Monthly Archives: May 2002

Dept. of Bad Predictions

Posted on May 13, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Well, it’s been a week, and the Chron has not published any letters complaining about the editorial written by a former death-row inmate who was exonerated by DNA evidence. Which makes me wonder: How many more incorrect predictions do I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool

Posted on May 13, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Sometime over the weekend I got added to a massive CC list on a moronic chain letter that’s currently making the rounds at work. It’s one of those brain-dead notes that claims you’ll get paid by Microsoft/AOL/Disney/the Illuminati for forwarding … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Mandatory Humor Dept.

Posted on May 13, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Singer and Psychic Friends Network spokeswoman Dionne Warwick was arrested at Miami International Airport when baggage screeners found 11 suspected marijuana cigarettes in her lipstick case. Do I really have to finish the joke here, people? (Naturally, Larry beat me … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | Comments Off on Mandatory Humor Dept.

Forgive, maybe, but don’t forget

Posted on May 12, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Another op-ed in today’s Chron is this plea for forgiveness for priests accused of sexual misconduct: The pastor of my parish has been removed because of a recent allegation that 35 years ago he committed an act of sexual misconduct … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Just a reminder

Posted on May 12, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Just a reminder from today’s Chron that Christianity has had a rather prominent historical role in anti-Semitism. Continue reading →

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Starting somewhere

Posted on May 12, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Kathy Kinsley makes an attempt to “calm some fears on both sides” of the gun-control issue. I think her proposal needs a bit more work, but it’s a reasoned and reasonable place to start talking. What I really like about … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Another sign

Posted on May 11, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Another sign the GOP is taking the Democratic “Dream Team” ticket seriously: President Bush is getting involved. He’s started taking pot shots at Ron Kirk and Tony Sanchez, and is scheduled to speak in Houston during the Texas Democratic Convention, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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That’s our Lege

Posted on May 11, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, in 1999, the Texas Legislature passed a law making COLIs legal in the state. Problem is, that wasn’t what the bill was meant to do. And with the [Sen. Florence] Shapiro [R, Plano] bill, a company automatically has an … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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A small victory over evil

Posted on May 11, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

From today’s Chron: Harris County Civil Court at Law Judge Gary Michael Block ordered the owner of a telemarketing company to leave his name and home telephone number on his company’s recorded messages so that frustrated recipients can return the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Sorry, Mom

Posted on May 10, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

A new study says that having sons shortened the life span of Finnish mothers by about 34 weeks per son. Daughters nurtured to adulthood helped prolong mothers’ lives. OK, Mom. I promise. I’ll take my vitamins, I won’t read in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Baby, it’s cold inside

Posted on May 10, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s literally cool science news: The coldest place in Houston isn’t the Galleria ice rink, it’s physicist Randall Hulet’s lab. The temperature inside a small tube there isn’t absolute zero — at minus 459 Fahrenheit, the lowest possible temperature — … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Poll: Lawyers favor ending partisan judicial races

Posted on May 10, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

More than 80% of lawyers who responded to a survey favor ending partisan judicial elections. Those who voted for change were moderately in favor of merit appointments followed by retention elections over simple nonpartisan elections. I’m indifferent as to which … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Can we call it a rotary?

Posted on May 10, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

A European-style traffic circle will be installed at an intersection not too far from Stately Kuff Manor. The area has been undergoing some revitalization and already has some decent places to eat and drink nearby. Washington Avenue, the street in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Still in a musical mood

Posted on May 10, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

The other day while at the hardware store, I heard The Girl from Ipanema, the song that defined the bossa nova sound. It’s a classic, made famous by legendary sax player Stan Getz, but it was the fact that it … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Soothing the savage beast

Posted on May 10, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Saw a great performance last night at the local live music pub The Mucky Duck by Eddie from Ohio, a Virginia-based folk/rock group. They were recommended to me by an old high school buddy who lies them so much he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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MailBombBoy overview

Posted on May 10, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Kathy Kinsley points to this summary of how Luke Helder was caught, compiled by Mary Wehmeier. Yesterday about 5 PM Pacific Time, Luke J. Helder, AKA Mailbomb Boy was arrested after he tried to outrun the Nevada Highway Patrol for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Vote early, vote often

