Rabid sports fans should take note that this is the only week of the year in which you can watch NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and MLS games (World Series in the case of baseball – regular season otherwise).
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Today in Texas History – October 28
Texian militia and Mexican regular army troops under the command of Gen. Domingo Ugartechea skirmished at the battle of Concepción on the grounds of Mission Conception near San Antonio de Bexar. The skirmish was the opening engagement in the siege of Bexar and is considered by historians to be the first major conflict of the Texas Revolution. The Texians were commanded by James Bowie and James W. Fannin, Jr. When Ugartechea’s forces approached, the Texians took cover in a horseshoe shaped gully which provided an excellent defensive position. The Texian long rifles proved to be effective military weapons because of their longer range and accuracy. Reported losses (which are frequently exaggerated) included 14 Mexican killed and 39 wounded. The Texans claimed only one killed and one wounded.
Today in Texas History – October 27
From the annals of corporate ambition – In 1892, the Pan American Railway company was chartered. Boston investors dreamed up a plan to connect Victoria, Texas with Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. Citizens of Victoria – anxious to expand their railroad opportunities – offered a $150,000 bonus. The dream died quickly as only 10 miles of track extending south from Victoria were ever constructed. The company could not raise funds to construct a bridge over the Guadalupe River. One wonders how they imagined conquering the swamps of southern Panama. No trains ever ran on the line and it was ultimately abandoned. Interestingly, there is still not a direct land link between North and South America today.
Texas Steak Cookoff – Hico, Texas
Team Carne Knowledge has signed up for the 13th annual Texas Steak Cookoff to be held in beautiful downtown Hico, Texas on May 16, 2015. After finishing in 7th place (out of 108 entries) in 2013, last year’s effort was not up to par. The team is committed to a better finish this year and is already working on a new entry for the appetizer contest. Come by and see us. Check out the website for details.
Today in Texas History – October 24
In 1868, a Marion County mob killed three Republicans who had been arrested the previous night after a Republican meeting ended in a gunfight with local Democrats. Five Republicans were dragged from the Jefferson jail and the mob killed three of them, a white and two blacks. Reconstruction officials arrested thirty-five suspects, and eventually tried twenty-four of them. The trial involved the testimony of 176 witnesses, and a verdict was not delivered until August 23, 1869. Seven of the defendants were found guilty, but it is unclear whether any of them served any time in prison.
They’re Just Good People
If you haven’t heard the police recording following the Palin family’s brawl at a Wasilla birthday party – treat yourself. Here’s a good summary.
http://www.adn.com/article/20141022/fight-involving-palin-family-top-10-moments-audio-files
I don’t really like the term “White Trash” but if it ever applied . . . And ask yourself, when was the last time half of my family was involved in a drunken brawl at birthday party. Oh, never? What is your problem?
And if you have not read Joe McGinnis’ book, do yourself a favor. It reads like a trashy novel. More importantly, if 10% of what he relates about Sarah Palin is true (and most of it is openly sourced from people who know the Palins), then she is an odious, awful and disgusting human being, a terrible mother and complete witch of a wife. And John McCain has never had the balls to apologize for dumping this gigantic turd on the American public.
Photo from Fox News of Sarah Palin sporting some awesome f#@k-me pumps in her natural environment – with other complete and total idiots.
NFL Predictions Week 8
“Baseball players are smarter than football players. How often do you see a baseball team penalized for too many men on the field?”
Jim Bouton
True, but why is there no “long-stop”?
Last week 1-5. For the season 11-13. Time for the Constanza method.
Your KC Royals Pick of the Week
Rams over Chiefs. To compensate for my pick of the Royals to win the WS, I am picking the Rams to upset the Chiefs this week. Rams offense is picking up. Austin Davis looks like the actual NFL-ready version of Case Keenum. You know the same guy who handed it to Keenum and the Cougs in the 2011 Conference USA Championship game that ended their dream of an undefeated season and a BCS bowl game. You know the same guy that is starting for the Rams while Case polishes the pine. Yeah, that guy. He should pick apart the Chiefs’ altogether pathetic secondary. Throw in Tre Mason romping up and down the field and things are looking up in Missouri. Just in time for the team to move back to LA. St. Louis 24 Kansas City 14.
Your San Francisco Giants Aren’t Playing So Move Across the Bay Pick of the Week.
Raiders over Browns. Is baby brother the real deal, too? Young Mr. Carr seems to have some qualities that were lacking in big bubba. Like the ability to not end up on his ass every fifth or sixth play. The Raiders are not completely devoid of offensive talent – almost – but not completely. They aren’t ranked 32nd for nothing. And then again there is the atrocious Browns defense. It’s a case of the unstoppable object meeting the immovable force – Yeah, you read that right. So what if the Raiders are off to their worst start in 52 years. Every dog has its day. And anything that brings Johnny Douchenozzle closer to starting – well I’m all for that. Oakland 13 Cleveland 9.
