Monthly Archives: August 2003

Rail update

Posted on August 24, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Earlier this week, the Metro board gave final approval to a light rail extension plan that will be on the ballot this November. After much talk and several proposals to put in rail all over the place, the final proposal … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

Jury duty

Posted on August 24, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Last year I criticized another blogger for publicly asking how he could get out of jury duty. According to today’s paper, all he really had to do was not show up. Many of the empty chairs can be attributed to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 19 Comments

A little blogwatching

Posted on August 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Just a few things of interest I’ve come across lately, all worth your time to click and read. Michael finds FireWire Dino, a four port hub shaped like Godzilla. You know you want one. StoutDem says that men are doomed. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | Comments Off on A little blogwatching

Perry pardons most Tulia defendants

Posted on August 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Governor Perry has pardoned 35 Tulia defendants, which is mostly good news. I hate to poop on this, but there are a few things which trouble me: Perry announced the pardons in the notorious Tulia case along with 25 others. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Perry pardons most Tulia defendants

The Dean house party

Posted on August 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I had a nice time at the Dean house party at the lovely home of Mr. and Mrs. GetDonkey. It takes a certain leap of faith to throw something like this, since the guest list was (I presume, anyway) quite … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 4 Comments

Downtown San Antonio

Posted on August 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a nice little article about some revitalization going on in downtown San Antonio. They’ve at least got the advantage of not having a bunch of torn-up streets making it impossible for anyone to enter these fledgling businesses, unlike some … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on Downtown San Antonio

GOP decides against sledgehammer party

Posted on August 23, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like the Harris County GOP has backed off its idea to aid in the destruction of the former Democratic Party headquarters. County GOP Chairman Jared Woodfill said Friday night that the party received anonymous threats after announcing plans to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

My contribution to Flood The Zone Friday

Posted on August 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Sent from my Yahoo mailbox to viewpoints@chron.com: It was nice to see the article in today’s paper that some parts of the oil patch are hiring. It’s good to know that someone, somewhere, is creating jobs. Since taking office in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Comments Off on My contribution to Flood The Zone Friday

Sleepless summer

Posted on August 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

SoI received an email yesterday from Matthew Gross of the Dean campaign saying that I could get a press pass for their Sleepless Summer tour. Pretty cool, but as the closest they’ll be coming is San Antonio, I regretfully declined. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

Public forum on Iraqi intelligence

Posted on August 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Natasha attended a public forum in Washington held by Congressman Jay Inslee that focused on what intelligence the US had on Iraq’s alleged WMDs and what we did with it. She took some great notes on what was said. (There … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | Comments Off on Public forum on Iraqi intelligence

Another misstep for Sanchez

Posted on August 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

What the heck is going on with Orlando Sanchez? Has he forgotten how to act like a politician? I don’t know what else to make of this story, in which Sanchez denied knowledge of an incident for which he’d already … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2003 | Comments Off on Another misstep for Sanchez

I must be slipping

Posted on August 22, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Something I totally forgot to mention in yesterday’s post about the Texas 11 was a remark that Governor Perry made that was quoted in the Chron. Gov. Rick Perry has said he will call another special session if the Democrats … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 3 Comments

Some alternate thoughts for Flood the Zone Friday

Posted on August 21, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I am planning on taking part in Flood the Zone Friday, an activity which I recommend for you as well. However, before you put metaphorical pen to paper, read what Lisa English has to say about activism and and sabotage. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 3 Comments

I’ve run out of clever title ideas

Posted on August 21, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I guess I don’t have any more excuses for avoiding Killer D/Texas 11 stuff now that I’m safely out of class and back in touch with the world. There really isn’t much to report – the Dems have amended their … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 3 Comments

Roger Stone update

Posted on August 21, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

My faithful correspondent Alfredo Garcia has been mailing me regular updates on the case of Mary McCarty and Roger Stone. McCarty is a Republican County Commissioner from Palm Beach who was cited for election law violations as chair of a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 3 Comments

Dem-olition

Posted on August 21, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

From the Unsubtle Symbolism Dept: Republicans in Harris County have pounded their Democratic opponents time and time again at the ballot box during the past decade. Sunday, they intend to throw a grand old party to batter the Democrats’ former … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 8 Comments

A sure sign of trouble

Posted on August 21, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a sure sign that Orlando Sanchez’s mayoral campaign is in trouble: Kevin is pissed at him, and for good reason. [11 News has] found some intriguing details deep in the latest filings by the Orlando Sanchez campaign. Literally thousands … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2003 | 5 Comments

Ratliff to resign?

