Bag of Randomness for Friday, September 11, 2015

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  • After the attacks back in 2001, I thought I’d always have a strong emotional attachment to that day, but I’m surprised at how desensitized I now feel.
  • The dog is part of Texas Task Force 1 – Buzzfeed – A Rescue Dog And Her Handler Who Worked At Ground Zero During 9/11 Were Honored With An Amazing Day
  • Buzzfeed – A Rainbow Emerged From The World Trade Center The Day Before The 9/11 Anniversary
  • I was hoping Tom Brady would get injured on the first snap and not be well enough to play again until after game four of the season.
  • Those Luke McCown (backup QB for the Saints) commercials for Verizon’s backup services are pretty funny.
  • Jerry Jones is falling apart – Cowboys owner Jerry Jones undergoes second hip replacement – I’d be willing to pay $50 for an audio/video feed of him in his suite Sunday night for the home opener.  You know he won’t miss the game, you know he’ll be on pain meds, and you know he’ll be drinking his Johnnie Walker Blue.
  • Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal returns fire at Trump via Twitter after Trump stated they never met and won’t because Jindal didn’t qualify for the next debate – @BobbyJindal@realdonaldtrump We have met. You wrote a check. A fool & his money are soon parted. A fool & his dad’s money are parted sooner.
  • I’m usually not much for opinion pieces, but this piece about Trump and Cruz seemed insightful, “On some level, it must kill Cruz to play understudy to the cartoonish tycoon. But Cruz is a brilliant opportunist, and his courtship of Trump makes sense. If Trump falters in his bid for the nomination — as most still expect — Cruz will be well positioned to secure Trump’s endorsement, and his supporters.”
  • Heavily Armed “Christian Patriot” Militia Vows To Stop Future Arrests Of Kim Davis – I believe this sniper at the Bundy ranch is part of the organization, and I don’t understand how positioning oneself on a shielded sniper’s nest with a rifle aimed at a group of people is legal.
  • That whole situation in Arizona with a sniper shooting at drivers on a highway is unnerving.  Eleven confirmed shootings so far.  It’s a bit reminiscent of that D.C. sniper.
  • For some reason, I just really want to buy this book (GIF).
  • The new LBJ Expressway is available to use.  I’m not a fan of how toll rates change, that they charge a higher rate at peak times.  The NTTA reason it’s a way to control flow and for drivers to choose off-peak hours, but most people don’t have a choice in the schedule they work.  And it’s time for my routine rant about how toll charges should be an item to deduct when it comes times for taxes.
  • 10 Time-Lapse Images Show Dallas’ Dramatic Skyline Changes since 2007
  • Texas State University is 3rd kinkiest college in U.S., dating app says
  • If there was a contest for losing, this guy would come in second place (because he’s so good at losing) – Lone candidate for Iowa school board seat gets no votes
  • French Castles Cheaper to Rent Than San Francisco Apartments
  • DallasNews.com – Photos: Step inside luxurious side of Texas A&M’s new-look Kyle Field
  • This is the best explanation of gerrymandering you will ever see
  • ‘The Tonight Show’ booking Donald Trump reminds me of another NBC moment of panic.  When Katie Couric was going to host a week of ‘Good Morning America’, The ‘Today Show’ booked Sarah Palin for the same time period.
  • CBS11 last night made a big goof before sending it off to Colbert.  They stated his guests were Jeremy Renner and Alison Brie, but the actual guests were Vice President Joe Biden, the CEO of Uber, and Toby Keith.  The news anchor, Doug Dunbar, just read what was in front of him.  Renner and Brie were guest on the show that follows Colbert.
  • Colbert started the interview in a very solemn way, talking to the VP about the recent loss of his son.  And unlike Bill Clinton, who many questioned his sincerity, you can just see and hear the genuine love and emotion coming from Biden talking about his late son.  Colbert, a fellow Catholic, then asked how his faith has played a role in all of this.  Here’s a rough summary of what he said, “My wife gave me this quote, ‘Faith sees best in the dark.’  For me, my religion is an enormous sense of solace, some of it relates to ritual, some of it relates to comfort – of what you’ve done all your life.  I go to mass and I’m able to just be alone. I find the rosary comforting. What my faith has done takes everything from my life, all comforting and good things, culture and theology, it’s just a place you can go.  The faith doesn’t always stick with you, sometimes it leaves me, so I don’t want to come off, as . . .” and then he realized he was rambling a bit and wrapped it up. Sometimes I get annoyed at politicians who wear their faith on their sleeve, but I’ll give Biden a pass on this one as he was asked specifically about it as it relates to all the tragedy in his life.  I think there was a small bit of selfishness (in a good way) of Colbert asking him about faith as it relates to tragedy, since he lost his father and three brothers at the age of ten due to a plane crash.
  • Both Biden and Colbert shared quotes from their mothers:
    • “What’s the use of being Irish if don’t know life is going to break your heart.”
    • “Remember, nobody is better than you, but you’re better than nobody.”
  • The exchange between Biden and Colbert was extremely unique, something I don’t think I’ve ever seen on a late night show.  It was a beautiful balance of poignancy, probing, and just a dash of humor.
  • Biden stated when his son, Beau, was serving in Iraq, he asked for his name tag to be removed and replaced with another name, perhaps “Roberts” because he didn’t want to others to think differently of him because of his name.  I’m sure the press will be following up with that story.
  • I tend to think Joe Biden and George W. Bush are somewhat alike.  Though they both are known for gaffes, they are smarter than people give them credit for, strong in their faith, married women with careers in education, and they both earnestly love their country.
  • Surprise appearances on ‘The Late Show’ last night were Joe Theisman, Franco Harris, Richard Dent, Jim Brown, and Bill Cowher.  “Dent” is a great football name.
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4 Responses to Bag of Randomness for Friday, September 11, 2015

  1. RPM says:

    I've liked Joe Biden for a long time. He used to ride the train home to Delaware every day after work in DC to be with his kids. He's a good man.

  2. John Mackovic says:

    The gerrymandering story left out the part about the DoJ requires that "minority" districts must be created under the authority of the Voter Rights Act.

  3. Mr. Mike Honcho says:

    Interesting first bullet point. I am the opposite; I thought I would get a little calloused about 9/11 but am actually the opposite.

    Could the issues the Steelers had with headsets have been any more perfect last night? It was hilarious and ridiculous at the same time.

    Johnnie Walker Blue FTW!

    If you claim to follow Jesus and participate in an armed militia to "protect Kim Davis" you may want to tap the brakes on that whole WWJD thing. Sidenote: It's fascinating how different religions pick and choose what pieces of historical creed, cannon, etc. to follow and other parts to set aside. I need a good book that examines that and how the modern fundamental movement evolved from previous beliefs.

  4. Jason Truitt says:

    Desensitization is a direct response to overstimulation. If it hadn’t been used as such a political fear-mongering ploy (by both sides, it just so happens hat a Republican was in office at the time), it would have more meaning. And I am right here with you.

    They can scope people in because: 2nd Amendment! Jesus!

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