Former Newton County DA found dead Friday

A former Newton County district attorney was found dead 5 p.m. Friday in Louisiana near a vacant building off U.S. 171.

A preliminary autopsy report shows Robert Choate died from a gunshot wound.

His body was found by the building's owner.

-snip-

Choate submitted his resignation to the governor's office Oct. 2 and officially left the office Oct. 31.

More at http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Former-Newton-County-DA-found-dead-Friday-4989373.php .

[font color=green]So much for retirement.[/font]

Ohio county judge apologizes for blackface costume

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (AP) — A county judge in southern Ohio who donned blackface for a Halloween party has apologized for the costume and met with a local NAACP leader about the issue.

Ross County Common Pleas Judge Scott Nusbaum was photographed at a party wearing dark makeup, a pink dress and a gray wig, the Chillicothe Gazette reported.

Local NAACP President Olie Burton, who met with Nusbaum on Friday, said the judge explained that he chose to dress as a servant while Nusbaum's wife dressed as Scarlett O'Hara from "Gone with the Wind."

Nusbaum told the Gazette (http://ohne.ws/1hMhqf1) he regrets the costume and called it thoughtless and insensitive.

More at http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Ohio-county-judge-apologizes-for-blackface-costume-4987412.php?cmpid=hpts .

[font color=green]Didn't he see the articles on Yahoo about what costumes not to wear for Halloween?[/font]

Cornyn files for re-election, says Republicans must be adults in the room

AUSTIN — U.S. Sen. John Cornyn preached the gospel of a big-tent GOP at a Friday rally for his re-election, saying Republicans must prove to voters that they can govern like “responsible adults.”

Cornyn has been bedeviled by some tea party activists who say he suffers in comparison to U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, who played a key role in the government shutdown as he urged an end to funding for the federal health care law.

The tactics championed by Cruz have divided Republicans, with some GOP leaders fearing a voter backlash.

Cornyn, joined by Gov. Rick Perry at a rally at Scholz Garten before filing his re-election paperwork, said the GOP must be the party of the late former president Ronald Reagan, who considered people allies if they agreed with him 80 percent of the time.

More at http://www.chron.com/news/local/article/Cornyn-files-for-re-election-says-Republicans-4986506.php?cmpid=hpbn .

[font color=green]Okay DUers, the thread title is a perfect setup...[/font]

EMTALA and our cruel health care system in Texas

There’s much that is being lost in the hyperventilating over the mistake-riddled roll out of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or ACA. But the discussion of our health care system comes down to a few simple things. Before this law was passed our health insurance system was a disaster. The ACA was not designed to “fix” our health insurance system. It’s a plan that is palatable enough for the health insurance corporations, and was therefore allowed to pass through our corrupt political system. And yes, Obama and the Democratic Party own it.

To show what a cruel disaster the former system was, and will continue to be in Texas – because of the decision not to expand Medicaid – please read this article, Texas’ Other Death Penalty, A Galveston medical student describes life and death in the so-called safety net. The description of how the emergency room law, Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), works is shocking and it’s despicable that we allow this to continue.

How Ken Anderson was released after only five days in jail

Former prosecutor Ken Anderson was released from jail today after serving just half of his 10-day sentence for contempt of court in connection with the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton. Anderson already had one day of credit for time served before he began his sentence Tuesday.

Information about why he was released today is not yet available.

District Judge Kelly Moore found Anderson in criminal contempt of court Nov. 8 for telling Morton’s trial judge in a 1987 pretrial hearing that he had no evidence favorable to Morton. Morton spent almost 25 years in prison after he was falsely convicted of the murder of his wife.

Kelly also ordered Anderson to pay a $500 fine and serve 500 hours of community service within five years.

More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/local/ken-anderson-released-from-williamson-county-jail/nbtKN/ .

Richardson High ‘dating expert’ gets schooled by students

Leticia Van de Putte Will Announce Lt. Governor Campaign on November 23rd

The slate of Democrats running for statewide office in 2014 is about to gain a very strong new candidate. State Senator Leticia Van de Putte will make known tomorrow that she will announce a run for Lt. Governor on Saturday, November 23rd. Sources close to the Senator told the Houston Chronicle that she will definitely run for the second-highest office in Texas. The Texas political world is abuzz.

Sen. Van de Putte, 58, has represented large parts of San Antonio and Bexar County in the Texas Legislature since 1990 (she was elected to the Senate from the House in 1999). She chairs the Senate Veterans Affairs & Military Installations Committee, has pushed ardently for increased education funding, and has fought ardently against human trafficking in Texas and the suppression of women.

As soon as Wendy Davis began considering a run for governor, Texas progressives have hoped Sen. Van de Putte would join her on the ticket. Now we know that a Governor Davis - Lieutenant Governor Van de Putte administration is possible. And what a possibility that is.

Sen. Van de Putte, who has worked as a pharmacist for 30 years, went to the University of Texas and then earned a Kellogg Fellowship Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. Van de Putte lives in San Antonio with her husband, Pete, of 32 years and has six children. The San Antonio Currant (sic) has a superb 2009 profile of her.

More at http://www.burntorangereport.com/diary/14365/leticia-van-de-putte-will-announce-lt-governor-campaign-on-november-23rd .

Van de Putte's profile on the SACurrent: http://www2.sacurrent.com/news/story.asp?id=69871

Pipeline explodes in North Texas; no injuries

MILFORD, Texas —

A Chevron gas pipeline has exploded in rural North Texas and the company asked local emergency personnel to evacuate a nearby town.

The Ellis County Sheriff's Office says the explosion occurred about 9:30 a.m. Thursday at a rig near Milford, about 40 miles south of Dallas. Chevron spokesman Justin Higgs says the accident involves a liquefied petroleum gas pipeline.

Flames could be seen shooting into the air and some vehicles at the worksite burned.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Jo Ann Livingston says authorities have not received any word of injuries.

More at http://www.statesman.com/ap/ap/energy/pipeline-explodes-in-north-texas-no-injuries/nbr9c/ .

[font color=green]Milford is located along I-35 about 20 miles north of West, Texas.[/font]

Bank of America building (in Dallas) relights its green profile Thursday

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The building that launched the downtown rush to nighttime color will again be outlined in green.

Mayor Mike Rawlings will lead the relighting ceremony Thursday night to mark completion of the most visible part of a $15 million renovation underway at the Bank of America building.

Though the ceremony will showcase the full color capabilities of the newly installed 9,000 feet of LED lighting, the building on most nights will display its signature solid green.

The lights also can be an array of red and blue and can flash and appear to move around the building’s periphery. That capability will be brought out for special events.

More at http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/park-cities/headlines/20131113-bank-of-america-building-relights-its-green-profile-tonight.ece .

World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day (WDD) is celebrated every year on November 14. The World Diabetes Day campaign is led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and its member associations. It engages millions of people worldwide in diabetes advocacy and awareness. World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by the International Diabetes Federation and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat that diabetes now poses. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2007 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public spotlight.

World Diabetes Day is a campaign that features a new theme chosen by the International Diabetes Federation each year to address issues facing the global diabetes community. While the themed campaigns last the whole year, the day itself is celebrated on November 14, to mark the birthday of Frederick Banting who, along with Charles Best, first conceived the idea which led to the discovery of insulin in 1922.

Diabetes Education and Prevention is the World Diabetes Day theme for the period 2009-2013.

Where is it celebrated?

World Diabetes Day is celebrated worldwide by the over 200 member associations of the International Diabetes Federation in more than 160 countries and territories, all Member States of the United Nations, as well as by other associations and organizations, companies, healthcare professionals and people living with diabetes and their families.

More at http://www.idf.org/worlddiabetesday/about .