Monthly Archives: April 2003

Welcome to San Francisco. Do you have a reservation?

Posted on April 19, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The watchword of this trip so far has been”reservations”. Several things we thought we were going to do – a tour of Alcatraz, a tour of the Scharffen Berger Chocolate factory, a group dinner – have all not happened because … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 3 Comments

Eating their own

Posted on April 17, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Via Left Leaner comes this story about ads attacking GOP Senators who opposed President Bush’s latest mega tax cut. The ads are run by a conservative GOP group, the Club for Growth. “Not only is this a defeat for the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 6 Comments

On the road again

Posted on April 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

We’re off for a few days in San Francisco to visit friends. I’ll likely have limited access to a computer during that time, so there won’t be much new here until we return on Tuesday. Please visit some of the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | Comments Off on On the road again

Take someone out to the ballgame

Posted on April 16, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Early season attendance numbers for baseball are down from last year, which in turn were down from 2001. Three teams, including the Astros, have drawn their smallest-ever crowds at their new ballparks this season. It’s early, and I do believe … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 5 Comments

For your convenience

Posted on April 15, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

We all know how some Republicans have reacted to criticism of President Bush during the Iraq invasion. Here for your convenience is what various Republicans said about President Clinton during the Kosovo bombing. Just something to keep in mind. Thanks … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | Comments Off on For your convenience

Woe is the WNBA

Posted on April 15, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The WNBA has postponed its draft as the league and the players’ union attempt to hammer out a labor agreement, with the league threatening to cancel the 2003 season if no such agreement is reached by Friday. Say what you … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | 4 Comments

The good, the bad, and the strange

Posted on April 14, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The good news is we scored 10 runs in our game tonight. The bad news is that the other guys scored 13. The strange news is that we scored 10 runs without ever once making contact with the ball. Every … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Just call me Coach | Comments Off on The good, the bad, and the strange

Four simple rules for electing our Mayor

Posted on April 14, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’m not exactly sure what we’re to make of this op-ed piece in today’s Chron. It outlines four “ground rules” that are supposed to produce “leadership that will protect and advance our city over the long term”. Frankly, they sound … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 2 Comments

Backing away slowly

Posted on April 14, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Via Avedon, I see that Dale Petroskey is starting to back away from his disinvitation of Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon to the Hall of Fame for a celebration of the movie Bull Durham. [I]n the radio interview, when [asked] … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 2 Comments

So why do you read him?

Posted on April 14, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Kevin Drum has had enough of Glenn Reynolds: Glenn’s schtick has always been a bitter and cynical one, but the end of the war seems to been a watershed for him. Like Rush with his “stack of stuff,” Instapundit has … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other punditry | 3 Comments

Sunday, sunny Saunday

Posted on April 13, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

It’s a beautiful day outside. Laundry is almost finished, income tax filing will be done later, and the dog needs a bath. I’ll see you Monday. Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | Comments Off on Sunday, sunny Saunday

Herskowitz on the Hall

Posted on April 12, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Longtime sports columnist Mickey Herskowitz weighs in on the Hall of Fame controversy. He meanders a bit too much to really make any points, but there’s one item worth mentioning: [Hall of Fame President Dale] Petroskey resented having his political … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | Comments Off on Herskowitz on the Hall

Can’t win ’em all

Posted on April 12, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

We finally played our first game today, but alas, we lost by the score of 9-4. We did some good things and some not-so-good things, and we’ve identified a few areas for improvement for Game 2, which will be Monday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Just call me Coach | 1 Comment

Texas v. The Disabled

Posted on April 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

About 30 members of American Disabled For Attendant Programs Today protested in front of Governor Perry’s office yesterday, with six of them being arrested for criminal trespass after Perry refused to meet with them. The group […] had sought assurances … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

Off the CUF

Posted on April 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I have been informed by commenter David in this post that the New York City Center for an Urban Future, known as CUF, has a blog called “Off the CUF”. It’s visible on the front page, and there’s an archive … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | Comments Off on Off the CUF

Pfc. Jessica Lynch, made for TV

Posted on April 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

NBC is set to make a movie out of the ordeal of rescued American POW Pfc. Jessica Lynch, even though her family has not sold her story to them. “Like the rest of America, we shared in the collective thrill … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 6 Comments

Is this the right room for a disagreement?

Posted on April 11, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

The fine folks at Disagreement, Inc are looking for “Democrats or Greens from Texas (or even better, Houston) that are interested in trying out the group blog thing” to help round out their roster. If you’d like to give blogging … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Is this the right room for a disagreement?

A letter to the Hall of Fame

Posted on April 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Dear Mr. Petroskey: I’m a lifelong baseball fan. I’ve lived and died with the Yankees from the days of Horace Clarke and Ron Blomberg, the never-a-dull-moment era of the Bronx Zoo, the long dry spell of the 80s when we … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 20 Comments

A cause we can all get behind

Posted on April 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

TBogg is mad as hell, and he’s not going to take it any more. He’s started a petition in response to the awful news (warning: multiple obnoxious popups) that JLo and Ben Affleck are signed on to do a remake … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 7 Comments

Silver Linings Dept.

Posted on April 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Among the many items that have been cut or threatened to be cut by our slash-and-burn Legislature this year has been school textbooks. This has led to at least one oddly satisfying outcome: A social studies textbook that identifies Ann … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | 1 Comment

All good things

Posted on April 10, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Thus endeth the Rice Owl baseball team’s winning streak at 30 games, as they dropped a 7-5 decision to Lamar. As someone noted on the Rice fan forum, a winning streak at the end of the season beats one in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment

Budget update

Posted on April 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I haven’t had much to say about the state budget lately, but in the last few days we’ve had some interesting developments. There’s a fight brewing between the Lege and the Comptroller, as the House Appropriations Committe approved a budget … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Budget ballyhoo | Comments Off on Budget update

Clear Channel to end pay-for-play

Posted on April 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Hot off the presses, as it were: Clear Channel Communications Inc. on Wednesday said it would cut ties with music promoters who are paid by record labels to trumpet songs to radio stations, saying the long-standing practice gives the appearance … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

Let me introduce you to your “delete” key

Posted on April 9, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’m on a mailing list for a local pub. Apparently, the mail they sent out last night tripped a couple of antivirus filters. Unfortunately, the standard behavior of many corporate antivirus software installations is to send a reply to the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 5 Comments

Score one for Ronnie Earle

Posted on April 8, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Ronnie Earle, the Hardest Workin’ Man in Texas Politics, scored a victory today when State District Judge Mike Lynch ruled that the Texas Association of Business must answer questions before a grand jury about its advertising campaign from the 2002 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Score one for Ronnie Earle

That coercive baptism story

Posted on April 8, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Just about everyone has blogged about this story, which features an Army chaplain who controls a 500-gallon supply of water and will let dirty soldiers take a bath only if he baptizes them first. Not surprisingly, it’s generated a huge … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Iraq attack | 6 Comments

DH and DST

Posted on April 8, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve decided that daylight savings time is a lot like the designated hitter. They’re both relatively recent inventions, they both artificially alter a well-established system, and they both generate an irrational amount of fear and loathing. Personally, I like both … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 3 Comments

Doctor! It hurts me when I do this!

Posted on April 8, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Just what the City of Houston needs, another rathole to throw its money down. The city of Houston Legal Department is asking for more money to preserve the city’s sexually oriented business law, which it beefed up five years ago … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Naughty spam and eager lawyers

Posted on April 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Via Howard Bashman comes this article about the possible “hostile work environment” ramifications of unwanted pornographic email. “You have to provide a workplace that’s free of sexual harassment. That right is so clearly established that no employer could say, ‘I … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Legal matters | 3 Comments

Some days you win, some days you lose…

Posted on April 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

…and some days it rains, as Nuke LaLoosh once said. Today it’s raining, and our opening game has been postponed. Rats! According to the email I received that informed me of the rainout, it’s the coaches’ job to figure out … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Just call me Coach | 1 Comment

An unexpected power of blogging

Posted on April 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

This is an amazing story about how someone was saved from a bad relationship thanks to one of his blog readers. Wow. Via Electrolite. Sidebar question: If old media types are still writing feature articles about blogs a year or … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Websurfing | Comments Off on An unexpected power of blogging

The National Anthem

Posted on April 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

For you history buffs, the story of playing the Star Spangled Banner at baseball games. The first indisputable record of the playing of “The Star Spangled Banner” for a Major League game was for a unique World Series. The premature … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 5 Comments

Our expanding prison system

Posted on April 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Some poor schmuck has just become our nation’s two millionth inmate. I’m willing to bet there was no prize for this distinction. This article contains a truly puzzling segment: In a one-day head count conducted June 30, 2002, the 50 … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on Our expanding prison system

Morales pleads innocent

Posted on April 7, 2003 by Charles Kuffner

Missed this last week, but former Texas Attorney General Dan Morales pleaded not guilty to the mail fraud and conspiracy charges against him stemming from the tobacco lawsuit settlement. No word in this article when the trial is set to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Scandalized! | Comments Off on Morales pleads innocent