What the...? Dallas Edition

ONLY IN DALLAS

Earlier this week, D Magazine uncovered the photo on the left via MySpace of Charles “Chazz” Redd. While this photo is pretty hilarious, even a shirtless man carrying two handguns wouldn't normally pass for news in this town. The kicker is that "Chazz" happens to be running for the District 7 seat of the Dallas City Council.

He later informed the Dallas Morning News that "he’d been hunting quail and deer and had gotten some blood on his shirt, which is why he removed it for the photograph." Remembering, according to the DMN, that hunting for these types of animals is generally not done with handguns, he subsequently changed his story.

As Scout0820 commented, "That is one way to drop out of a race with style." I on the other hand commend the man for going to such great lengths to prove that he is unquestionably pro-gun. His efforts will not go unnoticed.


IN MORE UNFORTUNATE NEWS
The story of police officer Robert Powell was all over the radio this morning, so I thought I'd pull together a few helpful links for those of you who don't reside in the 2-1-4. To summarize what happened, Officer Powell turned on his lights after watching NFL running back Ryan Moats run a red light. Mr. Moats did not stop his car until he reached Baylor Medical Center in Plano, where all the occupants of the car suddenly exited and started for the hospital entrance. The officer drew his gun in what had to have been a tense moment until he learned that Mr. Moats had run the light because he was rushing to be by his mother-in-law's side as she lay dying.

What would you have done in Officer Powell's shoes? Walked inside with the Moat's family to ascertain the truth? Write the ticket anyways? Here's an excerpt from the 15 minutes conversation that followed (emphasis added):

Moats: "You really want to go through this right now? My mother-in-law is dying. Right now! … I got seconds before she’s dying, man!"

Powell: "If my mom was dying, I’d probably be a little upset, too, but when I saw flashing red and blue [lights], I’d stop."

Moats: "If you’re going to give me a ticket, just give me a ticket. … All I’m asking you is just hurry up."

Powell: "I can screw you over. I’d rather not do that. … I could charge you with fleeing right now. Understand what I could do. … I could make your life very difficult."

By the time Powell finished, about 15 minutes after the stop, Jonetta Collinsworth was dead. As you might imagine, the reactions have been largely against the officer who has been placed on administrative leave as of today:

Dallas Police Chief Apologizes for Conduct of Officer Who Drew Gun

Dallas Police Officer Acted Like a Complete Jerk, But is that a Firing Offense?

IN GOVERNMENT STIMULUS NEWS

The seemingly laughable but in fact highly awesome Woodall Rogers Park concept has received government stimulus funding to the tune of $16.7 million.

A downtown park connecting Uptown to the new Arts District built over what is arguably the busiest stretch of Dallas highway always seemed like a pipedream to me. But then again, sometimes dreams really do come true!

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• The Video Of Ryan Moats Getting Pulled Over Is Intense And Troubling [Ryan Moats] (deadspin.com)
• Police officer delays Ryan Moats of Houston Texans in hospital parking lot as family member dies (sports.espn.go.com)
• Dallas Police Department apologizes over Robert Powell/ Ryan Moats affair (inquisitr.com)