Galveston has been listed as one of the 10 worst places in the nation to buy real estate.  As one older gentlemen who fought in the Korean War once said, “There only two places I wouldn’t buy real estate – North Korea and Galveston.”

http://www.chron.com/neighborhood/bayarea/news/article/Galveston-listed-as-one-of-the-top-ten-worst-5891013.php

Photo from http://www.momontherocks.net

From the Annals of Artillery Mysteries    In 1835, the citizens of Cincinnati, Ohio decided to provide Texas with two cannons for use in defense against an assault by the Mexican Army.  The cannons were likely six-pounders that were forged at the Greenwood & Webb foundry.  The cannons were shipped downriver to New Orleans and then transported to Galveston where they arrived in early April of 1836.  On board the ship were twin sisters Elizabeth and Eleanor Rice who may have participated in the official delivery of the cannons to the Texas authorities.  That is believed to be the origin of the name “Twin Sisters” by which the field pieces became known.  They were delivered to Sam Houston’s army and first saw action at the Battle of San Jacinto and were the only artillery under his command.  The Twin Sisters were loaded with grape, iron bits, horseshoes and whatever else was handy as the Texas forces had no cannonballs.  It is believed that the opening salvo from the Sisters greatly contributed to the disorganization and panic of Santa Anna’s surprised forces.

After Texas joined the Union, the Twin Sisters became federal property and were transferred to Louisiana.  One of them was sold to a foundry for scrap and a private collector purchased the other.  George Williamson, the commissioner for Louisiana to the state of Texas, determined to find the cannons and return them to Texas.  He was successful and Louisiana appropriated $700 to refurbish the Sisters and ship them again to Galveston.  The Twin Sisters had one last round of service at the Battle of Galveston during the Civil War.  After that, their final disposition is not completely clear.  The general consensus is that Henry North Graves took the Twin Sisters and buried them near Harrisburg to prevent them from falling into Union hands.  The story is questionable because Graves later had the opportunity to retrieve the cannons, but never made any concerted effort to do so.  Their final resting place remains a mystery.

Photo of replicas from the San Jacinto Monument grounds.

While there is much debate about the origin of the term Blue Norther – there is usually little debate about calling it that when it happens.  Locations all across Texas experienced severe 24 hour temperature drops including a 46 degree drop in Amarillo.

Image of roll cloud taken near Canyon, Texas from Channel KSDK.

From the Annals of the Big Ripoff –  In 1921, the Cherokee Nation petitioned the US Supreme Court to review its claim to over 1 million acres in Texas.  Care to guess how that one came out.

Outgoing Congressman and Ass-Clown Steve Stockman notified the House that he has been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury conducting a criminal investigation into an undisclosed matter.  The subpoena is likely related to a parallel investigation by the House Ethics Committee which is probing whether the Texas Republican violated federal reporting requirements regarding campaign donations.  Stockman’s dubious campaign tactics have been the subject of numerous news stories. 

Stockman, along with staffers Donny Ferguson and Prentice Leblanc, each notified the House on Thursday that they had received subpoenas from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.  Ferguson is Stockman’s congressional communications and policy adviser and Leblanc is identified as a legislative assistant.

Advice to Ferguson and Leblanc – throw Stockman under the bus.

Beyond incredibly cool.  The Philae Lander lands on Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko.  A Comet which definitely needs a cooler name.  Photo taken from about 3K above the comet’s surface.

Hullabaloo Caneck Caneck.  Props to Texas A&M students who stood up to the right-wing nut jobs from Westboro Baptist Church who invaded Aggieland on Monday. The show-down occurred in front of the University’s Rudder Theater Complex.  The crazed Kansans were there to protest A&M’s commitment to inclusiveness and rejection of hate-mongering (except as directed towards UT). There to meet the Kansas kooks were dozens of students carrying their own placards. Another group of about 100 Aggies gathered nearby at Simpson Drill Field for an impromptu yell practice and shouted down the Baptist bozos.  This was not the first time the Aggies have faced off with the Westboro whackos.  In July, hundreds of Aggies formed a human wall to block the Baptist bastards from interrupting the funeral of Lt. Col. Roy Tisdale.   See link to Houston Chronicle story below.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/texas/article/Texas-AM-Westboro-Baptist-Aggie-Yell-Practice-5885566.php

From the Annals of Good Country People –  In 1906, the Commercial Club of Tyler, in conjunction with the USDA, appointed William Stallings agricultural agent of Smith County. He was Texas’ first county agricultural agent and the first in the nation to serve a single county. After serving Smith County for a year,Stallings was appointed district agent for Smith, Cherokee, and Angelina counties. Through his efforts the cotton and corn yields of the district increased by over 50 percent. His service is noted in a historical marker on the courthouse square in Tyler.

Photo of County Agent Hank Kimball from http://www.maggiore.net.

“I hope you don’t have friends who recommend Ayn Rand to you. The fiction of Ayn Rand is as low as you can get re fiction. I hope you picked it up off the floor of the subway and threw it in the nearest garbage pail. She makes Mickey Spillane look like Dostoevsky,” – Flannery O’Connor.

From the Dish – Quote of the Day

This week’s NFL Prediction Six-Pack

“I want to own an NFL franchise. I understand the business of football.”

Jon Bon Jovi

First thing to learn, never smile at the Refs – they will have no respect for you. Second thing to learn, owning an NFL team is a license to print money.

Last week 2-4. For the season 19-23. Wrong, wrong, wrong.

Your I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead Pick of the Week.

Bills over Dolphins. Before we start, there are a number of marquee games this week so catch up on sleep Saturday night.  But who would have predicted this match-up to be a critical game at the beginning of the season.  With both teams at 5-4, the winner here has a clear path to the playoffs while the loser is in deep doo-doo in the heavily stacked AFC.  An article in the WSJ last week characterized Kyle Orton as the best quarterback that no one wants.  KO is on his 5^th or 6^th team at least and has compiled a winning record as a starting QB and he did lead the Bears to the playoffs before being replaced by Rex GrossMan.  Maybe he has found redemption in Buffalo – for at least one season.  Dolphins are definitely moving in the right direction but I still think they are a year away.  And next year they will be a year away yet again. Orchard Park, NY 30 Miami 23.

Your Living on a Prayer Pick of the Week

Texans over Browns. In desperation, Bill O’B. turns to untested and untried Ryan Mallett to resurrect the season.  Get down on your knees and pray Bill.  I highly doubt that the Mallett is the long-term answer for this perennially ailing franchise, but he just might provide the boost the Texans need to win this week.  The Texans have a highly effective running game, a defense that is steadily degenerating (well maybe Mark Sanchez doesn’t suck quite as much as one might hope) and a pathetic passing attack.  If Mallett can create a mediocre passing offense –then maybe there is a chance to win 8 games beating the Jaguars twice, Titans once and picking off the Browns or some other good team. Meanwhile, when was the last time you actually heard anyone mention Johnny Douchenozzle? Houston 21 Cleveland 20.

Your You Give Love a Bad Name Pick of the Week.

Panthers over Falcons.  This week’s Shit Bowl features two teams who really have no business being in the Shit Bowl but who have more than earned the privilege this season.  Carolina got waxed on Monday night –not so much by the Eagles steamroller of an offense – but by their own ineptitude.  Falcons (who incredibly were 2-1 after 3 weeks) seem completely lost other than when playing a bad team like the Buccaneers last week.  Make no mistake – the Panthers are a bad team right now – but are they “Beat by the Falcons” bad?  If Cam plays like he did this week, looking sore-legged and confused, the answer is “Yes.”  But if he shows any signs of life then maybe the Panthers season survives.  The good news we will find out on Sunday.  The bad news – it will take this colossal colon collision to find out on Sunday.  Carolina 14 Atlanta 10.

Your Lay Your Hands on Me Pick of the Week.

Cardinals over Lions. It sucks to be Carson Palmer – except for that $20 million guaranteed part.  To me, the Lions are the most-surprising team in the league this season.  I was not a believer but the facts are the facts.  The Lions are going to the playoffs barring a complete collapse.  The Cards should also be booking their tickets.  This is big test for super-sub Stanton going against the top rated defense in the league. Yeah, you read that right.  It all adds up to your NFL Game of the Week. Arizona 23 Detroit 21.

Your In These Arms Pick of the Week.

Eagles over Packers.  Mark Sanchez is now doing his best Jeff Garcia imitation.  And it’s bringing down the house.  With the weapons at his disposal Sanchez does not have to be great – but he has been anyway.  And the Packers are steadily working their way to another playoff appearance.  This one is another likely choice for your NFL Game of the Week and Fox can’t go wrong in showing this one or the Cards/Lions game to the unclaimed regions of our fair nation.  Philadelphia 38 Green Bay 35.

Your Wanted Dead or Alive Pick of the Week.

Patriots over Colts. Poor old Red’s picture would be on that poster if you followed my gambling advice last week.  Stealers lost to the Jets and didn’t come close to covering the over.  This week for sure I’ve got it right. Taking the Pats plus 3 on the road against the Colts and the over at an incredibly high 57.5.  Both defenses suck and both QB’s can light it up on a good night.  Playing in the Dome means no weather troubles.  Don’t bet the farm – just the back pasture.  New England 38 Indianapolis 29.