Monthly Archives: February 2005

Koufax winners announced

Posted on February 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to all the winners. If your blogroll consisted of nothing but blogs mentioned in that post (plus, you know, me), you’d have a mighty fine selection. Special kudos to Grits for their co-win in the Best Single Issue Blog … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Koufax winners announced

Chris Bell on credit scoring

Posted on February 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Chris Bell may still be “exploring” a run for Governor, but that doesn’t mean he can’t point out a few things about the current occupant of the Mansion: STATEMENT BY CHRIS BELL ON HB 23 Offered as testimony before the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Chris Bell on credit scoring

RSS feeds at the Chron

Posted on February 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Just got a note from Houston Chronicle tech guru Dwight Silverman announcing a brand new page of RSS feeds at Chron.com. I’d been meaning to ask him about that since his Techblog got launched, but he beat me to it. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 3 Comments

AARP vs USANext

Posted on February 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Hey, did you know that the AARP has a blog? That’s pretty cool, I think. Nice thing about blogs is that they allow one to respond rapidly to scurrilous attacks on oneself. Which they’re doing. Via Julia and The Stakeholder. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

The reality TV guide to good behavior

Posted on February 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

CW Nevius makes a pretty good point about how good and bad behavior are rewarded and punished on reality TV shows. Despite their attempts to manufacture conflict, the reality shows have become a national forum for what is acceptable public … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 3 Comments

Sounds like he’s running to me

Posted on February 23, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Burnt Orange has a statement from State Rep. Richard Raymond, who is supposedly exploring a primary challenge to US Rep. Henry Cuellar in 2006. STATEMENT BY REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD RAYMOND REGARDING POSSIBLE RUN FOR CONGRESS “I appreciate Aaron Pena’s enthusiasm and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Sounds like he’s running to me

Do you believe it’s been 25 years? Yes!

Posted on February 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Twenty-five years ago today, the US Olympic hockey team beat the Soviet Union 4-3. A more exhilarating moment would be hard to imagine. Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 3 Comments

Yet another Texas Political Bloggers update

Posted on February 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The new year continues to bring new Texas political blogs, so I’ve done another update of the Texas political bloggers page. A few I’d like to call your attention to are the Capitol Annex and Inside the Texas Capitol, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 2 Comments

Marry me, Dianne!

Posted on February 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Do you have everything in place for that fairy tale wedding of your dreams except for an officiant? You may be in luck – someday soon, your elected officials will be able to help. Lawmakers and statewide elected officeholders would … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 5 Comments

Hutchison and Barnes

Posted on February 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a little controversy brewing over whether Democratic former Lt. Gov. Ben Barnes will be helping Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in her (as yet purported) quest to become Governor in 2006. Save Texas Reps says Yes, here and here. PerryVsWorld … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Hutchison and Barnes

Walton and Johnson to return on 97.5 KIOL

Posted on February 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Sigh. From the day that KLOL changed formats, the rumor has always been that morning DJs Walton and Johnson would return somewhere to pollute the airwaves. New rock station KIOL has been teasing about a “big announcement” the past week … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 71 Comments

Playing the Texas Enterprise Fund game

Posted on February 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

If you’re not sure what Rick Perry’s reelection campaign is going to look like this article should give you a pretty good idea: Jobs, jobs, jobs. “We don’t fund companies who already are planning to move to Texas,” said Phil … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

Smith-Eiland bill filed to curb corporate campaign donations

Posted on February 22, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I previously mentioned a series of bills that are forthcoming to enact some tighter restrictions on corporate campaign contributions and related matters. One of those bills was filed yesterday. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Power Chair Veterans for Truth

Posted on February 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Call me crazy, but if you have to resort to this, I’d say you’re admitting that you can’t win the debate. Josh Marshall has the details. Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 4 Comments

Bugs Bunny reimagined

Posted on February 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve seen a lot of reaction to this story about a new and “improved” version of Bugs Bunny. Pete and Laurence are up in arms, while The Talent Show makes an interesting observation about WB’s motives and Mark Evanier says … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 8 Comments

While we’re on the subject of voting rights

Posted on February 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Let me say that I fully endorse the Count Every Vote Act. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, a possible White House candidate in 2008, joined 2004 nominee John Kerry and other Democrats Thursday in urging that Election Day be made a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 4 Comments

Questioning Taylor’s ethics

Posted on February 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Greg Moses has two more articles as a result of his study of the original documents in the Heflin challenge, and he has concluded that Andy Taylor is guilty of attempting to violate the civil rights of some voters, specifically … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 1 Comment

We’re Number 11!

Posted on February 21, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The US59/I610 interchange is no longer one of the worst ten traffic interchanges in America, at least according to AAA. Houston drivers may not notice much difference, but the city no longer holds a place on AAA’s national list of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Museum district expansion

Posted on February 20, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Several Houston museums are looking to expand. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is planning an expansion that would bring a massive gallery of 20th century art to its Museum District campus just off Main Street. A couple of blocks … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

More on Craddick and TRMPAC

Posted on February 20, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Drip…drip…drip… Speaker Tom Craddick met with a small group of corporate donors to Texans for a Republican Majority at a Washington, D.C., breakfast just a month before the 2002 election and Craddick’s elevation to leader of the Texas House of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

Tulsa and Waco

Posted on February 20, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Crooked Timber points to this Financial Times article about the Tulsa race riot of 1921. The riot began, as the battles in America’s race wars often seem to, with an allegation of sexual assault. On the warm afternoon of Memorial … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 2 Comments

Bill to restrict Tran-Texas Corridor filed

Posted on February 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

A new bill has been filed that just might put a crimp in Governor Perry’s grand plans for the Trans Texas Corridor. Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, a Brenham Republican whose district borders on the hotbed of anti-Trans Texas Corridor sentiment in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Silverman on anti-free WiFi bill

Posted on February 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s Dwight Silverman comes out strongly against the omnibus telecom bill that would ban municipalities from offering free WiFi to its citizens. He has some resources for those who wish to make their opposition known, including SaveMuniWireless.org. Check it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 2 Comments

The thirty-nine steps

Posted on February 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Today is my thirty-ninth birthday. Looks like I just missed sharing a birthday with Atrios, though he’s a whippersnapper compared to me. Last year at this time, the Feds celebrated for me by busting Jeff Skilling. They may have a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 15 Comments

Dos Centavos and Latinos for Texas

Posted on February 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Two new blogs to check out: Dos Centavos, by Stace Medellin of La Raza Unida, and Latinos for Texas, which is affiliated with Democracy for Texas. Ther latter brings news that State Rep. Richard Raymond is going to run for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 2 Comments

Life without parole

Posted on February 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Jeralyn notes that State Sen. Eddie Lucio has once again submitted his bill to allow for a sentence of life without parole in capital cases (it’s SB60). Apparently, Governor Perry now supports this, so the third time may be the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Speaker DeLay?

Posted on February 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

There’s a rumor going around that Tom DeLay might be getting a promotion to Speaker in the near future. I find it a little hard to understand. It’s not like the change in title would mean more actual power for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 5 Comments

Perry polling

Posted on February 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Governor Perry has achieved majority approval (barely), but is still the least liked statewide officeholder in Texas. The Scripps Howard Texas Poll found 51 percent of the Texans surveyed said Perry is doing a good job as governor while 33 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Perry polling

The Galveston option

Posted on February 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I confess, I had not realized that there was an existing model for Social Security privatization right here in Texas. If the Chron ever wrote about it, I flat out missed it. I find it interesting that none of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 4 Comments

I got those hard-drive-replaced now-I-gotta-reinstall-everything blues

Posted on February 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The hard drive on our year-old Dell died miserably on Monday. Tonight at nine PM a tech came out and replaced it (he was supposed to be here between 1:45 and 4:45 – don’t ask). It took me way longer … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 6 Comments

Esquire profiles Ronnie Earle

Posted on February 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

It’s not available for free online, but The Daily DeLay has a few excerpts. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Esquire profiles Ronnie Earle

The sweetest words in February

Posted on February 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training this week. All is temporarily right with the universe. Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 4 Comments

Perry on board gas tax increase

Posted on February 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

This was in the previous article that I’d linked on the topic, but since I didn’t emphasize it there, I’ll note it here: Governor Perry is receptive to the idea of indexing the gas tax to inflation. “There may be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 5 Comments

Near Northside

Posted on February 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Another historic inside-the-Loop neighborhood girds for battle with TxDOT. Nestled in a small pocket northeast of downtown and surrounded by highways and railroad tracks, Houston’s Near Northside has both suffered and benefited from years of relative isolation. Home to dozens … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Near Northside