When I proposed this daily column, I said it would be fairly compact, maybe 500 words total. If you pay attention — and why wouldn’t you? — you know the lead item is usually 500-plus words itself.

So let’s try to keep the Friday Five tight today, shall we?

1. Ted Cruz is full of piss and vinegar, ain’t he?
Cruz was sworn in as a U.S. Senator yesterday, and he had all kinds of fightin’ words ready for the cameras. He said he was ready to fight President Obama on healthcare, on the debt ceiling and on gun control.

He wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post that said he wants to start talking about “opportunity conservatism” (“conservatunity”?), a 2016-ready term he field-tested in November. Then he grabbed his package and shook it in the general direction of the White House and said, “Come get a taste!” (Note: last sentence poorly sourced.)

We’ll be checking back in occasionally to see how this all works out for Ted.

2. The Dallas Morning News calls for a vote on gambling in Texas.
This is not new, actually. The paper, long the voice of the conservative establishment in Texas, has been quite progressive on this issue for years, because, let’s face it, only an idiot doesn’t want casinos in Texas.

For one thing, driving to WinStar or Choctaw to play cards is a pain in the ass and often leads to many fights with lady friends. For another, we spend billions at out-of-state casinos that could be spent here. But, most important, gambling is awesome.

I’ve often thought “this is the year” we can at least vote on gambling in Texas, only to see Lucy pull the football away at the last minute. (We all know if it was put to a popular vote, it would pass easily.) But this year, I think it may be different. I think we might just do it. Why not? [Takes off running toward ball …]

3. What exactly did Cinemark do wrong, again?
JFloyd says Plano-based Cinemark screwed up when it asked victims of the Aurora shooting to attend a reopening there. Yes, the way they went about it seems a little tin-eared. And, in retrospect, just reopening the theater quietly would have been the best route.

But I’m hard-pressed to find much fault with the sentiment: asking the families of the victims if they want to attend the reopening and see a movie there. They thought it wouldn’t upset the families, and they thought wrong, but why are they idiots for not realizing this with their crystal ball? I think I might have figured the same thing.

4. Ross Avenue is developing.
Good for it! And, duh, this was happening two years ago.

5. Sooners destroy Aggies.
Oh, I’m sorry. Did I accidentally reference 77-0? Or am I predicting a repeat in the Cotton Bowl tonight? Am I a Looper? Tune in Monday. Boomer.

Retweets

But … but … Obama! Big government! Save us, Ted Cruz!

But … but … Obama! Job killer! Save us, Ted Cruz!