Monthly Archives: September 2008

TAB trial set

Posted on September 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I confess, I lose track of these things. State District Judge Mike Lynch on Wednesday tentatively ordered a trial for the Texas Association of Business on charges that it made illegal corporate contributions to its own political action committee. In … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on TAB trial set

Weekend link dump for September 7

Posted on September 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

He’s grizzled maverick in need of a fresh start! She’s a spunky young governor who doesn’t play by the rules! Together, they post blog links. A day late, but what the heck. What’s so funny about sexy librarians? Two explanations … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Ike

Posted on September 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Dammit. I do not want to have to deal with this. Ike: Please encounter massive amounts of wind shear and dry air, and shrivel up. Thanks very much from all of us along the Gulf Coast. Continue reading →

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The trouble with the TRCC

Posted on September 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

You already know how I feel about the Texas Residential Construction Commission. So, this story about how they’re trying to stave off death by Sunset Committee may seem promising for them, but as far as I can tell they aren’t … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in That's our Lege | 1 Comment

Don’t you know who I am?

Posted on September 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I for one am glad to see Tom DeLay do his best to get back into the public eye. DeLay — the most powerful Republican on Capitol Hill four years ago when the party gathered in New York to re-nominate … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 2 Comments

New food in the ‘hood

Posted on September 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This sounds cool. Fall should be an exciting time on Houston’s food scene, with chef Robert Gadsby’s new signature restaurant–named Bedford after his hometown in England–set to open by year’s end in the Heights. Bedford will join Scott Tycer’s upcoming … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | 1 Comment

Online disclosure

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Meant to give Texas Watchdog a shoutout for their nice catch. Houston city officials have failed for the past two years to post ethics forms online as required by law, Texas Watchdog has learned. The ethics forms are meant to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 3 Comments

Hakeem the Dream

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Congratulations to Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. The memories, inspired by the occasion, had been flooding back for days. Hakeem Olajuwon thought of his start in Nigeria, playing table tennis, soccer and team handball and discovering basketball. He pictured his … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Brazoria Dems

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t usually think of Brazoria County as a hotbed of activity for Democrats – for good reason, given the 68-31 margin there for President Bush in 2004 – but like us here in Harris and elsewhere around the state … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Eversole looking over his shoulder

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole says the feds are coming after him and that he expects they’ll get him. Harris County Commissioner Jerry Eversole said Thursday that he expects to be forced from office by an FBI investigation into corruption … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 3 Comments

Mooseburger, medium rare

Posted on September 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Unlike Yglesias, I have sadly not had the opportunity to sample moose. I’ve eaten venison – the Goode Company Taqueria has an excellent venison sausage on its menu – and thanks to my father-in-law and his Alaskan hunting trips, I’ve … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | 3 Comments

TexBlog PAC endorses Joe Moody

Posted on September 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Meet the TexBlog PAC’s fourth endorsed candidate: Joseph Moody is the right candidate at the right time in the right district. Joe was born in raised in El Paso and in 2006 ran his father, William “Bill” Moody’s, campaign for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More on Bell’s lawsuit

Posted on September 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story on Chris Bell’s lawsuit to remove the mysterious Stephanie Simmons from the ballot in SD17. The main takewaway is this: Bell sued the Texas secretary of state and Simmons. He argues that Simmons doesn’t meet the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 3 Comments

TPJ files complaint against Dewhurst

Posted on September 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Remember Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst’s too-cute non-disclosure of his trust fund? Well, Texans for Public Justice have filed a complaint with Travis County Attorney David Escamilla over the Dew’s lack of forthrightness. From their press release: Under Texas law public … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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REV Houston

Posted on September 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I thought this article about the electric car taxi/shuttle service called REV Houston was interesting. A couple of things that struck me: When [Erik] Ibarra and business partner Justin Jones started REV Houston in April, they anticipated a certain clientele. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Discounted tickets for Kos event

Posted on September 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As noted before, the Progressive Forum will be hosting a lecture by Markos Moulitsas Zuniga on Monday, September 22, at the Wortham Center. You can get discount tickets for this event by going to Progressive Forum and using the promo … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Abramoff sentenced

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Jack Abramoff, the epicenter of Republican scandals from the Tom DeLay era, got his sentence today. Jack Abramoff, the disgraced former lobbyist who orchestrated a wide-ranging scheme to corrupt several members of Congress, was sentenced to four years in prison … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Bell files suit to remove Simmons from ballot

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Ever since somebody named Stephanie Simmons filed to run in the SD17 special election at the last minute, people have been trying to figure out who she is, because she hasn’t spoken to the press and initial searches into voter … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Interview with David Mincberg

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The race for Harris County Judge has lived up to its billing as the highest-profile local campaign this year. David Mincberg has been airing ads on TV for a couple of weeks now, while appointed incumbent Ed Emmett has scored … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

The Palin effect

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Paul Burka reports from the Republican convention. Roger Williams, the former secretary of state who is in charge of the Republican victory effort in Texas, has had a tough year. The lack of enthusiasm of the Republican base for John … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008, The making of the President | 2 Comments

More recycling on the way

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This is good news. Houston is poised to dramatically expand its recycling programs through a variety of initiatives aimed at ending the city’s reign as the most wasteful major metropolis in the country. The stepped-up effort includes a pilot program … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 2 Comments

The coming regional transit authority

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Newfound interest in transit options from places like Fort Bend into Houston, coupled with the lack of authority Metro has in those places, make something like this an eventual certainty in my mind. Although transit needs are regional, the closest … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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House news

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas House Democratic Campaign Committee (HDCC) has a nifty new website with news, information about candidates, and a couple of ads that make the case for a Democratic majority in the State House. It still boggles my mind that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on House news

Candidate Q&A: Mike Miller

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Note: This entry is part of a series of written Q&As with judicial candidates who will be on the ballot in Harris County. I am also doing recorded interviews with non-judicial candidates. 1. Who are you, and what are you … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Trash the TRCC

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll say it again: The Texas Residential Construction Commission was created at the behest of homebuilders for their protection from consumers, and it deserves ti die. Nearly two weeks ago, the Sunset Advisory Commission said what TRCC opponents have been … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Only Republican judges think checks aren’t cash

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Seems that the recent appeals court ruling that may have given viability to the infamous “checks aren’t cash” defense was a partisan decision. In a dissent unusual for its critical tone, Justice Diane Henson, a Democrat, wrote that three Republican … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Only Republican judges think checks aren’t cash

Texas blog roundup for the week of September 1

Posted on September 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I know I usually run the Texas Progressive Alliance weekly blog roundup on Tuesdays, but with the Labor Day holiday, this is basically a virtual Tuesday. So enjoy the highlights, and know that they come with the realization that Friday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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RIP, Don LaFontaine

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I am sad to say that we are now in a world where Don LaFontaine, the well-known movie trailer voiceover guy, is no longer living. Don LaFontaine, the man who popularized the now loved-catch phrase, “in a world where…” and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 1 Comment

Shame on you, Richard Justice

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’m an infrequent reader of Richard Justice’s sports columns because I tend to find him more annoying than insightful. I’m not a reader of his blog because I get all the Richard Justice I need in the paper. As such, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 4 Comments

Goodbye, Gustav

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I know this is easy for me to say, but it could have been so much worse. After spending the past three years rebuilding the levees that stand between it and inundation, this fragile city apparently passed its first significant … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Interview with Michael Skelly

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

One of the more exciting campaigns this cycle has been that of Michael Skelly in CD07, as his combination of fundraising prowess and a wind energy background have put that race on the national radar. Among other things, that race … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Vetting

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Marc Ambinder tells us what Team McCain didn’t know about Sarah Palin before she became his soul mate. They’ve bragged that Palin opposed the famous “Bridge to Nowhere,” only to learn that Palin supported the project and even told residents … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 3 Comments

Email secrecy, Alaska style

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

In at least this respect, Alaska Governor/Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin is a typical Republican officeholder. E-mails from the Palin administration are being withheld from the public and the governor is citing executive privilege. With subject lines like “Fagan,” “Andrew … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Comments Off on Email secrecy, Alaska style

He finally cleared that last bit of brush

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

So long, Crawford. It was nice using you. This tiny dot on the Central Texas prairie has hosted world-leader summits and massive anti-war protests. Its residents have been profiled and photographed and have learned about life in the spotlight. Eight … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment