The "one step away from a pandemic" edition....
Swine Flu closes 3 schools. [Todd Ackerman, Bradley Olson & Ericka Mellon, Chron.com]
Obama won't close Mexican border to contain flu. [Richard Dunham, Chron.com] - A full travel restriction would make sense, coming and going. Of course, what proponents of closing the border are referring to is a singular focus on the coming.
What legal issues rise if swine flu spreads? [Mary Flodd, Chron.com] - Translated: Who's going to be the first lawyer to try and cash in on the crisis?
Highway 6 closed between Park Row and Clay [Chron.com] - And the drive times to and from work have suffered from it.
Rain possible today, more storms possible for Monday [Chron.com] - Joy.
Chysler's talks with Treasury fall apart. [AP via Chron.com] - The government, soon to own GM, doesn't want any competition.
Comments from an unperson at an unblog [Unca Darrell] - Although there were rumors that, on one of the blogs, bH was given indirect mention....Perhaps we're not as Orwellian as we feared.
HPOU President to Mayor, amend or scrap the sanctuary directive. [Kevin Whited, Chron.com] - Ah the dirty secret of general order 500-5. One that Mayor White surely wishes would go away.
Video: Secessionist blowback. [Mike McGuff] - I'm so proud.
You can't cheat an honest man....[Rorschach, Red Ink: Texas] - An acolyte of the Church of Dan in hot water?
A plea for a little common sense. [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - Jeremy Clarkson, once was told by an American policeman: "We have laws, we don't need common sense. Such is life in modern-day America.
Worse than Swine Flu: A City Councilor [John, By the Bayou]
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Houston Area Survey Finds its Center.
Call it the "Center for Making Public Policy Without all of that Messy Public Input".
[Mike Snyder, Chron.com]
First off, congratulations to Dr. Klineberg and everyone else who's worked to bring this about. I have a well documented written account of my opinion on surveys and polls and I'm not going to partake in historical revisionism here. While I don't think Dr. Klineberg's Houston Area Survey is particuarly bad, I also believe that its given too much weight when discussing local issues. There are also very real concerns about the survey methodology:
All that being said I think the Houston Area Survey has its place, as a starting point for discussions on public policy issues that are important to Houstonians. It's the same way that I feel elections have a place, as a starting point for politicians to begin discussing with the public issues that are important to them. Just as everyone who voted for President Obama doesn't agree with EVERY policy position he is promoting, neither does EVERY Houstonian fit neatly into one of the approximately 700 boxes statistically generated through analysis. The reality is that people in Houston have a wide range of views, and in a region where there's estimated to be more than 4,000,000 residents, it wouldn't surprise me to find out that there are more than 4,000,000 different views on policy. Yes, there will be common issues among various coalitioins, and yes some people will have similar feelings dependent on various social and cultural mores, but for each issue the coaltion of the willing is very likely to include different groups, each individual household will have different priorities. Not at all times do these differences mean that there have to be negative feelings.
Nor does it mean that the Houston Area Survey is any type of final authority. Yet, and I've been told this by many sources, local politicians and opinion makers will attempt to use the findings to craft public policy on several issues important to the well-being of the region. Not only is that irresponsible, but its incredibly lazy to boot.
So lets applaud the creation of the "Dr. Stephen Klineberg Center for Houston Studies" or whatever its going to be called, but then let's take a look at the findings every year and use them as a jumping off point for what it is we want to accomplish as a region. Failure to reject anything less is to allow ourselves to become identified as a variable in a statistical formula, and I believe that I have more originality in my thinking than that, your milage may vary.
[Mike Snyder, Chron.com]
It started as a simple class project.
In 1982, 10 years after joining Rice University’s sociology faculty, Stephen Klineberg was assigned to teach a class in research methods. He decided that his own booming city, where 1 million people had moved since 1982 in response to jobs created by a hundred-fold increase in the price of oil, would make an ideal subject.
As Klineberg and his students devised that first set of questions, they never imagined they were starting a project that would endure for 28 years and document Houston’s transformation from a one-industry town dominated by white Southerners to a diverse metropolis whose growth is fueled by immigration.
Now, to ensure that the Houston Area Survey continues and grows after Klineberg, 69, retires, Rice is establishing an urban research center as the survey’s permanent home. The center also will sponsor additional research and work to integrate the findings into public policy.
First off, congratulations to Dr. Klineberg and everyone else who's worked to bring this about. I have a well documented written account of my opinion on surveys and polls and I'm not going to partake in historical revisionism here. While I don't think Dr. Klineberg's Houston Area Survey is particuarly bad, I also believe that its given too much weight when discussing local issues. There are also very real concerns about the survey methodology:
Critics sometimes complain that the wording in the surveys is crafted to yield responses that support Klineberg’s views.I've been one of those critics and still believe that the survey's questions use too many 'loaded phrases' to really be an effective well-spring of public policy. One of the biggest problems we face as a representative democracy today is the tendency of our elected representatives to rely on surveys, opinion polls and election results as a definitive answer to how people feel about a wide range of issues. Oddly enough, 'governing by popularity polls' is a practice that's frowned on almost universally. The thought being that its practice leads to an over-reliance on trinket governance to the exclusion of boring, pedestrian infrastructure needs.
Klineberg said any survey question, no matter how carefully crafted, is subject to some bias, but he controls for this by wording questions on the same topic in the same fashion year after year and tracking the changes over time. Asking multiple questions on the same topic also helps mitigate the effects of any bias
All that being said I think the Houston Area Survey has its place, as a starting point for discussions on public policy issues that are important to Houstonians. It's the same way that I feel elections have a place, as a starting point for politicians to begin discussing with the public issues that are important to them. Just as everyone who voted for President Obama doesn't agree with EVERY policy position he is promoting, neither does EVERY Houstonian fit neatly into one of the approximately 700 boxes statistically generated through analysis. The reality is that people in Houston have a wide range of views, and in a region where there's estimated to be more than 4,000,000 residents, it wouldn't surprise me to find out that there are more than 4,000,000 different views on policy. Yes, there will be common issues among various coalitioins, and yes some people will have similar feelings dependent on various social and cultural mores, but for each issue the coaltion of the willing is very likely to include different groups, each individual household will have different priorities. Not at all times do these differences mean that there have to be negative feelings.
Nor does it mean that the Houston Area Survey is any type of final authority. Yet, and I've been told this by many sources, local politicians and opinion makers will attempt to use the findings to craft public policy on several issues important to the well-being of the region. Not only is that irresponsible, but its incredibly lazy to boot.
So lets applaud the creation of the "Dr. Stephen Klineberg Center for Houston Studies" or whatever its going to be called, but then let's take a look at the findings every year and use them as a jumping off point for what it is we want to accomplish as a region. Failure to reject anything less is to allow ourselves to become identified as a variable in a statistical formula, and I believe that I have more originality in my thinking than that, your milage may vary.
Houston Area Asides (04/29/09)
The "Wet as hell and back at work" edition....
Houston could clear out today, but storms still possible [Dale Lezon, Chron.com] - I'm hoping everyone made it through OK?
Spector Switches. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - Reaction from the Left. I would imagine they'd be happy, TX Republicans were MORE than happy to welcome, with open arms, Democrats who switched back during their salad days. There are two ways to build a party: Organically and through political mercenaries. One is long-term and one is short-term, there are schools of thought that both are needed.
It's all about streets. [Mike Snyder, Chron.com] - And public works, which gets little more than lip-service in Houston.
HISD inks wireless deal with AT&T [Houston Business Journal] - Filling the hole left by the failed Muni Wi-Fi dalliance.
Efforts to consolidate, close Texas schools for disabled fails. [Emily Ramshaw, Dallas Morning News via KHOU.com]
Chron Publisher spins (and spins and spins) latest circulation decline. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Nero.Fiddle.Rome.
We can be such a pain. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Congrats to Kevin. That they're annoyed by him at least means that they are paying attention. I know my blogging day is complete when some random on-line tosspot blows a gasket. It's probably more satisfying to have both the Chron and the Press blowing them at the same time.
Permanent Enron Myopia. [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - Houston's best running rebuttal to the decidedly un-businesslike logic of the Chron's Business columnist.
If you're going to beat me up, at least use the right stick. [Loren Steffy, Chron.com] - And...Loren Steffy responds...Which means that, somewhere, Kirkendall has touched a nerve.
I come to Barry Diller, not to praise him.[The Crap Mariner, This Blog is Full of Crap] - Does Twitter have limitations? Yup, but its also a useful feed aggregator and a good place to keep up with breaking events. If you understand how to use it properly. Those with a penchant for bloviation will find it unwieldy and restrictive.
Top 50 US TV shows from a UK POV. [Mike McGuff] - Always interesting to see how others view our pop culture.
Some random observations about my trip to Peoria. [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - Travel dispatches are fun, especially in today's landscape.
Houston could clear out today, but storms still possible [Dale Lezon, Chron.com] - I'm hoping everyone made it through OK?
Spector Switches. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - Reaction from the Left. I would imagine they'd be happy, TX Republicans were MORE than happy to welcome, with open arms, Democrats who switched back during their salad days. There are two ways to build a party: Organically and through political mercenaries. One is long-term and one is short-term, there are schools of thought that both are needed.
It's all about streets. [Mike Snyder, Chron.com] - And public works, which gets little more than lip-service in Houston.
HISD inks wireless deal with AT&T [Houston Business Journal] - Filling the hole left by the failed Muni Wi-Fi dalliance.
Efforts to consolidate, close Texas schools for disabled fails. [Emily Ramshaw, Dallas Morning News via KHOU.com]
Chron Publisher spins (and spins and spins) latest circulation decline. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Nero.Fiddle.Rome.
We can be such a pain. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Congrats to Kevin. That they're annoyed by him at least means that they are paying attention. I know my blogging day is complete when some random on-line tosspot blows a gasket. It's probably more satisfying to have both the Chron and the Press blowing them at the same time.
Permanent Enron Myopia. [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - Houston's best running rebuttal to the decidedly un-businesslike logic of the Chron's Business columnist.
If you're going to beat me up, at least use the right stick. [Loren Steffy, Chron.com] - And...Loren Steffy responds...Which means that, somewhere, Kirkendall has touched a nerve.
I come to Barry Diller, not to praise him.[The Crap Mariner, This Blog is Full of Crap] - Does Twitter have limitations? Yup, but its also a useful feed aggregator and a good place to keep up with breaking events. If you understand how to use it properly. Those with a penchant for bloviation will find it unwieldy and restrictive.
Top 50 US TV shows from a UK POV. [Mike McGuff] - Always interesting to see how others view our pop culture.
Some random observations about my trip to Peoria. [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - Travel dispatches are fun, especially in today's landscape.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
County Government's sky reflects the weather. (UPDATED)
Stimulus Discussion Behind Closed Doors [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com]
As is typical, the political mouthpieces are straining credibility to 'splain away this little bit of sunblock:
I present to you the first nominee in the "worst political explanation of 2009 - Head of PR" awards.
What Stinebaker's ignoring (or knows but is conveniently omitting) is that there's a huge difference between the County judge watching TV at home, and a group of aides discussing public policy. Public policy that's designed to directly affect how $7.6 Million dollars of taxpayer money is allocated. In short, that's a weak plot of excuse making. What Emmett and his spokesman need to keep in mind is that political ethics bloom the best in full sunshine. For a candidate who is really pushing ethics reform keeping such a large expenditure out of the public eye is curious at best.
Yesterday I talked about the problems with media intruding too-far into private lives. I still have those concerns, but that doesn't apply in this case. What the media should be doing is watch-dogging the Government at all levels, reporting what goes on at meetings such as this, Metro board meetings, TXDot meetings, Port of Houston, City Government you name it. They should report without bias what happens, and then let the citizens sort out their priorities.
Unfortunately, in this case, we're given a weak explanation why the public shouldn't be invited into a meeting with Millions of dollars on the line by the spokesman of a candidate who made 'ethics reform' a major plank of his campaign platform.
UPDATE: In the updates to the comments, Stinebaker channels Bill Clinton:
No, I think it was accurate. Liz Peterson gave the reason, and then provided the weak answer Stinebaker provided as a hypothetical. It was a weak answer, period.
Remember that $7.6 million in stimulus money the sheriff wants to spend on a helicopter and machine guns for patrol boats?
Well, several aides to county officials met this morning to debate how that money should be spent and you'll never know what they said.
Why? Because they kicked me out, saying it was not a public meeting.
The County Attorney's Office ruled the gathering was not public under the Texas Open Meetings Act because it involved only aides having a general policy discussion, First Assistant County Attorney Marc Hill said.
Be that as it may, any meeting can be open to the press if its participants agree and this time they insisted on secrecy.
Sure, the final product of their debate will have to go before Commissioners Court next week. But it can help the taxpayers know how the court reached those conclusions and what ideas were tossed by the wayside in the process.
Doug Adkinson, County Judge Ed Emmett's criminal justice liasion, said he did not want the press to attend because it would inhibit the aides' ability to have a frank discussion.
As is typical, the political mouthpieces are straining credibility to 'splain away this little bit of sunblock:
Emmett was in a helicopter surveying the flood damage and could not be reached. His spokesman, Joe Stinebaker, said his office agreed with the county attorney's office's ruling.
Asked why the meeting wasn't voluntarily opened to the press, Stinebaker said: "The judge could have a reporter follow him home at night and sit while he watches TV, too ... every single meeting, every single phone call, every single thing we do all day long (could be open to the public), but that's not what the law says."
I present to you the first nominee in the "worst political explanation of 2009 - Head of PR" awards.
What Stinebaker's ignoring (or knows but is conveniently omitting) is that there's a huge difference between the County judge watching TV at home, and a group of aides discussing public policy. Public policy that's designed to directly affect how $7.6 Million dollars of taxpayer money is allocated. In short, that's a weak plot of excuse making. What Emmett and his spokesman need to keep in mind is that political ethics bloom the best in full sunshine. For a candidate who is really pushing ethics reform keeping such a large expenditure out of the public eye is curious at best.
Yesterday I talked about the problems with media intruding too-far into private lives. I still have those concerns, but that doesn't apply in this case. What the media should be doing is watch-dogging the Government at all levels, reporting what goes on at meetings such as this, Metro board meetings, TXDot meetings, Port of Houston, City Government you name it. They should report without bias what happens, and then let the citizens sort out their priorities.
Unfortunately, in this case, we're given a weak explanation why the public shouldn't be invited into a meeting with Millions of dollars on the line by the spokesman of a candidate who made 'ethics reform' a major plank of his campaign platform.
UPDATE: In the updates to the comments, Stinebaker channels Bill Clinton:
That's not exactly accurate, Liz. My quote wasn't a response to a question about "why the meeting wasn't voluntarily opened to the press." You had asked me whether hypothetically it COULD have been open to the media, and my response was yes, and that hypothetically the judge could allow you to follow him home at night and watch TV, but that that was NOT what the law required.
The reason the meeting wasn't open was already answered - participants wanted to be able to have a frank, free-flowing discussion outside the presence of the media.
No, I think it was accurate. Liz Peterson gave the reason, and then provided the weak answer Stinebaker provided as a hypothetical. It was a weak answer, period.
Houston Area Asides (4/28/09)
The 'mad water Yo!' Edition....
"Images are precious" and other tidbits from reams of Mayor Bill White's e-mails with downtown developer. [Rosanna Ruiz, Texas Watchdog] - Full scans of all correspondence. Interesting read regarding how things get done 'The Houston Way'.
Job 1 for new HISD boss: Bigger public presence. [Erika Mellon, Chron.com] - Saavedra quite often forgot that he's also chief PR officer, whether he liked it or not.
Galveston's dead trees could cost $706,000 to remove. [Harvey Rice, Chron.com] - Yikes!
A real start for a possible Senate Race. [Rick Casey, Chron.com] - Money, money everywhere and not a seat to run for. (yet)
Arlen Specter to switch from GOP to Democrat. [Chris Cillizza, Washington Post] - Not a local story but a HUGE story regardless, gone is the last arrow in the GOP quiver, the threat of a filibuster. Also, does this free up Hutchison to withdraw to run for Gov?
**I'm not a big fan of single party Governments, I think the best governing is done when there is a driven majority and a strong minority group out there that provides counter-balance. I wasn't blogging at the time but I didn't enjoy it when Republicans flirted with the same back several years ago. Now there's no check, no balance to our government, and it wasn't provided through the electoral process, it was handed to us through back-room dealings. Democrats will be happy today but this is a bad thing for our Democracy. A bad, bad thing.The same bad thing that Democrats decried when Jim Jeffords gave Republicans the majority by switching parties.** A thing that Republicans need to look in the mirror long and hard to see where the problem lies.**
Pantech, Nokia Smartphones make their marks. [Dwight Silverman, Chron.com] - One thing the iPhone did: It changed the way the market looks at phones. It's not as great as devotees make it out to be, but it was ground-breaking. The key to development is for phone-makers to move past the iPhone and break new ground.
Yappy Hour at Beaver's put down. [Mike Giglio, Houston Press] - Judging from some of the comments having ONE evening where dog owners can bring their dogs to an event is just asking too much. Further proof we no longer live in a free country.
**As the anonymous commenter stated: Jeffords went from Republican to Independent. I had Jeffords on the brain when I wrote that. Richard Shelby of Alabama was the Dem Senator that swapped to Rep. At that point however no balance of power was involved. Apologize for the error.
"Images are precious" and other tidbits from reams of Mayor Bill White's e-mails with downtown developer. [Rosanna Ruiz, Texas Watchdog] - Full scans of all correspondence. Interesting read regarding how things get done 'The Houston Way'.
