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.