Monthly Archives: December 2009

As always, Merry Christmas, Mel Torme

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It wouldn’t be Christmas if I didn’t link to my favorite Christmas story, about Mel Torme, now would it? Of course not. But since I have, now it is. Merry Christmas, Mel Torme, wherever you are.

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Night Before Christmas video break

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve embedded this before, but it’s worth running again because it just rocks: Now go get your kerchief and cap ready for that long winter’s nap.

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Chron raises questions about Al Hoang’s residency and campaign finance reports

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The main question I have is why is this story just being published now, on Christmas Eve, and not before either of the elections? Houston City Councilman-elect Al Hoang and his wife claimed homestead exemptions on two separate homes, according … Continue reading →

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HCDE moves to eject Wolfe

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The strange saga of Harris County Department of Education Trustee Michael Wolfe takes another weird turn. The Harris County Board of Education has voted to begin legal proceedings to kick Trustee Michael Wolfe off the board. Fellow trustee Jim Henley … Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

Federal court rules for TDP in voting machine case

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’m a little surprised by this. A three-judge panel has ruled that Dallas County election officials violated federal law when they did not inform the Department of Justice about changes in the way straight-party votes are counted on electronic voting … Continue reading →

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Earle explains why he picked Lite Guv

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Ronnie Earle talks to the Trib about why he decided to run for Lieutenant Governor when all the previous speculation had been centered on Governor or Attorney General. Earle, who retired at the end of 2008 after over three decades … Continue reading →

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Another food stamp lawsuit

Posted on December 24, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Back in August, a federal lawsuit was filed over the interminable delays that food stamp applicants face in Texas getting their forms processed. That suit was dismissed in October by Judge Sam Sparks on the grounds that the federal law … Continue reading →

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Quan will be in for County Judge

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We knew former City Council member Gordon Quan was strongly considering a race for Harris County Judge. It would appear that he has made up his mind, because today I received an invitation via Facebook to attend an event called … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Trent Gaither

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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Runoff precinct analysis, HISD I

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

To wrap up my series of precinct analyses from the 2009 Houston runoffs, we turn now to the HISD Trustee race in District I. I’ve added a sheet to the Google spreadsheet I put together for the District Council analysis … Continue reading →

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Post-election Dynamo Stadium update

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

So where do we stand with Dynamo Stadium now that the Mayoral election is over? Pretty much where we were before it, actually. Of the MLS teams pushing for a stadium, the Dynamo appear closest to the goal. Team ownership … Continue reading →

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Budget cuts coming for Rice

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s going to be a tough budget year for Rice University. Rice President David Leebron set the stage for the coming year in an address to faculty this fall, warning that coping with endowment losses is one of the most … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Another view of city voting

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve been showing data about how the city elections broke down by Council district, but there are other ways to look at it as well. This presentation, which was sent to me by Joaquin Estevan DeLeon, is an analysis of … Continue reading →

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McDonald decides against running in CD10

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

This is a big surprise. Democrat Jack McDonald, who was going to challenge Republican incumbent Mike McCaul for District 10, will no longer be running for the seat. He never filed. McDonald’s press release is beneath the fold. I’m stunned … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Cheryl Harris Diggs

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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Precinct analysis, District Council races

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In addition to the five citywide runoffs, there were two runoffs in district Council races, in A and F. In each case, they were run in territory that, judging by the citywide results, were modestly (F) or very (A) friendly … Continue reading →

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Here come the gay tourists

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The election of Annise Parker as Mayor has put Houston on the map as a travel destination for gay groups. Houston historically has not been a popular destination for gay and lesbian travelers, according to U.S. Travel Association data. Last … Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Bellaire bans texting while driving

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

First West U, now Bellaire. Following the lead of the city of Austin, the City Councils in Bellaire and West U Monday adopted ordinances to prohibit texting or web browsing while driving. Laws are in effect immediately, though not enforceable … Continue reading →

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

Texas blog roundup for the week of December 21

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s Christmas week, so we’ve added a sprig of holly to this week’s Texas Progressive Alliance blog roundup. The wassailing begins after the jump.

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RIP, Laff Stop

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rats. The Laff Stop is closed … forever. On Saturday, the legendary club — that gave rise to national names such as Sean Rouse, Brett Butler and Ralphie May — ended it’s nearly-three-decade run of comedy in Houston. In other … Continue reading →

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Judicial Q&A: Bruce Kessler

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

(Note: I am running a series of Q&As for judicial candidates in contested Democratic primaries. There are a lot of judicial races on the ballot in Harris County this election, and so this is intended to help introduce the candidates … Continue reading →

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Runoff precinct analysis, At Large Council races

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Continuing on with the precinct analyses from the runoff, here’s a look at the City Council At Large races. First up, At Large #1: Dist Derr Costello Derr% Cost% ==================================== A 7,200 8,160 46.9 53.1 B 5,737 4,859 54.1 45.9 … Continue reading →

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It’s almost as if the answer were staring us right in the face

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Same song, I forget which verse. As compared with a year earlier, sales tax collections were down 14.4 percent in November, and those kinds of returns have hastened budget-cutting talk. But what’s really driving the conversation is a decision that … Continue reading →

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The race for HCRP Chair

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t have a dog in this fight, so I don’t really have an opinion to offer as to each candidate’s merits. From a purely selfish point of view, of course, I’d prefer that the best candidate, whoever that is, … Continue reading →

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Loren Jackson files for re-election

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Most of the focus for the Harris County Democratic Party in 2010 will be finishing the job from 2008, which is to say winning more judicial races and the executive offices that will be up for election. There are a … Continue reading →

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Weekend link dump for December 20

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Nothing like a few days off around the holidays. The Ten Least Successful Holiday Specials Of All Time. Not sure you’re all that fond of the 21st century? Here are some possible reasons why. Is hand crafted content doomed? Spekaing … Continue reading →

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Three views of the Treasurer

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Since posting this entry about the Democratic primary race for Harris County Treasurer and my views of that office, I’ve gotten some interesting feedback that I thought was worth sharing. First, if you go back to that post, you’ll see … Continue reading →

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Parker’s police plan in practice

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I think we’re all reasonably familiar with the basics of Mayor-Elect Parker’s plan for the police force, which includes more and better coordination between the various local law enforcement agencies. This story, which perhaps ought to have been run before … Continue reading →

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Strayhorn still talking about running

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

I almost don’t know what to say. Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who was twice elected comptroller as a Republican and then ran a losing gubernatorial campaign as an independent, called Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie on Tuesday to discuss seeking the … Continue reading →

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Car inspections

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Good question: What exactly are car inspections useful for? Texas is one of 19 states left that require a periodic [vehicle] safety review – down from a peak of 31 states in the 1970s. The District of Columbia recently disbanded … Continue reading →

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

Saturday video break: More Muppets

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Now this is how the “Carol of the Bells” should be done: I don’t know what has spurred the recent outbreak of Muppets videos on YouTube, but I certainly do approve of it. Thanks to Oliver Willis for the find.

Posted in Music | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Earle files for Lite Guv

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Well, this was unexpected. Former Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle is running for lieutenant governor of Texas. Earle, who retired last year after more than three decades as district attorney, filed paperwork with the Texas Democratic Party late Friday … Continue reading →

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Miles files

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

For the third straight cycle, former Rep. Borris Miles will face Rep. Al Edwards in the Democratic primary for HD146. Mary Benton has the details plus Miles’ press release. I like Miles, I thought he had a lot of potential … Continue reading →

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From the “Will they never learn?” files

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Back when I was having my Trib-based conversation with David Benzion, he mentioned a web ad that was released by the Texas GOP to attack Bill White in anticipation of his jump to the Governor’s race. That ad featured a … Continue reading →

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