Monthly Archives: June 2008

Fire at the Governor’s mansion

Posted on June 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Yikes. An early morning fire at the Governor’s Mansion today was intentionally set, a state fire investigator said. State Fire Marshal Paul Maldonado declined to discuss further details but said there was no indication the fire was intended as a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 2 Comments

Chertoff goes on the offensive and gets offensive

Posted on June 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff has decided that the way to get the border fence done is to demonize the opposition. Chertoff, speaking during an interview with the editorial board of the Houston Chronicle, pitted the safety … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | 1 Comment

My pics from the Bloggers Caucus

Posted on June 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

My photos from the Bloggers Caucus in Austin are here. There’s fewer than I thought, but then I was so busy meeting and talking to people it’s a bit amazing I managed to remember to take any at all. And … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 1 Comment

What not to watch

Posted on June 8, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Sooner or later, the subject always turns to bad movies, doesn’t it? Well, movie badness is something Americans care deeply about. I’ll just point you to my personal list of bad movies, which thanks in no small part to my … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in TV and movies | 4 Comments

It’s unity time

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I have two things to say about this story concerning some still-existing divisions within the Democratic Party after Hillary Clinton’s exit from the Presidential race. Obama clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, and Clinton is supposed to endorse him today … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 2 Comments

All I want for election season

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Mere words cannot hope to capture the awesomeness of this (via Julie Mason: Former House Republican Leader Tom DeLay (Texas) called Barack Obama a “Marxist” on the Mike Gallagher radio show Thursday. Explaining that Obama clinching the Democratic nomination is … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Show Business for Ugly People | 2 Comments

It’s hard out there for a pickup

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

These are tough times for pickup trucks. The pickup truck’s ride as the dominant vehicle on the American roads has come to an end. For the first time in 16 years, a pickup is not the best-selling vehicle in the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 4 Comments

Washington Avenue in a nutshell

Posted on June 7, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Washington avenue is a strange and rapidly changing mix of old working-class development, much with a strong Hispanic flavor, and new high-end condos and townhomes aimed mostly at urban hipsters and wannabees. I think this picture captures all that: I’ve … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 1 Comment

My (short) convention experience

Posted on June 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Today is Olivia’s fourth birthday, so as pretty much everyone at the convention I talked to knows, I headed back to Houston early today, and thus missed much of the action, including Chelsea Clinton’s keynote address and Rick Noriega’s speech … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on My (short) convention experience

Blogger caucus a big success

Posted on June 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The third biennial Blogger Caucus last night was a ton of fun, and very well attended. I’ll post some pictures later, but for now I can say that we packed the Cedar Door, mostly on the back patio, and a … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | 4 Comments

Big Time comes to town

Posted on June 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’m afraid I’ll have to miss this event. Build a Republican campaign for Tom DeLay’s old congressional seat and Dick Cheney will come. The vice president is scheduled to visit Houston billionaire Dan Duncan’s home in River Oaks on Friday … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Big Time comes to town

Houston vies for the Women’s Final Four

Posted on June 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The folks at the Toyota Center want to bring the Women’s Final Four to Houston. Toyota Center is among 12 sites under consideration to host the women’s basketball Final Four in 2012-16. Finalists will be selected in August, and the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Other sports | Comments Off on Houston vies for the Women’s Final Four

McCain’s good buddy Phil

Posted on June 6, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I don’t need a reason to vote for Barack Obama against John McCain, but if you do, consider that a McCain presidency would mean putting this guy back in power. With the U.S. economy now battered by a tsunami of … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

Blogger caucus tonight!

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

You know the drill by now, right? The Texas Progressive Alliance Proudly Presents The Third Biennial Blogger’s Caucus Thursday, June 5, 2008 8:30 p.m. – Midnight The Cedar Door 2nd and Brazos Austin, Texas If you’ve ever wanted to know … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Blogger caucus tonight!

Hillary Clinton to suspend her Presidential campaign

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I think everyone knew this was coming, but it was still a bit of a surprise to actually hear. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has decided to end her historic bid to become the first female president while leaving her options … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | 1 Comment

Interview with Tom Gray of the AWEA

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

To cap off Wind Energy Week here, I’ve got an interview with Tom Gray, the Communications Director for the American Wind Energy Association for your listening pleasure. We covered a wide range of topics such as the need for transmission … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment

No Galveston jail for Harris County

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Galveston option for housing excess inmates is off the table. Harris County officials effectively have ruled out the idea of leasing a vacant jail in Galveston to reduce the number of inmates sent to Louisiana, saying it would be … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | Comments Off on No Galveston jail for Harris County

Fill Rick’s boots

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

While we’re enjoying the Democratic convention in Austin this weekend, Rick Noriega is doing his annual two week duty with the National Guard. While he’s busy with that, he could use a little help. From an email sent out from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | Comments Off on Fill Rick’s boots

The impending bike shortage

Posted on June 5, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Is this a sign of things to come? High gas prices are causing spot shortages of bikes in New York City, as commuters turn to pedal power. Many of these new cyclists are from areas not commonly associated with the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

SD17 special election date set

Posted on June 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

As expected. Gov. Rick Perry today set the Nov. 4 general election day as the date for the special election to replace retiring state Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, in Senate District 17. The winner will serve until Janek’s current term … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2008 | 1 Comment

Lawsuit against Kenedy wind farm on hold for now

Posted on June 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This is well-timed. A federal court judge said Tuesday he needs time to sort through a complicated legal challenge brought by the King Ranch and several environmental groups that want to stop a massive wind farm near the South Texas … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 2 Comments

Reminder: Blogger bash Thursday night in Austin

Posted on June 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

This is what the bloggers caucus at the 2004 Democratic convention in Houston looked like: Lots of quality, to be sure, but not much quantity. This year, building on our success in 2006, will be a whole lot bigger. If … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Reminder: Blogger bash Thursday night in Austin

Obama!

Posted on June 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’m ready for November. How about you? PS: “Did we say Hillary will save us? We meant Obama will save us!” Continue reading →

Posted in The making of the President | Comments Off on Obama!

Another defendant in lawsuit against Sheriff’s office

Posted on June 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Here’s an update to the latest lawsuit filed by the Ibarra brothers and some other people against the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. C.A. Sandoval has been named as a defendant along with Sheriff Tommy Thomas and other deputies in … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | Comments Off on Another defendant in lawsuit against Sheriff’s office

Baseball and instant replay

Posted on June 4, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Marc Campos brings up a touchy subject. There has been a debate brewing to bring instant replay into Major League Baseball. That’s a very bad and dumb idea. I really don’t think it is something that baseball fans want. We … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Baseball | 1 Comment

Sheriff’s surveillance unit disbanded

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Good. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has disbanded its surveillance unit, which came under criticism after it was revealed its officers watched two brothers who sued the county for civil rights violations. The Investigative Support Unit’s image has become so … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment

Sunsetting TxDOT

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

There may or may not be a change of direction afoot at the Texas Department of Transportation, but there will be some changes coming whether TxDOT wants them or not. Saying big changes are needed to restore trust in the … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | Comments Off on Sunsetting TxDOT

SBOE to review science curriculum

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Get ready for another fight over how we teach kids. After feuding for months over how to teach schoolchildren to read, the State Board of Education soon will shift to a topic that could become more controversial — the science … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, science, and math | 1 Comment

Commissioners Court to vote on Grand Parkway segment

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Commissioners Court will vote today on a plan to fast-track development of a segment of the Grand Parkway between I-10 and 290. The long-standing plan to build a 180-mile parkway, a four-lane toll road also called Texas 99, is conceived … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 2 Comments

Wind energy facility coming to Houston

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

The Chron has an announcement from the WindPower 08 conference that’s good news for Houston: Dutch powerhouse Vestas Wind Systems said it will open its first U.S. research and development facility here. The office will open in 2009 and grow … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | Comments Off on Wind energy facility coming to Houston

From the “You might also consider getting a life” department

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I’ve admitted my newfound interest in Twitter. It’s a useful and oddly compelling toy service, but I hope someone puts me out of my misery if it ever comes to this: With all the frustration, confusion, and support going towards … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in General snarkiness | 1 Comment

Texas blog roundup for the week of June 2

Posted on June 3, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

It’s time for another edition of the Texas Progressive Alliance‘s weekly blog round-up–the pre-Convention edition. Don’t forget about the Third Biennial Texas Blogger’s Caucus set for this Thursday at 8:30 p.m. at the Cedar Door in Austin. Joe Jaworski, Sherrie … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Blog stuff | Comments Off on Texas blog roundup for the week of June 2

RIP, Bo Diddley

Posted on June 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

Rock pioneer Bo Diddley dies at age 79 Bo Diddley was a musical innovator who helped forge the sound and contributed to the style of rock ‘n’ roll. He sported a trademark fedora, played an iconic square-shaped guitar and from … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Comments Off on RIP, Bo Diddley

The state’s airplanes

Posted on June 2, 2008 by Charles Kuffner

I tried, I really did, to work up some outrage over this story about public officials using a plane from the state’s fleet instead of a commercial flight, but I couldn’t quite do it. None of the examples cited are … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 1 Comment