Monthly Archives: June 2003

Westar update

Posted on June 13, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Some news on the Westar case, in which four GOP legislators are alleged to have altered legislation in a way that would favor a Kansas utility in return for campaign donations. Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-Louisiana), who has already attacked the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 3 Comments

The Alamo Drafthouse

Posted on June 13, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Real nice writeup on the Alamo Drafthouse in today’s Chron. I’ve been extremely jealous of my friends in Austin since I first heard of this place, and I’m just thrilled to pieces to have one here. Good movies, good food, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Defense passes on calling Bradford

Posted on June 13, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Well, shoot. The defense attorney for former HPD Captain Mark Aguirre has rested its case without calling Chief C.O. “BAMF” Bradford as a hostile witness. Closing arguments are today, with jury deliberations expected to start today as well. What a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in K-Mart Kiddie Roundup | Comments Off on Defense passes on calling Bradford

Yogi on the Devils

Posted on June 12, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Who knew Yogi Berra was a hockey fan? Thanks to Matt for sending this to me. By the way, in case you’re curious, that guy who promised to marry his longtime girlfriend if the Mighty Ducks won the Stanley Cup … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on Yogi on the Devils

Sammy draws a seven

Posted on June 12, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

In case you missed it, Sammy Sosa’s eight-game suspension for using a corked bat was reduced to seven games on appeal. Basically, MLB cut him some slack for being forthright in admitting that he was wrong. I’m cool with that. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Sammy draws a seven

Prosecution rests, defense opens

Posted on June 12, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The prosecution rested its case against former HPD Captain Mark Aguirre yesterday, going with a witness who said he felt “duped” by his former mentor instead of with Chief C.O. “BAMF” Bradford as I thought they might. “He was a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in K-Mart Kiddie Roundup | Comments Off on Prosecution rests, defense opens

Two things are certain: spam and taxes

Posted on June 12, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday I noted a WaPo story about House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R, Missouri), who tried at the last minute to slip a provision that limited the sale of tobacco products over the Internet into the bill that created the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 2 Comments

Will Bloom County ride again?

Posted on June 12, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Via Mark Evanier comes this feature article about Bloom County creator Berke Breathed, who appears to be inclined to get back into doing a weekly strip. “I can’t say it wouldn’t be appealing to bring back Opus to the Sunday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 12 Comments

Astros no-hit Yankees

Posted on June 12, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

It’s usually a bad sign when your starting pitcher is forced out of the game after an inning due to injury, but five Houston Astros relievers picked up the ball from Roy Oswalt and combined to throw a no-hitter against … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 6 Comments

Run, Jerry, Run

Posted on June 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve mentioned before that Jerry Springer is considering a run for George Voinovich’s Ohio Senate seat. Now, via O-Dub, I see that he’s not only still considering it, he’s got a blog to help him explore the issue. Hot damn! … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 6 Comments

Your daily dose of melodrama

Posted on June 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

You may have already seen this at Atrios, but on the odd chance that you haven’t yet read this article about some shenanigans by House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), well, let’s let it speak for itself: Only hours after … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Mark your calendars

Posted on June 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Thursday, June 26, is Appropriate Michael Savage’s Name For Your Own Purposes Day. I overslept and thus missed out on National Make Fun of the Cheneys Day (scroll down from here for beaucoup de tasteless fun), but I’m ready for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | 1 Comment

The “R” word again…you know the drill

Posted on June 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s start with this article in the Statesman which examines the position of several key senators on redistricting. A common theme, as summed up by Ken Armbrister (D-Victoria) is that many of them will want something before they’ll carry water … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 4 Comments

Tank v. Dale, Day 3

Posted on June 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s Tank McNamara. Basically a rehash of Monday’s joke, so a bit disappointing. Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Tank v. Dale, Day 3

Prosecution presses on

Posted on June 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The prosecution continues to makes its points in the case against former HPD Captain Mark Aguirre on five counts of official oppression stemming from the botched K-Mart raid last year. The DA has two main thrusts to its argument, which … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in K-Mart Kiddie Roundup | Comments Off on Prosecution presses on

Rockets hire Van Gundy

Posted on June 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Rockets will announce tomorrow the official hiring of former Knicks coach Jeff Van Gundy. The Knicks will apparently receive a second round draft pick as compensation. I like this move. I thought Van Gundy was underrated in New … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 1 Comment

