Monthly Archives: September 2004

Book signing postponed

Posted on September 24, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The planned signing of Fifty Years of the Texas Observer at the Holcombe Barnes & Noble in Houston, originally scheduled for this Sunday has been postponed. No word yet on a makeup date. And yes, I’m still working on reading … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books | Comments Off on Book signing postponed

Are you registered yet?

Posted on September 24, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The deadline to register to vote in the 2004 election is October 4. If you’re not registered yet, what are you waiting for? If you live in Harris County, I urge you to check out HCVoter.net, the online resource for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 1 Comment

The Astrodome hotel

Posted on September 24, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like we may have finally settled the what-to-do-with-the-Astrodome question: The company which is seeking to redevelop the Dome now has a plan to turn it into a hotel/entertainment center. The new plan still calls for some rides, possibly even … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

Watching the races

Posted on September 24, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Some Congressional news and notes: Here’s a profile of the race for CD19 between Rep. Charlie Stenholm and Rep. Randy Neugebauer. Stenholm’s 17th District — which stretched from near the New Mexico border to the outskirts of Fort Worth — … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 1 Comment

Tom ‘n’ Tom 4Ever

Posted on September 24, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Not a whole lot of news on the TRMPAC indictment front today, but the Chron comes through with a front-page story that disputes the statements by Tom Craddick and Tom DeLay which claim their involvement with TRMPAC was tangential at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

TXU backs down

Posted on September 23, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like TXU has backed off its ill-conceived plan to base rates on credit scores after State Rep. Rene Olveira (D-Brownsville) threatened legal action. Sarah has the details. Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 2 Comments

In case you’re wondering if the fame will go to my head

Posted on September 23, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I got the following email this afternoon, which reads in total: You stupid liberal! Put the koolaid down! How can I resist such advice? And yes, it was spaced like that in my email. It also came with this excellent … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 5 Comments

Hubener and Allen

Posted on September 23, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update on the race for SD106, featuring Katy Hubener and the multi-tasking wizardry of incumbent Ray Allen. (Have I mentioned that this is the kind of coverage of local races that I want to see more of in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 1 Comment

Ivan 2: The wrath of Khan

Posted on September 23, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Criminy. Don’t storms know when they’re over any more? I’ll echo what Christine said: After Tropical Storm Allison, no one around here is saying “well, at least it’s not a hurricane”. Stay dry down in Seabrook, Jack! Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Ivan 2: The wrath of Khan

Craddick’s turn

Posted on September 23, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The grand jury work in Austin isn’t over yet. Another grand jury will be impaneled starting next week, and this time their focus will be House Speaker Tom Craddick and the Texas Association of Business. Let’s go to the videotape: … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 6 Comments

More from the tort “reform” files

Posted on September 23, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

With President Bush’s continued rhetorical assault on the civil court system, the LA Times takes a look at how Texas went from being a consumer-friendly state to one where there’s very little recourse for those who have been ripped off … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 1 Comment

I’d like to thank the academy

Posted on September 22, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Well. I’m rather at a loss for words regarding this.I’ll settle for “Wow! That’s pretty cool.” I don’t know who at the Press makes these choices, but whoever you are, thanks very much. One thing, though: [A]mong political bloggers, Kuffner … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 20 Comments

And don’t forget the DCCC

Posted on September 22, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

One more pitch for the day: You’ve probably heard of the New Partnership for America’s Future (PDF), the new national campaign push by the Congressional Democrats to make their case for a majority (see also here). That makes this as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 3 Comments

DeLay’s folly is Morrison’s opportunity

Posted on September 22, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve all been enjoying a little schadenfreude at the expense of Tom DeLay and his cronies, but it could mean so much more if the current unpleasantness surrounding him leads directly to his exit from the public stage. You know … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on DeLay’s folly is Morrison’s opportunity

Statesman profiles State House races

Posted on September 22, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

There are good profiles from the last two Sunday Austin American-Statesman editions on the races in HD50 and HD48, which feature Mark Strama and Kelly White, respectively. Texas Tuesdays previously interviewed them here and here. Check them out, and consider … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 3 Comments

Indictment update

Posted on September 22, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s see what there is out there today on the TRMPAC indictments: Byron has some good linkage, including the Morning News story: “This is not good news for DeLay,” political analyst Norm Ornstein said. While Mr. Ornstein emphasized that the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 4 Comments

Red State, Blue State

Posted on September 21, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Pretty clever idea, getting red staters and blue staters to actually talk about issues so we can all see where they agree and disagree (and, as Hope points out, where they’re just plain factually challenged). Now if I can only … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 2 Comments

TRMPAC indictments handed down

Posted on September 21, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

My original info was a bit off, but from my perspective that’s just fine since the real story is even better. A Travis County grand jury today indicted three consultants with Texans for a Republican Majority and at least seven … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 9 Comments

Has it been six months already?

Posted on September 21, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The Stakeholder and Taking on Tom DeLay both note that the Travis County grand jury which is investigating the TRMPAC allegations ends its term today amid rumors of indictments. From the Chron: Terry Scarborough, a lawyer representing TRMPAC, said attorneys … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Redistricting revisited

Posted on September 21, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Lasso cites this New Yorker article by Jeffrey Toobin on redistricting, and pulls up short when he sees a reference to the 2003 re-redistricting in Texas: When the DeLay plan was submitted to the Justice Department for approval, career officials … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on Redistricting revisited

Taking back Texas

Posted on September 21, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Some other news and notes from the campaigns: Check out Take Back Texas, which looks to be a clearinghouse on various state races of interest. They’ve got some good stories on several familiar Texas Tuesday names, and a good story … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on Taking back Texas

Texas Tuesdays: Meyer and Sadun

Posted on September 21, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Time for another Texas Tuesdays Twofer, this week starring Morris Meyer and Lorenzo Sadun, two creative and hardworking candidates fighting the good fight on tough terrain. Check it all out: Meyer intro Meyer interview Donate to Meyer Sadun intro Sadun … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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What could be better than giant Presidential heads?

Posted on September 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Why, giant Presidential heads in a Zippy the Pinhead comic, that’s what. Many thanks to Rob for the catch. Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on What could be better than giant Presidential heads?

DeLay investigation dunked?

Posted on September 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

We should know in another day or two if the House Ethics Committee will use the option of last resort, which is basically to say “we don’t feel like it” and call it a partisan deadlock. At least the Democrats … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

First actual Enron trial begins today

Posted on September 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Jury selection has begun for the first actual Enron-related trial, known as the “Nigerian Barge” case. The six people defending themselves in the case over the sale of Nigerian barges will not include high-profile names like ex-Enron Chairman Ken Lay … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on First actual Enron trial begins today

Drinking Liberally

Posted on September 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been reading about Drinking Liberally at Eschaton, and figured I’d check it out to see where they’re organized. Lo and behold, Houston is a member city. Thursdays are inconvenient for me in the fall because of MOB practice, but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

What to watch this fall

Posted on September 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

So I’ve read about the new fall lineups, I’ve seen a few preview teasers, and I’ve set my TiVo accordingly: Season passes for old favorites “24” and “Law and Order: SVU” when they return, and trial-run recordings of “Lost” and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 18 Comments

FBI report on Tulia investigation

Posted on September 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The Express News reports on an FBI investigation into the Tulia drug busts and which concludes that there’s no evidence of racial motives on the part of disgraced undercover agent Tom Coleman, and thus no evidence with which to bring … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

A big catchup elections post

Posted on September 19, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a nice endorsement for Martin Frost. Ed Smart is best-known as the father of kidnapped Utah teenager Elizabeth Smart, whom authorities found alive and safe after nine months in captivity. He’s also a Republican. But Mr. Smart traveled to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 1 Comment

A little taste of Houston

Posted on September 19, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Rick’s Cabaret comes to the Big Apple. The only publicly traded chain of topless and swinger’s clubs is expanding into Manhattan with the acquisition of a topless bar near Madison Square Garden. Rick’s Cabaret — a club where Anna Nicole … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | Comments Off on A little taste of Houston

Does Perry get it?

Posted on September 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Perry sure does want to come down on the losing side of the school finance debate, it seems to me. While Gov. Rick Perry on Friday questioned whether a state district judge’s ruling on public school finance would be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Does Perry get it?

700

Posted on September 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to Barry Bonds for his 700th career home run. I don’t think I really thought he was going to break Hank Aaron’s record until I realized a few weeks ago how close to 700 he was. He’s still more … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 2 Comments

DeLay’s devilment

Posted on September 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

If I could add one thing to this anti-DeLay editorial in today’s Chron, it would be to note that one other side effect of his egregious redistricting scheme has put DeLay himself into a hotly contested race for the first … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 4 Comments

Kristen Mack

Posted on September 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron has finally gotten around to replacing the departed John Williams as the weekly local-politics columnist, and I think they made a good choice in Kristen Mack. Most of today’s piece is about the two cap-related city propositions on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 8 Comments