The Cowboy’s Real Problem

Yesterday’s loss comes down to one major issue that continues to be a problem for Dallas… Pass Defense.  I know the running game was a no show yesterday but at least Marion and Julius have proved this season the running game can work and work well.

The pass defense has yet to show me anything, last season and this season.  Unless it improves soon teams will continue to pick the Cowboys apart.

No Bail Out Means More Uncertainty

The merits of the bail out deal can be debated until the end of time.  All the arguments are compelling:

1.  Why reward risky behavior? 
2.  Why should the tax payer bail out wealthy wall street? 
3.  If we don’t the economy will suffer.
4.  With out a bail out the credit market comes to a halt.

No matter what you believe, the lack of a deal leaves us in uncertain times.  That is why the Dow dropped nearly 800 points.  Investors do not like uncertain times. 

As much as I hate the thought of bailing out the Titans of Wall Street, I just want the doom and gloom to stop.  I think the only way it does stop is with some kind of a deal. 

How serious are our lawmakers about solving this crisis?  We shall see, getting re-elected may be more important.  Election day is not far off and the incumbents have not had much time to do any campaigning.  Let’s see if they choose to do that instead of staying in D.C. to hammer out a deal that will calm the American Investor.

The Bankers Knew we Were Suckers

Last I checked “Sub Prime” means below prime.  Sub Prime means risky, and it means the people who banks lend to have a history of not paying their bills.  The banks decided to play in that game, no one twisted their arms.  Giving a loan to someone who typically can’t pay it back is a dangerous game, and the banks got caught with their financial pants down.

I would love to play the stock market, betting only on penny stocks, knowing my broker will cover all my loses should I lose.  In reality that is what the banks are getting away with.  They took a gamble and now want the American Tax Payer to cover their gambling debts.

Remember Sub Prime, means Sub Prime… Why is anyone surprised the people who took out those loans can’t pay them back?  And why should we bail out the banks who offered them?

The reason is simple, the banks now have the American economy by the “you know what.”  We don’t have a choice but to bail them out.  Maybe those bankers were smarter then we think, they approved high risk loans, with no risk at all.  I guess the tax payers are the suckers.

Conservative Talk in Lip Stick and Heels

Look out Sarah Palin, this is no hockey mom! Debbie Davis is a self described football mom in high heels and lipstick.  But instead of going into politics she talks about politics.  Her statewide radio show, The Debbie Davis Show, can be heard on 1160 am between 9-11am.

Debbie is now taking on the conservative “Good ole Boys” of talk radio.  Her show continues to grow in popularity.  And even if you don’t agree with her thinking, you have to admire her determination.  And in case you were wondering, she does where glasses just like Sarah Palin.  Debbie assured me she had hers long before she even knew who Sarah Palin was.

The Country Club Vandal

Who would ever expect a member of Timarron Country Club in Southlake to also be a member of the Sierra Club and Green Peace?  I am sure those ties were not stated on James Jeppe’s application for membership.  Jeppe, seen above, is a member of three.  He also stands accused of ruining the paint jobs of numerous Hummers across Southlake.

It turns out, the Hummer Jeppe got caught on tape vandalizing, is owned by another member of Timarron.  It got me thinking as to what would cause someone to scratch an X into a fellow members car. 

1. Did Jeppe catch the owner of the Hummer cheating at Gin Rummy?
2. Did Jeppe lose a big bet on the 18th hole?
3. Maybe the owner of that Hummer said, “Noonan!” in the middle of Jeppe’s back swing.
4. Maybe Jeppe was playing golf one group behind the owner, painfully waiting on every hole.
5. Maybe while Jeppe was taking a golf lesson, the Hummer owner’s son was chuckling at Jeppe’s awful swing.

Leave to a Hummer owner to install a surveillance camera!

So Where is Jessica Simpson?

Attention all Grant’s Rant readers, I have a question for you: Has Jessica Simpson been banned from attending Cowboys Games?  I have not seen her at any games this season, not that she would want to travel to Green Bay anyway.  Unless you are a die hard football fan/buff Green Bay would not be the first choice of travel destinations.

But it still begs the question, to avert a PR nightmare, has Tony told her to watch from home?  The reality is with each game the Cowboys win, the more dangerous it becomes for Jessica Simpson to show up at a game.  For all those idiots who believe in the Jessica Jinx, if the Cowboys lose the first game Simpson attends,  forgetaboutit!!!! (as we say in NY)

Don’t Take Advantage of Democracy

 

It is undisputed that this November 4th will have the greatest voter turnout in American History.  Barack Obama and Sarah Palin (and John McCain) are inspiring millions of Americans to head to the polls, many of whom never voted before.

The question is, why are so many school districts holding “Tax Increase” elections three weeks earlier?  Why not hold those elections when the majority of the towns population will be voting?  That would give everyone an equal voice.

There is one reason why the districts want the tax elections early… because they fear failure when more people vote.  By holding the “tax hike” elections before November 4th, it increases the chances that the people who show up to vote are school employees and families who’s kids go to the schools.  Someone voting “No” to the increase, may not go out of his or her way to head to the polls. 

The Districts all holding an early “special” election say, they want the issue to be the sole focus on the ballot and they need the money before November.  I believe that to be true, but it doesn’t make it right to change an election date just because the “real one” doesn’t work in  your favor.

Sadly, I don’t think our forefathers envisioned holding elections only on days when victory is in the governments favor.  November 4th is this country’s “Election Day.”  That means it should be the day when Elections are held.

(Please note: This is note a post on the merits of a tax hike… Only on the merits of giving everyone a voice.)

On Line or In Line? A Texan Takes on the New Yorker

I just got done with my 5pm report on tabloid magazines becoming more and more focused on politics, or should I say, the polititicans.  And I noted that millions of Americans view the tabloid headlines while standing “on line” in the grocery store.  Well this is the comment I recieved from an NBC5 viewer just moments after my live shot:

Just finished listening to your report on the 5 p.m. Wednesday news.
Nobody outside of Manhattan, N.Y., stands “on line.” Normal people stand in line. Unless there is a line drawn on the sidewalk, then, maybe, you stand “on a line.”
Hope this is helpful. Envy your golf game.

Well I don’t know if he or she knew this… but I am from Manhatten, grow up just 20 miles north of the Big Apple and lived on the West Side, for nearly 6 years!  And yes, I say standing “on line” and I don’t say “Ya’ll” and I never bothered to correct anyone who does.

All kidding aside the viewer does raise a valid point, but since I am a New Yorker, and stubborn, I’m sticking with I hate standing “ON LINE” at the grocery store.

(To the viewer, I thank you for coming to Grant’s Rant to post! and please post any time!)

The Jessica Jinx, Not Broken Yet!

Headline News declared the Jessica Jinx over, when the Cowboys beat the Eagles last night.  Though I never really believed in the Jessica Jinx, as a firm believer in other Jinxes, just because the Cowboys won does not break the so called Jinx.

I don’t think Jessica Simpson was even in the stands last night.  If she were I am sure ESPN would have been constantly cutting away to her instead of Jerry Jones.  So until Jessica Simpson wears that now infamous pink jersey to a Cowboys victory, the jinx, technically, is still on.

But I must reiterate, I never believed Jessica or her jersey was the cause of the Jinx, but since so many people do, and I am an authority on bad luck (I’m a poker player), I just thought I would clarify the situation.

The Rise of the Gay Republicans

Could the Republican Party really be opening up to the gay and lesbian community?  It looks like it, and some members of the gay community may be openingup to Republicans.

For the first time in history, the Log Cabin Republicans were invited to the Republican National Convention.  The Gay and Lesbian group had been there before, they just weren’t allowed inside!  Not this time!

Dallas Log Cabin Chapter President Rob Schlein says, “It can be harder for a gay man to tell members of the gay community he’s a republican then it is for him to tell his straight friends he’s gay.”  It must be tough being a gay republican when most gays hate republicans and many republicans hate gays.

The gay Republicans I spoke with are quick to point out, no one agrees with 100 percent of any party platform.  I asked Schlein about the Texas Republican Party Platform that includes language like, “Gays tear at the fabric of society, and contribute to the spread of dangerous and communicable diseases.”  Schlein called it hateful and hurtful rhetoric that he would like to see stripped from party literature.

Still, he said, the core republican beliefs about lower taxes, national security, smaller government are what draws him and his partner to the GOP.

But make no mistake, even though the Chairman of the Dallas County Republicans openly welcomes members of the gay community to join the Republican Party, there are many Republicans who want them to stay away.  David Keeton, Schlein’s partner in business and life, calls the anti-gay religious right, “Mature” joking, “They won’t be around very long.”  He says the younger generations of Republicans have been much more welcoming.