Monthly Archives: November 2008

Weekend link dump for November 30

Posted on November 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Still recovering from tryptophan overexposure… Let the people pick Obama’s successor in Illinois. The dark side of camera phones. Via McGuff. Time to start thinking about Christmas gifts! Confessions of an unrepentant BlackBerry addict. Yeah, I’m like that, too. Via … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The state of the Speaker’s race in a nutshell

Posted on November 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This sounds about right. House Speaker Tom Craddick’s critics say they’ve got enough signed pledges against him to make his re-election all but impossible. But Craddick’s opponents have yet to coalesce around a challenger seeking to replace him, ensuring that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The Ten Ugliest Buildings in Downtown Houston

Posted on November 30, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Nice little slideshow from the Houston Press about some downtown eyesores. I daresay it’s a largely uncontroversial list, though I personally have no particular beef with the look of either the Alley Theater or the George R. Brown Convention Center. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

Red light camera study coming

Posted on November 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We’ve been waiting for this for a long time: A study of the effects of red light cameras in Houston. Mayor Bill White’s administration plans next week to release a report on whether the 70-camera system has achieved its stated … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The twelfth Senator

Posted on November 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Star Telegram talks about what the election of Wendy Davis to the State Senate means. With Davis, they now have 12 members — one more than the 11 votes needed to block legislation in the 31-member Senate — and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 2 Comments

Tofu tamales

Posted on November 29, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I know, I know, it just sounds wrong. But hear them out. Tofu tamales in Texas? One family-owned Houston business is making money selling vegan tamales. Members of the Chiu family, owners of Banyan Foods, don’t take themselves too seriously … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | 4 Comments

Friday random ten: A little jazzy, but not too much

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

So I’d said before that I’d made an attempt to compile a Genius list based on something like “Zoot Suit Riot” and got nothing but jazz songs. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it wasn’t what I was … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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There’s a new Sheriff in town

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Have I mentioned lately how glad I am that Sheriff-elect Adrian Garcia administered such a thorough butt-kicking to Tommy Thomas? Apparently, Thomas has not been particularly gracious or professional in defeat. Garcia soundly beat Tommy Thomas by 12 points on … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Metro ads

Posted on November 28, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I have no problem with this. Metro has unsuccessfully floated the idea of placing advertising on buses and shelters, but lean economic times call for a renewed effort. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has about 2,000 bus shelters in Houston, and … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Frying turkeys

Posted on November 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The comedienne Rita Rudner once said that the reason men barbecue is because they’ll cook if danger is involved. She could just as easily have been talking about frying a turkey. Deep-fried turkey has been hailed as the solution to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | 1 Comment

HD105 litigation update

Posted on November 27, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The recount in HD105 can now begin, according to a Dallas district court judge, who ruled he did not have the jurisdiction to act on the Democratic lawsuit over “emphasis votes”. State District Judge Jim Jordan on Tuesday said legal … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Perry to whine to Obama about the environment

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Waaaaaah! Preparing for a new administration in Washington, Gov. Rick Perry said Tuesday that regulating greenhouse gas emissions would have “devastating implications” for Texas’ economy and energy industry. Although the Bush administration has rejected such regulation, President-elect Barack Obama is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 4 Comments

Business tax: Still short

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Same as it ever was. Texas’ new business tax is $1.2 billion short of what it was expected to bring into state coffers its first year, even after adding extension payments made so far, the comptroller’s office said Tuesday. The … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Precinct analysis: Some other views

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’m going to take a holiday break from the precinct data, but don’t worry, I’ve got more stuff in the works. And yes, Peter Wang, I promise to do an analysis of the Steve Radack-Dexter Handy race. In the meantime, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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More racist emails surface

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Chuck Rosenthal may be gone, but sadly his brand of “humor” lives on at the courthouse. The Harris County Republican Party chairman is calling for a GOP misdemeanor court judge to resign because, using the courthouse computer system, he circulated … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Pardon me?

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Okay, look. This sort of thing doesn’t bother me. Daniel Pue is one of 14 people — including two other Texans — who received a pardon from the outgoing president on Monday. Daniel Pue by no means will go down … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Noriega to Washington?

