Here's to The Mtn.

If BYU dominates a previously undeafeted Air Force team, winning 31-6, and nobody see's it, did it really happen?

Let me throw my hat into the ring of those disgruntled fans that believe the MWC's new deal with CSTV/Comcast/The Mtn. was the worst thing that ever happened to BYU football. Even worse than the trying years under Gary Crowton and the unending suspensions after criminal charges! The fans can't see the games. I can't even get the games on pay-per-view for crying out loud. At least with SportsWest, which, admittedly, had very poor production and distribution in its own right, I could pick up a game on pay-per-view or Game Plan. Now I get nothing for half the season. Cheers to the Comcast lawyers--they wrote a contract so air tight that the MWC and BYU can't even come close to terminating the contract where there is no meaningful distribution of the games. Jeers to the MWC lawyers and Craig Thompson--suckers, blinded by illusory promises.

So here's to 7 years of looking forward to September and Cougar football, then hanging my head in sorrow each Saturday as the Coug's dominate opponents in the dark.

The new DUI law has come into effect in Arizona.

The Arizona legislature passed some get tough on DUI legislation that went into effect on September 19th. Here are some of the highlights:

1) Whereas the previous law only required the installation of an interlock device if the person blew .15 or above or has more than one DUI, now all people, no matter how low the blow, have to have an interlock device installed after any DUI. The instrument must be installed for 12 months after the person (who will have a suspended license for 90 days to 3 years) has his license reinstated. I'm not sure what effect, if any, this new law will have on deterring future DUI cases. For example, almost every DUI case that I've handled is not preceded by a DUI in the previous 12 months. Off the top of my head, I remember 2--and that's out of at least 100. I am sure, however, the companies that manufacture and install the instruments will be dancing all the way to the bank.

2) The sentencing structure has changed, also. It used to be this: impaired to the slightest degree and .08 (per se) DUI was 10 days with 9 suspended with alcohol counseling; extreme dui (anything above .15) resulted in 30 days with 20 suspended. These were minimums. Now the minimum for impaired to the slightest degree and .08 10/9 suspended, .15-.199 is 30/20 suspended, and anything above .20 is 30 consecutive days--period.

Here is the problem: Let's say that 2 young women have the same amount to drink and have the same BAC at the time they are pulled over. One young woman is given a breath test at the 45 minute mark and blows a .205; but the second is given a test at the 1 hour, 45 minute mark because of a delay with a tow truck and blows a .190 (assuming that she eliminates alcohol at the .015% per hour average rate). The first woman will serve a mandatory 30 consecutive days in the pokie, while the second will serve 1/3 of that time (possible on the weekends), even though they were equally intoxicated at the time they drove. I understand the Legislature's desire to crack down on DUI (I want to drive on safe streets just the same as everybody else), but certainly there is a better sentencing scheme available, other than bright line rules, to deal with inherent variability from person to person in these kinds of cases. If only, if only. Oh, wait, there is: it's called prosecutorial discretion in plea bargaining and court sentencing that can call consider individual factors in individual cases.

Colin has colic

Pobrecito.

Another example of dishonest marketing . . .

Apparently, not all that happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. It's just a shame that Cochran's not around to defend him this time.

100,000 miles

I traveled to Tuscon for a seminar over the weekend. On the trip back to Kingman, the odometer hit the 100,000 mile mark. It made me think about all the places it has taken me. Here's a picture showing, approximately, the paths we have taken together.

Whoa! Six weeks!

I can't belive that our baby is going to be six weeks tomorrow! Time definately has gone faster since he was born than while I was pregnant. We are loving our little Colin! He is a sweet baby who loves to cuddle his mommy. The little baby who was barely six pounds when he was born was a chunky 9 pounds 4 ounces at his 1 month appointment.
Colin was very busy last weekend. He really enjoyed his first BYU game and didn't even cry when he watched it with his daddy. (If you haven't ever watched a BYU football game with Dave, you are missing out on an interesting experience. I'm pretty sure the players can hear him cheer through the TV!)
We blessed him last Sunday, and the little turkey cried through the whole thing. But Colin doesn't have just any cry- He has a "goat" cry. It's quite impossible to describe, but if a goat were to laugh, it would sound something like Colin's cry.

Colin is very facinated by ceiling fans. He also loves the mobile in his crib. He studies it quite intensely and fusses when it quits moving and is not content until you wind it for him again. Colin just knows what he wants and isn't afraid to let you know!

Calling all Cougar fans. Ra . . Ra . . Ra-Ra-Ra

BYU will be playing UNLV on October 13 in Las Vegas. Since so many of us are spread out between AZ, CA, CO, and UT these days , I am calling for all former Baylor Law School Cougar fans to meet in Las Vegas to catch a game. Your attendance will only be excused for broken bones or heart attacks--yours or a family member within the first degree of consanguity. Any unexcused absence will go on your permanent record. Otherwise, you had better be at the game wearing blue. Anyone who wishes is welcome to stay at our house before/after the game.

By the way--Unga is a stud. All hail Unga!