Sunday Observations

1. A few days ago some friends and I were having a conversation to determine our choice for the best NFL quarterback ever. Of course, the name Joe Montana entered the discussion, but we finally decided on Johnny Unitas of the old Baltimore Colts, not only because of his statistical and winning-percentage greatness, but because he played in an era when quarterbacks called their own plays. But we all agreed that before long -- if it hasn't happened already -- that title of the "greatest QB ever to play the game" would belong to Peyton Manning, regardless of what happens later today. It appears others might agree with that assessment.

2. Right wingnuts like Sarah Palin are traveling around the country decrying the state of the country's deficit. They are obviously suffering from amnesia or some other exotic disease that causes them to forget it was the disastrous economic policies of George W. Bush and the Republican led Congress that got us in this mess in the first place with their habit of slashing taxes for the wealthy. But here's an article that makes a valid point: "At a time of high unemployment and fragile growth, the last thing the government should do is to slash spending. That will only drive the economy into deeper trouble. "

3. There are more members (368) in the public relations branch of the Motion Picture Academy, which decides the Oscars, than there are in the directors branch (366). Now that's scary.

4. The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced Sandra Bullock will win the best actress Oscar. I'm also thinking James Cameron is giving up on winning the major awards for Avatar and his throwing his support to his ex-wife.

5. The Mavericks are really looking terrible, increasing the chances they will pull off a trade between now and the Feb. 15 deadline. It's also looking more and more like Josh Howard will be part of that trade and that it will involve either Washington (Caron Butler?) or Philadelphia. Listen up, Mavericks: Unless you work a deal that brings you players that give you a fighting chance of besting the Lakers, don't pull the trigger, especially if it involves taking on long-term burdensome contracts.

6. New Orleans Saints fans rejoice! I'm picking the Colts to win today by a couple of touchdowns.

7. Someone named Mine Yucel of the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas will tell the City of Dallas' Budget, Finance and Audit Committee tomorrow that "Texas may be out of the recession" even though the state lost 334,600 jobs last year. Frankly, I think this is a little misguided optimism -- from where I sit it appears we are holding steady with last year, which wasn't such a great one, recession-wise. But it must also be said that whoever this Mine Yucel is, he's much more qualified on this subject than yours truly.

8. The Quality of Life Committee will hear reports touting the City of Dallas' much-beloved (by citizens) library system, what is being done to inform the local populace about the importance of the upcoming census (including the scary thought that a music video on this subject will be rolled out at the end of the month), and whether new restrictions need to be placed on utility companies that tear up city streets (I get the impression the City thinks its present ordinances are sufficient). Finally the committee will be told that a law proposed by Brad Kirby, an interested citizen, that would make it a criminal offense for someone to take possession of a dog and not take it to a vet or an animal shelter for identification scanning within 48 hours of finding said animal "is impractical and unenforceable." So take that, Mr. Kirby.

9. A briefing called "Green Energy for McCommas Bluff Landfill" will be presented tomorrow to the City's Transportation and Environment Committee and while the methane gas produced at the landfill is all well and good, the real hero of this story is the biotechnology factor that, in the briefing's own words (a) "accelerates gas production, providing City with increased annual revenue-share from sales" and (b) "promotes landfill settlement, creating up to 30% recovery in previously-used waste capacity ... resulting in waste space that can be re-used." That, folks, is a big deal -- a really big deal.