Monthly Archives: December 2007

Looking Forward to 2008: Martha Griffin

Posted on December 31, 2007 by admin

What am I looking forward to in 2008? Taking back the Texas State House! I’m ready to have a legislature that cares about kitchen table issues – those things that make me wonder if it’s possible for families to have … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Forward to 2008 | 1 Comment

Filing news: Adrian Garcia for Sheriff

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The last of the countywide pieces falls into place as Adrian Garcia announces his candidacy for Harris County Sheriff. Here’s the email: Dear Friends, Today I announce my candidacy for Harris County Sheriff. Our County deserves the best public safety … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Filing news: Adrian Garcia for Sheriff

The defiant Chuck R

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Chuck Rosenthal tells the local GOP where they can stick it. Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal bluntly rejected the local Republican Party leadership’s request Sunday night that he abandon his 2008 re-election campaign because of the scandal over personal … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Chron wants something done about billboards

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron editorialized about the Mayor’s billboard reduction proposal that has been put off until some kinks an be ironed out. I’m still not quite sure what they said, however. The mayor said he shares the same goal as opponents … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Looking Forward to 2008: Paula Harris

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I have asked a variety of people to submit an essay to me to be posted during the month of December, to be called “Looking Forward to 2008”. This entry was written by Paula Harris.) New Year, New Adventure, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Forward to 2008 | 2 Comments

Two for terminating term limits

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Outgoing City Council member Carol Alvarado joins Chris Bell in advocating an end to term limits in Houston. Think about it. The city is responsible for providing protection for the millions that work, live in and visit our city every … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 2 Comments

Filing news: Rhettmania!

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The silly season gets a little sillier. Rhett Smith, a security guard who last year ran as a Republican for governor, filed Friday to seek the 2008 Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by John Cornyn, R-Texas. Assuming … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Harris County GOP ponders its Rosenthal options

Posted on December 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Good luck, fellas. The leadership of the Harris County Republican Party is meeting in a private, emergency session tonight to discuss the political fallout over personal e-mails sent by Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal to his executive secretary. “We … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

RIP, Ric Williamson

Posted on December 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Ric Williamson, the chair of the Texas Department of Transportation and a huge booster of toll roads, has passed away. Ric Williamson, the Texas Transportation Commission chairman and a take-no-prisoners advocate for his long-time friend Rick Perry’s toll road policy, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Looking Forward to 2008: Maria Gonzalez

Posted on December 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I have asked a variety of people to submit an essay to me to be posted during the month of December, to be called “Looking Forward to 2008”. This entry was written by Maria Gonzalez.) As the vice president … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Sports Authority chair ousted

Posted on December 30, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. Under pressure from County Judge Ed Emmett, Mike Surface has resigned as chairman of the Harris County Sports & Convention Corp. Surface cited “personal and professional interests” as the reason why he was stepping down after serving nine years … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Sports Authority chair ousted

Halftime blogging

Posted on December 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

GO GIANTS!!!!!!! UPDATE: Dammit. All I want out of this NFL season is for there not to be a Pats-Cowboys Super Bowl. Is that so much to ask? Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

Rosenthal’s apology in the news

Posted on December 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story about Chuck Rosenthal’s apology statement. I’ll focus on what’s new here, some of which I had seen previously in the NYT and on Miya’s blog. Jared Woodfill, Harris County Republican Party Chairman, said he is meeting … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 6 Comments

Looking Forward to 2008: Stephanie Stradley

Posted on December 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I have asked a variety of people to submit an essay to me to be posted during the month of December, to be called “Looking Forward to 2008”. This entry was written by Stephanie Stradley.) The year 2007 will … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Never tell a geek it can’t be done more efficiently

Posted on December 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Elise Hu has part eight of her series on Governor Perry’s email retention policies, which has come down to a contest between Perry and his minions against open-records advocate and all-around pit bull John Washburn – see here for my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Never tell a geek it can’t be done more efficiently

Filing news: Richard Morrison for Fort Bend County Commissioner

Posted on December 29, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve mentioned this before, so it gives me great pleasure to note the official filing by Richard Morrison for Fort Bend Commissioner’s Court in Precinct 1. Here’s his press release: Residents of Precinct 1 have lost confidence in Tom Stavinoha. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 3 Comments

“Why Houston?”

Posted on December 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

I think the better question is why this? After trotting out and discarding a series of slogans over the years, Houston’s official marketing agency is taking a new approach as it prepares to launch a $3 million campaign to enhance … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Chuck’s curious statement

Posted on December 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The following is a press release from Harris County DA Chuck Rosenthal, which landed in my inbox a little while ago: Statement by Chuck Rosenthal Recently some Harris County District Attorney inner office emails have been released in the media. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 5 Comments

Billboard battle delayed again

Posted on December 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The new billboard ordinance, which was put off till next year after pushback from beautification groups, has been delayed again so that the disagreements can be worked out. It had been scheduled to come up for council vote Jan. 9. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Billboard battle delayed again

Looking Forward to 2008: Matt Stiles

Posted on December 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I have asked a variety of people to submit an essay to me to be posted during the month of December, to be called “Looking Forward to 2008”. This entry was written by Matt Stiles.) Next year will bring … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Looking Forward to 2008 | 6 Comments

Help me spend some money at the iTunes store

Posted on December 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

So one of the Christmas presents I got this year was a $15 gift card for the iTunes store. Now in the old days, back when I was walking uphill in the snow to school every day, fifteen smackers bought … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 9 Comments

Filing news: Lots of action

Posted on December 28, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The holiday lull in candidate filings is officially over – things were very busy today. Here’s a roundup of who’s running for what: – I was very pleasantly surprised to see that Jim Henley (who’s gonna need a new domain … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Which races are they playing in?

Posted on December 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

This is one of the more disturbing political stories I’ve seen lately, both for its lack of concrete information and its far-reaching implications. Texas’ ailing racing industry is planning an expensive gamble for survival — a $3 million campaign and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Jackpot! | 1 Comment

Why, Chuck, you sly devil

Posted on December 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

For those of you who enjoy a good politics-and-sex story (and you know who you are), it would seem that Santa was very good to you, if a tad bit late. A federal judge this morning resealed dozens of e-mails … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Looking Forward to 2008: Rep. Ellen Cohen

Posted on December 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I have asked a variety of people to submit an essay to me to be posted during the month of December, to be called “Looking Forward to 2008”. This entry was written by Rep. Ellen Cohen.) As I write … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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“A truckload of flaming death”

Posted on December 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Boy, the things I miss by not going out at night more often. At least there are people I know to document them for me so I can ooh and aah over them later. Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on “A truckload of flaming death”

Filing news: The other side of the aisle

Posted on December 27, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Thought I’d take a minute and see how filings were going for the Republicans in Texas. I’m using this document as my main guide to who’s filed for what. Vince has done some of the heavy lifting here, and I’ll … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Filing news: The other side of the aisle

Let’s debate that

Posted on December 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting op-ed from the weekend by Barbara Radnofsky. Now, in many urban high schools and particularly in Houston, policy debate is gone. Private and suburban public high schools are still actively involved in debate, but predominantly low-income minority students lack … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | 2 Comments

Looking Forward to 2008: Noel Freeman

Posted on December 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I have asked a variety of people to submit an essay to me to be posted during the month of December, to be called “Looking Forward to 2008”. This entry was written by Noel Freeman.) I always look forward … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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RIP, Greenway Theatre

Posted on December 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Well, here’s an unlovely Christmas present. The Greenway Theatre, which has screened films in the basement of Greenway Plaza for 35 years, will close at the end of this year. Employees say Landmark Theatres lost its lease at 5 East … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Filing news: Gene, Gene, the Do-Nothing Machine

Posted on December 26, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

The biggest “news”, if you can call it that, since my last update on who’s filed for what, is that perennial do-nothing Gene Kelly has made his biennial donation to the Texas Democratic Party primary fund, and will once again … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Filing news: Gene, Gene, the Do-Nothing Machine

Have a holly, jolly Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Have a holly, jolly Christmas; It’s the best time of the year I don’t know if there’ll be snow but have a cup of cheer Have a holly, jolly Christmas; And when you walk down the street Say Hello to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 1 Comment

Mitt Romney Got A Lump Of Coal In His Stocking

Posted on December 25, 2007 by admin

Oops. Romney not only did not get the Concord Monitor of New Hampshire endorsement, they told their readers NOT to vote for him and why. Smack those flip-flops together, he’s not “trustworthy”. Several newspapers made endorsements Sunday. Democrat Barack Obama: … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

As always, Merry Christmas, Mel Torme

Posted on December 24, 2007 by Charles Kuffner

Every year at about this time, I link to Mark Evanier’s wonderful story about Mel Torme and a group of charmingly clueless Christmas carolers. And every year when I reread it, it gives me goosebumps. This year was no exception. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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