Monthly Archives: December 2004

County by county comparisons

Posted on December 9, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Via Polstate, a county by county comparison of the two-party Presidential vote in Texas for 2000 and 2004. I actually started some work on this very topic myself just before leaving town for Thanksgiving. You can see my spreadsheet here. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

“Dig a hole, and dump them in it”

Posted on December 9, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Inside the mind of Gerald Allen, the Republican state legislator from Alabama who has introduced legislation that would ban the use of state funds to purchase any books or other materials that “promote homosexuality”, from “A Chorus Line” and Tennessee … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 5 Comments

Lights in the Heights 2004

Posted on December 9, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time once again for the best neighborhood Christmas festival in Houston, Lights in the Heights. The festival, which was born almost two decades ago as a way for neighbors to get to know each other, has ballooned into one … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

More on the House challenge panel

Posted on December 9, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron has a little bit more on the House panel which will decide the three electoral challenges. There’s more on panel vice-chair Craig Eiland here. Steve Wasserman of KPRC joins the list of anti-Heflin editorialists. The Austin Chronicle summarizes … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 2 Comments

Who watches the HCTRA?

Posted on December 9, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

KHOU asks the question “Who watches the Harris County Toll Road Authority?” It’s no secret that more than a dozen new toll roads are proposed over the next 20 years. Some are already under construction. What many may not know … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

DeLay returns money

Posted on December 8, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s something you don’t see every day: Tom DeLay returning campaign contributions. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay’s legal expense fund accepted improper contributions from two registered lobbyists in 2001 and this week returned the checks, totaling $3,500, fund trustee Brent … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Murphy fallout

Posted on December 8, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Despite his lightning-quick acquittal, the consensus remains that Calvin Murphy is finished as a public figure. “We remain committed to re-evaluating his situation at the end of the season regarding his future with the organization and that of the broadcast … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 7 Comments

Texas political blogger update

Posted on December 8, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Though I’ve added the newer blogs that I’m currently aware of, I know I’m clearly remiss in updating the Texas Political Bloggers page. Please feel free to help me out and leave any sites I’ve overlooked in the comments. Thanks. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 1 Comment

I’ll take US Geography for $400, Alex

Posted on December 8, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Take this test and see how well you can do placing states on a blank map. Pretty cool. I got 92%, average error 11 miles, and 268 seconds to complete, but I think I got an easy draw. I’ll try … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | 11 Comments

Rick Perry Versus The World

Posted on December 7, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t know who the author of this blog is, but I’ll be interested to see what he or she has to say about the 2006 GOP gubernatorial primary as it approaches. His or her initial thoughts on the race … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 4 Comments

Your tax dollars at work

Posted on December 7, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Apply for federal money to pay for an undercover narcotics task force, then when the officer you’ve hired to rid your county of drugs turns out to be dirty and blows a hole in your budget with the mess he’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 2 Comments

It’s Just A Game

Posted on December 7, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Did you know that Charles Shulz drew a second comic strip in the 1950s, before “Peanuts” really took off? I didn’t. The strip was a one-panel, three-day-a-week affair called “It’s Just A Game”, and it featured something you never saw … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 1 Comment

Once more with Kinky

Posted on December 7, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Kinky Friedman talks about stray dogs, olive oil, killing off his fictional alter ego, and running for Governor in 2006 on a platform of “dewussification”. I’m especially pleased to see that he’s got some new quips for this sort of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Trifecta time

Posted on December 7, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Houston has hosted the Super Bowl and the MLB All-Star Game, and in 2006, we’re going to get the NBA All-Star Game. The Rockets scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference for the announcement, but the Rockets had been considered certain … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Trifecta time

Committee for House challenges named

Posted on December 7, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

House Speaker Tom Craddick has named the panel to investigate and rule on the three House challenges. Republican Terry Keel of Austin is the chair, while Democrat Craig Eiland of Galveston is the vice chair. Will Hartnett (R, Dallas) is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 3 Comments

Calvin Murphy acquitted

Posted on December 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Wow, that was fast. Hall of Fame basketball player Calvin Murphy was found not guilty today of charges he molested five of his daughters. Jurors deliberated just two hours before clearing Murphy on all six counts. I wasn’t even sure … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 7 Comments

What’s it gonna be, Denny?

Posted on December 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

In case you’re wondering what overconfidence by the Republican-controlled Congress will look like, Denny Hastert’s refusal to bring the intelligence reform bill up for a vote because it can’t pass on Republican votes alone is a good place to start. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 3 Comments

Hasta la vista, baby

Posted on December 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I’m sorry, but any list of cheesy movie lines that does not include a single Schwarzenegger quip is simply not representative. Not that they don’t have some cheesy lines here, but come on. Who were these so-called “moviegoers” that they … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 3 Comments

Is this the year for vouchers?

Posted on December 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Some proponents of vouchers for private schools think 2005 may be their year in the Lege. One lawmaker already is plotting ways to get school vouchers through the Legislature next year. Earlier this month, on the first day to file … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 10 Comments

Light rail spurs South Loop development

Posted on December 6, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

More development in an overlooked part of town, thanks to the light rail line. “The area’s been slow to develop,” said Bob Parsley of realty firm Colliers International. “But we’re beginning to see an overall acceptance in the marketplace for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

November traffic report

Posted on December 5, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Even with the lull of the Thanksgiving holiday, November was my busiest month ever, with over 63,000 hits. I had a similar buildup, though with much smaller numbers, around the 2002 elections. I do expect things to drop off – … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Traffic Reports | 1 Comment

Sideshow feed

Posted on December 5, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Well, I got on her case for not having one, so the least I can do is announce that Avedon now has an RSS feed. It’s in my Bloglines subscriptions and it should be in yours. Thanks, Avedon! (Oh, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 2 Comments

Keep it here

Posted on December 5, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The defense has already made its case to move the Lay/Skilling/Causey trial elsewhere. Now the prosecution has responded. In a 54-page memorandum, the Enron Task Force argued that although ex-Chief Executive Officer Skilling commissioned a poll that showed one-third of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Keep it here

Dismissal recommended for Gallegos challenge

Posted on December 5, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Sen. Jeff Wentworth, the special master for the Senate challenge against Sen. Mario Gallegos, has recommended dismissal for the challenge based on his reading of state law. [Wentworth] based his recommendation on the qualifications for a state senator described in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on Dismissal recommended for Gallegos challenge

An even better reason to choose Costco

Posted on December 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

After I found out how much better a fit Costco is for my moral values than Walmart is, we became Costco members and have been very happy with it (their online photo center is worth it by itself). Having now … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 3 Comments

Red light!

Posted on December 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The City of Houston is one step closer to installing cameras on several high-accident intersections in order to catch those who run red lights. Houston City Attorney Arturo Michel said Friday that the city has concluded it can issue civil … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 10 Comments

No toll road in the Heights!

Posted on December 4, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

So now anybody who is anybody is coming out against a toll road in the Heights. “There are no plans to build a toll road there,” said County Judge Robert Eckels. Residents have voiced concern about reports that an abandoned … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

49, not 59

Posted on December 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Reader Eric G points me to this Mystery Pollster post which notes that the Associated Press exit poll for texas, which had originally claimed that 59% of Texas Hispanics had voted for George Bush, has been revised. In the Nov. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 1 Comment

Mayor says no toll road thru Heights

Posted on December 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Via Anne, I see there’s good news for those like me who are appalled at the idea of a toll road cutting through the Heights. The mayor also agreed to work on an agreement on possible community uses, including a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

Murphy briefly takes the stand

Posted on December 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Calvin Murphy testified in his own defense yesterday, but not for long. Reading verbatim from court documents, defense attorney Rusty Hardin asked Murphy whether he “intentionally and knowingly engaged in sexual contact” with his daughters “by touching the genitals … … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Murphy briefly takes the stand

Vo looks forward

Posted on December 3, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Hubert Vo is ready to serve, while Andy Taylor keeps flapping his gums. “Andy Taylor and Talmadge Heflin are the last two people who just won’t take Vo for an answer,” said Kelly Fero, a Democratic strategist and unpaid adviser … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 5 Comments

You’d think Tom DeLay would feel nervous around prisons these days

Posted on December 2, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The Stakeholder has a nice piece about the recent $100K donation from a private prison company to his favored charity. In case you’re not sure why that’s a bad thing, this WaPo story will help you sort it out. Also … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Is it getting worse, or is it just me?

Posted on December 2, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

According to the nifty MT Blacklist main page, which is integrated into MT 3.x, I’ve blocked or deleted over 30,000 comment spams, all (presumably) since I upgraded to MT 3.121 on November 19. That’s over 2000 a day. I’m in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 9 Comments

Fans banned from The Palace

Posted on December 2, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

This is good to see. Two men were banned from events at The Palace for what the Detroit Pistons say is their involvement in last month’s NBA brawl. John Green and Charlie Haddad were sent letters informing them of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments