Friday, May 21, 2010

Around Town: The "Real" Richardson

What did we learn on the show tonight, Craig?

Each night, at the end of "The Late Late Show," there's a little jingle that asks host Craig Ferguson, "What did we learn on the show tonight, Craig?" And Craig, with his feet up on his desk and his coiled-snake coffee cup in hand, reviews the lessons learned.

After the jump, "What did we learn on the blogs this week, Mark?"


We learned that "Kathy" doesn't like conflict. Maggie May USA posted a long commentary from "Kathy" identifying a division growing in Richardson. Kathy doesn't name names. But she is distraught over it. She tells us so herself.

"I am distraught over what I see happening. I am pushing 60 but see a disturbing division in Richardson where a small number of people of different ages, primarily influenced by older people, are pushing their pseudo cultural war of a 'real' Richardson or being 'a real' resident over everybody else."
So how about it? Are you more likely to get dissed in Richardson if you are over 60 or under 60?

We learned that bloggermouse is not posting much, probably because churchmouse is busy raising chicks. You'll be happy to know that the shoulderblade and tail feathers are coming in nicely. I don't think he's told us yet what he plans to do when the chickens are all grown, but I think readers would be well advised not to get too attached, OK?

David Chenoweth has been digging into the state sales tax databases and, after posting a number of charts and graphs with teensy tiny numbers, closes with the question, "So, what do the numbers tell you?" Hey, if I had known there was going to be a test at the end, I would have paid attention to the graphs. But I'll take a guess at the right answer anyway. It tells me that Slagel and Keffler are robbing the city blind. Am I right? Do I pass?

For some reason, this reminds me of what the Texas State Board of Education has been up to in Austin this week. Board member Don McLeroy wanted to add a standard to require Texas schoolchildren to "Contrast the Founders’ intent relative to the wording of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause, with the popular term 'Separation of church and state.'" I think I can guess what McLeroy's "right" answer to that TAKS question is going to be without even reading the Constitution, Thomas Jefferson, or any Supreme Court opinions.

Meanwhile, back in Richardson, Destiny, who must be approaching some kind of record for having the longest personal blogroll, graduated from Richardson Citizen Fire Academy's Class 15. Congratulations to her. Her being a young mother probably makes her feel like she's putting out fires 24/7. Now she has the certificate for the job. Perhaps an indication that she's stretching herself a little too thin, the best commentary comes from, not Destiny herself this time, but from Maggie May USA, who provides video purportedly taken at one of the classes (it must be the Texas Motor Speedway).

Jeffrey Weiss this week insulted the honorable profession of flipping burgers, then defended himself from reader wrath. While he and readers were chasing that rabbit down the rabbit hole, RISD students who have been inspired by the AVID program to take Advanced Placement courses and apply for college are left abandoned and wondering why no one appreciated their achievement. We learned once again what magicians, trial lawyers, and politicians all depend on for their livelihoods: that people are easily distracted.

And that's what we learned on the blogs this week, Mark.

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