Monthly Archives: February 2009

Pity the poor Astrodome

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Greg Wythe

These sure are bad days for the old icon, aren’t they? The Astrodome will not host the rodeo’s nightly country-western dances next month, or any other special event for that matter, as city code violations that would cost millions to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | 4 Comments

Pity the poor Astrodome

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

These sure are bad days for the old icon, aren’t they? The Astrodome will not host the rodeo’s nightly country-western dances next month, or any other special event for that matter, as city code violations that would cost millions to … Continue reading →

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A step forward for Houston-Galveston rail

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Greg Wythe

We know that Metro is hoping for some stimulus money to help build light rail lines. Galveston is also hoping for some rail-related stimulus funds. A commuter rail line between Galveston and Houston has been on the drawing board for … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 6 Comments

A step forward for Houston-Galveston rail

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

We know that Metro is hoping for some stimulus money to help build light rail lines. Galveston is also hoping for some rail-related stimulus funds. A commuter rail line between Galveston and Houston has been on the drawing board for … Continue reading →

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The whys and wherefores of bus rapid transit

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Mean Green Cougar Red has a good discussion of what bus rapid transit (BRT) is and isn’t, and what its pros and cons are. The two main points: 1. The definition of “true” BRT is important. A lot of bus … Continue reading → Continue reading →

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The whys and wherefores of bus rapid transit

Posted on February 22, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Mean Green Cougar Red has a good discussion of what bus rapid transit (BRT) is and isn’t, and what its pros and cons are. The two main points: 1. The definition of “true” BRT is important. A lot of bus … Continue reading →

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The case for Van de Putte

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Robert Ryland makes his case for a gubernatorial run by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. Go check it out and see what you think. That Facebook group is up over 300 members in less than two days, by the way. … Continue reading →

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The case for Van de Putte

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Robert Ryland makes his case for a gubernatorial run by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. Go check it out and see what you think. That Facebook group is up over 300 members in less than two days, by the way. … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | Comments Off on The case for Van de Putte

Wilshire Village declared a fire hazard

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

That happened on Thursday. More from Swamplot here and here. What a bizarre end to such an eccentric little development. I just hope that when the owners finally get to tear the place down, as they seem to want to … Continue reading →

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Wilshire Village declared a fire hazard

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

That happened on Thursday. More from Swamplot here and here. What a bizarre end to such an eccentric little development. I just hope that when the owners finally get to tear the place down, as they seem to want to … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Elsewhere in Houston | Comments Off on Wilshire Village declared a fire hazard

The case against Keller

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rick Casey reads through the Judicial Conduct Commission case against Court of Criminal Appeals Justice Sharon Keller, and finds that her actions were worse than even I had thought. We already knew that Keller and the other judges were aware … Continue reading →

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The case against Keller

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Rick Casey reads through the Judicial Conduct Commission case against Court of Criminal Appeals Justice Sharon Keller, and finds that her actions were worse than even I had thought. We already knew that Keller and the other judges were aware … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 2 Comments

Our Hispanic future

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

It’s happening now. In a new report on population trends in public schools, the Texas Education Agency reports that Texas now enrolls 130,000 fewer white children than 10 years ago. For the first time, Hispanic children dominate first-grade classes, adding … Continue reading →

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Our Hispanic future

Posted on February 21, 2009 by Greg Wythe

It’s happening now. In a new report on population trends in public schools, the Texas Education Agency reports that Texas now enrolls 130,000 fewer white children than 10 years ago. For the first time, Hispanic children dominate first-grade classes, adding … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in The great state of Texas | 2 Comments

Why does Governor Perry hate sex toys?

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

From Scott Henson: Normally, the Texas Senate rubber stamps the Governor’s appointments to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, but one of Rick Perry’s three appointees announced last week perhaps deserves closer vetting by the Senate. According to the Governor’s … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 3 Comments

Why does Governor Perry hate sex toys?

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

From Scott Henson: Normally, the Texas Senate rubber stamps the Governor’s appointments to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, but one of Rick Perry’s three appointees announced last week perhaps deserves closer vetting by the Senate. According to the Governor’s … Continue reading →

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Friday random ten: You say it’s your birthday

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

In honor of my birthday this week, here are ten songs related to birthdays, getting older, and stuff like that. 1. Birthday – The Beatles 2. Rock and Roll Never Forgets – Bob Seger 3. Happy Birthday – Weird Al … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Music | Tagged | 3 Comments

Friday random ten: You say it’s your birthday

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

In honor of my birthday this week, here are ten songs related to birthdays, getting older, and stuff like that. 1. Birthday – The Beatles 2. Rock and Roll Never Forgets – Bob Seger 3. Happy Birthday – Weird Al … Continue reading →

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Roy announces

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Dream big, dude. A Republican elected official who twice ran unsuccessfully for Houston City Council is claiming a spot as the conservative choice in the nonpartisan campaign for mayor. Roy Morales, 51, elected in 2006 as a Harris County Department … Continue reading →

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Roy announces

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Dream big, dude. A Republican elected official who twice ran unsuccessfully for Houston City Council is claiming a spot as the conservative choice in the nonpartisan campaign for mayor. Roy Morales, 51, elected in 2006 as a Harris County Department … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2009 | 1 Comment

Van de Putte profile

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Really nice article in the SA Current about San Antonio’s Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic caucus leader and a rising national star who had a pretty busy year in 2008 and may be headed for bigger things next … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Election 2010 | 1 Comment

Van de Putte profile

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Really nice article in the SA Current about San Antonio’s Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, the Democratic caucus leader and a rising national star who had a pretty busy year in 2008 and may be headed for bigger things next … Continue reading →

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The HTA and the Times

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

The New York Times wrote an editorial about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Unfortunately, they seem to have misunderstood what all the fuss is about. As many parents, and ultimately manufacturers, learned the hard way, the Bush administration … Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The HTA and the Times

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

The New York Times wrote an editorial about the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Unfortunately, they seem to have misunderstood what all the fuss is about. As many parents, and ultimately manufacturers, learned the hard way, the Bush administration … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in National news | Comments Off on The HTA and the Times

CSI: Needs Improvement

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like Gil Grissom got out at just the right time. Crime labs nationwide must be overhauled to prevent the types of mistakes that put innocent people in prison and leave criminals out on the street, researchers have concluded. A … Continue reading →

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CSI: Needs Improvement

Posted on February 20, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Looks like Gil Grissom got out at just the right time. Crime labs nationwide must be overhauled to prevent the types of mistakes that put innocent people in prison and leave criminals out on the street, researchers have concluded. A … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment, Technology, science, and math | Comments Off on CSI: Needs Improvement

Judicial conduct commission moves against Keller

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

About damn time. The state judicial ethics commission has charged Sharon Keller, the presiding judge of the state’s highest criminal court, with violating her duty and bringing discredit upon the judiciary when she declined to allow a death row prisoner … Continue reading →

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Judicial conduct commission moves against Keller

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

About damn time. The state judicial ethics commission has charged Sharon Keller, the presiding judge of the state’s highest criminal court, with violating her duty and bringing discredit upon the judiciary when she declined to allow a death row prisoner … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Punishment | 1 Comment

Metro vote on light rail contract delayed

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Rats. Metro’s board Chairman David Wolff has called off [today]’s vote on a contract with the agency’s rail builder in favor of a special board meeting next month. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has been in negotiations with Parsons Transportation Group … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles | 1 Comment

Metro vote on light rail contract delayed

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Rats. Metro’s board Chairman David Wolff has called off [today]’s vote on a contract with the agency’s rail builder in favor of a special board meeting next month. The Metropolitan Transit Authority has been in negotiations with Parsons Transportation Group … Continue reading →

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I say it’s my birthday

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Apparently, this is a pretty busy week for blogger birthdays. Tuesday was Elise Hu and Stephanie Stradley; they both got cool presents befitting their bloggy stature to help them celebrate. Yesterday was Atrios‘ turn; I have no idea if he … Continue reading →

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I say it’s my birthday

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Apparently, this is a pretty busy week for blogger birthdays. Tuesday was Elise Hu and Stephanie Stradley; they both got cool presents befitting their bloggy stature to help them celebrate. Yesterday was Atrios‘ turn; I have no idea if he … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in See, I do have a life! | 7 Comments

The Census and City Council redistricting

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Charles Kuffner

Looks like Mayor White has an interesting ally in the city council redistricting debate. Frumencio Reyes, the dean of Houston-area redistricting litigation, said he believes the mayor made the right decision in putting off redistricting. […] Reyes, who has taken … Continue reading →

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The Census and City Council redistricting

Posted on February 19, 2009 by Greg Wythe

Looks like Mayor White has an interesting ally in the city council redistricting debate. Frumencio Reyes, the dean of Houston-area redistricting litigation, said he believes the mayor made the right decision in putting off redistricting. […] Reyes, who has taken … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Local politics | 1 Comment