Posted on May 10, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

TAPped is taking nominations for “the best liberal blogs (and blog-equivalents) out there”, which they may incorporate into a site redesign. At the very least, they’ll do a post with links to the nominees. Take a moment and send them … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | Comments Off on Vote early, vote often

I’m in a New York state of mind

Posted on May 9, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

The Donk gives an amusing report about the state of free speech at Safeco Field, where the ban on wearing “Yankees Suck” T-shirts by rabid Mariners fans has been lifted. This reminds me of New York Rangers fans, who would … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Nice way to start the day

Posted on May 9, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Today when I checked my mailbox, I found a note from a high school classmate who had stumbled across this piece I’d written about an encounter with Frank McCourt last year. She had also taken Creative Writing with Mr. McCourt … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Strange bedfellows

Posted on May 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Joshua Trevino has some harsh words regarding the assassination of Pim Fortuyn and those who would equivocate about it: It’s not terrifically surprising that Pim Fortuyn’s assassin is a radical leftist. I’ve long maintained that the hard left is the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Clyde

Posted on May 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Matt Welch points me to this interview with Walt Frazier. Frazier, nicknamed Clyde, was as famous for his cool and excellent play on the court as he was for his stylish demeanor off court. My mom had a big crush … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Decline of Western Civilization Dept.

Posted on May 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

That bastion of quality family programming known as Fox is putting a twist on The Bachelor with its latest reality show I Want A Husband: Alaska in which five single women from the Lower 48 head up north in search … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | Comments Off on Decline of Western Civilization Dept.

RIP, Seattle Slew

Posted on May 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Seattle Slew, the last living Triple Crown winner, died Tuesday morning in his stall. Affirmed, the most recent Triple Crown winner in 1978, died last January. Continue reading →

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Milestone approaching

Posted on May 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like I’ll get my 10,000th visitor some time next week. I’d greatly appreciate it if whoever sees the counter hit 10,000 would be so kind as to mail me a screen shot. Thanks. Continue reading →

Posted in Traffic Reports | Comments Off on Milestone approaching

Today’s weird Google referral

Posted on May 8, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s weird Google referral is “Girls gone wild passwords footage”. Yes, come to Off the Kuff to see crazy college coeds logging on to their network accounts. How far will they go to get their passwords reset? We’ve got the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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COLI wrapup

Posted on May 7, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

More Than Zero responds to my previous post about COLIs. We were arguing about different things, which he makes clear. There’s some good stuff in the comments as well, so check it out. One thing I mentioned in the comments … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | Comments Off on COLI wrapup

Never trust anyone who spells “cool” with a K

Posted on May 7, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

From Salon comes this story about a “family entertainment portal” called Flowgo and how a pop-up ad that ran on Flowgo’s server installed a nasty piece of spyware on many user’s computers. The ad, purchased by a Los Angeles Internet … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Another view of media bias

Posted on May 7, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve taken conservatives to task several times in this space for whining about liberal media bias. One of the reasons why this is such a hot-button issue for me is that here in Houston you have to go out of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The show will go on

Posted on May 6, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Missed this last week – the Conroe production of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas will be staged after all. Chalk up another triumph for Art. Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on The show will go on

Another new kid in town

Posted on May 6, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Christina Quinones, the “chief snugglebunny to Mr. Pigs and Fishes“, has started a weblog. She has this interesting post about Colin Powell, his whereabouts on 9/11, and how it ties to the recent failed coup in Venezuela. Check it out. Continue reading →

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That Guardian reporter

Posted on May 6, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

That Guardian reporter who did a hatchet job on Alabama is now in Mississippi, according to Mac Thomason and Lee Ann at Spinsters.com. All I can say is God help us if he ever comes to Texas. Molly Ivins once … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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Update your links

Posted on May 6, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Electrolite has moved to a new home. Congrats on getting that settled, Patrick. Continue reading →

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Grist for the mill

Posted on May 6, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

Today’s op-ed pages in the Chron includes this piece by a former death row inmate who was recently freed by DNA evidence. Regardless of where you stand on the death penalty – I’m more for it than against it – … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Grist for the mill

Another interesting political race

Posted on May 6, 2002 by Charles Kuffner

The 23rd Congressional District in Texas, pitting the only Republican Hispanic representative from Texas against his first real challenger, is profiled here. State Rep. Henry Cuellar is looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Henry Bonilla as part of the national Democratic … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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