Redistricting roundup and other news

Posted on June 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Boy, everyone‘s talking about the blocker bill now. The Chron had a chat with Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, who reiterated his intentions to follow Senate traditions in any special session, including any session which may revisit redistricting. The upshot of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 1 Comment

Westar update

Posted on June 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Well, well, it looks like this Westar scandal may have some legs, after all. Turns out that in addition to the cash payments made to campaign groups associated with four legislators, a Westar lobbyist attended two of their fundraisers as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Westar update

I’m just asking

Posted on June 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I see that Andrew Sullivan has another pledge drive going on. Apparently, the $80,000 he raised six months ago wasn’t enough to tide him over. I just want to know one thing – if he doesn’t raise enough money to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | 5 Comments

Tank v. Dale, Day 2

Posted on June 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Day 2 of what will likely be a weeklong series of Tank McNamara comics that mock Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey. Today, Dale gets tripped up by the ghost of Kevin Bacon. Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Tank v. Dale, Day 2

The start of something big?

Posted on June 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The Daily Kos has rolled out a new way to affect politics at the national level, an online donation system called ePatriots. In just a few hours, it’s already raised $20,000. I’ll be making my donation soon. Great job, Kos! Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on The start of something big?

On to Omaha (again)!

Posted on June 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Woo hoo! The Rice Owls baseball team is going to Omaha for the College World Series for the second straight year and fourth time overall. They came back from an opening game loss in the best-two-of-three Super Regional against the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 3 Comments

Rio Grande running dry

Posted on June 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Stories like this really suck: “For the first time since the 1950s, the Rio Grande has stopped flowing in Big Bend National Park,” biologist Raymond Skiles wrote in a “daily report” e-mail distributed from the park’s Panther Junction headquarters. “The … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

Astrodome update

Posted on June 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Via Eric McErlain comes this story about the status of the Eighth Wonder of the World: The vastness of the Astrodome still impresses, but little else does. The plumbing is unreliable; the AstroTurf carpet is stained and coming apart at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 26 Comments

Michael Weiner v. The People

Posted on June 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I hadn’t realized that the lawsuit filed by Michael “Savage” Weiner included Take Back The Media – for some reason, I just thought he was going after parody sites like Savage Stupidity and Michael Savage Sucks. TBTM has some sharp … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Comments Off on Michael Weiner v. The People

What took them so long?

Posted on June 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The comic strip Tank McNamara has finally weighed in on the Dale Petroskey/Robbins and Sarandon/Hall of Fame flap. The strip is usually more responsive to topical stuff like this, so I’m rather surprised that this is the first mention of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 10 Comments

Speaking of returns…

Posted on June 8, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The Talking Dog is back from hiatus with a new Movable Type look and a suggestion for an Iraqi national anthem. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Speaking of returns…

I shall very likely return

Posted on June 8, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

When last we spoke, during the Little League All Star Game, I was uncertain about my future status as a coach. I had a chat yesterday with John, the league president and co-worker of Tiffany’s who recruited me to be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Just call me Coach | Comments Off on I shall very likely return

The search for Laney’s plane

Posted on June 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s WaPo has a nice overview of the Killer D story, focusing on the search for former Speaker Pete Laney’s plane. Regardless of your opinion on this situation, you’ll find the info on how Homeland Security’s Air and Marine Interdiction … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on The search for Laney’s plane

You don’t say

Posted on June 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, guess what? The media isn’t liberal after all. Bill O’Reilly says so, which means it must be true. Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | Comments Off on You don’t say

Dems want Westar investigation

Posted on June 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Democrats are calling for an investigation into allegations that energy company Westar made political contributions to four legislators in return for a favorable amendment to pending legislation. The money went to political groups associated with GOP leaders, including Rep. Joe … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Aguirre trial update

Posted on June 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The prosecution is still presenting its case against former HPD Captain Mark Aguirre. On Thursday, Sgt. (formerly Lt.) Frank Jackson testified that Aguirre made some changes to the original plan after it had been submitted for approval: Jackson said Aguirre … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in K-Mart Kiddie Roundup | Comments Off on Aguirre trial update

Get yer influence over here

Posted on June 6, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

You know, I’m not sure which is more galling for me, the fact that a failing energy company apparently bought influence from some politicians or the fact that I skipped past the headline in today’s paper without giving it a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Get yer influence over here

Fastow finagling

Posted on June 6, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Lawyers for Lea Fastow are asking that her trial be delayed until after her husband, former Enron CFO Andrew Fastow, has been tried, on the grounds that he has unique exculpatory testimony to offer on her behalf. The request extends … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Fastow finagling