Views from Lubbock

Biggest Night in Lubbock History

2008-11-02T10:50:00.000-08:00

Lubbock was the epicenter of the sports world Saturday. After a week long journey through the media spotlight, Lubbock and Texas Tech stood proud. As time ran out on the Longhorns, viewers across the country saw Tech fans spilling out raw emotion brought on from decades of frustration. Having been thought of as a second class city, university, and football program, Tech and Lubbock proved different. The city, the citizens, the fans, and most of all the team made a positive impression. This night will never be forgotten. Lubbock deserves a winner, and we have one. As a Tech fan, I always knew what Tech meant to Lubbock and the South Plains. Last night showed the world what it means. Texas will always be the big brother that gets everything handed to them. Last night little brother kicked big brothers ass in front of the nation. When Michael Crabtree made his way to the endzone, it stunned the Orangebloods and put Lubbock and Texas Tech into the spotlight even more. It cemented Saturday November 1st as the biggest night in Lubbock history. Will November 8th be even bigger? We will see. And remember, Go Tech Go!!!

Lubbock in the Spotlight

2008-10-27T16:47:00.000-07:00

#5 Texas Tech is in the spotlight this week as the #1 Texas Longhorns come to town for the biggest game in Lubbock history. That means Lubbock will have some out-of-towners running around our fair city. The liberal assholes from Austin have graced us with their presence before, so they know what to expect from the Hub City. The home state press also know Lubbock and our ways. The ones that will need help are the superstar commentators from ESPN and ABC. Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreet, Lee Corso, and the rest are in for a shock when they arrive. They will see Lubbock has electricity, indoor plumbing, paved roads, and automobiles. It will be amazing that Lubbock has an airport, stores, hotels, resturants, bars, and homes. The big wigs won't believe Lubbock county has a population of 270,000 people and 99% don't own cattle or ride horses. I'm sure the big time announcers will be a little sad that Lubbock is a real city, but real relieved that they don't have to ride on a covered wagon or sleep under the big Texas sky. Anyone who has been to West Texas will tell you what a wonderful place it is. It isn't New York City, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or even Dallas or Austin. It is something different, but not of another world or another time. Visitors will find most of the same things any other American city has. Late Saturday Night, the Longhorns and their fans will be leaving town after having their ass kicked. They hate Lubbock and Tech, and always will. The pampered on screen talent will be leaving too, having seen the awesome talent of the Red Raiders live, and the friendly folks of Lubbock up close. They may not ever admit it, but they will be impressed with Tech and Lubbock.

To Someone Special

2008-10-09T04:15:00.000-07:00

This is a shout out to a special someone who turns a year older today. You know who you are. Happy birthday, I wish you much happiness and joy today and everyday. You have been a light in my life for a quarter of a century. Best wishes and hope you have many more. Happy Birthday!

Hello and Welcome

2008-09-26T17:48:00.000-07:00

I, the Great and Powerful Sharkattack, would like to welcome a new citizen to Lubbock. My first grandchild was born August 24, and is a bundle of joy. I could not be any more proud, and wish her all the best in life. If she is half as good as my daughter and son-in-law she will be amazing. But don't worry, having a baby in the family won't mellow me out when it comes to blogging. Sharkattack will still be vicious when the need arises. I may be older, but I'm not senile yet.

Got Water?

2008-09-14T17:13:00.000-07:00

Lubbock set a record for one day rainfall with 7.8 inches in a 24 hour period. This city floods with one inch due to the dumbass way it is laid out. Can anyone explain to me how not having drains in the curbs seem like a bright idea to the past city planners? When you run rainwater down your streets it creates rivers in your streets and lakes in your intersections. If you drain it down a storm sewer drain it goes UNDER ground, which keeps your streets LESS flooded. Any 1st grade student could figure that out, but engineers can't? Thats how Lubbock has always done things, fucked up and costly.

Diva DeLeon is busy as a Beaver

2008-07-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

For a couple of weeks now you hear a new Diva DeLeon crusade every day. One day it's train whistles, the next day it's old water lines, then it shifts to the dog pound. Oh, excuse me, I mean the animal shelter, or better yet, the non-human containment facility. Diva can switch gears and save the city from certain chaos and destruction. I do have one question for her royal pain in the ass: Aren't train whistles loud as a warning to alert people, and wouldn't having them make less noise be more dangerous? As for her saving her own ass and legacy, that is to little to late. She should have been so busy for her entire time in office. Diva would be wise to remember that camera time doesn't get shit done, it just makes you more of a target when things don't get done. Without her old gang of four to follow, Diva is down to Priceless Floyd and a non-stop media campaign to try and save whatever clout she has left, and try as she might, it will not work.

