Sure, Dallas Morning News, you can steal my scoop

Around 1:30 pm on Thursday, July 21, The Dallas Morning News ran the Oswald t-shirt story on their website's main page, on their "Scoop Blog." Initially, they credited me with breaking the story and linked to my original story on Yahoo. An hour later, using quotes gleaned by their reporter, they changed the story, dropping any mention of me and re-writing the story as if they dug it up themselves. I guess they define "scoop" as taking someone's work without the courtesy of an acknowledgment.

A basic rule of thumb in journalism requires that you cite your original source if you did not break the story. That does not always apply on national stories, but in this case, they should have at least acknowledged that I broke the story. On Friday, they wrote a feature story about it for their online and print editions and still did not even give me a shout out. Or a mention, Or a link. Or even the finger. I guess when you are the big dog, you can blow off independent journalists like myself and use our work as your own.  

A big thanks to NBC-DFW, Pegasus News, and the other sites who linked to my story and gave me credit. As a freelance writer for Yahoo, a portion of my pay is based on readership. When The Dallas Morning News doesn't have the courtesy to acknowledge my story, which they used to write a story on their own on a page full of ads, it costs me in actual dollars. Stay classy, Morning News.

Would you wear this shirt?

The Texas Theatre has earned a reputation of being on the cutting edge, and their latest t-shirt offering, which features Lee Harvey Oswald, is no exception. Some people, however, question whether the shirt is in poor taste. To read more, and find out why the Texas Theatre decided to do the shirt, click right here to read my story at Yahoo News.

Try saying "Calatrava Bridge" three times fast

I had the chance recently to write about Dallas' new Calatrava Bridge and the plans the city has for the area. To read it, just click right here.

Yahoo, America, and Free Slurpees

My latest article concerns the epic social event known as Free Slurpee Day. Instead of the standard news article giving the who, what, when, and why, Yahoo said I could take a more personal angle. To read the article, click right here.

Not everyone's a Pepper, apparently....

I had the chance to cover the lawsuit Dr. Pepper is bringing against Dublin Dr. Pepper for apparently being too successful and offering a great product. Seriously.


To read all about it, and see how fans are reacting, click right here. There's even a "I Support Dublin Dr. Pepper" page on Facebook.

The Old Oak Cliff Conservation League's Preservation List

I failed to post a link to my article about the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League's efforts to save significant structures around the area. It was posted to Yahoo News two weeks ago, but you can read it for yourself right here. You can find out more about the League right here.

The Most Powerful People in Dallas

My latest column for Yahoo counts down the ten most powerful people in Dallas (you can read it right here). While I expected disagreement, I didn't expect it to blow up the way it did. It seems most folks are upset at my inclusion of John Wiley Price at #2 on the list. The reasoning by some readers, as best I can tell, goes something like this: JWP is a racist, I don't like him, so he shouldn't be on the list.

Should I make excuses for who I put on the list? Normally I wouldn't, but I think it is important to realize that not liking someone does not diminish the realities of county politics. Anyone who knows me and has read my past work knows I am not a personal fan of Price, but I cannot deny that the senior member of the county commissioner's court has a lot of sway in this community. My original column went into more detail on Price, specifically his shortcomings, and how that negatively affects us all. It was edited for length, but even so, I think my point was clear.

If folks want to have a problem with my choice of Price at #2, I say complain all you want. I also suggest you sit in on a few county commissioner meetings (held at the School Book Depository in Dealey Plaza). You will soon see why I have him on the list, and you'll probably agree with me. Either way, I think we can all agree that being one of the most powerful people in Dallas doesn't make you a good person. It is one of the reasons why Dallas has the problems it does. Our leaders define our community, good or bad.     

My Yahoo article about Oak Cliff development

My latest Yahoo article covering local news in Dallas looks at all the recent commercial and residential development popping up in Oak Cliff. To read all about it, click right here.

Dallas County Commissioners are at it again

You DO get the government you deserve. After Dallas voters effectively put John Wiley Price and several of his good friends (including former neighbor Elba Garcia) in charge of Dallas County, decorum and transparency have gone out the window. The latest shenanigan involves Commissioner Price submitting a plan for new district boundaries for their positions. That would be fine, had anyone actually known this was going to happen. Instead, Price submitted the plan and it was voted in by the Democratic majority in a matter of minutes. No one got to see the plan beforehand or comment on it.

The action would have hardly made news had not Commissioner Maurine Dickey pitched a fit about it. The new plan changes the boundaries of her district enough to include Democratic neighborhoods, which would likely give Democrats an additional seat during the next election. Commissioner Mike Cantrell, a Republican who has sided with Price on many occasions, saw few changes to his district, leaving him safe for re-election.

When the Dallas Morning News reported on the issue, they seemed more concerned about Dickey's outburst (she claimed she would gladly go to jail just to have her objections heard), than by Price's backroom maneuvers. Of course, they missed the point: Dickey is not running for re-election, so she has no personal stake in changes to her district boundaries. Why, then, would she protest so much? Perhaps it is because Dickey is arguing about something much greater than personal political survival. She is holding her fellow commissioners to account. She wants their motives to see the light of day, and she wants us to take notice.

Price's changes, had he submitted them to the public and media in advance, would almost certainly have passed anyway. So why didn't he do that? Why not be more forthcoming? The answer is simple: Price is trying to avoid the citizen uprising that occurred when he railroaded Bruce Sherbet out as head of the elections department. He knows with his short temper, he is likely to have another "white people can go to hell" moment. Why stir up all that trouble when your fellow commissioners will help sneak changes in?

Commissioner Elba Garcia promised transparency at the Commissioner's Court when she took office. Now, the only things transparent are their lies: we all see through them.   

The race for Dallas GOP chair gets ugly

Local Dallas Tea Party activist Charles Lingerfelt just sent me (and others) an email attacking Wade Emmert over the race for Dallas County GOP chair. He supports Debbie Georgatos, who says she will spend more time on the job because Wade might spend time with his family. She offers no proof of this, she just implies that Emmert won't be as committed to the job.

Wade, for his part, has not attacked or gotten personal with Georgatos. Instead, he has shared his plans for the party and how to advance the Republican agenda. That is why I decided to support him. Dallas County GOP precinct chairs vote on Tuesday (May 17) for a new chairman.

In response to the constant attacks and claims, Wade pointed out in an email to supporters that Debbie has told local GOP groups lately that she's too busy to meet, offering up an email as proof. After weeks of attacking Wade, once confronted with the truth, Georgatos and her supporters call foul. Debbie, when you like to dish it but can't take it, and attack fellow Republicans in the process, you don't deserve to be county chair. That's why, as a precinct chair (#4424), I support Wade Emmert as the next GOP chair.

This situation is why Democrats rule Dallas. People like Georgatos spend their time attacking other Republicans rather than Democrats. The Dems must be laughing over all of this, and they should be.

4/19/2011: We have no fate but what we make

According to the Terminator movies, today was the day Skynet became self-aware and started Judgement Day by nuking us all. Didn't think much of it, until my computer lost its web connection, then crashed. Then, I heard lightning outside. Gotta admit, I peed myself a little. Hasta la vista, sanity.

More articles for Yahoo posted!

I have been busy writing several articles for Yahoo, who wanted some articles with a local focus, as well as baseball-themed content. Links to each are below:
Best Places to Watch Baseball Games in Dallas
Where to buy MLB Caps and Jerseys in Dallas
Best Baseball Card Shops in Dallas
Tillman's Roadhouse takes Comfort Food to the Next Level
Kidd Springs Park Delights for over a Century

Dallas politics have become embarrassing

Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price has made headlines again, but his antics are now getting national attention, as the rest of America is wondering how a major metropolitan city can have a racist loon holding a major political office. In case you missed it, Price told a group of people speaking at a recent commissioners meeting that since they were all white they could "all go to hell."

Local citizens are upset that Price railroaded the current county elections administrator (Bruce Sherbet) out of office for no real reason other than the fact that he refused to play along with Price's political games. There have been multiple charges over the years of voter fraud in south Dallas, mostly against Democrats loyal or in league with Price. Sherbet was well liked by Republicans and Democrats alike, and his departure is a blow to fair and honest elections in Dallas County.

Finally, it looks like our local media and political leaders are holding Price's feet to the fire. Citizens are planning to attend all future meetings to voice their displeasure with Price, and even his biggest supporters are falling silent. Unfortunately, Price remains popular among voters in the area of south Dallas he represents. Whether or not they will decide to make a positive change remains to be seen.

Of course, the Morning News had plenty of chances to call Price out for his actions before, but during the 2010 elections, they actively criticized County Commissioner Ken Mayfield, the only other commissioner to stand up to Price, for being too uncivil. They blamed him, not Price, for the constant fighting on the commissioner's court, and endorsed his opponent, Elba Garcia. Mayfield was voted out, and Garcia is now falling in line behind Price, not criticizing anything he has to say. Had the Morning News, the rest of the local media, and the voters held Price to a higher standard, maybe we wouldn't be in this mess.

My Dallas Super Bowl Coverage for Yahoo

I've been busy all week writing about the Super Bowl, and Dallas in particular, for Yahoo. According to reports I get, they've received tens of thousands of hits in the past couple of days. Following are links to my articles:
Winter chilling Super Bowl activities in Dallas
Winter weather puts damper on Super Bowl week
Hangouts in the Dallas area for Packer fans
Hangouts in the Dallas area for Steelers fans
Super Bowl pre-game events in the Dallas area
Where to go after Super Bowl XLV

Dear Time Warner Cable: Se Habla Ingles!

Several times now, Time Warner Cable has sent me letters and flyers offering me their other services (I already get my cable from them). For some reason, however, they send me correspondence in Spanish. I've never spoken to TWC in Spanish when I call them for service, so I assume they are seeing my last name and guessing I don't speak a lick of English. I can't decide if this says more about Time Warner's attitude towards Latinos, or the reputation of Latinos in general.

Contrary to popular belief, Time Warner Cable, Latinos DO speak English. Some of us were, believe it or not, born in this country and can communicate without you trying to cater to us.

My Super Bowl articles for Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports asked me to write several articles about the Dallas/Ft. Worth area for those attending the Super Bowl. If you'd like to check them out (especially if you're looking for somewhere to go before or after the game) the articles are linked below:
Local Guide: Public transport to and from Super Bowl XLV
Local Guide: Where to eat before going to Super Bowl XLV
Where to go after the Super Bowl XLV in Arlington

Thanks for nothing, Dallas Morning News

I try not to criticize the Dallas Morning News too much, especially since they've given me so many opportunities in the past, but then again, a little healthy criticism never killed anyone.

In yet another case of "what were they thinking," DallasNews.com posted audio of - gasp - GUNFIRE on New Year's Eve in Oak Cliff. There is no context or additional information given about the audio, except that the minute long clip was recorded somewhere in Oak Cliff. Now, the Morning News has spent the better part of two years analyzing and investigating Dallas' southern sector and how best to address the needs there. One problem is that, despite the progress, Oak Cliff can't shake its poor reputation. Why, then, would they continue to perpetuate the image that Oak Cliff is a war zone unfit for anyone to live in? Is this even really news?

We can't even be sure if all the sounds we are hearing in the clip are actual gunshots. Some of them certainly sound like it, but it could be a lot of fireworks as well. It's also not unusual to hear this in parts of north Dallas and the suburbs, so why bother posting it? We know it's a common occurrence in the OC, but without verification, context, or even location, what's the point other than to make the area as a whole look bad? We get enough stereotyping, and we don't need any more from our only major daily, thanks Morning News. 

Keep them honest

I'm not shy about the types of politicians I support. I'm also not shy about speaking out against certain politicians who I think put themselves and their professional aspirations ahead of the good of the people. There is plenty of talk from these folks about the job they have done in Oak Cliff or the job they want to do. More often than not, they don't follow through on their rhetoric, which is why Oak Cliff is a mixed bag of progress and decline.

I didn't like the fact that Elba Garcia sent out a hit piece in the mail the week before the election telling Latino voters - in Spanish - that Ken Mayfield supported their detention and harassment simply because of their race. It was more of the same race baiting we've seen in the Arizona debate, and it was ugly, and most of all, wrong. I've known Ken Mayfield for several years, and he is certainly not the person some would have you believe. I initially met him when he appointed me to serve on the board of the Sixth Floor Museum. I wanted to volunteer for something worthwhile and a friend told me Ken was looking for locals to serve on civic boards. I found him to be fair, honest, and to the point. He wanted to be sure things were being done correctly, and we weren't just rubber-stamping the actions of those we were meant to oversee.

The contention that Ken was not a good steward of the county's money is a shameful lie. I have never met anyone who made sure tax dollars were spent on worthy projects. He was good for Oak Cliff, and I hope Elba Garcia will do as good a job when she takes over. The fact that she is willing to look the other way on the constable investigation - especially when her husband represented one of the constables - concerns me.  Dallas politicians have a poor history of back door deals and favors for friends and allies. This needs to change. Putting the usual suspects back in power is not the way to do it.

Regardless, she and every other elected official deserves our support, and more importantly, our vigilance. We need to ensure they are doing their job. If not, we need to return them to the private sector.

Say hello to The Movie Pool!

I've recently signed on as a contributor to TheMoviePool.com, a great movie website for film fans and young filmmakers. I'll cover movie news of all types, and among my recent offerings are a review and reflections on the latest rumors from Lucasfilm, both of which are linked here:
Review: Monsters (2010)
Why rumors of a new Star Wars trilogy are probably true

It's the end of the world as we know it.....

This past weekend, the movie "Jackass 3D" made $50 million at the box office. In a recession. Doing things they do for free on MTV. All this while far superior films like "Red," starring actual talented people, was showing at most of the same theaters. What is wrong with us, America?

Even more troubling is this photo, which shows a dog that has apparent Bieber Fever. This spawn of Satan will break the seven seals and unleash the Four Horsemen, signaling the end of the world. Take me now, Lord.

My Rangers column for Yahoo Sports is online

My latest column is a sports piece for Yahoo Sports, who wanted a Ranger fan's perspective on the ALCS. To read the column, click right here.

Ghostbusters at the Turner House

It's almost Halloween, and you want to get in the mood for some thrills. Who you gonna call? The Turner House, located at 401 N. Rosemont in beautiful north Oak Cliff, of course. They will present the original "Ghostbusters" as part of their Movies on the Lawn series this Friday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m. Get there early to pick out a good spot on the lawn (bring a blanket). Concessions will be available on site. For more info or directions, visit the Turner House website here.

Take your toddler to a vampire movie

The Angelika Theater in Dallas offers a "crybaby matinee" each week to moms who need to get out without the worry of the noise their little ones make. The Angelika's "crybaby matinee" plays movies with the lights halfway down and the sound turned down, and there are no complaints if a baby gets upset. Parents and kids under five get in free. It's a cool idea.

This week's "crybaby matinee," however, has me wondering. The movie is "Let Me In," a movie about a child vampire. It's rated R for language and vampire violence. I haven't seen the film (although I did like the original Swedish version) it just makes one wonder, who in their right mind takes their baby or toddler to a vampire movie? I know a baby may not be affected by it, but a three, four, or five year old might be emotionally scarred. If they really want a baby to keep quiet, show them the new "Wall Street." Everyone will be asleep in ten minutes.

Politicians with no shame

My latest article concerns a Dallas politician who is being accused by a voter of improper help in filling out a mail-in ballot. The incident shines a light into the whole issue of "vote harvesting," in which susceptible voters, usually the elderly, are targeted for their votes. Voters are then "encouraged" or "helped" into voting for a certain candidate, and in some cases, ballots are outright stolen, filled out, and submitted by someone else. It has been a problem in southern Dallas for years, and every election, new accusations surface.

To read what one voter accused Dallas county commissioner candidate Elba Garcia of doing, click right here to read my article.

My articles for Yahoo News

Several of my recent articles have been picked up by Yahoo News, which focus on local politics and government. Here are some links to the articles:

*Advocates ask Dallas to Improve Animal Shelter Services
*Dallas Political Parties Use Social Networking to Reach Voters
*Voting Character Over Race at the Ballot Box in Dallas
*Hispanic Republicans Gain in Number, Influence

Interview with City Council Member Carolyn Davis

Carolyn Davis has certainly made headlines lately, especially when she and several council members walked out on a council meeting to prevent a vote on the tax rate. Ms. Davis was gracious enough to talk with me for an exclusive story about the walkout, which she says could have been prevented if the Mayor had told them his intentions in a closed door session beforehand. To read the story, click right here.

The best linemen in north Texas

My latest article for Rivals.com highlights some of the best offensive linemen in north Texas. You can read the entire article by clicking right here.

My latest article for Yahoo's Rivals.com

My latest article for Yahoo's Rivals.com covers the rise of the Frisco Liberty varsity football team, who have become one of the area's 4A powers after just two seasons in existence. The article is featured on the front page for now, but you can go directly to it by clicking right here.

My article for Sports Illustrated

My article for Sports Illustrated Online has been published. It's a fan's guide to DFW pro sports, one of several guides SI is featuring from major cities. It was an honor to finally have the chance to write for one of the top sports websites in the world. To read the guide, click the link below:

Dallas - 2010 Fan Guide - SI.com

Kroger Stores behind Dallas alcohol sales petition

Many people are unaware that the recent petition to put alcohol sales on the ballot in November has been spearheaded by Kroger Food Stores, who stand to make millions off of the possibility of alcohol sales in their stores. Progress Dallas, the committee formed to organize the petition drive, is headed by a Kroger executive, and they hired a local political firm that specializes in legalizing alcohol sales to put out publicity and collect signatures.

My latest article for Examiner.com gives you a peek behind the curtain of Progress Dallas, and proves how big money is behind this petition drive, not public sentiment. Click here to read the article.

A word of thanks....

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who sent their condolences after the death of my mother last week. She fought a brief but brave fight against ovarian cancer, and your continued prayers are most appreciated. The Dallas Morning News was gracious enough to allow me to write a tribute to her this past Mother's Day which was published in the May 8 (Saturday) edition of the News. You can read the online version here.

Thank you again for your support, and if you are still blessed enough to have your mother around, give her a hug or give her a call.

George W Bush Library will kill kittens!

No wonder newspapers are going out of business. The Dallas Morning News posted an embarrassing story today that reported on the plight of stray kittens that are going to be displaced by the new George W. Bush library beign built next to SMU in Dallas. Seriously. It sounds like someone at the very liberal SMU is reaching for any reason to hate on the W library. Liberals have been protesting to SMU regents for years trying to keep it from being built, and they failed. So bring on the kitties. 

Erykah Badu is no artist

Here in Dallas there is a lot of discussion about singer Erykah Badu's music video filmed here in which she stripped in public (in front of a number of children) on the site of JFK's assassination. She pretended to be shot and collapsed in the street in Dealey Plaza; blue blood then spilled from her head spelled out GROUPTHINK. She claimed she was trying to make an artistic statement, overcoming her fears in public. Or whatever.

I felt compelled to respond to an article by a Dallas Morning News music critic who tried to justify her actions. I hope folks got to see the story on WFAA which covered her CD signing here in Dallas on Saturday. In it she refused to sign a TIME Magazine for a fan because it has JFK on it. My question is, why wouldn't she? Couldn't she have made an artistic statement with it? She can find artistic justification to strip in public in front of children and was brave enough to mock the JFK assassination, but couldn't sign a magazine? We all know why - she knew it was going to go on eBay and fetch a small fortune, and since she couldn't make the money, no one else will. If it doesn't benefit her, she's not interested in doing it. That's not an artist. That's a media whore.

My new gig on Examiner.com

I'm proud to announce that I am the new National Examiner for the Republican party on Examiner.com. As a national correspondent for the GOP, my articles will now be featured on the nationwide version of the site. I will continue to cover the Republican party for the Dallas edition of Examiner.com, but stories with a national focus, including my "When Liberals Attack" columns, will appear on the national site. My stories for the local and national editions are listed separately, so there are two different links to click to read my stuff.

To see my articles for the national site, click right here. You can click on the "SUBSCRIBE" button there to be notified when I have a new national story posted.

To see my articles for the Dallas edition, click right here. Again, you can click on the "SUBSCRIBE" button there to be notified  when I have a new local story posted.  

Who's behind the move to turn Oak Cliff wet?

If you think the push to turn Oak Cliff wet is a groundswell of public opinion, think again. True, many Oak Cliff restaurants support the move, but you might be surprised to learn that the group behind the push appears to be a front for Kroger Food Stores, and there are two petitions to sign, with two very different objectives.

Progress Dallas, the group behind the petition drive, lists their address as 5665 Mockingbird Lane, which is the address for a Kroger store. Their treasurer is Gary Huddleston, an executive for Kroger. Of the two petitions, one would allow for alcohol sales in restaurants, and the other would allow selling alcohol in stores. Progress Dallas' website has not released the text of the language used on the petition, but I'm working on getting it. The exact language is important, because while many support the sale of alcohol in restaurants, they don't support a move that could result in a rash of bars and liquor stores opening. Kroger would love the chance to sell alcohol in stores, but many worry it would only contribute to decline in areas of Oak Cliff.

I wonder why petition drives are being pushed so heavily in north Dallas areas, and not in Oak Cliff, who will be directly affected. Anyone who thinks going wet helps a community (besides tax receipts), I have two words: Cockrell Hill. It's turned into Pottersville when it used to be Bedford Falls. Residents say crime and conditions in the area have declined since alcohol came in. More on this as I work on it.   

VisitOakCliff.com

I've been working on a new website recently, which you can preview now online. I've talked with many people over the state of Oak Cliff and the reputation it has. In all those conversations, one thing kept coming up over and over: there was no one source of information on all of the good, positive things in our community. Organizations like the Morning News have to report the good with the bad, so we can't expect them to be a partisan cheerleader. In response, I decided to create such a source myself.

VisitOakCliff.com will promote all of the great things about Oak Cliff, list upcoming events, and point outside visitors (as well as inside residents) to the best businesses, restaurants, churches, and attractions in Oak Cliff. Too often, the best parts of our neighborhood go unnoticed. I hope to change that.  

Please note that the website is not officially "live" yet, and is being updated constantly. Once we have it where we like it, it will officially open and we will announce it to the public. Until then, if you are interested, take a look at it and email me your thoughts and ideas. We have a lot of things, especially pictures, that have not yet been posted, but your input is most appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!

Get email alerts on my Examiner.com articles

My articles for Examiner.com cover the Dallas Republican party as well as my ongoing series "When Liberals Attack!" Now, if you'd like to get email alerts whenever one of my articles is posted, you can now do so by CLICKING RIGHT HERE.

Among my recent articles are "When Liberals Attack" columns about Danny Glover and Diane Sawyer, which I think you'll enjoy reading.

Dallas Morning News gives MLK parade a positive spin; a pro-life march, not so much

If I spent all of my time pointing out examples of liberal bias in the press, I wouldn't have time for much else. I do enough of that already over at When Liberals Attack. However, if you want to see a contrast in coverage of similar events, the Dallas Morning News provided that today. A story by Michael Young put a positive spin on Saturday's Martin Luther King Day parade, highlighting how the weather didn't affect the spirits of the small crowd that turned out. A story by Sam Hodges covering the pro-life march downtown, which was held at about the same time, made no mention of the weather, instead mentioning in the headline and body that the crowd was well below a goal of 10,000 (the exact size was never mentioned). Now, I was told the pro-life crowd was bigger than the MLK crowd, but it really doesn't matter. Both are noble causes that deserve support. So where's the love for the pro-life crowd? Is the crowd size the best angle? I don't know Sam Hodges and we shouldn't question his partiality based on one article, but it is an interesting comparison nevertheless.

Wasting money on the census

I saw this the other day on Fox 4 News and it made me wonder. With the census upon us again, the government is trying hard to make sure Latinos are accurately counted. I'm sure their ideas are well meaning, but the idea being shown in this news report is just a waste of time. The Census Bureau here in Dallas sent out a couple of young mariachis - I guess they were "pop mariachis," as they weren't singing the traditional music, to encourage folks to answer the Census outside of a south Dallas grocery store. Really? Things like this make for good TV but at best, they maybe convinced a few dozen folks walking out of the store to take the census. This is all window dressing so we can later say we tried to count all Latinos. The only thing that works, that solves a lot of problems, is EDUCATION. Of course, that's way too much work. Mariachis are more fun. The bottom line is, we need to change the way the Latino culture thinks. It takes an outreach in the schools, where kids can learn the truth without the fear of government inherent in our culture. If Telemundo and other Spanish-language stations made a commitment to airing less trash and more programming of substance, we could make some progress on this problem.

Yes, Virginia, There is Still a Merry Christmas

With Christmas upon us, I thought I'd reprint my column from last year's Dallas Morning News. I hope you enjoy it. Merry Christmas!

"Yes, Virginia, There is Still a Merry Christmas"
from the Dec. 25, 2008 Dallas Morning News
by Victor Medina

Dear Virginia,
After your famous letter about Santa Claus, I thought it best to write you before you start to worry. Many people are wondering where Christmas went. It seems some folks don't mention it any more. Instead of "Merry Christmas," they say "Happy Holidays," "Season's Greetings" and "Happy Winter Solstice." If you go shopping, you may have noticed most stores won't mention Christmas by name or who it is named for. You probably saw news stories on TV that most cities and schools don't allow nativity scenes or any mention of the fact that Christmas is Jesus' birthday.

This is because they think it's the "politically correct" thing to do. You may not understand what "politically correct" means, and it's a little hard to describe even to adults, but it basically means: Don't offend people with lawyers.

Some people just don't want a Merry Christmas. Every once in a while, the Scrooges of the world gather together with the overeducated and the litigious, the skeptics and the religious bigots, and assorted patronizing New-Agers and all try to re-create Christmas in their own image. They are the ones who started the rumors about Santa being a fake, too.

After awhile, we all come around to our senses and things go back to normal. Yes, Virginia, there is still a Merry Christmas. You can say it to people and not worry about offending them. Even our Jewish brothers and sisters don't mind hearing it. If they point out their heritage, just apologize and wish them a Happy Hanukkah and a joyous Festival of Lights.

You usually don't run into people who get offended with a "Merry Christmas." They're too busy teaching at universities, making movies or chasing ambulances to meet you. If someone does get offended, just smile and say, "I'm sorry." In truth, if someone is so bitter that he or she can't stand to see others happy, you should feel sorry for him or her.

Some people think there is no room in this world for celebrating Jesus' birthday. The truth is that this world needs to celebrate it more than ever. Why some people are so afraid of a baby in a manger is beyond me. Maybe it's because they realize what that baby means. The Christ of Christmas was a gift that changes lives, even today. Angels heralded His arrival with "Peace on Earth" and "Goodwill to Man." Who couldn't use a little more of that?

Take the Christ out of Christmas, and it's just another day. It's an excuse for shopping or hanging lights. Those things are nice, but it's not what Christmas is all about. The spirit of Christmas, that special feeling you feel this time of year, isn't made by gifts and lighted trees. It's a mix of hope, love, faith and care for our fellow man. That's what the Scrooges all miss.

You can't outlaw that spirit or shame it into the ether. Ban it from public displays and town squares, and the spirit of Christmas finds a way. People will burst into a Christmas carol for no reason. Explosions of spontaneous generosity break out. Christmas miracles become a common occurrence. Yes, Virginia, there is still a Merry Christmas.

Christmas cannot be canceled, not by a dozen recessions. It cannot be smothered, not by a thousand Scrooges. It cannot be forgotten, not by a million cynics. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a problem or crisis in this world that cannot be solved with the love that God has shown us at Christmas.
It is why people say to keep the spirit of Christmas going all year long. We know of whose spirit they speak:

The Christ of Christmas told us how to truly celebrate His birth and life: Give someone who is thirsty a drink. Give someone who is hungry food. Give someone who is cold a blanket to keep him or her warm. Give someone who is sick the care he or she needs. Give someone who is homeless a place to lay his or her head. Give widows and orphans the help they may need. Give your neighbors and your enemies the love and respect you would like to receive. When you do those things for people, the Christ of Christmas said you do it for Him. Yes, Virginia, there still is a Merry Christmas.

As long as love, faith, hope and joy exist, Christmas, and its namesake, will endure in this world.

My Dallas Morning News Blog Entry

Roy Appleton at the Dallas Morning News Oak Cliff blog was kind enough to post my thoughts on the recent murder of one of our neighbors, and my questions for how we as a community should address it. I've gotten some great feedback and I appreciate the notes I've received. To see the post in its entirety, you can click here to read my thoughts.

Get in the Christmas spirit with Arlington Jones at the Dallas Museum of Art!

Arlington Jones is an outstanding jazz musician whose new CD, "Vintage Christmas," is now available online from his website as well as iTunes and Rhapsody, among others. If you need some soulful Christmas music to get in the holiday spirit, then go see Arlington at the Dallas Museum of Art on Thursday, December 3, where he performs at 6:00 p.m. as part of the "Jazz in the Atrium" series. You can even pick up the CD there. I really hope you'll go, I guarantee you will enjoy it - Arlington's been a friend since high school and he is truly a gifted musician. 

We get the coverage we deserve

Texas State Rep. Norma Chavez is upset that more Hispanics aren't adequately represented in Texas history books. I decided to post a response to a Dallas Morning News story about it on their site, which you can read here. I copied my response below, which I kept very brief:

While I think it is important to ensure that minorities are represented in history books, it should be a truthful representation, not one that seeks a balance or quota based on the fact that a minority group grows in terms of population.

If Chavez has a real beef, she should cite specific examples, not try to score political points. I saw her statement, edited of course, and I saw no examples of "glaring" lapses in Latino coverage. If there is a lack of proper Latino leaders in the history books, it is a poor reflection of our race's lack of leadership, not the historian covering it. Otherwise we do a disservice to our race and all Texas schoolchildren.

I'm not a big fan of Chavez anyway - check out her Wikipedia page to read news reports of her ties to lobbyists and improper behavior towards the police. Her arguments ring hollow until she gives specifics.

My other job....

Besides the websites I work on, I do a lot of freelance writing. I provide articles from time to time for assorted publications and websites like eHow.com. One of my recent articles was just published at ConsumerCreditCardGuide.com. It was a short primer on buying gift cards and a look at the possible drawbacks. You can read it right here.

Great minds who think alike...

Since my last Dallas Morning News column I'm happy to say I've come into contact with a number of great people, in particular conservative and Republican Latinos around Dallas and nationwide. Among them are the Conservative Hispanic Society of Texas, based here in north Texas and a growing group on Facebook, and the Hispanic Leadership Fund located in D.C. I highly recommend you get to know both groups.

No thanks, Elba Garcia

Well, that didn't take long. Former Mayor pro-tem Elba Garcia isn't yet ready to return to the private sector. She has managed to find an office a Garcia hasn't held: Dallas County Commissioner! Elba is now running for the Commissioner seat currently held by Ken Mayfield. The question voters should ask is.....WHY? Mayfield has done a great job in his time as commissioner. He's picky with spending county funds, has kept county services on their toes, and best of all, he isn't afraid to take an unpopular position if it is in the county's best interests. I don't care what party you're in, that's what an elected official should do. With a perfectly good comissioner in place, what is Elba's excuse for running? Can she do a better job than Mayfield? It's doubtful. I know Ken Mayfield, and he is a good man, and a better commissioner.

We have already seen her campaign approach in her announcement to run. She said, "I'm Elba Garcia, I'm a Democrat, and I'm running for County Commissioner." Really? Because she's a Democrat, she deserves the seat? I'm telling you, that will be her plan. We'll hear what an evil Republican Mayfield is. They will try to portray him as anti-Hispanic and try to drum up the Latino vote. Suddenly, the man she never cared about enough before to even mention his name will now become Oak Cliff's biggest problem. The problem is, folks will buy it.

Three reasons why you SHOULDN'T vote for Elba Garcia were visible at her press conference when she announced her intention to run: to her side stood Royce West, John Wiley Price, and hubby Domingo Garcia. We don't need an extension of the Garcia Cabal. Elba was my councilwoman for years. She had ZERO impact on my neighborhood and our way of life. That's why she doesn't have my vote. Only influential people in her "circle" got attention. The little guy didn't. No thanks, Elba. We're good as it is.

The Best of Oak Cliff

Roy Appleton, who blogs about Oak Cliff for the Dallas Morning News, posted the other day about the Oak Cliff Chamber looking for nominees for their annual awards. As a former board member of the Chamber, I encourage any and all OC residents to send their suggestions in. Here are the categories and nomination details:

1. Best Oak Cliff business
2. Advocacy by an individual, group or business
3. Chamber super-volunteer
4. Quality of life award -- group or business that most improved OC in 2009
5. Best development in Oak Cliff in 2009
6. Event with most impact on Oak Cliff in 2009
7. Best Oak Cliff public servant

Send nominations and a brief explanation to smathis@oakcliffchamber.org by 5 p.m. Nov. 6. One nominee per category.

Another take on Republicans and immigration reform

Gee, I guess I'm not alone. Michael Gerson of the Washington Post has addressed the whole GOP and immigration reform issue as well, much more eloquently than I. Click here to read the column.

Dallas Morning News: The GOP & Immigration Reform

My Dallas Morning News column, about the GOP's moral obligation to immigration reform, is now available to read online by CLICKING HERE.

I know the column will be criticized by many as pro-amnesty or somehow bowing to lawbreakers. It's time we realize those are not the core issues. Our failure to help those trying to escape the bonds of poverty has created this problem, and our country has a long history of changing immoral laws. We should be in the business of creating law-abiding citizens, not branding people as criminals because they seek the blessings of liberty we enjoy everyday. We can find solutions if we are willing to stop politicizing.

My column in Saturday's Dallas Morning News

My column addressing the moral obligation of the Republican party to address immigration reform will run in Saturday's (10/3) Viewpoints section of the Dallas Morning News. Thanks for reading!

Is "The Invention of Lying" Anti-Christian?

The reviews are in, and Ricky Gervais' new film "The Invention of Lying" not only isn't very good, it has a vicious mean streak against Christianity that you won't see in the trailers. Movie Geek Feed and MovieGuide both detail how the film bashes faith and anyone who believes in God as an idiot believing a lie. My suggestion? Read the reviewers above before you decide to see the film.

Keep Your Money in the Cliff!

It's no secret that a strong community is supported by residents who spend their money in their own neighborhood. To that end, I suggest that business owners large and small, as well as entrepreneurs in Oak Cliff attend "Wake Up Dallas!" on Thursday, October 1. It's an early-morning networker that will be held in the Bank of America Building's Orion Ballroom (400 S. Zang Blvd., 15th Floor, 75208) from 7 to 9 a.m. Bring $2, business cards, brochures, and a door prize to be given away. The event is sponsored by the Oak Cliff Chamber, the DeSoto Chamber, the Southeast Dallas Chamber, the West Dallas Chamber, the Hispanic Chamber, and the Dallas Northeast Chamber. For more info or to RSVP, contact the Oak Cliff Chamber at (214) 943-4567.

My guest blog post at DallasNews.com

I have a guest post on the Dallas Morning News Opinion Page Blog today, addressing the outrage over the "You Lie" controversy. To read it, click here!

My new column at When Liberals Attack!

Since Matt Damon has a new movie coming out this week, I thought we should revisit Matt Damon's attack on Sarah Palin last year. Before you drop another $8.50 for one of his movies, click here to remind yourself what he thinks about strong, conservative women.

Meet your Oak Cliff City Council Members

Dave Neumann and Delia Jasso will be holding a "Town Hall Update" luncheon on Thursday, September 17. The event is part of the Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce's "Food for Thought Luncheon" series and will be held at the Golf Club of Dallas at 11:30 a.m. Both Neumann and Jasso will be taking your questions.

This will be a great opportunity to meet your local officials and find out first-hand what is going on in the community. You don't even have to be a Chamber member to attend! Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. To attend, contact the Oak Cliff Chamber at (214) 943-4567.

My new site: When Liberals Attack!

My series of "When Liberals Attack" articles for Examiner.com have been so well received that I have decided to begin a second website dedicated just to the series. WhenLiberalsAttack.com will list all of my columns and hopefully make them easier to browse. I'm still populating the site with the columns, so it will be a few days before it is ready, but be sure to bookmark it and check it often!

My Dallas Morning News Op-Ed Piece

My latest column is an op-ed piece about the changes downtown that make the political process at city hall more transparent. It runs in Saturday's printed editions, but you can read it now by CLICKING HERE. Now, more than ever, it is important that we keep our elected officials to a higher standard, but it takes all of us becoming more engaged in the system. Pick an issue: graffiti, rezoning and development, ONCOR mowing down all of our trees, or anything else, and get involved. There are meetings and forums on budget and city issues all the time. If we don't stay involved, we can't complain about the corruption downtown or the poor state of our neighborhoods.

Dallas' Clinic Closings

I've been watching with a lot of interest the developments of the city of Dallas closing three clinics that provide services to the poor and needy. The closings would save the city nearly $3 million, and city officials were claiming the services could be absorbed by the county. Many, including myself, were concerned the move would leave a lot of folks without an outlet for practical health services, including immunizations.

Some have said Parkland would be a perfectly fine alternative, but sitting in the emergency room for six to eight hours is hardly practical. Parkland's outpatient program, which operates clinics in various locations, is already so overburdened that new patients have to wait three months after they qualify to get a doctor's appointment. There needs to be a place for immediate attention outside of the total beating of waiting at Parkland.

I doubted the county could take on the burden immediately, and after seeing news reports in the Morning News that people were being turned away at city clinics because nurses were already quitting ahead of the closure, I became more concerned. Thankfully, it looks like the city is taking the welfare of the working poor seriously.

I emailed several councilmembers about the situation, and only District 1 councilwoman Delia Jasso followed through with me. She forwarded to me a memo from assistant city manager Forest Turner to city administration that they have been working with the county to transfer their state grants to them so there would be no lapse in service. The city has informed the state of the plan and the city will be briefed on the progress in early September.

I'm glad to see the city is actually taking the needs of its citizens into account here. It would have been so easy to pass the buck and make it someone else's problem, so let's hope this works without a gap in service. I was critical of Ms. Jasso during the election, but she and her staff have been great in addressing the issue and keeping me informed. Kudos to them for their work in following up and their professionalism.

Updates on my latest stories

LifeNews.com, a national pro-life news site, has picked up on my Examiner story about Planned Parenthood. You can read their story HERE. I've also been informed that a number of other sites are running with the story as well. I'm so grateful that word of this little-known provision of the health care bill is getting out.

Also, I have also posted my interview with Wade Emmert at Examiner.com. You can read it HERE. Wade is running for Dallas County Judge, which oversees the County Commissioner's Court. It is an important position, currently being held by Jim Foster, who has been such an absolute failure that even his fellow Democrats don't support his reelection. You can find out more about Wade at WadeEmmert.com.

Planned Parenthood in America's Schools?

I took the time to start researching President Obama's health care reform bill and found something interesting. The bill allows outside groups to get federal grants to run clinics in and near America's public schools. If you're wondering who the Obama Administration had in mind to run them, note that they've been meeting with Planned Parenthood officials all summer. For more information, please CLICK HERE TO READ MY REPORT! Be sure to tell others!

People Actually Vote for Sheila Jackson Lee

House Rep. Lee represents Houston, and they ought to be ashamed. She's the ultimate opportunist. She ripped Barack Obama back in the primaries when it looked like Hillary had it wrapped up. At Michael Jackson's funeral, she promised to get a Congressional proclamation saying how wonderful he was (the House refused). This week, she had an Obama DNC delegate in her town hall meeting pretend to be a doctor and talk about how wonderful the proposed health plan is. Here is how she treats normal people.

Dallas Morning News: A School By Any Other Name

My "guest blog" entry has been posted at the Dallas Morning News website, on their opinion blog. It addresses DISD board member Ron Price's attempt to name a school for Barack Obama and Sonia Sotomayor. For a direct link, CLICK RIGHT HERE. There is even a comments section for your feedback.

My Latest Morning News Column Is Online

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback so far on my Sunday column. In case you didn't get Sunday's paper, the column is now online at the Morning News website. Click here to read the column online now!

My Next Morning News Column

My new column for the Dallas Morning News will be published soon, which discusses the city's responsibility to help the working poor and the elderly in tough times. I reference a proposal floating around City Hall to stop providing hot meals to the elderly at the MLK Rec Center and close several clinics that provide low cost immunizations and health care in South Dallas. These proposals are being made because someone thinks no one will raise a stink. Thankfully, City Councilman Dwaine Caraway vows to at least keep the meal program going.

My column also mentions the burden code enforcement can be on many. Due to space limitations, I didn't go into detail over how the code enforcement citation system works - and why some may argue that it is effective - but the bottom line is code enforcement investigators should begin working with their city council members and local civic and neighborhood groups to solve the core issues behind the citations. Yes, it is a lot of extra work and responsibility, but it is an investment in the future of our communities. The system the way it is now does not work. We can't play "gotcha" with our citizens. We must give them the tools to become better neighbors. More on this to come.