Posted on August 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Byron points to this DMN story about Sen. Bill Ratliff, who in an interview was critical of the decision to remove the 2/3 rule from the second Senate special session. How firmly does Ratliff believe in Senate tradition? See here: … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 2 Comments

Enron to sell building

Posted on August 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Enron has put its its main building at 1400 Smith Street (affectionately known as the Speed Stick Building, at least by me) on the auction block. Its remaining employees will move into nearby Four Houston Center. This means there will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Enron to sell building

Flood the zone Friday

Posted on August 20, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’m in. You should be, too. Great idea, Ezra! Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 3 Comments

Visitor tax

Posted on August 19, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Day Two of my class is ongoing, and as you can see I do have some access to a computer. It’s pretty limited, though. Just wanted to highlight this article about the really high rental car taxes and fees in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

In training

Posted on August 18, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’m about to head off to The Woodlands for a three-day training class. I have no idea if I’ll have any computer access during this time (it’s not a technical class), so this may or may not be the last … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | Comments Off on In training

Baylor update

Posted on August 18, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

On the day that the tape recording which revealed his desire to tar murdered player Patrick Dennehy as a drug dealer became public, disgraced former Baylor basketball coach Dave Bliss visited a player’s home in an attempt to enlist him … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 1 Comment

Must…keep…straight…face…

Posted on August 18, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

This is the funniest thing you’ll read today. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who is pushing congressional redistricting in Texas, said Sunday that Democratic state senators who fled to New Mexico to prevent a redistricting vote are violating the U.S. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 18 Comments

GOP radio ad attacks Sen. Hinojosa

Posted on August 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

This, via Byron, is unbelievable: McALLEN — Local Democratic leaders are upset about a new radio spot that is running on at least one area radio station attacking State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen. Hinojosa is among the 11 Democrat … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 5 Comments

Time is on whose side?

Posted on August 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The Chronicle reiterates the Democratic strategy of running out the clock. “The clock is ticking. The end game is: At what point does the clock run out on the Republicans’ ability to pass a redistricting plan and have it in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 1 Comment

Baylor story gets uglier

Posted on August 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I didn’t think it was possible for the story of murdered Baylor basketball player Patrick Dennehy to get any sleazier, but I was wrong. WACO — Baylor University president Robert Sloan and chairman of the Board of Regents Drayton McLane … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 5 Comments

It’s Insurance Day

Posted on August 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The Sundy editorials are all about insurance, mostly Proposition 12. Rep. Joe “Mold claim? What mold claim?” Nixon has the pro-Prop 12 position, while former State Supreme Court Justice Deborah Harkinson says it’s a violation of the principle of separation … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on It’s Insurance Day

Will Cubans abandon Bush?

Posted on August 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this is interesting: MIAMI – For the first time since he became a U.S. citizen decades ago, 62-year-old Santiago Portal won’t vote for a Republican for president. The Cuban American says he’s fed up with President Bush’s policy on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 3 Comments

Sanctions

Posted on August 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Now that Fair And Balanced Friday is history, I can go back to talking about redistricting. Both sides are dug in for the long haul, though neither side knows where the finish line is. Republicans are talking about postponing primaries … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on Sanctions

Naughty spam followup

Posted on August 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Back in April I noted a story about possible “hostile workplace environment” ramifications of unwanted pornographic email. I quoted a part of the story in which Hans Bader, an attorney for the Center for Individual Rights, said the following: “It’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 2 Comments

An actual serious (yet still fair and balanced!) post about music

Posted on August 15, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Kevin is pretty happy about this story of how the new Country Legends radio station in Houston is replacing tampon seller KILT as the top-rated country station in Houston. I’m glad to hear it, too, but I still have the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Our fair and balanced National Guard

Posted on August 15, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The 1108th Aviation Classification Repair Activity Depot is Fair And Balanced. Hey, FauxNews, sue that! Via Blah3, which has over 300 other Fair And Balanced (But As Yet Un-Sued) weblogs listed for your approval. Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | Comments Off on Our fair and balanced National Guard

Some fair and balanced blogwatching

Posted on August 15, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not feeling so fair this morning, so maybe a little balanced blogwatching will help. The Agitator does lunch with Ann Coulter. Hilarity ensues. Skip the comments, which are fairly bogged down by unbalanced trolls. Via Barney Gumble. Speaking of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | 1 Comment