My Kirk Cameron article gets Glenn Beck's attention (or maybe just his news editor)

Yesterday, I was one of the first to report on Facebook's ban on free speech, when it disallowed links to Kirk Cameron's new movie. After Cameron notified his fans, Facebook lifted the ban. You can read my article on the situation by clicking right here to visit Examiner.com.

The article received a huge response, especially on Facebook (of all places). It was also mentioned by both Glenn Beck's The Blaze website, as well as Liberty University's website (Liberty helped co-produce the film). At one point yesterday, it was being read around the world at the rate of four new readers a second. A big thanks to all my readers for helping get the word out, you are most appreciated.

Who do you think should be among Dallas' most powerful?

Each year, I have the opportunity to name the ten most powerful people in Dallas for Yahoo News. To compile the list, I consult a group of folks-in-the-know and some of Dallas' power elite for their opinions, which remain confidential. However, I'm always open to other's opinions. If you have a thought of who should be in the top ten and why, email me at vic@victormedina.com and let me know. Don't post it here - email me personally!

Sign a petition to help this Dallas mother!

I recently had the opportunity to write about a Dallas mother jailed on charges on illegal entry into the country. It's a story I couldn't believe is happening in America. Her case is proof our country's vague and misguided immigration laws need reform, as she not only entered the country legally, she meets the requirements to live here legally. Despite her claims of innocence, she hasn't even received a bond hearing, thanks to ICE agents who withheld information from the U.S,. attorney.

In an effort to get her out on bond until her trial begins, a petition has been started on Change.org. You can click right here to sign it. I hope you'll add your name, and ask your friends to do so as well.

Is the Dallas Mega March all about money and publicity?

My latest article for Yahoo News details the rift among local immigration rights leaders over the Mega March scheduled for May 5 in downtown Dallas. Ralph Isenberg says the organizers shouldn't profit off the people the march aims to help, namely Domingo Garcia, who has political aspirations and is opening law offices to process immigrant paperwork. To read more about what Isenberg and Mega March organizer Hector Flores told me, click right here to read my full article.

About my Starbucks article....

As many of you know, my recent article about Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz and his statements about gay marriage has been part of a viral movement to boycott the coffee chain. In response, Christian Post author Marty Duren, in an apparent attempt to ride the wave of publicity, is offering a counterpoint that my article was a "complete fabrication." He claims Schultz's statements were presented out of context.

It seems Mr. Duren, who has offered a few contributing articles to The Christian Post and runs his own blog, seems completely naive to the message Schultz was sending. His article is an attempt to build some sort of journalistic and editorial credibility for himself at the cost of my own. When Schultz made his comment to Tom Strobhar, he prefaced them by stating if he wasn't happy with the profits of Starbucks stock, he should sell his stock and invest somewhere else.

Mr. Duren seems willing to let Schultz off the hook because of it, but he obviously doesn't understand the league he is trying to play in. He also doesn't have the journalistic or spiritual discernment to properly dissect his statements. Duren seems to forget that Schultz also said that not every decision is about money, and he is willing to make a principled stand. His statement to Strobhar to 'sell his stock and go elsewhere' is the same sort of marginalizing the left attempts against anyone who disagrees with gay marriage on moral grounds. If Schultz wasn't trying to slap Strobhar down over his gay marriage stand, why did other stockholders break out into applause? They weren't applauding Starbucks profits. They were loving the fact that the evil Christian bigot was being "put in his place" and being shown the door.

Duren seems completely oblivious to this, and if he doesn't understand the intent or the purpose of the arguments, he shouldn't try to publicly dissect them. His article will likely be used by the left to discredit traditional marriage supporters, while ignoring the intolerant statements Schultz made. I hope he's happy with that.

When Christ confronted the Pharisees, he cut through their legalistic rhetoric and cut them at their core. He didn't get mired in the muck of their pious verbiage. I don't seriously consider myself on the same intellectual or spiritual level as Jesus, but I will attempt to cut through the careful (and obviously planned) wording of Schultz's response to what he truly meant. Mr. Duren would be wise to wake up to the ways of the world and realize when his faith and beliefs are being insulted.

Updates to VisitOakCliff.com

I recently changed servers for the VisitOakCliff.com website, after our last server experienced significant outages, causing the site to be inaccessible for periods of time. I am taking the opportunity to make some changes and updates, especially to the business listings. For now, some pages on the site may be offline, but as they are updated, more will be uploaded. If you would like your Oak Cliff business listed, just email your info to vic@victormedina.com. I will list your business name, address, and website for free.

My Tony Romo article for Yahoo News

Dallas Cowboys quaterback Tony Romo was just named one of America's most disliked athletes, and Yahoo News asked me to write a story giving the perspective of local fans. It was featured on Yahoo's front page and was read by tens of thousands of people. Although I consider myslef a Romo supporter, I'm apparently in the minority, as I came to find out. To read the story yourself, click right here to visit Yahoo News.

Paychecks give Dallas County employees a rude awakening

January was not kind to many taxpayers, including employees of Dallas County. Most discovered that President Obama's promise of no new taxes for the middle class wasn't exactly accurate. I obtained a memo sent out to Dallas County employees about the tax, which somehow managed to provide the details that our elected officials, and the media, did not. To read all about the new tax, click here to read my article at Examiner.com.

Meet Charles Lingerfelt

You haven't heard much from the local media about it, but local businessman Charles Lingerfelt (left) is running against Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. Many don't give a white Republican much hope in this race, but that hasn't stopped him from traveling the district in a search for votes. To learn more about the man and his fight against the corrupt political machine, click right here to read my new article for Yahoo News.

Oak Cliff Home Tour this weekend!

The Old Oak Cliff Conservation League is holding their annual Home Tour this weekend, with proceeds benefiting various local civic projects. To order tickets or for more info, click right here to visit the OOCCL website.

The 2012 Top Ten Most Powerful People in Dallas

Note: This column was originally published on Yahoo News.

In 2011, our ranking of the 10 most powerful people in Dallas stirred much debate. It seems everyone who read the list disagreed over who was on it and how they ranked. Of course, that makes doing another a no-brainer.

For 2012, changes were made in the criteria that determined who made the list. Last year, individuals were ranked on their ability to influence the daily lives of Dallas citizens. While this is still a major criteria, one's influence on the national and international perception of Dallas is also included. That means several new additions to the list.

First, we must note those who fell out of the top 10 from last year. That includes last year's No. 2, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price. Just days after making the list, his home and office were raided by the FBI as part of a corruption investigation. It severely limited his influence, as his supporters ran for political cover.

Former Dallas Observer writer Robert Wilonsky also drops off the list. He is now the editor of DallasNews.com and not as vocal and controversial. Dallas County Republican Party chairman Wade Emmert also drops off, after a subdued year locally for the GOP.

Here is the list:

Links to my latest news and political work

Here are links to some of my recent work for Examiner.com and Yahoo. Thanks for reading!

Is the Dallas County Twitter Account Campaigning for Obama?

Dallas' Latino Vote Still Mired in Apathy

Is the American Flag Politically Incorrect?

Did Money Motivate DC's Gay Green Lantern? 

David Dewhurst May Have Won the Battle, But Ted Cruz May Win the Political War

Domingo Garcia Can't Spell the President's Name Right

Negative Ads Dominate North Texas Political Races

Despite Funding, DFW Planned Parenthoods Do Not Provide Mammograms

TV Has-Beens Attack Kirk Cameron

Outrage over Starbucks' Support of Gay Marriage

Michelle Obama: Money Can Buy Barack's Love

Obama Administration's Double Standard on Healthy Meals

Are "beer barns" affecting your neighborhood?

When Dallas was considering allowing alcohol sales in a voting referendum, opponents were characterized as some sort of uptight, church lady party poopers who were keeping everyone from having wine at their favorite restaurant. Now, it seems what all those opponents were really protesting is coming true. With a number of proposed beer barns ready to invade neighborhoods across Oak Cliff, the vague language and loose regulations of the alcohol sale regulations are coming home to roost in all the worst ways. If you are directly affected by these possible establishments, email me at vic@victormedina.com. I'm working on an article for Yahoo News about the subject, and I want to hear from you!

Vote for me in the Rondo Awards!

Every year, the Rondo Awards recognize the best in classic horror, sci-fi, and fantasy media. Best Movie, TV show, and book are recognized, as are best website, best toy, and best article. Best DVD reviewer (Category 30) is a write in category, and open for any voter to nominate anyone they want. The website I write DVD reviews for, TheMoviePool.com, is pushing to get me votes for the award, and I need your help! Click here to visit RondoAward.com and write in "Victor Medina, TheMoviePool.com" in Category 30, Best DVD Reviewer. You will have to submit your vote via email, and copy and paste the categories you are voting on. You have until midnight, April 1 to vote. Please have as many friends and family as possible vote, as each is appreciated! Thanks for your support!

Air Force Artist's Paintings Capture 9/11 Heroism

"Ground Zero, Eagles on Station" by Rick Herter

Aviation artist Rick Herter built a career out of two of his childhood passions: airplanes and art. His success as an artist would soon intersect with history, however, when the U.S. Air Force called on his talents after the attacks of September 11. Herter was asked to capture the Air Force response in the first moments of the War on Terror, and the resulting paintings have become a source of inspiration to many, including those in our armed forces.

Like most Americans, Herter first heard of the 9/11 attacks through media reports.

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.

Is the Texas Theatre's Oswald shirt in bad taste?

A new T-shirt being sold by the historic Texas Theatre in Dallas is getting a lot of attention - and criticism - from local residents. Detractors say the shirt is in poor taste, while supporters say it is art that reflects the theater's history.

The shirt in question features the mugshot of Lee Harvey Oswald , the alleged assassin of President John F. Kennedy. Oswald was arrested at the Texas Theatre a short time after the assassination, forever linking the tragic events of 1963 with the movie house located in the north Oak Cliff section of Dallas . Some critics are claiming that the T-shirt, which can be viewed at The Texas Theatre's Facebook page, is disrespectful of the tragedy and is using Oswald's infamy to make money.

Jason Reimer of Aviation Cinemas, who operates the Texas Theatre and created the T-shirt, said it is about accepting history. For better or worse, Oswald's arrest at the theater (which Reimer prefers to call "the incident") has defined the theater's identity. "Dallas has not come to terms with a lot of its history," he said. "Oswald is a part of the theater's history. Everyone knows it. We are acknowledging it."

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.

7-11's Free Slurpee Day celebrates an American tradition

Mark your calendars, America: Monday, July 11, is Free Slurpee Day at 7-Eleven. To commemorate its 84th birthday, the convenience store chain plans to give away 5 million free Slurpees to hot, thirsty people at over 8,600 locations in North America in an event officially known as 7-Eleven Day.

One might think that giving away so many free Slurpees would put a dent in 7-Eleven's bottom line, but according to the company, they sell enough Slurpees each year to fill 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It sounds like they can afford it.

The free Slurpee tradition began in 2002 with 7-Eleven's 75th birthday , but for most of us, the personal tradition of shopping there goes back much further. Indeed, 7-Eleven is part of our social fabric, a concept uniquely American yet shared with the rest of the world at over 41,000 global locations.

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.