Author Archives: Tiffany Tyler

Perry goes on the offensive

Posted on May 24, 2008 by Tiffany Tyler

The “charm offensive,” that is. An editorial in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times calls out Rick Perry on schmoozing with our legislators now that, you know, he might need them for something: But Perry would have been a better governor if … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

Figuring out Bobby Jindal

Posted on May 23, 2008 by Tiffany Tyler

Like Ezra, I’m curious about the governor to the east, Bobby Jindal. Republicans have been excited about him and he’s allegedly on McCain’s short list for VP. But I can’t really figure out why, besides being young and ethnic, he’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 5 Comments

On the road to victory with Rick Noriega

Posted on March 25, 2008 by Tiffany Tyler

The DSCC continued their “Road to Victory” series this week with a pretty rockin’ look at the Noriega campaign. Having spent a good amount of time at Noriega HQ and having declined invites to their early morning runs, I don’t … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on On the road to victory with Rick Noriega

Houston, the next great world city

Posted on March 17, 2008 by Tiffany Tyler

If you believe Joel Kotkin. He makes a pretty convincing argument in his recent article in The American. He gives the jobs and diversity one-two punch (must have been listening to some of Mayor White’s speeches), and thumbs his nose … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Houston, the next great world city

Clinton rally was mediocre

Posted on February 21, 2008 by Tiffany Tyler

On the whole, I thought the Bill Clinton rally last night was pretty uninspiring. Not just because he started speaking almost two hours late or because Hofheinz was barely half-full (I think the capacity is 8,500). I haven’t been excited … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 4 Comments

Bill Clinton in Houston tonight

Posted on February 20, 2008 by Tiffany Tyler

I’ll be posting later or early tomorrow about the Bill Clinton rally at Hofheinz Pavilion at UH tonight. I think it’s completely OK to call it a Bill Clinton rally because none of the fliers or anything I’ve seen about … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Comments Off on Bill Clinton in Houston tonight

TXDoT gives Texans a say in new license plate design

Posted on February 4, 2008 by Tiffany Tyler

If you’re dying to vote for something and just can’t wait till March, take a look at four new (and one old) potential license plate designs and pick your favorite. For the next week, Texans can vote on which design … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Inauguration Recap

Posted on January 2, 2008 by Tiffany Tyler

Congratulations to Mayor White, Annise Parker, and all our City Council members who were sworn in this very chilly morning. I’m glad I braved the cold to see some of my favorite public servants all on one stage together. After … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Inauguration Recap

Noriega makes ActBlue’s Blue Majority page

Posted on December 20, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

I spent all day volunteering at the Noriega campaign, and I heard this talked about, so I was excited to read it when I got home. Rick Noriega is the latest candidate added to ActBlue’s Blue Majority page. From Daily … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

I’m excited about Charlie Wilson’s War

Posted on December 19, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

It’s a story about a Texan Democrat and a Houston socialite (if that doesn’t reel you in, I don’t know what will) from 20 or so years ago, so I’m definitely jonesing to see this movie. I just finished up … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 5 Comments

Gulf “Dead Zone” grows with corn prices

Posted on December 17, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

The best thing about this problem is that there’s a pretty clear solution, so dealing with it is hopefully just a matter of implementation: Because of rising demand for ethanol, American farmers are growing more corn than at any time … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 2 Comments

The progressive blogosphere cares about the Jena 6

Posted on September 20, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

But why aren’t we writing about them? I had a post almost ready to go about this post by Chris Kromm on Facing South that says the progressive blogosphere has been silent about the Jena 6 and why that might … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on The progressive blogosphere cares about the Jena 6

Looscan Library ribbon-cutting (with photos)

Posted on September 6, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

Yesterday afternoon there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Looscan Library at Willowick and Westheimer. Brief remarks were made by Rhea Brown Lawson, the HPL Director; Mayor White; Council Member Pam Holm; Bonnie Brooks, the President of Friends of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Looscan Library ribbon-cutting (with photos)

Republicans no hablan español.

Posted on August 31, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

If the GOP is the party that doesn’t “get” the internet, are they also the party that doesn’t “get” Hispanic voters? When only John McCain committed to attending a Spanish language debate in Miami, it was indefinitely postponed: Univisión planned … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 2 Comments

Where are the anti-death penalty candidates?

