![]() Well, here we are – another stinking Monday. Cousin Fred and I are still on The Compound. There were no nibbles over the weekend from People or the National Enquirer for our services as serious embedded journalists. I suppose we could cover events from here, but it’s more fun when there’s a $400/night suite and room service bill the equivalent of a the GNP of a small country involved…at someone else’s expense, of course. Hey, schmooze costs money. And remember kids, in politics schmooze is everything, substance is nothing. Still, a weekend at The Compound gave Cousin Fred and me the opportunity to relax and get some things done around here. Okay, actually we didn’t get much done at all. I did catch up on the news here in the state of Oklahoma, where the state legislature is continuing its war on the poor and teachers before they run out the door to start their paid vacations that go until January. I didn’t attend, but I heard from a good source that our local state senator at last week’s Eggs and Issues forum promised his constituents that the legislature won’t have to rob the teacher’s pension fund this year to make ends meet. He also promised that the money they have stolen (er, borrowed) in the past will be returned before I turn 100 (hint, that’s a ways off). I guess that’s good news. Eggs and Issues…ha! If you’ve not attended, I would suggest doing so and asking the hard questions. You won’t get an straight answer, but it’s fun to watch them sweat. They’re counting on no one asking hard questions, they just want to have a little breakfast, brag about their accomplishments (like legalizing switchblade knives in Oklahoma – their crowning glory from the 2015 session), and then drive as fast as they can to get out of town. Be sure to bring a bottle of Maalox along…you’ll need it. So, as I was catching up on the news, I came across something that really caught my eye. In fact, I read the entire article, which is rare for me because I usually start reading and about half-way through I’m screaming “God, God, why are there so many stupid people on Earth at one time?” at which point I lose my place and move on to the next piece. But this particular article had my full attention. I don’t believe in coincidence – it’s just an easy way of explaining seemingly connected events that actually have at their root a causal connection. I went into this in some depth (okay, not much) in my book “A Matter of Time”, which if you’ve already read it, you’re nodding your head thoughtfully and saying, “yes, he did.” If you’ve not read it…buy it! But, I digress… Truth be told, reading this particular article had me rethinking my philosophy of life with regard to coincidence. Let me start by pointing out that I personally have nothing against Temple Houston and the golden pedestal upon which he has been placed. He was without a doubt, the most colorful, interesting person who ever walked the streets of Cosmic City. Locals have long traded on the name, the legend, and the legacy of Lawyer Houston. We’ve raised statues to him; we gave him a room in the local museum to display items that were his when he walked the Earth, including a Colt Peacemaker that belonged to him; we’ve named streets after him; we quote his eloquent manner of speech; the State of Oklahoma (last year) issued a proclamation declaring his birthday Temple Houston Day in Oklahoma; and, we’re even working to steer tourists to his grave on the edge of town. Truth be told…he was a bad drunk, a philanderer, and a little too quick to settle a dispute at the end of the aforementioned Peacemaker. But, by all accounts he was also a gifted, charismatic lawyer who did whatever was required to win for his client. Flawed though he might have been – and who among us is not flawed – he’s our flawed hero and I suppose the citizens of Cosmic City will continue to hoist him (or at least his corpse) up on their shoulders. There’s an Oklahoma City criminal defense attorney who was arrested at 2AM on Friday for shooting some guy with whom he had a disagreement in the parking lot of a bar. I know, I know, just another night in OKC. But something about this guy struck me and I just felt I had to share it. So hang with me a second, please. The photo above is of Lawyer Jay Silvernail, the Oklahoma City attorney who is currently in the Oklahoma Co. jail on charges of assault with deadly weapon for allegedly shooting someone in the parking lot of a bar called Groovy’s. You’ll please note the long hair on Lawyer Silvernail. Temple Houston known for his flamboyant manner of dress also tended to wear his hair fairly long. This wasn’t Lawyer Silvernail’s first time shooting someone. Almost a year ago, he shot a former client who was coming at him outside of Lawyer Silvernail’s residence. That client was shot dead. Silvernail got off when his actions were declared self-defense. In October 1895, Temple Houston and Jack Love shot it out with a couple of attorney brothers (the Jennings) in the back room of the Cabinet Saloon. Ed Jennings died in that fight – Temple was acquitted in a trial. So now, a year later Lawyer Silvernail shoots some guy he’s been in an argument with inside a bar. This shooting victim isn’t dead…yet. He’s in the hospital with serious injuries. Temple Houston, roughly one year after the Cabinet Saloon shooting, shot Farmer Jenkins for spitting on his son. Farmer Jenkins languished with his injuries for some time before dying. As far as I know, Lawyer Houston was never charged with a crime in that shooting. What do you think will happen to Lawyer Silvernail in this latest episode? If he’s any kind of attorney, he’ll wiggle out from underneath. He’s already out on a $7500 bond, so I’m thinking the judge is already thinking it was self-defense. Okay, the coincidences (which I don’t believe in) end there. Just thought it was interesting. Have a great week and stay the hell out of Groovy’s. Comments are closed.
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