once upon a time, The Grateful Dead played Saint Stephen on "Playboy After Dark" ... there was dancing, too!

the year was 1969 ...

We commend Channel 11 in Houston

The media, as we know it, is in transition, but that's not to say that traditional media still can't deliver the bacon, so we'd like to point out that KHOU-TV, Channel 11 on your TV dial, has been recognized with an important investigative award.

Channel 11 was recognized for ferreting out some nastiness in the Texas National Guard.

Here's what the judges for the Investigative Reporters & Editors' contest said about it all:

No system can be more impenetrable for a team of reporters than the military "old boys" network, but that's exactly what reporter Mark Greenblatt and producers David Raziq and Chris Henao took on when they followed up on a tip to check out the "Vagisil Award" being given to women in the Texas National Guard. From that one tip, the team – which also included photographer/editor Keith Tomshe and graphic artist Robyn Hughes – found a system of misogynistic actions that went beyond humiliation. In some cases, female officers were being disciplined or even discharged despite exemplary service records. Data and documents gathered by the team showed a systematic refusal to consider women for top posts, and swift punishment for any who complained about the male power structure. In the end, this two-year investigation resulted in the Texas governor firing three top generals in the Texas National Guard and the state legislature changing the way it oversees Texas Guard operations.

We salute you Channel 11.

Mmmmm, b-a-c-o-n ...

Any port in a storm

Penguin Pro Evades Killer Whales - Watch more Funny Videos

TV anchorwoman takes a tumble on the set

But she's OK, reports McGuff

The anchorwoman, Melanie Lawson, is a helluva gal. She didn't hardly bat an eye and went on readin' the news after got herself up off the floor.

a movie about Bill Hicks, the late, great standup comedian, is coming out this summer

I saw Hicks once in Houston at the old Rockefeller's Club. He was great. I always had been an admirer and was saddened when he died from a horrible disease. I'll definitely be seeing this movie this summer.

quote/unquote ...

"The plan is to borrow money and let some bills go unpaid."
-- radio report March 10 about Illinois state government budget crisis

"Porto are caught offside! There you go, another example of the ridiculous misuse of an exclamation mark in the modern world."
-- Paul Doyle, Manchester Guardian, in the 28th minute of the minute by minute account online of Arsenal's 5-0 win over Porto, of Portugal, Tuesday, March 9.

"Anybody who has survived childhood has enough information about life to last him the rest of his days."
--- Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964)

"I probably couldn't play for me. I wouldn't like my attitude."
--- John Thompson, former Georgetown basketball coach

"I have another objection: and that is, it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the manner which I admit . . .had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of their children, or any of that class, and suffered and sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right, and every man in this Court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment."
--- last speech in court by John Brown, pictured, Nov. 2, 1859, before being sentenced to execution.

(Aggregated in St. Louis by Wilson.)

US-Sino relations, explained

quote/unquote ...

"I believe in great comebacks. Yes, I'm not ruling myself out as someone who is going to come back and be the guy I was before."
--- former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on the Fox Business Network

"The only time you really live fully is from 30 to 60. The young are slaves to dreams; the old servants of regrets. Only the middle aged have all their five senses and the keeping of their wits."
--- Theodore Roosevelt, who died at 61 (1858-1919)

"Not as bad as you might have imagined."
-- motto suggested for New Jersey by Calvin Trillin

"Let's have a hand for that young cowboy, and wish him better luck next time
And hope we see him up in Fargo, or somewhere farther down the line
This time he sure drew a bad one, One that nobody could ride
But by the way he pulled his hat on,
You knew he'd be there for the fight"
--- "Farther Down the Line" by Lyle Lovett

(Compiled by Wilson in St. Louis)

See Bob. See Bob walk. See Bob juggle. See Bob sign autographs. Bob...

HERE.

"Blood In My Eyes."