Monthly Archives: January 2002

Conservablogger recommendations

Posted on January 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

One of my readers (yes! I have readers! woo hoo!) wrote in to recommend Damian Penny’s Daimnation blog for a good alternate viewpoint. I like his style and will add a link for him when the template server is up … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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It’s good to be back on a normal TV schedule

Posted on January 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

New Buffy and 24 tonight. Life is good. Continue reading →

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Tampa Teen Terrorist Update

Posted on January 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Will Vehrs makes a good point about what could have been done about Charles Bishop, the Tampa teenager who flew a small plane into a building. Continue reading →

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IHOF voting

Posted on January 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

The Internet Hall of Fame votes are in. If the netheads had their way, Ozzie Smith and Gary Carter would be in, while the likes of Steve Garvey and Dave Concepcion would be dropped from further consideration. In case you’re … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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New New York stadia?

Posted on January 7, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like the Yankees and Mets won’t get started on building new stadia this year. New mayor Michael Bloomberg says there isn’t enough money this year, which isn’t too surprising. What is surprising (to me, anyway) is that Rudy Giuliani … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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There oughta be a word

Posted on January 7, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Mark Evanier asks why there isn’t a handy one- or two-word term that means “Moralizing based not on morals but on political advantage.” His suggestion is “bennetting”, in honor of public scold Bill Bennett and former Clinton lawyer Bob Bennett. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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He Hate Me

Posted on January 7, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

He Hate Me, also known as Rod Smart, made his NFL debut last night in what was basically a scrimmage between Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. Somehow, it’s fitting that his first NFL carry was nullified by a penalty. Fortunately, he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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A victory for evolution

Posted on January 7, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

The Supreme Court declined to hear a case in which a Minnesota teacher was reassigned by his school for attempting to bring creationism into his classroom. With all of the talk about how our science eduation is lacking, it’s nice … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Practicality vs. emotion

Posted on January 7, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Don’t click on this link if you are of delicate constitution or recently grieving a deceased pet. I’m warning you. And skip to another entry if you don’t want to know anything more. UPDATE: I’ve put the rest under the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The echo chamber

Posted on January 6, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

It’s been said many times, but one of the best things about the Web is the proliferation of viewpoints. I stumble across well-written opinion pieces all the time, from people I’ve never heard of, most of whom are doing it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Can’t take me anywhere

Posted on January 5, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

It helps when going out of town to actually take the bag you’ve packed with clothes and toiletries with you instead of leaving it in the kitchen. Sigh. At least it was just an overnight visit to an old friend. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The marching band refused to yield

Posted on January 4, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

I’m a longtime member of the Rice University Marching Owl Band, also known as The MOB. The MOB is a scatter band, which is to say that despite the name, we don’t march. We do humorous shows with a script, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Only in Texas

Posted on January 4, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a statewide election year, which means more surrealism than the Salvador Dali Museum. Democratic candidate John WorldPeace is calling everyone in the state with a blistering attack on Tony Sanchez. As Dogbert once said, sometimes no sarcastic remark seems … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Bolling v. Bud

Posted on January 4, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

You know that Bud Selig has real credibility problems when he starts getting lampooned by indie cartoonists like Ruben Bolling. I’m happy to dogpile on Bud, but I’ve got a bone to pick with this cartoon. Bolling snipes at Texas … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Governors

Posted on January 4, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Jonathan Chait has an interesting piece in The New Republic about the rise and recent fall of governors’ reputations. Worth reading. Continue reading →

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Congrats to Miami

Posted on January 4, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Congrats to the Miami Hurricanes for settling one debate. The debate of who they should have played isn’t likely to go away. Look at it this way, Oregon fans: Had you played against Miami instead, you probably wouldn’t be ranked … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Where, oh where, has my little dog gone…

Posted on January 3, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

I’m a dog person. Didn’t get my first dog till I was 30, but I’ve been a dog person ever since. There’s a smallish brown dog in my neighborhood who constantly escapes from her yard. I’ve caught her and walked … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Who’s Number 1? Who cares?

Posted on January 3, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

So tonight they finally play the Rose Bowl for the mythical national championship of college football. Nebraska wants to prove that their 62-point pasting by Colorado was a fluke, while Miami knows that if they win they are the Undisputed … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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This Could Get Ugly

Posted on January 3, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

From page one of today’s Chronicle business section: GALVESTON — American National Insurance Co. and its subsidiaries lost about $20 million in the Enron Corp. stock crash because Enron executives and independent accountants lied about the energy giant’s worth, an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More good political news

Posted on January 3, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

More good political news in the Chron today with Dan Morales’ surprise last-minute filing for the Democratic nomination in the governor’s race. I was set to hold my nose and vote for Tony Sanchez against Rick “Dubya Lite” Perry, but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Third time had better be the charm

Posted on January 3, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Well, Houston Mayor Lee Brown was sworn in for his third and final term yesterday. I voted for him, as I did in the previous two elections, though I can’t say I was all that enthusiastic about it. I’m not … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Sometimes there are worse things than obscurity…

Posted on January 2, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

I’m a fan of the Rice Owls. Before you start snickering, you should know that the Rice football team finished this season 8-4, their best record since 1953 when Tommy Lewis came off the bench in the Cotton Bowl to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Big vs small

Posted on January 2, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

The sensible and oft-cited Virginia Postrel touches on the debate between Large Soulless Chain Bookstores and Small Touchy-Feely Mom and Pop Bookstores. A recent article in The Atlantic came out firmly in favor of the large chains. Postrel cites a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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One Trailer to Rule Them All

Posted on January 2, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

So I went to see Lord of the Rings over the Christmas holiday. It’s a good movie and I enjoyed it, though I thought it dragged at a few points, much to the consternation of some of my Tolkien-loving friends. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Friedman

Posted on January 2, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Word to this Thomas Friedman column. Continue reading →

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Ginger v. Michelle

Posted on January 2, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

My friend Ginger Stampley takes on Michelle Malkin’s latest so-called column today. Says she before she commences with the butt-kicking: You’d think by now I’d have learned to stop reading Michelle Malkin editorials, given that they have zero information content … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Right. Now for real content.

Posted on January 1, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

I spent a few years in college and again in grad school writing a sports column called “Off the Kuff”, so I expect this thing to have a fair bit of sports-related content. If that makes you gag, there’s plenty … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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In the beginning…

Posted on January 1, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Well. I recall making a New Year’s Resolution a coupla years ago to write on a regular basis. Good thing I never specified what year I was going to start. Let’s see how long I can keep this up. Continue reading →

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