Master of the Remote

When it comes to a TV remote control, I am “The King.” I can flip through the channels at lightning fast speed, keeping everyone in the room happy. Yesterday I had the chance to prove my skills.

On my way to Mexico, my wife and I had a lay-over in Houston. We decided to rest in Continentals Presidents Club TV Lounge.
Much to my dismay, everyone was watching CNN! It doesn’t get any more boring. That is when I took the remote, against my wife’s advice, and started flipping. People turned and looked at me like I had just broken some secret traveler code. I responded to the scowls, “was anyone watching that?”. With my best TV Newsman smile, I continued to flip.

The crowd growing impatient started to squirm in those cushy arm chair loungers. I paused on ESPN for just the slightest moment, realizing that ESPN would not work for everyone, I continued on. Next, the golf channel. I started flipping faster. Past MTV, right by The History Channel, a brief pause on Discovery. “Hold on folks, stay with me, just a few more clicks,” I pronounced, with the disdain for my bravado peaking.

There it was, The Food Network! I let people watch for about ten seconds and said, “my fellow travelers, I think I have found something we can all watch!”

Nobody said a word, but I could see the smiles over take the room as Paula Dean prepared some kind of Pecan chocolate dessert. It was the perfect show for every traveler needing some home style comfort.

The Master of the Remote, King of the Couch, Taker of the TV. Most men can’t keep their family and friends happy when working the “clicker”. I keep a room full of strangers happy and entertained.

Now I need them all to tell Amy (my wife)to let me have the remote at home!

My Friend Zach Thomas is a Cowboy

Zach Thomas isn’t really my friend, but I’ve been telling a story about him for the past 12 years. As a young cub reporter in Fort Myers, Florida I got my start in sports covering the Miami Dolphins on weekends. I walked into the Miami locker room just after the Dolphins beat the Colts 16-10 in their season opener. It was my first time in a Pro Locker room and needless to say I was giddier then a 16 year old about to get his drivers license.

The first person I saw was The QB Legend Dan Marino, one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game. I said to my photographer, lets go talk to him. That’s when Zach Thomas chimed in and said, “You don’t want to do that, he does interviews with everyone all at once, you’ll know when he’s ready.” He didn’t say it in a mean way either, He actually saved me from embarrassment.

But like a true reporter I turned to Thomas and said, “Well how about we ask you a few questions?” I don’t remember what we talked about only that he was friendly and happy to chat with us. So as it turned out, Zach Thomas was my first NFL interview. Lets hope he’s not my last!

Did you Know I am Evil?

On Thursday I promised the Ron Paul for President supporters I would blog about them. So here it goes. On six separate occasions I had a Ron Paul supporter call me, “Evil” just because I am a member of the “main stream media.” I told them there is nothing “main stream” about NBC5! They didn’t buy it.

They accused me of being part of the “rich establishment, with no morals.” Again I told them I work for NBC! But the worst defamation of my character was when they said I don’t care about man-kind. I told them I sell used cars on the weekends, I am studying to be a Lawyer and I work nights as corporate lobbyist calling on Washington insiders. Not realizing I was joking one Ron Paul supporter said, “Maybe your not so rich if you have to work all those jobs!”

Here the Clinton Supporters appeared to be having more fun. But they were beating a similar drum about the so called “Rich Establishment.”

They told me the “Rich” don’t pay enough taxes. Obama said in the debate America needs to increase taxes on the “Rich” in order to get the country back on its feet. So that got me thinking about the Stinchfield “Ten Step Plan” to a perfect country:

1. Health Care: Every rich person must add one poor person to the family health care plan.

2. Uninsured Drivers: Every rich person must add one poor person’s car to the Family car insurance plan.

3. Drugs in America: We force the Rich to buy up all the drugs from every drug dealer at top dollar prices. The Government then confiscates all the drugs. Nothing left to sell.

4. Infrastructure: To fill up any car worth more then 35-thousand dollars we add a 25 cents per gallon gas tax. That money goes to build roads.

5. Mortgage Crisis: We immediately take 25 percent from the 401k plans of every Rich American. That money then goes to pay off any home that is close to being foreclosed on.

6. Immigration: Every Rich American family must give 5 percent of it’s yearly income to 5 Mexican Families (25%) so they have plenty of money in Mexico and no need to come to America.

7. War in Iraq: Every Rich American Family must buy one soldier a first class ticket home. Then give each terrorist 25 thousand dollars not to bother us anymore.

8. Economy: Every Rich American must buy $10,000 worth of Fortune 500 stocks each time the Federal Reserve asks them too.

9. Education: Every Rich American must sponsor one underprivileged student and pay for his/her college tuition.

10. Steroids in Baseball: Any MLB player who feels he needs to take HGH or steroids to compete must announce to the commissioner of baseball he intends to take steroids. The commissioner will then pick a Rich family to subsidize the Players Salary to the average pay of a current MLB All-Star.

(Only a Presidential Candidate can Determine the exact Definition of “Rich.”)

Note to reader: The above is satire! And if you couldn’t figure that out you are wayyyyyy to
serious.

The Real Joke is Who the Media Interviews

After the much anticipated Clinton/Obama debate in Austin, all the politicos were there for post debate interviews. Congressman Chet Edwards, Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and State Senator Royce West, just to name a select few. I have a hard enough time trying to figure out why anyone cares what they, or any other politician, has to say about the debate. People need to watch it for themselves, then decide for themselves, who they think did the best job.

