Monthly Archives: June 2003

In contempt

Posted on June 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Two employees of the Texas Association of Business have been held on contempt charges for refusing to answer questions in the grand jury investigation of whether the TAB illegally used corporate funds in last year’s elections. As requested by lawyer … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on In contempt

Larry battens down the Hatch

Posted on June 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

One of the things I missed while out of town was Larry Simon catching Sen. Orrin Hatch using unlicensed software on his Senate web page. The story was widely picked up (see Wired’s coverage, for example, which notes that Continental … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on Larry battens down the Hatch

Tom DeLay

Posted on June 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The Sunday Chron had two articles on Tom DeLay, a front page profile and an overview of his fundraising tactics. I confess, Dear Reader, that I have not yet summoned the intestinal fortitude to wade through the first article. My … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 3 Comments

Chron discovers Westar

Posted on June 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

A mere two weeks after the story first broke, the Houston Chronicle has finally done some reporting on Westar Energy and its generous donations to various Republican lawmakers, including Tom DeLay. In doing so, they uncovered a new local angle. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Chron discovers Westar

Redistricting, then and now

Posted on June 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

In the 77th Legislative session in 2001, the House and Senate failed to agree on a new congressional map. A new map had to be drawn, since the 2000 Census gave Texas two more seats in the US House. The … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 2 Comments

The Burnt Orange Report

Posted on June 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Update your bookmarks – the Burnt Orange Report has a new home. Byron’s been following the whiplash-inducing twists and turns of Governor Perry’s redistricting session and Comptroller Strayhorn’s remarkable decision to certify the budget after all. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 4 Comments

Charges dropped against Wenzel

Posted on June 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

All charges against Sgt. Ken Wenzel, the second former HPD officer indicted on five counts of official oppression stemming from the botched K-Mart raid last august, have been dropped in the wake of former Captain Mark Aguirre’s acquittal. Prosecutor Tommy … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in K-Mart Kiddie Roundup | 1 Comment

Senate slaps FCC

Posted on June 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

A Senate committee has voted to revoke many of FCC Chairman Michael Powell’s rules that would have allowed for more media consolidation. Sing Hallelujah! The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee adopted a bill sponsored by Sens. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 5 Comments

Checking in

Posted on June 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Got a few free minutes and access to a computer, so I thought I’d check in for a second. I swear, every time I go out of town, everything goes to hell in a handbasket. Governor Perry finally quits teasing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

On the road again

Posted on June 18, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’m heading out of town, and may or may not have any Net access while I’m gone. I’ll be back on Sunday and will post while I’m gone if possible, otherwise when I return. Check out the fine blogs on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | Comments Off on On the road again

Mayoral melee

Posted on June 18, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Ah, there’s nothing like a candidate forum to get the political juices flowing and the elbows throwing. It’s a good thing for Orlando Sanchez he’s the front-runner, because everyone out there is hurling rocks at him. On his right, Michael … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2003 | Comments Off on Mayoral melee

Special session: It’s semi-official

Posted on June 18, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Though he still won’t confirm anything, the word is that Governor Perry is about to call a special session to begin on June 30 that will cover redistricting as well as the so-called “Death Star” government reorganization bill. Perry spokeswoman … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 3 Comments

Tough times for Tulians

Posted on June 18, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Now that 12 of the 14 remaining Tulia defendants have been released on bond, the other residents of the town are trying to deal with the town’s negative image. “It seems to me our community has gotten a pretty bum … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 2 Comments

Pessimism and optimism

Posted on June 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Via Big Media Matt, I see that Jacob Rosenfeld is worried about pessimism among Democrats in the runup to next November: The 2004 race isn’t over — despite what Kurtz and others presume. Now, the relentless negative coverage can become … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on Pessimism and optimism

Diane Zamora gets hitched

Posted on June 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

After getting permission from the state, convicted murderer Diane Zamora got married today in a rare double-proxy ceremony to another inmate. A judge in San Antonio performed the wedding ceremony in which Zamora’s mother and a male friend stood in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 15 Comments

A little outrage

Posted on June 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Greg Morrow has a few choice words for John Ashcroft, and Arthur Silber has a few more for pro-invasion hawks. Check ’em out. Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | Comments Off on A little outrage

Viagra gum

Posted on June 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

You know, I just haven’t been getting enough hits off of search engine queries lately. This ought to help. Seeking to maximize its “Double Your Pleasure” slogan, gum maker Wrigley has filed for a patent to cover gum that contains … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 6 Comments

