TX Schools Fail Under Newly Realistic Criteria

But wait, I thought all school teachers were not only selfless angels, but also great at their jobs?!?

TX school ratings plummet under tougher standards | Latest State headlines from AP | New...

Reid: Raising Taxes on Jet Owners is the Solution

Seriously, what is the obsession these people have with billionaires and corporate jet owners? How many of these people are there in America - like 10,000? Even doubling their taxes wouldn't come close to solving our problems.

The real question is: why does Geithner still have a job?

Reid: S&P downgrade backs Dems' call for more revenue - The Hill's Blog Briefing Room

Jury Duty

Today was Day 2 of my first encounter with Jury Duty. On Friday, the court bailiff advised that 1,000 jurors were needed for this week. So, a large group (including me) was called on Friday and then another group today. Those of us who were assigned to a court (including me) were required to return today for jury selection. I was actually excited to be part of the justice system and see how things work in court. I was assigned to a criminal case, given my juror badge and number and told to report back this afternoon. After a wait of about an hour, the judge called us in to the court room and told that the case we might have seen was settled with a guilty plea. Overall I was very impressed with the courtesy and professionalism of everyone I interacted with at the Tarrant County Courthouse, from the clerks to Judge Robb Catalano himself.

The picture above is a view of the (now retired) Texas electric chair, fondly nicknamed "Old Sparky." Old Sparky resides in the Texas Prison exhibit at the Huntsville State Prison, located in Walker County, TX. Old Sparky replaced the previous gallows method of execution, and provided Texas Justice from 1924 to 1964. During that period, 361 prisoners met their fate in Old Sparky. Since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976, Texas has executed more prisoners than any other state, though California and Florida have larger death row populations. Today's method of execution is lethal injection.