O
Oaxaca - The name of both a State in Mexico and it's Capitol City, Also the name of approximately 1000 Mexican Food or Tex-Mex restaurants in Texas.
Oaks, Kriby - 20 year old trees elevated to mythical status due to a quasi-public agency's plan to tear them down.
Obama, Barack - Either America's version of Hadrian that will rally the faithful and save the failing empire or the modern day incarnation of Alexander Severus who ruled over the Empire's fall depending on your political orientation.
Obeidience - Quality demanded, yet not always received, from courtisans by their political leaders. As a matter of fact, it could be said that the quality most desired of both major political parties, governments and those in leadership positions from the commoner is obeidience. With it, all things are possible. Without it, you are left with the Harris County Republican Party.
Obesity - New, disparaging, word for a physical trait that formerly typified wealth and status.
In the cultures of the old world being slightly obese was a sign of status and importance, the thought being that the wealthy did not soil the body with hard work and hard labor, choosing instead to partake in games and buggery. In the culture of America however the lifestyle of the "idle aristocrat" has been replaced with the feaux-lifestyle of the "active superstar". In reality however their contributions to society are not that far removed from one another. Where the aristocrat whiled away the days in sloth and luxury, going on staged "hunts" to appear athletic and engaged, the active superstar whiles away their days in feaux activism, going to the gym for staged periods of activity designed to maintain some semblance of a tie to the common man in the form of a taut physical appearance. The artisans had corsets, the superstars have plastic surgery. Both groups delight in buggary.
Obituary - A place where society pretends that dead people were a hell of a lot nicer than they were in day to day life.
Objectionable - Pretty much everything in the universe at one point or the other to some group, person or class. (see: PeTA, Sierra Club, Rifle Association, National)
Object - The creation of pretty ones has been sufficiently mastered by Apple Corp. to almost be elevated to worship status, especially by technology writers and bloggers with little to no impulse conrol.
Odd - Increasingly: marketable
Off - A direction that it is impossible to turn the mouths of certain politicians and public figures. (See: Alvarado, Carol; Bell, Chris; Patrick, Dan; X Quannell)
Official - Meaningless adjective used by lower level political courtisans to add an air of dignity to mundane actions.
Oft-Times - Attempt at psuedo-down home folksiness often employed by the author of Lose an Eye and (on occasion) real live honest to God journalists. (if you can believe that)
Oil - The modern day result of millions of years of rotting carbon based life.
The energy storage capacity of oil and gas are so great, that finding a viable substitution has proven difficult due to the drop off in efficiency and rate of return. Ironically, its oil's very positives that have made it a minus in a world that feels we must suffer in order for anything to be worth having. Except in a political year, then we are promised everything for free.
Oooooh - 1. Crowd reaction to a James Howard Gibbons speech on Gershwin. 2. Moan a fighter makes when punched soundly in the crotch.
Orange, Burnt - 1. Not just an ugly color, but a religion to those who experienced the best years of their lives in their late teens and early 20's. 2. (2003-2006) The color of most bandwagons in the Southwestern United States.
An event not peculiar to Houston is the desire of many to hold up their choice of educational institution as some sign of Darwinistic superiority or evidence of right in most situations. That most of these people are now in debt up to their eyeballs, have kids they can't control and wives that may (or may not) be getting horizontal with the pool boy seems to escape them. Nope, they don their burnt orange and white shirts both literally and figuratively in almost any situation, substituting logical, rational discussion for a disturbing love of Mack Brown.
OSHA - Mythical agency of the Federal Government whose job it is to ensure that the eye wash stations at local factories are in good working order.
Other people - The desired passengers on any public transportation system.
It's often argued by transportation advocates that they, and not other people, are who they are advocating for when they call for more government spending to build trains, mono-rails etc. Yet, when given the option of moving into the loop and surviving on public transit their reaction is often one of shock and horror. Yes, there are a few true believers out there who ride trains and busses and those people are much to be admired. But the people who live in areas heavily served by transit yet still have two small suv's in their garage should really be stripped down to their undies, covered in honey and tied to the front of MetroRail for 24 hours as punishment.
Ozone - A natural by-product of a thunderstorm. Also: The greatest polluter in the modern age.
Remember the hole in the ozone layer? The one that was going to let greenhouse gasses get in and then trap them, thus heating the earth's crust and causing global warming? Yeah, not so much. Gone is that hysteria only to be replaced with the "ozone is pollution" hysteria which could be the best explenation we have for Houston's smog based on current technology. Oh, and it's CARBON DIOXIDE that's heating up the planet not OZONE. Remember that at your next "save the planet" rally.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Take two and then hit the showers.
I can see the upside of this hitting the market...
(From Alan Zarembo of the Los Angeles Times)
While some fitness buffs out there might initially roll their eyes at such a wonderful advancement, think of the potential this drug offers:
1. Less crowded gyms during January and February because the "New Year's resolution crowd will stay home.
2. Shut-in-computer-gaming-type people will now REALLY be shut-in-computer-gaming-type people due to the lack of a need to get out and exercise.
3. An end to those annoying annoying Bowflex commercials where people who obviously did more than work out 30 minutes, 3 times per week tell you that you can look "just like them" by working out 30 minutes, 3 times per week.
4. Something new in the fight against sports doping to take our minds off of steroids.
5. Something new for the Government to regulate.
My argument would be that people who take this pill so they don't have to workout or walk outdoors are mostly people we don't like sharing workout space or the outdoors with much anyway.
So bring it on big pharma. More space on the bike trails for me.
(From Alan Zarembo of the Los Angeles Times)
Scientists have discovered what could be the ultimate workout for couch potatoes: exercise in a pill.
In experiments on mice that did no exercise, the chemical compound, known as AICAR, allowed them to run 44% farther on a treadmill than those that did not receive the drug.
The drug, according to the researchers, changed the physical composition of muscle, essentially transforming the tissue from sugar-burning fast-twitch fibers to fat-burning slow-twitch ones -- the same change that occurs in distance runners and cyclists through training.
The researchers said the drug's fat-burning ability could also help reduce weight, ward off diabetes and prevent heart disease -- the benefits of daily aerobic activity without the perspiration.
While some fitness buffs out there might initially roll their eyes at such a wonderful advancement, think of the potential this drug offers:
1. Less crowded gyms during January and February because the "New Year's resolution crowd will stay home.
2. Shut-in-computer-gaming-type people will now REALLY be shut-in-computer-gaming-type people due to the lack of a need to get out and exercise.
3. An end to those annoying annoying Bowflex commercials where people who obviously did more than work out 30 minutes, 3 times per week tell you that you can look "just like them" by working out 30 minutes, 3 times per week.
4. Something new in the fight against sports doping to take our minds off of steroids.
5. Something new for the Government to regulate.
My argument would be that people who take this pill so they don't have to workout or walk outdoors are mostly people we don't like sharing workout space or the outdoors with much anyway.
So bring it on big pharma. More space on the bike trails for me.
Healthy debate
The American Physical Society is holding a scientific debate regarding the accuracy of the IPCC's findings that CO2 emmissions are primarily responsible for global climate change.
Would that more debates resembled this (instead of this) then we might be able to make some progress on this issue.
Well, maybe.
Anyway, here are links to the two stories, I hope you take the time to read both of them...
Pro
Con
The physics in each of these is fairly advanced stuff, but if an accountant can sift through it then I'm sure most readers here can as well.
Both are good reads, and attempt to support their cases from different angles. Regardless, its a debate that you won't read about in here, unfortunately.
Would that more debates resembled this (instead of this) then we might be able to make some progress on this issue.
Well, maybe.
Anyway, here are links to the two stories, I hope you take the time to read both of them...
Pro
Con
The physics in each of these is fairly advanced stuff, but if an accountant can sift through it then I'm sure most readers here can as well.
Both are good reads, and attempt to support their cases from different angles. Regardless, its a debate that you won't read about in here, unfortunately.
They may get him yet...
Judge rules top aides to President Bush must testify...
(from Matt Apuzzo of the AP via the Chron)
The rules of political gamesmanship dictate that the Democrats keep trying. They HAVE to try until they pen something, ANYTHING on Bush in retaliation for the Impeachment of Bill Clinton.
You see, while the politicians have convinced the true believers that this is about the "rule of law" and other clap-trap what you're really seeing here is an extended, not-so-intricate game of "gotcha!" being played by Americas courtisan class. In the same vein the impeachment of Clinton didn't have anything to do with 'purjury' either. It was about beating a man somewhere that Republicans had been unable to beat significantly anywhere else.
Now the Democrats HAVE to get even. Because, despite how dodgy his Presidency has been the Democrats have been unable to hand Bush a significant defeat. They've either lacked the spine or the votes or both.
That America's leadership has devolved into a glorified chess match is really of little concern. What's more concerning are that the causes (a system that rewards graft, little ethical oversight, a disinterested public, an uneducated public) have been festering for quite some time.
(from Matt Apuzzo of the AP via the Chron)
President Bush's top advisers are not immune from congressional subpoenas, a federal judge ruled today in an unprecedented dispute between the two political branches.
The rules of political gamesmanship dictate that the Democrats keep trying. They HAVE to try until they pen something, ANYTHING on Bush in retaliation for the Impeachment of Bill Clinton.
You see, while the politicians have convinced the true believers that this is about the "rule of law" and other clap-trap what you're really seeing here is an extended, not-so-intricate game of "gotcha!" being played by Americas courtisan class. In the same vein the impeachment of Clinton didn't have anything to do with 'purjury' either. It was about beating a man somewhere that Republicans had been unable to beat significantly anywhere else.
Now the Democrats HAVE to get even. Because, despite how dodgy his Presidency has been the Democrats have been unable to hand Bush a significant defeat. They've either lacked the spine or the votes or both.
That America's leadership has devolved into a glorified chess match is really of little concern. What's more concerning are that the causes (a system that rewards graft, little ethical oversight, a disinterested public, an uneducated public) have been festering for quite some time.
Money, money, money...
U of H gets some more to educate engineers courtesy of "Big Oil"....
(from Jeannie Kever of the Chron)
Grants of that type are a "win-win" for Cougar University, not only does it more closely align their degree programs with the local economy*, but it also is another arrow in the quiver in their hunt for Tier One funding something that would be GOOD for Houston, protestations of UT-Austin and aTm-College Station alumnus be damned.**
(Channelling Slampo on the asterisks since he's on hiatus)
*Speaking of that: How in the WORLD did UH NOT have a petroleum engineering degree before now? In the energy capitol of America? As an alum of the UH system I'm still befuddled at the lack of good judgement in the historical decision making process at the University.
** Note to University grads: ALL University grads...If you're in the workforce, graduated, have a family etc. and are STILL using slams such as "whorns" or "faggies" or "Cougar High" to put down your rival then its time to grow up and get a life. Get over it, that was fun while you were shot-gunning beers and puking in the corner but now its just tired. Root for your team, but don't be a simp and put down people who are doing their best to get an education.
(from Jeannie Kever of the Chron)
Faced with an aging work force and increased demand for oil production, two energy companies have given the University of Houston $1.6 million to produce more graduates with the skills the companies need.
"The most pressing issue for the industry is the work force," said Joseph Tedesco, dean of the Cullen College of Engineering at UH.
The money — $1 million from Devon Energy Corp. and $600,000 from Marathon Oil Corp. — will be used to start an undergraduate program in petroleum engineering.
Grants of that type are a "win-win" for Cougar University, not only does it more closely align their degree programs with the local economy*, but it also is another arrow in the quiver in their hunt for Tier One funding something that would be GOOD for Houston, protestations of UT-Austin and aTm-College Station alumnus be damned.**
(Channelling Slampo on the asterisks since he's on hiatus)
*Speaking of that: How in the WORLD did UH NOT have a petroleum engineering degree before now? In the energy capitol of America? As an alum of the UH system I'm still befuddled at the lack of good judgement in the historical decision making process at the University.
** Note to University grads: ALL University grads...If you're in the workforce, graduated, have a family etc. and are STILL using slams such as "whorns" or "faggies" or "Cougar High" to put down your rival then its time to grow up and get a life. Get over it, that was fun while you were shot-gunning beers and puking in the corner but now its just tired. Root for your team, but don't be a simp and put down people who are doing their best to get an education.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
A cry for more light rail....
or an indictment of Metro.....
You be the judge.
(from Purva Patel of the Chron)
Rail activists will look at this study and retort: "See!! Further PROOF that Houston needs a light rail system! Ha! (OK, the "Ha!" might be a little much...or maybe not) This from a crowd whose default answer to every commuter problem is moving 4 Million people inside the loop and pushing them around on small trains that are expected to average 9 MPH, bicycles, and foot-power in 100 degree, 90% humidity weather during the heat of Summer. Oh, but don't move those 4 Million people in next to them because, you know, they have neighborhods to protect. Far better to kick out the poor on the eastside. Those neighborhoods aren't as pretty or high rent. Oh, and don't build the rail near us either if you could just move it over THERE, you know, over there!!!
Because those rail activists really want to keep their cars and drive them on less crowded roads. Not every rail activist sure. There are some who would ride, all day every day if they could. Fine. Good even.
The issue gets convoluted when the debate gets boiled down to a simple "us vs. them", "rail vs. car" dichotomy thats only going to distract us from the reality the report is expressing:
METRO is failing us as a community.
Not only are they failing to build a workable light rail infrastructure but they are also failing to service the Houston area with a sufficient public transportation system that can move people from living region to working region with a minimum amount of headache. That is the truth that the Forbes report is conveying. Not that more light rail is needed, not that the commute is bad, but that Metro, despite years of operating public transporation in the Houston area, has not succeeded in its main mission: moving people.
By moving people I mean moving them through logical bus routes, circulating through neighborhoods, stopping at localized transit centers and spiriting them to a variety of locations to work, play etc. I'm referring to focusing on lower income areas where public transportaion is a need, not in affluent areas where its a toy. I'm speaking of moving people from the suburbs to inside the Loop, not building a train route in hopes that real estate speculation will work out.
When I speak of failing I speak of pushing through a system that is punitive to the preferred mode of transportation of 99.5% of the populace, whose design detracts from (not adds to) existing transportation corridors, and whose at-grade design creates 1000 mini logistics nightmares per day along the route.
Metro has convinced the inner-loop residents that light rail is cool, that its construction is necessary to advance Houston to the ranks of "world-class"*. What Houston has actually received in return for Billions of dollars is a sense of "world-classiness, a system that has bells and whistles but whose accomplishments are few. Some investment eh?
So, despite sinking Billions of dollars into a light rail system, despite rolling out the ineffective Q-card system, despite purchasing land to sell to developers, despite slashing "underperforming routes", despite a "Metro Solutions" promise to increase bus service by 50%, despite a local transportation columnist willing to carry their water, despite spending $70,000 on a blogger to produce online press releases and despite local Government's assurance that we are "almost world class", Houston still is navel gazing at the reality that "the city lacks a useful, extensive or reliable mass-transit system" according to Forbes magazine.
Metro didn't need Light Rail to provide Houston with useful, extensive or reliable mass transit, they just needed to have the care and expertise needed to do the job they were created to do.
That's the transit debate that Houston should be having right now: Why, despite all of the money thrown its way, is METRO such an abject failure at what should be it's core competency?
Because, that's the message that the Forbes is giving Houston. Not that light rail failed, but that METRO has failed. Miserably.
*Humorist and poltical thinker John Ralston Saul defined World Class thusly in his satircal dictionary: The Doubters Companion: "Term used primarily by municiplaities and sports facilities to convince others that they are not second rate, thus providing conclusive proof that they are."
You be the judge.
(from Purva Patel of the Chron)
Houston cheap? Not so much, according to Forbes.
The magazine ranked the Space City as the eighth-most expensive city in the nation to live in. Commuting costs helped land Houston in the top 10 nationally.
Saying that "the city lacks a useful, extensive or reliable mass-transit system," the magazine also concluded that, on average, 20.9 percent of Houstonians' expenses go toward transportation.
Rail activists will look at this study and retort: "See!! Further PROOF that Houston needs a light rail system! Ha! (OK, the "Ha!" might be a little much...or maybe not) This from a crowd whose default answer to every commuter problem is moving 4 Million people inside the loop and pushing them around on small trains that are expected to average 9 MPH, bicycles, and foot-power in 100 degree, 90% humidity weather during the heat of Summer. Oh, but don't move those 4 Million people in next to them because, you know, they have neighborhods to protect. Far better to kick out the poor on the eastside. Those neighborhoods aren't as pretty or high rent. Oh, and don't build the rail near us either if you could just move it over THERE, you know, over there!!!
Because those rail activists really want to keep their cars and drive them on less crowded roads. Not every rail activist sure. There are some who would ride, all day every day if they could. Fine. Good even.
The issue gets convoluted when the debate gets boiled down to a simple "us vs. them", "rail vs. car" dichotomy thats only going to distract us from the reality the report is expressing:
METRO is failing us as a community.
Not only are they failing to build a workable light rail infrastructure but they are also failing to service the Houston area with a sufficient public transportation system that can move people from living region to working region with a minimum amount of headache. That is the truth that the Forbes report is conveying. Not that more light rail is needed, not that the commute is bad, but that Metro, despite years of operating public transporation in the Houston area, has not succeeded in its main mission: moving people.
By moving people I mean moving them through logical bus routes, circulating through neighborhoods, stopping at localized transit centers and spiriting them to a variety of locations to work, play etc. I'm referring to focusing on lower income areas where public transportaion is a need, not in affluent areas where its a toy. I'm speaking of moving people from the suburbs to inside the Loop, not building a train route in hopes that real estate speculation will work out.
When I speak of failing I speak of pushing through a system that is punitive to the preferred mode of transportation of 99.5% of the populace, whose design detracts from (not adds to) existing transportation corridors, and whose at-grade design creates 1000 mini logistics nightmares per day along the route.
Metro has convinced the inner-loop residents that light rail is cool, that its construction is necessary to advance Houston to the ranks of "world-class"*. What Houston has actually received in return for Billions of dollars is a sense of "world-classiness, a system that has bells and whistles but whose accomplishments are few. Some investment eh?
So, despite sinking Billions of dollars into a light rail system, despite rolling out the ineffective Q-card system, despite purchasing land to sell to developers, despite slashing "underperforming routes", despite a "Metro Solutions" promise to increase bus service by 50%, despite a local transportation columnist willing to carry their water, despite spending $70,000 on a blogger to produce online press releases and despite local Government's assurance that we are "almost world class", Houston still is navel gazing at the reality that "the city lacks a useful, extensive or reliable mass-transit system" according to Forbes magazine.
Metro didn't need Light Rail to provide Houston with useful, extensive or reliable mass transit, they just needed to have the care and expertise needed to do the job they were created to do.
That's the transit debate that Houston should be having right now: Why, despite all of the money thrown its way, is METRO such an abject failure at what should be it's core competency?
Because, that's the message that the Forbes is giving Houston. Not that light rail failed, but that METRO has failed. Miserably.
*Humorist and poltical thinker John Ralston Saul defined World Class thusly in his satircal dictionary: The Doubters Companion: "Term used primarily by municiplaities and sports facilities to convince others that they are not second rate, thus providing conclusive proof that they are."
A gummy solution to a bad problem.
Whether or not the Housing resuce bill, just signed into law by President Bush, has any affect on slowing the mortgage crisis remains to be seen. Plenty of industry experts say no, some (mostly journalists and politicians) say it will). Me? I'm not convinced. Allow me to explain by example....
ABC runs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday nights with goofy host Ty Pennington. In the show (if you haven't watched it) the "crew" enlists hundreds of local volunteers and "bail out" homeowners who are in desperate straits home wise, either through bad circumstance or bad luck. The homeowners are provided a new house, mortgage free and (supposedly) put back on the road to a good and happy life in a designer McMansion with all of the trendy trimmings. There are a lot of tears, a lot of "heart-wrenching shots of kids crying, television dreck in its highest form.
I lasted 1/2 of one episode.
Now it seems that the family who was the recipient of the biggest house ever built by the show is in foreclosure. The family leveraged the house as collateral for a $400,000 loan to start a business, and then defaulted on the loan.
This is a prime example of what I think is the fault behind so-called "bailout" money from the Federal Government, it removes the sense of responsibility that's gained from earnings.
What's REALLY kicking American pocketbooks right now is a lack of understanding of financial prinicples. In public schools teaching personal finance is considered trite by mathmatics professors who continue to shove algebra down the throats of students who will never use it. Instead of requiring that High School Seniors be able to determine the value of pi, we should be more concerned that they know how to balance a banking acocunt, calculate interest, and make a budget. Basic financial principles that have been kicked out of schools due to a fear of banks "selling" their products during the teaching. As if its too much to go out and buy a bulk package of blank check registers and mock checks. These are life's lessons that are not being taught by the schools and, as we all know, parents have passed to them all matters of instruction, so they aren't getting it at home either.
The result of all of this is a Country with a majority of citizens trying to manage their lives in the face of financial illiteracy. Nevermind the fact that many of our politicians suffer from the same malaise. How else do you explain bailout after bailout that's paid for in credit?
Financial illiteracy is the biggest problem facing Americans right now, not a mortgage crises or a recession. Continuing to rely on feel-good "giveaway" measures to distract people from the problem is like treating cancer with morphine. Sure, you feel better for a bit, but the cancer continues to grow and eventually becomes fatal to the body. In America we've already let the cancer of ignorance spread into the voting booth, and we've continually elected some of the dimmest bulbs to positions of leadership. If jail is the collecting pool for criminals then government is the retention pond for those who can't succeed at business and yet we treat them as experts because of their ability to sell snake oil, not on the basis of any real qualifications.
A minority of the population facing foreclosures will be temporarily propped up in homes they cannot afford by the provisions of this bill. They will then continue to repeat the actions of their past hoping it works out differently this time.
The definition of insanity.
A better choice would have been to let the foreclosure mess shake out, and then offer financial education to those affected as part of the price for either getting a new, government backed, housing loan or being placed in an apartment based on the financial resources available to the individual. It would still cost money (although I'm betting not as much), but it might accidentally pay off in the future. Something this bill promises NOT to do.
This bill will probably buy more votes however, especially among those who are bad at finance.
OTHER EYES:
Brent Clanton - A little accountability if you please.
ABC runs Extreme Makeover: Home Edition on Sunday nights with goofy host Ty Pennington. In the show (if you haven't watched it) the "crew" enlists hundreds of local volunteers and "bail out" homeowners who are in desperate straits home wise, either through bad circumstance or bad luck. The homeowners are provided a new house, mortgage free and (supposedly) put back on the road to a good and happy life in a designer McMansion with all of the trendy trimmings. There are a lot of tears, a lot of "heart-wrenching shots of kids crying, television dreck in its highest form.
I lasted 1/2 of one episode.
Now it seems that the family who was the recipient of the biggest house ever built by the show is in foreclosure. The family leveraged the house as collateral for a $400,000 loan to start a business, and then defaulted on the loan.
This is a prime example of what I think is the fault behind so-called "bailout" money from the Federal Government, it removes the sense of responsibility that's gained from earnings.
What's REALLY kicking American pocketbooks right now is a lack of understanding of financial prinicples. In public schools teaching personal finance is considered trite by mathmatics professors who continue to shove algebra down the throats of students who will never use it. Instead of requiring that High School Seniors be able to determine the value of pi, we should be more concerned that they know how to balance a banking acocunt, calculate interest, and make a budget. Basic financial principles that have been kicked out of schools due to a fear of banks "selling" their products during the teaching. As if its too much to go out and buy a bulk package of blank check registers and mock checks. These are life's lessons that are not being taught by the schools and, as we all know, parents have passed to them all matters of instruction, so they aren't getting it at home either.
The result of all of this is a Country with a majority of citizens trying to manage their lives in the face of financial illiteracy. Nevermind the fact that many of our politicians suffer from the same malaise. How else do you explain bailout after bailout that's paid for in credit?
Financial illiteracy is the biggest problem facing Americans right now, not a mortgage crises or a recession. Continuing to rely on feel-good "giveaway" measures to distract people from the problem is like treating cancer with morphine. Sure, you feel better for a bit, but the cancer continues to grow and eventually becomes fatal to the body. In America we've already let the cancer of ignorance spread into the voting booth, and we've continually elected some of the dimmest bulbs to positions of leadership. If jail is the collecting pool for criminals then government is the retention pond for those who can't succeed at business and yet we treat them as experts because of their ability to sell snake oil, not on the basis of any real qualifications.
A minority of the population facing foreclosures will be temporarily propped up in homes they cannot afford by the provisions of this bill. They will then continue to repeat the actions of their past hoping it works out differently this time.
The definition of insanity.
A better choice would have been to let the foreclosure mess shake out, and then offer financial education to those affected as part of the price for either getting a new, government backed, housing loan or being placed in an apartment based on the financial resources available to the individual. It would still cost money (although I'm betting not as much), but it might accidentally pay off in the future. Something this bill promises NOT to do.
This bill will probably buy more votes however, especially among those who are bad at finance.
OTHER EYES:
Brent Clanton - A little accountability if you please.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Menus are moral documents...
(With apologies to Jim Wallis and perennial candidate Chris Bell.)
First it was budgets now, thanks to the Los Angeles City Council*, menus have been elevated to moral status. Funny thing about morals, the courtisans and elites view it as their job to provide them to the great unwashed....
(from Christina Hoag of the AP via Yahoo! news)
Ah, of course. Morality through nutrtion for the children. Children who are viewed only through the prism of potential future votes for the elite, and as potential sources of labor for business, assets, to be used as a means to an end. Of course, how else to we expect to be treated by those who we provide too much power? In a Nation educated, on the whole, by the lowest bidder do we really expect our leaders to show us the way? Has it gotten so bad that we now need government to tell us what (and where) to eat?
For the children of course, its always for the children. Wars are fought to protect the future and security of our children so what's the big deal if a clown, a king and a children's toy get lined up against the wall and shot for the mistakes of a Nation? After all, they only did the job that we asked of them.
Oh, I know the arguments about how their advertising ropes us in and forces us to go and eat cheeseburger after cheesburger until our primary fat rolls have secondary fat rolls, our hair shines with that just out of the fryer sheen and we have a constant stain on the front of our shirts. I know this, I just don't buy it. You see, except when travelling, I haven't stepped foot in a fast food restaurant in years. I haven't been to a McDonald's in almost 15 years, a Burger King in longer than that, and a Jack in the Box in at least 7 or so. The wife and I will hit up Taco Bell on road trips, because its "fast" and easy and cheap and who really has time to sit down for a full meal when you are trying to make it to Austin so you can enjoy a night on Sixth street followed by a Don Juan at Juan in a Million for breakfast the next day? Not I that's for sure. I made this decision without the Government telling me I needed to make it. I didn't want them to feel morally obliged to do me any favors you see. I like my fast food as road food and not for my daily bread.
Yes, somewhere along the way we've forgotten that "fast food" should really be "road food". That we don't need to have that Double Belly Flopper with extra cheese and a fried egg when a single belly flopper with cheese sans egg will fill us up just fine. We've forgotten what it means to have a nice "sit down" meal for dinner that was cooked in the kitchen, cooking now transformed into an activity for peasants. We aspired to the ideals set forth by the courtisans and elite, by the actors and the politicians that prostitute to them. We aspired and, for the first time in history, being "fat" meant being poor and being "lean" was a sign of wealth and health. Just when America "got there", "there" became an unfashionable place to be.
Fat is immoral, according to the courtisans who are trying in vain to run the joint. Trying to tell you what it is you need to eat, how it should taste, who should own it and under what conditions it can be purchased.
Dammit, anything less and think about what might happen to the children...
They might grow up and decide they are capable of deciding for themselves.
Horrors.
*Note: I was going to hold this post back in light of the earthquakes that hit LA today, but early reports are showing no "serious" damage or injury so I'm running it as I planned. Let it never be said I'm heartless.
First it was budgets now, thanks to the Los Angeles City Council*, menus have been elevated to moral status. Funny thing about morals, the courtisans and elites view it as their job to provide them to the great unwashed....
(from Christina Hoag of the AP via Yahoo! news)
The City Council was poised to vote Tuesday on a moratorium on new fast-food restaurants in a swath of the city where a proliferation of such eateries goes hand-in-hand with obesity.
"Our communities have an extreme shortage of quality foods," City Councilman Bernard Parks said.
(snip)
The mounting pressure has caused chains to insert healthier food choices in their menus. McDonalds offers salads and low-fat dressings; Burger King stocks Kids Meals with milk and apple pieces.
That's why the restaurant industry says it's unfair to blame them for fat people.
"What's next — security guards at the door saying 'You're overweight, you can't have a cheeseburger'?" Casana said.
(snip)
A report by the Community Health Councils found 73 percent of South L.A. restaurants were fast food, compared to 42 percent in West Los Angeles.
If the moratorium is passed, Perry wants to lure restaurateurs and grocery retailers to area.
Rebeca Torres, a South Los Angeles mother of four, said she would welcome more dining choices, even if she had to pay a little more. "They should have better things for children," she said. "This fast-food really fattens them up."
Ah, of course. Morality through nutrtion for the children. Children who are viewed only through the prism of potential future votes for the elite, and as potential sources of labor for business, assets, to be used as a means to an end. Of course, how else to we expect to be treated by those who we provide too much power? In a Nation educated, on the whole, by the lowest bidder do we really expect our leaders to show us the way? Has it gotten so bad that we now need government to tell us what (and where) to eat?
For the children of course, its always for the children. Wars are fought to protect the future and security of our children so what's the big deal if a clown, a king and a children's toy get lined up against the wall and shot for the mistakes of a Nation? After all, they only did the job that we asked of them.
Oh, I know the arguments about how their advertising ropes us in and forces us to go and eat cheeseburger after cheesburger until our primary fat rolls have secondary fat rolls, our hair shines with that just out of the fryer sheen and we have a constant stain on the front of our shirts. I know this, I just don't buy it. You see, except when travelling, I haven't stepped foot in a fast food restaurant in years. I haven't been to a McDonald's in almost 15 years, a Burger King in longer than that, and a Jack in the Box in at least 7 or so. The wife and I will hit up Taco Bell on road trips, because its "fast" and easy and cheap and who really has time to sit down for a full meal when you are trying to make it to Austin so you can enjoy a night on Sixth street followed by a Don Juan at Juan in a Million for breakfast the next day? Not I that's for sure. I made this decision without the Government telling me I needed to make it. I didn't want them to feel morally obliged to do me any favors you see. I like my fast food as road food and not for my daily bread.
Yes, somewhere along the way we've forgotten that "fast food" should really be "road food". That we don't need to have that Double Belly Flopper with extra cheese and a fried egg when a single belly flopper with cheese sans egg will fill us up just fine. We've forgotten what it means to have a nice "sit down" meal for dinner that was cooked in the kitchen, cooking now transformed into an activity for peasants. We aspired to the ideals set forth by the courtisans and elite, by the actors and the politicians that prostitute to them. We aspired and, for the first time in history, being "fat" meant being poor and being "lean" was a sign of wealth and health. Just when America "got there", "there" became an unfashionable place to be.
Fat is immoral, according to the courtisans who are trying in vain to run the joint. Trying to tell you what it is you need to eat, how it should taste, who should own it and under what conditions it can be purchased.
Dammit, anything less and think about what might happen to the children...
They might grow up and decide they are capable of deciding for themselves.
Horrors.
*Note: I was going to hold this post back in light of the earthquakes that hit LA today, but early reports are showing no "serious" damage or injury so I'm running it as I planned. Let it never be said I'm heartless.
William Wayne Justice Strikes again...
The next Lege session just got interesting...
(From Gary Scharrar of the Chron)
Hold on to your butts, because this is going to foist education spending (and where to get the funds for it) right back in front of the Lege next session, possibly putting the brakes on the Republican mantra of "Property tax cuts first!" You can probably also kiss most of that mythical budget surplus goodbye, as I'm betting it will cost way more than $10.7 Billion dollars to fully fund a program that will pass Justice Justice' review. The facts are that every time Justice has ruled against the State, it's cost a LOT to fix it.
The question now that has to be asked is this: Which party will be in power to try and solve this new problem?
Will it be the Republicans under Craddick? And, if so, can they do a better job on this than they've done resolving issues such as the business tax and school funding? (two policy areas whose fixes were so poorly thought out they will need revisitation)
Will it be the Republicans under another Speaker? And, if so, will new leadership bring a new way of thinking?
Will it be the Democrats under a Democratic Speaker? And, if so, what taxation lever will they attempt to pull to fully fund this unfunded mandate, as well as tackle the grab-bag of problems that Texas is currently facing?
Either way it is becoming patently obvious that "tax cuts" are probably going to take a year off this legislative session. Sure you'll have a few lone crusaders scrambling for cuts but, on the whole, I'm guessing we won't hear much of that from the majority of the body.
The cacaphony is going to be for more revenue to fund education, where its going to come from is still a mystery. Judge Justice just made things a lot more tricky for whoever's in power.
(From Gary Scharrar of the Chron)
A federal judge's ruling that Texas is not living up to its obligation to properly educate students who struggle with the English language gives hope to many of those children with dismal academic achievement, a civil rights lawyer said Monday.
The state of Texas is not complying with the federal Equal Education Opportunity Act, in that public schools are failing their obligation to overcome language barriers, Senior U.S. District Judge William Wayne Justice said in a 95-page ruling on Friday.
"The failure of secondary (limited English proficient) students under every metric clearly and convincingly demonstrates student failure, and accordingly, the failure of the (English as a Second Language) secondary program in Texas," Justice wrote in the opinion, which reversed his 2007 ruling in the case.
Justice's ruling disappointed Texas Education Agency officials. "We're continuing to study this latest ruling, but it is likely that we will ask the attorney general to appeal it," agency spokeswoman Debbie Ratcliffe said.
Hold on to your butts, because this is going to foist education spending (and where to get the funds for it) right back in front of the Lege next session, possibly putting the brakes on the Republican mantra of "Property tax cuts first!" You can probably also kiss most of that mythical budget surplus goodbye, as I'm betting it will cost way more than $10.7 Billion dollars to fully fund a program that will pass Justice Justice' review. The facts are that every time Justice has ruled against the State, it's cost a LOT to fix it.
The question now that has to be asked is this: Which party will be in power to try and solve this new problem?
Will it be the Republicans under Craddick? And, if so, can they do a better job on this than they've done resolving issues such as the business tax and school funding? (two policy areas whose fixes were so poorly thought out they will need revisitation)
Will it be the Republicans under another Speaker? And, if so, will new leadership bring a new way of thinking?
Will it be the Democrats under a Democratic Speaker? And, if so, what taxation lever will they attempt to pull to fully fund this unfunded mandate, as well as tackle the grab-bag of problems that Texas is currently facing?
Either way it is becoming patently obvious that "tax cuts" are probably going to take a year off this legislative session. Sure you'll have a few lone crusaders scrambling for cuts but, on the whole, I'm guessing we won't hear much of that from the majority of the body.
The cacaphony is going to be for more revenue to fund education, where its going to come from is still a mystery. Judge Justice just made things a lot more tricky for whoever's in power.
Monday, July 28, 2008
2008 General Election Issues Questionnaires
Welp...It's just under 100 days to the election so I figured it was time to put some of the candidates to the question....the issues question that is.
Today I sent out questionnaires to the campaigns of John Cornyn and Rick Noriega for Texas Senate, and John Culberson and Michael Skelly in CD 07. Time will tell if I get responses or not.
Currently I'm working up some for local races and plan to also offer questionnaires to all major candidates in the following races:
1. Harris County Judge
2. Harris County Sheriff
3. Harris County District Attorney
4. CD-22
5. CD-10
I'm aware that there are a LOT more races of local import that could be contested races, but I'm on a budget of zero, and this is a hobby after all. If you want another race covered or other questions asked.....ask them yourself.
It's democracy in action!
More to come.
Today I sent out questionnaires to the campaigns of John Cornyn and Rick Noriega for Texas Senate, and John Culberson and Michael Skelly in CD 07. Time will tell if I get responses or not.
Currently I'm working up some for local races and plan to also offer questionnaires to all major candidates in the following races:
1. Harris County Judge
2. Harris County Sheriff
3. Harris County District Attorney
4. CD-22
5. CD-10
I'm aware that there are a LOT more races of local import that could be contested races, but I'm on a budget of zero, and this is a hobby after all. If you want another race covered or other questions asked.....ask them yourself.
It's democracy in action!
More to come.
Mayor White Punts
Gotta love such fierce resolve in the face of the tough issues...
(from Mike Snyder of the Chron)
So, in the end, after all of the soundbites and fury, all of the glowing press by the Chron and local members of the InterLeft, the rising star of Houston politics has a member of his staff suggest that the City continue to rely on a 60-year old outdated ordinance and leave the entire mess for the next Mayor.
I guess when he said "let's get Houston moving" Mayor White meant back to the past?
(from Mike Snyder of the Chron)
Last fall, neighborhood leaders and some public officials expressed hope that new policies would emerge from the highly publicized protests against the project. Mayor Bill White said the Ashby proposal had exposed a loophole in the city's regulations.
Last week, however, the official who has been the public face of White's administration during the controversy recommended that the city stop its work on a high-density development ordinance.
Instead, the city should continue to rely on a 60-year-old law governing where driveways connect to public streets, with additional guidelines on how the city will apply the measure to ensure that projects do not cause severe traffic congestion, said Andy Icken, a deputy public works director.
So, in the end, after all of the soundbites and fury, all of the glowing press by the Chron and local members of the InterLeft, the rising star of Houston politics has a member of his staff suggest that the City continue to rely on a 60-year old outdated ordinance and leave the entire mess for the next Mayor.
I guess when he said "let's get Houston moving" Mayor White meant back to the past?
HC Tax Assessor-Collector: You saw this coming.
So far its been a whisper relegated to the comments section of blogs on the InterLeft: Rumours of a Harris County "voter suppression" system that Dems say Paul Bettencourt runs better than anyone in the Country. Today, the Chron's Alan Bernstein brings those charges into the mainstream....
And so the first shot in an otherwise off-the-radar local political battle is fired. I say the "first shot" because this race is going to get ugly. The Democrats are running Diane Trautman opposite Paul Betencourt.
By all accounts, Bettencourt has done a good job with the Tax-Assessor/Collector's office while at its head. The office is now modern, customer-friendly (as customer friendly as a Gov't office can be) and runs in an efficient manner. So much for the substantive issues. What Bettencourt also is, and this is a deal-breaker to the Dems) is a true believer in the "Church of Dan" Republican faction. That group of local Republicans who consider themselves the only "true" Conservatives, all while embracing very big-government ideals when social programs are brought to the fore. In short, they want the Government out of business and the Church in public life. That's double-dipper insurance that the Dems will try to get you.
Unfortunately for the Dems the candidate they picked is quite simply not qualified to hold the office. Ms. Trautman may be a very, very nice lady, she may be a loyal Democrat, but she's also a lifetime educator without the management experience needed to run an office of this magitude. Her campaign website doesn't mention anything about her plans for the office, only to provide an outline of what the office does which, by all accounts, is already being done well by Bettencourt. So much for the issues.
So you get what we have here today: political rumour passed off as a controversy. A controversy which could go away if only someone would request a list of organizations that Bettencourt's roving bands of voter registrars actively solicited for registration drives. I'm sure they have one, probably one more exstensive than the handful of organizations listed in the story. (ACORN, the League of Women voters, et. al.) Of course, that would mean having a reporter leave the office on a hot summer's day, probably not going to happen.
Curiously absent from this report was a comment by Trautman herself. Maybe she's letting (Harris County Democratic chairman) Binberg do the dirty work for her, choosing to rely on the "Obama factor" to push her over the top?
Harris County's roll of registered voters will hit 2 million for the Nov. 4 election, according to the voter registrar — a record high that should surpass the total for all of Iowa and at least 22 other states during an exciting presidential campaign.
But the local list also has triggered controversy, surprises and skepticism about who registers and how aggressively the county recruits, and rejects, potential new voters. Even the forecast of 2 million — made by voter registrar Paul Bettencourt, a Republican seeking re-election as tax assessor-collector — is in dispute.
For starters, 2 million citizens older than 17, in a county of roughly 4 million people, would represent only meager growth from the last presidential election here. The 2004 roll fell only 60,000 shy of 2 million.
On the other hand, the roll dropped to 1.8 million a year ago, due in part to Bettencourt's groundbreaking efforts under state and federal law to remove outmoded or improper registrations.
Now, consider what the voter roll shows about the record-shattering voter turnout for the county's March 4 presidential primaries. Those elections were preceded by several voter registration drives as Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton fought for the Democratic nomination and John McCain emerged as the GOP favorite.
But of the 407,102 voters in the Democratic contest, only 9,850 had never registered to vote in Harris County before this year, according to statistics developed for the Houston Chronicle by Bettencourt's staff. And of the 169,448 people who voted in the Republican primary, a mere 2,454 had never registered here.
And so the first shot in an otherwise off-the-radar local political battle is fired. I say the "first shot" because this race is going to get ugly. The Democrats are running Diane Trautman opposite Paul Betencourt.
By all accounts, Bettencourt has done a good job with the Tax-Assessor/Collector's office while at its head. The office is now modern, customer-friendly (as customer friendly as a Gov't office can be) and runs in an efficient manner. So much for the substantive issues. What Bettencourt also is, and this is a deal-breaker to the Dems) is a true believer in the "Church of Dan" Republican faction. That group of local Republicans who consider themselves the only "true" Conservatives, all while embracing very big-government ideals when social programs are brought to the fore. In short, they want the Government out of business and the Church in public life. That's double-dipper insurance that the Dems will try to get you.
Unfortunately for the Dems the candidate they picked is quite simply not qualified to hold the office. Ms. Trautman may be a very, very nice lady, she may be a loyal Democrat, but she's also a lifetime educator without the management experience needed to run an office of this magitude. Her campaign website doesn't mention anything about her plans for the office, only to provide an outline of what the office does which, by all accounts, is already being done well by Bettencourt. So much for the issues.
So you get what we have here today: political rumour passed off as a controversy. A controversy which could go away if only someone would request a list of organizations that Bettencourt's roving bands of voter registrars actively solicited for registration drives. I'm sure they have one, probably one more exstensive than the handful of organizations listed in the story. (ACORN, the League of Women voters, et. al.) Of course, that would mean having a reporter leave the office on a hot summer's day, probably not going to happen.
Curiously absent from this report was a comment by Trautman herself. Maybe she's letting (Harris County Democratic chairman) Binberg do the dirty work for her, choosing to rely on the "Obama factor" to push her over the top?
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Poker break
The blog will be closed until Monday as I head out for a long poker weekend in Louisiana. My mood upon returning will depend on whether or not I win.
Until then...
I'm not as sure as our Republican friends that an Obama Presidency will "destroy America", I have more faith in Americans than that, but I do worry about cults of personality.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
Minimum wage hike grumblings
Republicans say its too much and worthless...while Democrats say its not enough and (ironcally) worthless....
(from the AP via the Chron)
Ah that dang inflation, nevermind that what we are seeing now (in terms of food and fuel cost increases) is certainly NOT the norm, not even close to the norm. Nope, here come the screams that another Federally mandated increase will be necessary. That these calls come during an election season is just a coincidence mind you, the two issues are totally seperate from one another.
I said back during the debate for this increase that the Republicans had a chance to take a Democratic issue off the table by proposing a link to the minimum wage and inflation. Of course, that was roundly shot down by Republicans as potentially being a driver of inflation.
Yup, it could be, but I'd like to remind everyone that prices and wages typically go up on their own without occasional Federal mandates creating wage cost strains on employers, especially small businesses, you know, that group of people all politicians claim to be looking out for? At least by using an index you make the cost increases budgetable. Businesses would have an understanding of their costs going in. Instead of big spikes in inflation (which are crippling economically) a more consistent curve might be realized.
It's either that or let's all just give up and make the minimum wage $100 per hour. Then we can all be poor and pay $50 for a burger, $40 for a beer (It'd be just like attending an Astros game.)
Funny aside: As if on cue:
Electricity rates are starting to fall, oil prices are starting to pull back and there's increasing evidence that the price spike is easing.
Not near as bad timing as Al Gore's global warming hysteria on the coldest day of the year but funny nonetheless.
(from the AP via the Chron)
About 2 million Americans get a raise today as the federal minimum wage rises 70 cents. The bad news: Higher gas and food prices are swallowing it up, and some small businesses will pass the cost of the wage hike to consumers.
The increase, from $5.85 to $6.55 per hour, is the second of three annual increases required by a 2007 law. Next year's boost will bring the federal minimum to $7.25 an hour.
Workers like Walter Jasper, who earns minimum wage at a car wash in Nashville, Tenn., are happy to take the raise, but will still struggle with the higher gas and food prices hammering Americans.
"It will help out a little," said Jasper, who with his fiancee support a family of seven.
Last week, the Labor Department reported the fastest inflation since 1991 — 5 percent for June compared with a year earlier. Energy costs soared nearly 25 percent. The price of food rose more than 5 percent.
Ah that dang inflation, nevermind that what we are seeing now (in terms of food and fuel cost increases) is certainly NOT the norm, not even close to the norm. Nope, here come the screams that another Federally mandated increase will be necessary. That these calls come during an election season is just a coincidence mind you, the two issues are totally seperate from one another.
I said back during the debate for this increase that the Republicans had a chance to take a Democratic issue off the table by proposing a link to the minimum wage and inflation. Of course, that was roundly shot down by Republicans as potentially being a driver of inflation.
Yup, it could be, but I'd like to remind everyone that prices and wages typically go up on their own without occasional Federal mandates creating wage cost strains on employers, especially small businesses, you know, that group of people all politicians claim to be looking out for? At least by using an index you make the cost increases budgetable. Businesses would have an understanding of their costs going in. Instead of big spikes in inflation (which are crippling economically) a more consistent curve might be realized.
It's either that or let's all just give up and make the minimum wage $100 per hour. Then we can all be poor and pay $50 for a burger, $40 for a beer (It'd be just like attending an Astros game.)
Funny aside: As if on cue:
Electricity rates are starting to fall, oil prices are starting to pull back and there's increasing evidence that the price spike is easing.
Not near as bad timing as Al Gore's global warming hysteria on the coldest day of the year but funny nonetheless.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Astros alternate reality.
Yup, they're buyers...
(From Brian McTaggart of the Chron)
The article goes on to detail some of Wolf's injury issues, and the fact that he's not exactly thrilled to be leving San Diego. (Anyone been to San Diego? Can you blame him?)
Back to Wolf. He's a soft-tossing veteran whose lost six of his last seven starts has injury issues (Tommy John surgery in 2005) and appears to be on the down side of his career. Woody Williams anyone?
So far, Tom Kirkendall hasn't weighed in on this trade, but keep tabs on his blog for what I'm sure will be an interesting perusal of the numbers.
I will say this, they didn't give up anything to get Wolf, Chris Reineke was 5-9 with a 4.41 ERA in Round Rock (although he's only 26) so its not like its a disaster waiting to happen. Of course, he can't be any worse than what they've already got, which is what makes this deal so confusing.
The Astros should be sellers not buyers, yet Drayton McClain continues to increase ticket prices for what is basically a crap sandwich with an accompanying $10 beer and seems oblivious to the fact that this team is going nowhere....fast.
Heck, Even Richard Justice understands that this season is toast.
(From Brian McTaggart of the Chron)
Astros general manager Ed Wade was so determined to get pitcher Randy Wolf that he and manager Cecil Cooper flew to California to meet with the lefthander in the offseason.
Wolf wound up signing with the San Diego Padres, but Wade finally got his man Tuesday when the Astros sent minor league pitcher Chad Reineke to the Padres in exchange for Wolf.
Wolf is 6-10 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts this year for the Padres. He will make his Astros debut Sunday in Milwaukee against the Brewers.
“Randy is an experienced starter and a great competitor,” said Wade, who had Wolf during part of his tenure as general manager of the Philadelphia Phillies. “We tried to sign him as a free agent during the offseason, but the chance for him to pitch close to home prevailed.
“I’ve known Randy since the day he signed his first professional contract, and I can say without hesitation that he brings every quality that you’d want in a member of your team, both on and off the field.”
Wolf said the deal was bittersweet.
The article goes on to detail some of Wolf's injury issues, and the fact that he's not exactly thrilled to be leving San Diego. (Anyone been to San Diego? Can you blame him?)
Back to Wolf. He's a soft-tossing veteran whose lost six of his last seven starts has injury issues (Tommy John surgery in 2005) and appears to be on the down side of his career. Woody Williams anyone?
So far, Tom Kirkendall hasn't weighed in on this trade, but keep tabs on his blog for what I'm sure will be an interesting perusal of the numbers.
I will say this, they didn't give up anything to get Wolf, Chris Reineke was 5-9 with a 4.41 ERA in Round Rock (although he's only 26) so its not like its a disaster waiting to happen. Of course, he can't be any worse than what they've already got, which is what makes this deal so confusing.
The Astros should be sellers not buyers, yet Drayton McClain continues to increase ticket prices for what is basically a crap sandwich with an accompanying $10 beer and seems oblivious to the fact that this team is going nowhere....fast.
Heck, Even Richard Justice understands that this season is toast.
More money for blogging...
Congrats to James Kendrick whose jkOnTheRun blog has been incorporated into the Giga Omni Media "family" of blogs.
(Wink and a tip o' the cap to Dwight of the Chron for this information.)
Always nice to see another local blogger make good.
Congtatulations all around
(Wink and a tip o' the cap to Dwight of the Chron for this information.)
Always nice to see another local blogger make good.
Congtatulations all around
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
So much for the "Republican advantage" in Texas?
Piggybacking on the hard work of others to draw my own conclusions.
Is one of the great political presumptions ripe for a fall? More succinctly: Is the Republican 60/40 advantage at the polls slipping away? Based on the campaign finance numbers reported on by KTRK 13's Tom Abraham and analyzed by Lone Star Time's BigJolly (see links above) I would have to say "yes".
Let's look at the fundraising facts:
Donations from Texas Sources:
Democrats: $22,646,785 - 49.5%
Republicans: $23,105,825 - 50.5%
Total: $45,752,610
Not that fund raising numbers are everything, but they are a good indicator of public support. Since most of these donations came from the 4 largest urban areas, it's quite possible that there's still an undercurrent of Republican support in rural areas, that the Republicans are banking on, but would even that be enough to buoy the Pachyderm's chances in an election headed by a Cult of Personality?
Add to this mixture the reality that Republicans failed to provide solutions to a number of issues, (Insurance, education funding, property taxes, electricity costs, etc.) and you have a recipe for failure.
I wouldn't go so far as to call Texas "Blue" as of yet, but its certainly purple, with the large metropolitan areas trending toward violet.
What this means come election day remains to be seen.
OTHER EYES:
Off the Kuff
PoliSci@UST
Texas Monthly (Paul Burka) - Free for a limited time only.
Is one of the great political presumptions ripe for a fall? More succinctly: Is the Republican 60/40 advantage at the polls slipping away? Based on the campaign finance numbers reported on by KTRK 13's Tom Abraham and analyzed by Lone Star Time's BigJolly (see links above) I would have to say "yes".
