Monthly Archives: July 2005

RIP, OS/2

Posted on July 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

In the interest of not having my head explode, I’m going to do a few posts on something other than school finance reform. I’m sure I’ll be back to the sausage grinder later on. Via Dwight, I see that IBM … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 3 Comments

How to go forward from here

Posted on July 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Now that I’ve got all the news on the special session out of the way, I want to call your attention to this Express News editorial. There’s a narrative that needs to come out of this farce, whether it ends … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on How to go forward from here

Deal? No deal? Who knows?

Posted on July 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

You know the old joke about Texas weather (if you don’t like it, wait a few minutes, it’ll change)? That’s what the news on the special session over the last few days feels like to me. Feel free to try … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Deal? No deal? Who knows?

Weissman resigns from Enron prosecution team

Posted on July 19, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The timing of this is rather curious. The Enron Task Force, which has filed 34 criminal charges against ex-Enron employees and their associates at other businesses since its inception in January 2002, has just gotten its third director. Sean Berkowitz … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | Comments Off on Weissman resigns from Enron prosecution team

On again?

Posted on July 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Postcards from the Lege and the Quorum Report are now saying there’s an agreement in principle on both HB2 and HB3. Presumably, if the powers that be are happy with what they’ve hammered out, the looming deadline of this session’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Round Two, coming right up?

Posted on July 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

As I write this, there’s still no deal – in fact, QR now says that the earlier reports of a deal on HB2 were premature – and Governor Perry is making noises about keeping everyone in Austin for another 30 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Round Two, coming right up?

Opponents for Edwards

Posted on July 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

If the big Congressional target for Texas Democrats is Tom DeLay, then the big prize for Republicans – really, the only realistic prize – is Chet Edwards, the one person designated for redistricted extinction who survived in 2004. I’d been … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Best wishes to Beldar

Posted on July 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Local blogger Beldar had himself a bit of a scare last week, but everything turned out okay in the end. My best wishes to you for continued good health, Beldar. Via Banjo. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Best wishes to Beldar

House approves telecom and eminent domain bills

Posted on July 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Meanwhile, as we wait for that ever-elusive consensus to kick in regarding school finance, the House took care of some other business yesterday. Item One was approval of the telecom bill. But don’t celebrate just yet if you’ve got stock … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on House approves telecom and eminent domain bills

Tick tock, tick tock…

Posted on July 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

You know the drill…Still no agreement, but they’re oh so close. Today is the drop-dead day for any kind of agreement, and then they still have to get it passed without it being filibustered to death. Here’s a brief roundup. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

The Hill Country land rush

Posted on July 18, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Damn. I had no idea that there was such a real estate boom going on in Central Texas. I mean, I knew that Travis and Williamson Counties were hot stuff, but that’s not what this is about. In the Kerr … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 5 Comments

First Road From Bristol subregional complete

Posted on July 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Derek Jeter and Curt Schilling subregionals in the Road from Bristol tournament of ESPN “personalities” are over, with one upset and some big wins for the heavier favorites. Voting concludes tomorrow evening in the Kobe Bryant subregional, which features … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on First Road From Bristol subregional complete

“Flying on empty”

Posted on July 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

As of this evening, prospects on a school finance compromise are not looking good. “I wouldn’t kid you, this thing is flying on empty right now,” said Republican Sen. Steve Ogden, who is the chief Senate negotiator on the bill … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on “Flying on empty”

Coming down to the wire on school finance

Posted on July 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

It’s hard to say where the ball is regarding the school finance reform plans (remember those? This session was supposed to be about school finance reform), since on Friday there was a sense of gloom and doom, and today there … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 2 Comments

The ads are back

Posted on July 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Just this morning I saw one of those call-your-legislator ads by the lobbying wing of Texas cable companies regarding the reanimated telecom bill. Since it’s already passed the Senate, they probably should have been more specific about which legislators to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | Comments Off on The ads are back

Bum Phillips released from hospital

Posted on July 17, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Former Oilers coach Bum Phillips is back home after coronary bypass surgery. Phillips, 81, returned home to his ranch in Goliad, about 150 miles southwest of Houston. He underwent surgery July 8 at Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital after doctors discovered … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on Bum Phillips released from hospital

Christmas in July at Saint Arnold’s

Posted on July 16, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

From the Saint Arnold’s brewery newsletter: COME TO OUR CHRISTMAS IN JULY / GARAGE SALE AT THE BREWERY! On Thursday, July 21 we will have a special event at the brewery: a combination Christmas in July / Garage Sale. What … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Christmas in July at Saint Arnold’s

I got those county jail conditions blues

Posted on July 16, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Since Scott is off on a well-deserved blog break, I thought I ought to link to this story on conditions in the Harris County jails, since it touches on several issues he’s harped on. Noting that almost 1,300 inmates are … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Tell the Commissioners Court what you think about toll roads

Posted on July 16, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

From Robin Holzer of the Citizens Transportation Coalition, here’s how you can do something about the stealth toll road plans: CTC is seeking neighborhood volunteers to attend (and ideally, address) Harris County Commissioners’ Court on Tues July 26 at 10:00 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Local fundraising

Posted on July 15, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Some fundraising numbers are in for the two open At Large City Council races, and they look good for Jay Aiyer and Peter Brown. According to the press releases I got, Brown will report raising $372,120.22 as of June 30th, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2005 | Comments Off on Local fundraising

On the air again

Posted on July 15, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll be back to my usual not-in-the-studio guest gig on BizRadio 1320 AM again tomorrow circa 10:30. It was really cool doing the show at the mike last week, though it’s a bit nerve-wracking to work without a net like … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 1 Comment

Funeral services for Tim McGlashen

Posted on July 15, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve received email from Cid MacNamee that the funeral services for Tim McGlashen, the musician who passed away on Tuesday, will be tomorrow (Saturday) at noon at the Unity Church at Unity and Richmond. Here’s a map if you need … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on Funeral services for Tim McGlashen

Can the Astros bounce back?

Posted on July 15, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

My apologies for not writing anything related to the All Star Game this year. I try, but I never can work up too much excitement about an exhibition game. I’m happy that the American League has continued its recent dominance … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 2 Comments

Are you ready for Harry?

Posted on July 15, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron goes all Harry Potter as the hours tick down to the official release at 12:01 AM. Bookstores all over town will be open along with eager kids and their bleary-eyed parents, no doubt lined up with randomly-drawn numbers … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Books | 4 Comments

A different view on gay marriage

Posted on July 15, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Bluebonnet from PinkDome published an interview with Chris Bell the other day, and the question of gay marriage came up: BB: What do you think about gay marriage? For real, now. CB: I don’t support gay marriage, but the constitutional … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 13 Comments

How’s that joint committee process going?

Posted on July 15, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Now that David Dewhurst has said no more legislation until school finance is finished, one might wonder how that’s going. Five senators and five representatives are trying to work out their differences before the 30-day special session ends Wednesday. Many … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 3 Comments

What’s the rush?

Posted on July 14, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

The Senate has approved the proposed constitutional amendment restricting eminent domain, but not without some grumbling. “While most people, including me, think they knew what public use was, the Supreme Court said that public use could include things like economic … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 3 Comments

Debate: Copyright, Technology & the Arts

Posted on July 14, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

My friend and Trinity classmate Robet Nagle sent me a note about an upcoming panel discussion/debate he’s organizing. Called Copyright, Technology & the Arts, it’ll be on July 27 at the Nexus Cafe on Rogerdale near Westheimer. Debate topics will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 4 Comments

Why SBC wants free muni WiFi banned

Posted on July 14, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

If you ever wondered why SBC lobbied so hard for the anti-municipal networking provision in the telecom bills from the regular session, Dwight has the answer for you: SBC is rolling out its own WiFi network in a big way. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Senate passes telecom bill

Posted on July 14, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Almost as fast as you can say “Telecom bill added to special session agenda”, that bill got passed by the Senate. Approved 25-3, it allows phone companies to get a TV franchise from the state rather than require them to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Perry: Still unpopular

Posted on July 14, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Remember how bad Rick Perry’s poll numbers were in May? They’re worse now. Do you approve or disapprove of the job Rick Perry is doing as Governor? 38% Approve 53% Disapprove 10% Not Sure And the crosstabs are also uglier. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 2 Comments

RIP, Tim McGlashen

Posted on July 13, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Local musician Tim McGlashen, lead singer of eclectic rock band The Buddhacrush, died unexpectedly yesterday after a brief illness. HandStamp has some information. I heard about this from Cidnie MacNamee of Paisley Close, whose bandmate (and our mutual friend) Amy … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Who’s zooming who?

Posted on July 13, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Enron prosecutors tells the jury they saw what the defendants were really doing behind the scenes. Final arguments began Tuesday in the Enron Broadband Services trial, with the prosecution telling jurors they got to see behind the scenes and under … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | 1 Comment

When cultural touchstones attack

Posted on July 13, 2005 by Charles Kuffner

Confession time: Despite being a high school student in the 1980s, I’ve never actually seen any of the John Hughes high school movie trinity. No Sixteen Candles, no The Breakfast Club, and no Pretty in Pink. I know, it’s hard … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 9 Comments