Monthly Archives: January 2008

Candidate Q&A: Susan Criss

Posted on January 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates. 1. Who are you and what are you running for? I am Judge … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

A new spin on the “Hillary will save us/kill us!” meme

Posted on January 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this is at least an original argument. The ability of the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee to raise national party money for the general election campaign in Texas may be hindered if Hillary Rodham Clinton is the party’s presidential nominee, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 7 Comments

Dynamo Stadium appears imminent

Posted on January 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The last pieces of the puzzle for Dynamo Stadium (which I foolishly predicted would fall into place shortly after the Dynamo’s second MLS championship in November) appear to be ready to go. Earlier this week, city officials signed letters of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

Fletcher’s poll against Van Arsdale

Posted on January 10, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Via Lone Star Times, some news from the Republican primary in HD130, where Sen. Dan Patrick is seeking a little revenge on Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale via his proxy, Allen Fletcher. Basically, there was a poll conducted, whose details you … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Emmett calls for investigation of Rosenthal

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Good. Harris County government chief Ed Emmett today called for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s staff to conduct an independent investigation of local District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal in the wake of the disclosure of e-mails on Rosenthal’s county government account … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 3 Comments

Judge Emmett speaks

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett is about to have a press conference in which he will discuss the DA’s office. WHO: Harris County Judge Ed Emmett WHAT: News Conference WHEN: 2 p.m., Wednesday, January 9, 2008 WHERE: Fourth Floor Media … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 4 Comments

The case that started it all

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

With all the focus on Chuck Rosenthal and his atrocious email habits and tastes, let’s take a moment to consider the lawsuit, which was actually filed against Sheriff Tommy Thomas, that started it all when the first batch of don’t-it-seem-so-innocent-now … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on The case that started it all

Oh, those emails: Day 2

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Let’s start with more from KHOU, since they were the first on the scene with this story. [O]ther e-mails in the district attorney’s office provide a glimpse of a possible ongoing attitude taken towards women. An e-mail from division chief … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Oh, those emails: Day 2

Candidate interview: Diane Trautman

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: This entry is part of a series of recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. I am also doing written Q&As with judicial candidates. I’m kicking off my series of recorded interviews with a conversation with Diane … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Candidate interview: Diane Trautman

Goooooooooooose!

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Hot damn! Rich “Goose” Gossage became only the fifth relief pitcher elected to the Hall of Fame, earning baseball’s highest honor Tuesday on his ninth try on the ballot. Known for his overpowering fastball, fiery temperament and bushy mustache, the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Goooooooooooose!

Beware the builders

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Be very, very wary of this. Former Mayor Bob Lanier has joined prominent home builders and developers campaigning to limit new development regulations they believe could threaten Houston’s growth. Lanier’s comments are part of a nascent effort to respond to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 3 Comments

Why Ewing and not Garcia

Posted on January 9, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Matt Stiles, who received the same email from a local crank insisting that Adrian Garcia was in the same boat as Laura Ewing, clears up the matter: The provision cited by Ewing, which is Article 16, Article 65, on first … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Oh, those emails

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Remember how I said it looked like things might get worse for Chuck Rosenthal? Well, they just did, and this time there’s collateral damage. 11 News has obtained hundreds of other Chuck Rosenthal e-mails, some that are racially and sexually … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 4 Comments

Still purging

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Didn’t get to this last week, but Elise Hu is still on the email purge story (see here for the previous update). Thanks to the generous donations of people from around Texas and the country, John Washburn, who requested several … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Still purging

Earle endorses Lehmberg to replace him

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Outgoing Travis County DA Ronnie Earle has made an endorsement in the Democratic primary to replace him. Saying he has a duty after more than 30 years in office to tell the public what he thinks, departing Travis County District … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Houston City Council Committee Assignments

Posted on January 8, 2008 by admin

2008-2009 Committee assignments have been made by the Mayor. Here are the Chairs: Budget and Fiscal Affairs: Anne Clutterbuck Ethics: Anne Clutterbuck Flooding and Drainage: M.J. Khan Housing and Community Development: Jolanda Jones Human Services and Technology Access: Jarvis Johnson … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Houston City Council Committee Assignments

Candidate Q&A: Jim Wrotenbery

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: I am doing a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates, and recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates, in contested Democratic primaries. This is the first such entry in the judicial candidate series. The reason for this format in these … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

What happened to all those cases?

