Big Man Blogging

It’s never in good taste to raise controversy on a day of national mourning and while I don’t shy from controversial topics in the big man blog, I get heated about some things so I need time to clear my head before writing.

One of the things that really angers me are the appearances of Politicians you see at all the Memorial Day services and celebrations.

They make it to the concerts, parades, some even tour our GROSSLY underfunded and underserved Veterans Hospitals.

They always let us (news media) know when and where they will show up.

Just once, I’d like to see a Politician of stature show up on his/her own at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, underpass.  You can find Veterans there too.

The forgotten soldiers who’ve never recovered emotionally or psychologically from the experiences of war.  The soldiers who get 6 months of counseling and kicked to the curb.  The soldiers forced to prove their illness is real and not some fabric of their imaginations.  The soldiers who choose to sleep under the stars rather than shelters, not because they want too, they have too.  They know they no longer fit into society’s ideal of what a man/woman who’ve served in battle should be.

The scars they carry are real!  They Kill people on orders, strangers they’ve never met…men, women, children.  A job that goes against their every instinct as human beings.

And year after year, on a day we’re reminded to never forget them, not only are they forgotten, they’re existence is ignored by the Politicians who talk so glowingly about Honor and Service and Sacrafice, right before the scarf down free bbq and kiss babies.

Just once, I’d like to get a News Release from a Politician who instead of attending a Memorial Day event, created one by looking for and thanking Soldiers who never make it to the Parade.  That’s a story I’d love to cover.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging

President Dubya, has more than just low approval ratings and high gas prices on the brain these days.

His Homie, going back to his Days as Govenor down in Austin, former White House Press Secretary, Scott McClellan has snitched on W and his crew faster than one of Mike Vick’s dogfighting buddies trying to cut a deal on a dope charge!

“What Happened” is the title of McClellan’s tell all.  In short he’s outing W’s administration as having lied us into war in Iraq, Lying about outing a Covert CIA Operative, Valarie Plame, just plain Lying period about a host of things.

How does he know this stuff, well McClellan is the guy who Publically did some of the Lying, and he’s ‘Pissed off’ for sure that he was lied too and his personal credibility tarnished before the eyes of the world.

Hell hath no fury like a Press Secretary scorned!

The funny thing is I’ve been watching all the coverage of this and all the W loyalists say things like, “this isn’t the Scott I know.”  “Something has changed, he never voiced any concerns to me.” “He’s obviously disgruntled about his time in the White House.”

YA THINK?  Check out www.msnbc.com for all the discussion about the book.  What you won’t see is anyone asserting that McClellan is now lying.

Here is the problem, McClellan as Press Secretary not only Delivered the administrations message to the world, he helped craft it at times but it’s clear he wasn’t always in the room.

Here’s the other problem, if true, these are the kind of lies that have to be criminal.  (democrats have to be salivating in the House and Senate) Investigations, partisanship, name calling.  The kinds of things that will get McClellan shunned permanently from the GOP and may call for him to make an encore visit to Capitol Hill as a witness testifying about what he knew and when he knew it.

I can’t wait to see the section on McClellan at W’s library at SMU…(yea right) and Scotty watch your back, if you own a 9mm handgun, you are as well armed as Saddam Hussein was when he was captured and we know how that turned out.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man Blogging

Man, just when you think you’ve seen and heard it all!

An Icon in my business, really you could call her the FIRST LADY of Television news, Barbara Walters writes a tell all book admitting she had an affair with the first Popularly elected Black US Senator in American History!

Edward Brooke III and Babs were LOVERS, I’m talkin some good ol’ sneaky BOOTY CALL Lovin was going down in the Nations Capital in the 70’s.

According to Babs, she was “infatuated” with the Republican Senator.

Honestly, I probably won’t read Walter’s book, but I am dying to hear an audio tape of the numerous Booty Calls made and received by Babs!

I can’t lie, I want the x-rated version, those have to be some of the best conversations ever!

Phone rings 2:30am:

Babs answers: wellwo?

Sen: Hey Girl, catch you sleeping?

Babs: I was, dweaming…

Sen: About me?

Babs: Uh huh, did your bill pass?

Sen: Naw, no love in this senate session.

Babs: I got wuv for wou Brooke Baby!

Sen: I was hoping you would say that.

Babs: where are wou?

Sen: Right downstairs, can I come up?

Babs: Wou had to ask?

Sen: I gotta park, be up in a minute.

Babs: Wuv wou.  I’ll weave the door wopen.

(don’t act like I’m the first to make fun of Babs use of the “w” when she speaks)

I’m sure a gifted Senator and Top Journalist had better conversation than that but hey, this is a family blog!

Barbara, do me a favor, damn the Book and release the Tapes!!! Barbara’s Booty Call has got to be some good listening.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging

That is the sentiment of folks I talked to in Plano regarding the accident that critically injured 12 year old David Kim, the Rice Middle School student who was hit by a car at the intersection of Russell Creek and Independence.

See story link here: http://www.nbc5i.com/news/16358316/detail.html

Kim is the second Rice student in about a year to be hit in this intersection.  He was on his way to school, riding his bike with a classmate following when he was hit by a car crossing Independence, a six lane street at 7:30 in the morning.

I don’t know about you but the idea of an 11 or 12 year old crossing 6 lanes of traffic at rush hour frightens me, I know it frightens Parents in that community who cringe when they hear sirens in the morning hours or late afternoon because the immediate fear is a child has been injured crossing some a major street like Independence, Coit, or McDermott.

How difficult is it to find a couple of nice retirees to give a couple of hours a day as crossing guards to help kids navigate their way through traffic?   That is the question people in Plano are asking, no one has answered.

Not PLANO ISD, not the Police, nor any other City Official or leader.

The kids are left to cross those streets alone, walking or on bikes in times of heavy traffic congestion.   We know drivers are distracted behind the wheel, texting, calling, eating, applying makeup, blaring music, I could go on  but the point is, even in school zones the last thing some drivers think about or see are children.

David Kim I’m told was headed to school early to practice for Band or Choir.  He is at the time of this blog, fighting to survive the numerous injuries sustained in his collision with a car, his condition, CRITICAL.

Here’s hoping David recovers and the predicition of residents are wrong, that accidents like his will happen again and again…

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging

Injustice is the one thing I think should anger all of us. At the end of the day all we have is our name and reputations and once that is damaged, very little can restore it.

On monday, I covered a story on Willie Allen Jones. He’s a 54 year old Houston man. A truck driver arrested on the job on a charge he tried to Pass a forged check at a Plano bank.

Jones was identified in a photo line up by a bank teller as the man who walked into the bank along with two other men and tried to pass the phony check.

There is just one problem with the story, Jones’ employer swears he was working in the Houston area the day this crime occured on November 9,2007. As a Truck driver, Jones has to sign his name for pick ups and deliveries so there are also complete strangers in the Houston area that met Jones that day.

The work log for Jones indicates he was on the job from 6:30am and 5:15pm, during that time he was in communication with dispatchers at his company.

The check Jones allegedly tried to cash was made out to JONES, WILLIE ALLEN. Have you ever had a check made out that way in your name? I haven’t, and most investigators I have spoken to regarding Identity theft say that’s the first sign of a bogus check. That is certainly one of the key indicators that alerted the Bank Teller something was up.

The final and most convincing argument Jones has made concerns the Bank’s surveillance tape, the man that is supposed to be him in surveillance photos, does not resemble Mr. Jones. None of the 3 suspects do.

In the face of all this, Jones believes he’s the real victim. He says he’s had his identity stolen and super-imposed on a fake check, he’s been misidentified by a bank teller and the Collin County District Attorney’s office has refused to dismiss the case against him despite his alibi.

The District Attorney’s office won’t discuss pending cases but Jones has put his cards on the table in support of his innocence, it’s time for the DA’s office to call or ante up some evidence of their own.

Take a look at the story for yourself: http://www.nbc5i.com/news/16335161/detail.html

There are 18 men recently exonerated in Dallas County, most convicted after being falsely identified by witnesses. I sure would hate for Mr. Jones to have to spend years in Prison before proving his innocence.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging

I have decided that no matter how many more attacks, no matter how brutal, no matter when or where they occur. (they will continue) I won’t write anymore blogs on PIT BULLS.

At this point I’m on the Record (see my previous posts) about that particular breed of Animal.

I must say that the responses are startling…PIT BULL owners/lovers/defenders have provided every ridiculous excuse under the sun to describe their beloved breed’s random and often unprovoked attacks on human beings.

I have actually seen them compare PIT BULLS to BLACK PEOPLE, to toy or lap dogs.

I heard it’s the owners fault, not the breed, that PIT BULLS are just misunderstood and get a bad rap.  Fine, you are entitled to your opinion.

For the record, I can say with complete confidence that I have seen and been around more PIT BULLS than you! (atleast most of you)

I’ve known breeders, I have friends who own them, I’ve even been to a few of those infamous Dog Fights, trying to understand the attraction to this breed and aside from it’s ability to fight with incredible tenacity, it’s thirst for blood and it’s “lock jaw” which employs a death grip to it’s victim’s, I cannot for the life of me figure out why people like the breed.

EVERYONE I know who owns them or breeds them recognizes and readily admits that PIT BULLS are a more dangerous Breed than all other’s.

I would ask that you google the words dog attacks or dog bites and see what comes up.  You will find several studies that show that yes PIT BULLS are truly the leader of the pack when it comes to violent attacks on Humans. (not simple bites but full blown attacks)

Some of you will continue to dispute the obvious, the reason we cover PIT BULL ATTACKS is simple, there are more of them!  If poodles start attacking and killing people I’ll be the first one there with a live truck.

In the meantime, PIT BULL OWNERS/LOVERS/DEFENDERS, there is one indisputable fact that you must own:

The preferred breed of dog of the AMERICAN DRUG DEALER is the AMERICAN PIT BULL!   Ask a cop if you don’t believe me, it’s not Chow’s, German Shepards, Doberman’s, Rotts, Poodles or Pomeranians, it’s PIT BULLS.

Gee I wonder why?

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging

On March 28th 2008 I wrote a blog titled: “PIT BULLS: HATE ‘EM!”

I MEANT IT! and I mean this too, but it’s really intended for my GREAT FRIEND, Photojournalist Brian Elledge.

Me and “B” as I call him, go back years to our Oklahoma City days and we work together daily out of our  Collin County NBC 5 BUREAU in Frisco Square.

B you’re off for the next few days so I’m trying to let you enjoy it.  I would call and vent but I’m sure you know what is on my mind.  So consider this My call.  (readers consider this your chance to ease-drop on our conversation)

Last night, listening to our lead story (Scott Gordon:Reporting) about 2 PIT BULLS attacking a 3 year old little girl in Fort Worth I felt SICK, I felt responsible and these weren’t even stray dogs, The little girls family apparently had these dogs at the home.

But It was just a couple of days ago, we were riding in South Dallas, (just south of I-30 near Ferguson Road)…Remember?  Rollin in the Peacock (our live truck with the NBC 5 LOGO) thru a neighborhood and I was talking about how much I enjoyed the architecture of this older neighborhood.

Man, the weather was perfect, the yards were cut, a few people enjoying a beer on the porch!!!  Perfect day outside, for me a window-down day waving hello to folks.

You know what happened, out of absolutely no where, TWO PIT BULLS, chased our live truck!

I’m riding window-down as a 65lb WHITE ALBINO PIT BULL w/ 1 BLUE EYE, jumps at my window, snapping at my elbow, chasing our truck.

The SMALLER BLACK PIT BULL MIX was on your side near the tire, then the WHITE PIT BULL bit at the front tire on my side.

What did I say?  “Slow Down! we’re in a marked vehicle, don’t run over these dogs, even though they’re PIT BULLS AND I HATE THEM, there are people out here and I don’t want to be seen running over these dogs in a Live Truck.”

Damn!

You said: “I got it, I got it…shut up I see ‘em I aint going to hit ‘em.” “They better move!”

We slowed down and those PIT BULLS chased us for a full City Block,  but we missed them and those PIT BULLS lived.

I remember seeing them in the rearview mirror trot back down the street, and I said: “WE SHOULD HAVE KILLED THEM @#$%IN DOGS!” “What if a Kid would have been riding his/her bike down this street and those 2 PIT BULLS decided to chase? and the kid decided to run?”

You said: “I know, that could be Pressley.” (my 4 year old son) and I said: “it could be Sethy” (your youngest) and we both concluded, “WE SHOULD HAVE KILLED THEM.”  We didn’t.

Then, wednesday night, we’re outside the live truck in the rain.  Lightning preventing us from doing our live shot in Denton and we’re listening to Scott Gordon’s Story about that little girl.  We didn’t even have a monitor to watch it, just listening.

Scott is describing that attack, her condition, the prognosis…I swear all I could see were those TWO PIT BULLS that were chasing our Live Truck, running back down the street and confronting that little girl…at that moment you said: “She’s 3 years old!” and almost simultaneously we said:”WE SHOULD HAVE KILLED THEM.”

I know we were in Dallas, the Girl was in Fort Worth, our dogs were loose or strays, her family owned the ones that attacked, I know!

I came home and kissed my Son tonight twice, and watched him sleep.  I looked at how his skin glows.  I got to my laptop to pull up Scott’s story and read his blog.  Scott’s seen it, and he went to bed wondering if that little girl would survive!  Scott raised the question whether PIT BULLS should be banned?  HELL YEAH! That’s my vote.

I went back to my son’s room and looked at him and I thought about that little girl and I thought about those PIT BULLS and I thought about my son and I thought about those PIT BULLS tearing the flesh from that little girl and I thought about them doing that to MY SON…MY RAGE METER IS WAY OFF THE CHART RIGHT NOW!

Then I thought about those PIT BULLS we could easily have squashed B, rid the neighborhood and the world of those TWO FILTHY, VICIOUS animals.  Perhaps spared a child what that little girl and her family are going through right now.  Sparring those dogs lives, I can’t help but feel like we somehow contributed to that girl’s fate.   If not her, the next child attacked by a PIT BULL. Maybe the same one’s that chased our Live Truck.

Damn B, I’ll holla!

Now for you PIT BULL lovers/owners who may or may not comment,  FRANKLY you should know right now I do not care! I have been a reporter for 18 years and the all-time, undisputed, champion of vicious, critical or fatal dog attacks in my career is the PIT BULL Breed.

I have read some of your comments on this story already, “pit bulls get a bad rep,” “toy poodles bite…you never hear about that,”  “it’s the owners fault.”  Please!

If two toy poodles attacked that little girl, a couple of bandaids and a kiss on the boo-boo and she’d be fine.

For those who ask why the dogs attacked?  Who cares, the point is they did, they do, and PIT BULLS do that with a level of consistency, attacking people and other pets, inflicting permanent, criticial and fatal wounds at an alarming rate…AND WAKE UP MEDIA CONSPIRACY THEORISTS!!!!

Don’t you think if there was another Breed of dog that did this with ANY WHERE NEAR the same level of consistency we would report on it?  If it were MUTTS doing it, don’t you think we’d cover it?  Don’t you think we’d cover any Domestic Dog Attack on any Person?  Do you actually think we conceal or blow off the Poodle attack because we have Poodle Bias?

It’s TV NEWS and the one thing I can gurantee you, is that if a couple of vicious TOY POODLES do to a little girl what those PIT BULLS did to her, not only will that story lead local NEWSCASTS but some Cable Networks might devote full half-hour shows to it.

Stop it!

MIKE VICK is in prison, in part,  for killing PIT BULLS and right now, there are 4, the two who attacked that little girl in Fort Worth and the two that chased Me and B in Dallas that I would PAY Vick to kill. (quick and clean #7 no torture)

But here is what you can do Mr. or Mrs. PIT BULL LOVER/OWNER/DEFENDER, keep your PIT BULL secured.  We were in a Marked NBC 5 vehicle, My concern and obligation for my Station.  My desire to always try and represent NBC 5 publically in the best way possible impacted my judgement.

The next time a PIT BULL finds itself near the tires of any vehicle I happen to be riding in…well you’ll just have to read that blog now won’t you?

To be continued…

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging

Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all the mom’s out there surfing the net and happened to stumble along my blog!

My seldom seen feminine side was in full-effect over the weekend.  I was single-parenting as the Wifey enjoyed a Mother’s Day Holiday in California with her Girls.

Watching my 4 year old little fella is always a Joy he’s cute like his Mama, unfortunately I have passed on the Reporters Curiosity Gene.  I swear he can spitfire question, after question, after question…it’s a relentless assault!

He’s not grasping this whole concept of the NBA PLAYOFFS and the necessity of quiet!  Though he does mimic Lebron James dunks on his mini hoop.

I’m thinking of recording his voice and producing some cd’s to play in Prisons.  If inmates had to listen to a 4 year old pepper them with questions in between various verses of  Alvin and the Chipmunks all day, I doubt they’d ever re-offend!

Otherwise great weekend playing Mom and Dad…what does any of this have to do with the Blog Post Title, “GIVE ME AND E!”

I told you, my feminine side was in full-effect!  Month’s ago, I was asked to do an interview with E! Entertainment Television.   The Network produced a 2 hour Documentary about Cheerleading, much of it centered on Texas Cheerleading and when it comes to Cheerleading, I’m E!’s man.

I have never been a Cheerleader (dated a couple), I readily admit my knowledge of the topic is limited (except for the previously mentioned dates) but I have covered the controversy at Mckinney North High School involving the FAB 5, a clique of Cheerleaders within the schools Cheerleading squad who’s behavioral issues led to the very public resignation of their Coach, the Dismissal of School administrators, and a $40,000 dollar investigation paid for by McKinney ISD.  In a word, Scandal!  So E! picked up the North Texas Cheerleading drama as part of it’s hard look at Cheerleading and your’s Truly was Granted permission to participate.