Let's look at the fundraising facts:
Donations from Texas Sources:
Democrats: $22,646,785 - 49.5%
Republicans: $23,105,825 - 50.5%
Total: $45,752,610
Not that fund raising numbers are everything, but they are a good indicator of public support. Since most of these donations came from the 4 largest urban areas, it's quite possible that there's still an undercurrent of Republican support in rural areas, that the Republicans are banking on, but would even that be enough to buoy the Pachyderm's chances in an election headed by a Cult of Personality?
Add to this mixture the reality that Republicans failed to provide solutions to a number of issues, (Insurance, education funding, property taxes, electricity costs, etc.) and you have a recipe for failure.
I wouldn't go so far as to call Texas "Blue" as of yet, but its certainly purple, with the large metropolitan areas trending toward violet.
What this means come election day remains to be seen.
OTHER EYES:
Off the Kuff
PoliSci@UST
Texas Monthly (Paul Burka) - Free for a limited time only.
Something to keep an eye on in Alabama
The ACLU challenges Alabama law barring convicted felons from voting...
(By Bob Johnson of the AP via Yahoo!)
With the "War on Crime", the "War on Drugs" and the "War on Business Decisions" classifying more and more crimes as felonies, it stands to reason that a lot of these people will want and desire the right to vote in the face of laws that were originally written to keep the worst of society off the voting rolls.
It will be interesting to see what happens with this.
(By Bob Johnson of the AP via Yahoo!)
On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in Montgomery Circuit Court on behalf of Pruitt and two other ex-felons seeking restoration of their voting rights. The lawsuit claims Alabama law is unclear on the subject, citing a bill passed by the Legislature in 2003 that says felons can vote unless convicted on "crimes of moral turpitude," but never defines those crimes.
The Legislature adopted a list of 15 crimes, including murder, treason and some sex crimes, that would exempt a person from having their voting rights restored. But the lawsuit says it's up to the state's voter registrars and the attorney general to decide in other cases if a person's rights can be restored.
"Two voter registrars might come to different conclusions," said Sam Brooke, an attorney for the ACLU.
The lawsuit asks that convicted felons not be denied the right to voted unless they were convicted of one of the crimes on the list adopted by the Legislature.
The lawsuit also asks that the state not deny a convicted felon the right to vote because they have not paid all court ordered fines and restitution. Brooke said that requirement makes it easier for convicts from wealthier backgrounds to get their rights restored.
"We believe this is a modern day version of the poll tax," Brooke said.
With the "War on Crime", the "War on Drugs" and the "War on Business Decisions" classifying more and more crimes as felonies, it stands to reason that a lot of these people will want and desire the right to vote in the face of laws that were originally written to keep the worst of society off the voting rolls.
It will be interesting to see what happens with this.
Business Tax Goes Bust
To the tune of around $1 Billion...
(from Peggy Fikac of the Chron)
The bolded is a shot of reality to the nay-sayers who claim that Evil Big Oil is trying to run up the price. The numbers speak volumes don't they? The key being "higher than expected revenues" which is finance speak for above what the pricing trends show. In other words, in addition to the prices going up those oil & Gas companies that just want new leases and aren't doing anything on existing leases ARE spending Billions in reworking, injection and exploration costs trying to get more out of the ground.
A good question to ask of your State Legislator, or any prospective State Legislator would be where that extra money is going. Just a thought.
To the business tax as a whole, building a tax base on the backs of small businesses amounts to nothing more than long-term financial suicide. Its the same type of trouble that you look for when you base the tax structure on property wealth in a society that functions mainly on salary and credit wealth to survive.
Despite protestations of those on the far Left who feel that cutting taxes for property owners is a bad thing, the economic reality is that annual property tax increases dispraportionately harm three groups in particular. Those on fixed incomes (elderly and disabled), the middle class, and the poor who own their homes. In a time of increasing prices and falling income a property tax hits these groups doubly hard, making it difficult for some to keep their home becuase of large annual tax bills. Tax bills that will just keep growing regardless of income.
"Why don't they just sell?" is the question that you hear all of the time, the undervaluation of multi-million dollar commercial properties being held up as "proof" that residential valuations should reflect the same correct market value. This thinking ignores the pliable demand curve for residential property in relation to commercial property, and the glut of homes currently on the market. Yes, there may be some residential areas in Houston that are realizing sale prices much larger than the appraised value, but I'm willing to bet you that most of those homes are located in affluent areas of town, not in the suburbs and "non-trendy" areas where the middle-class and poor largely own homes. It's be interesting to see a sales price vs. appraisal value study performed on houses selling between $80K and $150K. (where the poor and lower-middle class own homes) I'm betting the "appraisal gap" would be either flat or slightly skewed in favor of the appraisal.
The answer, of course, is with what do we replace the revenues?
The Republican default answer is to increase sales taxes and drastically reduce the property tax. This solves the problem of taxing homeowners on an unrealized gain, but doesn't take the burden of taxation sufficiently off the backs of the poor. The Democratic response is a progressive income tax, coupled with slight decreases in the property tax rate. All this plan would do is raise the State Tax burden on everyone, and provide little real relief in the form of allowing people to keep their homes. It'd also cut into one of Texas' leading advantages that make it a desireable place to live. Namely fairly low taxes and affordable real estate.
Both plans then have flaws that make them unpalateable to the other side, leaving us with "stop-gap" measures such as the new business tax which kick the profitability out of small business ownership.
Previously on this blog I forwarded the idea of a "flat-rate" income tax for Texans, based loosely on the "fair-tax" proposals at a Federal level. Of course, this would have to be accompanied by strong cuts in not only property tax, but also in the sales tax rates, except in areas where taxation is tied to bond retirement. That plan would work, but Texans would have to "vote it in" because the Texas Constitution explicitly prevents taxation based on income. It would be a hard field to plough because many businesses and citizens don't like paying State Taxes at any level, much less something like income taxes that the Federal model has conditioned them to despise.
The "good news" is that the overall tax burden for citizens wouldn't increase one penny, State taxes are written off dollar for dollar at the Federal level. That was an advantage for States that had income taxes until recently, when Kay Bailey Hutchison fought for, and received, a "sales tax" write down for Texas and other "non-income tax paying" States. The future success of that provision is uncertain however.
In order to avoid being double taxed again should the new majority decide they want that revenue back, Texans should consider adopting a flat rate income tax similar to Colorado's 4.63% with very few exceptions or loopholes, cutting the property tax rates by 80-90% and all reducing the State portion of the sales tax to 2-4 cents. I would take the additional step of requiring all local bond issues to be tied to additions to the sales tax rate, thus ensuring that all lending is backed with dedicated capitol.
But that's just me. Perhaps you have a better idea? Let's hear it, because what we're doing now isn't going to bode well for Texas moving forward.
(from Peggy Fikac of the Chron)
The Senate Finance Committee chairman said Monday he expects Texas' new business tax to fall about $1 billion short of projected revenues this year, but he said higher-than-expected collections from other taxes mean the state budget will be fine.
"It's almost certain we're going to come in about a billion dollars below what we estimated," Sen. Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, told the Houston Chronicle after a meeting of the Business Tax Advisory Committee, which he serves. "Because other taxes are running ahead of projections, we're still OK. ... We're not flush, but we'll be OK, I think."
The new business tax was pushed by Gov. Rick Perry and approved by lawmakers in 2006 as part of a package that also lowered local school property tax rates when the state faced a court order to change the public education tax system. The expanded business tax, due this year for the first time based on last year's business activity, will help subsidize the cost of lower school property tax rates.
(snip)
Craymer said better-than-expected yields from other taxes, including oil and natural gas production, could more than make up the difference.
The bolded is a shot of reality to the nay-sayers who claim that Evil Big Oil is trying to run up the price. The numbers speak volumes don't they? The key being "higher than expected revenues" which is finance speak for above what the pricing trends show. In other words, in addition to the prices going up those oil & Gas companies that just want new leases and aren't doing anything on existing leases ARE spending Billions in reworking, injection and exploration costs trying to get more out of the ground.
A good question to ask of your State Legislator, or any prospective State Legislator would be where that extra money is going. Just a thought.
To the business tax as a whole, building a tax base on the backs of small businesses amounts to nothing more than long-term financial suicide. Its the same type of trouble that you look for when you base the tax structure on property wealth in a society that functions mainly on salary and credit wealth to survive.
Despite protestations of those on the far Left who feel that cutting taxes for property owners is a bad thing, the economic reality is that annual property tax increases dispraportionately harm three groups in particular. Those on fixed incomes (elderly and disabled), the middle class, and the poor who own their homes. In a time of increasing prices and falling income a property tax hits these groups doubly hard, making it difficult for some to keep their home becuase of large annual tax bills. Tax bills that will just keep growing regardless of income.
"Why don't they just sell?" is the question that you hear all of the time, the undervaluation of multi-million dollar commercial properties being held up as "proof" that residential valuations should reflect the same correct market value. This thinking ignores the pliable demand curve for residential property in relation to commercial property, and the glut of homes currently on the market. Yes, there may be some residential areas in Houston that are realizing sale prices much larger than the appraised value, but I'm willing to bet you that most of those homes are located in affluent areas of town, not in the suburbs and "non-trendy" areas where the middle-class and poor largely own homes. It's be interesting to see a sales price vs. appraisal value study performed on houses selling between $80K and $150K. (where the poor and lower-middle class own homes) I'm betting the "appraisal gap" would be either flat or slightly skewed in favor of the appraisal.
The answer, of course, is with what do we replace the revenues?
The Republican default answer is to increase sales taxes and drastically reduce the property tax. This solves the problem of taxing homeowners on an unrealized gain, but doesn't take the burden of taxation sufficiently off the backs of the poor. The Democratic response is a progressive income tax, coupled with slight decreases in the property tax rate. All this plan would do is raise the State Tax burden on everyone, and provide little real relief in the form of allowing people to keep their homes. It'd also cut into one of Texas' leading advantages that make it a desireable place to live. Namely fairly low taxes and affordable real estate.
Both plans then have flaws that make them unpalateable to the other side, leaving us with "stop-gap" measures such as the new business tax which kick the profitability out of small business ownership.
Previously on this blog I forwarded the idea of a "flat-rate" income tax for Texans, based loosely on the "fair-tax" proposals at a Federal level. Of course, this would have to be accompanied by strong cuts in not only property tax, but also in the sales tax rates, except in areas where taxation is tied to bond retirement. That plan would work, but Texans would have to "vote it in" because the Texas Constitution explicitly prevents taxation based on income. It would be a hard field to plough because many businesses and citizens don't like paying State Taxes at any level, much less something like income taxes that the Federal model has conditioned them to despise.
The "good news" is that the overall tax burden for citizens wouldn't increase one penny, State taxes are written off dollar for dollar at the Federal level. That was an advantage for States that had income taxes until recently, when Kay Bailey Hutchison fought for, and received, a "sales tax" write down for Texas and other "non-income tax paying" States. The future success of that provision is uncertain however.
In order to avoid being double taxed again should the new majority decide they want that revenue back, Texans should consider adopting a flat rate income tax similar to Colorado's 4.63% with very few exceptions or loopholes, cutting the property tax rates by 80-90% and all reducing the State portion of the sales tax to 2-4 cents. I would take the additional step of requiring all local bond issues to be tied to additions to the sales tax rate, thus ensuring that all lending is backed with dedicated capitol.
But that's just me. Perhaps you have a better idea? Let's hear it, because what we're doing now isn't going to bode well for Texas moving forward.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Weekend catch-up post
Not just geeks but politically active geeks are back in Houston today, after having spent the weekend in Austin.
By all accounts a terrible time was had by all. Repubs listened to speaker after speaker warn them that Obama was going to destroy America and Dems listened to Al Gore warn them that fossil fuels were going to destroy the World. (Immediately after his speech Mr. Gore hopped on his terribly fuel inefficient private jet and flew back to his terribly energy-inefficient home.)
Think Golf doesn't miss Tiger? 53-year old Greg Norman almost wins The Open Championship. Unfortunately my Thanksgiving trip to London will probably involve weather too poor to get a round of links golf in. Bummer.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!! Oh, wait...Dolly's heading to South Padre....Hmmmm...Galveston, South Padre....Galveston, South Padre.....I think Dolly got it right.
If you can't play in Kenosha...You can't play anywhere. Poor Cowboy fans, her career now on the rocks Simpson will have nothing else to do in her free time but ruin Romo's as well.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House (James Taranto, WSJ) - The Bush administration killed irony and satire, will an Obama administration kill our National sense of humor?
Sobriety, Herr Obama (Roger Cohen, NYT)
By all accounts a terrible time was had by all. Repubs listened to speaker after speaker warn them that Obama was going to destroy America and Dems listened to Al Gore warn them that fossil fuels were going to destroy the World. (Immediately after his speech Mr. Gore hopped on his terribly fuel inefficient private jet and flew back to his terribly energy-inefficient home.)
Think Golf doesn't miss Tiger? 53-year old Greg Norman almost wins The Open Championship. Unfortunately my Thanksgiving trip to London will probably involve weather too poor to get a round of links golf in. Bummer.
WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!! Oh, wait...Dolly's heading to South Padre....Hmmmm...Galveston, South Padre....Galveston, South Padre.....I think Dolly got it right.
If you can't play in Kenosha...You can't play anywhere. Poor Cowboy fans, her career now on the rocks Simpson will have nothing else to do in her free time but ruin Romo's as well.
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the White House (James Taranto, WSJ) - The Bush administration killed irony and satire, will an Obama administration kill our National sense of humor?
Sobriety, Herr Obama (Roger Cohen, NYT)
Why border security is important.
There's always a lot of chatter in the immigration debate about "sending them back". Depending on your political make-up this is either a racist statement, or an imperative needed to protect U.S. soveriegnty. The thunder over that debate typically serves to obscure the real problem at the border: The lack of serious inpection and control...
(from James Pinkerton of the Chron)
In my mind the biggest border threat America currently faces is insufficient staffing and training of our border patrol. When you're short-staffed, underpaid, chronically working without sufficient oversight from management, things like this happen. When you don't have sufficient eyes on the border, illegal immigration becomes a severe problem. Add that to an artificially low number of available work visas and the more attractive option for desperate poor South and Central Americans is to "sneak" in and get work by whatever means possible.
It's a pretty simple formula: (at least, it should be)
1. Secure and fully staff the borders.
2. Come to terms with immigrants already here, place those without documentation at the front of the line to become citizens if they wish, if not, either send them back home or provide them with other options such as work-visitor passes.
3. Demand of and work with South and Central American countries to provide better economic opportunity for their citizens.
Then, when you get a handle on it, we can talk about sending people coming over AFTER that home. Rounding up 10 Million people isn't a realistic situation, especially considering that 60% of Americans don't want that. Neither is letting everyone in to do as they will, which rubs 60% of Americans wrong as well.
The object should always be to increase documented entries and decrease undocumented entries.
As with most issues however that's too simple, we have to have boogeymen, false charges of racism, real racism and a bunch of doublespeak from politicians who present themselves as experts on the issue despite the fact that they lack basic knowledge of the facts on the ground. Facts that reveal our First World country being fed by and increasingly third world food source.
The politician I'm looking for is the one whose plan calls for meeting repeatedly with local police, government and business stakeholders, listening to their recommendations as to how to secure the border, and then presents a plan that will implement them rapidly. What we have so far are politicians who go out to the Texas border and talk down to the residents, telling them what they need.
(from James Pinkerton of the Chron)
Rafael Edmundo Melo Jr., 40, killed himself the day after appearing in federal court to face charges that he had allowed truckloads of vegetables and flowers infested with harmful pests to enter the United States from Mexico without proper fumigation.
While the death of the veteran plant inspector brought pain and sadness to his family, the conspiracy with which he and two other U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors were accused had the potential to cause further damage to the nation's agricultural industry.
The scheme, which went on at least three years and ended when the defendants were arrested in April, could have decimated dozens of Texas agricultural industries, government and industry officials say. Some experts believe the effects of the tainted shipments could still harm crops.
"It's a big deal," said Ray Prewett, president of Texas Citrus Mutual in McAllen and executive vice president of the Texas Vegetable Association.
Melo and the two other USDA inspectors were also charged with filing fraudulent overtime payments, claiming they oversaw fumigations of infested shipments that were conducted improperly or never took place. Charges were also brought against the owner of a Laredo pest control company accused of improperly billing Mexican exporters for fumigation services.
In my mind the biggest border threat America currently faces is insufficient staffing and training of our border patrol. When you're short-staffed, underpaid, chronically working without sufficient oversight from management, things like this happen. When you don't have sufficient eyes on the border, illegal immigration becomes a severe problem. Add that to an artificially low number of available work visas and the more attractive option for desperate poor South and Central Americans is to "sneak" in and get work by whatever means possible.
It's a pretty simple formula: (at least, it should be)
1. Secure and fully staff the borders.
2. Come to terms with immigrants already here, place those without documentation at the front of the line to become citizens if they wish, if not, either send them back home or provide them with other options such as work-visitor passes.
3. Demand of and work with South and Central American countries to provide better economic opportunity for their citizens.
Then, when you get a handle on it, we can talk about sending people coming over AFTER that home. Rounding up 10 Million people isn't a realistic situation, especially considering that 60% of Americans don't want that. Neither is letting everyone in to do as they will, which rubs 60% of Americans wrong as well.
The object should always be to increase documented entries and decrease undocumented entries.
As with most issues however that's too simple, we have to have boogeymen, false charges of racism, real racism and a bunch of doublespeak from politicians who present themselves as experts on the issue despite the fact that they lack basic knowledge of the facts on the ground. Facts that reveal our First World country being fed by and increasingly third world food source.
The politician I'm looking for is the one whose plan calls for meeting repeatedly with local police, government and business stakeholders, listening to their recommendations as to how to secure the border, and then presents a plan that will implement them rapidly. What we have so far are politicians who go out to the Texas border and talk down to the residents, telling them what they need.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Where its at this weekend.
The Good news: Political type activists are in Austin this weekend. You know what that means...A weekend without political activists mucking up the fun for the rest of us. In a Presidential election year that's almost unheard of.
The good news is that there are plenty of diversions on the shedule.
The Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows.
All the fun of Best in Show but without Eugene Levy:
The Dark Knight.
Possibly the best film of the year and a sure posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger:
Why so Serious?
The good news is that there are plenty of diversions on the shedule.
The Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows.
All the fun of Best in Show but without Eugene Levy:
The Dark Knight.
Possibly the best film of the year and a sure posthumous Oscar for Heath Ledger:
Why so Serious?
Tear. It. Down.
Enough already...
(From Jennifer Laston of the Chron)
Okay, everyone take a deep breath and repeat after me: "A 43 year-old building is NOT historical."
That's right, its not. That doesn't mean that there's no meaning there (because obviously there is) but nostalgia for one's youth watching bad baseball played by a team with funky jerseys doesn't justify spending $750K this year to keep the place mothballed.
The first baseball game that I ever saw was in the Astrodome. The Astros played the Reds. I was three at the time. Throughout my life I spent more time there then at any other stadium. I watched the Astros play for 17 innings against the Mets, I saw Jeff Bagwell, Ken Caminiti and Biggio play their first games there. I watched Glen Davis and his unorthadox swing hit home run after home run in a hitter's park. I saw Eric Anthony park one in the upper deck, and then when I came back saw the chair with his number on it.
The Astrodome was a terrible place to watch a ballgame, too quiet, fans were too far from the field, but it was OUR terrible place to watch a game. And now its time to let it go. Have a big send-off, bring back all of the old Astros and Oilers and let George Foreman push the button.
Unless you think casino gambling will be passed by the Ledge in 2009. THEN we might have something that's viable.
(From Jennifer Laston of the Chron)
If Harris County officials want to keep the aging Astrodome open for public events, such as the country-western dances held there every night of the Houston Rodeo, it may have to pony up $250,000.
Inspectors with the Houston Fire Marshal's Office wrote citations for nine fire code violations this week when they turned on the Dome's sprinkler system and found the water pressure fell short. The repairs could cost as much as a quarter-million dollars, said Joe Stinebaker, spokesman for Harris County Judge Ed Emmett.
The repairs are the latest addition to the maintenance tab for the 1965 building, which runs the county about $500,000 a year for minimal upkeep.
Apart from 36 employees of the management company that runs Reliant Park, who have offices there, the Astrodome rarely sees visitors.
Okay, everyone take a deep breath and repeat after me: "A 43 year-old building is NOT historical."
That's right, its not. That doesn't mean that there's no meaning there (because obviously there is) but nostalgia for one's youth watching bad baseball played by a team with funky jerseys doesn't justify spending $750K this year to keep the place mothballed.
The first baseball game that I ever saw was in the Astrodome. The Astros played the Reds. I was three at the time. Throughout my life I spent more time there then at any other stadium. I watched the Astros play for 17 innings against the Mets, I saw Jeff Bagwell, Ken Caminiti and Biggio play their first games there. I watched Glen Davis and his unorthadox swing hit home run after home run in a hitter's park. I saw Eric Anthony park one in the upper deck, and then when I came back saw the chair with his number on it.
The Astrodome was a terrible place to watch a ballgame, too quiet, fans were too far from the field, but it was OUR terrible place to watch a game. And now its time to let it go. Have a big send-off, bring back all of the old Astros and Oilers and let George Foreman push the button.
Unless you think casino gambling will be passed by the Ledge in 2009. THEN we might have something that's viable.
Ethics is good.
Ethics study groups are not...
(From Liz Austin Peterson of the Chron)
And therein lies the rub: It is probable that the commission offered up a landry list, but few implementable solutions. Such is the risk you run when academics and political novices are allowed to run free.
That being said there were some good recommendations:
There's also a prohibition from lobbying for one year after leaving office, which is always a good idea.
As is always the case in situations like this, politics rears its ugly head....
Sounds fair. Of course, one would also exect Mincberg to "set that example" by limiting his campaign contributions and disclosing donors' employment right?
Right?
(From Liz Austin Peterson of the Chron)
Harris County should establish a board to investigate ethics complaints, require lobbyists to register with the county and make former employees wait a year before benefiting financially from a county contract, according to an ethics task force draft report obtained Thursday by the Houston Chronicle.
The report, which was distributed to the Commissioners Court on Monday and is expected to be publicly released next week, includes wide-ranging recommendations aimed at increasing governmental transparency and regaining residents' trust. But it remains to be seen how many of the suggestions the county could adopt without legislative approval.
And therein lies the rub: It is probable that the commission offered up a landry list, but few implementable solutions. Such is the risk you run when academics and political novices are allowed to run free.
That being said there were some good recommendations:
Additionally, employees and officials should be barred from accepting gifts or event sponsorships worth more than $50 from lobbyists or anyone looking to conduct business with the county, the report said. And elected officials should not be allowed to solicit or knowingly accept political contributions that are designed to influence their decisions, including contributions made while contracts are being awarded.
There's also a prohibition from lobbying for one year after leaving office, which is always a good idea.
As is always the case in situations like this, politics rears its ugly head....
David Mincberg, Emmett's Democratic opponent, applauded the report but said he wished the panel had recommended limiting campaign contributions and requiring candidates to disclose their donors' employment.
He challenged Emmett to personally follow the recommendations even before the county adopts any of them.
"He, in fact, is the one who asked for this report, so great, let's follow it. Let's set that example," he said.
Sounds fair. Of course, one would also exect Mincberg to "set that example" by limiting his campaign contributions and disclosing donors' employment right?
Right?
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A starting point, not a destination
If you view today's announcement that the Texas Utility Commission has given preliminary approval to wind power transmission lines and a starting point on the energy debate and not as arriving at a renewable destination you are on the right path. Anywhere off that path and you're venturing toward the land of make believe.
If you think, for example, that wind and solar power are going to adquately supply all of Texas' power needs in the future you're not looking at the world in an honest manner. Opposing this because its not gas isn't the smartest thing either. The fact is meeting our future energy consumption demand is going to take wind, solar, geothermal, expanded nuclear capacity, expanded gas capacity, and (sorry folks) coal. The focus should be to utilize all of these in the most efficient, cleanest manner possible. Unfortunately, because of partisan battles, those who support wind energy are likely (but not definitely) against nuclear and gas power production, and those that are for the latter are opposed to the former. We'll leave out those who are opposed to any and all forms of power production, they don't count.
Just as in your financial portfolio, diversity should be the key goal when fueling a power grid. Since Texas is basically stand-alone ours is easier to maintain and fix than others in the United States. Texas has a chance to hedge its bets against spikes in the price of any one commodity, that should be viewed as a good thing by observers, and as a signal that the time has come to further diversify across a broad spectrum of power sources.*
*Just don't hold out much hope that this is going to happen, this is Texas after all.
If you think, for example, that wind and solar power are going to adquately supply all of Texas' power needs in the future you're not looking at the world in an honest manner. Opposing this because its not gas isn't the smartest thing either. The fact is meeting our future energy consumption demand is going to take wind, solar, geothermal, expanded nuclear capacity, expanded gas capacity, and (sorry folks) coal. The focus should be to utilize all of these in the most efficient, cleanest manner possible. Unfortunately, because of partisan battles, those who support wind energy are likely (but not definitely) against nuclear and gas power production, and those that are for the latter are opposed to the former. We'll leave out those who are opposed to any and all forms of power production, they don't count.
Just as in your financial portfolio, diversity should be the key goal when fueling a power grid. Since Texas is basically stand-alone ours is easier to maintain and fix than others in the United States. Texas has a chance to hedge its bets against spikes in the price of any one commodity, that should be viewed as a good thing by observers, and as a signal that the time has come to further diversify across a broad spectrum of power sources.*
*Just don't hold out much hope that this is going to happen, this is Texas after all.
