Political Views today

While I have generally stayed away from politics while blogging, this You-Tube video is incredible, and stands at the heart of some of my beliefs.

Only in Texas

Another Texas cheerleader story, this time at the high school level, courtesy of the Victoria Advocate:

 

http://www.thevictoriaadvocate.com/428/story/88430.html

 

Cheerleader's family to sue school district

Teen was cut from junior varsity team and family claims unfairness

July 12, 2007 - Posted at 12:00 a.m.

BY SONNY LONG - VICTORIA ADVOCATE

YORKTOWN - The attorney for the Billy Fischer family, whose daughter was cut from the Yorktown High School junior varsity cheerleading squad, says her clients have no other option but to sue the school district.

"At this point we are planning on going forward with a lawsuit," said Lisa Duke of the San Antonio law firm of Anderson and Duke. "We have not filed the paperwork yet, but we will soon."

Incoming freshman Wycoda Fischer was cut after tryouts were held for six positions on the squad. Seven girls tried out. The family contends that because an exception was made for the varsity cheer squad, nine girls were allowed on instead of the eight called for in the high school's cheerleader constitution, that an exception should also be made for allowing Wycoda on the squad. The high school principal and cheerleading sponsor approved the expanded JV squad, but superintendent Deborah Kneese ordered tryouts.

The Fischers, Billy and Wysenda, took their grievance to the school board on Monday, but the board upheld the superintendent's decision with a 5-1-1 vote.

According to testimony during the grievance hearing, the varsity was expanded to nine members because the sponsor made a mistake and told eight of the cheer candidates they had made the squad and there would be no tryouts, because it was believed the ninth candidate had withdrawn. She had not, and was allowed on the squad.

Kneese told the school board, "There was an error with regard to the varsity cheerleading tryouts. The decision was made to allow nine cheerleaders on the squad despite the provision in the constitution. The district was not going to penalize the student for its own error. No such mistake was made during the JV tryouts. The mistake concerning the varsity squad has no bearing on the JV squad."

The Fischers' attorney disagrees.

"The school district nor the superintendent has offered a satisfactory explanation as to why Wycoda was singled out," said Duke. "We have no other option but to move forward with the lawsuit."

Sonny Long is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-275-6319 or cueroadv@vicad.com, or comment on this story here.
 

A new tool

For the handyman in all of us - This is a must have for the Tim 'the Tool Man' Taylor in all of us. I wonder if this will be allowed in Tiger Stadium to throw at Tommy Tuberville this year?

The Tiger Hammer

Only in Louisiana - shades of Ryan Perriloux

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8Q2F2UG0&show_article=1&catnum=
-1

Man Pays $4.88 for Plasma TV at Wal-Mart

Article from Breitbart.com

MONROE, La. (AP) - While Wal-Mart is known for dropping its prices, one West Monroe man took the ad campaign seriously when he dropped the price of a plasma television from $984 to $4.88. Police arrested Chandon L. Simms , 23, on Tuesday at the retail store on a charge of felony theft.

According to police reports, Simms carried a 42-inch Sanyo Plasma TV to a self-checkout aisle after switching the original price tag of $984 with one for only $4.88. Wal-Mart Loss Prevention officers witnessed the alleged transaction and called police.

When the store officers stopped Simms on his way out the door, he produced a receipt for a television purchased at the West Monroe Wal-Mart, authorities said.

Simms told officers that he purchased a TV from the West Monroe store and planned to return that one and keep the one he purchased for only $4.88 from the Monroe store. He was then arrested and booked into the Ouachita Correctional Center.

Friendswood Texas Piano Music Teacher

Dry Ice for shrinking dents

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PETA Run Amuck

And below, LSU's Response - Probably more diplomatic than I would’ve been…..(Liberalism run amuck)
******************************************************************
PETA: No live mascot for LSU
Posted by By James Varney, staff writer May 21, 2007 9:05PM
In a letter to be faxed to LSU Chancellor Sean O'Keefe today, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals will request the university not pursue a live replacement for Mike V, a royal Bengal tiger and school mascot that died Friday.

The move was anticipated by several LSU officials, and the letter does not appear to have much chance of swaying opinion at the school, which appears to stand solidly in favor of replacing Mike with a tiger cub.

Dr. David Baker of the LSU Veterinary School, who cared for Mike and was visibly shaken last week by the tiger's death at 17 from kidney failure, declined to go beyond the curt summary he offered then.

"The LSU mascot is part of the LSU community, part of the LSU family; a tradition for 71 years," Baker said. "And we intend to obtain another tiger."

PETA's letter opened by expressing sympathy over Mike's death, which has been acutely felt by many LSU fans. The group urged, however, that the search for Mike VI be curtailed before it gathers momentum.

"Big cats in captivity are denied everything that is natural and important to them, such as the opportunity to run, climb, hunt, establish their territory, and choose their mates," wrote Lisa Wathne, a specialist for PETA on captive exotic animals.

In a phone interview Monday, Wathne said the school might be misconstruing the outpouring of comments that have accompanied Mike V's death. Given that live mascots are increasingly uncommon in American sports, the same crowd that shouts with glee when Mike makes his trip around Tiger Stadium before kickoff would probably support the school were it to forgo a living replacement, she said.

"We believe that more and more people are uncomfortable seeing them in this situation," Wathne said. "People are evolving on this."

LSU officials, while saying they could not comment on Wathne's letter until they had a chance to digest it, offered some general responses to the complaints of animal rights activists who, as a general rule, oppose any sort of captivity for animals, not just the exotic and endangered kind such as Mike.

Many wildlife experts put the Bengal tiger population in the wild at 500 or fewer, a number that could mean the species has moved below the sustainability bar. Thus, it is better that tigers remain in luxurious habitats like Mike's than it is they vanish from the earth, school officials said. Last year, Mike moved into a $3 million home, complete with a bathing pool and waterfall, that offered 15,000 square feet of living space.

What's more, while at LSU, Mike is not pursued by poachers who sought his fur and organs, nor does he have to prowl for a new home among ever dwindling patches of jungle. His appetite and medical needs are handled by a dedicated and loving faculty, the school said.

"The tigers we will have here will have nothing but top-notch care and facilities," LSU spokeswoman Kristine Calongne said.

Those arguments are not persuasive to PETA, although the group concedes the university's veterinary acumen. The organization, citing its own figures, said about 15,000 tigers, or 300 times the wild population, are held in private captivity in the United States.

In addition, the space a tiger needs should be measured in acres, not feet, PETA holds. Wathne said it is unconscionable that such grand animals are kept in "shabby backyard pens and basements."

Such terms are more than propaganda, according to the letter to O'Keefe, especially because, "if LSU purchases a tiger cub, a newborn tiger will be forcibly removed from his or her mother within days of birth," according to Wathne.

"In October 2003, the journal Nature reported Oxford University researchers' finding that large, roving predators -- such as tigers -- show stereotypical symptoms of stress when they are kept in captivity because they are unable to satisfy their instinct to roam," she wrote.

While she acknowledged LSU could buy a tiger legally and thus would not be scouring unsavory wildlife black markets for a new Mike, the overall tone of the transaction is less laudatory in her opinion.

"LSU would be promoting and contributing to the trade in exotic animal in this country," she said.
******************************************************************************************************************
LSU’s Response
General Information, Media Advisory
LSU Response to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
05/22/2007 02:44 PM
Note: The following is Chancellor Sean O'Keefe's response to a letter from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) dated May 22, 2007 regarding LSU's plans to obtain a tiger.

May 22, 2007
Lisa Wathne
Captive Exotic Animal Specialist
PETA
501 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23510
Dear Ms. Wathne:
Thank you for your May 22, 2007, letter concerning LSU’s mascot, Mike the Tiger.
Mike is a treasured member of the LSU family. There are 71 years of history behind Mike, and he represents the heart of our University.

LSU stands behind its treatment of its tigers. Their habitat and lifestyle are constantly monitored to ensure their well being, and they receive state-of-the-art veterinary medical care from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, which can improve and extend the life of a big cat. This is evidenced by the fact that Mike V lived to be 17 years of age. Two of LSU’s tiger mascots, Mike I and Mike III, lived 19 years, and Mike IV lived 20 years 9 months and 18 days. The average lifespan for a tiger in the wild is about 8-10 years. A tiger in captivity, like Mike V, can live 14-18 years.

Our mascots live in an excellent tiger habitat, far better than most found in zoos. Solitary animals by nature, tigers do not congregate in the wild, and due to the alarming state of their species in the wild – tigers are already critically endangered and their numbers continue to shrink – efforts to maintain the integrity of the species will need to be conducted in captivity. The current enclosure is large enough for Mike to express normal species-specific behaviors, including roaming his enclosure. Captive tigers do not have to fight and risk injury to establish and defend their territories, secure mates, or hunt prey. They are also safe from poachers and are not subject to common and debilitating viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.

Further, LSU is committed to the safe, responsible, and ethical care and handling of its tigers. Mike poses no danger to students, spectators at sporting events, visitors to his habitat, or the medical personnel who care for him. Contact is limited by strict order of the mascot’s trainer and veterinarian, as well as by policies established and enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture. During games, Mike is placed in a specially designed trailer. No persons are allowed to contact the tiger without a barrier between them and the tiger.

LSU’s tigers are treated with the love we give our mascots and all the respect we give wild animals. They are in no way inhumanely or cruelly treated, and their care and comfort are of the utmost importance to all members of the LSU community.

LSU has a federal permit to exhibit a tiger and abides by all animal welfare laws, regulations, and policies. The facility and care provided to LSU's Mike the Tiger exceed federal standards. Finally, it should be noted that LSU, in line with the University’s educational function, is in the process of developing a state-of-the-art tiger education center to educate the public about global conservation issues. The presence of a live tiger will augment the educational impact of the center. Thus, the presence of Mike VI on campus will move the mascot program into a greater educational role than was possible with previous tigers.

The School of Veterinary Medicine has already received dozens of offers for a new cub. We will not take a tiger cub from its mother; we will obtain a cub that has been weaned. And, LSU absolutely will not purchase a tiger from a private breeder, as we do not want to encourage irresponsible breeding of tigers. Dr. David Baker* will assess all offers and will also seek candidates through a list of established contacts, primarily zoos.

Again, thank you for writing. I hope that I have addressed some of your concerns.
Cordially,
Sean O'Keefe
Chancellor
*Dr. David Baker is Mike the Tiger's veterinarian.

Kristine Calongne
LSU Media Relations
225-578-5985
Mike the Tiger: Preserving the Roar!
http://www.lsu.edu/highlights/043/mike.html

Sports Quote of the week

In honor of the Kentucky Derby, another great British horse racing gaffe. This after a new grandstand had been built at the Doncaster Race Course

The new stand at Doncaster race course took Brough Scott's breath away..."My word," he said. "Look at that magnificent erection."

Let the sun shine bright on your old KY home!

Jamarcus at the top of the heap, but why the sadness for Brady?

Jamarcus Russell, the emt-like lovable kid from Birmingham, who was reared by his grandmother *, kept off the streets, and chose an honorable way up and out, was chosen as the #1 pick by the Raiders. Al Davis loves winners. JR, we're proud of you, and proud for you. You're an instant multi-zillionaire with access to the attention of all the girls you desire, whether or not they are related to Fats Domino. But, as I am sure you will, remember your grandmother. Make sure she's the envy of Terry Saban, in the new house you will have constructed for her, one which I am sure will blot out the sun from the rest of Alabama. Don't worry about those guys who do the Extreme Makeover show, get real men like Norm (Abrams), Tom Silva, David Marks, Steve Thomas, and the rest of those guys who do the great shows on HGTV & PBS - ones who really know how to get their hands dirty, but keep their shops clean.

But why, oh why, are we still whining about Brady Quinn? The little twerp who got rolled in the Superdome even makes the Drudge Report for being left way down.

Phrase of today - 25 April 2007

There is an old proverb that says this: Give a man fire, and it will only burn for one night, set a man on fire...and he will be warm till the day he dies.

Trying the new gig

I happened to see a link for posting things via Blogger, and darned if it don't work. Now, after lots of consternation over getting more time to blog, this "old dog" has learned a new trick.

Now to fix the rest of my life.

29° 57’ 56.12” N
95° 21’ 57.99” W

Quote of the week - April 24th

Long time since posting, life has taken some very sharp turns. I ended up in a maze of twisty passages, only I couldn't tell if they were alike or different. So, I start a new feature - quote of the week. Most of the time, these will be related to sports. The first is a classic, even if it is for a sport most Americans don't appreciate - cricket.

In 1976, British television viewers joined an England-West Indies cricket match at the Oval in the middle of an over. Michael Holding was bowling to Peter Willey. Noted commentator Brian Johnston helpfully described the scene: "The bowler's Holding," he observed, "the batsman's Willey." The picture to the left is in honor of Michael Holding, the bowler.

Himself's new bumper sticker

Looks like He Who Must Not Be Named has a new bumper sticker on his car. It sure adds a touch of class to that damn German POS.

Apparently a friend of a friend was in Tuscaloosa last week & decided to run by the football offices. He saw He Who Must Not Be Named’s S550 parked in the spot reserved for “HEAD COACH” and decided to leave him a present on his nice $90k Mercedes

Into the theatre mode again

Wow. Here it is the 17th of February, and I seem to be in full blown stage dad mode again. My son is in the chorus of 'Hello Dolly', and my daughters are in 'Fiddler on the Roof'. Previously a couple of weeks ago, I was taking my son to an Improv workshop. Now he wants to go to DePaul. My older daughter wants to go to Northwestern or Baylor for undergraduate, and the go to Tisch for her master's. None of those schools have real football teams. What have I done wrong? Maybe my youngest daughter will want to go to an SEC school, like Ole Miss, where naturally she would be redshirted for the Miss America competition. This week, she wants to be a veterinarian. Hopefully she'll want to become an entrepreneur. Anyone with suggestions on convincing a 7 year old Oxford is the place to be?

What could have happened?

Scientists report today that a female chimpanzee near Shreveport has given birth, despite all of her companions supposedly being sterilized. At first thought, I wondered if this had anything to do with the Independence Bowl, and the Alabama fans, as well as the Oklahoma State posse. But then, I looked up the gestation period of a chimp. 9 months, almost like a human. I wonder what could have happened last March or April in Shreveport? Was there a poker tournament going on, and the loser been forced to satisfy the chimp?

The Fourth Quarter

Gators 34 Buckeyes 14

20 points needed to force overtime, 21 to take it all.

10:23 Jarvis F'n Moss drills Troy Smith. Did his eyes light up?

10:27 Leak breaks a nice run just after they tell about 3 systems in 4 years. Announcers indicate that Leak will be the best known Florida QB, as he'll get the love now.

10:30 And Tebow runs his patented QB draw or a big gain, making him the leading rusher for the game.

10:32 A shot of a kid who looks like his dog just got killed. When in fact, it's his Buckeyes getting killed.

10:36 Brandon Siler on how he wants to be showered in confetti like Vince Young. Now Tebow scores - but a flag! No problem. Florida 41 OSU 14. Kind of like, oh, the Sugar Bowl!

10:40 With those clips, does Jarvis Moss get the MVP award? 84 yards for tOSU versus over 400 average for the season!

10:45 Thom Brenneman invokes the combo basketball-football national champions, and tells of Urban's neighbor Billy Donovan. Smith gets taken down again - and the Gator Defense is jumping around on fresh legs. tOSU needs to mail it in now.

10:48 Emmit Smith shown doing the chomp. Charlie asks if the Gators are winning everything, including Dancing with the Stars! Problems may abound since it is not a Fox show.

10:50 Brandon Siler showing off the Unity Chain for the defense, after Deshawn Wynn continues to eat the clock away.

10:55 It's done for. Time to have Leak do the curtain call. Especially after Meyer gets doused with the Gatorade.

10:57 Last Snap: Leak throws the ball into the stands; embraces Troy Smith. Now the confetti falls.

The beginning of Q3

9:41 Halftime is not over, and Orson must be absolutely sick. The Pontiac Game changing performance of the year was the AUburn- Florida game where the punt was blocked, and the Gators lost.

9:44 Gators sluggish; OSU looks fired up. Marcus Freeman makes a heart stopping stop on 3rd down for tOSU.

9:46 What the hell was that kind of kick? This isn't the All-Blacks playing?

9:48 Earl Everett tees off on Smith when they finally go into the 4 wide set. No helmet = badass.

10:02 Just explained the reasons we cheer for SEC teams to my older daughter. Had to bribe her with Bobbi Brown purchase. Barry Alvarez explaining why Florida defense is looking good, and OSU looking bad.

10:04 Brian Smith breaks up a pass, and makes Troy Smith nervous. Thom Brenneman is calling the death knell for the Buckeyes if they don't score soon.

10:08 Gators first & 10; Deshawn Wynn breaks it out over a Buckeye.

10:12 Gators have 3rd and 7. Announcers make pitch for potential Gator recruits, telling everyone what a playmaker Percy Harvin is, and he's only a freshman. If that's not throwing the gauntlet down, I'm not sure what is.

10:16 Leak to Percy Harvin, but not enough for the first down. James Laurinaitis gets up slow.

10:18 Buckeyes get the ball at their 20 after several Gators try to keep the ball out of the endzone; Brandon Siler wraps up ANtonio Pittman after tOSU tries to do a tOSU impression from the days of Woody. Wasn't he just taking out heroes elsewhere? End of the quarter.

Mr Neutron is crying

Courtesy of irishoutsider

9:31 TBDITL is on the field, and it seems appropriate that they be playing 'My Heart Will Go on", the theme from "Titanic".

The Second Quarter

Now I get back from my brief respite in the restroom; I come back and the Gators run an incredible 3 man stack in the backfield - with the result =TD. Forst play of Q2

8:25 gators make first stupid mistake of the game - PF for roughing the passer - it might turn things around.

8:27 2 plays later, the Buckeyes come back and score. 21-14 Gators

8:31 Ted Ginn returns from the locker room, after the Buckeyes score. Florida ball on their own 20

8:34 Jim Heacock, DC for tOSU, sure looks like a clone of Tressel

8:36 Looking at the tOSU defense, especially #50, they are already gassed. Shades of LSU vs Tennessee, September 2005.

8:40 Gators stopped on 3rd down when tOSU goes to zone coverage. Ted GInn gets to touch ta ball again potentially. Buckeyes ball on their 20.

8:45 Brian Robiskie drops the ball. 3rd down

8:50 Gators ball; interesting discussion on Deshawn Wynn coming out of CLeveland. The Zooker reigns supreme still!

8:52 Percy Harvin breaks a good run down to the 20. Leak is starting to have someone make a run on his stock!

8:56 Gators struggle on downs, and have to settle for a field goal after getting to the edge of the red zone. Their field goal kicker nails it. Gators 24, Buckeyes 14

8:58 tOSU ball, 1st and ten on their 20. Charles Davis is asking where the 4 receiver set is; it's probably on the sidelines with Ted Ginn, Jr. A shot of Ted Ginn Sr. indicates he is also a man not to be trifled with.

9:00 tOSU going for it on 4th. They get bitch slapped. Tressel knows not to mess with Charlie Strong.

9:02 Interesting shots of the sidelines - the Gator sideline looks happy; the Buckeye sideline looks scared.

9:06 Gators get stopped on 3rd down. No problem - just send out Hetland. It might as well be in the leather if it is under 40 yards! Gators 27, Buckeyes 14. 1:53 left in the half.

9:08 Buckeyes ball on the 20. Turn loose Jarvis F'n Moss. Gators ball, on the 10. Will we see the Timster?

9:11 Yes we do. Gator ball on the 1; TD to Caldwell. Tebow looks as excited as Magic Johnson after winning his first pro game. The Buckeyes defensive backfield is making excuses to each other, and Troy Smith looks like he is realizing the curse of the Heisman.

9:14 Reggie Lewis ties up with Brian Robiskie - gets a flag and gives tOSU a shot for the Hail Woody! Another mistake by Florida.

9:16 Objectivity requires me to post this: there was just a shot of Gator fans, in their striped overalls and all. Those guys really put the gay in Gator.

End of the half Gators 34 Buckeyes 14.

First quarter rolling around

6:52 PM CST - watching the pregame; seeing the camera switch from Urban Meyer to Jimmy Johnson - freaky.

They make the token "You can't coach speed" comment now.

6:56 Was that cool? The 2 teams trying to psych each other out by stomping on the center of the field?

6:58 Emmitt can still do the chomp!

7:00 Hang on Sloopy? But saved by Jack Nicklaus dotting the "i"

7:15 Nice kudos to the guys who walked on, etc.

7:22 Nice shows of the past, with Woody, Emmitt, even Maurice. But no Visored One.

7:24 The old guy almost gets trampled by the Gators. Nice shot of Reggie F'n Nelson.

7:26 McSweatervest's hair matches his trousers.

7:28 Is Barry Alvarez trying to campaign for an opening? Should Charles Davis really compare football to high school trigonometry?

7:31 Not the Dodge commercial with the Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robot!

7:34 Um, this does not look good for the Gators. Ted Ginn, Jr. - and Reggie F'n Nelson does not get him.

7:36 Kicker gets a little facemask!

7:38 - Is there some jawing going on?

7:42 - Tied up? Wow. Dallas Baker - etc

7:51 That looked like it hurt!

7:56 Gators moving again!

7:58 With 5:51 left, in the first, the Gators score.

Comments from irishoutsider: somewhere, there is a man with a mustache crying; Ohio State, surprisingly mortal at the moment

8:01 After the review, the replay official concurs - Touchdown Gators.

8:04 Good kickoff return by the Buckeyes.

8:06 The Buckeyes settle down and establish the beginning of a drive. But, Ted Ginn is taken to the locker room. Not a good sight for the Buckeyes.

From Irishoutsider: the buckeyes are struggling on offense. florida is looking fast as ever and troy smith is looking slow

8:11 The Gators get a pick, and start a drive at their own 29. tOSU is not looking good.

8:13 Leak is leading the Gators on a nice drive. They are starting to put the Bucks on the defensive bad. Or the Gators are looking good. Or both. Leak is staying in the pocket so calmly.

8:15 The first telltale stat of the game - first game this year OSU has allowed 2 td's in the 1st quarter.

8:18 The first quarter is over, and the Gators are threatening to open up the score even more. On to Q2

Sunday Night News

Jimbo Fisher has screwed the pooch at getting the Free Shoes U job, according to the Newspaper Hack. Jamarcus Russell has supposedly laid down the Purple & Gold, for the Silver and Black; this according to ESPN. Sports Illustrated makes sure that they point out that the Big-Eared Empire has not cited any sources for their story. Is this normal? And last but not least, Bobby Lowder's plane will have to go to Atlanta the next time he wants to go see Bobby Petrino. Bobby is now the coach of the Falcons!

Looking forward to the challenge of returning the favor of live blogging the BCS National Championship Game to Orson & company. Hoping to have a couple of folks along for the ride: we'll see.