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This would be excellent if it happens. State Rep. Rick Noriega of Houston, the unsuccessful U.S. Senate candidate who served in Afghanistan and on the Mexican border as a Texas Army National Guard officer, met with President-elect Barack Obama today … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

HD105 recount litigation

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The recount in HD105 has not gotten started yet, but there’s plenty of courtroom action in the meantime. The crux of the Dallas County case involves straight-party voting on electronic voting machines. When someone votes a straight-party ticket but then … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 3 Comments

Precinct analysis: The microcosm

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

If studying all the precinct data for Harris County seems too daunting, you can get a pretty good representation of the county in a smaller scale by studying HD133, where Rep.-elect Kristi Thibaut unseated freshman Rep. Jim Murphy in a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

More swearing-in ceremonies

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to Loren Jackson, our new District Clerk, two more Democratic candidates who won elections to fill unexpired terms will be sworn into office this week. One is Judge Kathy Stone, who was elected to replace the late Judge … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 24

Posted on November 25, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Thanksgiving time, but the Texas Progressive Alliance isn’t taking the week off. Click on for the usual assortment of highlights. Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: What we’ve learned so far

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The final cumulative and canvass reports are out. I’ve been working off of a draft canvass, which did not include provisional ballots, so if you compare those numbers to mine you’ll find a few differences here and there. Shouldn’t be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

The Chron on the red light camera car registration plan

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron had an editorial over the weekend about the new ordinance passed by City Council that would require people to pay red light camera fines before they could register their car. In an interview with the Chronicle, Houston Police … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Mammoth DNA update

Posted on November 24, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

First they found the DNA. Now they’re trying to do something with it. Scientists for the first time have unraveled much of the genetic code of an extinct animal, the ice age’s woolly mammoth, and with it they are thawing … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for November 23

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

T-minus 61 days till President Obama… We are a center-left country. I like the sound of that. When Barack met John. Dealing with modern day pirates. From the “Conservatism cannot fail, conservatism can only be failed” department. While I agree … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Roy!

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

My heart is filled with gladness at this news. I ran into Roy Morales this morning, and he’s definitely interested in running for office, again! A little refresher, the last time we talked about Mr. Morales, he was running against … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The Internet is good for kids

Posted on November 23, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This doesn’t really come as a surprise to me, but it’s still nice to see it backed up by some data. The MacArthur Foundation has a message for parents worried about their children’s use of the Internet: Chill out. A … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Society and cultcha | 1 Comment

The fight goes on for Debutant

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

On a somber note, I am sad to report that Debutant has had a relapse of her leukemia, and is back in Houston for more treatment. Which is to say biopsies and chemo and other nasty stuff. And she’ll be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Pounding the table

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

It just keeps getting better down in Willacy County. A county prosecutor who obtained indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney, former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and others pounded his fist and shouted at the judge Friday about special treatment for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Electric cars

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. Rick Ehrlich has high hopes for his new car dealership but it’s not likely to strike much fear into competitors with lots full of gleaming vehicles from Detroit, Asia or Europe. From a small warehouse near Minute Maid Park, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 4 Comments

More school zone cellphone banning

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The small town of Santa Fe joins in the school zone cellphone banning brigade. Santa Fe has joined West University Place in banning drivers from using cell phones while passing through school zones. By a 3 to 2 vote, the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Friday random ten – TGIF

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’ll get right to the point: The past couple of weeks have kicked my rear. I don’t have the energy to think of anything clever to say about this latest venture into iTunes Genius-land, so I’ll just jump straight into … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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RIP, Jim Mattox

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Former Attorney General and longtime Democratic activist Jim Mattox has died at the age of 65. Jim Mattox, the self-styled “people’s lawyer” who took on major corporations during eight years as Texas attorney general, has died. Mattox, 65, died in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 7 Comments

Waiting for Bill

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

We may know about Mayor Bill White’s political future soon, according to Gardner Selby. “He’s going to make a decision in the near future,” said Michael Moore, White’s chief of staff. “It will be based on where he could do … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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