Since I write and edit stories daily, I figured the interview I gave months ago would be cut down…I’d end up with maybe 20 seconds or so of air time in the 2 hr. Documentary.

The Show aired over the weekend, I honestly had forgotten all about it…I knew things had gone awry when some of my Homeboys called me saying, “why am I watching you on E!?,” “on of all things a show about Cheerleading!”  I, of course asked them why they were watching a Documentary on Cheerleading in the first place? ———–(the dashes represent the uncomfortable silence on the phone as my Homies struggled for an answer)

Truth is, it wasn’t so bad but while I expected to only really appear regarding the McKinney North HS situation, I actually gave a lengthy interview to E! and they used it!  They were asking me all sorts of stuff, like Spirit Cheerleading vs. Competitive Cheerleading, Stereo Types of Male Cheerleaders, THE DALLAS COWBOY CHEERLEADERS, the Dangers of Cheering Stunts.

Single Mom/Dad and Cheerleading expert all in one weekend!  To borrow a phrase from Baseball, Your boy was hitting with power to all fields on Mother’s Day!

One of my Favorite Southern Gals, Mobile Alabama’s finest, NBC 5 Reporter Ellen Goldberg sent me a Text message and said I did a great Job.  I called her and she confessed that “I actually sounded like I knew what the hell I was talking about.”  Gotta love that!

I also heard from the woman at the center of the MNHS Cheering controversy, the coach who resigned, Michaela Ward.  Mrs. Ward gave me props too!  She said I was all over the documentary and gave a great interview!  There is a movie coming out, (Ward sold the rights to her story) starring Tatum O’Neal and several other notables on this whole thing.  I wonder if they got the guy from “THE GREEN MILE” to play me?  Doubtful I have any role whatsoever in the film, but HOLLYWOOD I’m available!  Let’s get our people together and do lunch!

If you’re wondering when, oh when might I be able to see this documentary, you’re in luck.  Just like those E! True Stories and Behind the Scenes shows, this one will re-air.  MAY 14TH, 7PM, MAY 15TH, NOON AND MAY 18TH 2PM.

You can also google THS INVESTIGATES CHEERLEADING and read some of the write-ups and search for air-times/dates ect.

At the very least, you get to see me on the other side of the microphone which is interesting because I definetly prefer the side I’m normally on!

So “GIVE ME AN E!” and give me some feedback on stepping way out of my comfort zone(except for a couple of dates) into the world of Cheerleading!

it’s a big man’s/(woman’s) world, it’s a big man blogging.

Let the write in candidacy begin!  I hearbye nominate Former Red Sox, Former Yankee, Former Blue Jay, Former Houston Astro (did I miss any teams?) ROGER “THE ROCKET” CLEMENS to be our next President of the United States.

For those of you who long for the Days of a Clinton in the White House but find Hillary unacceptable, Roger Clemens is the only viable option!

The parallels between Rocket and Slick Willie are uncanny:

Both had their best years during the 90’s.

Both had mea culpa interviews on 60 minutes.

Both are embroiled in scandals.

Both have had testimony reviewed by Congress.

Both have waged and fought public lawsuits.

Both have multiple Mistresses.

Both were thought to be God Fearing Christian men.

Both have apologized for “improper behavior” over the course of their adult lives.

Both have dwindling credibility, but a core of rabid supporters.

Both have wives who no doubt hate them!

Both have wives who no doubt will stay with them!

Both have embarassed themselves and their children.

Both have legislative experience, Clinton’s was electoral,  Clemens was on the lobbying side (see steroid hearings) and his tour of Congress.

Both have looked us right in the eye and lied to our faces.

Rocket has a fast ball…

Clinton has a fast tongue…

Rocket=Cy Young awards, MVP’s, World Series Rings!

Clinton=Elected ARK Atty General, Govenor, and POTUS TWICE!

Rocket’s trainer has bloody gauze, syringes, POSSIBLE DNA.

Clinton’s intern has a BLUE DRESS, (DNA MATCH CONFIRMED)

Both men tend to flip flop…Clemen’s RED SOX-YANKEES, Clinton-(insert issue here)

My fellow American’s your choice is clear.  You can restore the peace and prosperity of the 90’s.  You can get around that constitutional term-limit idea.  You can return Bill Clinton to the White House, without returning Hillary if that truly is your wish.

VOTE ROGER CLEMENS FOR PRESDIENT ‘08

this message paid for by clemens/clinton mistresses.org an all-profit organization.

it’s a big man’s world, it’s a big man blogging!