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

There was one more thing about this Press cover story about the murder suspect Chuck Rosenthal would rather stay in Venezuela than make a deal to put him in jail: According to the results of an open records request from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on What happened to all those cases?

Background checks for school board members?

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Is this really necessary? The recent indictment of an Alief school trustee — and the revelation of his criminal record — has prompted the question: Should the state or local districts require the same background checks for board members as … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 3 Comments

Texas blog roundup for the week of January 7

Posted on January 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

New year, same old weekly roundup goodness. Click on for the first set of highlights from 2008. Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of January 7

Arabia Shrine Center sale finalized

Posted on January 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Nancy Sarnoff brings the news. Homeowners aren’t the only ones feeling the sting of rising property taxes. The owners of the Arabia Shrine Center said mounting tax bills caused them to sell their property. “It’s regrettable, but the ever-increasing taxes … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Arabia Shrine Center sale finalized

Online campaign filings for county officials

Posted on January 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Sounds good to me. About six months after Houston officials began filing their campaign contribution and spending reports in a searchable online database, Harris County’s top executive says he wants the county to follow suit. Faced with the rising profile … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 2 Comments

One year after for Orlando

Posted on January 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Has it really been a full year since Orlando Sanchez was swept into the office of County Treasurer with a promise to actually do something with that otherwise useless office? Boy howdy, time does fly. Well, since I like to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on One year after for Orlando

“Let’s not make a deal”, Rosenthal style

Posted on January 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This Houston Press cover story, about the battle that parents of a murdered girl have waged to get her accused killer extradited from Venezuela, certainly has propitious timing. A native of Venezuela, [accused killer Jesus] Salazar fled the United States … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on “Let’s not make a deal”, Rosenthal style

Six beers over Texas

Posted on January 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not sure why this story amuses me as much as it does, but it does. Citing public safety and concerns about underage drinking, more than 60 people showed up at a town-hall meeting Thursday night to learn how to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

Barbs and bouquets, but mostly barbs

Posted on January 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This Chron overview of Chuck Rosenthal’s career promised “barbs and bouquets” for the soon-to-be-former DA, but it was mostly barbs. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Rosenthal’s performance in office predictably brought barbs and bouquets, with defense lawyers — those … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 3 Comments

RIP, Andy Olmsted

Posted on January 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Army Major Andrew Olmsted, who was also a respected longtime blogger, was killed while serving in Iraq on Wednesday. Prior to going overseas, he wrote a blog post to be published in the event of his death, which you can … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 1 Comment

Austin wants to eliminate waste

Posted on January 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

No, we’re not talking politics here, but the goal is still very laudable. The city of Austin is hoping a new plan will help reduce its landfill waste to nothing. The city has hired a California firm, Gary Liss & … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 2 Comments

SCOTUS to review “Jessica’s Law”

Posted on January 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We knew this was coming at the time the Lege was debating this awful bill, and now here it is. The U.S. Supreme Court’s review of whether the death penalty can be imposed against a Louisiana man convicted of raping … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 4 Comments

Is it about to get worse for Chuck?

Posted on January 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Could be. District attorney Chuck Rosenthal could face jail time and fines if a federal judge rules later this month that he is in contempt for deleting more than 2,000 e-mails that were subpoenaed in a federal civil rights case. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 2 Comments

What if the BCS ran the NFL?

Posted on January 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As the NFL begins its playoffs today, now might be a good time to reflect on what their postseason might resemble if they crowned their champion the same way that the BCS does. Scary, no? Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 2 Comments

The accidentally-resigned Council member?

Posted on January 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Is Friendswood City Council member Laura Ewing required to resign from her post now that she’s running for the State Board of Education? A provision of the Texas Constitution says that if any office holder announces a candidacy in any … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

“Plus these babies are high in fiber, and what’s the fun of becoming an immortal demon if you’re not regular, am I right?”

Posted on January 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the GOP Presidential primary field as demons from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I think the only quibble I have is that the Mayor was about a billion times more witty than Mitt Romney could … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Comments Off on “Plus these babies are high in fiber, and what’s the fun of becoming an immortal demon if you’re not regular, am I right?”

And in the end, Chuck flops out

Posted on January 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

That breeze you felt this evening was that of a thousand sighs of relief from the local GOP. The local Republican Party took its final applications for the March 4 primary for district attorney tonight without a boomerang move by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments