you do it." And when it all comes crashing down again, it will be George Bush's fault.

"Obama tells banks to help small businesses." The Dallas Morning News; October 29, 2009; p. 2D.

Priceless?

Learning to spell so you don't make a fool of yourself in the national media -- PRICELESS!

P.S. I do hope his tattoo artist spells better than he does.

I guess I'm a racist.

I know the left will call me a racist, but California Congresswoman Maxine Waters is a hypocrite and possibly a big crook. After you read this, you may be a racist, too.

Last year, she set up a meeting in which OneUnited, one of the nation's largest black-owned banks, asked for $50 million in bailout funds. Waters' husband, Sidney Williams, is a former board memeber of the bank and has owned, and may still own, at least $250,000 of its stock. Waters says he paid for the stock himself, but she won't say how much he paid. She also won't say whether or not he still has it. She also neglected to tell the Treasury Department about her personal financial interest in the meeting she set up. She says, "I had no influence on what Bush administration officials in the Treasury Department or other departments did." Of course she did -- not revealing your ties in a situation like this is tantamount to lying.

The bank received $12 million out of your pocket. Why was it in trouble in the first place? Could be because Kevin Cohee, the chief executive, got a $6.4 million beachfront compound in Santa Monica, California, provided by the bank. He also is provided with a Porsche SUV. And that's just the perks we know about.

"Congresswoman's ties take regulators aback." The Dallas Morning News; March 13, 2009; p. 2A.

Do you see what I see?

In September, the Tea Party Express rolled into Washington, D.C. These ordinary citizens who are fed up with government waste and control have been branded by Pelosi, Obama, Carter, and other leftists as Nazis, terrorists, hicks, and racists among other things.

An article in the newspaper quoted Trent Bowman, a hairdresser who has a shop near one of the Dallas stops. He said the rally reflected a "hostile spirit." "Everybody's being ugly about it."

I saw at least two photographs taken at the Dallas stops. I've posted links to them here. In one of them, the camera captured maybe 50 people. The vast majority of them had smiles on their faces and looked like they were enjoying themselves. Seven faces are clearly visible in the other photograph. Every one of them is smiling. I just don't see "hostile" and "ugly" here. And you know what they say -- a picture is worth a thousand words. It's a lot more honest, too.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/politics/Traveling-Tea-Party-Draws-Thousands-57409497.html

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/DN-teaparty_05met.ART.State.Edition1.4c28113.html

"Tea Party tour stop brings in focused crowd." The Dallas Morning News; September 5, 2009; p. 4B.

What a sacrifice!

Former Dallas City Councilman Don Hill and his wife were found guilty of extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars from contractors to insure they got the zonings they wanted in his district. But according to poor Mr. Hill, "I know the things that we did, my wife and I . . . all we wanted to do is the very best for the citizens of Dallas, and we were doing it at great sacrifice." If you believe that, I'll check with my relative and see if she still has that fountain downtown for sale.

"Hill, cohorts guilty on most counts in bribery, extortion." The Dallas Morning News; October 6, 2009; p. 1A.

Don't bring up the facts -- they don't fit with my agenda!

I've written in a previous post about how the earth has not experienced global warming in over a decade. Yet Obama's science advisor, John Holdren, says that global warming is happening so rapidly that the White House is discussing taking steps to change the climate as an emergency option. More evidence that Obama thinks he's God.

"Climate alterations an emergency option." The Dallas Morning News; April 9, 2009; p. 5A.

It's so hard to find creative heteros!

Essie has written before about how the home and garden features in the newspaper seem to always gravitate toward the gay couples. It happened again recently in The Dallas Morning News with the home of Greg Armstrong and Alan Rister. It's just so hard to find a creative straight couple!

"It's all in the details." The Dallas Morning News; October 1, 2009; p. 1E.

Should I, or shouldn't I?

Obama is in a dilemma. He really wants to get rid of the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy, but he just doesn't want to take a stand. His spokesman said, "I don't think it's going to be -- it's not years, but I think it will be teed up appropriately." Just as soon as he can figure out how to get all the credit and none of the blame.

"'Don't ask,don't tell" changes are on hold." The Dallas Morning News; October 5, 2009; p. 5A.

If you don't believe in Jesus, why do you care?

We may soon be told what we may and may not pray. Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation has filed suit to keep Gordon Klingenschmitt from "asking Jesus to plunder my fields . . . seize my assets, kill me and my family then wipe away our descendants for 10 generations."

From what I have read, Klingenschmitt is, indeed, a bit of a nutcase. However, his prayer is actually scripture from the book of Psalms. Furthermore, Weinstein does not believe that Jesus is God. That being the case, why does he care what Klingenschmitt asks Jesus for? Weinstein says the issue is that Klingenschmitt is stirring up his followers to do the deeds. That being the case, why did he not sue him for inciting to violence or riot? Why bring the prayer into it?

Klingenschmitt is contemplating filing a countersuit. Weinstein said he "would like to beat the [expletive] out of him in a boxing ring or in an alley." Sounds like Weinstein might be a bit prone to violence himself. There is a real danger in this -- the courts may rule that we cannot pray as our hearts lead. Christians are losing rights every day. We must be vigilant of even the most trivial cases.

"Lawyer sues to end 'threat' prayer." The Dallas Morning News; October 5, 2009; p. 1A.

Our Legislators' IQ's

Our legislators never cease to amaze me. As my Grandma used to say, "I don't think they have the sense God gave a goose!"

This time it's the Texas Tomorrow Fund, or as it's now known, the Texas Guaranteed Tuition Plan. Starting in 1996, parents could start college funds for their children. They signed a contract to put in so much, and their child was guaranteed sufficient tuition (typically for 128 hours) when they reached college age. So a parent who put in $11,000 13 years ago now has a contract worth about $30,000 due to the steep increase in tuition costs.Of course, investments haven't kept up with rising costs, so the fund faces a massive $2.1 billion deficit. My question? Why did these idiots think they could invest this money better than the parents could on their own?

And here's the kicker. Under the original rules, if the parent cancels the tuition contract, he gets the adjusted amount refunded. Of course, that's changed, but they all have the opportunity to cash in their contracts before the change takes place. The 158,000 who enrolled in this program were brilliant. The legislators who came up with this plan are a little lower than the geese on the IQ scale. And the rest of us are the suckers who get stuck with the tab.

"Tuition plan to limit refunds." The Dallas Morning News; September 3, 2009; p. 2A

Can I have your gall when you die?

Supposedly legitimate charitable organizations are actively moving squatters into foreclosed properties to which they have no claim whatsoever. And they think they're doing a good thing. A group called Take Back the Land recently moved Queen Omega (I seriously doubt any royal lines here) into a $400,000 foreclosed property. Take Back the Land doesn't have any claim to the property, and neither does Queen. But they feel she has a right to live there. Why? Beats me. But I'd sure like to have their gall.

"Groups aiming to fill officially vacant houses." The Dallas Morning News; April 11, 2009; p. 7A.

How many Hosam Smadi's are there out there?

The case of Hosam Smadi should scare us to death. He's the illegal Jordanian who tried to blow up Fountain Place in Dallas. He came in on a visitor visa that expired long ago. Immigration officials say that expired visas mean little -- it's almost certain authorities won't take notice. Representative Lamar Smith says, "Unfortunately, a lot of people are coming in for the wrong reasons -- to harm Americans or kill Americans, rather than as an innocent tourist. Once you come into the country on a tourist visa, you've passed 'Go.' People know they're home free and there's no effort made to keep track of them."

Our country's liberal tendencies will kill us one day. After Sept. 11, the government required males ages 16 to 70 from a number of predominantly Muslim countries to report their whereabouts. All the bleeding hearts kicked up a fuss, and the program was abandoned. We caught Hosam, but how many Hosam's have we not caught?

We also need to go after Hosam's American "wife." Her grandfather says Hosam offered her $5,000 to marry him so he could stay here, but she held out for $10,000. Last time I noticed, that was against the law. We need to prosecute these offenders who place their countrymen at risk.

"Suspect's visa had expired." The Dallas Morning News; September 30, 2009; p. 1B.

Articulate?

Stephen Matthews of Bedford thinks Barack Obama is the "most articulate advocate of his policies." I think Barack Obama is the most articulate advocate of Barack Obama.

"Obama's hardly overexposed." The Dallas Morning News; September 30, 2009; p. 16A.

Too Much Government

Did you know that if you live in Michigan, and you have a very good friendship with your neighbor and her children, and you tell your neighbor you will be happy for the children to come to your house after school to stay until she gets home from work, you're breaking the law after four weeks? This state has an ordinance that you cannot care for children unrelated to you more than four weeks out of the year unless you are a licensed daycare provider.

What does that do to the teenage babysitter? And to people like Lisa Snyder. Lisa graciously offered to help out three of her neighbors. They had to leave for work before the school bus arrived for their children. Lisa told them she'd let the children come to her house to wait for the bus. Days later, she received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services warning her she was violating the law. One of my questions is how the DHS knew Lisa was caring for these children.

Another question I have concerns who lobbied for this law. Think it might have been the day care owners of the state? Michigan DHS needs to mind its own business.

"State slaps mother's helping hand." The Dallas Morning News; September 30, 2009; p. 5A.

It's gonna' cost you!

More government regulation that's going to take a bite out of your pocketbook -- a law passed by Congress last summer requires new labels and product testing for lead in children's products. Even products with little or no lead in them must be tested and labelled.

Jolie Fay is a mother who makes children's jackets and fleece ponchos out of her basement in Portland, Oregon. Even though her products are fabric and pose no lead risk whatsoever, they must be tested and tagged at a cost of about $2000 per product. Mrs. Fay won't be able to absorb all that cost, so she'll have to go up on her prices. Another Obama "Gotcha!"

"New lead limits worry small-business owners." The Dallas Morning News; September 3, 2009; p. 2D.

Wonder what they've been smoking.

I'm about as anti-smoking as you can get. I advocate restricting cigarette smoking to the privacy of one's home. However, there was an article last month in the newspaper that takes things entirely too far.

A mother and daughter are suing their neighbor and landlord for damage they say was caused by cigarette smoke wafting through adjoining walls of their townhome. There was an accompanying photo of the women in gas masks. I kid you not!

The townhome has solid, two-hour fire walls from the foundation to the roof between each of the homes. That, alone, probably precludes smoke getting in. The managers replaced air filters repeatedly, installed sealant-type electrical plates and used an industrial-grade roofing sealant to caulk pipes under their kitchen cabinet. Then they tried to negotiate a move for both tenants. When none of that worked, these ladies still renewed their lease. If they are that sensitive, why didn't they opt to live in a townhome that is smoke-free? Such properties are available in the Dallas area.

The poor smoker who found herself in this situation finally moved to another unit after a judge told her she couldn't smoke in her own home. And the complainant? She's filed suit for disability under the Texas Fair Housing Act.

The mother and daughter also finally moved from the townhome -- their movers wore surgical masks as they worked. The ladies want all their furniture reupholstered, all their artwork restored, and all their clothing professionally cleaned. They say they don't buy cheap stuff -- everything was custom-made. Just look into their eyes -- they may not be red from cigarette smoke, but I'll bet they're green with $$$$$$$$$$.

"Woman fuming over smoking neighbor." The Dallas Morning News; September 30, 2009; p. 1A.

Here we are in November.

Back in April, Marie Scruggs of Dallas made some delusional statements about Obama. She said she was so proud of him for restoring world respect for the U.S. Here we are in November, and we see the world has so much respect for us and Obama, that they snatched away the Olympics from Chicago when it was supposed to be a sure thing.

Marie says that Obama has tackled a mind-boggling economic crisis. Here we are in November, and we've spent billions of dollars with nothing to show for it. Unemployment and foreclosures continue to rise.

Marie says Obama has reversed many of the previous administration's disastrous environmental policies. Here we are in November, and cap and trade is in trouble(thank goodness!), and power rates are still high. Have you noticed anything different environmentally?

Marie says Obama has taken command of the insurgency raging anew in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Here we are in November, and we are seeing record numbers of troops killed in Afghanistan and a General who says he's rarely had the opportunity to even discuss strategy with the President, who's still waiting to see what "kind of government" he'll have to deal with over there when that issue was settled a couple of weeks ago.

Marie says Obama is set to tackle health care, education and energy. Here we are in November, I won't even talk about the debacle health care has been -- everyone is all too familiar with that. As far as education, here we are in November, and about all I've heard he's done is a controversial live-feed telling kids to stay in school and make a recommendation we keep them there longer. Energy? Have you heard anything I haven't on that front?

Marie says all the while Obama is reaching out to Republicans in Congress and interacting directly with the American public. Here we are in November, and the Republicans in Congress can't even get him to look at their ideas. He has said he'll push through health care any way he can. Interacting directly with the public? Only for handpicked crowds with pre-determined questions. And where was he when Ft. Hood was hurting? Certainly not in Texas. I heard one analyst on the news say that if that shooting had been at a Mosque in Detroit, you can be sure Obama would have been front and center, sobbing and commiserating with all the Muslims. I think he's exactly right.

Marie suspects the American majority agree with her. Here we are in November, and I suspect Marie needs some mental help.

"My pride in Obama." The Dallas Morning News; April 7, 2009; p. 12A.

More Obama control coming your way

Obama wants people to save. So he's proposing that companies be required to set up 401(k) plans in which all workers are automatically enrolled unless they tell the employer not to enroll them. I don't know about you, but I'm perfectly capable of deciding what to do with my money without his help.

"Automatic ways to save coming." The Dallas Morning News; September 6, 2009; p. 6A.

That's not in my job description.

I fear for our country. Janet Napolitano, Obama's head of the Department of Homeland Security, was asked what surprised her most about her job. She said, "One is the international aspects of it. It's called Homeland Security, but the plain fact of the matter is, if you start doing your job at the geographic border, you've started in a lot of cases too late."

Well, duh! Those weren't American citizens who hijacked those planes on September 11! They didn't attack us because they were upset with our domestic policies! What surprises me most is that someone that naive and clueless is charged with protecting us from foreign terrorists who will stop at nothing!

"American security guard." The Dallas Morning News; September 6, 2009; p. 5P.

Texas is in trouble, folks!

Why should we care what other states do with gay marriage? I've been warning about it, and now it's here. State District Judge Tena Callahan has ruled that we must grant a divorce to two men married in a state which recognizes gay marriage. She says that we deny them their 14th amendment rights if we don't.

Dallas attorney Peter Schulte represents the two queers. He says, "If a divorce is granted in the case, the court is NOT creating, recognizing or validating a marriage between persons of the same sex; rather the effect of a divorce immediately ends a marriage which furthers the 'public policy' of this state as written in the Family Code." He further stated, "This is not about gay marriage; this is about gay divorce." What a bunch of hooey! Of course granting a divorce acknowledges that a marriage existed. You don't see unmarried people in divorce court! How do you "end" something that doesn't exist in the first place? As soon as we grant a divorce, they'll be filing suit claiming that we have to let them marry, because we've acknowledged the validity by granting a divorce.

Our Attorney General, bless his heart, is appealing her ruling. What our legislature needs to do is pass an amendment to the gay marriage law that also outlaws gay divorce. That will settle that issue, and if the homos want a divorce, they can go back to where they like perverts. We need to get busy and campaign against this rogue judge. Then they can take her with them.

"Texas judge rejects gay-marriage ban." The Dallas Morning News; October 2, 2009; p. 1A.

It's not the same thing at all.

One of the arguments from those who support requiring everyone to have health insurance is that it's the same thing as requiring car insurance. No, it's not.

Car insurance is required if you want to drive your vehicle on public streets and highways. If you don't, you don't have to buy it. The requirement is conditional -- if you don't drive, you don't have to buy it. Health insurance would not be predicated upon a specific circumstance. Everybody would have to buy it (see clarification below).

The car insurance you are required to have is not for your protection -- it is for the protection of others. No one is required by law to buy collision insurance. What is required is liability. That's to protect the other driver. Health insurance is like a requirement to buy collision insurance.

Ah but -- clarification is needed on the "everyone has to have it" rule. If you can't afford it, you don't have to buy it. That means all the rest of us will be paying for insurance for somebody else. Maybe somebody who can afford a big-screen TV, a nice car, the latest cell-phone, etc. It's all about priorities. And how will we be paying for their insurance? With "a variety of new taxes and fees on businesses and some families" according to the Senate Finance Committee. Senator Max Baucus says the fees and taxes are "an essential element of his bill to expand coverage."

"Panel eases insurance penalties." The Dallas Morning News; October 2, 2009; p. 5A.

Is this woman nuts?

I don't know Barbara Welch, but I'm pretty sure she had no friends or relatives at/in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, United Flight 93, Pan Am Flight 103, or any of the other terrorist targets of recent years. I say this because she's faulting the FBI for arresting Hosam Smadi, the terrorist who thought he was blowing up Fountain Place in Dallas.

She says they enticed him to blow up that building. Not so, Barbara. Hosam was on the internet looking for someone to provide him the "tools" he needed, and they followed up. This is a kid, she says. Not so, Barbara. He is a 19-year-old terrorist who willingly parked a bomb-laden vehicle in a high traffic area then took the steps to detonate it.

He was highly susceptible to suggestion, she says. Maybe so, but that makes him all the more dangerous. What if it really had been Al-Quaida he was making his plan with? She says she is free to imagine what the FBI did. She can imagine all she wants, but I'm pretty sure the FBI documented their movements, and no imagination will be required in court.

Since he was working alone, she wonders why the FBI even bothered. Well, Barbara, one man detonating a bomb kills as many people as twenty men planning and carrying out the same plan. Didn't they try to help this kid, she asks. Why would we want to help a terrorist?

She thinks the FBI owes him for ruining his life. I think we owe the FBI for the unnumbered lives they saved that day!

"A kid who needed help." The Dallas Morning News; October 2, 2009; p. 20A.

Big Oops!

How would you like it put on the front page of the local newspaper that you had breast cancer? What if it appeared on the front page and you didn't have breast cancer? This correction appeared in our award-winning Paris News: "Chisum Elementary School fourth grade teacher Cheryl Roddy is not suffering from breast cancer as stated in a cutline in the Friday, Oct. 30, edition of The Paris News . . . The Paris News regrets the error." Besides proofreaders, the newspaper could use a few reporters.

Another Paris News funny: In an article about the Challenge Day held in PISD schools, Mary Madewell said, "Students freely shared intermost feelings during afternoon sessions." Wonder if there were any innernational students there?

Torn up your AARP card yet?

The AARP is NOT an advocate for seniors. It is a very liberal organization. Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people are tearing up their AARP cards because of the group's support of Obama Care. Obama Care means nothing but cuts in services and increases in out of pocket expenses for seniors.

Feel like you need AARP? There is an alternative. The American Seniors Association more accurately reflects the conservative views held by many American Seniors. They're currently offering you a two-year for the price of one year subscription ($15.00) if you send in your cut up AARP card.

Incidentally, one of their four pillars is keeping benefits out of the hands of illegals. That, in itself, is enough to get me and Mr. Essie May to join.

The Paris News funny for the day: Connie Beard says that it's up to the city to say "yay or nay" to a certificate of occupancy for the La Quinta Inn. Yea, it appears Connie didn't use her dictionary.

http://www.americanseniors.org/

Father of the Year

I nominate Shaheed Wright of East Orange, New Jersey for father of the year. With the police after him, Shaheed hid several baggies of cocaine in his son's jacket pocket and told him it was candy. The 4-year-old shared his candy with several of his day care friends. Luckily, none of the children was seriously injured.

"Police: Boy, 4, shared drugs his father said were candy." The Dallas Morning News; September 20, 2009; p. 8A.

Democrats -- the party of compassion

Democrats paint Republicans with the "unfeeling," "hard-hearted," "greedy," brush all the time just because Republicans believe in personal responsibility. They paint themselves as compassionate, caring, and generous. (I must admit they are generous -- with other people's money!).

John Edwards is a Democrat. He promised his mistress that as soon as his cancer-stricken wife died, they'd get married in a New York rooftop ceremony with the Dave Matthews Band. To protect his political aspirations, he tried to find a doctor who would falsify a DNA test to lend credence to his denials of paternity of his own daughter. Yes! He is the epitome of compassion!

"Edwards may soon declare paternity." The Dallas Morning News; September 20, 2009; p. 4A.

Is it really free choice?

There is a bill pending in Congress called the Employee Free Choice Act. As with "Change we can believe in," "Universal health care," and other nice sounding things touted by the Obama administration, the Employee Free Choice Act is not what it seems.

