Monthly Archives: July 2006

Guest post: Ana Hernandez

Posted on July 31, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Renewal of the Voting Rights Act In 1975, Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) was extended to Texas for repeated violations of the Act with regards to the rights of Mexican-American voters. Texas is required to provide election … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

Interview with David Harris

Posted on July 31, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I had the chance recently to sit down and talk with David Harris recently. He’s yet another of the fine crop of Democratic challengers we have lined up for Congressional elections this year. Here’s the interview: Link for the MP3 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Interview with David Harris

RIP, Monopoly money?

Posted on July 30, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

This is wrong on more levels than I can articulate. While Monopoly is the paragon of good ‘ole fashioned board game fun, the “old fashioned” part had to go. Parker Brothers is phasing out the cash-based version’s funmoney and replacing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 5 Comments

KBH and the Wright Amendment

Posted on July 29, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Did you hear about the effort by Senator Hutchison to broker a deal in the battle over the Wright Amendment that ran afoul of the Justice Department? The agency’s antitrust division told lawmakers restrictions in the local agreement to repeal … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

A product whose time has come

Posted on July 29, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I have four words for you: Beer flavored potato chips. Inventor Brett Stern can hear the cries echoing through stadiums and arenas across the land: “Get yer ice-cold beer!” And, more germane to his current project, “Get yer fresh Beer … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Comments Off on A product whose time has come

River Oaks Theater update

Posted on July 29, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Via Houstonist, the effort to keep the River Oaks Theater from being demolished has gotten a lot of traction. In less than a week, an online petition sponsored by the Web site Houstonist.com has attracted more than 13,700 signers. At … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 10 Comments

Guest post: Carol Alvarado

Posted on July 28, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time to call the “debate” over the Houston Police Department’s policy concerning illegal immigrants for what it is. Unfortunately anyone who believes this so-called debate, fueled by a group that calls itself “Protect Our Citizens,” has anything at all … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 8 Comments

A TTC four-pack

Posted on July 28, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Did you know that there’s a bunch od hearings about the Trans Texas Corridor going on around the state? No? Well, it’s not getting that much play in the big city papers, mostly because all the action with the TTC, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Gone fishin’

Posted on July 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Well, not exactly, because I don’t fish. But I do take a break now and then, and now is the time. We’ve got a bunch of extended-family activities going on over the next week and a half, so I’ll be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Administrivia | 1 Comment

Yates verdict reactions

Posted on July 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’m running short on time here, so I’ll just point you to this story and this story about reactions to the Andrea Yates verdict. My own extended thoughts are here. Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Yates verdict reactions

More briefs in the DeLay replacement lawsuit

Posted on July 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron tells us what we already knew about the three-judge federal panel from the Fifth Circuit that will hear the appeal of Judge Sam Sparks’ ruling in the DeLay ballot replacement lawsuit. They also note some new amicus briefs … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on More briefs in the DeLay replacement lawsuit

The Press on the Cohen-Wong race

Posted on July 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The Houston Press devotes a big portion of this week’s news hole to a story on the HD134 matchup between Ellen Cohen and Martha Wong. It’s got some good anecdotes, and is certainly more than we’ve seen elsewhere in the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on The Press on the Cohen-Wong race

No Olympics for Houston again

Posted on July 27, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I had a post drafted last night about this story concerning the US Olympic Committee’s intent to trim two potential host cities from its list of 2016 hopefuls, but other events overtook my ability to finish and post it in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on No Olympics for Houston again

Last open house on the Universities line

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Last night was the final open house by Metro on the route for the Universities line. I don’t think anybody expected a consensus would be reached, but at least the pro-Richmond forces were acknowledged. Supporters of a Richmond line stated … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Last open house on the Universities line

Yates “not guilty by reason of insanity”

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Andrea Yates has been found not guilty by reason of insanity in her retrial. The verdict upholding Yates’ insanity defense comes after the jury deliberated more than 12 hours and spent two nights sequestered at an area hotel . Yates … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 3 Comments

Richard Garcia’s web ad

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Now this is nicely done: Other formats: YouTube | WMV I can’t think of a good reason why any candidate, at any level, wouldn’t want to try something like this. All you need is a digital video recorder, some editing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Jim Henley fundraiser tomorrow

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Tomorrow is the big fundraiser for Jim Henley: Jim Henley Fundraiser and Film Screening featuring The Hunting of the President with special guest Susan McDougal Thursday, July 27, 2006 7:00 PM at River Oaks Theater Ticket Prices: Reserved $100 Preferred … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Jim Henley fundraiser tomorrow

Deliberations in the Yates trial

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

The jury in the retrial of Andrea Yates has completed its second day of deliberations, and they have asked to review some evidence while they come to their decision. Earlier today they asked to see a slide presentation compiled by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Deliberations in the Yates trial

Three times for Ciro?

Posted on July 26, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Will Ciro Rodriguez run again for Congress? Depending on what map is ultimately adopted by the court, the answer is Yes, according to Aaron Pena. Returned a call from former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez who wanted to inform me of his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Killer D's | Comments Off on Three times for Ciro?

A twofer on Strayhorn

Posted on July 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Couple of news items of interest regarding everyone’s favorite political chameleon, Carole Keeton Strayhorn. First, a little backscratching on taxes. In early June, a lawyer and an accountant who represent businesses challenging taxes collected by state Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

Again with the east end of the Universities line

Posted on July 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

More feedback to Metro about the eastern portion of the Universities line, whose route may include Wheeler Avenue through the Texas Southern University campus. Dozens gathered around aerial maps at the Third Ward Multi-Service Center, which outlined the proposed paths … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

“The problem we all live with”

Posted on July 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Great story in today’s Chron about Lucille Bridges, the mother of Ruby Bridges, better known as the little girl in Norman Rockwell’s powerful and iconic painting The Problem We All Live With. Mrs. Bridges is now living in Houston after … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 4 Comments

Leora Kahn Q&A

Posted on July 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing with my series of Q&As with local judicial candidates, today I bring you Leora T. Kahn. 1. Who are you and what are you running for? I am Leora T. Kahn, the Democratic Candidate for Justice, Fourteenth Court of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Leora Kahn Q&A

The new Rice AD speaks

Posted on July 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Rice fans hoping for big things from new Athletic Director Chris Del Conte, in particular hoping for a better venue for basketball, may find some solace in these remarks to the Chronicle. Our men’s basketball program should be an economic … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 3 Comments

Fifth Circuit to hear DeLay appeal next Monday

Posted on July 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t see it on the news wires as I draft this, but according to Paul Burka, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the appeal of Judge Sam Sparks’ ruling on the DeLay ballot replacement lawsuit on Monday, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 1 Comment

And more polls

Posted on July 25, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

From Zogby Interactive, via Damon, here are some more numbers on the Texas governor’s race: Perry: 38.3% (+0.6 since June/no change since January) Bell: 20.8% (+1.1/+2.9) Kinky: 20.7% (+3.2/+6.3) Strayhorn: 11% (-3.1/-9.5) I’ll be blunt: Even with the litigation follies, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | 5 Comments

Closing time in the Yates 2.0 trial

Posted on July 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Time to check in on the Andrea Yates retrial again, where closing arguments are going on. Both sides brought out their strongest expert testimony last week, and though there was some new testimony overall, this trial was in many ways … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Twenty cool things about Houston

Posted on July 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Anybody else catch the style section cover story from yesterday called Twenty Cool Things About Houston? We asked eight trendsetters — all cool themselves — to list special things about Houston that never go out of style no matter the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Nick Lampson talks about space

Posted on July 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I had a chance to speak with Nick Lampson over the weekend. I’d done a previous interview with him at the Democratic convention in Fort Worth on more general topics (MP3 of that is here), so this time I thought … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Nick Lampson talks about space

Electoral Lotto

Posted on July 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I’m pretty sure that the vast majority of my regular readers vote (why would you be reading a political blog if you weren’t vested in the process?), but on the odd chance that any of you don’t, would the prospect … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 1 Comment

Van Os conference call

Posted on July 24, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I couldn’t tune in to last night’s blogger conference call with David Van Os, but when people like Vince participate, I can still feel like I was there. Other callers include The Muse, Bay Area Houston, Houston Dems, and Half … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2006 | Comments Off on Van Os conference call

Measured opposition on Richmond

Posted on July 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

Given that there was supposed to be another Metro open house on the Universities line yesterday, I was hoping there’d be an article on that in today’s Chron so I could do one post on that and on this story … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Charles Whitman, forty years later

Posted on July 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

I finally got around to reading this powerful Texas Monthly story about August 1, 1966, the day Charles Whitman shot 43 people (killing 15) from the top of the UT Tower in Austin, and I’m glad I did. I really … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 7 Comments

No rudeness!

Posted on July 23, 2006 by Charles Kuffner

First they came for the beer bongs. Now they’re coming after rude behavior. Families have been feeling increasingly alienated on the picturesque waterways around New Braunfels, local leaders say, prompting them to crack down on rude behavior. “In the past … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on No rudeness!