Monthly Archives: June 2008

Sheriff apologizes for racist emails

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a start. Reacting to the latest controversy about his office in recent months, Sheriff Tommy Thomas today apologized in person to a local Muslim group for religiously insensitive e-mails sent by members of his staff. Monday’s appearance before the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Beckwith’s follies

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Remember David Beckwith, the campaign consultant for “Big John” Cornyn? Apparently, he’s been a busy boy at the Burnt Orange Report. When a staffer for Lt. Col. Noriega made a dumb mistake and falsely represented himself as a blogger to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Beckwith’s follies

Upper Kirby versus Trees for Houston

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The chairman of the Upper Kirby TIRZ writes a letter in defense of the Kirby storm drain/street widening project that was recently criticized by Trees for Houston. On the Kirby Drive Storm Drainage and Mobility Improvements Project, however, Trees for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

Meeting to discuss commuter rail study

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

If you’ve been itching to make a public comment about the new commuter rail study, your opportunity is here. The first public meeting on a new Regional Commuter Rail Connectivity Study will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Houston-Galveston … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

BlueTexas

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Now here is a more tangible manifestation of the Obama strategy for Texas: Raising a bunch of money for State House races. Alexa Wesner caught Obamania before it became fashionable. The West Lake Hills woman, who’s known Barack Obama since … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on BlueTexas

Sarnoff on the Heights Highrise

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s Nancy Sarnoff writes about the Heights highrise, and makes it sound pretty reasonable. [C]alling it another Ashby high-rise may be a stretch. For one, the proposal is for an office building. And the rendering is old. A newer … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 3 Comments

Turn that thing up!

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This is one of those “why didn’t we think of this sooner” kind of things. City Hall has gotten a little hotter, and not because of a sudden gust of political rhetoric. Officials adjusted the air conditioning in 100 municipal … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Good news: We’re not doomed!

Posted on June 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this is a relief. The most powerful atom-smasher ever built could make some bizarre discoveries, such as invisible matter or extra dimensions in space, after it is switched on in August. But some critics fear the Large Hadron Collider … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 2 Comments

The end of the quarter is upon us

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Monday is the quarterly reporting deadline for campaign finances, and if you haven’t been buried under an avalanche of emails soliciting donations, you probably don’t follow politics that closely. If you are at all inclined to donate to a campaign, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on The end of the quarter is upon us

Big Bad John

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’m really rather amazed at how long this has been in the news. Is U.S. Sen. John Cornyn’s Big Bad John campaign video a big black eye for him? His staff says absolutely not, painting the attention-getting video as a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Weekend link dump

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Just some interesting links from other folks to check out… Deadspin has a new executive editor. To no one’s surprise, it’s not a woman. The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell says that James Dobson does not speak for him. The Top Ten … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | 1 Comment

East End rail opening ceremony

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The East End (Harrisburg) rail line had its official kickoff on Thursday. As streamers and fireworks shot into the sweltering air and opponents picketed outside, elected officials and East End community leaders today celebrated the impending start of construction of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

It means “Suave and Debonair”

Posted on June 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Michael brings me some good news. [I]t was with great surprise and pleasure that I heard from [Tom Beard, lead singer for Houston’s strangest blues bar band, Feo Y Loco]. Feo is in the studio working on re-recording old classics … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on It means “Suave and Debonair”

Another Lyceum poll

Posted on June 28, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Those Texas Lyceum folks have been busy lately, first with their Senate poll, and now with an early peek at the 2010 Governor’s race. Robert Black, spokesman for [Governor Rick Perry], dismissed the Texas Lyceum Poll results, saying, “Any poll … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More on the Lyceum poll

Posted on June 28, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

In my earlier post about that Texas Lyceum poll, I wondered about the partisan ratio that the pollster used. I see now that Harvey Kronberg is on the case. In response to our query, Lyceum pollster Daron R. Shaw sent … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on More on the Lyceum poll

Senate shenanigans

Posted on June 28, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Lone Star Project highlights another bit of funny bookkeeping from State Sen. Kim Brimer: Campaign finance records show that Republican State Senator Kim Brimer (SD10 – Fort Worth) has again used campaign contributor funds for personal gain. A complete … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Senate shenanigans

Gray on Kirby

Posted on June 28, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron’s Lisa Gray makes a pitch for saving at least some of the doomed trees along Kirby Drive. The street is a major thoroughfare, a big deal in and of itself. And even more important, it presents the kind … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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TMA unendorses Cornyn

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. The political action committee of the Texas Medical Association, furious about a Thursday night vote on a Medicare-funding bill, is going to rescind its endorsement of Sen. John Cornyn’s reelection bid, association spokesman Brent Annear said. Cornyn and Sen. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Deputies for Garcia

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This is a pretty remarkable letter to the editor in today’s Chron. The type of sheriff we need Regarding Tuesday’s Page One article “Sheriff aims to polish his star / Thomas takes the heat for mistakes but blames ‘politics’ for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

“I got a leather from my Fred”

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Ever wonder just what the heck Joe Cocker is singing when he covers the Beatles’ A Little Help From My Friends? Well, wonder no more: Just as you always suspected, right? Me too. And a better anti-drug PSA you’re unlikely … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 4 Comments

TexBlog PAC event a big success

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The TexBlog PAC fundraiser last night was a big success, drawing in a crowd of over 50 people and raising more than $7000 to help take back the Texas House. You can see photos from the event, taken by Patty … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Reminder: Houston Votes Zydeco event

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Just a reminder about this: See you there! Continue reading →

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The z-word and the airports

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like Houston is going to get some form of zoning after all. Zoning around Houston’s three airports came a step closer to reality on Wednesday, as City Council approved the creation of an Airport Commission to finalize the affected … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 3 Comments

National Night Out, the local option

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

You have to admit, this makes a lot of sense. For 24 long years, Houstonians swatted mosquitoes for law and order. They sweated for community solidarity. They turned out by the tens of thousands in the hottest part of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

Good news for Noriega

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Good news – Rick Noriega was the winner of the PAC For A Change contest, which will bring him some much-appreciated fundraising help. In just one week, over 25,000 PAC for a Change community members voted in our “Choose a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Business tax revenues falling short of projections

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Unless something changes in the next few months, this is going to present an unpleasant surprise for the next Legislature. Texas’ new business tax has brought in $4.2 billion so far, raising questions about whether it will hit the $5.9 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Business tax revenues falling short of projections

Interview with Eric Roberson

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I had the chance to meet Eric Roberson, who is running for CD32 up in Dallas, while I was in Austin for the Democratic convention, but due to my short stay our schedules didn’t allow for an interview. Fortunately, he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Final reminder: TexBlog PAC fundraiser tonight

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Today is the big day! Please join host Mustafa Tameez and sponsors: State Representatives Ellen Cohen, Jessica Farrar, and Ana Hernandez Houston City Controller Annise Parker Democratic Candidate for U.S. Congress Michael Skelly Democratic Candidate for State Senate Joe Jaworski … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More on the Heights highrise

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Farther down in that HAIF thread about the Heights highrise is this entry from someone who appears to have inside knowledge: A few notes of clarification on the building being discussed: a. The structure, as currently envisioned, will include first … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on More on the Heights highrise

Sexism and sports writing

Posted on June 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

My friend Stephanie Stradley discusses matters relating to sexism and sports writing in a piece about Will Leitch’s to-be-named successor at Deadspin. Are Female Sports Bloggers Held to a Different Standard? On this I can offer an emphatic Yes. Whoever … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on Sexism and sports writing

Obama to do something in Texas

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I like the sound of this. Mostly, anyway. Barack Obama will focus his resources largely in 14 states George W. Bush won in 2004, his chief field operative said Tuesday, hoping to score upsets in places such as Virginia, Indiana … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 3 Comments

SCOTUS strikes down “Jessica’s Law”

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Breaking news. The Supreme Court declared Wednesday that executions are too severe a punishment for child rape, despite the “years of long anguish” for victims, in a ruling that restricts the death penalty to murder and crimes against the state. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More from the Sheriff

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Matt Stiles, who did that interview with Sheriff Thomas, adds a little extra to the mix. Thomas said his department will now launch internal affairs investigations of deputies’ conduct if defense attorneys raise questions. In the past, the office had … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Harrisburg line groundbreaking Thursday

Posted on June 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

At long last, construction for the Metro 2012 plan is about to begin. The Metropolitan Transit Authority will host a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday for the East End light rail line, the first of five scheduled to be completed by late … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Harrisburg line groundbreaking Thursday