Take this one provision: Under the EFCA, workers will lose their right to a private ballot, which means they could be required to vote in the presence of a paid union representative. They also face the risk of threat or coercion if they're opposed to or undecided about union participation.

Doesn't sound much like free choice to me. But Obama has said, "We will pass the Employee Free Choice Act."

"Employee Free Choice Act a union power grab." The Dallas Morning News; March 19, 2009; p. 17A.

How do they really know?

Scientists say that Tyrannosaurus rex had a "pint-sized precursor, remarkably similar in appearance but no heavier than a human being." This is based on "a single fossil" smuggled out of China.

There is no detail on exactly how large that "single fossil" is. It could be a tooth. "Scientists" have been known to build an entire animal from a single jawbone. How do they know what the animal looked like from such scant remains? They don't. So until they show me what they actually found, I'm quite skeptical. The same goes for the recently discovered "Ardi," the purported next step to the missing link.

"T. rex had a puny predecessor." The Dallas Morning News; September 18, 2009; p. 18a.

What happens when the government runs health care.

Michelle Lyons, spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, said more than 45,000 convicts will receive the swine flu vaccine before it is made available to the general public. The prison system has asked for 158,000 doses. Prison officials say the policy is set by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And who do you think they are taking orders from? Lyons said the prisons were like a nursing home or a college dorm. NO THEY'RE NOT! They're full of blights on society! They say if the flu starts there, it could spread quickly. Well, excuse me, but aren't these people, in effect, quarantined? I have no problem with prison personnel being innoculated -- in fact, I think that is highly advisable. But the prisoners aren't going anywhere -- at least they shouldn't be. But that's a whole 'nother blog.

"Inmates may get flu shots first." The Dallas Morning News; October 28, 2009; p. 2B.

Mandate that, Mark Clark!

Mark A. Clark of Weatherford, Texas, is amazed that people are upset with AIG bonuses only because they received a taxpayer bailout. Why else should I care what AIG spends its money on? I'm not an investor, I'm not a customer. If I don't like the way AIG spends its money, I take my business elsewhere. That's what the free market is all about.

But Mark thinks he should have the right to tell AIG how to run its business. I'll grant you, since we've bailed them out, we do have that right, but that's not what he's talking about. He's talking about telling businesses how to structure their payrolls when they're not taking taxpayer dollars. He says executives must have their pay limited to a factor relative to the lowest-paid person at the company. Well, Mark, what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Let's mandate that you draw a salary limited to a factor relative to your IQ. That should put you a little less than minimum wage!

Paris News funny for the day: Mary Madewell wrote a column about breast cancer awareness month. She told us about her "lastest" mammogram. She also said that women are "proned" to check their breasts after an injury. I guess the lastest thing The Paris News will ever be proned to do is hire some good proofreaders.

"Salary excess never appropriate." The Dallas Morning News; March 12, 2009; p. 14A.

Bless his heart!

Romell Broom, abducted, raped, and murdered a 14-year-old girl in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1984. He was sentenced to die. Now, only 25 years later, his sentence was finally being carried out in September. But he's still alive. The executioner couldn't hit a vein, so the execution was halted and his attorney secured a temporary restraining order against trying again.

"There's still a state that wants to execute Romell Broom even though he's been through this horrific, tortuous 2 1/2-hour battle with the executioners . . ." Well, bless his heart! Wonder how long it took him to rape and murder that little girl? Anyway, how many of us have not at one time or another been in the hospital and experienced the same thing when medical personnel had problems hitting a vein? It's certainly no picnic, but I don't think I'd call it horrific. Rape and murder are horrific. I have a solution -- bring back "Old Sparky." A million volts will do the job -- no vein required.

Back to the question of whether or not Romell Broom should still be executed. Is that little girl still dead?

"Judge delays 2nd try at execution after lethal injection is botched." The Dallas Morning News; September 19, 2009; p. 9A.

How come Betty gets a free pass?

When conservatives disagree with Obama's policies, they're called all sorts of names and accused of "drinking the Kool-aid" of Fox television and Rush Limbaugh. When a left-winger makes a ridiculous assertion, nobody says anything about it.

Betty Culbreath is a member of the D/FW Airport Board. She recently said, "I purchased a gun a few days ago, because as much as you hate him, with Perry putting fuel on the fire, you people will start killing black folk like back in the Klan days, and I want to be ready." Now who do you think is an extremist nut -- the person who says Obama's plan is socialism or the person who buys a gun for when we start killing black folk?

"Talking Points." The Dallas Morning News; September 13, 2009; p. 1P.

If . . .

An Associated Press article in the newspaper recently was headlined, "Dependent coverage may be in jeopardy." It was a veiled warning that we'll all be in trouble if we don't support Obama Care. But after reading the article, I've determined that the headline was disingenuous.

The coverage that is "in jeopardy" is not really -- "if you want your spouse to be included in your company's health insurance plan when you sign up for benefits in 2010, you could be paying an extra $600 to $1000 a year IF he or she has coverage available elsewhere." If your spouse is already covered through his/her employer, and you just like the coverage from your employer better, why shouldn't you have to pay? The dependent's current coverage is NOT in jeopardy.

The other point "in jeopardy" is not valid either -- "Companies are also likelier to check up on the eligibility of employees' dependents. Many more are going to require that workers provide proof that their dependents fit the plan's rules for coverage." So if you're legal now, you should have no problem. Your coverage is NOT in jeopardy. If you're not legal, that means somebody else is paying for you. You should be required to prove your eligibility!

"Dependent coverage may be in jeopardy." The Dallas Morning News; September 27, 2009; p. 33A.

Why married women in the military is not a good idea.

I'm all for women's lib. Any woman who does the same job as a man as well as he does it should receive equal pay and benefits. What I am not for is downgrading standards so women can get the jobs. If a woman can't carry enough weight to meet firefighter standards, I'll take the man rescuing me, thank you very much.

What brought this to mind was an article on mothers at war. There are more than 100,000 mothers who have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Spc. Jaymie Holschlag is one of them. She is griping because she was deployed for 12 months. She says that when she returned, her children had changed so much she didn't know them. Jaymie was not drafted. Jaymie already had her children when she joined.

Shelley MacDermid Wadsworth, director of the Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University, says, "The Army's challenge, but also the military's challenge, is to help service members feel they don't have to choose between family life and their military career." I disagree. The military's challenge is to train up soldiers who are dependable on the battlefield, who can defend our country at all costs. It's not to cater to whiney woman who're unhappy with the choices they made.

"Mothers at war can create a conflict at home." The Dallas Morning News; September 27, 2009; p. 10A.

Business owners, Beware!

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, he who insists paying taxes is voluntary, is ready to impose more burdens upon the backbone of our economy and society -- the business owner. Included in the health bill he endorses is a provision that would require a business owner to pay a fine if any of his employees took advantage of government subsidies for health insurance. The fine would apply not only to the employee who got the subsidy, but to all the owner's employees. And we're not talking small amounts here -- the fee could be as high as $750 per employee. That means if a company employs 50 people, and only one gets a government subsidy, the owner will have to pay $37,500 in penalties.

But I probably am fretting too much -- I suppose these penalties will be as voluntary as paying taxes.

"Health bill may lack employer mandate." The Dallas Morning News; October 26, 2009; p. 4A.

What a Mockery!

Our time-honored traditions are fast falling to perversion and anything goes. Last February, George Mason University elected Ryan Allen, a gay drag performer, as homecoming queen. "I was very touched by how Mason was so supportive through the whole process of allowing a boy in a dress to run for homecoming queen," Allen said. I think the whole college is touched!

Paris News funny for the day: This headline appeared October 11, "Westgate property most like a waste of time and money." It's not like a waste of time and money -- it is a waste of time and money. However, I think the headline writer most likely meant "likely." I'd say The News most likely hasn't hired any proofreaders recently.

"For student, this honor not a drag." The Dallas Morning News; February 21, 2009; p. 9A.

Another episode of "Doesn't anybody know how to throw away the key?"

Jerry Lee Gray shot a Texas state trooper last month. Thankfully, the officer, though seriously wounded, is expected to recover. Gray will not. He was gunned down by other officers.

Jerry Lee Gray was sentenced to 16 years for robbery in 1973. That means he should have been in prison until 1989. He was out in 1979. He committed an aggravated robbery and was sentenced to 40 years. In 1995, he received another sentence of more than 12 years for bank robbery. He was out in 2005. Since then, he has committed numerous robberies around the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.

By my calculations, he shouldn't have been on a public street until, at the earliest, 2041. Doesn't anybody know how to throw away the key?

Paris News funny for the day: Headline in the October 21 issue states, "Panel backs vaccine as cervical cancer alternative." Well, I would certainly choose a vaccine over cervical cancer! Do you suppose they meant "treatment alternative"?

"Slain suspect had a long rap sheet." The Dallas Morning News; September 23, 2009; p. 3B.

If his lips are moving, he's lying.

Obama has said over and over that anyone making less than $250,000 will not have their taxes raised one dime. That might be true (but it's not), unless you need diabetic supplies, or need a wheelchair, or need a hearing aid, or need some other medical supply or equipment. Senator Max Baucus's plan includes a tax on all these items. It also included contact lens solutions, maxi-pads and other items until the Republicans shamed them into removing them by calling it a "Q-Tip" tax. And Baucus still claims this will "reduce costs" for working class families.

Congressional Budget Office director Douglas Elmendorf says the plan, which would require everyone to buy insurance, could reduce benefits for seniors enrolled in private Medicare plans. But Obama says, "Nobody is talking about cutting Medicare benefits." He may not be talking about it, but he plans to do it! He's not talking about ACORN, either, but that doesn't mean they're not corrupt!

The Paris News funny for today: Mary Madewell went to the circus recently. She says it's "good to revert to the days of our youth and do something compulsive." I think she means "impulsive." But then again, maybe she's one of those people Barney Fife refers to as "compelsion nuts."

"Headaches open health care debate." The Dallas Morning News; September 23, 2009; p. 13A.

Thomas Sowell on Obama Care

"Con men understand that their job is not to use facts to convince skeptics but to use words to help the gullible to believe what they want to believe. No message has been more welcomed by the gullible, in countries around the world, than the promise of something for nothing. That is the core of Barack Obama's medical care plan."

