Michael Davis’ Midweek Rant: Thoughts on SMU’s Bush Library bid and other topics from the past week

by Michael Davis of of Dallas Progress

So...SMU wants the Bush library. Which will add hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and tens of thousands of cars to HP and UP. However, over the past two years residents have vehemently protested the widening of Mockingbird beyond one lane each way because of... not wanting more traffic. Just a thought...

Why are small groups of thugs allowed to terrorize entire neighborhoods?

Why are the newspapers here soft on local elected officials? A few reporters like Dave Levinthal and Scott Goldstein are exceptions. And quality writers like Robert Wilonsky and Jim Schutze are underpaid (whatever they get paid, it's not enough).

Why are people so mad at Bill Cosby? He hates lazy people, and so do I. I see a lot of able-bodied young guys standing on corners and in front of stores begging for change. But I know two very-pregnant young girls that work at Sonic Drive-Ins. Meaning that in addition to filling orders they run back and forth to deliver your food, rain or shine. And your excuse is...?

Why is City allowing your car to get totally ripped off and then a) not claiming responsibility for what happens in the auto pound and b) refusing requests by employees to beef up security. Read about it here. Before you say "that's the driver's fault for not paying their tickets" remember that if your car is stolen and the City recovers it, it will end up here. Stripped.

I can't wait for Barbara Mallory Caraway to take office as the new representative for Texas House District 110. I worked in her campaign, and know that she will do her best to improve a district that really needs it. Her district covers parts of Oak Cliff, South Dallas, and Pleasant Grove down to Seagoville. She beat a guy who wouldn't even put his office in his own district because "it was unsafe." (wasn't he supposed to be addressing said safety in the dozen plus years he was in office? Oh, nevermind) Barbara's already ahead of the game in that department.

Be sure to pick up D Magazine this month to read Paul Kix's article about the Silver City strip club. Frightening.

How good would Donald Trump be at playing the dozens in the hood? Some of you know what I mean. The way he let Rosie O'Donnell have it last week, was legendary.

Thanks to Emily Ramshaw for the research help-out. Keep doing your thing in Austin!

Another Albertson's is set to close in Oak Cliff; will anyone notice?

Last but not least, RIP James Brown. There will never be another like him.