Posted on August 31, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

I want to commend Governor Perry for abiding by the 6-1 recommendation from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and commuting the sentence of Kenneth Foster Jr. yesterday. From the Chron: For only the third time since he’s been … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 3 Comments

EarthLink pays for delay in citywide wi-fi

Posted on August 30, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

The future of the city’s ambitious wi-fi plan is questionable right now. From a Chron story by Carrie Feibel: Following months of delay, an ambitious plan to blanket Houston with wireless Internet signals now is in serious jeopardy. The city’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on EarthLink pays for delay in citywide wi-fi

U-line DEIS hearing post-mortem

Posted on August 28, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

Yesterday Metro held the only public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed University Line alignments. The DEIS is a pretty thick volume – two volumes, actually – and I want to thank Christof for summarizing it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 7 Comments

KPFT targeted for “alternative” programming?

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

It looks like somebody has it in for KPFT: A bullet blasted through a Plexiglas window at KPFT radio early this morning, missing a woman’s head by about 18 inches, said general manager Duane Bradley. The bullet was fired while … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on KPFT targeted for “alternative” programming?

GHCVB still suffering leadership woes

Posted on July 21, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

And here I was thinking I’d only see Jordy Tollett again on some kind of Houston: Where Are They Now? special, preaching the benefits of the three-martini lunch. Perhaps not. According to Kristen Mack, Tollett is hot to get his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on GHCVB still suffering leadership woes

Real preservation laws coming soon?

Posted on July 6, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

I’m fairly certain this story didn’t make it into the Chron since it’s nowhere to be found on the site, but my own copy was drenched by the time I got to it. I’m sure it will get more coverage … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Real preservation laws coming soon?

Oswalt’s in

Posted on July 5, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

Because Smoltz is out. Astros ace righthander Roy Oswalt is heading to the All-Star Game to replace Atlanta Braves righthander John Smoltz, who must skip the game because of right shoulder discomfort. Oswalt will join teammate Carlos Lee at the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment

Increased safety at railroad crossings is a good thing

Posted on July 5, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

Unfortunately, I’m sure this story will be met with another uproar about irresponsible parenting: Weeks after his daughter, niece and two of their friends crashed into a train and died, Doug Moyers is readying himself for a mission: upgrading safety … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Increased safety at railroad crossings is a good thing

Teen’s death brings about attention for hate crime bill

Posted on July 4, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

The tragic David Ritcheson story has been unfolding for a few days now, and as mentioned on PinkDome and Houstonist in the last couple days, Ritcheson’s recent death has brought a federal hate crime bill into the spotlight. From the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 3 Comments

Happy Fourth!

Posted on July 4, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

Happy Fourth of July on behalf of myself and I’m sure Kuff as well. This week, my feed reader has been full of calls for impeachment and a general lack of patriotism. I know a lot of us have a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Skepticism | Comments Off on Happy Fourth!

Day labor center will live to see another year

Posted on July 3, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

The controversy over Houston’s day labor center has been squelched, for now. The center will stay open completely on donated funds, not taxpayer money. ”The funding has been raised, and the center will stay open for at least this next … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 3 Comments

Google making me sick-o

Posted on July 3, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

Oh, poor HMO’s, is Michael Moore picking on you? Don’t worry – Google is here to help: The healthcare industry is no stranger to negative press. A drug may be a blockbuster one day and tolled as a public health … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 2 Comments

A tale of two cities (and their police departments)

Posted on July 2, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

This billboard is located just off 59 between Fountain View and Chimney Rock. It isn’t the first time Dallas PD has tried recruiting in Houston, but this is the first time I’ve noticed the $10,000 bonus. Embarrassing, to say the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 5 Comments

The trash man cometh – just maybe not today

Posted on July 2, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

I’ll also be guest blogging while Kuff is laid up. I usually blog over at Houstonist, and I’m thrilled to be called up (to continue the baseball metaphor) to Off the Kuff. I can’t promise the magic of Hunter Pence, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on The trash man cometh – just maybe not today