Monthly Archives: March 2003

So does this happen to you?

Posted on March 31, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

BTW, the link below came to me in email. I get this sort of thing on a regular basis, more than one might expect for a puny weblog that gets 250 visits on a decent day. I’m more likely to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 3 Comments

TPJ takes aim at Tom DeLay

Posted on March 31, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The progressive group Texans for Public Justice has filed a complaint with Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle over Rep. Tom DeLay’s political committee Texans for a Republican Majority (TRM). TPJ contends that TRM’s IRS filings reveal hundreds of thousands … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on TPJ takes aim at Tom DeLay

Look out, there’s a new maverick in town

Posted on March 31, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

And the winner of the 2003 John McCain Maverick Award, complete with a year’s supply of fawning press coverage, is (drum roll, please)…David Dewhurst! Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst may not know everything about the etiquette of having breakfast with the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

Why I’ve never wanted to be a manager

Posted on March 31, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Last night I called the mother of one of my players to ask her to attend a Team Mom meeting on Tuesday. We will get our schedule and information about uniforms at that time, so I’ll finally be able to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Just call me Coach | Comments Off on Why I’ve never wanted to be a manager

That’s our DA

Posted on March 30, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Just one thing before I call it a night. I see that our very own District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal has been arguing the state’s case in the sodomy case that’s before the Supreme Court. Apparently, he didn’t do a very … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 4 Comments

I’m back

Posted on March 30, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

We’re back from DC, having had a great time at the wedding and visiting with family and friends. To those who think Houston has wildly variable weather, note this: Yesterday in DC it was sunny and 75 degrees. Today it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | Comments Off on I’m back

What he said

Posted on March 27, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Just wanted to pop up for a second from my secure undisclosed location to note the following quote from Zbigniew Brzezinski from this interview in In The National Interest: While at this stage it is too early to make any … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 2 Comments

Away from my desk

Posted on March 26, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Tiffany and I are travelling to a wedding this weekend. I may or may not have any Net access while we’re gone, so if you don’t see any updates until Sunday when we return, it doesn’t mean I’ve been carted … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | Comments Off on Away from my desk

Senate skirmish over revenue

Posted on March 26, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

We all know that the motto of this Texas legislative session has been “We’re gonna balance this budget without any new taxes if we have to kill everyone to do it”. The reality of bringing expenditures for our growing population … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Senate skirmish over revenue

Doc discovers liberals

Posted on March 26, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Since I bashed Doc Searls for being woefully ignorant about liberal bloggers, it’s only fair for me to note that he’s now discovered a few, thanks to a tip from Patrick. Happy reading, Doc. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Doc discovers liberals

Chron discovers Raed

Posted on March 25, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Like many other media outlets, the Houston Chronicle has discovered Salam Pax, the man behind the Where is Raed? weblog. Not unexpectedly, they expressed doubts about his authenticity: While stories like those by Salam Pax may seem intriguing, Aly Colón, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 5 Comments

Time for an Enron update

Posted on March 25, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Two sizeable articles in the Chron today about the state of the Enron criminal and forensic accounting investigations. This first one asks the question why the feds have mostly bagged small fry instead of the big fish, Fastow excepted: There … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Time for an Enron update

More props for The Agonist

Posted on March 25, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Sean-Paul gets written up in the NYT. Way to go, dude! Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | Comments Off on More props for The Agonist

What to do with Saddam if we catch him?

Posted on March 25, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

This story in the Financial Times asks the question “what are we to do with Saddam if we catch him alive?” The US government’s decision will tell us whether any wisdom has been gleaned from the army’s experience more than … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 2 Comments

So when does this season actually start?

Posted on March 24, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

HISD spring break is over, so with any luck we should have a full house at tomorrow’s practice, which will once again be at the batting cage. T and I are travelling to a wedding this weekend, leaving on Wednesday, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Just call me Coach | 3 Comments

When thumbs up means thumbs down

Posted on March 24, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

If you happen to see pictures of Iraqis giving US troops and/or camerapeople the “thumbs up” sign, you should know what that means in this context: Thumbs up, meaning “everything is great” or “I’m Okay” to the West can be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | Comments Off on When thumbs up means thumbs down

A little light reading

Posted on March 24, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The long-awaited book Power Failure, by Enron quasi-whistleblower Sherron Watkins, is due out tomorrow, and it has some juicy stuff in it: Among the anecdotes: · CEO Jeff Skilling would ponder aloud whether Chairman Ken Lay understood Enron and how … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on A little light reading

How clueless can you get?

Posted on March 24, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Like a number of my blogging brethren and sistren, I received the following email from the Heritage Foundation: Charles, You’ve been discovered! Tim Rutten’s Media column in today’s edition of The Los Angeles Times is the latest example of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 3 Comments

Gun case goes to trial

Posted on March 24, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Brian Linse has been following the federal lawsuit that the NAACP has filed against gun manufacturers, and he’s got another update today. The case is especially interesting because of the involvement of Robert Ricker, a former lobbyist for the firearms … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Comments Off on Gun case goes to trial

Civil discourse and worst nightmares

Posted on March 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t often link to specific items on Ted Barlow’s blog because I figure anyone who is anyone is already reading him (as well they should be). That said, I commend you to go read this piece on civil discourse. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 2 Comments

Ronnie Earle gets busier

Posted on March 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is a busy man these days. Not only is he investigating a political committee founded by Tom DeLay, he’s now issuing subpoenas to see if a closed-door legislative meeting violated state law. Two grand … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 3 Comments

Travis County DA targets Tom DeLay

Posted on March 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who has not been shy about aiming at big targets, is investigating a political committee set up by Tom DeLay. DeLay, R-Sugar Land, created Texans for a Republican Majority as an offshoot of his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 17 Comments

Meanwhile, back in Austin

Posted on March 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Bombs may be dropping in Baghdad, but the business of the state must go on. A couple of days ago, a bill was filed in the Texas Lege that would have profound effects on how the state spends money. House … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Meanwhile, back in Austin

You gotta hand it to Karl Rove

Posted on March 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sure it will come as a great comfort to everyone to hear that according to Karl Rove, the invasion of Iraq had nothing to do with politics. “It is really the height of cynicism to suggest a president would … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 7 Comments

Little League goes on

Posted on March 21, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Spring break may decimate our practices, but thankfully war seemed to have no effect. Last night was what should be the last sparsely-attended practice due to family travels. One of the kids who was there had just returned from attending … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Just call me Coach | 2 Comments

Blanket coverage

Posted on March 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Sean-Paul has wall-to-wall coverage of the Iraq invasion, with constant updates. I’m getting carpal tunnel just reading it. If you want to stay on top of what’s happening, visit The Agonist and keep hitting Refresh. My wife asked me: “are … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 2 Comments

And now, some distraction

Posted on March 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Thank $deity for fluffy news stories like this: Joe Millionaire star enjoys his fleeting fame. Evan Marriott knows his time is running out. In the 15-minutes-of-fame universe, he’s at about 14:50. Which is why the star of the Fox Television … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | 1 Comment

A tangible way to support the troops

Posted on March 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

We’re going to be hearing the phrase “Support the troops” a lot in the coming weeks, so here’s a way that you can actually do something to support them: You can be a foster caregiver for their pets. [Army Staff … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 4 Comments

Mister Bush’s War, Day One

Posted on March 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve decided not to listen to the radio for the duration of the invasion. I don’t think I’ll be able to hear a happy-talk DJ offer brainless platitudes or brook-no-dissent “patriotism” without making like Lane Meyer in Better Off Dead … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 2 Comments

And so it begins…

Posted on March 19, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

We have crossed the Rubicon. I feel sick to my stomach. Right now all I want is for the fighting to end as quickly and bloodlessly as possible. After that, I can only hope that we won’t come to regret … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 8 Comments

True commitment

Posted on March 19, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time for another segment of Is This Headline Real, or Is It From The Onion: Media Banned From Free Speech Event. CLEVELAND – Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia banned broadcast media from an appearance Wednesday where he will receive … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on True commitment

Texas Lege update

Posted on March 19, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Things are a little busy today, so I’m going to point to a couple of posts up on the Political State Report about recent news items. First, the heartwarming news that Rick Perry does not want Texas to become the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Texas Lege update

Welcome to North Korea

Posted on March 19, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I saw an amazing movie on Cinemax yesterday, a one-hour documentary called Welcome to North Korea. I’d read a review of it before watching (here’s another one that compares this film to the similar documentary Uncle Saddam) so I had … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 12 Comments

Misplaced gratitude

Posted on March 18, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Meant to blog this last week, but I was temporarily kidnapped by aliens and replaced by a pod person (I’m sure none of you noticed the difference). Anyway, Tom Tomorrow notes that sixteen Democratic senators voted in favor of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | Comments Off on Misplaced gratitude