gangrene

Unfortunately, but quite frankly, SMU showed much more improvement throughout the 2008 season than we did. I think SMU has a good chance to start off the 2009 season with a 4-0 record. I hope I'm wrong, but a full season and spring training under the new system, coupled with a very favorable schedule leads me to believe that the upcoming season will bring wet dreams of the 80s back to the SMU fans.

Leach disappointed for Harrell, Crabtree I can't stand Coach Leach...he's such an arrogant, self-absorbed bastard...a diva by his own definition.

Graham Harrel to the Cowboys?

Well, we know we wouldn't have any trouble getting Dubbya to toss out the first volleyball! I'll go ahead and volunteer to recruit Brazil, since my visa is still valid.

Haven't been to Korea or Thailand yet, but I have spent a fair amount of time in the Philippines, Hong Kong and Japan. The best food I found in the Philippines was lechon (think roast pig ala Hawaiian luau) although I've had far more interesting food adventures like the aforementioned beetles, balut and chicken intestines on a stick...bought from a street vendor. But, since the main subject of this thread pertains to hot dogs, I've had those in Asia too. They leave much to be desired: Ok, ok...I'm just joking. The only pictures I could find are of mini hot dogs, but they should illustrate my point (that being how red they look compared to American hot dogs): Oh, and good luck finding mustard. Some of the larger grocery stores have it but ketchup is the preferred hot dog condiment.

Where in Asia? I have spent quite a bit of time there myself and, like you, am not deterred by eating spare parts that would make most cringe. Ever had balut or fried beetles? I think I even had a dog burger, but I could neither confirm nor deny that...I am quite sure it wasn't your typical ground beef of the bovine variety.

Maybe we (UNT) should start the process now by asking to join potential conference mates facebook pages?

I tried these buffalo hot dogs for the first time last year and they are, quite frankly, AWESOME!! Best hot dog I've ever had. And they are also healthier than beef, pork or chicken: Health benefits of eating bison

Agreed. Also agreed. If we are following the sequential pattern; we won 2 games in '07, 1 game in '08...one would conclude that we will win zero games in '09. Now, luckily, our football team isn't confined to the laws of sequential mathematical sequences. I was just stating that my expectations for this season are significantly lower than they have been at any point that I can recall. While three wins would equate to a 300% YOY increase in the wins column, it will not impress me unless one of those wins is against Alabama...in which case, Hell will have frozen over. If we win six games in '09, that's a 600% YOY increase and .500 season...again, IMHO, Hell will have frozen over. But, in that case, I'll be there cheering on the Mean Green in my warmest parka (otherwise, I'll just be there in short sleeves ) I'll not smile or be satisfied with 3 or 4 wins either, but I prefer to go into this season with much lower expectations and then be pleasantly surprised if those expectations are exceeded. At the same time, Todd Dodge's future as head coach of the Mean Green beyond the 2009 season is in serious question IMO. I believe he should be on the top 5 of all pre-season "Coaches on the Hot Seat" polls.

Let's concentrate on winning 3 games in the same season first...I'll gladly answer those other questions when/if hell freezes over.

I don't know if this has changed since the mid-90s but the NTDaily got a good portion of it's advertising sales from Journalism-major students in the Advertising sequence. The Advertising Sales course required students to solicit advertising from local Denton businesses and then later included regional and national advertisers. Grades were directly determined by meeting a specific sales quota. It SUCKED!!!! I know from personal experience. I recall a few managers/owners of local Denton businesses would literally run and hide when you announced your affiliation with the NTDaily.

I guess that helps him stay focused?

Since I was unable to attend the spring game, can someone please explain what was going on in this photo?

Count me out. I was planning to go and even had my 2 year old working to persuade her mother...then I was informed that we have a birthday party for another 2 year old to attend...starts at 3PM.

You left out the two-hour coffee break at the donut shop!! Of course, I'm just kidding.

I also saw an ad for a UNT police officer (with a starting salary of up to $52K+) in the Dallas Morning News the other day.

LOL, I hope the suspect was either a person on a bicycle or an old person with his hearing aid turned off. Of course. I was viewing the two terms, chase and flee, as being related. How can you "chase" someone if they are not "fleeing" and how can someone be fleeing if they are not being chased? Powell stated that he was not involved in a chase during his traffic stop with Moats, therefore Moats could not have been fleeing. You can't have one without the other can you? Again, I think the details are within the definitions of the terms as the Dallas PD and/or Texas state law defines them. I also think any good attorney could have had any charges of evading arrest or fleeing dropped, based on the comments of Powell and the fact that only 20 seconds had elapsed from the time Powell turned his lights on until the time Moats stopped his vehicle.

Yes, he made it perfectly clear what he could do. But that last statement doesn't make any sense to me. If he didn't reach unsafe speeds to flee from the officer, how could he be arrested for fleeing? I'm guessing you're getting technical with the police definitions of the terms, in which case, I think I understand what you are saying. However, Powell stated that the previous "chase" he was involved in didn't reach speeds higher than 30-40 MPH...which would seem to contradict your statements. I'm just reporting what I read in today's DMN...not saying I agree/disagree with it. Here's the story in which Kunkle said, "It appears, what he said, to have been contrary to our pursuit policy," Kunkle said, "to where he may have lied about the circumstances under which the pursuit began." Kunkle said the internal investigation against Powell will focus on conduct reflecting poorly on the department, as well as making unwarranted threats of arrest. Powell also faces investigation for comments he made to another officer after the incident ended – while the video camera was still rolling. He said he "worded" a report in such a way as to justify a January police chase. The chief said any one of the charges could lead to dismissal. Say what you want about Kunkle but he IS the Chief of Police for DPD, which makes him Powell's boss and ultimately accountable for the actions of the entire Dallas PD. I'd just like to say that it's great to be able to have these type of non UNT and non sports debates with my fellow Mean Green brethren.

Wrong. He incorrectly notified dispatch that he was not in a chase (because that is against DPD pursuit policy) and later told Moats that he could arrest him for fleeing...which, makes it obvious to me he felt he was involved in a chase. He is also being investigated for comments he made to the Plano officer regarding his deliberate mis-wording of an investigation report to justify a police chase in January. And, last but not least, he made "unwarranted threats of arrest" according to Chief Kunkle, who also suggested that the dashcam video will be utilized in the police academy's training curriculum.

Yes, and Moats even told Powell that he had hazard/emergency lights on, to which Powell replied, "That doesn't matter (with an added sarcastic little laugh). This is not an emergency vehicle and you do not have the right to control the traffic. You do not have that right." I would have thought and done the exact same thing as Moats...in fact, I did do that when my wife was in labor and I was driving 90 MPH on LBJ, with my hazards on, to get her to that hospital. My hazards worked effectively to help notify traffic that I had some sort of emergency and they quickly moved out of my way. But, I guess I risked the possibility of suffering the same fate as Moats since I was not in an "emergency vehicle".

I never pull over until I find a "safe" place to do so - for both my safety and the safety of the officer. I've never had to explain my reasoning for not pulling over immediately but I've also never had to look for very long to find an empty parking lot or place to do so. I've seen people stop in the HOV lane, left turn lanes, etc...lots of places that could put themselves in danger because other drivers would not expect to see a parked car there. Most policemen with common sense would understand and appreciate that. IMO Powell's threat to give Moats a ticket for being illegally parked was just more of his power trip to (what was it he said?) "screw you over" and "make your night very difficult" to make Moats understand "what he can do (according to Texas state law) do. Ok, I just watched this video again....I'm pissed off again...but I have more new questions. When Powell called the hospital, the nurse explained to Powell that Ryan Moats was needed in ICU to sign the paperwork to resuscitate his mother-in-law. I'm not sure why he was the one that was needed to sign the paperwork (and the fact that anyone is required to sign paperwork to revive someone from death is an entirely different issue), but the nurse clearly stated that Ryan Moats was needed for that purpose and, yet, Powell continued with his warrant checking/ticket writing for another 10 minutes. This guy is a real embarrassment to the DPD, to hear him boast to the Plano officer about being in a chase and lecture Moats on his attitude... His IQ has to be way down there. Does DPD still require recruits to have completed 40+ hours of college at a minimum GPA? If so, maybe they need to raise that requirement just a bit or require 20 hours of common sense training. Someone made a comment about whether this was news simply because Moats is an NFL player. I think that was a big factor, but I also think it would have made news because the patient died while Moats was being detained. If it hadn't been Moats, I think the emotional factor would have been enough to make this the public spectacle it has become...provided the right person at a news station was contacted with the details. I came across another fine example of policing without common sense, this time in Boston. While the Moats story is bad, this one is equally as bad: Woman in Labor receives ticket 12/04/2008 All too often, the congested roads of Greater Boston conspire with the vagaries of childbirth to leave a mother-to-be in a car on the roadside at one of life's most critical moments. A hard-bitten state trooper shows up and morphs into a highway midwife, clearing the newborn's nose and mouth, cutting the cord, and sometimes even saving a life. This is not one of those stories. Jennifer Davis was stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic on Nov. 18, her contractions just 3 minutes apart. Her husband, John, was trying to appear calm for his wife's sake, driving in the breakdown lane of Route 2. They pulled up behind a state trooper to ask whether they could continue using the lane to reach the next exit, near Alewife Station. Not only did the trooper say no, he gave them a $100 citation for driving in the breakdown lane, made them wait for their citation while he finished writing someone else's ticket, and even seemed to ask for proof of pregnancy, Jennifer Davis said. "He said, 'What's under your jacket?' I said, 'My belly,' " Davis said. "He waited and gestured with his head like, 'OK, let's see it.' He waited for me to unzip my jacket. I mean, it was so clear that I was pregnant." The Davises say the contretemps occurred after two other troopers they encountered had waved them along in the highway breakdown lane, allowing them to evade gridlock while advising them to be cautious and keep their hazard lights on. While State Police spokesman David Procopio declined to comment on the merits of this stop, he noted that state law prohibits driving in breakdown lanes on Route 2. "The trooper made a judgment call to enforce the law governing the use of the breakdown lane," said Procopio. "If the couple does choose to submit a letter of complaint, we'll review it in accordance with our procedure." The officer who gave the citation - Trooper Michael Galluccio of the Brighton barracks, according to his identification number - could not immediately be reached for comment. Though the Davises live about 30 miles away in Dracut, Jennifer Davis, 38, wanted to have her baby at Mount Auburn, where she had also given birth to her 7-year-old son, Brendan. "For 10 months we had been saying, 'As long as I don't go into labor during rush hour' - which we did," said Davis, a social worker for a visiting nurse group affiliated with the hospital. They left for Cambridge after dropping Brendan off at school. Her contractions were about 5 minutes apart. But the roads were so clogged that John Davis began using the breakdown lane. Davis - whose driving record has six speeding violations over the past 20 years, according to the state Registry of Motor Vehicles - said he tried to get troopers' permission to use the emergency lanes when they encountered them along their journey. On Route 3, he pulled over and told a trooper that his wife was in labor. The trooper said they could use the breakdown lane only when traffic was backed up and only while using their hazard lights. On Route 128, they got stopped by a second trooper who allowed them to continue in the breakdown lane after noticing the infant car seat in the back of their Honda Accord and the mother's condition. "I know people fabricate stories all the time," Jennifer Davis said, "but it was pretty clear that I was in labor." Once on Route 2, they pulled up behind the trooper who ultimately cited them, who was attending to a car in the emergency lane. He asked at least twice if they wanted an ambulance, but they declined, Jennifer Davis said. "I told him, 'My contractions are about 3 minutes apart. We just want to get off this exit.' We thought it would save us a little time." State Police policy discourages the use of police escorts for private vehicles, except in life-or-death situations, Procopio said. But for a misguided moment, when the trooper left their car to finish up with the other motorist, John Davis hoped that the officer would come back to help them through traffic. "Ironically, I was relieved to see the police. I thought, 'Oh cool, he'll help us,' " said John Davis. "He made it worse. He held us up." The citation cost them 5 or 10 agonizing minutes before the trooper handed them an envelope and told them they'd be getting something in the mail. The citation came this week. In hindsight, the couple believe the trooper was trying to save them time by mailing the citation, rather than making them wait while he wrote it up. Jennifer Davis was already deep into labor when they made it to the hospital, but it turns out they had time to spare. Charlotte Jane was born about five hours after their traffic stop, with a birth announcement that made the rounds of the maternity ward. Said Jennifer Davis, "Our story spread like wildfire." Stephanie Ebbert can be reached at ebbert@globe.com

