Monthly Archives: September 2009

Pick a fare

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I was going to say something about Bill King’s latest treatise on Metro’s fare structure, but Greg sums it up pretty succinctly, so I’ll just refer you to him. I look forward to the next entry in this series, “Let’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Weekend link dump for September 13

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Carla Bruni and Woody Allen, together at last. Yeah, some publicist will lose his or her job over this. Bush 36,000. They deserve each other. A less ugly power strip. I have a feeling Tiffany will want one. Roger Clemens’ … Continue reading →

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A year after Ike

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

One year after Hurricane Ike made landfall over Galveston, the news is surprisingly positive for the island, though many challenges still remain. The Lege helped Galveston in a number of ways for this year, such as requiring UT to reopen … Continue reading →

Posted in Hurricane Katrina | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A list of interviews so far

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As I said last week, I do not expect to do any more interviews with City Council candidates. This week, I will be publishing interviews with HISD Trustee candidates, to be followed by interviews with incumbent district Council members, then … Continue reading →

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Earle still pondering a run for Governor

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Ronnie Earle reminds us that he’s still out there, and still thinking about mounting a campaign for Governor. Former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle, who most recently got national attention for his prosecution of former House Majority Leader Tom … Continue reading →

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Let the Terry Grier honeymoon watch begin

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Place your bets on when the first major brouhaha of the Terry Grier Era will take place. Closing small schools. Firing teachers whose students consistently fail. Tinkering with popular magnet programs. A pile of these and other political hot potatoes … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Saturday video break: Maynard Ferguson does “Star Trek”

Posted on September 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This video combines two of my geeky loves: Jazz band and “Star Trek”. Add to that all of the 70s hair and fashion, and you’ve got a giant sundae of awesomeness with whipped cream and a cherry on it. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

The veto that keeps on giving

Posted on September 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Bicyclists are still pissed off at Rick Perry for his veto of the Safe Passing bill. The man does have a talent for making people dislike him.

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Link roundup on Todd Willingham

Posted on September 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Grits finds a bunch of links about Cameron Todd Willingham and the reaction that his case and the New Yorker article about it have generated, to which I added this Dahlia Lithwick article in the comments. Three things: 1. As … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What about the train stations?

Posted on September 12, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

With all the talk about commuter rail and high-speed rail these days, it’s important to remember that those trains have to stop someplace so passengers can get on and off, ideally with a connection to a light rail line nearby. … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Friday random ten: It’s a helluva town

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t really have anything new or original to say about this anniversary of 9/11. What I published back in 2002 is as meaningful as anything I could say today. What I can do is give you some music in … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Retired general calls out Perry

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Damn. A retired Air National Guard general called Thursday with three worries. “Something bad’s gone wrong in this country,” said retired Brig. Gen. Tom Daniels, 62, of Fort Worth. “Something’s wrong in Arlington. Something’s wrong in Austin. And something’s wrong … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Endorsement watch: State Reps for Bill White

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

From the Inbox: State Representatives from across Texas have endorsed Mayor Bill White as the best choice for U.S. Senator, putting White in the endorsement lead for all Senate candidates. The Representatives’ districts span from El Paso to Dallas and … Continue reading →

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DNC to help fund state races?

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Interesting. Texas Democratic Chairman Boyd Richie said today the Democratic National Committee next year may put money into Texas House races because of their importance in drawing new congressional maps in 2011. Texas is expected to gain three to four … Continue reading →

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Fish farming approved for the Gulf

Posted on September 11, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Back in January, I noted that there was a proposal to allow a fish farm in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was asked for a ruling on it. On Thursday, the deadline for making … Continue reading →

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Ogden not running for re-election

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This was expected, and now it’s official. State Sen. Steve Ogden, a Bryan Republican and one of the Senate’s most powerful members as its chief budget writer, announced Thursday that he will not run for re-election next year. The decision … Continue reading →

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HISD set to hire Grier

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

But not without some drama first. The Houston school board is expected to officially hire Terry Grier as superintendent Thursday and offer him a multiyear contract that is likely to top $400,000 a year in salary and perks over time. … Continue reading →