Roy Blunt update

Posted on June 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Remember Rep. Roy Blunt (R, Missouri), the House Majority Whip who tried to sneak some legislation favorable to Philip Morris at the last second into the Homeland Security bill? At the time, I didn’t know exactly what his relationship with … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 10 Comments

DHS clears itself

Posted on June 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Well, I can’t say this this is a big surprise: WASHINGTON — A Homeland Security Department investigation has cleared an agency worker of any wrongdoing in the effort last month to help Texas Republicans track down missing Democratic lawmakers and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 2 Comments

Owls hammer Horns

Posted on June 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The Rice Owls whupped the Longhorns 12-2 to move into the College World Series bracket finals, meaning they have to not lose twice to whoever wins the Texas-Miami game tomorrow night in order to advance to the finals. Woo hoo! … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 6 Comments

Aguirre acquitted

Posted on June 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Former HPD Captain Mark Aguirre was acquitted on all counts of official oppression stemming from the botched K-Mart Kiddie Roundup raid last August. Forewoman Elaine Sayers said the jury, which began deliberating Friday, was unable to find evidence Aguirre tried … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in K-Mart Kiddie Roundup | 4 Comments

“We do run the place”

Posted on June 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

When Republicans were the minority party in the House, they routinely complained that Democrats used the Rules Committee to stifle their bills and amendments. In the 1994 campaign, as part of their Contract With America, they pledged to run the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on “We do run the place”

How that old war on terror is going

Posted on June 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Since everyone and their sock puppets have already linked to this story about Rand Beers and Team Bush’s feckless attitude towards terrorism, I’ll just take the lazy way out and quote Ted: I’m going to go out on a limb … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | Comments Off on How that old war on terror is going

Hey, look! It’s Greg Packer!

Posted on June 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Greg Beato has some fun with the Greg Packer story and the unholy troika of Coulter, Kaus, and Reynolds, who are bound and determined to find a Liberal Media Conspiracy in there somewhere. In case you haven’t heard of this, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 6 Comments

Review: Mister Sinus Theater

Posted on June 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

There turned out to be a large group of us at the new Alamo Drafthouse to see the Mister Sinus Theater presentation of “The Terminator”. The show started late because the Alamo needed more time than they originally thought to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 1 Comment

Tulia 13 to be released today

Posted on June 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

This is the best news you’ll read today: TULIA — Forty months older and $70,000 poorer, Amarillo attorney Jeff Blackburn will stand in a courtroom here today and, at last, watch his pro bono beneficiaries — 13 people imprisoned on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 3 Comments

Grassroots activism

Posted on June 15, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

So yesterday Rob, Ted, and I spent five hours in a big meeting room at the University of Houston attending a “Grassroots Political Conference” given by the Billie Carr Institute and sponsored by the Harris County Democrats, the Harris County … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Nephew on the Killer Ds

Posted on June 15, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Just noticed that Thomas Nephew has also been following the Killer D story as well. Start at that link and follow the other links back for his coverage. Via Amygdala. Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 7 Comments

Rice wins Game 1

Posted on June 15, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The Rice Owls defeated SW Missouri State 4-2 in their opening game of the College World Series last night behind a strong outing from sophomore pitcher Jeff Niemann. The Owls will play the Texas Longhorns, who knocked off Miami 13-2, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment

Connecting the dots

Posted on June 14, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Dwight Meredith takes some recent stories about money and political influence and ties them together in a nice package that touches on campaign finance reform and the appearance of impropriety. Check it out. Meanwhile, here’s today’s Westar update (via Atrios) … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Meanwhile, back in Afghanistan

Posted on June 14, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

You remember Afghanistan, right? Here’s how things are going over there: Such is the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan, compounded by the return to the country of a large number of former Afghan communist refugees, that United States and Pakistani … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Around the world | Comments Off on Meanwhile, back in Afghanistan

Tank v. Dale, the rest of the week

Posted on June 14, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Here are the rest of the Tank McNamara strips that lampooned Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey: Thursday, Friday, and today. Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Tank v. Dale, the rest of the week

Clemens gets 300th win

Posted on June 14, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to Roger Clemens for recording his 300th career win along with his 4000th career strikeout in a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals last night. Rob Neyer makes the case that Clemens has been the best pitcher of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 6 Comments

Currency current events

Posted on June 13, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, cool. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing is talking about printing some more $2 bills. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing may print 121.6 million new $2 bills in fiscal year 2004, which starts Oct. 1, said BEP spokeswoman … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 5 Comments