Thanks for the response. That's basically what I figured but wasn't 100% sure.

I've been waiting for this story to surface on here too. I watched the full 16+ minutes of video feed DPD released this morning. I agree with Emmitt's explanation and I do understand the officer's initial reaction. HOWEVER, that reaction and the attitude should have been reversed the very minute an explanation was offered. He refused to listen (again, I understand he may have been a bit fearful with everyone exiting the vehicle) and he was going to let NOTHING prevent him from taking his time and asserting his authority (in my best Cartman voice). Instead of investigating the story of the dying mother-in-law further, he was intent on threatening Moats with further citations for illegal parking, driving without insurance and even threatened to tow the vehicle. Even when the Plano officer asked Powell if Moats could go (after the nurse verified the dire state of Ms. Collingsworth), he continued to take his time. And, while it may not have been Moats' mother, Officer Powell also prevented Moats' father-in-law, the father of the dying Ms. Collingsworth, from seeing his daughter alive one last time (as reported on KRLD and cbssports.com - he's the man in the blue t-shirt on the DPD video). I'm not a cop and I'm not a cop-hater. I've been pulled over for less than what Moats did and treated worse. However, I've also been very fortunate several times by being let off with warnings or less when I could have been in BIG trouble. I have actually driven off after being ticketed and been in a good mood because the officer was respectful, understanding and good natured. Powell got one thing correct - attitude is everything. Had he exhibited a better attitude and been more understanding he wouldn't be in the most embarrassing situation in his life. Emmitt - Can you explain to us what the policy is regarding extenuating circumstances like this? More specifically, could Powell have allowed Moats to enter the hospital and mailed the ticket(s) to him? Could he have accompanied him to the ICU? Could he have escorted him to the hospital (like he needed an escort on empty roads at 2AM)? And, last one, should he have been pursuing him in the first place, given the no-chase policy? Feel free to disregard any question you are not comfortable answering.

OK TFLF, I'm not saying I disagree with your assessment. However, I am also choosing not to form (and publish) an unwavering negative opinion of Riley before he has even had a legitimate chance to prove/disprove himself at this level. Oftentimes, what's written on paper doesn't translate to what takes place on the field. That is why we play the games. If you're correct in your opinion that Riley will not be able to overcome his size disadvantage, I'm sure we'll hear all about how you told us that would be the case. BUT, I hope you will also come on here and eat a bit of crow if Riley turns out to be as good as his high school resume.

Once you go green...