Monthly Archives: January 2004

Replacing Ratliff

Posted on January 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

There are two State Senate seats to be filled by a special election on Tuesday, as replacements for Teel Bivins and Bill Ratliff will be chosen. Bivins will surely be replaced by another Republican (though there is a credible Democrat … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on Replacing Ratliff

Fort Bend Follies

Posted on January 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

What the hell is going on in Fort Bend County? Fort Bend County Sheriff Milton Wright, the only Republican candidate for the office, was granted a temporary restraining order Friday, keeping the only Democratic candidate off his party’s ballot. The … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 4 Comments

December traffic report

Posted on January 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

December was my busiest month ever, with over 35,000 hits on the Sitemeter counter, thanks to several high-profile links to my Worst Movies list and my interview with Richard Morrison. Had there not been the usual lull for Christmas and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Traffic Reports | 2 Comments

Best new blog

Posted on January 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re looking for a reason to expand your blogroll, check out the vast number of nominees in the Best New Blog category of the Koufax awards. The breadth and depth of the new voices out there is amazing. Cast … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 1 Comment

Filing wrapup

Posted on January 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday was the filing deadline, and with the Supreme Court’s refusal to grant an injunction against the new Congressional map pending an appeal to that court, the election will go forward under it. Let’s see where we stand now. In … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 1 Comment

Norbizness business

Posted on January 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Happy Furry Puppy Story Time has abandoned Blogspot for a new home. Update your bookmarks and drop by for a visit. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Norbizness business

Ashcroft investigation request hits the press

Posted on January 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Yesterday I mentioned that a coalition of campaign-finance watchdogs had issued a press release in which they called on Deputy Attorney General James Comey to appoint an outside special counsel to investigate an illegal use of funds by John Ashcroft … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 3 Comments

Can we talk?

Posted on January 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

With the Fastows in the bag, Kenny Boy Lay is looking to cover his hiney by getting out in front of the Enron story. “He’ll be talking soon,” attorney Mike Ramsey said during a news conference he called to discuss … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | 1 Comment

Promoting marriage

Posted on January 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Hope, whom I had the pleasure of meeting while up in Austin to play bridge, has a critical look at the recent initiative to promote marriage in the US. Not too surprisingly, the idea is one part conservative Lysenkoism and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | Comments Off on Promoting marriage

I’m sure the folks at Fark could lend you a hand

Posted on January 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Do you think that maybe this guy kept the photos that came with his wallet until he could get the film on his camera developed? DENTON – A candidate for Denton County sheriff who posted faked pictures of “friends and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | 2 Comments

Lampson to run in CD 2

Posted on January 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Nick Lampson has made up his mind: he’s running in the 2nd CD. Lampson, who has represented the 9th District since 1997, will run in the new 2nd District, which extends from eastern Harris County to Beaumont. The 9th … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 1 Comment

Mold on the roof

Posted on January 15, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

We were fixing to have ourselves a little mold dustup at Minute Maid Park yesterday. A day away from Thursday’s deadline to restore the $250 million ballpark’s roof to its original white color, and 2 1/2 weeks away from the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 6 Comments

Going after Ashcroft

Posted on January 15, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

A group of public interest watchdogs have joined forces to pressure the Justice Department into appointing a special prosecutor to investigate charges that Attorney General John Ashcroft broke campaign finance laws in his unsuccessful run for reelection to the Senate … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Frost, Lampson, and Sandlin

Posted on January 15, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

As of today, we know what the immediate plans are for Democratic incumbents Charlie Stenholm (running in CD 19 against freshman Republican Rep. Randy Neugebauer), Chet Edwards (running in CD 17, most likely against State Rep. Arlene Wohlgemuth), Lloyd Doggett … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 1 Comment

Yo, Chuck, we’re still waiting

Posted on January 15, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Hmph. According to this Houston Press article, those of us who want to know the secret identities of anti-rail group Texans for True Mobility’s donors better be prepared for disappointment. Seems our DA, Chuck Rosenthal, isn’t particularly eager to enforce … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Yo, Chuck, we’re still waiting

Guilty, guilty, guilty!

