Monthly Archives: January 2005

When you gotta go…

Posted on January 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

There’s nothing wrong with doing a story about the availability of public toilets downtown. Doing such a story without mentioning that there are in fact public toilets downtown – indeed, doing such a story in such a way as to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 8 Comments

The Pink Dome

Posted on January 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

You know, I was just saying to myself this morning that what the Texas political blogging scene really needs is a snarky Wonkette-style gossip blog centered around the Texas Lege. And lo, the fates have heard my plea. Thanks to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 2 Comments

Still dreaming the impossible dream

Posted on January 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Via Greg, I see there are two editorials discussing State Sen. Jeff Wentworth’s biennial quest to pass a bill that would take the chore of redistricting away from the Legislature and hand it to a balanced bipartisan commission. (His bill … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 2 Comments

Your daily Heflin Challenge update

Posted on January 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron, which you may recall endorsed Talmadge Heflin for the November election, calls him the poorest loser and urges him to drop his electoral challenge against Rep. Hubert Vo. I don’t know much about the International Labor Communications Association, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 2 Comments

Ashley McElhiney

Posted on January 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I was shocked to look at my Sitemeter stats yesterday and see that I was getting thousands of hits from searches for Ashley McElhiney. Shoulda realized that could only mean she’s been in the news: She was fired after a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

Happy National Gorilla Suit Day!

Posted on January 31, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Even if it is just a ploy by the gorilla suit manufacturers to sell more product. Mark Evanier will be your master of ceremonies for the day. Read more about this important national holiday here and here. Enjoy! Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | 2 Comments

Too cold for beads

Posted on January 30, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Mardi Gras Galveston has gotten off to a lukewarm start. Tommie LeCroy, who owns a Louisiana-style grill called Bistro LeCroy, said his sales are down 40 percent compared to last year. “It’s not been good at all,” said Lecroy, 56. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Too cold for beads

It’s in Hartnett’s hands

Posted on January 30, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The next step in the Heflin challenge will be taken by Discovery Master Will Hartnett, who will issue his recommendations on Wednesday. Along the way, he rejected some bogus evidence presented by Team Heflin. Hartnett, R-Dallas, ruled as irrelevant testimony … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 3 Comments

And then there were three in HD121

Posted on January 29, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

One of the two Republicans in the special election for HD 121 has dropped out and will endorse the other, though his name will remain on the ballot. “I believe that the Democrats are waging a very strong campaign, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2005 | 2 Comments

Plastic surgery tax

Posted on January 29, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

From the Creative Revenue Streams Department: Lawmakers trying to plump up the bottom line are considering a “vanity tax” on cosmetic surgery and Botox injections in Washington, Illinois and other states. […] The tax would not apply to reconstructive surgery … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 4 Comments

Building influence

Posted on January 29, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an interesting article from the This Week section of the Chron regarding an acrimonious and public battle between a disgruntled homebuyer named Jordan Fogal and the builder who constructed her house, Tremont Homes. The basics of the feud involve … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 17 Comments

Stuart Rothenberg

Posted on January 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

In the matter of Stuart Rothenberg versus MyDD (see here, here, and here), I come down firmly on Jerome and Chris’ side. Greg went and saved me the time of writing most of what I think needed to be said … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 2 Comments

Rock revived

Posted on January 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Rock music is back in Houston, and it’s even a little ahead of schedule. In a not-so-subtle jab at KLOL, which for 35 years billed itself as “The Texas Rock ‘n’ Roll Authority” before switching to a Spanish hip-hop/reggaeton music … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 10 Comments

The hearings

Posted on January 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Lawyers for Talmadge Heflin and Hubert Vo had their day in the House yesterday. Heflin’s lawyer, Andy Taylor, maintains that Vo’s “razor close” victory margin was decided by illegal ballots, and that the election otherwise would have gone to Heflin. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on The hearings

We’re Number 22!

Posted on January 28, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

A hundred and sixty thousand new jobs in Texas! That’s so great! Well, until you read the fine print. Lasso explains, here and here. Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 2 Comments

Round One for Star Bock

Posted on January 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

StarBock beer has survived a motion for summary judgment in the trademark lawsuit filed against it by Starbucks. U.S. District Court Judge Samuel Kent issued his decision over the weekend and filed his response with the court Monday, denying all … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | 1 Comment

“Oh, no, there goes Tokyo”

Posted on January 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Go, go to see Godzilla, this weekend at the Museum of Fine Arts. The original Godzilla returns to the big screen in this restored print featuring 40 minutes of previously unseen footage. When the sea erupts, a Japanese steamer sinks … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | Comments Off on “Oh, no, there goes Tokyo”

Another step forward for the Grand Parkway

Posted on January 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The expansion of the Grand Parkway from a little state highway in Katy to a zillion-mile mega-loop took another step forward this week. Despite pleas from Spring residents who oppose the road, Commissioners Court gave the Harris County Toll Road … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 9 Comments

Testimony begins in Heflin-Vo case

Posted on January 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

It’s showtime today in the Heflin-Vo election contest, and you can add Select Committee on Election Contests Chair Terry Keel to the list of Republicans making reasonable public statements about the whole thing. “You are going to have to have … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 1 Comment

Martin Frost DNC interview

Posted on January 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Whether you’ve got a favored candidate in mind for DNC Chair or not, I highly recommend this interview with Martin Frost. Frost gave what I think are the right answers to these questions, and though he certainly could be telling … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Martin Frost DNC interview

It’s your turn, Jacksonville

Posted on January 27, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Oh, Jacksonville. We here in Houston feel your pain. Via Banjo Jones. It still puzzles me how a city with as many topless clubs as Houston could fail to appeal to a bunch of sportswriters travelling on expense accounts, but … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 4 Comments

Checking in on Rose Spector

Posted on January 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Geez, this special election for the open HD121 is less than ten days away, and early voting is already going on. Here’s a little news roundup for you: Ken Rodriguez says that in a race this short you’ve gotta have … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2005 | Comments Off on Checking in on Rose Spector

The decline and fall of the Illinois GOP

Posted on January 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Very interesting read about how the implosion of the Republican Party in Illinois was a long time in coming, even before Alan Keyes showed up to lecture everyone. I daresay there may be a lesson or two in there for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on The decline and fall of the Illinois GOP

One more day till the Heflin-Vo hearing

Posted on January 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The end of Talmadge Heflin’s crusade to regain his seat can’t come soon enough for the voters who have been singled out by Heflin and Andy Taylor. Ignatius Okeze has been voting since he became a citizen in 1998 — … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on One more day till the Heflin-Vo hearing

The Smartest Guys at Sundance

Posted on January 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, the new Enron documentary is knocking ’em dead at Sundance. With moonlight drenching the ski slopes outside the theater Saturday night, a collection of about 150 viewers, many with connections to the film, watched the premiere of the nearly … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | 2 Comments

Gaddie on the re-redistricting review

Posted on January 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Keith Gaddie, who commented on the reconsideration of the 2003 re-redistricting case here, has a guest post at BOR in which he expands on his initial remarks. He thinks the key to the review may not be the Pennsylvania Vieth … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | 1 Comment

We don’t care it everyone else was doing it

Posted on January 26, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Another loss in the courts for TRMPAC. Lawyers for Texans for a Republican Majority lost another attempt this morning to show that their clients, accused of breaking Texas election laws, were just doing what the Democrats had always done. After … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Rose Spector Dot Com

Posted on January 25, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Rose Spector’s campaign website is up and running. Early voting has already started for the Feb 5 special election, so visit now and help her out if you can. Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2005 | Comments Off on Rose Spector Dot Com

No on Gonzales

Posted on January 25, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I know it won’t make a whit of difference to my Senators, but count me in with the many others who say No to Alberto Gonzales as Attorney General. I do not condone torture, and I do not agree with … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 3 Comments

Cintra complaints

Posted on January 25, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Before we sign over the keys to the PerryPike to Cintra, it would be nice to know what kind of power Cintra will wield over its customers. We can look to Ontario, Canada, for examples. Some toll-road companies can raise … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Cowboys for Clean Cement

Posted on January 25, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an interesting suggestion to clean up the air in Dallas: Enlist America’s Team in the fight against polluting cememnt plants. Public money will buy cement for the [Dallas Cowboys’] new football stadium. Public financing is intended to be for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on Cowboys for Clean Cement

The state of the city

Posted on January 25, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor White made his State of the City address yesterday, which you can find here. The Chron has a bunch of stories relating directly and indirectly to the items mentioned in this address. I’ll start with the two big proposals … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on The state of the city

Is Carole just teasing us now?

Posted on January 25, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Strayhorn hints against running for governor Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn indicated Monday she may be about to back away from challenging Gov. Rick Perry in next year’s Republican primary. Strayhorn’s spokesman, Mark Sanders, issued a statement denying she ever told … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

The briefs are in

Posted on January 25, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Lawyers for both Talmadge Heflin and Hubert Vo have filed their briefs in the election contest, and Andy Taylor is still beating the “irrefutable evidence of massive fraud!” drum. I’ve seen a copy of Vo’s brief, and I have to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 5 Comments