The (New) Houston Political Dictionary (Revised) N
N
Naan - The official communion wafer for those who worship at the alter of multiculturalism.
NASA - Acryonym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also known as the world's most expenisve plumber.
Natural - A quaint term now totally divorced from its original meaning. (see: Market, Farmer's)
Nature(Urban) - A marketing ploy that has been commoditized and planned until the result is a crude parody of the real thing. (see: Discovery Green)
Need - Imperative form of want.
The only things that humans "need" to survive are air, water and food. However, since the pursuit of that is boring American society has convinced itself that its list of needs is longer, and more vaired than the above three. Need, in and of itself, is typically harmless. Harm comes from need when one of two things happen:
1. Need is directed toward the property, life of another. (i.e. crime)
2. Need is mandated by the Government. (i.e. Sports stadiums, downtown parks, trinket governance)
Needle - Something that is sanitized before being stuck into the skin of death row inmates.
Neighbor - The stranger closest to you a majority of the time.
Neighborhood - A loose network of families who, all things being considered, want nothing to do with one another.
Neighborhood, Super - Worthless title given to neighborhoods to get them to shut up and quit bothering City Council for petty things like roads, police patrols and sidewalk improvement.
New - Typically better than old. The obvious exceptions being inner-loop development in areas the elite don't want developed, legislation offered up by members of the party in which you find yourself in opposition, the on-line redesign of the Houston Chronicle (see: Orange, Annoying)
News (Online) - An ongoing testiment of the foresight of George Orwell. (See: Truth, Ministry of)
News (Television) - A 30 minute infomercial for Smith & Wesson.
Newspaper - 1. A recap of the world 24 hours ago. 2. Excellent kindle for starting a fire.
Newsprint - Recycled toilet paper and baby diapers put to their suggested use a second time.
Nexis, Lexis - Expensive search engine, the use of which has been used by newspaper columnists for years both to illustrate their superiority and to keep them from having to leave their sofas to perform research.
Nil - Term for zero only used by European sportscasters and American hipster males trying to convince co-eds that they are mysterious and International.
Ninfa's - (Formerly) A Houston icon in the Tex-Mex world, known for wonderful sauces, fresh tortillas, and homemade Tex-Mex recipes at a fair price. Also: good fajitas. (Currently) Illustration of the epitome of Sysco fueld, chain restaurant cuisine. At twice the price of the original.
Noon - Friday Departure time for Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt's weekly Southwest Airlines flight to Phoenix.
Noriega, Melissa - First-term City Council member whose future is expected to be bright because of some powerful backing within the City heirarchy.
Ms. Noriega is expected to be a political star. Progressive, liked by the elite, and well-connected she was the star of the John Spong overview of her husbands campaign.
Noriega, Rick - Melissa's husband.
Number One - Historic place of honor and the chant repeated by College Football fans everywhere despite the fact that their team is rated #67 or worse at the time.
Nth degree - Scientific concept whose lack of comprehension doesn't prohibit newspaper columnists and letter writers from its extreme overuse.
Naan - The official communion wafer for those who worship at the alter of multiculturalism.
NASA - Acryonym for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also known as the world's most expenisve plumber.
Natural - A quaint term now totally divorced from its original meaning. (see: Market, Farmer's)
Nature(Urban) - A marketing ploy that has been commoditized and planned until the result is a crude parody of the real thing. (see: Discovery Green)
Need - Imperative form of want.
The only things that humans "need" to survive are air, water and food. However, since the pursuit of that is boring American society has convinced itself that its list of needs is longer, and more vaired than the above three. Need, in and of itself, is typically harmless. Harm comes from need when one of two things happen:
1. Need is directed toward the property, life of another. (i.e. crime)
2. Need is mandated by the Government. (i.e. Sports stadiums, downtown parks, trinket governance)
Needle - Something that is sanitized before being stuck into the skin of death row inmates.
Neighbor - The stranger closest to you a majority of the time.
Neighborhood - A loose network of families who, all things being considered, want nothing to do with one another.
Neighborhood, Super - Worthless title given to neighborhoods to get them to shut up and quit bothering City Council for petty things like roads, police patrols and sidewalk improvement.
New - Typically better than old. The obvious exceptions being inner-loop development in areas the elite don't want developed, legislation offered up by members of the party in which you find yourself in opposition, the on-line redesign of the Houston Chronicle (see: Orange, Annoying)
News (Online) - An ongoing testiment of the foresight of George Orwell. (See: Truth, Ministry of)
News (Television) - A 30 minute infomercial for Smith & Wesson.
Newspaper - 1. A recap of the world 24 hours ago. 2. Excellent kindle for starting a fire.
Newsprint - Recycled toilet paper and baby diapers put to their suggested use a second time.
Nexis, Lexis - Expensive search engine, the use of which has been used by newspaper columnists for years both to illustrate their superiority and to keep them from having to leave their sofas to perform research.
Nil - Term for zero only used by European sportscasters and American hipster males trying to convince co-eds that they are mysterious and International.
Ninfa's - (Formerly) A Houston icon in the Tex-Mex world, known for wonderful sauces, fresh tortillas, and homemade Tex-Mex recipes at a fair price. Also: good fajitas. (Currently) Illustration of the epitome of Sysco fueld, chain restaurant cuisine. At twice the price of the original.
Noon - Friday Departure time for Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt's weekly Southwest Airlines flight to Phoenix.
Noriega, Melissa - First-term City Council member whose future is expected to be bright because of some powerful backing within the City heirarchy.
Ms. Noriega is expected to be a political star. Progressive, liked by the elite, and well-connected she was the star of the John Spong overview of her husbands campaign.
Noriega, Rick - Melissa's husband.
Number One - Historic place of honor and the chant repeated by College Football fans everywhere despite the fact that their team is rated #67 or worse at the time.
Nth degree - Scientific concept whose lack of comprehension doesn't prohibit newspaper columnists and letter writers from its extreme overuse.
Gov't logic: Let's spend billions to accomplish nothing.
That seems to be the thinking in regards to smog reduction plans...
(from Matthew Tresague of the Chron)
Most of the contention lies in the fact that State and Local authorities are required to realize a 55% reduction, while only having control over 25% of the factors. For those of you bad at math that would amount to a 30% shortfall in emissions reduction even IF the State and Local plans worked to perfection.
For all of the bluster and politically charged fury that surrounds the environmentalist movement, the truth is there's very little in the way of "solutions" that are coming from that group that aren't "stop polluting". Asking a Country to rid itself of over 200 years of progress and financial weath (read: credit) in order to meet arbitrary guidelines isn't going to cut it. Neither is establishing a "cap and trade" system designed to enrich the right people.
In short, we're not going to "cut" our way out of the current environmental situation. In order to achieve the levels that environmentalists want to realize a complete reduction of the American populace, and way of life would be in order.
It would hit the poorest the hardest. Which is why calls to reduce carbon emissions through cutting things out of our lives ring hollow.
The key, of course, is growth. You best solve a problem by moving forward, not backward. Growth in the areas of clean-coal research, nuclear power, fuel cell vehicles, wind-power, geothermal, wave-power generation and (yes, sorry folks) oil and gas production.
At least in the short-term. Then, in the long-term, we have to take those technologies that work and expand on them to replace what will be, by then, oil and gas reserves that are nearing depletion.
In the interim asking people to make small changes isn't too much to ask. Neither is giving tax credits to those who are willing (and financially able) to make larger changes. To them that have more, more is to be expected. That's the way it goes right?
Somewhere in between "Stop Big Oil" and "Drill here, Drill now, Pay less" are solutions that everyone should be able to come to grips with. Solutions that provide real relief at the pump (expanded production), solutions that work to clean the environment (nuclear expansion and sustainable energy research) and solutions that clean up what's polluted now (grassroots, conservation efforts).
Between the hysteria of Global Warming Alarmists and Complete Global Warming denial lies the common thread that most of us share, a desire to protect our environment and live happy, healthy lives while working at a job that earns a decent wage.
We need to find those middle grounds and cultivate them, and leave the histrionics to those who politicize everything for the gain of either the donkeys or the pachyderms with no regard to anything else.
(from Matthew Tresague of the Chron)
Texas will spend the next five years and millions of dollars to develop a new smog-fighting strategy for the Houston area.
And the plan still might not clean the air.
The problem, the skeptics say, is a federally mandated process that is intentionally narrow — focusing only on ozone, the lung-burning chemical that is the main ingredient of smog, over a short period of time — and places too much of the burden for reduced emissions on state and local governments with limited regulatory authority.
"There is nothing nice and easy about the process," said Elena Marks, the director of environmental and health policy for Mayor Bill White. "It's crazy for a thousand different reasons. Nobody likes it."
The critics include some attorneys, environmentalists, industry executives and lawmakers from both parties. They may disagree about what the federal standards for air quality should be, but there is a shared dislike for a bureaucratic exercise known as the state implementation plan, or SIP.
Most of the contention lies in the fact that State and Local authorities are required to realize a 55% reduction, while only having control over 25% of the factors. For those of you bad at math that would amount to a 30% shortfall in emissions reduction even IF the State and Local plans worked to perfection.
For all of the bluster and politically charged fury that surrounds the environmentalist movement, the truth is there's very little in the way of "solutions" that are coming from that group that aren't "stop polluting". Asking a Country to rid itself of over 200 years of progress and financial weath (read: credit) in order to meet arbitrary guidelines isn't going to cut it. Neither is establishing a "cap and trade" system designed to enrich the right people.
In short, we're not going to "cut" our way out of the current environmental situation. In order to achieve the levels that environmentalists want to realize a complete reduction of the American populace, and way of life would be in order.
It would hit the poorest the hardest. Which is why calls to reduce carbon emissions through cutting things out of our lives ring hollow.
The key, of course, is growth. You best solve a problem by moving forward, not backward. Growth in the areas of clean-coal research, nuclear power, fuel cell vehicles, wind-power, geothermal, wave-power generation and (yes, sorry folks) oil and gas production.
At least in the short-term. Then, in the long-term, we have to take those technologies that work and expand on them to replace what will be, by then, oil and gas reserves that are nearing depletion.
In the interim asking people to make small changes isn't too much to ask. Neither is giving tax credits to those who are willing (and financially able) to make larger changes. To them that have more, more is to be expected. That's the way it goes right?
Somewhere in between "Stop Big Oil" and "Drill here, Drill now, Pay less" are solutions that everyone should be able to come to grips with. Solutions that provide real relief at the pump (expanded production), solutions that work to clean the environment (nuclear expansion and sustainable energy research) and solutions that clean up what's polluted now (grassroots, conservation efforts).
Between the hysteria of Global Warming Alarmists and Complete Global Warming denial lies the common thread that most of us share, a desire to protect our environment and live happy, healthy lives while working at a job that earns a decent wage.
We need to find those middle grounds and cultivate them, and leave the histrionics to those who politicize everything for the gain of either the donkeys or the pachyderms with no regard to anything else.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Good idea, bad politician
Even when Rick Perry is right on the issues he's wrong...
(From R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
What's going to be lost in all of this is the fact that the waiver is really a good idea. It's a temporary solution to the problem of converting the food supply into fuel, an insipid idea that should have been laughed off the table.
But it wasn't laughed at, it was taken seriously.
Unfortunately plans to stop doing it are being polluted by the politics of a Governor incapable of acting out of principle.
(From R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Poultry producer Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim spent more than $9,000 on airfare in June so Gov. Rick Perry could attend a news conference promoting a waiver from federal ethanol mandates that Pilgrim wants.
Perry requested the waiver from the federal Environmental Protection Agency in April after meeting with Pilgrim in March. The Houston Chronicle reported this month that six days after that March meeting, Pilgrim donated $100,000 to the Republican Governors Association, which Perry heads as chairman.
Pilgrim wants the ethanol waiver because he believes ethanol production is driving up the price of corn that he needs to feed his poultry. Pilgrim's Pride, based in Pittsburg, Texas, is the nation's largest producer of poultry products.
Perry has been an opponent of food-based ethanol production for some time, but he had not acted on requesting the waiver from federal mandates until after the meeting with Pilgrim.
Campaign finance reports released Tuesday showed Pilgrim paid the airfare for Perry and three aides to attend a June 24 news conference in Washington to promote the waiver request.
What's going to be lost in all of this is the fact that the waiver is really a good idea. It's a temporary solution to the problem of converting the food supply into fuel, an insipid idea that should have been laughed off the table.
But it wasn't laughed at, it was taken seriously.
Unfortunately plans to stop doing it are being polluted by the politics of a Governor incapable of acting out of principle.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Oil Prices Tumble, Chron runs picture of near nekkid woman
In the past I've poked fun at the Chron's (sometimes) breathless coverage of even the slightest rise in oil prices. I wondered then whether or not the same level of coverage (front of Chron.com, lead story in big letters) be provided should they fall.
If today's front page is any indication, apparently not.
The story: (from Adam Schreck of the AP via Yahoo! News)
The Chron's Response:
Near-naked women and blurbs that "they'll take off more for money". And they wonder why circulation is falling? And no, for those of you who care, this isn't about bias, its about bad, bad reporting and editorial decisions.
It would seem that more should be expected from the daily newspaper of record in the "energy capitol of the world".
OTHER EYES:
Lone Star Times.
If today's front page is any indication, apparently not.
The story: (from Adam Schreck of the AP via Yahoo! News)
Oil prices plunged Tuesday as worries about the nation's economic health shot to the fore and OPEC warned that high pump prices are likely to erode global demand for crude.
Prices at one point dropped more than $10 a barrel from the day's high. By early afternoon, light, sweet crude was down $6.90 to $138.28 in an extremely volatile session.
The turnaround may not signal a lasting shift in sentiment — prices have swung violently in recent days as they flirted with record highs. But it does underscore investor uncertainty about the sustainability of sky-high prices and potentially long-lasting effects on the broader economy.
The Chron's Response:
Near-naked women and blurbs that "they'll take off more for money". And they wonder why circulation is falling? And no, for those of you who care, this isn't about bias, its about bad, bad reporting and editorial decisions.
It would seem that more should be expected from the daily newspaper of record in the "energy capitol of the world".
OTHER EYES:
Lone Star Times.
The (New) Houston Political Dictionary (Revised) M
M
Made in the U.S.A. - The over-romanticized, ideal state of manufactured goods.
Make-up - The most socially acceptable form of dishonesty.
Man - 1. Quite possibly the least intelligent form of life on Earth. Certainly the only one with destructive tendencies. 2. An ape with a razor. 3.Proof that God has a sense of humor.
Management - An exclusively non-productive skill that Americans have covinced themselves is to be admired. (See: Politician)
Mankind - An abstract concept used to sell public policy.
Market, Central - The last, private sanctuary of the elite.
Market, Farmer's - The triumph of history over modern convenience.
Market, Free - A mythical landscape publically yearned for by corporatists but in reality avoided like the plague.
No company, or politician, really wants a totally free market despite their claims to the contrary. What they want are markets that appear free but which, in actuality, are controlled and dominated by a few major players. True, from time to time, an upstart will be allowed to thrive, even succeed in a market place to maintain the illusion. Once the threat becomes real however the upstart is either absorbed into the existing structure or ran out of business through unsustainable low prices.
Marketing - The art of convincing people that they must have those things that they don't need.
Medicine - Poisons designed to cure.
Memorial Park - Overlooked casualty of the "world class" movement.
The fact that Memorial Park ranks as one of America's great urban parks is overshadowewd by one unfortunate fact: It's not located downtown. Such a shortcoming is fatal to those with New York Penis Envy and has resulted in Memorial Park being relegated to second class status in favor of the infinitely more tacky Discovery Green.
Menial - Adjective given by corporate elites to those tasks which make the world go 'round.
Trash collection is considered a menial task by executives, but one year without it would prove far more catastrophic to society than one year without executives.
Menil Collection - Houston's "hey, look over here!" bell cow.
Metro, Houston - Concrete proof that neither competence, nor market responsiveness are desirable traits in a government sanctioned monopoly.
Midtown - A very nice, clean, well-mainained, flophouse for Houston's homeless population.
There was a time that the homeless in Houston chose to reside in and around Downtown. That was before it was decided that downtown should be a livable destination and not an economic/financial district as in many other cities. Because of this the homeless have been herded into the increasingly residential Midtown area, where residents, who paid premiums for prime location, are infuriated that the homeless are sleeping (and peeing) there for free.
Mixed-Use - The triumph of profitability over market demand.
No one really knows for sure if there's a big market for mixed use developments. Most of them are still in the planning stages or are promises of things that could have been but never worked out. What we do know is that, by combining retail and residential construction, developers are allowed the best of both worlds when it comes to potential revenue streams.
Model - Starvation as fashion.
Multimodal - Marketing based term used to sugarcoat the reality that transportation under Metro's new system is going to mean racing down the platform to catch a train because your bus was 15 minutes late arriving to the transit station.
Myopia - The pinnacle of political name-calling.
Made in the U.S.A. - The over-romanticized, ideal state of manufactured goods.
Make-up - The most socially acceptable form of dishonesty.
Man - 1. Quite possibly the least intelligent form of life on Earth. Certainly the only one with destructive tendencies. 2. An ape with a razor. 3.Proof that God has a sense of humor.
Management - An exclusively non-productive skill that Americans have covinced themselves is to be admired. (See: Politician)
Mankind - An abstract concept used to sell public policy.
Market, Central - The last, private sanctuary of the elite.
Market, Farmer's - The triumph of history over modern convenience.
Market, Free - A mythical landscape publically yearned for by corporatists but in reality avoided like the plague.
No company, or politician, really wants a totally free market despite their claims to the contrary. What they want are markets that appear free but which, in actuality, are controlled and dominated by a few major players. True, from time to time, an upstart will be allowed to thrive, even succeed in a market place to maintain the illusion. Once the threat becomes real however the upstart is either absorbed into the existing structure or ran out of business through unsustainable low prices.
Marketing - The art of convincing people that they must have those things that they don't need.
Medicine - Poisons designed to cure.
Memorial Park - Overlooked casualty of the "world class" movement.
The fact that Memorial Park ranks as one of America's great urban parks is overshadowewd by one unfortunate fact: It's not located downtown. Such a shortcoming is fatal to those with New York Penis Envy and has resulted in Memorial Park being relegated to second class status in favor of the infinitely more tacky Discovery Green.
Menial - Adjective given by corporate elites to those tasks which make the world go 'round.
Trash collection is considered a menial task by executives, but one year without it would prove far more catastrophic to society than one year without executives.
Menil Collection - Houston's "hey, look over here!" bell cow.
Metro, Houston - Concrete proof that neither competence, nor market responsiveness are desirable traits in a government sanctioned monopoly.
Midtown - A very nice, clean, well-mainained, flophouse for Houston's homeless population.
There was a time that the homeless in Houston chose to reside in and around Downtown. That was before it was decided that downtown should be a livable destination and not an economic/financial district as in many other cities. Because of this the homeless have been herded into the increasingly residential Midtown area, where residents, who paid premiums for prime location, are infuriated that the homeless are sleeping (and peeing) there for free.
Mixed-Use - The triumph of profitability over market demand.
No one really knows for sure if there's a big market for mixed use developments. Most of them are still in the planning stages or are promises of things that could have been but never worked out. What we do know is that, by combining retail and residential construction, developers are allowed the best of both worlds when it comes to potential revenue streams.
Model - Starvation as fashion.
Multimodal - Marketing based term used to sugarcoat the reality that transportation under Metro's new system is going to mean racing down the platform to catch a train because your bus was 15 minutes late arriving to the transit station.
Myopia - The pinnacle of political name-calling.
Global warmings "Jump the shark" moment
This could be it...
(from Eric Berger of the Chron)
Looking beyond the silliness of the study a more disturbing trend is noted here. Namely, the bolded statement above. Let's be clear here: Increased kidney stones haven't been demonstrated they've been theorized. Gravity has been demonstrated, evolution of species has been demonstrated, not increased kidney stones due to higher climates. It's politically charged statements like these that are stretching the credibility of science to the breaking point. It's funding of studies such as this that may have broken it totally.
Eric's Chron blog expands on this bit of scientific stupidity
(from Eric Berger of the Chron)
The next time you feel a sharp, cramping pain in your lower abdomen, spare a thought for your personal carbon footprint.
That's the message from Dallas scientists who predict that as the planet warms during the coming century, people will sweat more, not drink enough water to compensate, and therefore develop more kidney stones.
The prevalence of kidney stones may rise by 30 percent or more in some U.S. areas if global temperatures rise as forecast by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the scientists found.
"This is really the first direct human health impact of climate change that has been demonstrated," said the study's lead author, Tom Brikowski, a University of Texas at Dallas professor of geosciences.
Looking beyond the silliness of the study a more disturbing trend is noted here. Namely, the bolded statement above. Let's be clear here: Increased kidney stones haven't been demonstrated they've been theorized. Gravity has been demonstrated, evolution of species has been demonstrated, not increased kidney stones due to higher climates. It's politically charged statements like these that are stretching the credibility of science to the breaking point. It's funding of studies such as this that may have broken it totally.
Eric's Chron blog expands on this bit of scientific stupidity
TX Senate: Noriega needs cash
In the worst way.
(from R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Houstonians know Noriega because he's an area candidate, but when you expand out to Dallas, Austin, West Texas......eh. no. With that as a backdrop its going to be crucial for Noriega to raise at least enough funds to finance 6-8 strong Statewide media buys. Not only does he have to do the "get to know" ads, but he has to delineate a position on the issues as well. And he's got to do it in a manner that makes him seem more like a State Senator than a National Democrat who's not going to work for Texans. After all, isn't that what his main critique of Cornyn centers around? Yeah.
Absent of all of this there's still the hope that the National trend that is Barack Obama will carry even marginal candidates to victory. Heck, that phoenomenon has convinced Chris Bell to jump in the ring, in a race where there's no "straight ticket" advantage.
While I remain unconvinced that Obama-mania is going to start a progressive brush-fire in Texas that's going to char the Texas Republican Party to a crisp, I do believe that they are going to get singed in several key races. The fact is State Republicans are just bad right now, and they are caught with few successes and even fewer new ideas to campaign on.
(from R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Houston Democrat Rick Noriega's uphill campaign to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn began a year ago as a populist battle. But, with 113 days left until the election, Noriega has yet to show he can fan embers into a prairie fire.
Noriega's biggest problem is money, not having enough to get his message out to a statewide audience that can only be reached by television advertising, which costs as much as $1.4 million a week for a saturation buy.
Campaign finance reports to be filed today will show Cornyn has more than $9 million in the bank, while Noriega has $915,000.
Houstonians know Noriega because he's an area candidate, but when you expand out to Dallas, Austin, West Texas......eh. no. With that as a backdrop its going to be crucial for Noriega to raise at least enough funds to finance 6-8 strong Statewide media buys. Not only does he have to do the "get to know" ads, but he has to delineate a position on the issues as well. And he's got to do it in a manner that makes him seem more like a State Senator than a National Democrat who's not going to work for Texans. After all, isn't that what his main critique of Cornyn centers around? Yeah.
Absent of all of this there's still the hope that the National trend that is Barack Obama will carry even marginal candidates to victory. Heck, that phoenomenon has convinced Chris Bell to jump in the ring, in a race where there's no "straight ticket" advantage.
While I remain unconvinced that Obama-mania is going to start a progressive brush-fire in Texas that's going to char the Texas Republican Party to a crisp, I do believe that they are going to get singed in several key races. The fact is State Republicans are just bad right now, and they are caught with few successes and even fewer new ideas to campaign on.
Monday, July 14, 2008
All aTwitter (Part III)
From John Culberson via the blogHouston forums...*
It's true, I was critical of what I felt was an oversensitive, deeply partisan, initial response by Culberson to this problem. It's also true that I now think he's on the right path and working to answer the correct questions, including my most serious question about "approved sites" and other rules that are aimed at restricting communication between new media outlets and their elected representatives.
One truism that the new media can't shed however is this: Most (not all) new media devotees are highly partisan and are often unwilling to admit when a politician on the other side has done something right.
Here Culberson has admitted that his initial ire was misdirected, that he listened to repsected voices in the new media field and is now pursuing what many feel to be the correct path. This is a commendable stance and a rare admission by a politician that their initial impulse was incorrect. A mea culpa if you will. Normally such a transformation would be applauded by political junkies.
It remains to be seen if supporters of Micheal Skelly will admit Culberson is right, or if they will crucify him for admitting to human error?
I'm betting the latter but I retain the right to be surprised.
Count me as one who is glad that Culberson backed down from his original tack and is now working to craft rules that promote the new media ideal.
*Partially excerpted, go over to BlogHouston and read the entire post. It's worth it.
I discovered the extent and potential of social media on May 27 when my friend Joseph McReynolds introduced me to Erica O'Grady who specializes in new media. I will keep expanding my use of these tools beyond Qik, Twitter, Utterz and Ustream to communicate with constituents and anyone interested in a polite thoughtful debate/discussion.
My experience with the proposed House rule change to limit our access to social media demonstrates the value, power and speed of these new media tools. Last Tuesday when I first heard about the proposed rule change from Repub. Leader John Boehner's staff and his website, it looked like the Ds were going to shut off our access to all social media sites. I launched a few Twitter alerts before speaking to the key players on the House floor and was slightly off target initially.
The social media commuity quickly responded and helped me think though what was occuring, and as a result, I found the right target for my work to change the House rules.
It's true, I was critical of what I felt was an oversensitive, deeply partisan, initial response by Culberson to this problem. It's also true that I now think he's on the right path and working to answer the correct questions, including my most serious question about "approved sites" and other rules that are aimed at restricting communication between new media outlets and their elected representatives.
One truism that the new media can't shed however is this: Most (not all) new media devotees are highly partisan and are often unwilling to admit when a politician on the other side has done something right.
Here Culberson has admitted that his initial ire was misdirected, that he listened to repsected voices in the new media field and is now pursuing what many feel to be the correct path. This is a commendable stance and a rare admission by a politician that their initial impulse was incorrect. A mea culpa if you will. Normally such a transformation would be applauded by political junkies.
It remains to be seen if supporters of Micheal Skelly will admit Culberson is right, or if they will crucify him for admitting to human error?
I'm betting the latter but I retain the right to be surprised.
Count me as one who is glad that Culberson backed down from his original tack and is now working to craft rules that promote the new media ideal.
*Partially excerpted, go over to BlogHouston and read the entire post. It's worth it.
Catch-up post from the weekend
As some of you may not have noticed, I took a long weekend off. Normally I don't update very often on weekends because that's family time. As is typically the case, I miss a whole bunch of stuff. Here's some of it.
Fund raising numbers released for CD 07 - Culberson's people can't be happy about this. It'd be nice to see some polling numbers for this race however.
Dr. Michael DeBakey dead at age 99 - We should all be as lucky to live as long and accomplish 1/2 as much as this man. Thank you Dr. DeBakey.
Hotze's losing streak continues - Whether or not he's right, this is an example of how hard it is to contest tax legislation.
More on the H-GAC meeting regarding the decline of 1960.
Bradford Speaks! - That alone is an event worthy of coverage.
As for what he said?
(from Alan Bernstein of the Chron)
You mean he's STILL working for Lee P. Brown? That's an almost instant qualification for office right there.
The Kirby widening project is (finally) continuing - Those who will miss the trees that were planted by Trees for Houston will soon learn to love the NEW trees planted along the drive I'm sure. 50 years from now someone will be fighting to save the new trees as well.
The Chron's Steve Campbell says to bet the mortgage on the Texans!
No, seriously:
Wow.
Fund raising numbers released for CD 07 - Culberson's people can't be happy about this. It'd be nice to see some polling numbers for this race however.
Dr. Michael DeBakey dead at age 99 - We should all be as lucky to live as long and accomplish 1/2 as much as this man. Thank you Dr. DeBakey.
Hotze's losing streak continues - Whether or not he's right, this is an example of how hard it is to contest tax legislation.
More on the H-GAC meeting regarding the decline of 1960.
Bradford Speaks! - That alone is an event worthy of coverage.
As for what he said?
(from Alan Bernstein of the Chron)
Bradford, 52, said he was unable to increase lab staffing because of tight budgets dictated by Lanier's successor, Lee Brown — whose law enforcement consulting company, Brown Group International, has employed him since his retirement.
You mean he's STILL working for Lee P. Brown? That's an almost instant qualification for office right there.
The Kirby widening project is (finally) continuing - Those who will miss the trees that were planted by Trees for Houston will soon learn to love the NEW trees planted along the drive I'm sure. 50 years from now someone will be fighting to save the new trees as well.
The Chron's Steve Campbell says to bet the mortgage on the Texans!
No, seriously:
Understand, your friendly neighborhood newspaper and global Web site (www.chron.com, for those who have not yet experienced the joy of that particular discovery), would never encourage anybody to gamble their house payment or the food money.
This is hardly a gamble
Your friendly neighborhood newspaper and global Web site would be downright guilt stricken if it did anything that might encourage Charles Barkley to drop six figures on an impulsive wager.
But is it really gambling if the Texans are a sure thing to clear the over-under hurdle of 7 1/2 and win at least eight?
And there's no better revenge than living well because the rest of America doesn't think much of Houston's little NFL team.
Wow.
Sallee: Fed says what they didn't say...
Talk about reading into it what you want to...
(from Rad Sallee of the Chron)
In other words: Light Rail is an entirely different animal than Bus Rapid Transit, even IF the routes are the same.
That's what the FTA is saying now, and that's the claim they were making then. Not that they admitted to "wasting the taxpayer's money" but that Metro needed to provide further disclosure on the envrionmental impact of Light Rail because BRT impacts are different.
As an example of this:
For lunch today I thought about bringing a sandwich with mustard, turkey, lettuce, tomato and whole grain bread. I entered the nutritional information into my food journal last night becuase I'm counting my calories. Today, I changed my mind and went out to eat with some associates at my job where I got a fried chicken sandwich with mayo. Upon hearing this, my nutritionist, was upset that I didn't change the information in my food journal.
Was my nutritionist wasting my time and money? I mean, after all, I was still eating a sandwich right?
(from Rad Sallee of the Chron)
The Federal Transit Administration made some strange comments in a July 1 document notifying Metro it is eligible to compete for federal funding for its planned North light rail line.
The FTA did not say it wasted Metro's time and taxpayers' money, but parts of the document could be read that way.
In November, FTA officials told Metro to file new supplemental environmental studies and conduct new public meetings on its planned North and Southeast lines.
A month earlier, Metro had switched its proposed transit mode for the lines from a busway system (Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT for short) to light rail, but its studies to back up that request had named BRT as the preferred mode.
Metro objected but complied. Not only did both modes follow the same routes, but Metro even planned to lay rails in the busway for future conversion to light rail.
Metro also said it had studied the environmental impacts of both modes from 2001 to 2004. Light rail was the initial choice. Metro only switched to the cheaper BRT mode to improve the odds of getting the line funded.
The FTA document, called a Record of Decision, says the additional requirements were "based on a consideration of form rather than substance."
An FTA planner, speaking on background, said Friday that the additional work was not redundant and that Metro's initial studies had not gone into enough detail about light rail.
Trains are heavier than buses and cause more vibration, and the overhead wires for light rail have a visual impact, so these things as well as others needed to be considered, he said.
In other words: Light Rail is an entirely different animal than Bus Rapid Transit, even IF the routes are the same.
That's what the FTA is saying now, and that's the claim they were making then. Not that they admitted to "wasting the taxpayer's money" but that Metro needed to provide further disclosure on the envrionmental impact of Light Rail because BRT impacts are different.
As an example of this:
For lunch today I thought about bringing a sandwich with mustard, turkey, lettuce, tomato and whole grain bread. I entered the nutritional information into my food journal last night becuase I'm counting my calories. Today, I changed my mind and went out to eat with some associates at my job where I got a fried chicken sandwich with mayo. Upon hearing this, my nutritionist, was upset that I didn't change the information in my food journal.
Was my nutritionist wasting my time and money? I mean, after all, I was still eating a sandwich right?
County assailed by scrap dealers
File this one under the unintended consequences catagory...
(from Liz Austin-Peterson of the Chron)
Ooops.
The original City of Houston ordinance, if you remember, was hailed as a "solution" to the problem of a wave of scrap metal thefts in the City. Then-council member Carol Alvarado issued this, now overly optimistic, statement after its passage:
Funny thing about those loops: Criminals don't play by the rules, and they're always finding back doors through supposed "tough" legislation passed by those who assume they do. The message here, of course, is that adequate community policing can't be replaced by legislative fiat.
(from Liz Austin-Peterson of the Chron)
Houston's crackdown on copper thefts may be pushing unscrupulous scrap metal dealers into unincorporated Harris County, where the Sheriff's Office lacks the money and the manpower to go after shops that do business with thieves, officials said.
Harris County officials have proposed regulations aimed at making it more difficult for metal thieves to sell their wares, mirroring a tough ordinance Houston adopted in March 2007. But the effort has stalled as the county tries to determine how to pay the estimated $830,000 start-up costs for a Sheriff's Office task force to enforce the new rules.
Ooops.
The original City of Houston ordinance, if you remember, was hailed as a "solution" to the problem of a wave of scrap metal thefts in the City. Then-council member Carol Alvarado issued this, now overly optimistic, statement after its passage:
This morning, my colleagues and I unanimously passed the Scrap Metal Ordinance, strengthening HPD's ability to properly respond to the malicious wave of copper theft that has affected our city.
... We have finally closed the loop on a most unfortunate string of crimes that had a drastic economic impact.
Funny thing about those loops: Criminals don't play by the rules, and they're always finding back doors through supposed "tough" legislation passed by those who assume they do. The message here, of course, is that adequate community policing can't be replaced by legislative fiat.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
All aTwitter (Part II)
In the comments of my first post some important points were raised by Kevin Whited who is firmly on the "free and open web-communication" camp.
The first item is this blog post by John Wonderlich of the Sunlight Foundation framing the argument in a little more accurate light:
I've argued from the beginning that an "accepted website" list is an unacceptable incroachment on free speech. Those who are arguing against that simply because Culberson (or someone else they have an issue with) is on the other side of the issue, are wrong.
Dr. Whited also brings to light a new web campaign: Let our Congress Tweet
On the other side of the ledger are the folks at the Personal Democracy Forum who don't view any of this as an encroachment on communication.
That I disagree with that sentiment goes without saying. I've already laid out the case against having "accepted (or preferred) third parties" lists and I see nothing to change that way of thinking.
What this issue REALLY needs is a prominent, respected Democrat to come out against the fourth bullet point in Rep. Capuano's letter. Not in a hysterical way, but in a way that is reasoned and decidedly non-partisan.
What we have now is a digging in and fortification of positions, by people who should be working together on an issue that affects all of us who are entangled in the World-Wide-Web.
Kuff offers this:
Which is correct except that I don't think its fair to default to: "Republicans bad" anymore than I think its wise for Culberson to default to: "Democrats bad". 2005 was around the time that the blogger/on-line wave of activism in politics was reaching its first crest. The resulting rules were made without the hindsight of understanding just how big of a role video content and tools like Twitter and Qik would play. Updating rules is part of the natural process as new technologies are developing.
In the comments, Kevin offers up this:
As the debate matures its good to see that we are moving away from the "Rep vs. Dem" meme that was defining the early stages. Let's keep on that path and let John Culberson thrash away on the sidelines on this one.
The ultimate goal is increased transparancy and communication after all.
The first item is this blog post by John Wonderlich of the Sunlight Foundation framing the argument in a little more accurate light:
House Minority Leader Boehner today released a memo, entitled the “Internet Freedom Alert”, criticizing a letter sent by Rep. Capuano to the Chairman of the Committee on House Administration.
Member Web use restrictions are among the main Open House Project priorities, and one of the chapters of the report is about the restrictions set by the Franking Commission, which operates under the Committee on House Administration. (This chapter was written by David All and Paul Blumenthal.)
Boehner’s letter today rightly sounds the alarm about Capuano’s newly proposed Franking commission guidelines. In his letter, Capuano admits that Web use restrictions need to be redesigned, and proposes that acceptable Web sites and uses be compiled by the Committee, and that content from Members, when posted on outside sites, should “meet existing content rules and regulations”, and should “not be posted on a website or page where it may appear with commercial or political information.” (pdf)
While reconsidering or reforming these antiquated restrictions is a laudable goal, the proposed guideline reforms are only a half-measure toward modernized engagement online, and don’t address the underlying problems with these unnecessary restrictions.
I've argued from the beginning that an "accepted website" list is an unacceptable incroachment on free speech. Those who are arguing against that simply because Culberson (or someone else they have an issue with) is on the other side of the issue, are wrong.
Dr. Whited also brings to light a new web campaign: Let our Congress Tweet
Congress should join us where we the people are talking, sharing and networking – online. As Congress reconsiders the restrictions placed on their Internet use, you can tell Congress to embrace the communication technologies that we already use.
On the other side of the ledger are the folks at the Personal Democracy Forum who don't view any of this as an encroachment on communication.
We've been over the Capuano letter (pdf) with a fine-toothed comb, and it takes a great deal of extrapolation to see it as an assault on members' use of tools like Twitter and Qik.
That I disagree with that sentiment goes without saying. I've already laid out the case against having "accepted (or preferred) third parties" lists and I see nothing to change that way of thinking.
What this issue REALLY needs is a prominent, respected Democrat to come out against the fourth bullet point in Rep. Capuano's letter. Not in a hysterical way, but in a way that is reasoned and decidedly non-partisan.
What we have now is a digging in and fortification of positions, by people who should be working together on an issue that affects all of us who are entangled in the World-Wide-Web.
Kuff offers this:
The thing is, Culberson is right to point out the shortcomings of Rep. Capuano's proposals, which at least attempt to deal with the far greater shortcomings of the current House rules - rules that were adopted, as some people have noted, when the Republicans were in the majority - but he's so desperate to spin this as a partisan attack on freedom and the Internets that he can't seem to see that he's needlessly arguing with people who'd be right there next to him if he'd just dial it back a bit.
Which is correct except that I don't think its fair to default to: "Republicans bad" anymore than I think its wise for Culberson to default to: "Democrats bad". 2005 was around the time that the blogger/on-line wave of activism in politics was reaching its first crest. The resulting rules were made without the hindsight of understanding just how big of a role video content and tools like Twitter and Qik would play. Updating rules is part of the natural process as new technologies are developing.
In the comments, Kevin offers up this:
But at the end of the day, I don't see why it's controversial to think a Congressman ought to be able to post to social media and other websites at will. While snail mail franking privileges can bestow an advantage on incumbents and probably need oversight, the entry cost of social media is so low (nonexistent) that it can't be said to bestow any sort of advantage on incumbents. So what's the problem?
As the debate matures its good to see that we are moving away from the "Rep vs. Dem" meme that was defining the early stages. Let's keep on that path and let John Culberson thrash away on the sidelines on this one.
The ultimate goal is increased transparancy and communication after all.
The folly of deregulating an Oligopoly
Is unfolding right before our eyes.
(from Jeannie Kever of the Chron)
Of course, government is coming to save the day:
Well, not ALL of Government:
Normally I'd be on the side of decreasing regulation. Typically the government doesn't regulate industry well, it creates too much beuracratic red tape, and it stifles, rather than promotes, growth in an industry.
An industry that's fairly competative that is.
The problem with de-regulating higher education is that there's not a large amount of competition, there's an extremely high barrier to entry, and there's not a good alternative in most cases. I feel the same way about energy deregulation as well but that's a different post.
The higher education industry is already heavily subsidized by taxpayers, and raise in tuition amounts to an additional tax on college students that the remainder of the populace doesn't pay. This is OK if you don't feel that higher education should be a publically funded enterprise, its unacceptable if its a priority to you.
To my way of thinking education, ALL education, is a matter of public importance. Without a well educated workforce in the pipeline there's not going to be a ready pool of educated applicants ready to step in and fill the void when the current generation retires. That's why we agree, as a society, to fund the public education system. With no kids I happily pay my share of school taxes because I see a social benefit. I see the same benefit in fully funding secondary education.
What I don't see a benefit in is allowing Universities with little to know competition and no fear of losing market share elevating prices to a level that the poor and middle class are shunned with only Community Colleges and Open Admission institutions as the fall back. And I say this as a product of a Community College (Formerly North Harris/Montgomery County Community College *Lone Star College*) and an open admission university (University of Houston-Downtown). I say this because I see the barbs that are thrown to students who attend these Universities from other, Land-Grant University grads such as aTm and UT-Austin. In Texas especially, an open-admission grad has to work three times as hard to procure a job after graduation than does a graduate of one of the "Big Two" whose superiority is (often wrongly) assumed.
Again, all of this comes down to our priorities as a society and (more specifically) as a State. The big lie being told by Democrats is that "tuition deregulation" is the sole cause for rising tuition rates. That's not entirely true. The same market forces that exist now would still exist if tuition was regulated. They would still exist if energy was regulated. Rising fuel costs and a weak dollar are making everything more expensive. In order to maintain current service levels a tax increase is going to be needed. If you re-regulate (and then drop) tuition rates the short-fall is going to have to be made up by State funding. These are economic realities that have to be addressed. That they are missing from the debate signals that our elected officals in Austin aren't ready to enact re-regulation in full, but that one party is using it as their battle cry to try to get back in power.
As bad as tuition deregulation has turned out to be, re-regulating the tuition and not increasing State funding will be the education disaster of our time.
(from Jeannie Kever of the Chron)
University of Houston leaders had barely finished voting on their latest tuition increase at a recent meeting when they heard from one unhappy Cougar.
"Insensitive," state Sen. John Whitmire fumed. "I am terribly disappointed in my alma mater."
And so began the latest uproar over the increasing cost of a college education in Texas, a topic gaining traction as an issue for upcoming state political campaigns and the next legislative session.
Tuition at Texas universities rose 58 percent between 2003, when schools were first allowed to set their own rates, and 2007. Student fees have gone up, too.
Of course, government is coming to save the day:
Legislators are tired of taking the blame for the escalating price of a college education, and some — mainly Democrats — say they want to resume setting tuition themselves. University leaders argue that the additional money is crucial for attracting and retaining top faculty.
Well, not ALL of Government:
Gov. Rick Perry, for the record, continues to support deregulation and thinks Texas universities "are still a bargain," spokeswoman Allison Castle said. "The market is setting (tuition), instead of an artificial cap from the state Legislature."
Normally I'd be on the side of decreasing regulation. Typically the government doesn't regulate industry well, it creates too much beuracratic red tape, and it stifles, rather than promotes, growth in an industry.
An industry that's fairly competative that is.
The problem with de-regulating higher education is that there's not a large amount of competition, there's an extremely high barrier to entry, and there's not a good alternative in most cases. I feel the same way about energy deregulation as well but that's a different post.
The higher education industry is already heavily subsidized by taxpayers, and raise in tuition amounts to an additional tax on college students that the remainder of the populace doesn't pay. This is OK if you don't feel that higher education should be a publically funded enterprise, its unacceptable if its a priority to you.
To my way of thinking education, ALL education, is a matter of public importance. Without a well educated workforce in the pipeline there's not going to be a ready pool of educated applicants ready to step in and fill the void when the current generation retires. That's why we agree, as a society, to fund the public education system. With no kids I happily pay my share of school taxes because I see a social benefit. I see the same benefit in fully funding secondary education.
What I don't see a benefit in is allowing Universities with little to know competition and no fear of losing market share elevating prices to a level that the poor and middle class are shunned with only Community Colleges and Open Admission institutions as the fall back. And I say this as a product of a Community College (Formerly North Harris/Montgomery County Community College *Lone Star College*) and an open admission university (University of Houston-Downtown). I say this because I see the barbs that are thrown to students who attend these Universities from other, Land-Grant University grads such as aTm and UT-Austin. In Texas especially, an open-admission grad has to work three times as hard to procure a job after graduation than does a graduate of one of the "Big Two" whose superiority is (often wrongly) assumed.
Again, all of this comes down to our priorities as a society and (more specifically) as a State. The big lie being told by Democrats is that "tuition deregulation" is the sole cause for rising tuition rates. That's not entirely true. The same market forces that exist now would still exist if tuition was regulated. They would still exist if energy was regulated. Rising fuel costs and a weak dollar are making everything more expensive. In order to maintain current service levels a tax increase is going to be needed. If you re-regulate (and then drop) tuition rates the short-fall is going to have to be made up by State funding. These are economic realities that have to be addressed. That they are missing from the debate signals that our elected officals in Austin aren't ready to enact re-regulation in full, but that one party is using it as their battle cry to try to get back in power.
As bad as tuition deregulation has turned out to be, re-regulating the tuition and not increasing State funding will be the education disaster of our time.
Who killed FM 1960?
Good write-up today by the Chron's Mike Snyder regarding the FM 1960's decline.
This continues a recent spate of navel gazing by local business leaders as to why the demograpics are changing.
The problem with such instrospective thought by "think tanks" is that they always recommend the exact same course of action: The Gov't needs to spend more money to prop up the mistakes of developers in the past. It's almost as if they are all working from the same playbook:
1. Look at an area that's not performing well.
2. Blame development and the suburban lifestyle.
3. Say the way to fix it is to spend Gov't money to make the area more 'urban'.
The problem with this thinking is that, 30-40 years from now, the kids of the same consultants are going to be back with a new playbook:
1. Look at an area that's not performing well.
2. Blame development and the urban beehive lifestyle.
3. Say the say to fix it is to spend Gov't money to make the area more 'suburban'.
What people have to remember is that terms such as "mixed use" and "dense urban centers" are fads. Right now they are popular but eventually they will be replaced with a yearning for something different. The 1920's-1040's saw the rise of the new urban model, with people living in high-rises and crammed into downtown apartments ran mainly by slumlords. As World War II ended and disposable income boomed, people demanded a new freedom and some space away from their neighbors. Add to this a demographic shift from rural to urban, and the suburban model was born. Now, in the new millenium, we're reverting back to what we view as an idyllic urban existence this time with "mixed use" being the buzz word as boutique retail, restaurants and nightclubs are sharing space with residential homes. Out in the suburbs there is an explosion of apartments operated by slumlords.
Just as the inner city deteriorated for a time after suburbia rose in influence, so will suburbia face a little tougher road as the urban lifestyle becomes chic. Eventually, the suburbs will come back into favor again.
Unless, of course, Billions of dollars of taxpayer funds are spent in a vain attempt to turn the suburbs into a cheap replica of the Urban core.
This continues a recent spate of navel gazing by local business leaders as to why the demograpics are changing.
The problems affecting Houston's aging suburban communities drew the attention of a panel of national experts from the Urban Land Institute, a nonprofit real estate organization, who studied the Houston region's unique growth patterns earlier this year.
In a report being presented today, the experts call on local leaders to use transportation funds to guide growth into compact, interconnected urban centers, rather than isolated subdivisions sprawling across the region's dwindling open spaces.
The problem with such instrospective thought by "think tanks" is that they always recommend the exact same course of action: The Gov't needs to spend more money to prop up the mistakes of developers in the past. It's almost as if they are all working from the same playbook:
1. Look at an area that's not performing well.
2. Blame development and the suburban lifestyle.
3. Say the way to fix it is to spend Gov't money to make the area more 'urban'.
The problem with this thinking is that, 30-40 years from now, the kids of the same consultants are going to be back with a new playbook:
1. Look at an area that's not performing well.
2. Blame development and the urban beehive lifestyle.
3. Say the say to fix it is to spend Gov't money to make the area more 'suburban'.
What people have to remember is that terms such as "mixed use" and "dense urban centers" are fads. Right now they are popular but eventually they will be replaced with a yearning for something different. The 1920's-1040's saw the rise of the new urban model, with people living in high-rises and crammed into downtown apartments ran mainly by slumlords. As World War II ended and disposable income boomed, people demanded a new freedom and some space away from their neighbors. Add to this a demographic shift from rural to urban, and the suburban model was born. Now, in the new millenium, we're reverting back to what we view as an idyllic urban existence this time with "mixed use" being the buzz word as boutique retail, restaurants and nightclubs are sharing space with residential homes. Out in the suburbs there is an explosion of apartments operated by slumlords.
Just as the inner city deteriorated for a time after suburbia rose in influence, so will suburbia face a little tougher road as the urban lifestyle becomes chic. Eventually, the suburbs will come back into favor again.
Unless, of course, Billions of dollars of taxpayer funds are spent in a vain attempt to turn the suburbs into a cheap replica of the Urban core.
Oh come on...
Eric Berger and Kevin Krause of the Dallas Morning News report todays bit of reactionary stupidity:
Note to Councilman Price: Spend a little time watching Discovery Channel and you might learn something.
Either that or take a high school science class.
From Eric:
"It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain
A special meeting about Dallas County traffic tickets turned tense and bizarre this afternoon.
County commissioners were discussing problems with the central collections office that is used to process traffic ticket payments and handle other paperwork normally done by the JP Courts.
Commissioner Kenneth Mayfield, who is white, said it seemed that central collections "has become a black hole" because paperwork reportedly has become lost in the office.
Commissioner John Wiley Price, who is black, interrupted him with a loud "Excuse me!" He then corrected his colleague, saying the office has become a "white hole."
That prompted Judge Thomas Jones, who is black, to demand an apology from Mayfield for his racially insensitive analogy.
Mayfield shot back that it was a figure of speech and a science term. A black hole, according to Webster's, is perhaps "the invisible remains of a collapsed star, with an intense gravitational field from which neither light nor matter can escape."
Note to Councilman Price: Spend a little time watching Discovery Channel and you might learn something.
Either that or take a high school science class.
From Eric:
Judge Jones should be very glad that the central collections office has not become a white hole, a theoretical object that ejects matter from beyond its event horizon, rather than sucking it in. It wouldn't be fun for Dallas to find itself so near a quasar.
"It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt." - Mark Twain
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
All aTwitter
It's typically the not-so-obvious issues that rile up the local blogosphere...
(I'm channelling other local bloggers here with all of the blockquoting but bear with me....)
(from John Culberson's blog via BlogHouston)
Scarey stuff, if true. There's an alternate take on Congress' action however...
(from Mike Masnick of TechDirt)
If you read the two blog postings (and you should) then you see that the main point of contention is this letter from Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass). In the letter Rep. Capuano discusses possible solutions to the problem of posting video etc. on outside channels:
Of the four "solutions" proposed by Rep. Capuano, its the fourth that should give bloggers on both sides of the aisle a moments pause. The concept that the Government should be in the business of keeping a "good" list of sites on which content can be released is as onerous (and the first step down the path to) Congress keeping a list of blacklisted sites due to differing political ideologies. In other words the solution to the problem might be more onerous than the problem itself, the prohibition of posting information on ALL outside sites regardless of need.
Here's where I'm going to diverge from my fellow bloggers on BOTH sides of the aisle, while agreeing partially with them at the same time.
1. Culberson is wrong. The Democratic House leadership is NOT trying to restrict his access to constituents via his twitter page. Neither is Capuano.
2. Culberson is correct. If Rep. Capuano's suggestions are all implemented and passed into the rules The full legislature, then the creation of "accepted sites" could be used to blacklist the party out of favor's grassroots activists from having official information or communications appear on their sites.
3. Democrats are correct. Rep. Capuano's letter is not an attempt to restrict communication, but proposals to fix the currently flawed system that people are currently ignoring.
4. Democrats are wrong. Because Rep. Capuano's suggested fixes aren't good fixes, and they're not a magic bullet that's going to resolve the issue.
The solution? Go back to the drawing board and rewrite the rules. Keep the stuff about identifying third party sites and remove the restrictive language that could lead to certain sites that aren't "approved" (read: agreed to play ball with the party in power) being blacklisted and you can have what everyone seems to be desirous of: A new way to foster open and honest (for politicians) communication between constituents and their elected political representatives.
OTHER EYES: (and a scorecard of who's siding with whom)
BlogHouston - Culberson
TechDirt - Capuano
Mashable - Culberson
Off The Kuff - Capuano
Gregsopinion - Capuano (More accurately: whatever side that BlogHouston is NOT on.)
(I'm channelling other local bloggers here with all of the blockquoting but bear with me....)
(from John Culberson's blog via BlogHouston)
Millions of Americans today utilize free, unregulated and uncensored websites like YouTube on a daily basis to not only obtain information from their elected leaders about what’s going on in their government, but to also give feedback and easily share that information with others. The advent of new media technology has empowered American citizens with real-time information about the policy debates and actions being undertaken by Congress. This has increasingly forced Congress to become more transparent and made it easier for American citizens to hold their elected leaders accountable.
Scarey stuff, if true. There's an alternate take on Congress' action however...
(from Mike Masnick of TechDirt)
The actual issue is one that we discussed a few months back. Existing House rules actually forbid members of Congress from posting "official communications" on other sites. This was first noticed by a first-term Congressman who was worried that posting videos on YouTube violated this rule. Other Congressional Reps told him to not worry about it as everyone ignored that rule, and no one would get in trouble for using various social media sites such as YouTube. However, that Congressman pushed forward, and eventually got Congress to act. Of course, rather than fixing the real problem (preventing Reps from posting on social media sites), they simply asked YouTube to allow Reps to post videos in a "non-commercial manner." YouTube agreed, and that was that.
If you read the two blog postings (and you should) then you see that the main point of contention is this letter from Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass). In the letter Rep. Capuano discusses possible solutions to the problem of posting video etc. on outside channels:
Of the four "solutions" proposed by Rep. Capuano, its the fourth that should give bloggers on both sides of the aisle a moments pause. The concept that the Government should be in the business of keeping a "good" list of sites on which content can be released is as onerous (and the first step down the path to) Congress keeping a list of blacklisted sites due to differing political ideologies. In other words the solution to the problem might be more onerous than the problem itself, the prohibition of posting information on ALL outside sites regardless of need.
Here's where I'm going to diverge from my fellow bloggers on BOTH sides of the aisle, while agreeing partially with them at the same time.
1. Culberson is wrong. The Democratic House leadership is NOT trying to restrict his access to constituents via his twitter page. Neither is Capuano.
2. Culberson is correct. If Rep. Capuano's suggestions are all implemented and passed into the rules The full legislature, then the creation of "accepted sites" could be used to blacklist the party out of favor's grassroots activists from having official information or communications appear on their sites.
3. Democrats are correct. Rep. Capuano's letter is not an attempt to restrict communication, but proposals to fix the currently flawed system that people are currently ignoring.
4. Democrats are wrong. Because Rep. Capuano's suggested fixes aren't good fixes, and they're not a magic bullet that's going to resolve the issue.
The solution? Go back to the drawing board and rewrite the rules. Keep the stuff about identifying third party sites and remove the restrictive language that could lead to certain sites that aren't "approved" (read: agreed to play ball with the party in power) being blacklisted and you can have what everyone seems to be desirous of: A new way to foster open and honest (for politicians) communication between constituents and their elected political representatives.
OTHER EYES: (and a scorecard of who's siding with whom)
BlogHouston - Culberson
TechDirt - Capuano
Mashable - Culberson
Off The Kuff - Capuano
Gregsopinion - Capuano (More accurately: whatever side that BlogHouston is NOT on.)
Full Disclosure on Airline fees...
Should the U.S. follow the E.U.'s lead?
(from Bloomberg News via the Chron)
If for nothing else, I'd like to the America adopt these so that we cold see American cities squirm over the hidden arrival/departure taxes that so many City airports have in place to fund stadiums and other trinkets.
The thing I'd change is that I would require that taxes are listed separately on the bill so customer's can see what a bite the Government is really taking. What the EU is trying to do is something akin to gas pricing in the US, where taxes are lumped in and the selling company takes a beating for a 25% Government take.
Yeah, we don't want that.
(from Bloomberg News via the Chron)
The European Union agreed to make airlines include taxes and fees in advertised fares to prevent hidden costs for travelers, expanding a passenger-rights campaign.
The European Parliament approved a law requiring airlines such as Air France-KLM Group, Europe's biggest carrier, and Ryanair Holdings Plc, the region's largest low-cost operator, to include "all applicable taxes, and charges, surcharges and fees which are unavoidable and foreseeable at the time of publication" in ticket ads.
If for nothing else, I'd like to the America adopt these so that we cold see American cities squirm over the hidden arrival/departure taxes that so many City airports have in place to fund stadiums and other trinkets.
The thing I'd change is that I would require that taxes are listed separately on the bill so customer's can see what a bite the Government is really taking. What the EU is trying to do is something akin to gas pricing in the US, where taxes are lumped in and the selling company takes a beating for a 25% Government take.
Yeah, we don't want that.
Houston Jeopardy! 07/09/08
Answer: Defense Attorney Matt Alford's annual salary...
(from James Pinkerton of the Chron)
Please phrase your answer in the form of a question.
Visual Aid: Average Salaries of attorneys in the United States.
(from James Pinkerton of the Chron)
Defense attorneys grilled the agent who headed an immigration raid of a Houston rag exporting business, challenging the bias and quality of information provided by undocumented plant workers, including three who earned more than $13,200 as informants.
''Wow," remarked attorney Matt Alford , who represents ex-employee Cirila Barron. ''I might get out of the law business and get into the informant business."
Please phrase your answer in the form of a question.
Visual Aid: Average Salaries of attorneys in the United States.
An Open Letter to Drayton McLane
Uncle Drayton,
It's time to cut the cord, jettison the talk of "We're in this to contend for a championship" and face facts that this team is going nowhere. As I write this the Astros are stumbling along at 41-50, nine games under .500 and are languishing in the cellar of the National League's Central Division. This puts them in last place, 13 1/2 games behind the first place Cubs. (Holy Cow!) They're 10 games behind the Wild Card leading St. Louis Cardinals, behind eight teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates.
2005 seems like a long time ago and 2006-2007 are looking more like the norm rather than the exception. The bottom line is that this team just isn't very good, the prospects for the future are grim, and a major shake-up is overdue. In short: Let General Manager Ed Wade put his phone back on the hook and field some trade offers for your most valuable commodities.
I'll make it easy for you: Entertain trade offers for Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.
I know that you are thinking that some of us want Carlos Lee to go as well, but the reality (and a stupid contract) dictates that the market for an overweight slugger with zero defensive skills and no hustle is way below that the Astros are paying El Burro. You're stuck with Lee, that's just the way things go. Oswalt and Berkman however are burros of a different color. Oswalt is a dominating pitcher that's starting to show some chips in the armour, but is still a very marketable commodity and should command a haul of top prospects in return for his service. Berkman is a slugger at his prime who could help any team get over the hump in the playoffs. Both are proven commodities in the post season, and both could go a long way to restocking your anemic farm system.
Of course, there's the little matter of no trade clauses but, as we've seen in the past, those can be overcome with the right words, the right teams and, more importantly, the right amount of money dangled in front of the players eyes like a carrot on a stick. Good players like Roy and Lance want to play for championships. You've snowed them long enough into believing that the Astros are making serious runs at them, its time to cut the cord.
Will the fans miss Oswalt and Puma? You bet. Both are solid community guys and (especially Lance) have deep ties to the community. So did Nolan Ryan, life went on. Could they go on to succeed with other teams? Most probably, and I hope so. Astros fans want Lance and Roy to do well, and that won't change if they are traded. If both of them get World Series rings out of this deal and the Astros start the rebuilding process then this would be a win/win situation.
That being said, I can understand if you have some reluctance to trade Lance. After all, a team has to build around something right? If that's holding you back then dangle Hunter Pence and Jose Valverde in front of other team's noses and see what the offers are. Sure, it won't be the quality that Lance would bring, but if you could somehow deal both players it could come close to justifying keeping the slugger on the roster.
It's time to blow this team up. To start over and rebuild with a youth movement and future championships in mind. It's time to come out from under the malaise that the team has been stuck in lately and get the fans focusing more on the baseball, and less on your outrageous concession prices. Speaking of the latter: It wouldn't hurt to lower those, and ticket prices, just slightly until the team is competitive again. Not by a lot mind you, we don't want to damage your profitability, but enough to let the fans understand that you realize rebuilding is a tough, necessary road. I've got a feeling Houston is now enough of a baseball town that a majority of fans will welcome the change.
A change that's long overdue, that should have been started last year. Not starting it is handcuffing your manager and stretching the credibility of your PR department at the Chron to the breaking point.
Give everyone a break and own up to reality. Break up this team.
Now.
Sincerely,
A Houston Astros Fan.
It's time to cut the cord, jettison the talk of "We're in this to contend for a championship" and face facts that this team is going nowhere. As I write this the Astros are stumbling along at 41-50, nine games under .500 and are languishing in the cellar of the National League's Central Division. This puts them in last place, 13 1/2 games behind the first place Cubs. (Holy Cow!) They're 10 games behind the Wild Card leading St. Louis Cardinals, behind eight teams, including the Pittsburgh Pirates.
2005 seems like a long time ago and 2006-2007 are looking more like the norm rather than the exception. The bottom line is that this team just isn't very good, the prospects for the future are grim, and a major shake-up is overdue. In short: Let General Manager Ed Wade put his phone back on the hook and field some trade offers for your most valuable commodities.
I'll make it easy for you: Entertain trade offers for Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.
I know that you are thinking that some of us want Carlos Lee to go as well, but the reality (and a stupid contract) dictates that the market for an overweight slugger with zero defensive skills and no hustle is way below that the Astros are paying El Burro. You're stuck with Lee, that's just the way things go. Oswalt and Berkman however are burros of a different color. Oswalt is a dominating pitcher that's starting to show some chips in the armour, but is still a very marketable commodity and should command a haul of top prospects in return for his service. Berkman is a slugger at his prime who could help any team get over the hump in the playoffs. Both are proven commodities in the post season, and both could go a long way to restocking your anemic farm system.
Of course, there's the little matter of no trade clauses but, as we've seen in the past, those can be overcome with the right words, the right teams and, more importantly, the right amount of money dangled in front of the players eyes like a carrot on a stick. Good players like Roy and Lance want to play for championships. You've snowed them long enough into believing that the Astros are making serious runs at them, its time to cut the cord.
Will the fans miss Oswalt and Puma? You bet. Both are solid community guys and (especially Lance) have deep ties to the community. So did Nolan Ryan, life went on. Could they go on to succeed with other teams? Most probably, and I hope so. Astros fans want Lance and Roy to do well, and that won't change if they are traded. If both of them get World Series rings out of this deal and the Astros start the rebuilding process then this would be a win/win situation.
That being said, I can understand if you have some reluctance to trade Lance. After all, a team has to build around something right? If that's holding you back then dangle Hunter Pence and Jose Valverde in front of other team's noses and see what the offers are. Sure, it won't be the quality that Lance would bring, but if you could somehow deal both players it could come close to justifying keeping the slugger on the roster.
It's time to blow this team up. To start over and rebuild with a youth movement and future championships in mind. It's time to come out from under the malaise that the team has been stuck in lately and get the fans focusing more on the baseball, and less on your outrageous concession prices. Speaking of the latter: It wouldn't hurt to lower those, and ticket prices, just slightly until the team is competitive again. Not by a lot mind you, we don't want to damage your profitability, but enough to let the fans understand that you realize rebuilding is a tough, necessary road. I've got a feeling Houston is now enough of a baseball town that a majority of fans will welcome the change.
A change that's long overdue, that should have been started last year. Not starting it is handcuffing your manager and stretching the credibility of your PR department at the Chron to the breaking point.
Give everyone a break and own up to reality. Break up this team.
Now.
Sincerely,
A Houston Astros Fan.
Timing is everything
On the heels of an unflattering report by the Chron regarding State Dist. 15 Senator John Whitmire's penchant for spending campaign cash for sports tickets comes this well timed piece of political cover from the Chron Austin bureau.
(from Lisa Sandberg of the Chron)
That's a helluva coincidence is it not?
Personally I thought it was nice of the Chron Austin bureau to perform such a solid for Whitmire. Maybe he'll give them some tickets.
(from Lisa Sandberg of the Chron)
Sen. John Whitmire, the Houston Democrat who's become one of the state's most powerful voices in criminal justice matters, was stopped at a red light in Bastrop this afternoon when he was hit from behind by a 16-year-old driver he said turned out to be uninsured and unlicensed.
Everyone survived. But the collision left the girl in hysterics, Whitmire nursing a bad headache, neck and back pain, and bemoaning the rear end of his car, which he described as all banged up.
Within seconds of the crash, a good Samaritan approached, but unlike the Biblical version, this one was covered in tatoos. Knowing something about crime and punishment (he heads the Senate Criminal Justice Committee) Whitmire had a good hunch where he must have gotten the body art: Prison.
(snip)
He left the cops to deal with the girl. But he had something special _ unflattering publicity notwithstanding _ for his new parolee friend. A promise of baseball tickets.
(snip)
Whitmire said the story, by our very own Gary Scharrer, left him "more in touch" with his district than ever. He said he's gotten scores of calls today from all sorts of people looking for free tickets.
The parolee gets first dibs.
That's a helluva coincidence is it not?
Personally I thought it was nice of the Chron Austin bureau to perform such a solid for Whitmire. Maybe he'll give them some tickets.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The (New) Houston Political Dictionary (Revised) J-L
J
Jab 1. A simple but effective punch in boxing, the left of which carried Larry Holmes to the Heavyweight title. 2. (Verbal) What passes for eloguent, witty, insightful banter on most blogs and the Chron editorial pages.
Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 1. Perpetual winner of the "most photogenic" award in Congress. 2. #2 in the voting for "Least likely to win boss of the year" award. (see: Sekula Gibbs, Dr. Shelly) 3. The first human to attempt to wed a news camera.
Technically Ms. Jackson-Lee is the Representative for the 18th Congressional district in Texas. Unofficially she has morphed into the butt of many jokes due to her dodgy legislative agendas, as well as her affinity for camera face time, ANY camera face time. To date, there has been no verification to the rumors that Britt Hume donates a portion of his salary to her re-election campaign.
Jail, Harris County - (Republican) A just and deserving abode for those who broke the law. (Democrat) The stinking, festering, crumbling epitome of Republican rule.
It's not that jails are supposed to be nice, far from it (It is jail after all), but if Dostoyevsky was correct when he opined that you can tell a lot about a society when you enter its prisons, then Harris County has some 'splaining to do.
Javelina - Yeah, I don't know either, but Texas A&M - Kingsville sure likes it.
Jean, Blue - (Formerly) The sign of American 50's cool. (Currently) The biggest joke haute coture ever pulled on American consumers.
Jester, Court - Dan Patrick
Jesus - The ACLU's equivilent to "Gentlemen, start your engines".
Joke - A lost art in American oral communication.
There was a time in America that "telling a joke" was revered as a talent and something politicians and public officals worked to perfect. In today's, post humorous, society joke tellers are most often mocked or held up as insensitive fools by a society that's lost the ability to laugh at itself.
Justice, Richard - 1. The Chron's lead sports columnist 2. 1560 the game morning radio host (subject to change) 3. Thin skinned blogger.
It's not that Justice is a bad writer. (he's can actually be very good) The problem is that Justice doesn't work and play well with fans, and he long-ago crossed the line between witty sarcasm, and annoying snark. Fans don't know whether or not Justice is being serious or not when he writes, and to be honest it doesn't appear that he does either.
K
KKK - (Formerly) An odius white supremist group whose poltics and criminal tendencies led to their ultimate downfall. (Currently) Baseless slam used to stifle all debate on an issue with racial overtones as in: "Why don't we just return to the days of the KKK?" (See: X, Quannel for more)
Kalifornia - Favorite term for California by Texas Republicans desiring to be "witty".
Keg - Just the right amount of beer to have on hand when discussing Houston City Politics.
Kelley, Lloyd - Winner of the 2008 Harris County Democratic Party "Most Valuable Player" award.
It was the lawsuit filed by Mr. Kelley on behalf of the Ibarra brothers that exposed not only the deleted e-mails on (now former) D.A. Rosenthal's computer, but also led directly to KTRK-13's investigation into deleted e-mails on Harris County Sherriff Tommy Thomas' computer. Not a bad year Mr. Kelley, not bad at all.
King, Bill - The obligatory sacrifical lamb Republican expected to be on the ballot in Houston's ostensibly non-partisan 2010 Mayoral election. (See: Sanchez, Orlando)
Kos, Daily - The triumph of ego over intellectualism.
Kuff, Off the - Texas Monthly magazine's favorite blog and the best place in Houston to go for a "how to" on blockquoting.
L
Ladybird - Where all discussions of conservation should start.
Lanier, Bob - The seminal figure in the current Houston political landscape.
It could be said that all political power in Houston still springs from Bob Lanier. Although some would dispute that, it's still very scarce the politician who dares butt heads with Lanier and his downtown development gang.
Largesse, Public - The largest bribery slush fund in the known World.
It has been said that a Democracy is doomed when the populace discovers they can vote themselves whatever they wish from the public largesse. If this is the case then politicians will be the instruments of our destruction as candidacies have devolved from policy debates to a grab bag of give-aways, tax-benefits, and increased entitlements to the target demographic. The price per vote changes but is currently set at around $600 per legislative action.
Laughter - Sound heard from political pundits when Chris Bell announces a candidacy.
Leaves - The most valuable currency in the world.
While not possessing any real value the amount of leverage possessed by a single leaf is legion. Not only has the preservation of leaves (and the trees on which they grow) submarined developments and highway expansion but they also are used as a symbol for undermining the entire human system of power generation.
Levitation - The only miracle not attributed to Mayor White by Mrs. White and the Chronicle.(yet)
Lie - (Political) The ability to tell a good one is candidate quality #1. (Resume) A must have if you are going to rise to power within the Houston political establishment. (See: Alvarado, Carol for more)
Lieutenant Governor - The most powerful elected position in Texas State Government.
While many believe that the Texas Governor holds the key to the State the reality is that the State Constitution severely limits that office's power. The True power lies with the Lt. Governor (or Lite Gov) as the titular head of the State Senate and the holder to the keys of Legislation. Despite the populace's ignorance of this some of the greatest political figures in State history still were elected to this office.
Light Beer - Insanity in the form of alcoholic beverage.
Lose an Eye - Not Texas Monthly's favorite blog and a good place to go for a primer on worthless opinoin.
LULAC - The Hispanic-American activist's "Me too" organization. (See: NAACP for more)
Luling - The closest geograpical point to Houston with really good Barbecue.
Jab 1. A simple but effective punch in boxing, the left of which carried Larry Holmes to the Heavyweight title. 2. (Verbal) What passes for eloguent, witty, insightful banter on most blogs and the Chron editorial pages.
Jackson-Lee, Sheila - 1. Perpetual winner of the "most photogenic" award in Congress. 2. #2 in the voting for "Least likely to win boss of the year" award. (see: Sekula Gibbs, Dr. Shelly) 3. The first human to attempt to wed a news camera.
Technically Ms. Jackson-Lee is the Representative for the 18th Congressional district in Texas. Unofficially she has morphed into the butt of many jokes due to her dodgy legislative agendas, as well as her affinity for camera face time, ANY camera face time. To date, there has been no verification to the rumors that Britt Hume donates a portion of his salary to her re-election campaign.
Jail, Harris County - (Republican) A just and deserving abode for those who broke the law. (Democrat) The stinking, festering, crumbling epitome of Republican rule.
It's not that jails are supposed to be nice, far from it (It is jail after all), but if Dostoyevsky was correct when he opined that you can tell a lot about a society when you enter its prisons, then Harris County has some 'splaining to do.
Javelina - Yeah, I don't know either, but Texas A&M - Kingsville sure likes it.
Jean, Blue - (Formerly) The sign of American 50's cool. (Currently) The biggest joke haute coture ever pulled on American consumers.
Jester, Court - Dan Patrick
Jesus - The ACLU's equivilent to "Gentlemen, start your engines".
Joke - A lost art in American oral communication.
There was a time in America that "telling a joke" was revered as a talent and something politicians and public officals worked to perfect. In today's, post humorous, society joke tellers are most often mocked or held up as insensitive fools by a society that's lost the ability to laugh at itself.
Justice, Richard - 1. The Chron's lead sports columnist 2. 1560 the game morning radio host (subject to change) 3. Thin skinned blogger.
It's not that Justice is a bad writer. (he's can actually be very good) The problem is that Justice doesn't work and play well with fans, and he long-ago crossed the line between witty sarcasm, and annoying snark. Fans don't know whether or not Justice is being serious or not when he writes, and to be honest it doesn't appear that he does either.
K
KKK - (Formerly) An odius white supremist group whose poltics and criminal tendencies led to their ultimate downfall. (Currently) Baseless slam used to stifle all debate on an issue with racial overtones as in: "Why don't we just return to the days of the KKK?" (See: X, Quannel for more)
Kalifornia - Favorite term for California by Texas Republicans desiring to be "witty".
Keg - Just the right amount of beer to have on hand when discussing Houston City Politics.
Kelley, Lloyd - Winner of the 2008 Harris County Democratic Party "Most Valuable Player" award.
It was the lawsuit filed by Mr. Kelley on behalf of the Ibarra brothers that exposed not only the deleted e-mails on (now former) D.A. Rosenthal's computer, but also led directly to KTRK-13's investigation into deleted e-mails on Harris County Sherriff Tommy Thomas' computer. Not a bad year Mr. Kelley, not bad at all.
King, Bill - The obligatory sacrifical lamb Republican expected to be on the ballot in Houston's ostensibly non-partisan 2010 Mayoral election. (See: Sanchez, Orlando)
Kos, Daily - The triumph of ego over intellectualism.
Kuff, Off the - Texas Monthly magazine's favorite blog and the best place in Houston to go for a "how to" on blockquoting.
L
Ladybird - Where all discussions of conservation should start.
Lanier, Bob - The seminal figure in the current Houston political landscape.
It could be said that all political power in Houston still springs from Bob Lanier. Although some would dispute that, it's still very scarce the politician who dares butt heads with Lanier and his downtown development gang.
Largesse, Public - The largest bribery slush fund in the known World.
It has been said that a Democracy is doomed when the populace discovers they can vote themselves whatever they wish from the public largesse. If this is the case then politicians will be the instruments of our destruction as candidacies have devolved from policy debates to a grab bag of give-aways, tax-benefits, and increased entitlements to the target demographic. The price per vote changes but is currently set at around $600 per legislative action.
Laughter - Sound heard from political pundits when Chris Bell announces a candidacy.
Leaves - The most valuable currency in the world.
While not possessing any real value the amount of leverage possessed by a single leaf is legion. Not only has the preservation of leaves (and the trees on which they grow) submarined developments and highway expansion but they also are used as a symbol for undermining the entire human system of power generation.
Levitation - The only miracle not attributed to Mayor White by Mrs. White and the Chronicle.(yet)
Lie - (Political) The ability to tell a good one is candidate quality #1. (Resume) A must have if you are going to rise to power within the Houston political establishment. (See: Alvarado, Carol for more)
Lieutenant Governor - The most powerful elected position in Texas State Government.
While many believe that the Texas Governor holds the key to the State the reality is that the State Constitution severely limits that office's power. The True power lies with the Lt. Governor (or Lite Gov) as the titular head of the State Senate and the holder to the keys of Legislation. Despite the populace's ignorance of this some of the greatest political figures in State history still were elected to this office.
Light Beer - Insanity in the form of alcoholic beverage.
Lose an Eye - Not Texas Monthly's favorite blog and a good place to go for a primer on worthless opinoin.
LULAC - The Hispanic-American activist's "Me too" organization. (See: NAACP for more)
Luling - The closest geograpical point to Houston with really good Barbecue.
Le Tour
Does America have any interest in Le Tour de France? That's a question whose answer two American Teams are hoping is a resounding yes. While there's always going to be a hard core, devoted fan base in the States that group has been historically small. Even 7-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong wasn't enough to convince people that cycling was a worthy diversion outside of infrequent updates on his progress. In short, its a tough road.
Unfortunately for cycling, the road was made a lot tougher by the Floyd Landis scandal (hint: he's innocent) and the flurry of doping scandals that plagued the 2007 Tour.
In response to this the American teams are taking a new tack: Independent testing by the Agency for Cycling Ethics above and beyond the testing required by the International Cycling Union and Tour de France protocols. Amazingly enough, the sport that had maybe the worst reputation worldwide during the so-called "steroid era" of professional sports could end up showing the World the way out. In order to regain the public's trust, the athletes (not the federations) have to band together and say "enough".
The cyclists that sign contracts with the American teams do so with the understanding that they will be the most tested cyclists on the Planet. There are no grievances by the union or contract hold-outs requesting a change, the competitors willingly sign on to have their blood drawn, their urine sampled in order to know that they, and the person riding next to them, are clean. In order for cycling to survive, this had to be done and it had to come from the athletes. The Federations don't know what they are doing and their testing cannot be trusted. (I TOLD you Floyd was innocent) Leaving the future of sport in the hands of bureaucrats and drug agencies is a recipe for disaster. The bureaucrats are only concerned about saving face, and testing agencies are only concerned about catching a certain "quota" of users. If they stop catching cheats, then they are no longer needed.
