Monthly Archives: February 2004

Norquist to be investigated?

Posted on February 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Remember this article about how Grover Norquist was going to help the GOP gain complete domination of American politics? Turns out it may contain a confession of wrongdoing in it: Diners brushed past the men unaware, as Ken Mehlman and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 5 Comments

Praise the Lord and pass the hot wings

Posted on February 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I can’t believe I missed this in this week’s Press. Obviously, between Tim Fleck’s departure and Rich Connelly’s Super Bowl diary, I got distracted. It’s tough work transforming our government into a Southern Baptist church, so where does U.S. Representative … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 5 Comments

It was the Flu Pandemic, and it swept the whole world wide

Posted on February 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Linkmeister points to a couple of articles about the flu, both of the 1918 and modern varieties. The first article, about how the deadly Spanish influenza pandemic took hold in humans, does not specifically mention if it used samples of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 2 Comments

Fleck to Chronicle?

Posted on February 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an interesting rumor for you, from political analyst/gossipmeister George Strong: And the hot rumor of the day is that Tim Fleck is in discussions with the local paper to join it for his Insider column. Fleck is a well … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Wherefore art thou, Mario?

Posted on February 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

It’s just never a good thing for a reelection campaign when a former stripper files a lawsuit against you in which she alleges “emotional and physical pain during a 17-year affair”. Which is what happened to State Sen. Mario Gallegos … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 5 Comments

The South Regional shall rise again

Posted on February 5, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

It’s never really too early for March Madness, is it? Here’s a study (PDF) by three liberal-arts economist types who claim that all regions’ seedings in the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament have become less accurate over the past few years, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 1 Comment

FCC Fracas

Posted on February 5, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Last week in San Antonio was the big FCC hearing on localism, number two of six in a series. Judging from the news accounts I’ve been reading, it looks like it was a pretty lively event. Here are some excerpts … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 2 Comments

It’s the deficit, stupid!

Posted on February 5, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

This story about a possible cutback in funds for the Port of Houston, contains the bones of what I think should be the main strategy of each endangered Democratic Congressional incumbent here. Rep. Nick Lampson, D-Beaumont, said a major concern … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 2 Comments

Dome redevelopers want more time

Posted on February 5, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Time for an Astrodome Redevelopment Update. The Astrodome Redevelopment Co. has asked the Harris County Sports and Convention Corp. to extend a deadline for its plan for a space theme park in the dome until after the Houston Livestock Show … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Friends in high places

Posted on February 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a little expenditure that you won’t find detailed in the current budget. A media firm working for President Bush’s re-election campaign has a share of the administration’s publicly funded $12.6 million advertising effort touting the new Medicare law. National … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Friends in high places

BAN Prosperity Index

Posted on February 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an interesting way of looking at the current economic climate: the BAN Prosperity Index. The BAN Prosperity Index is a weighted aggregation of six economic indicators that directly affect poor and middle class Americans. Included in the aggregation are … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on BAN Prosperity Index

Probably the last damn Super Bowl thing I’ll write

Posted on February 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Two final indications that things must have gone reasonably well this week. One is Rich Connelly’s Super Bowl diary, in which he actually seems impressed with the downtown party scene in spite of himself. As bizarre as it may seem, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Courts spike Bacardi trademark claim

Posted on February 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I just love to see Tom DeLay lose, even if it’s only by proxy. In a blow to one of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s (R-Texas) top legislative goals, a federal trademark court has dismissed rum giant Bacardi’s claim that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Courts spike Bacardi trademark claim

OK, it really was worth it

Posted on February 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I believe we can now officially answer affirmitively when asked whether or not it was worth it for Houston to host a Super Bowl: Apparently, doing so has made Dallasites envious. Listen, Houston is one of my favorite places. How … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on OK, it really was worth it

No girls allowed

Posted on February 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

If golfer Greg Norman had his way, the PGA Tour would permanently bar women from playing in its events. The Australian star dismissed women in men’s events as a marketing ploy, and said men’s tours should consider changing their bylaws … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 5 Comments

Raising money in Texas

Posted on February 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Somewhat to my surprise, given how many members of our Congressional delegation have endorsed Wes Clark and how well-established the Howard Dean network is, John Edwards is the top money-raiser among Democrats in Texas. Edwards raised $1.6 million in Texas … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 3 Comments

In every generation there is a Chosen One

Posted on February 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Alex recasts “Buffy” and “Angel” in terms of the 2004 Presidential race, as only he can. Check it out. UPDATE: Oops! I had originally credited this to Mac Thomason, but the author was his co-blogger at War Liberal instead. My … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | 2 Comments

Morris Meyer

Posted on February 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I received an email today from the campaign of Morris Meyer, who is running against the objectively pro-pollution Rep. Joe Barton in the 6th CD. He’s got an uphill battle ahead of him to say the least, but he does … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on Morris Meyer

Ted Barlow is a genius

Posted on February 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I’m in awe of this idea. The only way to make it better would be to get a national columnist to write about it if and when NR prints a bogus letter. Ted, we are not worthy. UPDATE: In case … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | 4 Comments

It’s about time

Posted on February 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Finally, the Chron gets some letters regarding its overview and review of some of the better strip clubs in town. I was beginning to get worried that no one would bother to work up a head of froth for me. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Breast backlash!

Posted on February 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

OK, reaction to Janet Jackson’s naked boobie is getting just a wee bit out of hand. The head of the Federal Communications Commission ordered an investigation Monday into the broadcast of the Super Bowl’s halftime show, which included a revealing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 14 Comments

Fleck leaves Press

Posted on February 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

This is a damn shame: Political writer Tim Fleck has apparently left the Houston Press. Citing a severance agreement that stipulated he not discuss the circumstances of his departure, Fleck isn’t saying much. Press Editor Margaret Downing was equally tight-lipped. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 9 Comments

“Spam is bad”, experts say

Posted on February 2, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Hold on to your hats, everyone. Experts are telling us that spam may have a bad effect on business and stuff. The exponential growth of unsolicited junk e-mail — spam — is shaking consumer confidence in the Internet and may … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on “Spam is bad”, experts say

Maybe there is something to that “electability” thing

Posted on February 2, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Holy crap. The latest Quinnipiac poll of registered voters has Kerry beating Bush nationally by 51-43. That’s better than all of the other Dems, who each trail Bush by a small margin, and is greater than the margin of error, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 2 Comments

Color line broken earlier?

Posted on February 2, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

According to this story, the Society for American Baseball Research is trying to determine if William Edward White, who played one game with the National League’s Providence Greys in 1879, was the first black man to play in a major … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 2 Comments

A grave and gathering danger

Posted on February 2, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Where the doctrine of preemption based on “grave and gathering danger” came from, according to Thadeus and Weez. Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | Comments Off on A grave and gathering danger

What I like about Houston

Posted on February 2, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve taken a few dozen deep breaths now, and I’m doing my best not to let a pampered media pretty boy like Bill Simmons annoy me. He’s probably the kind of guy who shows up as a friend-of-a-friend at a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 8 Comments

Super Bowl wrapup

Posted on February 1, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

It sure doesn’t suck to be Adam Vinatieri, does it? Two blown field goals and he comes out the hero anyway. Life is beautiful all the time. Was it just me, or was there a serious shortage of genuine, memorable, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 13 Comments

Encore?

Posted on February 1, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

We haven’t even played the Super Bowl yet, but NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue seems suitably impressed with how things have gone so far. “I want to thank Houston for all they’re continuing to do to make this game a great … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 6 Comments