Posted on January 14, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The Fastows have made their pleas. Andrew Fastow, the ex-Enron chief financial officer, pleaded guilty at 2:30 p.m. today to two counts of conspiracy and agreed to accept a 10-year prison sentence and forfeit $23.8 million to the federal government. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | 2 Comments

Richards for Dean

Posted on January 14, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like former Texas Governor Ann Richards is about to endorse Howard Dean for President. Like Al Gore, Richards, whose not-so-narrow loss to Bush in 1994 set the stage for his meteoric rise, helps Dean make a key argument about … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 6 Comments

Car identity crisis

Posted on January 14, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

So we bought a new car just after Christmas, a Subaru Outback which in a less enlightened time would be called a “station wagon” but is now known by its more politically correct moniker, the “four-door hatchback”. It’s Tiffany’s car … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 13 Comments

Brief filing notes

Posted on January 14, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Chris Bell has officially filed for the new 9th CD, and one potential primary opponent has bowed out. Bell will run in the new 9th District, which contains much of the south Harris County population Bell now represents but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on Brief filing notes

Fastows to plead out

Posted on January 14, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a deal. Andrew Fastow, the former chief financial officer, is expected to plead guilty in return for a 10-year prison term. His likely cooperation with prosecutors could start other dominoes falling — and either clear … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Fastows to plead out

New CREW

Posted on January 13, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I’m glad to see that the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) has gotten themselves a webpage, since I criticized them for not having one awhile back. They’re doing a good job monitoring and raising a fuss over … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on New CREW

Who’s afraid of Sandra Day?

Posted on January 13, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t tell if Robert Novak is blowing smoke here or not, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Republican joy over a federal court approving congressional redistricting in Texas was diminished by an opening in the decision that could give U.S. Supreme … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 15 Comments

Watch out for flying spam

Posted on January 13, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I seem to have avoided the recent comment spam outbreak that infested a number of folks’ sites, such as Teresa. Just lucky this time, but I will say this: If you’re using Movable Type and you allow comments, but you … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Administrivia | 1 Comment

D3 doings

Posted on January 13, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Some rule changes for Division III sports: Eight Division III schools will be allowed to continue giving out scholarships for sports that compete in Division I, though no other Division III schools will be allowed to award athletic scholarships in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

Filing news

Posted on January 13, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Rep. Gene Green, whose 29th CD is still a Democratic stronghold even if it no longers includes his house, will buy a house in the new district and file for reelection there. He may also have company in the primary. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 2 Comments

Clear Channel attempts to get a clue

Posted on January 13, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Evil megacorporation Clear Channel is trying to convince critics that it’s not hopelessly out of touch with the markets that it “serves”: In a move to tune into what its critics are saying, radio giant Clear Channel Communications on Monday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 10 Comments

The American Street

Posted on January 12, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing the Blog Trend of the Year for 2003 as determined by Jim Henley, there’s a new group blog in town, The American Street. Has a nice, albeit work-in-progress look about it and a good cast of contributors. Check it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on The American Street

Straws in the wind

Posted on January 12, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

This article on President Bush’s immigration reform proposal and its possible effects on Hispanic voters contains good news and bad news for both major parties. Many political analysts who watched the president unveil his immigration reform package said it was … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 4 Comments

Clemens signs with Astros

Posted on January 12, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I guess reports of his retirement were greatly exaggerated. Astros owner Drayton McLane has done it again, persuading future Hall of Famer Roger Clemens to put off retirement for a year. McLane acknowledged the deal, but he preferred to withhold … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 5 Comments

Sunday redistricting stories

Posted on January 12, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t have a whole lot of faith that the Supreme Court is going to offer any relief to the losing plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the new Congressional map, but this Statesman article suggests a way it could happen. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on Sunday redistricting stories

Still more on Rose

Posted on January 12, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Some more evidence from Richard Justice’s column that Pete Rose badly miscalculated with his non-contrite admission of gambling on baseball after so many years of denial. The Chicago Tribune surveyed 159 Hall of Fame voters, and only 45.3 percent of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 8 Comments

In praise of vinyl

Posted on January 11, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

It’s nice if somewhat quaint to read that old fashioned vinyl albums still have a share of the music market, even if it is a tiny one. The reason why is clear to audiophiles. For sound purists, the distinction between … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 9 Comments

Dems want Phil Gramm investigated

Posted on January 11, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

And to complete my Sunday Scandals Trifecta, state Democrats are asking that former Senator Phil Gramm be investigated for breaking a lobbying law. AUSTIN — Texas Democrats have asked Travis County prosecutors, as well as the Texas Ethics Commission, to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Dems want Phil Gramm investigated

DA finally gets around to investigating anti-rail group

Posted on January 11, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Now that November’s election is safely over, Harris County DA Chuck Rosenthal is finally getting around to finishing up that investigation of anti-rail group Texans for True Mobility. Texans for True Mobility is believed to have spent about $1.5 million … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments