Twitter Tracks: Football, the Election and the End of the World

Twitter tracks from September, 2010:

• 2010 09 01 - Big Ten division split to be announced at 6pm, but most details already leaked. Biggest question remaining? Where will LeBron land?
• 2010 09 01 - Conan debuts Nov 8, that is, *after* the election. Conan misuses his talents by failing to satirize politics.
• 2010 09 01 - Let's see... combat mission in Iraq is over, MidEast peace talks have resumed, ..., I know, let's talk home decorating tastes.
• 2010 09 02 - It's a short step from thinking that mental illness has biological causes to thinking that faith, hope and charity do, too.
• 2010 09 02 - My favorite retort to Stephen Hawking: "Hawking, if God does not exist, how did he curse you? You bitter little wanker." Unassailable logic.
• 2010 09 02 - 2012: The end-of-the-world disaster movie, not the Palin election disaster, although just as catastrophic and even more absurd, if possible.
• 2010 09 02 - Somehow, I doubt Rod Dreher is going to agree. Headline: "Stephen Hawking Settles the God Question Once and For All" http://goo.gl/Uf8q
• 2010 09 03 - Maggie May USA gives lukewarm endorsement to Bill White over Rick Perry: "The dime seems run out." http://goo.gl/6pQ2
• 2010 09 03 - Best quote from 2012, spoken by a woman as California is destroyed by earthquake: "Merrill, I told you. We have to move back to Wisconsin."
• 2010 09 03 - Final. Richardson Pearce 31, Irving Nimitz 35. #hsgt
• 2010 09 03 - Headline: "Ariz. governor says she was wrong about beheadings." I don't which is more embarrassing, when she's tongue-tied or when she talks

After the jump, more Twitter tracks.

The Sun Shines on Cottonwood

From 2010 10 Cottonwood

Saturday, the weather was perfect. The artists amazing. The crowds fun-loving and enthusiastic. I'm talking of course about Richardson's twice annual Cottonwood Art Festival.

And the weather is forecast to be just as perfect for Sunday, the second and last day of the Festival. Jeffrey Weiss of The Dallas Morning News asks, "When was the last time Richardson's Cottonwood Art Festival had two perfect days of weather?" Don't worry about looking up the answer. Just get out and enjoy the weather, the art, the music, the food, the crowds.

For a look at more photos from this fall's Festival, look here.

Jesuit Jumps On Berkner Early and Often

From 2010 Football

Construction at Dallas Jesuit's home stadium forced this Jesuit home game to be played at Berkner's Wildcat-Ram Stadium. It also moved the date up to Thursday night and an early 7:00 pm start time. The tone of the game was set before all the fans were in the stands. Jesuit executed a perfect onside kickoff to open the game followed by a 43-yard double-reverse pass on the first play from scrimmage to take an early 7-0 lead over Richardson Berkner. The Jesuit Rangers didn't slow down on their way to a dominating 52-29 win at Wildcat-Ram Stadium.

For a look at all the action, including the game, cheerleaders, drill team and band, look here. Remember, without the band, it's just a game.

Texas Open Meetings Act Strikes Plano

If you've read this blog any length of time, you know I'm no fan of the Texas Open Meetings Act. It's an example of the law of unintended consequences. The intent may have been to ensure that meetings of public bodies like school boards and city councils are open to the public. The effect has been to drive more and more deliberations underground or suppress them altogether.

After the jump, a case in point from Plano ISD.

Stefani Carter Struggles in Politics 101

Stefani Carter, the inexperienced, first-time candidate for Texas House District 102, has already stumbled more than once in her campaign to unseat incumbent Carol Kent. Earlier, Carter faced charges of padding her resume and plagiarizing from President Obama for her own campaign stump speech. Now, she's busy trying to explain away some more campaign missteps.

After the jump, still more resume padding and the endorsement that wasn't.

A Gag Order Against Whistleblowing

It may be called a code of ethics, but its practical effect is a gag order on whistleblowing.

Who would have guessed, back in 2009 when Richardson voters clamored for more open and transparent government, when each and every candidate for city council promised just that, that the ordinance the elected council would pass this week will make it even harder for voters to learn of improper or unethical behavior conducted behind closed doors?

After the jump, Richardson's own Law of Omerta.

Since Your Town Elders Are Twitter Fans...

Each month, Wired magazine publishes a column titled "Dear Mr. Know-It-All" in which a Wired contributor helps readers "navigate life in the 21st century." In the October edition, Mr. Know-It-All explains the powers and limits of city councils regarding First Amendment rights when he answers one reader's question:

"My town council has banned me from attending its meetings because I criticized one of its members on Twitter. (OK, OK, I called him a "f*cking idiot.") Can they really do that?"

After the jump, Mr. Know-It-All's answer.