"Mandates by politicians are what have driven up the cost of insurance already. Politicians love to play Santa Claus and leave it to others to raise prices to cover the inevitable costs."

"Barack Obama's insistence that various dangerous policies are not in the legislation he proposes sounds good but means nothing. Unbridled power is a blank check, no matter what its rationale may be."

Oh well, Sowell disagrees with Obama, so he must be a racist. Thomas Sowell is not only probably the most brilliant economist alive today; he also happens to be black.

"Obama's promises." The Dallas Morning News; September 14, 2009; p. 13A.

More media bias.

When an abortion doctor is murdered by a misguided pro-life advocate, bulletins break in on the TV programming and it's front page news. The media opine about the dangerous right-wing fundamentalists, and the heroic victim. Remember when Dr. George Tiller was killed last summer? That's all we heard about for days.

But when a pro-abortion nut murders a pro-life activist, little is said. It makes page 6 in the newspaper if it makes it at all. Harlan James Drake killed an abortion protester across the street from a high school last month because he didn't like his sign. The sign had a picture of an aborted baby on it. I guess Drake thought gunning down a man in front of the students wouldn't affect them as much as that picture.

Out of curiosity, to test my theory about media bias, I googled Harlan James Drake. I got 106,000 hits. Then I googled Scott Roeder. He's the man who killed the abortion doctor. I got 847,000 hits. What do you think?

"Gunman bearing grudges kills 2, authorities say." The Dallas Morning News; September 12, 2009; p. 6A.

God must be weeping.

Unless he repents, Reverend Jon Haack probably won't like it when he meets his Maker. Haack is the pastor of the Promise Metropolitan Community Church -- a "church" that caters to gays. He's responsible for a billboard blitz in Dallas that perverts the scriptures to condone his sin. One says, "The early church welcomed a gay man." This lie is accompanied by a reference to Matthew 8:5-13. Another says, "Jesus affirmed a gay couple." This lie is accompanied by a reference to Acts 8:26-40.

Matthew 8:5-13 is the account of Jesus healing the servant of the centurion. I can't for the life of me figure out where the gay man is in this passage, or if I missed him somewhere, where the early church welcomed him. Technically, there was not yet a "church."

Acts 8:26-40 relates the story of Philip's witness to the Ethiopian eunuch. I can't find a gay couple in the passage, and Jesus was not bodily there to "affirm" the non-existent gays.

The devil is dancing with glee for now, and God is weeping. But He will not allow them to get away with hijacking his Word.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/religion/stories/091209dnmetbillboard.3c6ee6a.html

I respectfully disagree, Miss Manners.

Civility is almost non-existent in our society, so I always enjoy reading Miss Manners in the newspaper. Most times, I agree with her. But this time, I must voice my disagreement with what's proper.

The question posed to her was how to address mail to same-sex married couples. Miss Manners took the politically correct way on this one. She said, "Updating old customs for new times happens to be my favorite part of this job." She offers several alternatives including using "Mesdames" and "Mssrs."

Miss Essie thinks the old ways are the best ways. Recognizing a perversion as legitimate demeans the true meaning of marriage. There is no such thing as a same-sex married couple, so how to address them is a moot point. If, however, one finds himself in the position of doing so, Miss Essie suggests using either "Lesbians" or "Homos."

"A stab at updating the rules on honorifics." The Dallas Morning News; September 20, 2009; p. 12E.

School ain't what it used to be!

Back in the spring when the Texas legislature was in session (always a scary thing!), Representative Joe Deshotel came up with a ridiculous bill. It would have payed freshmen in low-performing schools $50 for each A earned in a core subject, $35 for each B, and $20 for each C.

Wow! Far from being rewarded for C's, I was told I had to buckle down (come to think of it, that's an exaggeration -- I never got a C). Anyway, if I had, my parents would not have been pleased. What's the world coming to when we have to pay kids to do well in school? And how long before the teacher kick-back scandals get uncovered -- you know -- where the kid says I'll give you $25 if you'll give me an A? That may sound ridiculous, but we already have teachers changing test answers, so it's not that far-fetched. Thankfully, we have some legislators with more sense than Deshotel has, and the HB-3449 just sat there. I give Representative Deshotel an F.

Incidentally, The Dallas Morning News gets a D -- they referred to Deshotel as a Republican. Essie thought that was a strange bill for a Republican to introduce, so when she did a little more research, she found out that Deshotel is a Democrat.

"Bill would pay kids for good grades." The Dallas Morning News; March 14, 2009; p. 6A.

It's too easy!

We all gripe about red tape, but when it comes to passports, our government should be a bit more picky. A government investigator decided to test our security measures.

He applied for a passport using the social security number of a man who died in 1965, a fake New York birth certificate, and a fake Florida driver's license. Passport officials didn't detect the misappropriated social security number, the counterfeit birth certificate, or the counterfeit driver's license. He got the passport four days later.

In another test, the investigator used the information of a 5-year-0ld boy, but identified himself as 53 years old. He got the passport seven days later. I got mine legitimately, and it took several weeks. Gee, I wonder what exactly they check on those applications.

"Passport security fails test." The Dallas Morning News; March 14, 2009; p. 7A.

The inmates are running the asylum -- another episode.

