Category Archives: Politics

Friday, March 23, 2018 – Weekend Events

Posted on March 23, 2018 | Leave a comment

Friday, March 23, 2018 – Weekend Events

I know. I was absent for two days. My bad.

The clock ran out on the Texas Aggie men’s team last night. It rained three pointers for Michigan all night long. Still proud of you Ags! But as usual, it is the women who will have to take control and BTHO Notre Dame.

What an exciting weekend we have awaiting us. It is the Sweet Sixteen for the women’s basketball teams. Still in are: Texas A&M, Baylor and THE University of Texas. Baylor plays Oregon State at 6 and The UT plays UCLA 8:00 tonight.

The Aggie women play ND tomorrow at 3:00 on ESPN. Dear God, about that stomach virus for the Irish, tonight would be a good time for it to sweep through the team. PS – Sister Jean loves the Aggies!

Because of the late game and because it is The Big Event in BCS, the March for Lives on campus does not begin until 5:00. Therefore Ms. Navasota and I will move our March for Our Lives protest to the courthouse square in Brenham. This time slot fits better for our food and drink schedule.

I am wondering what to write on my sign. Suggestions are most welcome. I still my flag shirt from 1969.

So HWIT – “I wore this shirt in 1969. I did NOT plan to wear it when I was 69 years old and having to do this crap again.”Marching on to other weekend events. Sunday is Palm Sunday marking the beginning Holy Week for Christians. With so many TV offerings, I hope the 60 Minutes Interview with the President El Dick Tator’s porn star mistress does not interfere evening church services or with Charlton Heston (former NRA President) and The Ten Commandments.

Happy Week End.

Praise the Lord and Pass the damn basketball!

BTHO ND!

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Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – Remember the Alamo and Remember to Vote

Posted on March 6, 2018 | 1 comment

Tuesday, March 6, 2018 – Remember the Alamo and Remember to Vote

Today is March 6. On this day in Texas history, the Alamo Mission fell into the hands of the Mexican Army. The Texians and their supporters were given no quarters and all put to the sword.

But we are Texans and we do not forget or give up.

Today is March 6. On this day in Texas, it is the March Primary. Please remember to vote. People have died for us to have this privilege.

It makes a difference even if you are out-numbered. Ask the defenders of the Alamo.

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Tuesday, February 23, 1836 – Texas History Told My Way

Posted on February 23, 2018 | Leave a comment

Tuesday, February 23, 1836 – Texas History Told My Way

On February 23, 1836 Mexican troops under General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna entered San Antonio de Bexar, Texas and surrounded the Alamo Mission.

Davy Crockett looked at Commander William B. Travis and said “We’re gonna a need a lot more men.”

General Santa Anna gave the people behind the mission’s walls one more chance to surrender. Travis opened fired. Santa Anna screamed “NO QUARTERS! This meant kill them all. He then ordered the bugler to play DeGuello – The Death Song. The fate of the Texans was sealed.

On February 24, Travis sent a plea requesting more troops. It was signed Victory or Death. The reinforcements never arrived.

Thirteen days later on March 6, the Alamo Mission would fall into the hands of the Mexican Army and “no quarters’ and DeGuello would enter into the history books. The soldiers defending The Alamo achieved victory through death.

General Santa Anna then proceeded to employ military tactics and strategies so bad that even I can see the flaws. For some inexplicable reason he moved north, rather than southeast and then slowed his army, taking his own sweet time while chasing General Sam Houston. His map app must have really been bad.

Meanwhile, Sam Houston and all of the citizens of the town of Gonzalez were hauling ass south toward Harrisburg (Houston) toward the Gulf Coast.

As every Native Born Texas has imprinted on their brains at birth, we all know this story and how this story ends.

On April 21, 1836, the Texas Army, led by General Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna’s Mexican Army. The Battle of San Jacinto is considered one of the most important battles that changed the history of the world. Make sure you read that sentence. It changed the history of the WORLD.

Texas achieved its independence from Mexico and formed the free and independent Republic of Texas.

And now, the thought question you have not been waiting for.

Why did the Mexican territory of Texas want its independence from the Republic of Mexico in the first place?

  • White United States settlers were immigrating to the territory in record numbers.
  • The large numbers of immigrating white settlers were bringing their slaves with them.

The Republic of Mexico abolished slavery in 1829. Therefore, the white people were coming to Mexico illegally and committing the crime of owning slaves.

Don’t you just love historical irony?

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Thursday, February 22, 2018 – Back to the Future with a Gun in my Classroom

Posted on February 22, 2018 | Leave a comment

Thursday, February 22, 2018 – Back to the Future with a Gun in my Classroom

A reminder: The purpose of Here’s What I’m Thinking is to make you smile and/or think.

You know the rules: If I know you or have known you in the past I will write about you.

Today’s post is for all of us from J. L. McCullough High School from 1976-1980 and for every person that has ever been involved with the administration of a school building.

Think back to the hallowed plaid halls of J.L. McCullough High School. Go get your Claymores and open to the faculty/staff section. Now picture any of those teachers/staff being armed with a gun.

HWIT – Rickie Tickie Tavy Baker would have shot herself in the foot putting her gun in the closet.

Dr.Sellers, you probably would have done the same thing. Good thing you became a real doctor.

Little Betty Sunshine would probably have fired her weapon just because. I’m sure it was German made.

Andrew could have shot Jamie (RIP) instead of stapling him to his desk. Andrew didn’t know the stapler was loaded.

I wonder how this incident would go down today

L. Salmons (RIP) shows up at my door across the hall. “Mr. Hayter is in the boys’ bathroom getting M. Brown’s grade book out of the toilet. I need you or Ms. P. to go to the girls’ bathroom and get his toupee out of the toilet.” Me: Where is Mr. Brown? Larry: I don’t know. One of his students came and got me.”

I am trying to picture what kind of weapon Ms. Rothrock would carry. Something cool like she is, I’m sure. I am having difficulty imaging what Mrs. Pressler (RIP) would carry. Hopefully only a small derringer.

I can picture Jesse Harwell (RIP) packing and being cool like the Roy Rogers look alike that he was. Karl Satorie – so sorry, cannot get passed the lime green leisure suit and white patent leather shoes, but the outfit was popular at the time.

I am certain there were days when Trina R. (RIP) and I could shot more than evil eyes at each other. Sidebar: As opposite as Trina and I were, I think I was a better educator because of her.

And an all-time favorite. How did you and Ms. P meet? Me: Mark S. was put into my class because he threatened to kill her so I went to see who she was. (Sidebar: recent update – Mark is a fine, responsible, upstanding citizen. It was Ms. P who actually saw him.)

What if an individual was accidently shot? The lawsuits could bankrupt not only the teacher’s family; they could bankrupt a small to medium size school district.

Education. Guns. This is a complex social problem that will require complex social solutions on the part of all of the social institutions. Arming faculty and staff in the K-12 environment is not one of them.

As educators we are prepared to teach your children to learn and to be responsible, upstanding citizens. We are not prepared to induce additional stress on them or on ourselves.

Here’s what I’m thinking. I WILL NEVER CARRY A GUN INTO CLASSROOM! And I don’t think any educator should either.

 

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018 – Texas Is Now Open, but Not Houston

Posted on January 17, 2018 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 – Texas Is Now Open, but Not Houston

Good Morning Blogosphere! The Divine Miss Peach and radio station HWIT with your mid-morning weather, news and sports.

After the Great Texas Blizzard of 2018, really named Inga, the state of Texas opened last night. But the Houston area most impacted by Hurricane Harvey last August remains closed today.

Geographic regions missing the Great Global Warming snow and ice storm, included, but were not limited to the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex and my house. Nevertheless, the air temperature was in single digits. Current temperature in the sunny Brazos Valley is 25 degrees, but feels like 17.

Houston should reopen completely tomorrow pending a meteor attack or outer space alien invasion. Or maybe just falling into the Gulf of Mexico making Montgomery County home to Texas beaches.

Now to our educational portion of the show with Dr. Verbose. Dr. Verbose? What’s the word?

Today’s word is Paralipsis. It is a noun. It is the ability to say two contradicting things at the same time. Rhetoric, as in the suggestion, by deliberately concise treatment of a topic, that much of significance is being omitted, as in “not to mention other faults.”

Un Named DJ – Somewhat like in the song “You’re the original liar’s paradox,”

Dr. V. – Yes. And as Robert Earle Keene continues to sing “…You’ll have to Google that.”

Un Named D J – Can you use the word in a sentence for us?

Dr. V. – Yes. I am going to use my paralipsis to kiss you good-by now.

Thank you, Dr. Verbose. Now here with sports is Hasbeen Jockson.

The Texas Aggie men’s basketball team and the fans in Reed Arena last night almost needed CPR for a third time when the Ole Miss three point attempt at the buzzer bounced for an eternity on the rim of the basket before bouncing out giving the Aggies their first SEC victory. Many of those in attendance momentarily fainted. This number did not include the A&M basketball team and coaching staff.

In women’s basketball, the only thing better than Geno Auriemma and the UConn women’s’ basketball team stuck in Austin due to ice would have been them stuck in Austin watching a Longhorn victory replayed on the LHN. So close Horns. It has been a long time since we saw Geno sweating. You will Hook “Em in March!

Thank you, Hasbeen. Before I leave, let’s take a quick look at the Community Calendar. Don’t forget the Fat Tuesday fish fry and polka contest at St.Oltorf’s on February 13.

That’s right Lenters and those religions that descended from the original Kneelers. Ash Wednesday falls on February 14 – St. Valentine’s Day. Fast on Wednesday and fish on Friday until Easter. While I certainly cannot not speak for Pope Francis, but I do think he would want us to retain our energy levels while fasting that day. Nothing provides a good energy boost than a box of Valentine’s chocolates or chocolate covered strawberries.

This year in honor of the Olympics, I am giving up speed skating.

Que up theme song. Note to self – get a theme song. Thanks for listening today and every day. Our program is brought to you by The Tuna Fish Restaurant featuring the Tuna Fish Jazz Orchestra on Friday nights. Remember our motto: How do you tuna fish? With a tuning fork, of course.

Must work on theme song. Please leave song suggestions in space provided.

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Posted in college basketball, Education, humor, Native Texan, Politics, Texas Aggies

Monday, January 15, 2018 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday and The Lincoln Memorial

Posted on January 15, 2018 | Leave a comment

Monday, January 15, 2018 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

“… Not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have a Dream” Speech. August 28, 1963.

This is probably the best photograph I have taken up to this point in my life. It was take on June 2012.

It is copyrighted, so do not take it call it yours and hang it on the wall. If there are any lawyers left who are not suing somebody in the government, then I will sue you for copyright violation.

It is the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. The Lincoln memorial was dedicated by President Warren G. Harding in 1922. Talk about some presidential scandals during a president’s administration.

Robert Todd Lincoln, age 78, and Lincoln’s only surviving son attended the dedication. Three of four sons and a husband dead before their time and you wonder why Mary Todd was depressed.

The 36 columns represent the states of the Union at the time of Lincoln’s death; the 48 stone festoons above the columns represent the 48 states in 1922. I had to look up festoon; you can too.

Inside, each inscription is surmounted by a 60-by-12-foot (18.3 by 3.7 m) mural by Jules Guerin portraying principles seen as evident in Lincoln’s life: Freedom, Liberty, Immortality, Justice, and the Law on the south wall; Unity, Fraternity, and Charity on the north. Cypress trees, representing Eternity, are in the murals’ backgrounds. The murals’ paint incorporated kerosene and wax to protect the exposed artwork from fluctuations in temperature and moisture.[13]

The ceiling consists of bronze girders ornamented with laurel and oak leaves. Between these are panels of Alabama marble, saturated with paraffin to increase translucency. But feeling that the statue required even more light, Bacon and French designed metal slats for the ceiling to conceal floodlights, which could be modulated to supplement the natural light; this modification was installed in 1929. The one major alteration since was the addition of a handicapped elevator in the 1970s.

Freedom, Liberty, Immortality, Justice, Law, Unity, Fraternity, and Charity are just a few of the words one sees or feels when standing before this sculpture.

Inscription above the sculpture – In this temple as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever. Photo by me – 2012

Many individuals have stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to continue to strive to achieve the words and symbols enshrined in this great memorial.

On this day and for each tomorrow, we stand together and continue to live and die for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, that all are created equal and we can live in a country where we are free to express our views without fears of repercussions.

Let us continue to dream that it will be the content of our character and not the color or shape of our skin that unites us.

Happy Birthday, Dr. King.

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Monday, January 8, 2018 – It’s My New Year and I’ll Start When I Want To

Posted on January 8, 2018 | 1 comment

Monday, January 8, 2018 – It’s My New Year and I’ll Start When I Want To

Paraphrasing the Doo Wop Queen, Leslie Gore –

It’s my New Year and I’ll start when I want to; start when I want to; You can start too, when it happens to you.

I apologize for only one post last week. It was 22 degrees at two o’clock in the afternoon in Texas. Note: We Native Born Texans think 40 degrees warrants a coat, gloves, hats and boots. I was comfortable in a Lazy-Boy, under a heated blanket, with a good book and a fur baby curled up asleep in my lap. You would not have moved either. In fact, most of you that I was texting were not moving.

So what is happening that we might have missed? Tonight is the biggest night in college football. When the clock reads 00.00 at the end, I will already be counting the days until Saturday, September 1 when the Texas Aggies kickoff against Northwestern State. I will make Natchitoches meat pies to tailgate. Not looking ahead by any means, but Clemson is coming to Kyle Field the next weekend.

Meanwhile, ROLL TIDE.

I do wish the POTUS was not attending the game. Regardless of one’s thoughts regarding the President, one must admit he is a lightning rod. I wish the game would not become a political football. I just want to watch people have a good time and watch young people trying to make the world a better place.

Speaking of the future and the 2020 POTUS let us all just calm down about Oprah’s 2020 presidency. Let us first focus on 2018. As we hopefully have learned, “One great speech does not a president make.”

Nevertheless, here’s what I’m thinking regarding Oprah Winfrey’s Golden Globe speech as she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. It was uplifting to hear words of hope and promise and delivered with thought and conviction. It was refreshing to hear an articulate, well-spoken individual give a sincere and dignified speech without bombastic naming calling of institutions and individuals.

It is a brand new year. I am ready for my close up, Mr. DeMille because Time’s Up!

Let me just end with one of my favorite sayings from one of my favorite people, Ms. Odessia Ross.

Years after Odessia and I graduated from Magnolia High School in 1967 we were talking one day. We shared five college degrees between us and countless certificates. I remember making a statement that I in 1967 really wanted to be a medical doctor, but there were no women out there beating down the doors.”

Odessia replied, “D, Black girls did not even know there were doors out there.”

New Year. New Day.

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Posted on December 30, 2017 | Leave a comment

Saturday, December 30, 2017 – The Last Saturday of the Year.

It is the last Saturday in the year 2017. Tomorrow begins the countdown to a New Year beginning with the month of January. This begins the month of celebration for those of us fortunate to be born in the month named allegedly after the Roman god Janus.

In ancient Roman religion and myth, Janus is the god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, and endings. He is usually depicted as having two faces, since he looks to the future and to the past.

Janus presided over the beginning and ending of conflict, and hence war and peace. The doors of his temple were open in time of war, and closed to mark the peace.

New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection and contemplations. Being a Capricorn born in January I am very good at looking backwards (history nerd) and envisioning the future (educator).

Thank you to all of you who follow Here’s What I’m Thinking. One of the things I will be reflecting upon tomorrow is “why?” I do hope it makes you smile/laugh and/or think.

So HWIT on this last Saturday of 2017. Here’s to US as in all of us and the United States of America. For the year 2018, let us smoothly pass through new beginnings, doorways and passages to achieve the sacrifices that freedom and justice demand.

Conroe, Texas. Photo by me.

Stay warm. Stay safe. Be sure to cover your petunia. See you next year.

But two items before I sign off: 1. Baker Mayfield – in today’s interview, you look like an old fashioned Oklahoma cow paddy. Hope you got the grit to do in The Dawgs.

  1. ROLL TIDE!

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Posted in Alabama, Coach Nick Saban, College Football, Education, humor, Native Texan, Politics

Monday, December 04, 2017 – The Game of Bowls and The Coaching Game of Thrones

Posted on December 4, 2017 | 1 comment

Monday, December 04, 2017 – The Game of Bowls and The Coaching Game of Thrones

I see this morning that the ESPN site has a guide to the upcoming college bowl games. Here’s what I’m thinking – Here is my guide to the upcoming college football bowl games.

From ESPN “For the first time since 2014 there were more bowl-eligible football teams than spots to compete this year.”

Me: That is because the bowl standards are too low; there are too many unqualified teams, there are too many bowl games, but it makes money for all involved.

You may divide your bowl games as you wish. I have divided my bowl games into the following categories:

  • The No Count Bowls,
  • The Never Heard of Before Bowls,
  • The No One Cares unless you or your child and money go there Bowls,
  • The Advertising and T-shirt Sales Bowls,
  • The SEC Bowl,
  • The Last Aggie Bowl Game before the Jimbo Era and of course
  • The Big Playoff Bowls.

This listing is incomplete, but I will update as we approach the days.

Noon on ABC on Dec. 16 – The Celebration Bowl – North Carolina A&T vs Grambling. I hope they show halftime and the Grambling Band. That is always something to celebrate.

1:00 on ESPN – The R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl with Troy and North Texas. What is this? R+L = X? The Algebra Bowl? Still it is in NOLA, so who cares?

The AutoNation Cure Bowl – Western Kentucky vs Georgia State at 2:30 CBSSN. From Orlando. Oh my, the Cure of the Nation is left up to these two teams and these states?

The Las Vegas Bowl – No. 25 Boise State vs. Oregon 3:30 on ABC. Thank goodness it is not on that seizure causing Boise State blue football field. I would bet $50 those Oregon yellow highlighters against the field would make me throw up.

The GILDAN New Mexico Bowl –Marshall versus Colorado State 4:30 ESPN. Never heard GILDON?

Raycom Media Camellia Bowl – Middle Tennessee vs Arkansas State ESPN. Might be fun.

The Goodyear Cotton Bowl has No. 8 USC vs No. 5 THE Ohio State. I call this one The Consolation Bowl Game or The Get Over It Ohio State and play better schedules Bowl.

The Play Station Fiesta Bowl has No. 11 Washington vs No. 9 Penn State on Dec 30 at 4:00 on ESPN. Why don’t you just do this one on a Play Station and we can all play? We can call it The Play Station Fan Interactive Bowl.

The Chick-fil-A-Peach Bowl with No. 12 UCF vs No. 7 Auburn. My cat, Peach, insists on watching this one, but she knows better than to purr for Auburn.

The Capitol One Orange Bowl – No.10 Miami vs No. 6 Wisconsin. What’s in Your Wallet? On Wisconsin!

TaxSlayer Bowl: Louisville 23 vs Mississippi State on Dec 30 on ESPN at noon. These two teams and states are now in charge of the new tax bill?

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has Iowa State vs 20 Memphis Dec 30 at 12:30 on ABC. Yuk.

The Outback Bowl has Michigan vs South Carolina. I would rather go eat at Outback than watch.

The Citrus Bowl finds No. 17 LSU vs No. 14 Notre Dame on New Year’s Day on ABC. One of my most favs and one of my least favs. Bless me Father for I have sinned, but LSU is going to win.

The Camping World Bowl has No. 22 Virginia Tech vs No. 19 Oklahoma State. Does one have to camp out? If the Mountaineers win, will they burn the couches at their campsites?

The Valero Alamo Bowl in beautiful San Antonio has Stanford vs TCU at 9:00 ESPN. A fun city to have a bowl game regardless of who plays. This should be called The Tree Frog Bowl. Think about it!

The San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl has No. 18 Washington State vs Michigan State. Go Leach!

The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl on Dec 27 has Florida State vs Southern Mississippi. The WALK ON BOWL? Can I play?

The Arizona Bowl New Mexico State Utah State on Dec 29. Oh boy! The Utes!

The Texas Bowl – THE University of Texas and Missouri. Really? You know the Aggies (and most any other team) would have brought a bigger crowd to Houston!

Again from ESPN: On Dec 29 “the former FSU Coach, Jimbo Fisher, will lead his new team, Texas A&M against Wake Forest in the Belk bowl.”

  1. What the Hell is the Belk Bowl?
  2. WAKE FOREST?
  3. Jimbo’s coaching???
  4. He does look good in a maroon blazer!
  5. Why did he come to the SEC? Watch out, Saban. The Aggies are coming and We Are Fearless!

Will those be the years of Championships????

I know I have left out some teams and bowl games, but the ESPN app crashed so I’m done for today except for the big Bowls.

5:00 on ESPN – The Rose Bowl – No. 3 Georgia and No.2 Oklahoma. I love a parade. Going to The Rose Bowl Parade is on my bucket list. As much as it pains me: Boomer Sooners!

8:45 on ESPN – The Sugar Bowl – No.4 Alabama v # 1 Clemson. These two and their fans in Nawlins!!! How fun is this? ROLL TIDE.

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Posted in Alabama, Coach Nick Saban, College Football, college football, Education, humor, Jimbo Fisher, LSU, Native Texan, Politics, Texas Aggies

Monday, November 6, 2017 – The Missing Monday After Saturday College Football Awards

Posted on November 7, 2017 | Leave a comment

Monday, November 6, 2017 – The Missing Monday After Saturday College Football Awards

Full Moon, Time Change, Crazy People, Please Go Vote and pretend it is yesterday. Even though it is Tuesday, November 7.

Today’s program is sponsored by 12th Man Moving and a real estate agent in College Station, Texas.

The Fickle Finger of Football Fate Award goes to teams with State in their name. Oklahoma State, Ohio State, Penn State, NC State, Iowa State all lost. With the exceptions Mississippi State and Michigan State, it was a dismal weekend if State was in your name.

You also receive the Slip Sliding Away Award for sliding down the ranks bringing mid-level bowl offers.

The One in a Row Award goes to Baylor for its victory over Kansas in the Battle for Big 12 Conference Last Place. Kansas, I am giving you an Ugly Uniform Award. That was way too much bright red and bright blue. You looked like a United States map on election night.

THE University of Texas wins the Purple Reign Award losing to TCU.

Speaking of Purple Reign in Lubbock Texas Tech loses to Kansas State in OT.

The Tide rolled through LSU as they get ready for some big time football with Georgia and Auburn on the horizon. Love you, Jalen. Do you Bama Fans realize the Iron Bowl QBs are both from Texas?

And now good news and bad news from The Land of Perennial Football Disappointments, College Station, Texas.

First the bad news – The Texas Aggie football team still has three football games left to play. New Mexico, Ole Miss, and LSU. The Aggies must win one to become eligible for a bowl game no one has ever heard of nor cares about. HWIT, How about Texas A&M and Texas Tech in The Hot Seat Bowl sponsored by Mayflower Moving Company? Bret Bielema from Arkansas can call the game because he’ll probably be out of work too.

More bad news – Sumlin’s contract buy out is $10 million. I feel confident that a GoFundMe page will not be necessary. Pretty sure the big maroon checkbooks have already put the money in the bank.

Now the good news. The Texas A&M Women’s Soccer Team won the SEC Tournament.

Further good news; tip off for Texas Aggie Women’s Basketball was last night.

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Posted in Alabama, Coach Kevin Sumlin, college basketball, College Football, college football, Education, humor, LSU, Native Texan, Politics, Texas Aggies