He Barely Got His Britches Up

Saying of the day:

Never argue over non-consequential matters.

The Passing of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor:

The passing of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female Supreme Court Justice, is a significant moment in American history. I remember when she was appointed; it was during the Reagan administration, a time when President Reagan was determined to appoint a woman to the Supreme Court.

Justice O'Connor hailed from Texas, specifically El Paso. She had an impressive educational background, graduating from Austin High in El Paso and pursuing her undergraduate and law degrees at Stanford. She was not only highly qualified academically but also politically, having served as a state senator in Arizona before her Supreme Court appointment. Her intelligence and legal acumen were unquestionable, making her an excellent choice.

During her time on the Supreme Court, Justice O'Connor played a pivotal role in many landmark cases. She was often seen as the swing vote or the deciding factor in numerous controversial decisions. Her influence on the court cannot be overstated, and she left a lasting legacy through her well-reasoned opinions.

I had the privilege of hearing her speak when I was chancellor at Texas Tech University. She delivered an inspiring speech that resonated with many. It was evident that she possessed not only legal expertise but also the ability to connect with people on a personal level.

Charles, who was involved in screening Supreme Court nominees during the Reagan administration, described Justice O'Connor's selection as one of the most important appointments made by President Reagan. Her qualifications and her ability to make sound judgments made her an ideal choice for the bench.

In an interview with 60 Minutes, Justice O'Connor expressed her perspective on being the first woman nominated to the Supreme Court. She acknowledged the significance of the moment and the responsibility that came with it. Her success in this role paved the way for more opportunities for women in the legal profession.

President Reagan's decision to nominate a conservative and highly qualified woman to the Supreme Court was groundbreaking. It defied expectations that the first woman on the court would be nominated by a Democrat. Justice O'Connor's exceptional performance affirmed the wisdom of this choice.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's journey from Texas to the Supreme Court exemplifies the power of determination, qualifications, and the ability to navigate challenging situations. She not only broke barriers but also excelled in her role, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's legal landscape. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations of women in the legal profession and beyond.

The Expulsion of George Santos:

Santos made some bold claims, like being on a volleyball scholarship and undergoing knee replacements due to injuries. He even mentioned his mother's presence during the tragic events of 9/11. These statements reminded me of past instances, like Senator Richard Blumenthal falsely claiming Vietnam War honors without actually serving.

What struck me most about this situation was the complexity of the decision to remove Santos from office. It's not a decision to be taken lightly, as it essentially challenges the voters' judgment and trust in their chosen representative.

During the debate, Santos' untruthful campaign statements were acknowledged. It's not uncommon for politicians to stretch the truth, but removing an elected official is a significant step, questioning the will of the people.

In a similar vein, Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to remove Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from a committee raised questions about leaders' authority in such matters. It's a delicate balance between accountability and respecting the democratic process.

Speculation arose that Santos might not seek reelection, realizing that his untruthful statements had already damaged his reputation. However, the political system allows individuals to run for office again if they haven't been impeached or legally prevented from doing so.

In politics, conducting thorough background checks on candidates is essential. False claims and exaggerations can come back to haunt them, as seen in Santos' case.

The Price of a Good Date:

Recently, it came out that a "good date" costs an average of $196.

A lot has changed over the years. I remember a friend of mine who took his wife to the wrestling matches in Lubbock for their first date, and they've been happily married for over 50 years. Sometimes, it's not about an extravagant dinner and a movie; it's about finding unique ways to entertain and connect. In their case, they went to the wrestling matches and had a blast watching Doric Funk, Tokyo Jo, and the Funk brothers wrestle. Sometimes, memorable experiences often matter more than expensive outings.

One time I had a date in a car. We had been kissing, and then I asked her if she wanted to move to the back seat. She said: "No, I'll stay up here with you." It was clear we weren’t going to have a future together, and I'd probably be answering a lot of questions about that moment for the rest of my life. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the time, but sometimes, you just have to keep moving forward and act like it didn't happen, right?

Being Smart:

Did you catch that story about a smart toilet that went up in flames? It literally burst into flames, and the guy barely had time to pull up his pants. He smelled smoke, hastily pulled up his trousers, and just in the nick of time, the toilet exploded into flames. Thankfully, he managed to escape. You certainly don't want your toilet catching fire; that would be quite an explosive situation.

I can't help but wonder why anyone would need a smart toilet in the first place. It's not exactly rocket science. But there's always someone inventing something new and slapping the "smart" label on it, and people think they must have it.

Personally, I'm more inclined to enjoy books like "Such and Such for Dummies." I have a friend, Hank Seal, who has achieved great success in the banking business. He once read a book called "Computers for Dummies" while his wife was driving the car. He wanted to figure out ways to make money transfers faster, and he succeeded. Hank even founded Q2, which is the name of the stadium here. He openly admits that he started with a "for Dummies" book because he didn't know much about computers.

We should all strive to uphold our reputations and embrace the wisdom of Frank Erwin: let us avoid arguing over non-consequential matters, for the pursuit of harmony and understanding prevails above all else.