Which leads me to the funniest of all post Debate interviews. It wasn’t what he said that was so funny, it’s the simple fact that anyone would interview him about the debate at all. Yes that’s Comedian, and now Barrack Obama supporter, George Lopez of “The George Lopez show.”

His valuable insight, “color and gender should play a role in determining the next President.” Wow! That’s one I never heard before. NOT!

It boggles my mind why someone who stars in a TV show or movie all of a sudden becomes an expert on everything. We see Hollywood stars interviewed all the time about all sorts of political issues. What gives them the insight any more then your next door neighbor. At least when we interview actual politicians, they have the ability to change policy. In my opinion famous actors are given way to much credit.

The Big Debate

The real debate is not between Hillary and Barack but between their supporters. A massive crowd turned out at UT to help support their candidate.

Marching bands, plastic bucket drum groups and just about environmental and political action group converged on the UT campus to spread THEIR word.

It was kind of like a Star Trek convention meets Woodstock.

The highlight of the day so far. NBC 5 photographer CJ Johnson got to meet Bill and Hilliary Clinton in person!

Grant Stinchfield
NBC 5 Dallas

The New Kidd in Town

I know I have been a “Nay-Sayer” when it comes to Jason Kidd and a Mavs Championship. But since he is here now, I have to stop complaining about the trade and start talking about why he makes the Mavs better. Kidd is winner. He wants to win. He longs to win. He is also a leader. Something the Mavs desperately needed. My hope is that Jason Kidd will infuse some toughness into the team that often plays like a bunch of scared school girls.

I am hopeful Kidd’s “intestinal fortitude” will spread to Dirk, Josh, The Jet and the rest of the gang. Today head coach Avery Johnson said yesterday’s practice had, “a whole new feel to it.” Avery is still the General, but he now has, to use Avery’s term, “a seasoned Quarterback.” Kidd is a real floor captain, something Avery has never had as head coach of the Mavericks. Now lets see of Dirk and Josh can handle Kidd’s no lookers that seem to come out of nowhere.

Are you Kidd-ing?

As I said earlier, if you go under the assumption that there is no way the Mavs win a championship this year, even with Jason Kidd, then the deal for him makes no sense. Clearly Mark Cuban feels differently.

Giving Cuban the the benefit of MY doubt, this deal looks a lot better than the last. The reason, the Mavs get to keep Jerry Stackhouse. Though I truly believe Dallas will miss DeSagana Diop and Devon Harris, one of the best young players in the NBA today. Remember, Diop at times did show promise. But it is still the loss of Harris that has me concerned. I believe he has the potential to become one of those special players that don’t come along very often and Jason Kidd will be gone two or three years from now.

Still, if it had to happen, I do believe the Mavs got the best of this deal. With that, it’s NBA Championship or bust. And Don’t boo Devean George, He was only doing what all of us would have done if we were in his shoes.

Spring Training is Here and So are the Questions

The arrival of pitchers and catchers signifies many things. The end of winter is near. Baseball is upon us. And to me, most of all, spring training means, a fresh start on life. We all know the Rangers can use that. I compiled my top ten questions Rangers Fans will have on opening day.

10. Did I secure my Rangers vs Yankees tickets yet?

9. Did I secure my Rangers vs Red Sox Tickets yet?

8. If the Pitching is still horrible can team President Nolan Ryan suit up?

7. How many more innings are left?

6. Is there any chance of bringing A-Rod back?

5. Is there any chance of bringing Pudge Rodriguez back?

4. Will this team ever be any good?

3. Why do I still buy season tickets every year?

2. How long will it be until we can go sit in that new stadium over there?

1. Who is Ron Washington and What does he look like?

Devean George Could be Our Hero

Devean George single handedly blocked what many are describing as a blockbuster trade for Jason Kidd. George’s critics across the NBA are calling him everything from “selfish” to “crazy” asking, “who does he think he is?” Well I say Devean George just may be our Maverick Hero. Jason Kidd is a great player, but for how long can he keep it up? Two seasons, maybe three at max?

Yes he will be able to get the ball to Josh and Dirk in Magic Johnson fashion, but I still don’t think he brings the Mavs a Championship this year. So if you go under the assumption that that Mavs still can’t win the big one with him, then the trade makes no sense. Make no mistake, I am a Devon Harris fan. He is young, talented and I believe he will only get better. Trading him is a losing proposition because he is the best YOUNG player the Mavs have. Not to mention, I would also like to keep Jerry Stackhouse around.

Who cares about “egg on the face”, pass on Kidd. In the end George may be the one saving the Mavs heartache in the future. Sadly, I don’t think Cuban is reading my blog, the deal will probably get done.

What a Waste of Hot Air

The guys at Canyon Creek, and I’m sure around the country, were all glued to today’s congressional hearing. After 3 hours of the “same old same old” I came to the conclusion that the entire inquiry is a waste of Congressional time and a waste of my tax dollars. I promptly left the room.

Clemens said nothing new, “I didn’t do it!” Brian McNamee countered, “Yes he did!” Haven’t we heard it all before? Congress has no business in this fight. The evidence Brian McNamee supplied to investigators is worthless. If you have any common sense you already know why. If you need an explanation, email me.

Brian McNamee already lied to investigators on numerous occasions, why should we believe him? Not that I believe Clemens either, though I desperately want to.

One thing is for sure, Clemens is taking a risk by testifying before congress. As we now know, they will send people to jail for perjury. The problem for congress, I don’t think they can prove Clemens is guilty even though the court of public opinion already convicted him.