Your World Series Pick of the Week.
Lions over Falcons. Live from venerable Wembley Stadium in London. This game will air at 6:30 am on Sunday morning on the west coast. I like some American football with my tea and toast. The Lions have been feasting on the old and infirm –but that’s what you do to get to the playoffs and your defense is pathetic. The competition gets better very quickly so they had better take advantage of the train wreck that is the Falcons right now. If possible, the Falcons are following up their season of disappointment with even a worse season than the hapless Texans. Maybe a change of scenery will help. Probably not. Detroit 35 Falcons 30.
Your Too Many Men Pick of the Week.
Cowboys over OTNA’s. At this point one has to be resigned to the inevitability of the Cowboys making the playoffs. They have at most 5 potential losses left on the schedule barring their standard December meltdown. If it comes down to having to beat the OTNA’s again in Maryland in the last game of the season, I don’t see Colt McCoy riding to the rescue of the true Cowboy-haters. Jackson and Garcon are a nice one-two punch at wide-out and Morris is 3 yard back. Except for complete lack of continuity, the OTNA’s should have a better record. But unless someone figures out how to stop the bruising rushing attack of the Cowboys, it’s going to be a long season. Arlington 23 Landover, Md.16.
Your Smarty Pants Pick of the Week.
Cardinals over Eagles. The toughest game of the week to call straight up and not an easy money line pick either with the Cards getting 2.5 at home. Not a tough call is NFL game of the week here (Yeah, I know I called the Colts drubbing of the Bengals the game of the week last week). This one should not disappoint. I have both of these teams in the playoffs with the Eagles as my pick to win it all, but there are always some bumps on the road. Arizona 34 Philadelphia 27.
Your Ball Four My Ass Pick of the Week.
Titans over Texans. You will never go wrong picking the Texans to underperform. And they make their season debut in the Shit Bowl this week. I held off as long as I could, but face it; the Texans suck and I was a fool to think that they had left their legacy of losing behind them. Looking at it objectively, they should annihilate the Titans right? Anyone, anyone? All they are annihilating right now is their fan base. What new and innovative way will they find to lose this week? Maybe I’ll finally write that novel this weekend to avoid having to watch this doleful doo-doo deathmatch. Tennessee 24 Houston 23.
Today in Texas History – October 23
In 1989, 23 people were killed in an explosion at Phillips Petroleum Co.’s chemical complex in Pasadena, Texas. The accident resulted from a release of flammable gasses that occurred during regular maintenance operations due to an improperly connected release valve. A vapor cloud formed and traveled rapidly through the polyethylene plant. Within two minutes, the vapor cloud came into contact with an ignition source and exploded with the force of 2.4 tons of TNT. Ten to fifteen minutes later, that was followed by the explosion of the 20,000- gallon isobutane storage tank, then by the catastrophic failure of another polyethylene reactor, and finally by other explosions, probably about six in total. Another 314 people were injured and property loss was over $700 million. Debris was thrown as far as six miles from the site. OSHA issued 566 willful and 9 serious violations with a combined total proposed penalty of $5,666,200 to Phillips.
Today in Texas History – October 22
The “Waller Creek Riot” occurred on the University of Texas campus in 1969. The first stages of adding the “Upper Deck” to Memorial Stadium required rerouting of San Jacinto and the “bulldozing” of several hundred feet of Waller Creek near 21st Street. The project was a particular favorite of Board of Regents Chairman Frank Erwin. On the fateful morning, Erwin rushed the demolition crews into action to beat a temporary restraining order that the Sierra Club was seeking. Numerous students chained themselves to trees to obstruct the planned destruction. Others climbed high into the cypress trees. With the situation escalating, Erwin called in an additional force of approximately 30 helmeted Austin police with clubs, 25 state troopers, and a hook-and-ladder fire truck that could reach the students in the trees. Reportedly he ordered the police to “arrest everybody you need to; once the trees are cut down, there won’t be anything to protest.” Using the fire truck ladders the police removed the protesters allegedly sawing off a limb with a person still on it. Twenty-seven people were arrested but no one was seriously injured. With the protest ending in failure and no court order, construction proceeded. Although it took some time to recover, today that stretch of the creek is quite scenic with stately cypress trees lining the banks.
Houston Texans = Losers
The Texans’ season ended over the span of 3 minutes in last night’s game against the Stealers. Leading 13-0 with the half closing in, they managed to give up 24 points in less than 3 minutes. This may be considered an improvement over last season when the season ended in one play – Richard Sherman’s pick six in game 3. O’Brien has done a lot for the team, but he has not extirpated the loser mentality. Playoff teams do not have complete meltdowns like we saw on MNF last night. The Stealers found the weak underbelly and ripped it clean open. Texans will be lucky to win 6 games now.
Photo – Houston Chronicle