Phillip Arnold Paul killed an elderly lady in 1987. He soaked her body in gasoline and buried her in her flower garden. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity. He was sent to Eastern State Hospital in Washington State. In 1991, he was taken on a field trip to a lake. He walked away from the outing. He was captured, but as he was being booked into the county jail, he knocked a sheriff's deputy unconscious and was charged with first-degree escape and second-degree assault.

On a subsequent conditional release, he fathered a child. In early September, a judge ruled that he "remained a threat to the public because of his aggressive behavior and his decreased awareness of his psychosis." Just two weeks later, Paul was taken with 30 other patients to the Spokane County Fair. Despite, as required by procedure, being kept within eyesight of staff at all times, he walked away from the fair and remained on the lam for several days. He finally was captured 180 miles from the fair site.

Just the environment you want when you take your kids for a fun day at the fair -- 31 crazed killers standing in line with them. The inmates are running the asylums!

"Escaped killer recaptured." The Dallas Morning News; September 21, 2009; p. 4A.

I believe it.

Obama says the ACORN scandal is not a major national issue he pays much attention to. Sure, I believe it.

Anyway, he should. They've received millions of our money, and they are corrupt from top to bottom.

"Obama makes rounds with health care push." The Dallas Morning News; September 21, 2009; p. 1A.

If . . .?

If Obama's health care plan is so good, and everybody will be better off with it, why is he having to push it so hard?

Barack Obama - the Pervert's Best Friend

Obama talked to the gays Saturday night at the Human Rights Campaign dinner. (This group would be more aptly titled the Pervert In-Your-Face Rights Campaign). He promised them he would rescind the military "don't ask, don't tell policy." He called on Congress to rescind the "Defense of Marriage Act" which says that the federal government can't tell a state it must approve gay marriage. He called for a law to require businesses to extend benefits to "domestic partners." "We have never had a stronger ally in the White House. Never," Joe Solmonese, the HRC president, said. God help us, I have to agree with him!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091011/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_gays

How do you do that "inadvertently"?

David Letterman says of his affairs with those who work for him, "Inadvertently, I just wasn't thinking ahead."

I can tell you this, the day Mr. Essie May comes home and tells me he had an inadvertent affair will be the day he gets his inadvertent rear inadvertently kicked out of the house!

"Letterman apologizes to wife." The Dallas Morning News; October 6, 2009; p. 6A.

Sure is deep in here!

Can you imagine defending a man who raped a 13-year-old girl? That's what all the Hollywood do-gooders are doing. Roman Polanski has avoided the consequences of his actions for more than 30 years.

Polanski doesn't think what he did is so bad -- "Everyone wants to [expletive] with young girls," he said.

Whoopi Goldberg doesn't think what he did is so bad -- "I know it wasn't rape-rape. It was something else but I don't believe it was rape-rape." I'm not sure what the difference in rape-rape and rape is.

Harvey Weinstein doesn't think what he did is so bad -- "Whatever you think about the so-called crime, Polanski has served his time." No, he hasn't. He fled the country before he could be sentenced.

And here's the real kicker. Weinstein said, "Hollywood has the best moral compass, because it has compassion." Yeah, we all know what paragons of virtue all the nuts and flakes out there are.

"Hollywood's lost moral compass." The Dallas Morning News; October 5, 2009; p. 15A.

I'm not a real doctor, but I play one at the White House.

Last week, Obama had a big photo op with lots of white-coated doctors on the White House lawn. These doctors purportedly all endorsed his socialized medicine. The news reported that ". . . 150 doctors, all wearing their white coats, attended a pep rally with President Barack Obama . . ." Here's what you weren't told.

The doctors did not know why they had been summoned to the White House. They thought they were going to have a "sit-down" to tell Obama what they thought. Instead, he told them what they were supposed to think.

They didn't come in their lab coats. Those were handed out at the White House.

Many of those doctors don't agree with Obama's plan at all. Obama said in his rah-rah speech that those doctors didn't swear in their oaths to spend their time handling paperwork and wading through bureaucratic red tape. That their oaths didn't include turning away people who couldn't pay. One of them pointed out that the vast majority of the mounds of paperwork and red tape they wade through are government mandated. She also pointed out that it's the government that tells them they cannot treat a Medicare patient for free.

More of the Obama sleight of hand (and mouth) at work!

"Sides rally on costs vs. coverage." The Dallas Morning News; October 6, 2009; p. 6A.

What a kneeslapper!

Barack Obama won the Nobel Peace Prize for his vision of a world without nuclear weapons -- Iranian President Ahmadinejad, when asked for his reaction, said, "HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Look at all that tax money!

Our city recently voted to go "wet." One of the main arguments used by the wets was that we would gain pots full of tax money from the sales of alcoholic beverages. It would be good for us!

About the time all this was going on, there was an article in the paper about the racing commission. Texas legalized gambling some years ago on the same argument -- "Look at all the tax money we'll get!"

Well, it seems that the state Racing Commission is short about $700,000. They want a bailout of $250,000. According to executive director Charla Ann King, "The industry is on the edge of the end." And she may be right. Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie is at risk of defaulting on $175 million in loans.

Yes, I can see that drinking and gambling are really good for us!

"Racing Commission seeks bailout." The Dallas Morning News; February 27, 2009; p. 3A.