6.02.2025

Ransome Monday Morning Thoughts




That last line. 

  • This happened on Friday and I've seen references to it being in Wise County, but it was actually just over the Tarrant County line on FM 718.  I think I've got the house pinpointed at 12000 Melissa Cove. (There's some nice houses out there.)


  • Breaking: Finally captured in Kaufman County this morning.

     



  • A firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado yesterday afternoon of supporters of the Israeli hostages, injuring eight, was insane. You've probably seen the video of him ranting post-attack. We've since learned that the attacker was in the country illegally, so you've got a perfect online storm brewing. 


    • Side note: Israel didn't let up on Gaza this weekend:


  • After Russia carried out 114 aerial attacks on Ukraine on Saturday with drones and missiles, killing at least 10 and injuring 33, Ukraine unleashed one of the greatest surprise attacks ever yesterday deep into Russia.  Zelensky did have some cards to play after all. 


    • Here's video of how the drones were launched from trucks parked around Russia.
    • I wouldn't expect this to go very well today: 

  • Remember the judge who was arrested for allegedly interfering with ICE agents? Video has been released (but it doesn't really change much.)


  • This insanity was barely a blip on the radar.

  • If you haven't seen this House member's dismissive, "We are all going to die" statement, or her non-apology the next day (filmed in a cemetery), here ya go: Here and here.  Both are bizarre.

  • Elon Musk showed off a shiner in the Oval Office on Friday.

  • The former police chief in Arkansas is still on the run after his prison escape.  Side note: He had was already the subject of a documentary called "Devil in the Ozarks."

  • Texas legislature quick hits (today is the last day to pass anything):
    • Rep. Jeff Leach and Lt. Dan Patrick are at war with each other over this.

    • A rare defeat for tort reform: 

    • Cell phones in schools to be banned:

    • Seems big: Last might the House voted to ban all vaping by a vote of 96-35. I don't know if there is any more work to be done on it before it is sent to the governor.
  • An incredible story out of Waco: A death row inmate’s appeal has been limbo for 4 years as a McLennan County trial court hearing was never held. Neither the DA or the judge knew the case had been remanded in early 2021 by the Court of Criminal Appeals on a post conviction writ.
  • A crazy multi-vehicle crash in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee yesterday afternoon. Video of aftermath.



at 8:30 AM

5.30.2025

It's Friday -- Let's Get Out of Here

at 2:30 PM

Random Friday Morning Thoughts




I was all over the Waco Twin Peaks case back then. 

  • Meant to post this yesterday. The Tarrant County DA's office says it no longer thinks it can prove its case. In reality. it was a case that the DA's predecessor actually indicted and one which the current DA would not have.  Video of the shooting had previously released by police.


  • Now that's a headline. 

  • Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Joints included one in Decatur:

  • There was a bee invasion on the courthouse square in Decatur yesterday. Some bee wranglers had to be brought in. 
  • I'd love to tell you more about this case, but it really makes no sense why the judge allegedly threatened a defendant with a case pending in his JP court to take a totally separate felony plea bargain offer in the district court. 

  • Get ready for construction costs to skyrocket. (Video of raid.)


  • In a ridiculous long rant last night, Trump further attacked the judiciary saying he will no longer listen to the conservative Federalist Society on his federal judge selections.  He also went after Leonard Leo, the darling of conservatives everywhere, who has guided Trump on those picks. You might remember this rendition of Leo in a painting owned by Dallas' Harlan Crowe, who is also in the painting along with Justice Clarence Thomas.

  • He will always be with us.  (Side note: The New York Times this morning has an article on Elon's drug use during the Trump campaign. Gift link.)

  • The new Trump selection: A 29 year old guy who has made social media posts urging Trump to declare martial law to (steal) the election, has praised the Confederate flag, and made posts praising Laura Loomer and one of the Tate Brothers, 



  • You can certainly tell Sen. John Cornyn is running for re-election. 

  • College Softball World Series: I love it.   OU's walk off homerun, when down by 2 runs and with 2 outs in the final inning, was fantastic yesterday. Video.  They play Texas tomorrow at 2:00 p.m..  And Tech won. They play UCLA at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow.

  • Lauren Whitener Clock: 5 years and 332 days.



at 8:30 AM

5.29.2025

Random Thursday Morning Thoughts





After a long (two hours) but slow (10 mph) police chase, which had people gathering on bridges in the metroplex to watch it, cops finally got the vehicle stopped by ramming it with a SWAT vehicle followed by an army of officers jumping out. (Video.)

  • Everyone needs calm down with all these headlines. It will be appealed and/or ignored. And raise your hand if you've ever heard of the "U.S. Court of International Trade."

    • And what purpose does Stephen Miller have in spreading the identities of the judges other than to intimidate. Or worse. 

    • But do not ask Trump what he thinks about his nickname on Wall Street of "TACO" -- which stands for "Trump always chickens out" when it comes to imposing tariffs. 
      Mary Cassella of CNBC

  • Musk is gone from the Trump Administration ending a chapter to one of the most colossal missteps anyone has ever taken. 


  • A window blew out on the fifth floor of the Texas Capitol last night during a storm and almost fell down to the rotunda. That's so far up, I'm not sure the public is even allowed there. 

  • No word on why.  He was 56.

  • A very, very large home caught fire in Mira Vista in Fort Worth yesterday morning, but I certainly wouldn't call it destroyed.  Video.


  • Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick held a silly press conference yesterday where he displayed a bunch of THC products. It had a very Reefer Madness feel to it.  During it, he called a reporter "stupid" for asking if there was a way to do a ban "where grown adults still have access to the products." 

    • Gold.

  • More crazy pardons are coming. Side note: There's no way he watched the trial because (1) he doesn't have the attention span, and (2) it was in federal court which doesn't allow TV cameras.


  • Trump appointed one of his personal lawyers, and more importantly a sycophant, to the Third Court of Appeals. 

  • The Business Second™. Big news in Wichita Falls.

  • "After receiving a call of shots fired shortly after midnight, cops found Foster with multiple gunshot wounds inside a car and died at Delta Health Center 35 minutes later." Story.

  • Extremely legal nerdy stuff for criminal practitioners. The Court of Criminal Appeals ruled yesterday that a passenger has standing to challenge a vehicle search which occurs after an illegal prolonged detention under Rodriguez. (Honestly, I never really thought otherwise.) The case now goes back to the lower court to decide, presumably, if reasonable suspicion existed to prolong the traffic stop and, if so, can a detention for nearly an hour before a drug dog arrives be reasonable.
  • Messenger - Above the Fold

at 8:30 AM
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