Hopefully you're willing to give cycling another chance. Start with the prime-time coverage on Versus and move forward from there. What you'll find is a fast-paced, dangerous, exciting sport that is accessible to even the most novice of viewers. As you grow in knowledge try and move up to the live broadcasts on the weekend. The world of domestiques and the maneuverings of the Peleton are a sight to behold.
You might even find that you want to go out and buy a bike after watching. You know, for fun and exercise. Which is what cycling was meant to be. (As opposed to a transportation solution after the world comes to an end)
Unfortunately for cycling, the road was made a lot tougher by the Floyd Landis scandal (hint: he's innocent) and the flurry of doping scandals that plagued the 2007 Tour.
In response to this the American teams are taking a new tack: Independent testing by the Agency for Cycling Ethics above and beyond the testing required by the International Cycling Union and Tour de France protocols. Amazingly enough, the sport that had maybe the worst reputation worldwide during the so-called "steroid era" of professional sports could end up showing the World the way out. In order to regain the public's trust, the athletes (not the federations) have to band together and say "enough".
The cyclists that sign contracts with the American teams do so with the understanding that they will be the most tested cyclists on the Planet. There are no grievances by the union or contract hold-outs requesting a change, the competitors willingly sign on to have their blood drawn, their urine sampled in order to know that they, and the person riding next to them, are clean. In order for cycling to survive, this had to be done and it had to come from the athletes. The Federations don't know what they are doing and their testing cannot be trusted. (I TOLD you Floyd was innocent) Leaving the future of sport in the hands of bureaucrats and drug agencies is a recipe for disaster. The bureaucrats are only concerned about saving face, and testing agencies are only concerned about catching a certain "quota" of users. If they stop catching cheats, then they are no longer needed.
Hopefully you're willing to give cycling another chance. Start with the prime-time coverage on Versus and move forward from there. What you'll find is a fast-paced, dangerous, exciting sport that is accessible to even the most novice of viewers. As you grow in knowledge try and move up to the live broadcasts on the weekend. The world of domestiques and the maneuverings of the Peleton are a sight to behold.
You might even find that you want to go out and buy a bike after watching. You know, for fun and exercise. Which is what cycling was meant to be. (As opposed to a transportation solution after the world comes to an end)
Political ethics lapses know no party
Despite what many on the InterLeft would have you to believe, playing fast and loose with campaign funds and taxpayer money is not the sole providence of the pachyderms....
(from Gary Scharrar of the Chron)
Whitmire later goes on to say: "I don't care what he thinks" referring to the California residency of the complainer. Good stuff.
My guess is that Whitmire is the largest of the "local" politicians named in the complaints, which includes 15 State Legislators and 10 State Judges, and probably the highest profile "name" on the list. Funny that none of thepartisan attack dogs citizen watchdogs in Texas thought to take a look at these and at least question them. Considering they've devoted paragraph-long screeds to expenditures of under $3,000 one would think that something over $160K would at least deserve a cursory review, right?
From another angle: What's really sad is that it takes an injured combat veteran from California to uncover irregularities (not ethical violations, there's a difference) the deserve further review. You'd think the ethics commission would have the ethics to do that themselves.
(from Gary Scharrar of the Chron)
A California disabled veteran who spends six days a week sifting through campaign finance reports has filed complaints against 10 Texas legislators and 15 judges with the Texas Ethics Commission, ranging from failing to identify campaign donors to using campaign money for personal use.
One of the complaints takes aim at state Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, for dipping into his massive campaign chest for $165,061 worth of Houston Astros, Texans and Rockets tickets — expenses the veteran says personally benefit the senator.
"Does every voter get a free ticket to the ballgame?" wonders Dave Palmer, who filed the complaint. "It's a wonder that the Astros don't ask him to call balls and strikes."
In his campaign finance report, Whitmire says the expense was necessary for "constituent entertainment."
Whitmire later goes on to say: "I don't care what he thinks" referring to the California residency of the complainer. Good stuff.
My guess is that Whitmire is the largest of the "local" politicians named in the complaints, which includes 15 State Legislators and 10 State Judges, and probably the highest profile "name" on the list. Funny that none of the
From another angle: What's really sad is that it takes an injured combat veteran from California to uncover irregularities (not ethical violations, there's a difference) the deserve further review. You'd think the ethics commission would have the ethics to do that themselves.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Who (or What) killed the Economy?
Aaron Task of Yahoo!'s "Tech Ticker" finance section points the way to Portfolio.com's "Who killed the economy?" bracket game.
(From Suzane McGee of Portfolio.com)
The game (and article) itself are a weak attempt at humor in a down market, a diversion, if you will, from therecession "slow down" in which the US economy finds itself mired. Harmless fun.
As is typically the case in these matters however, the comments from the proletariat are where the true nuggets of "wisdom" are found....
(from commenter "D" published without editing)
I don't know about you, but I'm starting my search by examining the sorry state of the public education system. That seems about right....
(From Suzane McGee of Portfolio.com)
It's a classic Wall Street “whodunit," complete with a collection of greedy investment bankers, slow-witted policymakers and numbskull Florida home buyers. But with so many suspects, how will Americans ever figure out who killed the once-vibrant and cheery U.S. economy?
The game (and article) itself are a weak attempt at humor in a down market, a diversion, if you will, from the
As is typically the case in these matters however, the comments from the proletariat are where the true nuggets of "wisdom" are found....
(from commenter "D" published without editing)
BLAME, I blame all the large corporations who send all there manufacturing overseas and failure to take care of the consumers by providing jobs here in the states. Then we can also look at the war, the president, oil prices, housing, There is to many factors to blame just one thing.
I don't know about you, but I'm starting my search by examining the sorry state of the public education system. That seems about right....
So, what's the problem again?
The Chron's Anthony Williams provides us with a snapshot of the Houston bicycle communities problems with Metro.
In short: Not enough bike racks
But wait, is this the same Peter Wang who penned this missive on his personal blog?
So, in 2-7 years Houston is going to see a complete collapse of its financial infrastructure and economic system according to Peter Wang. (Oh, and everyone is going to be in trouble but him, because he has a BIKE!!!)
And this guy's worried about bike racks on busses?
In short: Not enough bike racks
In April, 1,510 bus riders boarded after attaching their bicycles to racks, according to Metro. By June, that number increased to 3,624.
Bike racks, which hold up to two bicycles at a time, are installed on all Metro buses, save for the longer accordion-style models. Park & Ride commuters can put bikes in the luggage storage areas, and riders can bring their bikes onto MetroRail trains during nonpeak hours of the day.
Peter Wang said he's seen bikers turned away from buses that already had full bike racks, but he's yet to miss a bus himself for that reason.
"It hasn't happened yet, but I expect it soon," he said. "I'll just have to keep pedaling."
But wait, is this the same Peter Wang who penned this missive on his personal blog?
By 2010 - 2015 we're going to have dead cars on the roadways with no gas in them, gas lines at gas stations and people fighting over what's left, people having to ride bikes in the roadways without the benefit of bike-specific design... all of that.
So, in 2-7 years Houston is going to see a complete collapse of its financial infrastructure and economic system according to Peter Wang. (Oh, and everyone is going to be in trouble but him, because he has a BIKE!!!)
And this guy's worried about bike racks on busses?
TX Senate: 2 Items from the Chron Austin Bureau
1. Noriega didn't hit 7 figures for the quarter...
(from R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Whether this is a big deal or not depends on how much cash Cornyn raised during the same quarter.
2. Noriega ties Cornyn to Pilgrim donations....
(again from R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Here's one where Noriega's partisan leanings got the better of him, and prevented him from stealing an issue from Cornyn, without the "Pilgrim" baggage.
Will this ethanol issue be the straw that breaks the camel's back when it comes to the Demcoratic energy policy? I'm guessing yes, especially since its becoming more and more obvious that this reliance on the unwise practice of using food for fuel is costing Americans dearly. Noriega had a chance to score some real points here, segueying from energy policy to financial relief for the working class, but he didn't. What he did was follow his instinct and take a partisan shot where one wasn't needed.
Continued support of increased ethanol production displays a lack of understanding of the fundamentals of economics. That's something that I expect all elected officials to possess. A vote to sustain increased ethanol production is a vote for a special interest in and or itself. The corn farmers, many of which are large agricultural concerns that are gaining huge "windfall" profits due to the whims of Congress, are an incredibly well-funded special interest group are they not? Cutting ethanol production would ease the pressure on corn prices and serve as a counterbalance to spiralling costs due to the high price of oil. It wouldn't cancel it out, but maybe it would slow the process some. It sure wouldn't have the compounding effect that the rising price of corn has on consumer goods. That would be a vote for "Texas families", not a stance that's going to continue using foodstuffs to produce fuel.
Noriega is running out of time to prove he's more than just a "single issue" candidate and provide some real detail to his broad, sweeping statments about everything that's not Iraq related. Eventually, Cornyn's war chest is going to be opened.
This could be one of those votes where all but the most partisan 30% of the State hold their nose when they select an option.
(from R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Almost half the $930,457 raised this quarter by Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega came from online fund-raising efforts, his campaign announced today.
Whether this is a big deal or not depends on how much cash Cornyn raised during the same quarter.
2. Noriega ties Cornyn to Pilgrim donations....
(again from R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Rick Noriega criticized Republican incumbent John Cornyn today for supporting a waiver from the nation's renewable fuel standards that is being sought by Gov. Rick Perry.
(snip)
Noriega today said he favors maintaining the renewable energy standards and said Cornyn is motivated by special interest money from Pilgrim.Renewables should be part of any comprehensive energy policy that will bring meaningful change for Texas families, said Rep. Rick Noriega today. But after receiving thousands in contributions from the Pilgrim family, Sen. John Cornyn supported a waiver led by Gov. Rick Perry to a federal ethanol mandate - a mandate that the Pilgrim's Pride corp., the nation's largest chicken producer, opposes.
"We need a senator that's going to work for Texas, and not the special interests," said Rep. Rick Noriega. "There is a pattern here of Cornyn's votes matching up with what works for a few Washington special interests, and not for Texas families."
Here's one where Noriega's partisan leanings got the better of him, and prevented him from stealing an issue from Cornyn, without the "Pilgrim" baggage.
Will this ethanol issue be the straw that breaks the camel's back when it comes to the Demcoratic energy policy? I'm guessing yes, especially since its becoming more and more obvious that this reliance on the unwise practice of using food for fuel is costing Americans dearly. Noriega had a chance to score some real points here, segueying from energy policy to financial relief for the working class, but he didn't. What he did was follow his instinct and take a partisan shot where one wasn't needed.
Continued support of increased ethanol production displays a lack of understanding of the fundamentals of economics. That's something that I expect all elected officials to possess. A vote to sustain increased ethanol production is a vote for a special interest in and or itself. The corn farmers, many of which are large agricultural concerns that are gaining huge "windfall" profits due to the whims of Congress, are an incredibly well-funded special interest group are they not? Cutting ethanol production would ease the pressure on corn prices and serve as a counterbalance to spiralling costs due to the high price of oil. It wouldn't cancel it out, but maybe it would slow the process some. It sure wouldn't have the compounding effect that the rising price of corn has on consumer goods. That would be a vote for "Texas families", not a stance that's going to continue using foodstuffs to produce fuel.
Noriega is running out of time to prove he's more than just a "single issue" candidate and provide some real detail to his broad, sweeping statments about everything that's not Iraq related. Eventually, Cornyn's war chest is going to be opened.
This could be one of those votes where all but the most partisan 30% of the State hold their nose when they select an option.
Residents living near the airport....
are not pleased with new regulations that they will have to comply to because they live near an airport...
(from Joshua Melvion of the Humble Observer)
Unfortunately for the residents who live close to the airports, what citizens are increasingly becoming aware of in larger cities is the reality that none of us really own our property any more. The concept of "ownership" has given away to the "collective good". If you live in a heavily developed area, and your property is needed to improve conditions for either the majority, or an investor with deeper pockets than you then, I'm sorry, you're out and the moneyed interests are in.
It's a hard lesson to learn when people first bump up against it, but at least in this case it looks like there will be Federal funding to help them land on their feet. (although there's no guarantee the ground they land on will be firm).
(from Joshua Melvion of the Humble Observer)
Groups of area residents walked out in anger over dissatisfaction with responses to questions they asked during a July 1 meeting on proposed airport land use regulations.
As part of the regulations a three-tiered system will be created to control development near Houston’s three airports. While still being drafted, a final version could be voted on by Houston City Council in the fall.
The walkouts began during a question and answer session that followed a presentation explaining the plan by Marlene Gafrick, director of planning for the city of Houston, and Deputy Director of the Houston Aviation Department Eric Potts. Questions written on note cards were taken from the audience.
Many of the inquiries dealt with who would pay for the sound insulation that the plan might require. Gafrick and Potts said any financial assistance for sound insulation is handled by a separate federal program. They gave no further details.
(snip)
Humble resident Leon Beridon said in a loud voice, “That was a joke. The city’s presentation was terrible.
“They made a statement that said that they would answer the hard questions and they didn’t,” he said, referring to a statement made at the start of the proceedings by city of Houston Councilman Jarvis Johnson.
“Many of the questions that you are going to have are going to be very hard,” Jarvis said. “ You might not get the answer that you like, but I guarantee you that you will get an answer.”
After the meeting, Gafrick said hard answers were provided when possible, but added that “the objective of the meeting was to inform (citizens) of what we’re doing and why we’re doing it and the proposed rules.”
Unfortunately for the residents who live close to the airports, what citizens are increasingly becoming aware of in larger cities is the reality that none of us really own our property any more. The concept of "ownership" has given away to the "collective good". If you live in a heavily developed area, and your property is needed to improve conditions for either the majority, or an investor with deeper pockets than you then, I'm sorry, you're out and the moneyed interests are in.
It's a hard lesson to learn when people first bump up against it, but at least in this case it looks like there will be Federal funding to help them land on their feet. (although there's no guarantee the ground they land on will be firm).
It looks like we WILL have Chris Bell to kick around this time...
At least this local election cycle won't be bereft of all humor...
(from Alan Bernstein of the Chron political blog)
No doubt Bell is reading from the same political tea leaves that the rest of the State Democratic Party is taking their campaign strategy from. You know, the ones that say all things are possible because of Obama?
Except that their not, Bell is still an ineffective candidate, who uses a punching bag as his "symbol".
How appropriate.
(from Alan Bernstein of the Chron political blog)
Officially, Democrat and former Houston congressman Chris Bell is considering running for the seat in the state Senate vacated by Republican Kyle Janek. Bell, the Democratic candidate for governor in 2006, even acknowledges that he is leaning toward running in the District 17 race.
But, with Bell's permission, a current lawmaker and a former lawmaker already have scheduled a July 24 fund-raising event for Bell's candidacy and that of Joe Jaworski, who is running for state Senate in an adjacent district.
State Rep. Craig Eiland of Galveston and former state Sen. Lloyd Criss are helping put together the Galveston Yacht Club event.
As leanings go, this one's pretty sharp.
Bell said today that he approved the preparations in case he runs. And, he will make his decision public by four days before the fund-raising event. Guess what he'll say!
No doubt Bell is reading from the same political tea leaves that the rest of the State Democratic Party is taking their campaign strategy from. You know, the ones that say all things are possible because of Obama?
Except that their not, Bell is still an ineffective candidate, who uses a punching bag as his "symbol".
How appropriate.
The Public Trial and Conviction of Joe Horn (Part II)
U.S. Rep Sheila Jackson Lee is now on the bandwagon...
(From Renee Lee of the Chron)
Does the Harris County Justice System need a good looking at? You bet. Not only are the HPD crime lab problems discouraging there are also problems with racist and sexist e-mails, and deputies that, on the surface, seem to be acting out in retribution against some prominent critics. These are concerning charges that deserve a full public hearing. Good enough so far.
But we're also getting a call for a very public, and very biased, airing of the Joe Horn evidence in a setting that's notorious for its grandstanding and political agenda-making: The Congressional Hearing.
The place NOT to vet evidence in a criminal trial is in front of a Congressional Committee, in an election year. Gone is the secrcy of Grand Jury system, replaced by the wailing bullhorn that are Congress members desperate to keep their jobs. Hardly a place that one would turn to find justice.
What Rep. Jackson will find there is a de-facto Kangaroo Court designed not for justice, but to achieve a political end. Is that REALLY how we want to "fix" our criminal justice system?
(From Renee Lee of the Chron)
U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee on Sunday called for congressional hearings to investigate what she calls ''the many downfalls" of the Harris County judicial system.
Recent incidents, including a grand jury's decision not to indict a Pasadena man who shot and killed two men suspected of burglarizing his neighbor, have brought into question whether the system is fair and unbiased, she said.
The Democrat, who represents District 18, said she is also concerned and frustrated about derogatory e-mails circulated in the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the handling of DNA evidence by the Houston Police Department crime lab and the number of deaths in the Harris County Jail during the past 10 years.
She also criticized former Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal for explicit e-mails he sent on his county computer.
(snip)
The hearings, for example, will assess how the evidence in the Joe Horn case was presented to the grand jury. Jackson Lee questioned why the case did not go to trial.
Does the Harris County Justice System need a good looking at? You bet. Not only are the HPD crime lab problems discouraging there are also problems with racist and sexist e-mails, and deputies that, on the surface, seem to be acting out in retribution against some prominent critics. These are concerning charges that deserve a full public hearing. Good enough so far.
But we're also getting a call for a very public, and very biased, airing of the Joe Horn evidence in a setting that's notorious for its grandstanding and political agenda-making: The Congressional Hearing.
The place NOT to vet evidence in a criminal trial is in front of a Congressional Committee, in an election year. Gone is the secrcy of Grand Jury system, replaced by the wailing bullhorn that are Congress members desperate to keep their jobs. Hardly a place that one would turn to find justice.
What Rep. Jackson will find there is a de-facto Kangaroo Court designed not for justice, but to achieve a political end. Is that REALLY how we want to "fix" our criminal justice system?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The "War Paint" Eagle
For a little while, after 9/11, I saw this image scattered across several conservative websites. It was created by Forrest Gladden, a United States Army soldier, after 9/11 and has served as a symbol of America's resolve (and, at times, unity) to support the troops efforts in the wake of September 11, 2001.
This image came to my mind after reading this article from Progressive Magazine laying out all of the reasons that some Americans point to when they explain their disdain for patriotism. I don't bring this up to disparage the writer's point of view, nor to make any claim about his character. This is America after all, we're free to feel about her as we please. We also have the right to express those feelings, without prejudice from our Government for doing so.
I bring this up to point out that Patriotism and love of Country is in danger of being herded under the "anti-intellectual" umbrella unless American's act quick, and act now. The way you can act is to stop letting the two big political parties try and lay claim to exclusivity when it comes to Patriotism. There is no inherent love of Country that comes with swearing fealty to either the Pachyderms or the Donkeys.
And we should remember that. Just because someone feels that "our" way isn't the correct path for the Country doesn't mean that they are the "bad guys" or that we are the "good guys" or that they are "stupid" or "hillbillies" or a whole host of other put-downs that are bandied about by people who lack the mental acumen to take a stand on an issue independent of Party dogma.
We should remember that because, at the end of the day, America isn't going to be "saved" by the Republicans or the Democrats, it isn't going to be saved because we elected one person into office over another. America will either perservere through the current crises or will wither under the burden of responsibility not because Barak Obama can give a good speech, and not because John McCain was a "maverick" Senator. What happens to America will be because her people either stood up and put the good of the Country on their backs, or because they backed down and followed leadership under a wave of stupid, insipid, anti-intellectual bickering, all while blaming the other side for doing the same while claiming the moral high-ground.
So, Happy Independence Day wherever you are, whether eating hot dogs, hamburgers, burritos or tofu.
And remember this: Your culinary choices don't provide you some grand insight either. It's just food after all.
A 4th of July Gift for you College Football Fans.
The 2008 College Football Helmet Schedule is here!!!
In honor of this here's my prediction for this year's B(C)S Championship Game:
vs.
The SEC has the two best teams:
But they are going to beat each other up in conference play.
As for the Wolverines?
The over/under is 4 wins. At least we skip these guys this year:
Oh, August 29th is Rice vs. SMU.
vs.
If you want to see what June Jones brings to the Pony offense, this would be a good place to find out. I'm planning to attend. It could be the most exciting College Football game played in Houston all year.
In honor of this here's my prediction for this year's B(C)S Championship Game:
vs.
The SEC has the two best teams:
But they are going to beat each other up in conference play.
As for the Wolverines?
The over/under is 4 wins. At least we skip these guys this year:
Oh, August 29th is Rice vs. SMU.
vs.
If you want to see what June Jones brings to the Pony offense, this would be a good place to find out. I'm planning to attend. It could be the most exciting College Football game played in Houston all year.
Mrs. White jumps on her moral high horse.
Continuing the Chron's public Kangaroo Court indictment of Joe Horn...
While Texans shouldn't convict people in the court of their own minds, such limitations obviously don't apply to Mrs. White.
I'm still stunned by the amazing insight that some Chron staffers seem to have in regards to the inner-workings of Joe Horn's mind during time of tragedy. As I said previously, I refuse to pass judgement on a man who was caught up in a terrible situation.
It seems that Mrs. White doesn't have those reservations, nor any sense of limitations when it comes to her moral superiority.
With that written indictment of Mr. Horn maybe we can finally bring this Kangaroo Court to conclusion?
Now we all have to ask ourselve what's worse:
A man making, and admitting to making, a grave mistake in the heat of the moment?
Or a group of people seeking to profit on that mistake by penning piece after piece of inflammatory drivel, all while claiming the moral high ground?
I take no issues with the media reporting on a story. That's their job. Where I do draw the line is when they seek to capatilize on the story and then shrug their shoulders as if they're not to blame in the slightest.
I guess that's what they call the elegance, wit and insight of magazine commentary and editorial pages in their ideal state?
Hey, at least she didn't pimp one of Mayor White's "Crime Reduction Action Programs" this time.
Texas tradition and the letter of the law protected 62-year-old Joe Horn this week, when a grand jury declined to charge him for killing two burglars.
But the outcome shouldn't make other Texas homeowners feel safer. Instead, the shootings show the many reasons why citizens must not be judge and executioner in the courthouse of their own minds.
(snip)
Make no mistake: Horn created a dangerous confrontation without adequate reason. He did it, in fact, in open defiance of reason. While some mistakes emerge from confusion and a moral vacuum, Horn's erupted during a discussion with a patient, attentive 911 dispatcher who had sent help.
(snip)
Of course it was Horn on the tape, and of course he was a vigilante that day. Plenty of decent people, their quality of life eroded by rampant crime, feel transformed in such moments, their brains flooding with adrenaline, fear and perhaps too strong a desire to be a hero under new Texas law.
Hearing ceaseless reports about crime on the news, then seeing it occur near your own home, naturally stirs up primal, destructive impulses. But no one is safer when Texas enables people like Joe Horn to act on those impulses.
While Texans shouldn't convict people in the court of their own minds, such limitations obviously don't apply to Mrs. White.
I'm still stunned by the amazing insight that some Chron staffers seem to have in regards to the inner-workings of Joe Horn's mind during time of tragedy. As I said previously, I refuse to pass judgement on a man who was caught up in a terrible situation.
It seems that Mrs. White doesn't have those reservations, nor any sense of limitations when it comes to her moral superiority.
With that written indictment of Mr. Horn maybe we can finally bring this Kangaroo Court to conclusion?
Now we all have to ask ourselve what's worse:
A man making, and admitting to making, a grave mistake in the heat of the moment?
Or a group of people seeking to profit on that mistake by penning piece after piece of inflammatory drivel, all while claiming the moral high ground?
I take no issues with the media reporting on a story. That's their job. Where I do draw the line is when they seek to capatilize on the story and then shrug their shoulders as if they're not to blame in the slightest.
I guess that's what they call the elegance, wit and insight of magazine commentary and editorial pages in their ideal state?
Hey, at least she didn't pimp one of Mayor White's "Crime Reduction Action Programs" this time.
Lisa Falkenberg obviously knows...
...the way out of the current oil crises, it just seems she's not ready to enlighten us.
Why else would she blast both Sen. Cornyn and Rep. Noriega for being wrong?..
That's the meat of the column, the rest of it are personal shots regarding Cornyn's taste in video and Noriega's amateurish stumbling around the "drill in Iraq" sentiments.
Which leaves us all still desperately searching for a solution. One that you'd think Ms. Falkenberg would reveal to us in the face of record high oil prices.
*Sigh*
Casting off the snark and self-aggrandizing for a moment one could focus on the fact that there's a nugget of logic in each candidate's proposals, this despite the fact that neither has done a good job in communicating the message to the masses if you will. (If, that is, you can call the people currently paying attention to this mess of a race "the masses")
Noriega is onto something when he suggests that increased Iraqi oil production is good for the economy. What he should have said was that America has an obligation to help the Iraqi's restore production capacity. Unfortunately (for some) this mean's leveraging the expertise that only American Oil companies posess. How we do this speaks volumes, if American oil companies go over and grab majority stakes, then that lends itself to the whole "war for oil" canard that's going around. If American Oil companies would accept minority shares, with the bulk of oil going to Iraq, then we'd basically be in the same situation that we were before Saddam went troppo. Oh yeah: Open, honest bidding that allows foreign concerns to compete are probably advisable.
Cornyn is right on when it comes to expanded domestic production. The key is in how we use our resources, and how the Government chooses to utilize its considerable revenues from oil and gas sales. Offshore oil and gas platforms pay a 1/8th royalty to the Government right out of the ground, above and beyond any State, Federal and local taxes on the remainder. If this excess "windfall" tax revenue is used to provide tax credits for renewable alternatives, rather than being diverted to fund entitlements or other "buy the vote" programs, then increased domestic drilling will have an impact.
The key, as always, is what the government does with the tax revenue, and how cost prohibitive they make it for companies to drill and earn a profit.
Increased drilling, refinery contstruction and investment in renewables. Keep the Government's hand off everthing else.
The "promise" of a downward shift in the demand curve coupled with an upward shift in the supply curve in the future would lower the speculative market overnight, causing a decrease in the pain at the pump.
I'm waiting for the candidate who's got the guts to announce that by 2020 our goal should be to have our entire "ne" transportation infrastructure powered by fuel cells or some other alternative mode of propulsion.
Much to the dispair of some of you I'm not holding my breath.
Why else would she blast both Sen. Cornyn and Rep. Noriega for being wrong?..
The longer U.S. Sen. "Big Bad John" Cornyn and wannabe senator Rick Noriega argue about America's energy crisis, the more I wonder if either of these guys has a clue as to how to solve it.
State Rep. Noriega, a Houston Democrat who opposes domestic drilling in pristine and offshore areas, recently seemed to suggest that the answer is ripe for the taking beneath Iraqi soil.
"Let's go ahead and start drilling. Let's go drill in Iraq right now, where we have had our sons and daughters spilling their blood, and we're sitting on those oil fields," Noriega said last week on a Midland radio program. "Why are we going to use our resources, our limited resources, that we have control over within our own nation versus, uh, we're sitting on these oil fields over there?"
Never mind the fact that Iraq is a sovereign nation with a constitution that says its oil belongs to its people, or that taking their oil would reinforce the "blood for oil" conspiracy theories. The remark is even more absurd coming from a lieutenant colonel in the National Guard who's been in Afghanistan and wants to bring the troops home.
(snip)
Cornyn was touting a bill he's sponsoring — the optimistically titled Gas Price Reduction Act of 2008 — which provides for expanded domestic drilling.
"When you think about roughly 3 million barrels per day that could be provided," Cornyn was quoted as saying, "that's 3 million barrels less that we would have to buy from Venezuela and Hugo Chavez. ... Or from Iran and Ahmadinejad."
That's the meat of the column, the rest of it are personal shots regarding Cornyn's taste in video and Noriega's amateurish stumbling around the "drill in Iraq" sentiments.
Which leaves us all still desperately searching for a solution. One that you'd think Ms. Falkenberg would reveal to us in the face of record high oil prices.
*Sigh*
Casting off the snark and self-aggrandizing for a moment one could focus on the fact that there's a nugget of logic in each candidate's proposals, this despite the fact that neither has done a good job in communicating the message to the masses if you will. (If, that is, you can call the people currently paying attention to this mess of a race "the masses")
Noriega is onto something when he suggests that increased Iraqi oil production is good for the economy. What he should have said was that America has an obligation to help the Iraqi's restore production capacity. Unfortunately (for some) this mean's leveraging the expertise that only American Oil companies posess. How we do this speaks volumes, if American oil companies go over and grab majority stakes, then that lends itself to the whole "war for oil" canard that's going around. If American Oil companies would accept minority shares, with the bulk of oil going to Iraq, then we'd basically be in the same situation that we were before Saddam went troppo. Oh yeah: Open, honest bidding that allows foreign concerns to compete are probably advisable.
Cornyn is right on when it comes to expanded domestic production. The key is in how we use our resources, and how the Government chooses to utilize its considerable revenues from oil and gas sales. Offshore oil and gas platforms pay a 1/8th royalty to the Government right out of the ground, above and beyond any State, Federal and local taxes on the remainder. If this excess "windfall" tax revenue is used to provide tax credits for renewable alternatives, rather than being diverted to fund entitlements or other "buy the vote" programs, then increased domestic drilling will have an impact.
The key, as always, is what the government does with the tax revenue, and how cost prohibitive they make it for companies to drill and earn a profit.
Increased drilling, refinery contstruction and investment in renewables. Keep the Government's hand off everthing else.
The "promise" of a downward shift in the demand curve coupled with an upward shift in the supply curve in the future would lower the speculative market overnight, causing a decrease in the pain at the pump.
I'm waiting for the candidate who's got the guts to announce that by 2020 our goal should be to have our entire "ne" transportation infrastructure powered by fuel cells or some other alternative mode of propulsion.
Much to the dispair of some of you I'm not holding my breath.
Oh that crazy French Criminal Justice System
This should make you glad that you live in America...
(from the AP via the Chron)
Uh...No...not responsible in the slightest. Yes the titanium strip fell off of the DC-10 that was owned by Continental, yes the Concorde ran over said strip, and yes shards from that strip hit the fuel tank causing the Concorde to tragically explode.
Note to France: It's called a tragic accident. Unfortunately they happen from time to time.
The sad thing is there are several in America that want us to be more like our friends across the pond and less like we are now.
Behold the future.
(from the AP via the Chron)
A French judge ordered Continental Airlines and five people to stand trial for manslaughter in connection with the 2000 crash of a Concorde jet that killed 113 people, a prosecutor said today.
Two of the people to be tried are employees of the U.S. carrier, the prosecutor in the Paris suburb of Pontoise said in a statement.
Two others were employed by Aerospatiale, the maker of Concorde and the precursor of plane-maker Airbus. The fifth is an employee of the French civilian aviation authority.
The Air France Concorde crashed shortly after takeoff from Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport in July 2000, killing all 109 people on board and four on the ground.
French investigators blamed a titanium strip on the runway from a Continental Airlines DC-10.
The metal strip caused one of the Concorde's tires to burst, which sent debris flying that punctured the jet's fuel tanks. The French judicial inquiry also determined the tanks lacked sufficient protection from shock — and that Concorde's makers had been aware of the problem since 1979.
Houston-based Continental Airlines Inc. has insisted it was not responsible for the crash.
Uh...No...not responsible in the slightest. Yes the titanium strip fell off of the DC-10 that was owned by Continental, yes the Concorde ran over said strip, and yes shards from that strip hit the fuel tank causing the Concorde to tragically explode.
Note to France: It's called a tragic accident. Unfortunately they happen from time to time.
The sad thing is there are several in America that want us to be more like our friends across the pond and less like we are now.
Behold the future.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Some support for the H-GAC Commuter rail plan.
Early returns on the Houston-Galveston Area Council Commuter Rail study have been less than positive. Rad Sallee, the Chron's transportation columnist devoted an entire story to the ways the plan differed from Metro's 2003 "Solutions" plan. Local rail activists weren't even enthused.
Probably not a good sign if you're hoping to get a project like this started.
Finally, today, in the Pearland Journal there was some good news for proponents of a commuter rail system.
(from Natalie Torentinos of the Pearland Journal)
If this commuter rail plan is to ever get past the planning stages, then buy-in from the outlying communities is going to be key. H-GAC should write-off approval from Metro (who doesn't want competition with its toy) and the coalition that gave us the Danger train (who can't develop along the lines), and should focus instead on building suburban community support if they want the project to succeed.
All that being said, there are strong arguments to be made that a strong park n' ride system could do more for suburban transit than could a train. Trip times would be shorter, the routes more flexible, fixed costs lower etc. Busses also have the luxury of adjusting to times of slack demand, something a train is slow to do.
One positive out of all of this is that serious questions are being asked as to the wisdom of investing Billions of dollars into a rail system that's only going to move a small portion of total commuters. Had those same questions been posed of Metro (by many of the same people that gave them a pass BTW) then quite possibly we wouldn't be stuck with an at-grade rail system that's getting more costly, and looking more unworkable on a long-term basis every day.
Probably not a good sign if you're hoping to get a project like this started.
Finally, today, in the Pearland Journal there was some good news for proponents of a commuter rail system.
(from Natalie Torentinos of the Pearland Journal)
Pearland City Council members recently got a taste of how a proposed, regional Houston commuter rail could connect the area along State Highway 35 and Interstate 45 to inner-city Houston within the next five to 10 years, and they jumped at the chance to secure Pearland’s place among a $3 billion system using existing freight rail lines.
“Some type of rail is one of our goals,” said Councilman Kevin Cole. “We see it as a component of the area. There are going to be three million people migrating into the Houston area.”
Councilwoman Felicia Kyle implored transportation representatives to keep the SH 35 area corridor at the forefront of their plans, saying Pearland needs to be a leader in the region.
The Houston-Galveston Area Council has been putting together a regional study of a commuter rail for two years, incorporating an eight-county system that includes Brazoria, Harris, Galveston, Fort Bend, Chambers, Montgomery, Liberty and Waller counties.
Earl Washington is a senior transportation planner with HGAC and project manager for the study, who emphasized that the plan is a draft and is continually changing.
If this commuter rail plan is to ever get past the planning stages, then buy-in from the outlying communities is going to be key. H-GAC should write-off approval from Metro (who doesn't want competition with its toy) and the coalition that gave us the Danger train (who can't develop along the lines), and should focus instead on building suburban community support if they want the project to succeed.
All that being said, there are strong arguments to be made that a strong park n' ride system could do more for suburban transit than could a train. Trip times would be shorter, the routes more flexible, fixed costs lower etc. Busses also have the luxury of adjusting to times of slack demand, something a train is slow to do.
One positive out of all of this is that serious questions are being asked as to the wisdom of investing Billions of dollars into a rail system that's only going to move a small portion of total commuters. Had those same questions been posed of Metro (by many of the same people that gave them a pass BTW) then quite possibly we wouldn't be stuck with an at-grade rail system that's getting more costly, and looking more unworkable on a long-term basis every day.
Rough month for Continental
According to a report by the Houston Business Journal, June was a rough month for Continental Airlines.
One has to wonder if news like this could have any effect on the proposed IAH expansion who's fee was pushed through City Council?
Echoing BlogHouston: Is the current airline industry environment ideal for pushing a $1.2 Billion dollar airport expansion?
Total traffic at Continental Airlines Inc. fell slightly in June compared with the same month last year.
The Houston-based airline reported it flew a total of 8.63 billion revenue passenger miles during the month, 0.1 percent fewer than in June 2007. A revenue passenger mile is equal to one passenger flown one mile.
One has to wonder if news like this could have any effect on the proposed IAH expansion who's fee was pushed through City Council?
Echoing BlogHouston: Is the current airline industry environment ideal for pushing a $1.2 Billion dollar airport expansion?
In politics, no good deed goes unpaid.
That Rick Perry made a wise move in asking for a waiver on ethanol requirements is beyond doubt. (Unless you are a corn producer) His motives behing the move?
Eh..not so much.
(from R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Would Perry had made the request for the waiver had Mr. Pilgrim not made the $100,000 donation? We'll never know.
While the circumstances surrounding the waiver may be suspect, the hope remains that the waiver will still find receptive ears in D.C. You never know. Sometimes even good ideas die and ugly death when politics is involved.
Eh..not so much.
(from R.G. Ratcliffe of the Chron)
Gov. Rick Perry's request for a waiver of federal corn-based ethanol production mandates was prompted by a March meeting he had with East Texas poultry producer Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim, who six days later gave $100,000 to the Republican Governors Association chaired by Perry.
In the three weeks following that donation, Perry's staff began preparing to submit the renewable fuel standards waiver request to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, according to 596 pages of records obtained from the governor's office by the Houston Chronicle under the Texas Public Information Act.
Would Perry had made the request for the waiver had Mr. Pilgrim not made the $100,000 donation? We'll never know.
While the circumstances surrounding the waiver may be suspect, the hope remains that the waiver will still find receptive ears in D.C. You never know. Sometimes even good ideas die and ugly death when politics is involved.
The Joe Horn Interview
Good interview piece today with Joe Horn in the Chron by Ruth Rendon...
It's a good read that outlines the terrible circumstances that Joe Horn found himself in, and hopefully makes you think. Go read the whole thing.
After yesterday's editorial beating It's nice to see that the Chron did the right thing today and let the other side of the story come out in full.
The voice of Joe Horn on the infamous 911 tape, the one telling police he wasn't going to let the men burglarizing his neighbors' house get away, that he was "gonna shoot" them, is not the voice of the real Joe Horn, he told the Houston Chronicle on Tuesday.
Nor is the man who grabbed his shotgun, left his house against a 911 operator's orders, pumped a shell into the chamber and shot the men down after shouting "move, you're dead," the real Joe Horn.
The real Joe Horn, he insisted in an exclusive interview the day after he was cleared by a Harris County grand jury in the deaths of Diego Ortiz and Hernando Riascos Torres, is just a boring retired engineer.
And a 61-year-old Pasadena grandfather who, energized by fear that afternoon last Nov. 14, made a decision that has haunted him since, a decision he would take back if he could.
"I would never advocate anyone doing what I did," Horn said from his attorney's west Houston home. "We are not geared for that."
It's a good read that outlines the terrible circumstances that Joe Horn found himself in, and hopefully makes you think. Go read the whole thing.
After yesterday's editorial beating It's nice to see that the Chron did the right thing today and let the other side of the story come out in full.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
The Public Trial and Conviction of Joe Horn.
The Grand Jury may have no-billed Mr. Horn, but The Houston Chronicle doesn't want to let the story die there.
Nick Anderson provides the opening arguments...
Dale Lezon forwards the prosecutions case...
Lisa Falkenberg gives the closing argument.
All of this without a pause for statement of fact, without providing Mr. Horn with the chance to publically face his accusers, without allowing the defense to see the charges beforehand. Angered by the decision of the "real" court system, the Chronicle has convened its own Kangaroo court in an effort to generate controversy (and hopefully paid readers) on the back of a man who (admittedly) made a grave mistake that he can't take back.
When did it become OK for so-called "professional" journalists to hate Joe Horn? Is it ok to refer to him as a "little old man from Pasadena" or as a whistling cowboy taking pleasure in shooting two criminals in the back? Is it OK to wage a war of words against someone with no desire to fight back?
Whether or not you agree that what Joe Horn did was right (I don't, and looking back on it neither does he) that doesn't change the fact that what he did wasn't illegal, Ms. Falkenberg's protestations and rantings regarding the un-civilized nature of Texas laws notwithstanding. Had he to do it all over again he would have stayed inside. That makes him guilty of panicking a little when crime was literally at his doorstep, something most of us might admit to maybe doing ourselves, if we can put away our superhuman self-talk for a moment and engage in a moment of rank honesty.
The sad fact is, most of us are more like Joe Horn than we want to believe. Instead of being the sage public-minded citizen who would stay inside and wait for the police to come, some of us would pull the trigger. Some of the people that are displaying the loudest vitriol toward Mr. Horn would probably wet their pants while doing it. And that's why they hate him, because he did something they're not sure they'd have the guts to do. Not necessarily to kill a man, but to run out of the house and face down danger. So they face down Mr. Horn in the only way they know how, by sitting behind a keyboard and passing judgement on his actions. It'd be one thing if they were criticizing policy, or another's writing, something that didn't involve immediate life and death, concepts that are easy to view in black and white when its viewed through the prism of editorial memes are they not?
You might also find it ironic that the same newspaper that runs what amounts to nothing more than a defense arguement for appeal in almost every death penalty case is so anxious to convict, without due process, in this case. Joe Horn's crime wasn't that he shot two criminals, Joe Horn's crime was that he was a middle-aged caucasian man who unfortunately shot two criminals. Joe Horn was small-town Pasadena encroaching on the D.I.N.K. paradise that Houston is selling, he's more Country and chewing tobacco than Opera and foie grois.
For the Chronicle's opinion journalists that could be the greatest crime of all.
Here's hoping that Joe Horn and the victim's families eventually find peace in all of this, and also let's hope that some wahoo journalist doesn't decide to try and win their Pulitzer by telling the story. Give everyone involved some peace.
Additional:
Matt Bramanti of Lone Star Times draws attention to the fact that these autopsies were available 11/30/2007 and were only today published by the Chronicle.
If you look at the actual autopsy reports (.PDF files) you can see that they were both reviewed on 04/15/2008. Why a story on them was not published by the Chronicle until now is anyone's guess.
Nick Anderson provides the opening arguments...
Dale Lezon forwards the prosecutions case...
Lisa Falkenberg gives the closing argument.
All of this without a pause for statement of fact, without providing Mr. Horn with the chance to publically face his accusers, without allowing the defense to see the charges beforehand. Angered by the decision of the "real" court system, the Chronicle has convened its own Kangaroo court in an effort to generate controversy (and hopefully paid readers) on the back of a man who (admittedly) made a grave mistake that he can't take back.
When did it become OK for so-called "professional" journalists to hate Joe Horn? Is it ok to refer to him as a "little old man from Pasadena" or as a whistling cowboy taking pleasure in shooting two criminals in the back? Is it OK to wage a war of words against someone with no desire to fight back?
Whether or not you agree that what Joe Horn did was right (I don't, and looking back on it neither does he) that doesn't change the fact that what he did wasn't illegal, Ms. Falkenberg's protestations and rantings regarding the un-civilized nature of Texas laws notwithstanding. Had he to do it all over again he would have stayed inside. That makes him guilty of panicking a little when crime was literally at his doorstep, something most of us might admit to maybe doing ourselves, if we can put away our superhuman self-talk for a moment and engage in a moment of rank honesty.
The sad fact is, most of us are more like Joe Horn than we want to believe. Instead of being the sage public-minded citizen who would stay inside and wait for the police to come, some of us would pull the trigger. Some of the people that are displaying the loudest vitriol toward Mr. Horn would probably wet their pants while doing it. And that's why they hate him, because he did something they're not sure they'd have the guts to do. Not necessarily to kill a man, but to run out of the house and face down danger. So they face down Mr. Horn in the only way they know how, by sitting behind a keyboard and passing judgement on his actions. It'd be one thing if they were criticizing policy, or another's writing, something that didn't involve immediate life and death, concepts that are easy to view in black and white when its viewed through the prism of editorial memes are they not?
You might also find it ironic that the same newspaper that runs what amounts to nothing more than a defense arguement for appeal in almost every death penalty case is so anxious to convict, without due process, in this case. Joe Horn's crime wasn't that he shot two criminals, Joe Horn's crime was that he was a middle-aged caucasian man who unfortunately shot two criminals. Joe Horn was small-town Pasadena encroaching on the D.I.N.K. paradise that Houston is selling, he's more Country and chewing tobacco than Opera and foie grois.
For the Chronicle's opinion journalists that could be the greatest crime of all.
Here's hoping that Joe Horn and the victim's families eventually find peace in all of this, and also let's hope that some wahoo journalist doesn't decide to try and win their Pulitzer by telling the story. Give everyone involved some peace.
Additional:
Matt Bramanti of Lone Star Times draws attention to the fact that these autopsies were available 11/30/2007 and were only today published by the Chronicle.
If you look at the actual autopsy reports (.PDF files) you can see that they were both reviewed on 04/15/2008. Why a story on them was not published by the Chronicle until now is anyone's guess.
TX Senate: Tales of the downright weird
Just when you thought this race couldn't get any sillier...
Cornyn's aides are hitting up the liberal blogs...
(from Peggy Fikac of the Chron)
Maybe not "every" single person Mr. McLaughlin.
I, for one, post under my real name. As does Kevin Whited and Anne Linehan at BlogHouston, Charles Kuffner at OfftheKuff (heck, he's even going to alter your FUTURE) *cue scary music*
When I do post under my former pseudonym (Sedosi) its on the BlogHouston forums where I've been a member for a long time, and most people know who it is they're talking to anyway. If there's confusion, I straighten it out.
So, no. Not "every person" on blogs everywhere is doing the same thing Beckwith did, not by a long shot.
The video kerfluffle was too dumb to waste typing time on. This story is a little more disconcerting.
I don't blame Cornyn for Beckwith's actions, but the fact that he's hasn't been offered the chance to "bow out" gracefully speaks volumes.
This race is the opening and closing argument for my case that the United States Senate is societies' Least Common Denominator.
Cornyn's aides are hitting up the liberal blogs...
(from Peggy Fikac of the Chron)
Dave Beckwith, aide to U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, is targeted by Burnt Orange Report for using the "Buck Smith" pseudonym to post "abusive comments" that "impugn the integrity of our community, our Democratic candidates and our Democratic values."
It's wrong for him to behave in this sock-puppet fashion, BOR says.
Cornyn campaign spokesman Kevin McLaughlin said Beckwith is doing what "every single other person does on any blog anywhere."
Maybe not "every" single person Mr. McLaughlin.
I, for one, post under my real name. As does Kevin Whited and Anne Linehan at BlogHouston, Charles Kuffner at OfftheKuff (heck, he's even going to alter your FUTURE) *cue scary music*
When I do post under my former pseudonym (Sedosi) its on the BlogHouston forums where I've been a member for a long time, and most people know who it is they're talking to anyway. If there's confusion, I straighten it out.
So, no. Not "every person" on blogs everywhere is doing the same thing Beckwith did, not by a long shot.
The video kerfluffle was too dumb to waste typing time on. This story is a little more disconcerting.
I don't blame Cornyn for Beckwith's actions, but the fact that he's hasn't been offered the chance to "bow out" gracefully speaks volumes.
This race is the opening and closing argument for my case that the United States Senate is societies' Least Common Denominator.
Switch "Anti-Obama" with "Anti-McCain"
What do you think the reaction would be to this?
(from Miguel Helft of the New York Times)
So far the reaction has been "oopsie" Of course, if the roles were reversed and "Pro-Obama" sites were being shut down there'd be a call for a Congressional inquiry, lawsuits and the Nationalization of Google. I'd post more but I'm afraid I'll get shut down as well.
Of course, all of us bloggers that don't toe the "correct" party line are just marking time until the so-called "fairness doctrine" shuts us down.
(from Miguel Helft of the New York Times)
Did Google use its network of online services to silence critics of Barack Obama? That was the question buzzing on a corner of the blogosphere over the last few days, after several anti-Obama bloggers were unable to update their sites, which are hosted on Google’s Blogger service.
The bloggers in question, most of them supporters of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, and all of them opposed to Senator Obama, received a notice from Google last week saying that their sites had been identified as potential “spam” blogs. “You will not be able to publish posts to your blog until we review your site and confirm that it is not a spam blog,” the Google e-mail read.
So far the reaction has been "oopsie" Of course, if the roles were reversed and "Pro-Obama" sites were being shut down there'd be a call for a Congressional inquiry, lawsuits and the Nationalization of Google. I'd post more but I'm afraid I'll get shut down as well.
Of course, all of us bloggers that don't toe the "correct" party line are just marking time until the so-called "fairness doctrine" shuts us down.
Efficiency in action
Or $1.5 Million per positive test in case you weren't paying attention.
David Dewhurst is "pleased"
(from Gary Scharrar of the Chron)
Oh those wacky conservative Republicans, spending money hand over fist to solve a problem that doesn't even exist. Of course, the "spin" is that the testing was a "deterrent".
No, it wasn't, it was a case of the Government feeling the need to do something, anything to respond to a problem that was generated by a very small, very vocal, and very factually challenged advocacy group that's getting a lot of media play. It was a trinket that was thrown out to the public before a problem was even identified.
It was a waste of $3 Million dollars that hopefully will be put to rest in the next legislative session.
OTHER EYES:
Lone Star Times.
I noted in the comments over there, and I want to highlight here this study which was available at the time testing was proposed.
In other words the State, at the urging of Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and soon-to-be-former State Senator Kyle Janek spent $3 Million dollars to "fix" a problem that wasn't.
David Dewhurst is "pleased"
(from Gary Scharrar of the Chron)
Only two athletes tested positive for steroid use among some 10,000 Texas high school students tested this spring, raising doubts about whether state lawmakers will renew the $3 million-a-year project at current levels.
The testing company's preliminary results are based on an estimated 10,407 students who were tested since February, when state officials launched the random steroid-testing program mandated by state lawmakers. National Center for Drug Free Sport is expected to release a formal report later this summer.
Both supporters and critics of the testing program — the largest among high schools in the country — said the results validate their positions.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said Monday he was pleased with the cursory results.
"I pushed this important legislation through the Legislature because I knew it would deter our young people from wrecking their bodies and putting their lives at risk by using illegal steroids," Dewhurst said. "And these test results clearly show the deterrent is working because young people know they can't use illegal steroids without getting caught."
But Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, one of seven state lawmakers to vote against the steroid-testing program, wants it abolished. There are 181 members in the Texas Legislature.
"This is one of those issues that sounds good but has no real impact except wasting taxpayer dollars," Patrick said. "I don't want to diminish the seriousness of steroids, but you can't take a sledgehammer to kill a gnat. Spending $1.5 million per kid is ludicrous."
Oh those wacky conservative Republicans, spending money hand over fist to solve a problem that doesn't even exist. Of course, the "spin" is that the testing was a "deterrent".
No, it wasn't, it was a case of the Government feeling the need to do something, anything to respond to a problem that was generated by a very small, very vocal, and very factually challenged advocacy group that's getting a lot of media play. It was a trinket that was thrown out to the public before a problem was even identified.
It was a waste of $3 Million dollars that hopefully will be put to rest in the next legislative session.
OTHER EYES:
Lone Star Times.
I noted in the comments over there, and I want to highlight here this study which was available at the time testing was proposed.
The majority of non-medical anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) users are not cheating athletes or risk-taking teenagers. According to a recent survey, containing the largest sample to date the typical male user is about 30 years old, well-educated, and earning an above-average income in a white-collar occupation. The majority did not use steroids during adolescence and were not motivated by athletic competition or sports performance.
In other words the State, at the urging of Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and soon-to-be-former State Senator Kyle Janek spent $3 Million dollars to "fix" a problem that wasn't.
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