Barradreamer's Blog

This story appeared yesterday on the website of another local station in the DFW market.  Apparently a McKinney motorist was ticketed for not heeding a traffic sign in McKinney that was written in Spanish.  Apparently it was a "no loitering, standing, etc" message.  Unfortunately for the driver the English translation was on the other side of the sign, facing away from the driver.  This is located near the McKinney Day Labor Center.

I was not aware that the ability to read Spanish was now part of the Texas Drivers' Test.

For the past two days the story of the cross-dressing student from DISD's Sunset High School has made the airways. However, the story that deserves reporting and the question that should be asked, is why the informational sign for Sunset High written in Spanish.

DISD has the responsibility of preparing students to be successful adults.  By allowing them the "Get Out of (Language) Jail Free" card, DISD has done not only their students,but  those families and north Texas businesses, a grave disservice.  Requiring students to read, write, and converse in English will widely open the door to their future.   

English is the language of commerce, not only in the U.S., but in almost all western nations.  It is the only language that is allowed for use by air traffic controllers across the world.

I am sure that DISD, as well as organizations within the Latino community can create a multitude of excuses why these signs are in Spanish, and why the students can get by without English fluency.  However, until U.S. boardroom business is conducted in Spanish,  the only thing these students are left with at the end of the day are just that - excuses. 

Can someone please provide a logical, intelligent explanation why we are again going to move our clocks around for the Washington mandated Daylight Savings Time.  This year we are starting several weeks early, and running several weeks later than in the past. 

I consider myself a fairly intelligent, rational adult.  However, what is the point?  We still have the same number of hours of daylight.  The last explanation from Capitol Hill was due to savings in energy costs - by whom?  Having lived in Arizona (one of only a few places that do not change - if not the only one), there was no discernible difference, save for watching network television on Pacific time. 

Why are we doing this, and is there a way to stop it?  Or am I the only one who finds it annoying?

When a right or left lane disappear, why is it that some people feel that they are too good, or their time is too valuableto merge over before the lane is gone? They rush up ahead and use their vehicles to demand that they be allowed to merge in the line of traffic.

Last week I had a guy driving a Jetta on 121 on the shoulder having failed to merge when the signs first appeared. He rolled down his window and cursed me, demonstrating his IQ with the single finger salute because I would not let him in.

I am now giving notice to drivers who want to demand their place at the head of the line - I will not give quarter. If you hit me, you or your insurance company will be repairing my car. If you flip me off, or make any other indication of road rage, I will pick up my cell phone, and report your license plate number, make and model to the police and happily cooporate in prosecution of road rage.

This is a pat-on-the-back, a loud Woo Hoo, standing ovation and a million smiles for the Fort Worth Fire Department's rescue of a scared young cat stranded in a tree during yesterday's storm. It might be cold outside, but my heart has been warmed by this act of goodness.

This morning cruising down the northern fringes of the North Dallas Tollway (under construction), traffic was moving at a pleasant clip. Just after passing Lebanon, it became a sea of red tail lights.. Hmmm, no telltale flashing lights of emergency vehicles, I wonder what was happening? As my fellow trapped motorists and I inched our way south, there was a sign on the left curb, just before Warren, warning that the left lane was closed ahead. We sat in a traffic jam for 20 minutes because of construction of a left turn lane at Gaylord Parkway! Why, oh why would anyone order the closing of a lane on the heaviest side of traffic, on one of the busiest north/south arteries, during the height of rush hour? Who is charged with making the decisions to change traffic patterns? Why would law enforcement allow this?

JonBenet Ramsey was brutally murdered 10 years ago, and now they have the professed killer in custody. At the time of the murder, we were barraged daily with every tiny detail of a story, that had little true news value outside the local Boulder/Colorado market. Now, the band has struck up the parade again. Everyone, from our local media outlets to the major cable news channels (and their news talk shows, feel obliged to headline each minute detail. Please, please stop! If you want to run a story about an important bit of the saga, such as an indictment or trial, then fine. Otherwise, let this poor child rest in peace!