Monthly Archives: February 2004

Perry’s chief of staff being investigated

Posted on February 21, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The ongoing grand jury investigation into potential illegal use of corporate campaign donations by the Texans for a Republican Majority has reached into the Governor’s office. The Texas Association of Business and Texans for a Republican Majority had much in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 1 Comment

Ralph may run again

Posted on February 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Yawn. Ralph Nader may run for President again this year. After weeks of postponing his decision, Nader will appear on NBC’s “Meet the Press” to make the announcement, said Linda Schade, a spokeswoman for Nader’s presidential exploratory committee. “He’s going … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 8 Comments

Today Skilling, tomorrow Kenny Boy?

Posted on February 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Now that Jeff Skilling has done the perp walk, when will the feds turn their sights on Kenny Boy? With Jeff Skilling’s indictment and Andrew Fastow’s plea deal, a key question looms: What’s next for Ken Lay? At this point, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | 3 Comments

Perry slaps Kay Bailey

Posted on February 20, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I guess Rick Perry is taking the idea that he might not only be challenged but genuinely threatened in 2006 by a fellow Republican seriously. He’s been vocally critical of Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn for some time now, but that’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 4 Comments

Craddick records subpoenaed

Posted on February 19, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

And the grand jury investigation of Texans for a Republican Majority moves forward,with Travis County DA Ronnie Earle subpoenaing House Speaker Tom Craddick’s documents from the 2002 Speaker’s race. Basically, the allegation is that Craddick funnelled TRMPAC money to Republican … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Craddick records subpoenaed

Panning the Press

Posted on February 19, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Though I’ve yet to see a mention of it anywhere other than in the Chron, the Houston Press got four letters this week which condemned it for the loss of Tim Fleck. Maybe I oughta try and track him down … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

A further split on immigration

Posted on February 19, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve expressed skepticism before about President Bush reaping a political windfall from his recent immigration reform proposal. While it’s possible, if he actually puts some political capital on the line, that he might swing some Hispanic voters his way with … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

Skilling busted

Posted on February 19, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like the federal prosecutors have given me a birthday present. Jeff Skilling, the ex-CEO credited with cultivating the culture that led to Enron’s burgeoning success and its stunning crash, surrendered to the FBI in Houston early today. Accompanied by … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Enronarama | 15 Comments

Another year in the can

Posted on February 19, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Today is my birthday. I’m exactly the same age as Justine Bateman and exactly one day older than Cindy Crawford. Other people lighting candles today include Prince Andrew and Nicolai Copernicus. On this day in 1985, Cherry Coke was introduced … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 25 Comments

Dean drops out

Posted on February 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

It’s old news by now, but I do want to add my voice to those who have thanked Howard Dean for helping to infuse the Democratic Party and the various contenders for the Presidency with a spine, and to help … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 5 Comments

The Voorn Project

Posted on February 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Want to know how to insult a student at one of Texas’ many universities? Check out The Voorn Project for some ammunition. It’s pretty funny, and I’m pleased to see that the creator took the time to include smaller schools, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 3 Comments

Congressional happenings

Posted on February 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Crossposted from Polstate, here are some news and notes from the various Congressional races around here to keep you going until the next race of national interest. Rep. Charlie Stenholm and Rep. Randy Neugebauer are touring the new CD19 to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on Congressional happenings

Appeals court upholds Do Not Call law

Posted on February 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

This is welcome news. A federal appeals court upheld the government’s do-not-call registry Tuesday, dismissing telemarketers’ claims that it violates free speech rights and is unfair because it doesn’t apply to charities and political solicitations. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | Comments Off on Appeals court upholds Do Not Call law

Koufax winners

Posted on February 18, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The 2003 Koufax Award Winners have been announced. I did not take the prize for Best Series – David Neiwert was the deserving winner – but it was a big honor just to be in the running. Much thanks to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Koufax winners

Chandler wins, Sadler trailing

Posted on February 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

The great news is that Ben Chandler has won KY 6 by a decisive margin, 55-43 (with 2% going Libertarian) over Alice Forgy Kerr. Josh Marshall has a pointer to an AP story on the result. The DCCC is elated, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on Chandler wins, Sadler trailing

More heat on Craddick

Posted on February 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

In the wake of yesterday’s NYT article on the yearlong investigation into the Texans for a Republican Majority PAC, the Statesman reports that the evidence is mounting against the speaker. The depth of Craddick’s involvement is surprising because he has … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 2 Comments

AstroTurf maker to file for bankruptcy

Posted on February 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

This is sad news. Southwest Recreational Industries Inc., the Leander-based maker of legendary sports field surface AstroTurf, has filed for bankruptcy protection and soon will be out of business. The bankruptcy leaves projects in limbo at athletic facilities across the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Bidness | 4 Comments

More blogger candidates

Posted on February 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Several people in the comments to this Kos post about Mary Beth’s candidacy mention that they are now or have been candidates for office, including my friend and neighbor Rob Humenik, who aspires to be a Democratic precinct chair. (Consider … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 3 Comments

Why the A-Rod trade was bad for the Rangers

Posted on February 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

It’s interesting to read the reaction to the A-Rod deal in the Dallas press. While these guys all more or less seem to grasp that Tom Hicks is an idiot, they don’t quite get why he’s an idiot. Kevin Blackistone: … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 5 Comments

Case in point

Posted on February 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

There are days when I wake up and wonder if I’ve blogged it all. I ask myself whether I can bring the snark one more time. Is that all there is? Is this the day that my muse abandons me? … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 6 Comments

Elections today

Posted on February 17, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Well, today we find out if Ben Chandler and the money he raised through blog ads is The Wave of the Future and An Ominous Portent For President Bush or just another pipe dream that couldn’t abide the light of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | 1 Comment

It’s Official: A-Rod is a Yankee

Posted on February 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Bud Selig has approved the trade that will send Alex Rodriguez to the Yankees and Red Sox fans everywhere into apoplexy. I’ll have some thoughts about this later, but for now, I agree with what Peter Gammons says. And before … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on It’s Official: A-Rod is a Yankee

The end of Angel

Posted on February 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Argh! In a move that has completely blindsided producers and fans alike, the WB Network announced late Friday that it was cancelling its long-running Buffy the Vampire Slayer spinoff, Angel. Dammit! I’m not ready for Angel to go away. Please, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 2 Comments

A radio station I’d want to listen to

Posted on February 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

After going on an extended rant about Houston’s awful radio scene and the demographics of each rock stations’ listeners, the Houston Press’ John Lomax comes up with a damn fine suggestion for how to create a worthwhile spot on the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 6 Comments

NYT covers DeLay investigation

Posted on February 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s a longish NYT article about the ongoing investigation into Tom DeLay’s Texans for a Republican Majority PAC and the allegations that it illrgally funnelled corporate money to candidates in 2002. It oddly doesn’t mention the Texas Association of Business, … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | 3 Comments

Dogs may be good for allergies

Posted on February 16, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

As a dog owner and daddy-to-be, this sounds like good news. It’s been accepted dogma for years that house pets were not good for children with asthma and allergies. But a newer theory, strengthened by the latest study, suggests otherwise. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 2 Comments

Mary Beth for Maine Lege

Posted on February 15, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Candidates who blog are old hat by now, but here’s a first for you: Mary Beth Williams of Wampum is now a candidate for the state legislature of Maine. First up is the Democratic primary on June 8. She’s got … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2004 | Comments Off on Mary Beth for Maine Lege

A pair of dunces

Posted on February 15, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Chron hotshot columnist Rick Casey gives Governor Perry a dunce cap for his three-pronged strategy for fixing school funding, which boils down to higher cigarette taxes, video gambling, and closing a loophole in the corporate franchise tax which allows limited-liability … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

A-Rod to Yankees?

Posted on February 15, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Boy, talk about a disturbance in the Force: In an offseason when a flurry of high-profile players switched teams, the Yankees early today were on the verge of making the biggest splash of all. Barring a last-minute snag, industry sources … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment

It’s snowin’ down in Texas

Posted on February 14, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

It’s snowing in Dallas and Austin, among other places I’m sure. Alan has pictures from Big D, Byron has weather images from Austin, and Scott says he’ll have pix later. Meanwhile, Norbizness remains calm and collected about the whole thing. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 4 Comments

Technology Review blog

Posted on February 14, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

I’m a big fan of MIT’s Technology Review magazine, and I was thrilled to see in this month’s issue that they have a blog. Turns out they’ve been writing it since October, so either I’ve missed previous announcements or they’ve … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on Technology Review blog

Happy Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 14, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Once again, I present you with My Favorite Valentine’s Day Story. Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | Comments Off on Happy Valentine’s Day

That’ll get the romance going

Posted on February 13, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

Pete notes that while tomorrow may be Valentine’s Day, today is Friday the 13th, and if you’d rather celebrate that, he’s here to help by telling you which of the “Friday the 13th” movies are worth your time. Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | Comments Off on That’ll get the romance going

It’s good to be a Bush

Posted on February 13, 2004 by Charles Kuffner

That’s our school board. Houston school board members unanimously agreed Thursday to accept $115,000 in charitable donations that will be funneled to an educational software company founded by Neil Bush, the brother of President Bush. A watchdog group and legal … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment