El Ultimo

Happy New Year to all in Cowboyland and beyond. Tune in tomorrow for the first Tim Tebow post of the year. Cheers!

NFL regular season ends

Dallas plays at 3 p.m. today. Watch the game, or kick back with a Lifetime movie.

This is a test

David Montoya drumming away.

Person of the Year

Laredo saw a good deal of people behaving badly in 2007. But La Sanbe will shine the light on Chief Agustin Dovalina for his abrupt retirement and subsequent admission of wrongdoing.
His participation in taking bribes from local businesses was surprising to say the least. Corruption was thriving in Laredo and it led all the way to the top. But the story doesn't end there.
Dovalina apparently timed his resignation just right in order to cash in on his pension and accumulated leave time. The latter is valued at more than $86,000. A career of public service undone by greed.
Shame and remorse cannot apply in his case. The chief could've attempted to make amends with the community by coming clean and forgoing his pension. But not only did he choose to betray the public's trust, he then decides to flip us off all the way to the bank.
He has added to Laredo's storied notoriety. His actions, for better or for worse, will bring about far-reaching change in local policy - at least, I hope.
Congratulations Chief Dovalina; You are La Sanbe's Person of the Year.

Gordon Lightfoot 1974 - Sundown

La Sanbe keeping it mellow.

Raspa Man

Spreading goodwill, one raspa at a time.

Paint the town red

Ms. Buckley thinks Laredo really leans Republican:

"We'd have much more credibility as a city if we were voting Republican. The rest of the country is voting Republican, so what's going on?"

I don't think Karl Rove's "math" is panning out. And besides, do you really want to be associated with the party of Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh?

Glass Kitchen on Park St.

The old Favarato's Restaurant is also coming down. Prediction: future site of car lot, or ceramics dealership.

Slow day

Apparently there isn't much going on in the world, except for a tiger that got loose and killed somebody.
Even Nancy Grace's stand-in kept us abreast of the cat story.

The Christmas break is great

Except if you work at one of the bridges, or for the police department, or at a hospital, or Jack in the Box.

Deja Vu

My Christmas wish: for Pro8News to stop showing the Mina Montes meltdown after the LISD board meeting.

What is this?

I think they're doing this on purpose.
And what in the world is E.T.E.?

Book TV

No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.

Even in death

Nothing is off-limits when it comes to showing off your support for the Cowboys.

New pole tax

You'll have to cough up five more bucks at your local strip club. It's either that or bathroom stall tapping.

Don Felder - Heavy Metal (Takin' A Ride)

Support Noriega

And I'm not talking about the former newsman.
This other Noriega is going up against Cornyn.

Could it be?

I noticed a backhoe at the proposed Slaughter Park site. Could it be that construction will finally begin? I've been waiting for this since early 2006; that's when the ground-breaking took place.
This project might take our minds off of all the crap that is going on with local officials.
Then again, its completion might be timed to coincide with upcoming elections.

Elp Wanted

It's hectic out there. "Wal-Mar" is one place that you especially want to avoid. Get out there early 'fore two' avoid the crowds.

What will we tell our children?

Having sex with an underaged student might get you sent to jail, as in the case of Genarlow Wilson.
But if you knock up Britney's sister , your name will go up in lights, or in the pages of widely-read tabloids.

Statutory rape laws should be brought up in the next DA's debate, to break the monotony.

Mmmm

No doubt about it, these are 100%.

Good gawd!

When will this ever stop?

The D List

And by D, I mean divorced. The "magician's assistant" line made me laugh for some reason.

Let's file this other story under creepy.

Walk this way

This trail is located along the Chacon Creek; it's approximately a mile long. It should be extended and touted as a tourist attraction.

Leader of the Band

Rest in peace Dan Fogelberg.
Oh yeah, the Cowboys lost.

Nice day

Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and New England are getting pounded with snow. Wonder what that feels like.

Common courtesy

Pigeons are given smoking privileges and then they poop all over the place.

Dire Straits

10 shopping days left...

Piper Maru here...checking in on La Sanbe...By the way, great job Mr. Q.
I was asked today if I was done with my Christmas shopping. Truth is I haven't even started. Is that so wrong? I want to take it easy and enjoy the holiday time, since it flies by. And although I enjoy giving presents that someone else will enjoy, I don't think its necessary for shopping to consume my December schedule, when its not my thing the rest of the year. Like Charlie Brown says (paraphrasing): "Christmas is a big commercial racket...I can't stand it!" I just know I want to do something different this year. We'll see. Happy Holidays.

Maria Elena Morales Accuses Teachers and School Employees

LCC debate clip.

Bah!

I'm cancelling my subscription to Rolling Stone. Not just for the fact that I'm running out of space, but because Rush got dissed again.

Border wall

The valley has been turning up the heat on officials wanting to build a border wall. Meanwhile smugglers go on about their business.

Rock on

It was cool and cloudy today. Enjoy this picture.

Happy Bush v. Gore Day

This case was heard and decided by the Supreme Court a mere seven years ago. And the rest is history.

Ongoing saga

LMT, May 17, 2007
The Geo Group came to Laredo on Wednesday bearing cash for both the City of Laredo and Webb County.

LMT, November 14, 2007
Webb County Commissioners Court unanimously voted Tuesday against accepting a $250,000 donation from Geo Group.

LMT, December 11, 2007
The meeting bore witness to more than half a dozen citizens' impassioned speeches in which they told the court they are adamantly against the company with an alleged history of physical and sexual abuse setting up shop in Webb County.

Political barbecue

One needs a seasoned barbecue team to get the word out. Vote "Lino" for County Commissioner.

A win for PETA

Michael Vick is going away for 23 months, but can more be done to avoid this in the future?

Believe it

Laredo has originality coming out its pores.

Tim Tebow

The dude is in. Congratulations on winning the Heisman Trophy.

What tha?

Don't these people have something better to do.

MI- Right Down the Line

Gerry Rafferty

Happy colors

I prefer this type of scenery over those blasted palm trees. I've got a fever, and the only prescription is less palm trees. Anyway, who knew cinder block could look so lively.

Urban blight

Who is this Mimi? And why must she do this to our landscape? Laredo is homely enough without these monstrous vessels strategically placed near busy intersections. Sure some people thrive on making a big splash, but where do you go from here? Blimp--too expensive. Bat signal--might attract actual bats. Bigger signs--lavender paint on back order. Pace yourself Mimi; It's not over yet.

Round 1 for DAs

This event got a bit more heated than the sheriff's debate last week. You can thank Maria Elena Morales' antagonistic approach for that. Catch it on teevee if you can.

I work my ass off!

At least that's what Paula Abdul wants us to believe. But Tina Fey tells us something we already know.

Park space

The city needs to get tougher with developers to leave land aside dedicated for city parks. For now we have the Bruni Plaza. Enjoy.

A-list charity

Brad Pitt is helping the people of New Orleans rebuild their lives. Sorry ladies, no full-length picture included.

Don't eyeball me

In a Nov. 8 LISD board meeting, Jesus Guerra, and Jose Valdez said that campus employees are intimidated by their presence when they visit on unofficial matters. Mr. Guerra attempted to show some concern by saying, "I'm sorry if they're intimidated."
Mr. Valdez said that the PA system is utilized to warn staff when he sets foot at Christen Middle School. Most of the board had a good chuckle after that little anecdote.
Please, a little more respect for our campus staff gentlemen and gentlewomen.

December

How 'bout this weather?

Star?

He's no star, he's Montel Williams. And he should stop having Sylvia Brown on every week. I wouldn't trust her any more than I could throw her.

Juegenla fria

Hugo Chavez might do something foolish if we cross him. Let's wait till after the holidays to rile things up.