Wasting Gas in Lubbock

2008-07-18T04:12:00.000-07:00

Gas prices have been rising all year, but you wouldn't know it from the work habits of City of Lubbock vehicles. From full size Citibuses running their routes without many riders to full size Firetrucks going on every 911 call to Police using their cars [or SUV's ] in their off time, Lubbock wastes lots of gas. We have small city buses, but we don't use them on routes, only for handicap riders. The Fire Department could use smaller auto's to send a couple of guys to an emergency. And Policemen should use their own cars for off hour errands. In a time like this, City of Lubbock vehicles should be parked. Workers should have to drive the smallest, most gas friendly vehicles in our fleet. The City of Lubbock is the biggest waster of water and gas. Our elected leaders are great at preaching to us peasants about cutting back and conserving. Yet they do nothing to save anything. It is plain dumb to have only big vehicles in your fleet when gas is at prices that eat a years worth of funding in a matter of weeks. It is time for the gods downtown to realize where their money comes from. It really doesn't grow on trees, it comes out of us peasants pockets. And I for one am damn tired of the wasting.

Need a Drink? Come to "Dry" Lubbock

2008-07-13T07:09:00.000-07:00

The city council has discussed zoning and locations for package alcohol sales. Todd Klein led the charge, and was supported by all but two council members, Diva Deleon and Priceless Floyd. It would seem that these two would want liquor stores in their districts for the economic impact and the fact a large part of voters in their districts drink beer, wine and liquor. But not these two rocket scientists. They have decided that old water mains are the top priority right now, never mind the fact the mains have been old and worn out for years. Never mind the fact that the councils vote can't approve alcohol sales, only a petition with a certain number of registered, valid voters can lead to an election. Never mind the fact that a majority of Lubbock citizens and voters drink in our "dry" city. Lubbock has been called the second largest dry city in the USA, only behind Salt Lake City, Utah. This isn't correct. Lubbock is NOT a dry city. Ask any college student. We have bars all over town. If you eat at a nice establishment, chances are you can order a drink. Yet the gang of two doesn't seem to realize these facts. Wolfforth, Slaton, and Abernathy all have approved and allow package alcohol sales and it didn't shipwreck these small towns. The strip has served Lubbock well for many years, but it is time for Lubbock to come into the 21st century and allow packaged alcohol sales in the city limits. Just because Lubbock has a church on ever corner doesn't mean we can't have beer in convenience stores next to them.

Beane and Price Win Seats on Council

2008-06-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

The election runoff was a runaway for Old Man Paul Beane, as he defeated Jerry Bell in a landslide. Incumbent Floyd Price edged out challenger Armando "I gave it my Best" Gonzales by only 108 votes. Now that the dust has settled, it is time for the elected officials to get to work. Mayor Tom, Old Man Beane and the rest needs to do the bidding of Lubbock citizens and get our city back on track. Priceless Floyd needs to realize half the voters in his district didn't want him re-elected, and his "win"isn't very impressive. He struggled to beat an inexperienced, unknown political newcomer. Priceless would be well served to reach out to Gonzales and his supporters, and ask for some input and direction. And the whole council needs to realize even though they are elected by districts, they represent Lubbock values, hopes, and dreams for all citizens and voters. A bad policy hurts all districts. Arrogance cripples any hope for compromise. The election is over and the battles have been fought and won. Now the future is open to bigger and better things for Lubbock. We have some new blood in city hall, alongside the incumbents. What that brings, only time will tell. But it can't be worse than our previous council.

Election Day is Coming Fast

2008-06-06T04:19:00.000-07:00

In 36 hours or so the bruising runoff election will be over, and the mud will settle down. Get out and vote for Old Man Paul Beane and Armando "I am not a crook" Gonzales. They both deserve voters support, and a seat at city hall. The two running against them have both ran dirty campaigns. Floyd has always been Priceless, now he has proven to be classless also. He can't promote his record of achievement because he hasn't done anything good of note. He can only run down Gonzales and sling mud. His imitator, Dumb Bell Jerry, has ran a duplicate campaign that had the same old tired accusations and lies. They seem like a broken record, spewing the same bullshit and hoping some of it sticks with voters. They both have brought out the fact Ted Parker has placed his money and support with Beane and Gonzales. This support and endorsement isn't illegal, unethical, or improper. Parker is a US citizen and can put his support in whichever campaigns he sees fit. He wouldn't support members of the city council who have helped sue him and his company, and you can't blame him for that. Yet those exact people do support Price and Bell and no one in the media has brought that out. The city council that was in power and started the FBI investigation all support the two mudslingers. Dave the dunce, Phony Phylis Jones, Diva Deleon, Leann Dumbalt, Anita Burgess are all involved with this mess and all support Priceless and Dumb Bell. Never once has Beane or Gonzales stated that these endorsements were someway improper or showed some conspiracy. They understand people are free to support and vote for whomever they choose. Beane and Gonzales understand the way elections happen. They both talked about facts, vision for our future, and getting things done for the citizens of Lubbock.They both ran upbeat and civil campaigns. They deserve to win their races. Tomorrow, vote for Paul Beane for district 4 and vote Armando Gonzales in district 2. These two men are needed to help get Lubbock back on track after the last bunch of morons drove us into the wasteland of bad politics. Lubbock needs leadership and Beane and Gonzales will bring that and more. They will bring fresh air and stability to a city hall that needs it.

Thanks Coach

2008-06-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

Lubbock baseball fields have had a fixture coaching on them for many years. From LCU to Texas Tech, coach Larry Hays has been around forever it seems. He won a national title with Lubbock Christian and enjoyed a very nice career at Tech. He always did things the right way and will be missed. Things will look different at Texas Tech next year with Bob Knight gone from the court side and Larry Hays gone from the dugout. I offer them both a big thanks for their time at the Big Red Spread. At least we still have the mad scientist, Mike Leach, roaming the sidelines.

Heat Wave Hits Hub City

2008-06-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

As June dawns in Lubbock, we are entering our summer season already sweating our asses off. The last 3 or 4 days have topped out near 100 degrees. Today will bring more of the same. Global warming? No, just good old West Texas summer time. We always go from cool to blistering hot in a matter of days. Then just reverse in the fall. Lubbock, as well as the rest of Texas, is hot in the summer. Real hot. Spend a day at Six Flags in Dallas, take a walk around the River Walk in San Antonio, step outside in Houston, or compete in the Buffalo Lakes Triathalon just outside of Lubbock. The heat will hit you. But I love the heat and can't stand cold weather. How people live up north is beyond me. Why live in the cold, snowy, land of frost? Texas heat makes one tough. Texas heat motivates outdoor activities. Texas heat makes one enjoy the invention of air conditioners. Sure, it's hot in other places too. But there is something special about Texas. From the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico, to the mountains of El Paso, from the Red River to the Rio Grande, it is June in Texas. The heat is building and will really explode in the coming days, weeks, and months. We Texans are ready. We love it here and wouldn't trade it for any other place on earth. Happy summer!

A Week before Election Day, Mud is in the Air

2008-05-31T04:08:00.000-07:00

As the runoff election nears, the mud begins to flow. Learning from Hussain Obama and Bill Clinton's wife, two Lubbock politicians are up to their necks in mud. Priceless Floyd and Dumb Bell Jerry have used every tactic learned from the Democratic duo. Lying, smearing, name calling, and distortions. Dumb Bell Jerry has bragged on his past ties to city hall, then without missing a beat he says he is a city hall outsider while accusing Old Man Beane of being tied to city hall. He has even gone one up on his hero Dave the dunce, saying Beane sent out an "illegal campaign add mailer". Dave the dunce only hinted at possible crimes by Mayor Martin. Dumb Bell has also said Beane is tied to the FBI raid on the city. Just because Beane took campaign money from Ted Parkers mom and lawyer doesn't make him a part of it. Dumb Bell says he isn't in with out going council woman Phylis Jones, even though she hand picked him, donated money, endorsed him, and was on the front row when he kicked off his muddy campaign. He tries to play both sides. Priceless Floyd has mud on his hands also. He has said of his own district that it is forgotten, blighted, neglected, crime ridden and under funded. Yet he has never introduced any bills that would help district 2. He has smeared Armando " recall" Gonzales, and misrepresented his record. He has asked how Gonzales can work beside Jaguar driving Diva Deleon after trying to recall her twice. I say the same way celebrities work with each other after a contract holdout, the way divorced parents work together for the sake of the children, the way people in lawsuits work with the other parties after the case is over. It is called being an adult, acting proper, being polite. Priceless can't understand this because the gang of 4 never worked well with others. He has also never understood how give and take works. He wants all the take without any give. Hopefully, next week will bring a change to city hall. It would be wonderful if Diva Deleon was the last rat on an already sunk ship. Priceless Floyd has worn out his welcome. Dumb Bell Jerry doesn't deserve a chance. Get out and vote, Lubbock needs Beane and Gonzales on our town council.

Things I Love About Lubbock

2008-05-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

Lubbock has some problems, and things here can get screwed up big time. But there are many great things in our city. Lubbock is home to Texas Tech University, the best school in Texas, if not the nation. The campus is beautiful and inviting. Walking around Tech gives one a relaxed, enjoyable tour of wonderful buildings, plants, trees, birds, rabbits, and people. Speaking of people, Lubbock has the most friendly around. Saying hello is as common as a West Texas dust storm blowing through. Holding doors open, waving to strangers as you pass on the road, saying please and thank you. Lubbock citizens live these things. We have wonderful sunrises and sunsets, a nice climate, and a great big blue sky that seem bigger than anywhere else. Lubbock has homegrown musical talent, actors, and athletes. When you start thinking of things that make Lubbock fun, the list keeps growing. Buffalo Lakes is loads of fun, from fishing to boating to swimming. Lubbock has tons of parks, swimming pools, and athletic fields. The Hub City boasts many fine dinning establishments, from steak to Texmex and everything in between. We have the biggest single floor shopping mall in Texas, along with plenty of other shopping. Lubbock has nightlife like the Depot District and the Cactus Theater. Touring Musicals, concerts, plays, circuses, the South Plains Fair. Football season brings Texas Tech games on Saturdays. High school teams provide a lead in on Friday nights. All this adds up to a great place to live, even if we have our problems. I complain about my hometown as much as anyone. But even I know how nice living in Lubbock is.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

2008-05-24T08:40:00.001-07:00

In Lubbock, elected officials, city leaders, and citizens live by the mantra out of sight, out of mind. Corruption in city hall? Out of sight, out of mind. A police department running wild? Out of sight, out of mind. Infrastructure falling apart? Out of sight, out of mind. This works well, don't you think? The city has many tough problems that need attention, yet we say out of sight, out of mind. The once mighty lake we drink from is now the size of a small duck pond. Without water, we are done for and yet we do nothing. Perhaps we can corner the bottled water market. Lubbock has some unsolved murders and missing women. Some cities would be in a state of fear. But we are just fine putting it out of our minds. If the police don't talk about crimes, then they didn't happen. So we are safe and secure not knowing we may have serial killers among us. Lubbock builds new super highways while letting our older roads fall apart. We have some pot holes that are big enough to hold our drinking water pond. We have some concrete crumbling and some traffic jumbling, yet we don't discuss it. We only brag on our 5 miles of new freeway to nowhere. When in doubt, just remember, out of sight, out of mind. While we are busy celebrating our 100th birthday, we put all the bad things away for now. Hell, who am I kidding. We put them away for good.

Rules for Driving in Lubbock

2008-05-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

As the summer driving season gets underway Lubbock will have some folks come to town who aren't up to date on our unique rules of driving. Here is a small guide to some of our rules. In Lubbock we have a special way of merging on and off freeways. When trying to get on the loop or Interstate, remember cars on already do not move over. At all. Ever. You must speed up and risk a ticket from the radar unit hid out, or slow down to a stop until traffic clears. The second option may take a good 20 minutes of your precious time here in Lubbock. If you are the one already on a freeway be sure to drive in the slow lane no matter what. We aren't sure what the other two lanes are for, but they must be some sort of evil entity. Don't let other drivers on the freeway either. In Lubbock we say do to others as they do to you. Another rule here in Lubbock is to always stop on top of the crosswalk if you are the first car at a red light. If you are second or further back, be sure to leave at least 3 car lengths in between you and other cars. That way we never have more than 4 cars make it through a light. Without this extra time you can't read all the stickers on the SUVs letting you know what sports the drivers children play. One more rule to learn is no matter where or when you see a police car, slow down at least 15 miles an hour. This will save you from running over others on the road because they will slow down at least 10 miles an hour. Even if the cop car is parked and empty. Even if the cop car is a security guard with flashing lights on top. Even if the cop car turns out to be a old lady car that resembles a cop car. They will still slow down. In most cities drivers use a left turn lane. It is used for left turns. In Lubbock we have replaced that old relic with the multi-use lane. It is still in the middle of the road, but doesn't have to be used in the same old boring ways. It can be used to merge right into traffic. It can be used to stop in while you text message on your phone. And in a bind it can be used to go around slower cars. It also can still be used to turn left. When traveling on major streets, always stop and let cars out of parking lots. Don't mind the brakes screaming or the horns honking as they most likely are in celebration for the freed driver. The red lights are set to never get a brake in traffic, so parking lot "hostages" can only escape when helped by others on the road. The busier the road, the more you are helping by stopping traffic. A side note here. When turning into a parking lot, don't turn in if there is another car in the drive. You can block traffic for them and also drivers here don't like to share a drive with others. We feel it is impolite to be in such close quarters unless you are properly introduced. Here in Lubbock we have an ordinance that states at least 40% of streets must be under construction at all times. Another 20% must have orange barrels and cones even though there isn't any construction being done. And 20% of roads must have water running down the gutter from faulty sprinklers. Keep these hazards in mind when rolling around the Hub City. If one doesn't get you, another one will. This is just a small list of the many odd and unique rules in Lubbock. While driving here you will see a lot of different styles and traditions. You can even start some of your own. You will have folks following your lead before you even realize it. For my legion of readers out there, be sure to leave any helpful tips in the comment section. Out -of- towners and new-comers will thank you.

FBI raids City Hall

2008-05-15T04:41:00.000-07:00

The FBI served a search warrant on Lubbock city hall yesterday. It has to do with bid rigging on the Ted Parker insurance case. One has to hope that some of our elected leaders will be proven to be crooks, since we all know that they are. This will become a big story unless Dave the dunce and buddies can sweep it under the table. They will try, but this may be to big. When the FBI gets involved with a case it is usually a slam dunk. Lubbock has had an out of control city government the last few years and this may be the tipping point. If arrest and convictions come from this search, it might be the best thing to happen in Lubbock for the freedom loving citizens in many years. As details come out I will keep you posted.

Runoff Election chance for more Housecleaning

2008-05-12T04:12:00.000-07:00

Dave the dunce has been shoved from office, Phony Phylis quit before being indicted, and Priceless Floyd is on the ropes. That only leaves Lying Linda free to keep being everything Lubbock doesn't need or want. At least Priceless Floyd has to face Armando "Remember South Beach" Gonzales in a June runoff, as do Paul Beane and Jerry "Dumb"Bell, a Phony Phylis Clone and Dave the dunce fan. Voters need to elect Gonzales and Beane to help bring back life, Liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Lubbock needs new members on the city council, and an end to the clown council we have had the last few years. With Dave the dunce and Phony Phylis gone, things are looking up. Think how much better it could still become with new blood in district 2 and new ideas in district 4. Vote June 7 and get Lubbock out of the dark ages once and for all.

Ding Dong the Dunce is Dead

2008-05-11T08:47:00.000-07:00

In the Wizard of Oz a house fell out of the sky and landed on a wicked witch. Yesterday in Lubbock, a city fell out of the sky and landed on a devious dunce. Voters killed Mayor Dave the dunce, taking back their freedom. This morning in Lubbock, the air smells better, the sky is brighter, the dogs are relaxing, and liberty loving people are celebrating. We cavemen are proud of our trophy. We came out into the sunlight and hunted down our prey. And now we display the fruits of our labor. Ex Mayor Dave the dunce. He is regulated to the trash bin of Lubbock history. Dave the dunce did not go gentle into the goodnight. No, he stayed his asshole self to the end. Always blaming the media for slanted stories, blaming citizens for being uneducated cavemen, blaming past city councils for his mistakes, and blaming voters for not realizing he is what Lubbock needs. Dave the dunce is arrogant, misinformed, and downright stupid. He made Lubbock a laughingstock nationwide. He made mistake after mistake, misspoke time and time again, and made a good decision not once. Will Dave the dunce ever come to the conclusion that he brought on his downfall? Most likely not. People like him never realize shortcomings in themselves, only passing blame onto everyone else. No matter what happens from here on, Dave the dunce is done. His head sits on top of a pole as a reminder that us cavemen will kill when push comes to shove. Lubbock is on a new path with a new man in charge. Only time will tell what that path holds for us. But for now it can't be worse than our past.

Goodbye Mayor Dave, You won't be missed

2008-04-30T04:26:00.000-07:00

Mayor Dave the dunce is up for re-election. I think us cavemen, as he calls us, will be saying bye bye once and for all to the worst mayor in the history of Lubbock. And when you are the worst in Lubbock, that is saying something because we have had some way out there leaders. Mayor Dave the dunce and his clown council are a disgrace to politics and an embaressment to Lubbock. When you talk of lawsuits to silence critics and you call taxpayers and voters names, it doesn't lead to election wins, or to bringing people together. Mayor Dave the dunce is to arrogant to care. He is mayor, dammit, and that makes him above us little people. He can't concern himself with our caveman mentality or the problems facing our city. He just needs smarter voters with more refinement. Lets solve two problems at once. When Mayor Dave the dunce gets trounced in the election, lets spend some economic developement money on shipping former Mayor Dave the dunce to Austin, where he should fit in with the high class crowd. He would have smarter and more enriched voters and Lubbock would be rid of the stench of pure crap known as David Miller.