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Interview with George Foulard

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

For my last City Council candidate interview, we have George Foulard, who is running in District G. Foulard is a political newcomer who has worked in the international commodities industry and is currently employed as an operations manager. He is … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Our illegal air

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, we don’t sufficiently enforce clean air standards in Texas. Who ever could have guessed that? The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that many of the air pollution rules Texas uses to control the state’s industry do not comply … Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

KBH, the anti-toll road crusader

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Team Kay takes aim at one of Governor Perry’s many vulnerabilities. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison has seized on [the Trans-Texas Corridor] as she seeks to take his job, saying the project and Perry’s transportation policies smack of arrogance. “It’s … Continue reading →

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Ten transportation opportunities for the next mayor

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Christof has a list of ten transportation opportunities for the next mayor, having to do with trains, roads, parking, infrastructure, and other matters, that I hope all of the candidates read. I encourage you to read it as well.

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Wash your hands

Posted on September 10, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

College football teams try to stave off a bunch of players missing games due to the flu. As players across Texas and the nation prepare for a new season, the high-tech world of college football is taking on the essential … Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Brown on the air, take two

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Peter Brown continues his air campaign with a new TV ad: I thought the first one was good, and I think this one is better. Team Peter has done a nice job with Brown’s overall brand – Brown is the … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Lawrence forms exploratory committee for Commissioners Court

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Houston City Council Member Toni Lawrence, the one term-limited member of city government who hadn’t announced a run for somethinge else yet, has now announced that she is forming an exploratory committee for the presumed-to-be-open Commissioners Court seat in Precinct … Continue reading →

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Interview with Dexter Handy

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

My penultimate City Council candidate interview is with Dexter Handy, who is running in District G. Handy is a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force where he had a distinguished 28-year career that included a stint as Chief of … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

What happens now in HCC District 8?

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

As we know, after the filing-deadline shenanigans in the HCC Trustee District 8 race, brother-in-law candidate Arturo Aguilar said he was withdrawing from the ballot. As I noted at the time, that meant there were no other candidates who had … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Katz announces for Lite Guv

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, at least we have a candidate. Marc Katz can’t help it. He’s gotta tell you. He’s planning to run for lieutenant governor. Katz, 62, Austin’s self-proclaimed deli king, said he plans to file paperwork to enter the race as … Continue reading →

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Governor Perry loves the stimulus

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

That Governor Perry loves the stimulus shouldn’t be a surprise, despite his high-profile bleatings. He loves anything he can use to his political advantage. Gov. Rick Perry rallied opposition to federal stimulus spending, but he now is the manager of … Continue reading →

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My kind of judge

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This guy is my new hero. The judge, Arthur M. Schack, 64, fashions himself a judicial Don Quixote, tilting at the phalanxes of bankers, foreclosure facilitators and lawyers who file motions by the bale. While national debate focuses on bank … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The Mayorals talk about the economy

Posted on September 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Via Greg and KTRK: Annise Parker: Gene Locke: Peter Brown Roy Morales: I presume that each team was told they had up to two minutes to film themselves talking about the economy in whatever fashion suited them. Locke’s struck me … Continue reading →

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Interview with Jack Christie

Posted on September 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We are getting close to the end of my interview series. This week I will wrap up the interviews with non-incumbent candidates for City Council. Next week I will have HISD Trustee candidates, then incumbent District City Council members, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

District H townhall meetings

Posted on September 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

From the inbox: Houston City Councilman Ed Gonzalez is sponsoring two town hall meetings in District H. Heights town hall meeting, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10 at Reagan High School, 413 E. 13th St. Washington Avenue Corridor town hall meeting, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Is there a cardiologist in the house?

Posted on September 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I have two words for you: Fried butter. I kid you not. Fried butter is among eight dishes contending for Monday’s fifth annual Big Tex Choice Awards, which showcases the top new foods at this year’s fair. Fried butter will … Continue reading →

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WiFi in the sky

Posted on September 8, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Since I’ve asserted that being able to use one’s laptop to surf the web while traveling is an advantage of taking the train as opposed to driving, I should note that soon one will be able to surf while flying … Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment