Monthly Archives: August 2007

History everywhere you look

Posted on August 14, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I confess, when I first heard about the county bond proposal for the November ballot, which would include money for improvements and additions to the criminal justice center downtown, it didn’t occur to me that there might be a preservation … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on History everywhere you look

Texas blog roundup for the week of August 13

Posted on August 14, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Round we go again. Matt did the compiling, and I’ve got a copy beneath the fold. Click on to see what’s been going on. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of August 13

How to welcome Karl Rove home

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Well, if Karl Rove is coming back to Texas, I think the least we can do is to make him feel welcome once he’s here. I think justice would never be more poetic if Rove were to return to Texas … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Rover

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

So long, Karl. Karl Rove, President Bush’s longtime political adviser, is resigning as White House deputy chief of staff effective Aug. 31, and returning to Texas, marking a turning point for the Bush presidency. I suppose it’s too much to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

More on the Universities DEIS

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Christof continues his examination of the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) for the Universities line by taking a look at the East End options, and by providing a mitigation wish list. I particularly like the suggestion about pocket parks and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on More on the Universities DEIS

KPFT targeted for “alternative” programming?

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Tiffany Tyler

It looks like somebody has it in for KPFT: A bullet blasted through a Plexiglas window at KPFT radio early this morning, missing a woman’s head by about 18 inches, said general manager Duane Bradley. The bullet was fired while … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Two hundred

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The Facebook group I Will Not Shop At The West Gray Barnes & Noble has reached the 200 member mark, with another 300 invitations outstanding. I continue to be amazed at how much this thing has grown on its own. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The cost

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a fun statistic for you, courtesy of this Chron review of a couple of crime-related books. The threat of doing time in a miserable place seems not to deter crime, because the United States leads the world in mass … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Hot summer television

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Very interesting story about how the concept of television seasons is changing thanks to cable and its recent summer innovations. Anyone who considers mid-August a dead time for anything original on television definitely doesn’t have an elementary-school-aged girl at home. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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A tour of Lower Westheimer

Posted on August 13, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Nice post on Houstonist exploring some of the fun things to see and do on Westheimer east of Montrose. It does my heart good to see vitality in that area, because when some friends of mine and I were looking … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Rent-a-protester update

Posted on August 12, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Vince has a followup to the rent-a-protester story from the other day, which was picked up by the Galveston media on Saturday. I got the same comment he did, and I like his response. Check it out. Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

The right way to go

Posted on August 12, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I swear, I didn’t write this Chron editorial about the Universities DEIS, which I managed to not see until last night, but judging from all the points they chose to make, I apparently could have. Having the rail run from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Nice shoes, Counselor

Posted on August 12, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

My congratulations to the women of the Harris County District Attorney’s office for finally getting a concession on the dress code that should have been theirs a long time ago. With the dog days of summer in full swing and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 3 Comments

Davis is in for SD10

Posted on August 12, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Fort Worth City Council Member Wendy Davis, one of two potential candidates to run against vulnerable State Sen. Kim Brimer, has resigned her Council seat and announced her intention to run next year. Davis has represented the city’s District 9 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Chat with Rick Noriega on Firedoglake

Posted on August 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Go here to read about the newest Blue America beneficiary – and ask him a few questions while you’re there – Rick Noriega. See why everyone who’s met him is thrilled about his candidacy: Rick wants to end Bush’s wars … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Reminder: Rick on Firedoglake today

Posted on August 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Just a reminder that Rick Noriega will be chatting on Firedoglake at 1 PM Central time today. They’ve caught a case of Noriega fever at FDL, as well they should. I’m looking forward to Rick’s interaction with that crowd, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Weekend Facebook update

Posted on August 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

We’re now at 135 members in the I Will Not Shop At The West Gray Barnes & Noble Facebook group, and counting. Woo hoo! Looks like the Rice U network has been a big force in recruiting new members. Many … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Weekend Facebook update

Rent-a-protester

Posted on August 11, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This is almost too funny. Protesters hired by an unknown party attempted [Thursday night] to disrupt a Galveston fund-raiser for State District Judge Susan Criss, who is running for Texas Supreme Court. Criss [was] holding a campaign kickoff event at … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

HISD bond referendum officially on the ballot

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve noted the proposed $805 million HISD bond package before. As of now, that package will be officially on the ballot this fall. The Houston school board voted 8-1 Thursday to ask voters for $805 million to build and repair … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | 2 Comments

Tougher times ahead for the GOP, says Abbott

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

It’s hard out there for a Republican, says Attorney General Greg Abbott. Abbott spoke before a packed house at a meeting of the Galveston Island Pachyderm Club, Texas’ largest chapter. He noted that in the 2006 elections, Dallas County, historically … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Tougher times ahead for the GOP, says Abbott

Top Hispanic Republican backs Noriega for Senate

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Wow. This guy makes the case for Rick Noriega better than I can. One of the top Hispanic Republicans in the nation says he cannot support U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in the next election because of the position Texas’ junior … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Behold the power of Facebook

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Wow, a little more than a day and my Facebook group I Will Not Shop At The West Gray Barnes & Noble has 89 members, many of whom were invited by other people. Boy, this whole social networking software thing … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Run, dammit

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

There are two things that will make me drop my current undecided status for the Democratic Presidential nominee. One is actually going to the polls next March with the nomination on the line. I can’t say how that will turn … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

Arguing over the 1997 Houston map

Posted on August 10, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Didn’t get to this the other day: Here are the basic arguments made in the Fifth Circuit Court appeal of the still-disputed anti-SOB ordinance from 1997. A 10-year-old analysis of where sexually oriented businesses in Houston can move to comply … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Arguing over the 1997 Houston map

Announcing the Texas Blog PAC

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

You may have seen Matt Glazer’s announcement of the creation of the Texas Blog PAC. I’m on the board of this PAC, and I intend to do what I can to help it raise the money to help elect enough … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

In the matter of Corwin Teltschik

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This is very interesting: In fallout from the Tom DeLay ARMPAC and Jack Abramoff scandals, an attorney claims the Washington, D.C., law office of Williams and Jensen libeled him and put his law license at risk by making repeated false … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Don’t do us any favors

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Thanks, but no thanks. Kinky Friedman might run again for governor in 2010, conceivably as a Democrat. “I’m open to running,” Friedman said Wednesday before cautioning that he won’t settle plans until after the 2008 elections. “Had I run as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The Hispanics are coming!

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Actually, they’re already here. In a powerful sign of the region’s growing diversity, more Hispanics than Anglos now live in Harris County as it led the nation in growth of minority residents, according to Census Bureau estimates to be released … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

Corpus Christi citywide WiFi rollout completed

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s the day that the city of Corpus Christi celebrates the end of its citywide WiFi installation. The city’s wireless fidelity, or Wi-Fi, network was sold in March to EarthLink for $5.5 million and an additional $340,000 during the first … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More on SD10

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Long as we’re speaking about Fort Worth legislative possibilities, the Star Telegram reports the identities of the two potential candidates for SD10 next year. Word has it that a couple of local Democrats are considering challenging Republican state Sen. Kim … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Mowery resigns, special election coming

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

State Rep. Anna Mowery (R, Fort Worth) is resigning her seat as of August 31, meaning there will be a special election to replace her in November. “I have enjoyed a special relationship with the constituents of District 97 and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2007 | Comments Off on Mowery resigns, special election coming

About those border cameras…

Posted on August 9, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Oops. More than a year after Gov. Rick Perry announced ambitious plans for a “virtual border watch” in Texas, the project has stalled because of a lack of funding. Perry announced plans for the camera project, the first of its … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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I Will Not Shop At The West Gray Barnes & Noble

Posted on August 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

As expected, today the Houston City Council granted historic landmark status to the River Oaks Shopping Center, River Oaks Theater, Alabama Shopping Center, and Alabama BookStop. But the 11-3 vote was largely symbolic, and does nothing to prevent demolition of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Chron story on Universities DEIS

Posted on August 8, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Not much here about the Metro Draft Environmental Impact Statement (PDF) for the Universities corridor we didn’t already know, but at least it gives us a chance to read some dueling quotes. Here’s one aspect that I hadn’t seen mentioned … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments