Monthly Archives: November 2013

Saturday video break: City of New Orleans

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Because Arlo Guthrie did in fact do more than one song: I’ve even heard that one played on the radio a time or two. Like the Thursday video, this was recorded at Farm Aid, though in a different year. Hope … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged | 2 Comments

Thanksgiving weekend voter ID update

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Some statistics to throw some cold water on the claims that there were “no problems” with the voter ID law. Delays at the polls this month due to glitches with voters’ identifications could signal a bigger problem to come next … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Sriracha update

Posted on November 30, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

For the rooster sauce lovers in my audience, which I figure is most of you. A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Tuesday ordered a Sriracha hot sauce plant in Irwindale be partially shut down in response to odor complaints … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: Leftovers

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

In the spirit of the weekend, ten songs about food. 1. Hotdogs and Hamburgers – John Mellencamp 2. Watermelon Time – Marcia Ball 3. Col. Josh’s Homestyle Barbecue – Asylum Street Spankers 4. Ode To The Lima Bean – Flying … Continue reading →

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City settles longstanding litigation with strip clubs

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Mayor’s press release: Recognizing Houston is a hub for human trafficking, the City and 16 area topless clubs have entered into a novel settlement agreement aimed at addressing this heinous crime, ending litigation dating back to 1997 when … Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Recycle that cooking oil

Posted on November 29, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

A public service announcement from the city. The holidays are upon us and that means cooking turkeys, hams and other foods that either require cooking oils to prepare or that generate a surplus of grease when cooked. Used cooking oils … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, glorious food | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Thanksgiving video break: Alice’s Restaurant

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Needs no introduction, does it? That was at Farm Aid 2005. Still sounds great, too. Happy Thanksgiving, y’all.

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Same sex couples win the right to register for benefits in the Texas National Guard

Posted on November 28, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all. The Texas National Guard said late Tuesday it will immediately let same-sex couples register for benefits, ending a highly publicized standoff with the Pentagon. Five Texas Guard facilities, including one in Houston, that had been off limits … Continue reading →

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He’s baaaack

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I was at HCDP headquarters on Monday night, participating in a panel discussion hosted by the Texas Democratic Women of Harris County along with my friends Perry and Neil. On the back wall of the main room is a big … Continue reading →

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More on the Mayor’s payday lending ordinance

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the Chron story on Mayor Parker’s proposed payday lending ordinance, which is described as having been toughened up from an earlier proposal: Consumer groups had called [City Attorney David] Feldman’s compromise proposal too weak; he said he preferred tougher … Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Bradford calls for review of HPD oversight

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

He’s right that something needs to be done to ensure that people feel confident in the system. Houston City Councilman and former Police Chief C.O. “Brad” Bradford said citizens have lost faith in the city’s oversight of the use of … Continue reading →

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Texas blog roundup for the week of November 25

Posted on November 27, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Texas Progressive Alliance is thankful for many things, this week and every week, as we bring you this week’s roundup.

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More on LVdP for Lite Guv

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Mostly from Monday’s Lone Star Project news roundup email. AP: Texas Democrats offering stark contrast. Texas voters won’t have a hard time telling the difference between the Republican and Democratic candidates next year. With the addition of San Antonio Sen. … Continue reading →

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Fjetland files for Senate

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Texas Democrats will have a contested primary for the right to run against Sen. John Cornyn next year. Michael Fjetland, a previous GOP House candidate, has filed as a Democrat to run for the Senate seat held by Texas Sen. … Continue reading →

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More on the jail’s new non-discrimination policy

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s the Chron story on the new non-discrimination policy that was implemented at the Harris County Jail. Crafted in the last 16 months with input from local and national LGBT community leaders and groups, it strictly prohibits “discrimination or harassment … Continue reading →

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Son Of Ortiz/Farenthold?

Posted on November 26, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Maybe. A grudge match could be brewing in South Texas. On Tuesday, the Democrats’ top congressional strategist hinted that he’s been trying to recruit someone to challenge two-term Rep. Blake Farenthold, a tea party Republican from Corpus Christi. Turns out, … Continue reading →

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Where the early vote was

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As you know, I thought that the high turnout we were seeing in Early Voting for this past election was not so much an indicator of high turnout but of a shift in voting behavior similar to what we had … Continue reading →

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Sam Houston files for AG

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

It’s official. Democrat Sam Houston filed for attorney general Thursday, promising to return the office to it’s basic functions of “serving all Texans” rather than “partisan lawsuits and constant disputes with the federal government.” The Houston Democrat said specifically he … Continue reading →

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Grownups

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Ha ha ha ha ha! U.S. Sen. John Cornyn preached the gospel of a big-tent GOP at a Friday rally for his re-election, saying Republicans must prove to voters they can govern like “responsible adults.” Cornyn has been bedeviled by … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

How about those gators?

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

They’re doing well, with a little help. The largest reptile in America was nearly extinct by the 1970s. But, efforts to protect the American alligator resulted in a conservation success story that led to its removal from the endangered species … Continue reading →

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

Weekend link dump for November 24

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Better take your turkey out of the freezer soon. Organized youth football is seeing a sharp drop in participation. Concern about head injuries are a big part of that. This story about children being adopted from overseas and then abused … Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Tagged | 1 Comment

LVdP is in for Lite Gov

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Awesome. Long rumored to be a contender, state Sen. Leticia Van De Putte has now made it official: She is running for lieutenant governor. “I want to be your lieutenant governor because Mama ain’t happy — because Texas, we can … Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2014 | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Who’s supporting whom in District D

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron checks with the ten candidates that did not make the runoff in District D to see who is endorsing frontrunner Dwight Boykins and who is going with runnerup Georgia Provost. [Keith] Caldwell and [Demetria] Smith are supporting Boykins. … Continue reading →

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We need a Conviction Integrity Unit in Harris County

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

From the DMN: Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins has gained a national reputation for spearheading prisoner exonerations. As he prepares to seek a third term, Watkins said Thursday he wants to expand on that role and add a few … Continue reading →

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Runoff endorsement watch: For Kubosh

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron makes the last of its runoff endorsements by choosing Michael Kubosh in At Large #3. Looking at the candidates for the runoff, it feels a bit like the whole City Council At-large 3 race was a competition of … Continue reading →

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Saturday video break: Seven score and ten years ago

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address, here is Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, performed in 1991 by the Philadephia Orchestra, and narrated by Dr. J, Julius Erving: One of my favorite pieces of music. I had the … Continue reading →

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The Mayor’s payday lending proposal

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Mayor Parker sure isn’t wasting any time on her last-term agenda. Next up on the list: the payday lending ordinance we’ve been waiting for. With support from other major Texas cities and numerous advocacy groups, Mayor Annise Parker today unveiled … Continue reading →

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

SBOE backs down on Algebra 2

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

So much for that. Only high school students who pursue an honors plan or a diploma specializing in math and science will have to take algebra II under recommendations that the Texas State Board of Education preliminarily approved Thursday. Despite … Continue reading →

Posted in School days | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Crane sues McLane

Posted on November 23, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

This ought to be fun. Jim Crane’s Astros ownership group filed a state court lawsuit Thursday against former Astros owner Drayton McLane, Comcast and NBC Universal, accusing them of fraud and civil conspiracy and accusing McLane’s corporation that owned the … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: For John

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I was born after the assassination of JFK, so I have nothing to add to the nostalgia and remembrances of this week. But the least I can do is contribute a list of songs performed by various Johns in commemoration … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis: Two quick takes

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

I had wondered if partisan affiliation might be a factor in the HISD 7 race between Republican incumbent Harvin Moore and Democratic challenger Anne Sung. Like Houston races, HISD Trustee races are officially non-partisan, but also like Houston races, people … Continue reading →

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Council passes wage theft ordinance

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Well done. Houston City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to adopt an ordinance aimed at deterring companies from stealing workers’ wages and ensuring the city does not hire firms that do, though supporters acknowledged the measure’s limited reach. The seemingly easy … Continue reading →

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Federal lawsuit against HISD and Trustee Larry Marshall dismissed

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

Good, I guess. A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a three-year-old bribery lawsuit against the Houston school district and trustee Larry Marshall, ending the prospect of a high-profile jury trial. U.S. District Judge Keith Ellison ruled in part that the … Continue reading →

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Runoff endorsement watch: Boykins in D

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Charles Kuffner

As noted before, there are two runoffs in which neither of the candidates were endorsed by the Chron in Round One. One of those races is in District D, and the Chron’s choice for Round Two is Dwight Boykins. “I’m … Continue reading →

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