Job 1 for new HISD boss: Bigger public presence. [Erika Mellon, Chron.com] - Saavedra quite often forgot that he's also chief PR officer, whether he liked it or not.
Galveston's dead trees could cost $706,000 to remove. [Harvey Rice, Chron.com] - Yikes!
A real start for a possible Senate Race. [Rick Casey, Chron.com] - Money, money everywhere and not a seat to run for. (yet)
Arlen Specter to switch from GOP to Democrat. [Chris Cillizza, Washington Post] - Not a local story but a HUGE story regardless, gone is the last arrow in the GOP quiver, the threat of a filibuster. Also, does this free up Hutchison to withdraw to run for Gov?
**I'm not a big fan of single party Governments, I think the best governing is done when there is a driven majority and a strong minority group out there that provides counter-balance. I wasn't blogging at the time but I didn't enjoy it when Republicans flirted with the same back several years ago. Now there's no check, no balance to our government, and it wasn't provided through the electoral process, it was handed to us through back-room dealings. Democrats will be happy today but this is a bad thing for our Democracy. A bad, bad thing.
Pantech, Nokia Smartphones make their marks. [Dwight Silverman, Chron.com] - One thing the iPhone did: It changed the way the market looks at phones. It's not as great as devotees make it out to be, but it was ground-breaking. The key to development is for phone-makers to move past the iPhone and break new ground.
Yappy Hour at Beaver's put down. [Mike Giglio, Houston Press] - Judging from some of the comments having ONE evening where dog owners can bring their dogs to an event is just asking too much. Further proof we no longer live in a free country.
**As the anonymous commenter stated: Jeffords went from Republican to Independent. I had Jeffords on the brain when I wrote that. Richard Shelby of Alabama was the Dem Senator that swapped to Rep. At that point however no balance of power was involved. Apologize for the error.
As Promised, Move It! Returns.
Good News
[Carolyn Feibel, Chron.com]
Feibel is a quality reporter, hopefully she brings the same watchdog mentality to her assignment as her predecessor. There's a lot of transit news out there that needs covering, from TXDot locally to the Harris County Toll Road Authority to Metro. It's a beat that deserves tough coverage and I'm glad the assurances it wasn't going away are true.
With more local blogs (including, at times, this one) providing opinionated transit commentary it's important to Houston to have a transit column that reports transit news.
Good luck to Ms. Feibel as she begins covering this important beat.
[Carolyn Feibel, Chron.com]
After a brief pit stop, this column is back on the road. I’ve taken over the wheel and hope you will continue to ride along.
I’ve been at the Houston Chronicle for almost two years, reporting from City Hall. My present commute is a blessed 10 minutes. But in a previous life, my morning commute took one hour, cost $6 in tolls and required crossing two rivers and a state line. The return journey was often longer. So I know well the various circles of commuting hell.
For the past three weeks, I’ve been busy under the hood, learning about Metro, light rail, the Port of Houston (with a quick, unexpected education on Somali piracy), and the Katy toll roads. But one of the most interesting days was the one I spent riding along with truck safety officers in East Harris County. Since then, I haven’t looked at an 18-wheeler in the same way.
Feibel is a quality reporter, hopefully she brings the same watchdog mentality to her assignment as her predecessor. There's a lot of transit news out there that needs covering, from TXDot locally to the Harris County Toll Road Authority to Metro. It's a beat that deserves tough coverage and I'm glad the assurances it wasn't going away are true.
With more local blogs (including, at times, this one) providing opinionated transit commentary it's important to Houston to have a transit column that reports transit news.
Good luck to Ms. Feibel as she begins covering this important beat.
A wet day spent at home.
Everyone OK?
Over here on the NorthWest side we're witnessing floods that we haven't seen in over a decade. Not during Alison, not during Ike, nothing like this. It appears we're not alone unfortunately.
Over at the Chron I would direct your attention to Science/NASA reporter Eric Berger who's doing a good job providing rain fall totals and updating predicted weather patterns. (hint: more rain this afternoon)
As for me, I hit the daily double. Not only is the area where I live (Bear Creek) being featured on television, but the area where I work (Bellaire) has been flooding as well. All of this adds up to a day working at home, trying to get a few loose-ends tied up via remote connect. What this means, of course, is that very little will get done and the rest of the week will be a mad-dash to month-end close.
Hope everyone else is doing well and staying dry.
Over here on the NorthWest side we're witnessing floods that we haven't seen in over a decade. Not during Alison, not during Ike, nothing like this. It appears we're not alone unfortunately.
Over at the Chron I would direct your attention to Science/NASA reporter Eric Berger who's doing a good job providing rain fall totals and updating predicted weather patterns. (hint: more rain this afternoon)
As for me, I hit the daily double. Not only is the area where I live (Bear Creek) being featured on television, but the area where I work (Bellaire) has been flooding as well. All of this adds up to a day working at home, trying to get a few loose-ends tied up via remote connect. What this means, of course, is that very little will get done and the rest of the week will be a mad-dash to month-end close.
Hope everyone else is doing well and staying dry.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Skinned-knees and bottom-lines
The media is everywhere.
And by that I don't mean some scary 'big-brother' everywhere but as in an all-pervasive 24-7 schlock & talk-fest, total immersion type of everywhere. If a child falls off a bicycle in Southeast Houston the media is there, asking us what type of world we live in that would allow such lawlessness where a child is allowed to fall off of a bike and skin their knees. What follows then is a series of hand-wringing, doe-eyed, somber-toned warnings from opinion makers that 'something...must be done.' Quite often this 'something' is a law against said activity which increases America's already world leading percentage of citizens incarcerated. The happy coincidence of this is that the media then has another, ready-made, story about how prisons are overcrowded, quoting serious, stern-eyed experts who inform us that such high incarceration rates are not sustainable.
Throughout all of this, one, inescapable fact remains constant: The media will be there, with note-pads, voice-recorders and cameras in tow, to bring all of this into our homes shrouded in the veil of 'public interest'. A Houston company lays-off thousands? "Video at 5 of the employees leaving the building, boxes in hand and tissue at nose." A child gets killed in a horrible accident: "We were first on the scene with the grieving Mother." A house fire in an affluent neighborhood: "News chopper 123 is there now live with pictures of the inferno." Our National obsession with the private tragedies of others is being bled dry by media companies in the name of 'profit' and we're willing accomplices. But do we really need all of these peeps into private lives? Is the media really looking out for our best interest in their coverage?
My answer would be NO, and it seems that the public is agreeing with me. Maybe it’s time to tell the media to stop horning in on our private lives in order to make a buck?
Of course, the biggest lie perpetuated by media companies is that they act out of some enlightened form of altruism. Bull. Every mainstream media company is acting in the interest of profit, much like many of the companies they negatively report on. They're also given much deeper access into our personal lives than we're comfortable providing to any other publically traded company. So what happens when they deny access to other non-mainstream media outlets? Can you imagine the public outrage that would erupt should, as an example, John Culberson announce that he is black-listing all Chron.com reporters from interviews, and will not answer questions from them?
For one, Democrats would go nuts, as would many moderates and independent voters. And they'd be correct to do this. So, how come there was no outrage when, in an erasure that was eerily Orwellian, Chron.com decided to 'scrub' all traces of BlogHouston from their web-site as well as, according to reports, issue orders barring all reporters and the reader's rep from answering their queries and e-mails, this despite the fact that at least two of the main contributors are customers?
The Chron's defense for this (and they are right to claim such) is that Chron.com is a private enterprise maintained by a for-profit venture and that, as such, they have the right to control content. So why then do they claim ius primæ noctis for inclusion into the private life of Alan Stanford? And, more importantly, why do we allow this?
Several media observers believe that 60 Minutes was the downfall of television news. Prior to that show turning a profit, news was always considered a necessary loss-leader. Sure news didn't make money, but it was an on-going concern because it was performed in the public interest, for the public good. Newscasts were focused around watchdog stories that illuminated issues deemed critical to the public good. While that may be a plausible explanation for TV news, how do we explain what's happened to our newspapers?
By all accounts, and a healthy dose of personal experience, there are still very talented, very professional reporters and news-gatherers on the payrolls of newspapers Nationwide. Many of them have the same analyzation skills and an innate ability to sniff out the real story as did many of their predecessors, but the quality (and quantity) of news just isn't the same. There are signs that the management structure is the weak link in the chain, compelling evidence that today's news organizations are ran more by bottom-line focused middle-management types who lack the creativity to expand news-gathering beyond the micro-level. The problem could also be rooted in the level where most news decisions are made, at the editorial level. Unfortunately, in the omerta-shrouded world of journalism, the public doesn't have full access into the decision-making processes that drive what information they are allowed to consume. Again the defense that's held up is one of 'private entity'.
Which, finally, brings us to the question of how to fix it? How do we fix the media in order to remove the 'scandal' coverage from our newspapers and airwaves and return the focus to watch-dogging both the public and private sector? Unfortunately, I'm not going to sit here and pretend I have an answer for that. There are several suggestions out there, some which seem to have more merit than others. The worst idea, without a doubt, is Federal intervention, either financially or through the fairness doctrine. Implementation of either of these suggestions places the media at the beck & call of our public institutions. A free and diverse media is expected to be messy and cacophonous, full of bile and vinegar, loud and ornery, almost to the point of being uncontrollable. Local newspapers and media should be a loud siren-wail against local abuses in both government and business. They should be an unrelenting spot-light on whatever dealings are occurring outside of the public eye. The second suggestion that I've heard (and one that could be a promising first step) is to remove the profit-making function entirely and require all major newspapers to operate as non-profit entities. I feel that this is limited, and a requirement is much too homogenous a solution to work in the fractious news-environment, but for some operations non-profit status might be a good idea.
Perhaps the best solution available is to figure out how to increase competition in the news industry. It could be that the explosion of on-line only media outlets is the best thing that has happened to one-newspaper cities such as Houston. One would hope that the emergence of new media outlets would force the Houston Chronicle, and the big four news channels to work to produce a better product. As bloggers and online media outlets start ramping up, the organizations with the most resources have the option of either reacting, or fading away. Judging by ratings and circulation numbers the early-reaction is to fade away. Hopefully this trend won't continue and the so-called "mainstream media" can turn it around. A healthy Democracy is dependent on a well-educated populace, and our historical preference for receiving education on the issues of the day has long been through an active media. Their strength is our strength so to speak.
Your turn. (In the comments)
And by that I don't mean some scary 'big-brother' everywhere but as in an all-pervasive 24-7 schlock & talk-fest, total immersion type of everywhere. If a child falls off a bicycle in Southeast Houston the media is there, asking us what type of world we live in that would allow such lawlessness where a child is allowed to fall off of a bike and skin their knees. What follows then is a series of hand-wringing, doe-eyed, somber-toned warnings from opinion makers that 'something...must be done.' Quite often this 'something' is a law against said activity which increases America's already world leading percentage of citizens incarcerated. The happy coincidence of this is that the media then has another, ready-made, story about how prisons are overcrowded, quoting serious, stern-eyed experts who inform us that such high incarceration rates are not sustainable.
Throughout all of this, one, inescapable fact remains constant: The media will be there, with note-pads, voice-recorders and cameras in tow, to bring all of this into our homes shrouded in the veil of 'public interest'. A Houston company lays-off thousands? "Video at 5 of the employees leaving the building, boxes in hand and tissue at nose." A child gets killed in a horrible accident: "We were first on the scene with the grieving Mother." A house fire in an affluent neighborhood: "News chopper 123 is there now live with pictures of the inferno." Our National obsession with the private tragedies of others is being bled dry by media companies in the name of 'profit' and we're willing accomplices. But do we really need all of these peeps into private lives? Is the media really looking out for our best interest in their coverage?
My answer would be NO, and it seems that the public is agreeing with me. Maybe it’s time to tell the media to stop horning in on our private lives in order to make a buck?
Of course, the biggest lie perpetuated by media companies is that they act out of some enlightened form of altruism. Bull. Every mainstream media company is acting in the interest of profit, much like many of the companies they negatively report on. They're also given much deeper access into our personal lives than we're comfortable providing to any other publically traded company. So what happens when they deny access to other non-mainstream media outlets? Can you imagine the public outrage that would erupt should, as an example, John Culberson announce that he is black-listing all Chron.com reporters from interviews, and will not answer questions from them?
For one, Democrats would go nuts, as would many moderates and independent voters. And they'd be correct to do this. So, how come there was no outrage when, in an erasure that was eerily Orwellian, Chron.com decided to 'scrub' all traces of BlogHouston from their web-site as well as, according to reports, issue orders barring all reporters and the reader's rep from answering their queries and e-mails, this despite the fact that at least two of the main contributors are customers?
The Chron's defense for this (and they are right to claim such) is that Chron.com is a private enterprise maintained by a for-profit venture and that, as such, they have the right to control content. So why then do they claim ius primæ noctis for inclusion into the private life of Alan Stanford? And, more importantly, why do we allow this?
Several media observers believe that 60 Minutes was the downfall of television news. Prior to that show turning a profit, news was always considered a necessary loss-leader. Sure news didn't make money, but it was an on-going concern because it was performed in the public interest, for the public good. Newscasts were focused around watchdog stories that illuminated issues deemed critical to the public good. While that may be a plausible explanation for TV news, how do we explain what's happened to our newspapers?
By all accounts, and a healthy dose of personal experience, there are still very talented, very professional reporters and news-gatherers on the payrolls of newspapers Nationwide. Many of them have the same analyzation skills and an innate ability to sniff out the real story as did many of their predecessors, but the quality (and quantity) of news just isn't the same. There are signs that the management structure is the weak link in the chain, compelling evidence that today's news organizations are ran more by bottom-line focused middle-management types who lack the creativity to expand news-gathering beyond the micro-level. The problem could also be rooted in the level where most news decisions are made, at the editorial level. Unfortunately, in the omerta-shrouded world of journalism, the public doesn't have full access into the decision-making processes that drive what information they are allowed to consume. Again the defense that's held up is one of 'private entity'.
Which, finally, brings us to the question of how to fix it? How do we fix the media in order to remove the 'scandal' coverage from our newspapers and airwaves and return the focus to watch-dogging both the public and private sector? Unfortunately, I'm not going to sit here and pretend I have an answer for that. There are several suggestions out there, some which seem to have more merit than others. The worst idea, without a doubt, is Federal intervention, either financially or through the fairness doctrine. Implementation of either of these suggestions places the media at the beck & call of our public institutions. A free and diverse media is expected to be messy and cacophonous, full of bile and vinegar, loud and ornery, almost to the point of being uncontrollable. Local newspapers and media should be a loud siren-wail against local abuses in both government and business. They should be an unrelenting spot-light on whatever dealings are occurring outside of the public eye. The second suggestion that I've heard (and one that could be a promising first step) is to remove the profit-making function entirely and require all major newspapers to operate as non-profit entities. I feel that this is limited, and a requirement is much too homogenous a solution to work in the fractious news-environment, but for some operations non-profit status might be a good idea.
Perhaps the best solution available is to figure out how to increase competition in the news industry. It could be that the explosion of on-line only media outlets is the best thing that has happened to one-newspaper cities such as Houston. One would hope that the emergence of new media outlets would force the Houston Chronicle, and the big four news channels to work to produce a better product. As bloggers and online media outlets start ramping up, the organizations with the most resources have the option of either reacting, or fading away. Judging by ratings and circulation numbers the early-reaction is to fade away. Hopefully this trend won't continue and the so-called "mainstream media" can turn it around. A healthy Democracy is dependent on a well-educated populace, and our historical preference for receiving education on the issues of the day has long been through an active media. Their strength is our strength so to speak.
Your turn. (In the comments)
Houston Area Asides (04/27/09)
The "I'm mad too Eddie" edition...
Tastes Great..No Billing: Beer lobby poised to block public from buying beer from the source [Matt Pulle, Texas Watchdog.com] - Further proof that Texas isn't a free, or civilized, Country.
Swine Flu has Texas on Edge. [Michelle Roberts, AP via Chron.com] - Unfortunately not on edge enough that we got a day off to play golf.
GM to cut 21,000 jobs, scrap 83 yr-old Pontiac brand. [AP via Chron.com] - Too bad about the jobs, but Pontiac was effectively killed when they tried to re-release the GTO and made a butchery of it.
Starting today, you can have a say on search for HISD's new leader. [Chron.com] - Otherwise known as the public airing of grievances.
Finger helped Mayor White write marketing letter. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - The first fruits of the Texas Watchdog open records request regarding the same.
Neighbors inherit wealthy Rivercrest's traffic problem. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - What? Wealthy political donors get special treatment in Houston?
Layoff protection wooing customers to spend money. [Jennifer Latson, Chron.com] - Oddly, long-term change in our consumer culture is being linked to increases in our consumer culture....don't ask.
If the City subsidized just one more downtown Hotel, would we be world-class? [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - If Houston ever did become "world class" that'd destroy the false justification for spending tax-payer money on trinkets. It's very similar to Republicans and tax-cuts. Take away the moving goal-posts anre the arguments look pretty silly.
The TMC's power to condemn. [Anne Linehan, BlogHouston.net] - I'm betting people would be amazed if a list was provided detailing all of the local psuedo-governmental agencies that have limited right of eminent domain.
What is the true cost of Houston's Light-Rail expansion project? [Jeremy Desel, KHOU.com] - A fair question.
Funny, for a State that wants to secede Texas sure wants Fed medical help. [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - There's a way more nuanced response to this that Perry could make, but I'm betting he won't and this talking point will rule the day. Perry stepped on himself with the whole secede thing didn't he?
I hate you! Please help me! [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - See above.
Tastes Great..No Billing: Beer lobby poised to block public from buying beer from the source [Matt Pulle, Texas Watchdog.com] - Further proof that Texas isn't a free, or civilized, Country.
Swine Flu has Texas on Edge. [Michelle Roberts, AP via Chron.com] - Unfortunately not on edge enough that we got a day off to play golf.
GM to cut 21,000 jobs, scrap 83 yr-old Pontiac brand. [AP via Chron.com] - Too bad about the jobs, but Pontiac was effectively killed when they tried to re-release the GTO and made a butchery of it.
Starting today, you can have a say on search for HISD's new leader. [Chron.com] - Otherwise known as the public airing of grievances.
Finger helped Mayor White write marketing letter. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - The first fruits of the Texas Watchdog open records request regarding the same.
Neighbors inherit wealthy Rivercrest's traffic problem. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - What? Wealthy political donors get special treatment in Houston?
Layoff protection wooing customers to spend money. [Jennifer Latson, Chron.com] - Oddly, long-term change in our consumer culture is being linked to increases in our consumer culture....don't ask.
If the City subsidized just one more downtown Hotel, would we be world-class? [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - If Houston ever did become "world class" that'd destroy the false justification for spending tax-payer money on trinkets. It's very similar to Republicans and tax-cuts. Take away the moving goal-posts anre the arguments look pretty silly.
The TMC's power to condemn. [Anne Linehan, BlogHouston.net] - I'm betting people would be amazed if a list was provided detailing all of the local psuedo-governmental agencies that have limited right of eminent domain.
What is the true cost of Houston's Light-Rail expansion project? [Jeremy Desel, KHOU.com] - A fair question.
Funny, for a State that wants to secede Texas sure wants Fed medical help. [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - There's a way more nuanced response to this that Perry could make, but I'm betting he won't and this talking point will rule the day. Perry stepped on himself with the whole secede thing didn't he?
I hate you! Please help me! [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - See above.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/25/09)
The "Anger for breakfast" edition....
Another evidence mistake from HPD crime lab surfaces. [Roma Khanna, Chron.com] - Oops.
UH has ally in trying to join nations top-tier universities. [Gary Scharrar, Chron.com] - Congrats to Rep. Ellen Cohen for assisting the local U.
Evacuation warning: If you stay of hurricane, you may pay. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - It's typically the poor and those without transportation who stay (plus the stubborn). I'm guessing repayment rates will be low. (Or there will be another bill offering taxpayer 'aid' to those who can't afford it, which is really the system now if you think about it.)
Canine Conundrum: What's going on at Trader's Village? [Angel Lane, Chron.commons] - With all of the good Rescue Dogs available (for example: Sly) I'd be hard pressed to buy a dog when I would give a good dog a forever home for an adoption fee.
Advocates laud teen access to Plan B contraceptive. [Cindy George, Chron.com] - I've seen this called the 'slut' pill. Fair enough, but I'd rather see increased use of this than increases in mid-to-late-term abortions. Of course, I'd rather see increased education about responsible use of contraceptives, but hey...
The Mayorals and Gambling. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - Well, three of the Mayoral candidates anyway.
Another evidence mistake from HPD crime lab surfaces. [Roma Khanna, Chron.com] - Oops.
UH has ally in trying to join nations top-tier universities. [Gary Scharrar, Chron.com] - Congrats to Rep. Ellen Cohen for assisting the local U.
Evacuation warning: If you stay of hurricane, you may pay. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - It's typically the poor and those without transportation who stay (plus the stubborn). I'm guessing repayment rates will be low. (Or there will be another bill offering taxpayer 'aid' to those who can't afford it, which is really the system now if you think about it.)
Canine Conundrum: What's going on at Trader's Village? [Angel Lane, Chron.commons] - With all of the good Rescue Dogs available (for example: Sly) I'd be hard pressed to buy a dog when I would give a good dog a forever home for an adoption fee.
Advocates laud teen access to Plan B contraceptive. [Cindy George, Chron.com] - I've seen this called the 'slut' pill. Fair enough, but I'd rather see increased use of this than increases in mid-to-late-term abortions. Of course, I'd rather see increased education about responsible use of contraceptives, but hey...
The Mayorals and Gambling. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - Well, three of the Mayoral candidates anyway.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/24/09)
The "Don't drive angry" edition....
Illegal immigration costs State Billions. [Elaine Ayala, San Antonio Express-News via Chron.com] - Amazingly, liberal migration groups found the study 'flawed'. In related news it's hot in Houston in July.
Flickers of Hope in manufacturing, home sales. [AP via Chron.com] - Don't worry, our Government will act quickly to tamp those out. Nothing to see here.
Houston to be warmer than normal, and possibly wet. [Dale Lezon, Chron.com] - In April? In related news Conservatives and Liberals have differing views on how to reform immigration.
Texas might get speedy train, where it runs still an issue. [Carolyn Feibel, Chron.com] - From New Orleans to San Antonio to Dallas and then up North, possibly out West to El Paso and beyond. Of course, that would be intelligent and this is the Federal Government we're speaking of here.
County envisions community for Vets. [Mike Snyder, Chron.com] - An "attraction for visitors"? What the hell's the main draw going to be? Already, in the comments, the pro-vet group is rallying behind this, but I think its got boondoggle written all over it.
Texas leads U.S. in smuggling guns into Mexico. [Todd Bensman, Hearst News Svc. via Chron.com] - We're #1!! Of course, this makes sense if you consider Texas has the longest shared border with Mexico of any State. Still amazed that taking away American rights is being held up as a mainstream solution to Mexico's inability to reign in the drug cartels.
Bill to restrict access to Teacher records moves forward. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - This is such a bad bill on so many levels. If people want to be entrusted with the education and well-being of our children then they should be open to public scrutiny. Spare me the platitudes about 'unfair standards' or 'attracting top talent'.
Ken Lay excuse returns in Stanford Matter. [Loren Steffy, Chron.com] - It's too bad Steffy has decided to convice Alan Stanford before charges have even been brought. I'm rapidly growing weary of 'trial by talking head' how about you?
Harris County Clerk's office ahead of the curve on E-filing. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Congrats to Mr. Jackson and his staff.
No Bickering about the details. [Unca Darrell] - More from the prosecution proving the case that the Four Caucasian Males currently making up the Chron Ed board should be moth-balled.
Mayor White Gets sort-of mad. [Miya Shay, ABC13.com] - And sort-of copies Obama.
The Valet Problem. [Katherine Schilcutt, Houston Press.com] - "Forced" Valet, where there's no other option provided, I don't like, but Valet taking up the places next to the door? I'll walk thank you very much.
The Four Houstons. [Tory Gattis, Houston Strategies] - Not as catchy as the Four Tops but hey....
Illegal immigration costs State Billions. [Elaine Ayala, San Antonio Express-News via Chron.com] - Amazingly, liberal migration groups found the study 'flawed'. In related news it's hot in Houston in July.
Flickers of Hope in manufacturing, home sales. [AP via Chron.com] - Don't worry, our Government will act quickly to tamp those out. Nothing to see here.
Houston to be warmer than normal, and possibly wet. [Dale Lezon, Chron.com] - In April? In related news Conservatives and Liberals have differing views on how to reform immigration.
Texas might get speedy train, where it runs still an issue. [Carolyn Feibel, Chron.com] - From New Orleans to San Antonio to Dallas and then up North, possibly out West to El Paso and beyond. Of course, that would be intelligent and this is the Federal Government we're speaking of here.
County envisions community for Vets. [Mike Snyder, Chron.com] - An "attraction for visitors"? What the hell's the main draw going to be? Already, in the comments, the pro-vet group is rallying behind this, but I think its got boondoggle written all over it.
Texas leads U.S. in smuggling guns into Mexico. [Todd Bensman, Hearst News Svc. via Chron.com] - We're #1!! Of course, this makes sense if you consider Texas has the longest shared border with Mexico of any State. Still amazed that taking away American rights is being held up as a mainstream solution to Mexico's inability to reign in the drug cartels.
Bill to restrict access to Teacher records moves forward. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - This is such a bad bill on so many levels. If people want to be entrusted with the education and well-being of our children then they should be open to public scrutiny. Spare me the platitudes about 'unfair standards' or 'attracting top talent'.
Ken Lay excuse returns in Stanford Matter. [Loren Steffy, Chron.com] - It's too bad Steffy has decided to convice Alan Stanford before charges have even been brought. I'm rapidly growing weary of 'trial by talking head' how about you?
Harris County Clerk's office ahead of the curve on E-filing. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Congrats to Mr. Jackson and his staff.
No Bickering about the details. [Unca Darrell] - More from the prosecution proving the case that the Four Caucasian Males currently making up the Chron Ed board should be moth-balled.
Mayor White Gets sort-of mad. [Miya Shay, ABC13.com] - And sort-of copies Obama.
The Valet Problem. [Katherine Schilcutt, Houston Press.com] - "Forced" Valet, where there's no other option provided, I don't like, but Valet taking up the places next to the door? I'll walk thank you very much.
The Four Houstons. [Tory Gattis, Houston Strategies] - Not as catchy as the Four Tops but hey....
Is Rick Perry the best thing TX Democrats have going for them?
By now you're probably familiar with Rick Perry's 'secession' suggestion. Most of America, by now, have heard or read the infamous quote uttered to media in a Tea Party frenzy. It's been good media, great entertainment, and political fodder for Democrats.
Make that great political fodder for TX Democrats. To the tune of 48% of surveyed Republicans agreeing that Texas would be better off going it alone.
Make that very grand theater for Democrats, and it should be. After all, Republicans had the same fun at the expense of "un-patriotic" Hollywood lefties who promised to leave America should Bush win right? Throwing a post electoral-drubbing temper tantrum is as American as....
It's also ready-made election-ad material for the opposing political party. For political consultants use soundbytes and the politics of personality to chastise the offender for using soundbytes and the politics of personality. And the people suck it up. Well, sorta. They suck it up to the extent that they suck up any State political news, which is, not much. At least, not to the amount that they suck up American Idol and whether or not Paula Abdul is addicted to banana peels. C'mon now, priorities.
Still, despite the fact that he's is not a banana peel (better hair), and despite the fact that Democrats really don't have much bench strength on a State-wide level (Sharp? Scheiffer? Kinky?), Rick Perry is the best friend Democrats have right now. The reason for this is because State Gov't works about the same as the Federal Government in terms of power. Despite having no one elected to Statewide office, many of the old-line Democrats in the House and Senate are still there, still waiting to take up the leadership positions should they reclaim the majority. Just as in the Federal Government, the faces on the fringes change (as well as the faces of the executive) but the key players stay the same. Need proof? Chris Dodd and Barney Frank are being entrusted to play a key role in fixing financial messes they both played a key role in creating. The same Republican leadership, with a few exceptions, that got the pachyderms into this mess are asking voters to trust them to get America out of this mess. The same thing will happen in Texas. Long-time Democratic State Representatives and State Senators will, when the Democrats retake majorities, be put in leadership positions similar to ones they held in the past. Now granted, in Texas there will be more new faces than on the Federal level, but that's more due to the fact that Democrats have been in the political wilderness for so long that their old-guard leadership has retired. In many cases however the people replacing them were hand-picked successors, the more things change the more they stay the same.
What Rick Perry does is offer TX Democrats a mirror to hold up to the Republican Party in Texas, and the reflection isn't pretty. It reflects around 50% (48% to be exact) of Republicans throwing a tantrum, and willing to leave the Union if they don't get their way. What does that say about their willingness to stick it out during tough times? It's "W. is not MY President" with the volume amped up to 11. It's the rantings of non-thinking partisans who don't understand, and don't want to understand, what it means to live in a democracy. Both sides have people like this it's just that the Republicans seem to have more of them right now.
I've said this about the "Tea Party Tax Protests" before, and I'll say it again: Throwing a temper tantrum is easy, crafting a winning message is H-A-R-D. Right now the Republicans, led by Gov. Rick Perry, don't seem to have any interest in crafting a message that's designed to win. There was some talk about if for a little while, but the 'throw a tantrum' faction of Republicans squashed that talk by calling names and casting dispersions on (their term) the "squishy middle". If you're unfamiliar with who the "squishy middle" might be then go out and look at pretty much everyone that lives on your block. They're the 'large majority' who cast a vote for Obama, the people who aren't talking about 'secession' or taking jabs at Barack "Hussein" Obama, they're the folks not too terribly worried about whether or not Barack goofed up on protocol with King Abdullah. In short, they're the majority, the people that are, more and more, turning away from the Republican Party because the leadership is daft, uninspiring, and is more interested in riling up an ever-shrinking base than they are governing a State or Country.
At heart, a Democracy should be about reflecting the will of the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. Most revolutions throughout history have come not from a failure to govern, but from a failure to listen. In America we, all too often, tend to view surveys, polls and elections as the end of the debate. In all actuality they should be the beginning of the discussion, the starting off point for our National dialogue. That's something to think about, and something both sides need to take into consideration.
Make that great political fodder for TX Democrats. To the tune of 48% of surveyed Republicans agreeing that Texas would be better off going it alone.
Make that very grand theater for Democrats, and it should be. After all, Republicans had the same fun at the expense of "un-patriotic" Hollywood lefties who promised to leave America should Bush win right? Throwing a post electoral-drubbing temper tantrum is as American as....
It's also ready-made election-ad material for the opposing political party. For political consultants use soundbytes and the politics of personality to chastise the offender for using soundbytes and the politics of personality. And the people suck it up. Well, sorta. They suck it up to the extent that they suck up any State political news, which is, not much. At least, not to the amount that they suck up American Idol and whether or not Paula Abdul is addicted to banana peels. C'mon now, priorities.
Still, despite the fact that he's is not a banana peel (better hair), and despite the fact that Democrats really don't have much bench strength on a State-wide level (Sharp? Scheiffer? Kinky?), Rick Perry is the best friend Democrats have right now. The reason for this is because State Gov't works about the same as the Federal Government in terms of power. Despite having no one elected to Statewide office, many of the old-line Democrats in the House and Senate are still there, still waiting to take up the leadership positions should they reclaim the majority. Just as in the Federal Government, the faces on the fringes change (as well as the faces of the executive) but the key players stay the same. Need proof? Chris Dodd and Barney Frank are being entrusted to play a key role in fixing financial messes they both played a key role in creating. The same Republican leadership, with a few exceptions, that got the pachyderms into this mess are asking voters to trust them to get America out of this mess. The same thing will happen in Texas. Long-time Democratic State Representatives and State Senators will, when the Democrats retake majorities, be put in leadership positions similar to ones they held in the past. Now granted, in Texas there will be more new faces than on the Federal level, but that's more due to the fact that Democrats have been in the political wilderness for so long that their old-guard leadership has retired. In many cases however the people replacing them were hand-picked successors, the more things change the more they stay the same.
What Rick Perry does is offer TX Democrats a mirror to hold up to the Republican Party in Texas, and the reflection isn't pretty. It reflects around 50% (48% to be exact) of Republicans throwing a tantrum, and willing to leave the Union if they don't get their way. What does that say about their willingness to stick it out during tough times? It's "W. is not MY President" with the volume amped up to 11. It's the rantings of non-thinking partisans who don't understand, and don't want to understand, what it means to live in a democracy. Both sides have people like this it's just that the Republicans seem to have more of them right now.
I've said this about the "Tea Party Tax Protests" before, and I'll say it again: Throwing a temper tantrum is easy, crafting a winning message is H-A-R-D. Right now the Republicans, led by Gov. Rick Perry, don't seem to have any interest in crafting a message that's designed to win. There was some talk about if for a little while, but the 'throw a tantrum' faction of Republicans squashed that talk by calling names and casting dispersions on (their term) the "squishy middle". If you're unfamiliar with who the "squishy middle" might be then go out and look at pretty much everyone that lives on your block. They're the 'large majority' who cast a vote for Obama, the people who aren't talking about 'secession' or taking jabs at Barack "Hussein" Obama, they're the folks not too terribly worried about whether or not Barack goofed up on protocol with King Abdullah. In short, they're the majority, the people that are, more and more, turning away from the Republican Party because the leadership is daft, uninspiring, and is more interested in riling up an ever-shrinking base than they are governing a State or Country.
At heart, a Democracy should be about reflecting the will of the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. Most revolutions throughout history have come not from a failure to govern, but from a failure to listen. In America we, all too often, tend to view surveys, polls and elections as the end of the debate. In all actuality they should be the beginning of the discussion, the starting off point for our National dialogue. That's something to think about, and something both sides need to take into consideration.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/23/09)
The "Anger Management" edition....
Texans stock up on guns. [Purva Patel, Chron.com] - Why do I keep thinking of the Drama Prairie Dog?
DPS redesigns Texas driver's licenses with Austin skyline. [AP via Chron.com] - Oddly enough, no press release from the Greater Houston Partnership bemoaning the disrespect toward Houston.
Houston ambulance stolen while Paramedics on duty. [Chron.com] - Doh!
Feds to target those who employ undocumented workers. [Stewart M. Powell, Chron.com] - Cue Anger.
Reserve the Astrodome for Public Use. [Ed Emmett, Chron.com] - Tear. It. Down.
Why the Republicans should be more concerned about the Tea Parties. [Dr. Melissa Clouthier, Chron.com] - Throwing a fit is easy, crafting a winning message is hard.
Audit again assails City Housing Unit. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - What? But we were assured this was no big deal by the Chron around a week ago?
AG: Public entitled to Mayor White's Public calendar, coorespondance with developer. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - That's gotta hurt.
Texans stock up on guns. [Purva Patel, Chron.com] - Why do I keep thinking of the Drama Prairie Dog?
DPS redesigns Texas driver's licenses with Austin skyline. [AP via Chron.com] - Oddly enough, no press release from the Greater Houston Partnership bemoaning the disrespect toward Houston.
Houston ambulance stolen while Paramedics on duty. [Chron.com] - Doh!
Feds to target those who employ undocumented workers. [Stewart M. Powell, Chron.com] - Cue Anger.
Reserve the Astrodome for Public Use. [Ed Emmett, Chron.com] - Tear. It. Down.
Why the Republicans should be more concerned about the Tea Parties. [Dr. Melissa Clouthier, Chron.com] - Throwing a fit is easy, crafting a winning message is hard.
Audit again assails City Housing Unit. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - What? But we were assured this was no big deal by the Chron around a week ago?
AG: Public entitled to Mayor White's Public calendar, coorespondance with developer. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - That's gotta hurt.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Future of Food and Wine Reporting in Houston? (CORRECTED)
Like many, I'm mildly intrigued by Block 7 Wine Co. a just-on-the-cusp-of-opening wine/food merchant located in the ultra-trendy Washington Ave. corridor. So far the PR group (whoever it is running the blog and twitter accounts) are saying all of the correct things regarding wine, customer service and the ills of big distributors in Houston. Will they last? I'm not sure. We've seen similar (but not exactly the same) attempts like this fail before, and the temptation will be there for Block 7 to devolve into just another Houston wine bar selling mass produced 'chemistry' wines that rate highly with the large wine publications. There's nothing wrong with that and it could be what the Houston market desires. Wine bars such as 13 Celsius and Max's Wine Dive have proven this business model to be successful.
What I've found interesting has been Block 7's early approach to Houston food and drink media. Instead of reaching out to the "Main Stream" food critic in town (The always entertaining Alison Cook) they've seemed to focus their marketing to Houston's online foodie community.
Will this work? Time will tell. If its successful however it could open up an entirely different venue for restaurant and bar marketing. If the food writer for the monthly free glossy 002 andthe newly-hired on-line editor for The Houston Press* other Houston foodies on Twitter can generate enough excitement about the (heavily promoted) B7 Burger and other items on the menu among the hard-core foodies and various other food-related groups, it could provide Block 7 with the initial bump in customers they need until they can build relationships with Houston's sophisticated wine buyer. Then again, if they do well enough, they could be assimilated into the collective and decide that bio-dynamic/terrior driven wines are not the way to go at all.
Either way this will be an interesting track over the next few months from a food advertising perspective. There was a time, before the Internet, that a newspaper review from a restaurant critic had the potential to make or break a restaurant. Even in today's dead-tree dark days a positive review by either Cook or Robb Walsh can result in a good establishment becoming overwhelmed with new customers. In an effort to perpetuate the positive, it's customary for reviewed restaurants to reciprocate and advertise in the newspapers that reviewed them. It's been a symbiotic relationship that's worked for quite some time.
But what happens when one side finds out they don't need to pay when there's groups available that can provide a similar bump in business, but for greatly reduced (or free) advertising rates?
We could be about to find out.
*Correction: According to Katherine Schilcutt (the newly-hired on-line editor for the Houston Press) Block 7 has NOT approached her as I surmised. When I saw the tweet between the two of them I assumed (incorrectly) that they had. Basically their contact has been toward Jenny and other foodies on Twitter and face to face. Apologies for the error.
What I've found interesting has been Block 7's early approach to Houston food and drink media. Instead of reaching out to the "Main Stream" food critic in town (The always entertaining Alison Cook) they've seemed to focus their marketing to Houston's online foodie community.
Will this work? Time will tell. If its successful however it could open up an entirely different venue for restaurant and bar marketing. If the food writer for the monthly free glossy 002 and
Either way this will be an interesting track over the next few months from a food advertising perspective. There was a time, before the Internet, that a newspaper review from a restaurant critic had the potential to make or break a restaurant. Even in today's dead-tree dark days a positive review by either Cook or Robb Walsh can result in a good establishment becoming overwhelmed with new customers. In an effort to perpetuate the positive, it's customary for reviewed restaurants to reciprocate and advertise in the newspapers that reviewed them. It's been a symbiotic relationship that's worked for quite some time.
But what happens when one side finds out they don't need to pay when there's groups available that can provide a similar bump in business, but for greatly reduced (or free) advertising rates?
We could be about to find out.
*Correction: According to Katherine Schilcutt (the newly-hired on-line editor for the Houston Press) Block 7 has NOT approached her as I surmised. When I saw the tweet between the two of them I assumed (incorrectly) that they had. Basically their contact has been toward Jenny and other foodies on Twitter and face to face. Apologies for the error.
Houston Area Asides (04/22/09)
The "Angry Planet" edition....
Galveston Mayor visits Cuba to talk Hurricanes [Harvey Rice, Chron.com] - Bring back some cigars.
Forewoman's note shocks jury, ends lawsuit. [Rick Casey, Chron.com] - Odd story, hopefully there's a follow up with Cortez' side of the story. Now that(providing additional insight not yet known) would be some good column writing.
Torturers maybe be prosecuted. [Texas Liberal]
If we sink to the level of the terrorists, haven't they won? [Desperado, Something different]
Two things here: 1. It should be alleged torturers. Last I checked this is still America and our system of justice still provides the presumption of innocence. Which is why the 'torture' hearings are sure to be a sham, most of the 'impartial' legislators who will be making the decisions have already decided on the matter of guilt vs. innocence before the first witness has been called. 2. So...using advanced interrorgation techniques in a non-lethal manner against accused, imprisoned terrorists is the moral equivilent to murdering civilians? What am I missing?
Of course, before this breaks down like I know it will, none of what I'm questioning should be taken as 'support of torture'. If Americans did torture then, as a society, we have a responsibility to prosecute the torturers to the full extent of the law. Perhaps the first step would be to legally define 'torture' in these cases. Despite frothing assurances from the left that waterboarding is torture, there seems to be a significant amount of doubt over the issue to preclued rushing to judgement. (Except in reader blogs {and their comments - for the RW POW} of course)
Harris County will apply for $7.6 Million in stimulus aid. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com]
Confused about the stimulus funds? You're not alone. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com]
**A good example of a media blog providing extra content (and context) to a news story provided limited space. A model the Chron should take further advantage of.**
Texas Senate approves $500 Million for solar power. [Janet Elliot, Chron.com] - I'm guessing Mrs. White's retired catapult was on loan?
No Glow Yet from going green. [Loren Steffy, Chron.com] - Clearer thinkers understand the slow growth of renewables is more a question of market fundamentals than it is obstructionist energy.
Is refurbishing the Astrodome worth a few hundred Million dollars to you? [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Tear. It. Down. Thank you.
That will show us (Part 2) [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - The great bH scrubbing of 2009 is one of the more curious (and humorous) distractions that the Chron has provided of late. It all has a very "Ministry of Truth" vibe to it doesn't it? (If we erase them they don't exist.)
Is it that bogged down already? [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - In a word, NO. And I drive it almost every day. The decrease in my I-10 drive time (on the regular, non-toll lanes) has been stunning.
The Skilled Foreign Worker, Houston Variety. [Slampo's Place] - Finishing things off with another unique slice-of-life post from Houston's (uncrowned) best blogger.
Galveston Mayor visits Cuba to talk Hurricanes [Harvey Rice, Chron.com] - Bring back some cigars.
Forewoman's note shocks jury, ends lawsuit. [Rick Casey, Chron.com] - Odd story, hopefully there's a follow up with Cortez' side of the story. Now that(providing additional insight not yet known) would be some good column writing.
Torturers maybe be prosecuted. [Texas Liberal]
If we sink to the level of the terrorists, haven't they won? [Desperado, Something different]
Two things here: 1. It should be alleged torturers. Last I checked this is still America and our system of justice still provides the presumption of innocence. Which is why the 'torture' hearings are sure to be a sham, most of the 'impartial' legislators who will be making the decisions have already decided on the matter of guilt vs. innocence before the first witness has been called. 2. So...using advanced interrorgation techniques in a non-lethal manner against accused, imprisoned terrorists is the moral equivilent to murdering civilians? What am I missing?
Of course, before this breaks down like I know it will, none of what I'm questioning should be taken as 'support of torture'. If Americans did torture then, as a society, we have a responsibility to prosecute the torturers to the full extent of the law. Perhaps the first step would be to legally define 'torture' in these cases. Despite frothing assurances from the left that waterboarding is torture, there seems to be a significant amount of doubt over the issue to preclued rushing to judgement. (Except in reader blogs {and their comments - for the RW POW} of course)
Harris County will apply for $7.6 Million in stimulus aid. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com]
Confused about the stimulus funds? You're not alone. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com]
**A good example of a media blog providing extra content (and context) to a news story provided limited space. A model the Chron should take further advantage of.**
Texas Senate approves $500 Million for solar power. [Janet Elliot, Chron.com] - I'm guessing Mrs. White's retired catapult was on loan?
No Glow Yet from going green. [Loren Steffy, Chron.com] - Clearer thinkers understand the slow growth of renewables is more a question of market fundamentals than it is obstructionist energy.
Is refurbishing the Astrodome worth a few hundred Million dollars to you? [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Tear. It. Down. Thank you.
That will show us (Part 2) [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - The great bH scrubbing of 2009 is one of the more curious (and humorous) distractions that the Chron has provided of late. It all has a very "Ministry of Truth" vibe to it doesn't it? (If we erase them they don't exist.)
Is it that bogged down already? [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - In a word, NO. And I drive it almost every day. The decrease in my I-10 drive time (on the regular, non-toll lanes) has been stunning.
The Skilled Foreign Worker, Houston Variety. [Slampo's Place] - Finishing things off with another unique slice-of-life post from Houston's (uncrowned) best blogger.
More Tax deals done "The Houston Way"
This time it's a Downtown Embassy Suites that's scheduled for a big subsidy.
[Bradley Olson, Chron.com]
Curiously, one of the arguments for the subsidy is that the convention market is strong. An argument that, when examined, doesn't seem to make all that much sense. If the downtown hotel market truly was robust then you'd have occupancy rates at sufficient levels where revenues would out-pace costs. Land investment and other fixed costs would be low enough that a hotel could charge a competative rate, and turn a modest profit. You know...market based economics. Of course, the best part about allowing the market to grow organically is that the Government's tax coffers would fill at an equitable level, with all businesses kicking in their fair share of municipal taxes, as the system was designed.
What Houston is doing now is attempting to fit a round peg into a square hole:
Which was what Disco Green was designed to do, increase property values downtown and increase rents for developers. (Oh yeah, it's a downtown destination as well) All of this was bundled up in a nice, citizen friendly package of increasing revenues to the City which, of course, would help to fund vital City services.
Now, however, the funding mechanism that was designed to keep Disco Green going is being subsidized away, leading LaE to wonder if Addie Wiseman didn't have it right in the beginning....[Mike Snyder, Chron.com]
Remember, the City of Houston is on the hook for a $750,000 annual outlay in order to maintain the park with most of that money coming from hotel/motel tax revenues for the properties surrounding the park. In order to prop up development around the area, development that's already been granted 'most favored district' status by Mayor White, the City has now decided to remove a portion of the funding supply for said maintenance costs...
Wiseman's concerns about General Fund expenditures were pooh-poohed by park supporters at the time as 'unlikely'. It seems that, maybe, she had a better grasp of The Houston Way than most.
[Bradley Olson, Chron.com]
Houston is poised to provide a $9.6 million tax subsidy for an Embassy Suites downtown, part of a raft of public-private hotel development that has sprung up since the completion of Discovery Green.
City Council today is expected to consider the deal, which would provide the hotel developer up to $1.4 million a year for seven years if it agrees to set aside at least 70 percent of the planned hotel’s 262 rooms for conventions and to participate in national advertising geared toward attracting more convention business to Houston.
Houston-based American Liberty Hospitality, which is developing the $34.5 million hotel, did not return a call seeking comment.
The Embassy Suites, planned for the corner of Crawford and Dallas, would be the first to receive a subsidy under an ordinance approved in October that would provide a 100 percent giveback of hotel occupancy taxes for seven years to any hotel built within four blocks of the George R. Brown Convention Center.
The incentive package is needed to increase the number of hotel rooms downtown, a factor that has hurt the city’s efforts to win more convention business in the past, city officials said. The downtown region has about 5,500 hotel rooms, less than a third of many major U.S. cities.
“When you are a convention planner, you really do look out for how easily your guests can get to the facilities that house the convention,” said Robert Eury, president of Central Houston.
Eury said the Embassy Suites would be the 16th hotel downtown, up from just four in 1999.
Curiously, one of the arguments for the subsidy is that the convention market is strong. An argument that, when examined, doesn't seem to make all that much sense. If the downtown hotel market truly was robust then you'd have occupancy rates at sufficient levels where revenues would out-pace costs. Land investment and other fixed costs would be low enough that a hotel could charge a competative rate, and turn a modest profit. You know...market based economics. Of course, the best part about allowing the market to grow organically is that the Government's tax coffers would fill at an equitable level, with all businesses kicking in their fair share of municipal taxes, as the system was designed.
What Houston is doing now is attempting to fit a round peg into a square hole:
Michael D. Oden, an associate professor at the University of Texas at Austin who has studied economic development subsidies, said an important question is why private investment will not suffice if there is such a strong convention market.
“What are the market failures here that justify a public subsidy?” he asked.
Lewis said the primary reason the subsidy is needed is because Discovery Green has caused land prices around the convention center to skyrocket to between $200 and $300 a square foot.
Which was what Disco Green was designed to do, increase property values downtown and increase rents for developers. (Oh yeah, it's a downtown destination as well) All of this was bundled up in a nice, citizen friendly package of increasing revenues to the City which, of course, would help to fund vital City services.
Now, however, the funding mechanism that was designed to keep Disco Green going is being subsidized away, leading LaE to wonder if Addie Wiseman didn't have it right in the beginning....[Mike Snyder, Chron.com]
When the City Council approved the $8 million outlay on Dec. 1, 2004, council members Addie Wiseman and Gordon Quan cast the only "no" votes. Both have since left the council because of term limits.
Wiseman dissented because there was no guarantee that general tax revenues would never be used for the park,
Remember, the City of Houston is on the hook for a $750,000 annual outlay in order to maintain the park with most of that money coming from hotel/motel tax revenues for the properties surrounding the park. In order to prop up development around the area, development that's already been granted 'most favored district' status by Mayor White, the City has now decided to remove a portion of the funding supply for said maintenance costs...
Wiseman's concerns about General Fund expenditures were pooh-poohed by park supporters at the time as 'unlikely'. It seems that, maybe, she had a better grasp of The Houston Way than most.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Still MORE things deemed of higher importance to Chron Editors than Robust Local Coverage
You might remember, shortly after the Chron's recent round of staff reductions, that some observers (including me) opined the cuts reflected a change in focus from so-called "hard-news" to increased "features" and "life-style" pieces more in line with a gossip magazine than the award winning news daily editors are paying lip service to while competent reporters are shown the door.
According to e-mails from Chron staffers setting the record straight, gone are dedicated reporters for NASA and the transportation beat (although Carolyn Feibel is a competent reporter a dedicated beat would be better), their roles filled, part-time, by the ever dwindling number of news gatherers asked to do more with less, and cover a wider area without the benefit of extra help. Given that estimates have placed the newsroom bloodletting at 25% of total newsroom staff (with overall cuts estimated at around 12%) it's fair to ask what the Chron values more than local hard-news coverage. Because the Chron has chosen to not engage the public in their new mission (as other struggling newspapers have decided to do) observers are forced to read the tea-leaves of the Chron's actions to determine where the Star will lead.
The result is a (no doubt partial as more 'initiatives' roll out) hodge-podge of items, according to our observation and opinion, the Chron obviously values more than a robust local-news gathering staff:
The Golf Handicaps of Masthead executives - Not ONE person on the masthead was let go according to reports.
Caucasian editorial writers - That list is outdated, but the current Chron editorial board is made up entirely of relatively well-off liberal, white males over the age of 50. Hardly representative of Houston. (Or any sizable community {not named the Hamptons} for that matter)
Content from authors with no discernable ties to Houston. - To be fair, it's basically free content to the Chron one would imagine, but still.
the "Cougar" fantasies of one writer - Yeesh.
And...
Quite possibly the most desperate, appropriately named however, website in existence. - Nothing screams "I've been designed by a previous generation pining to be hip!" quite like the genius that is Deepinthegulfofmexico.com.
To this list we can now gleefully add:
Life Styles of the Rich and Worthless. - That's right, Shelby Hodge is blogging. They even are allowing (tightly moderated) comments, which is a step above her column.
In case you were wondering Shelby's first post is a farewell note to a Houstonian who's basically been known for drinking, parties and acting as a plastic surgery experiment. Amanda Mills, who's heading out to Los Angeles in an attempt to hit the big time. She's so serious she's even been *gasp* cutting back on her wine consumption. Oh the agony!
Because, you know, that's way more important than sending a reporter to cover the Texas Lege, for which the Chron decided an AP report would suffice.
According to e-mails from Chron staffers setting the record straight, gone are dedicated reporters for NASA and the transportation beat (although Carolyn Feibel is a competent reporter a dedicated beat would be better), their roles filled, part-time, by the ever dwindling number of news gatherers asked to do more with less, and cover a wider area without the benefit of extra help. Given that estimates have placed the newsroom bloodletting at 25% of total newsroom staff (with overall cuts estimated at around 12%) it's fair to ask what the Chron values more than local hard-news coverage. Because the Chron has chosen to not engage the public in their new mission (as other struggling newspapers have decided to do) observers are forced to read the tea-leaves of the Chron's actions to determine where the Star will lead.
The result is a (no doubt partial as more 'initiatives' roll out) hodge-podge of items, according to our observation and opinion, the Chron obviously values more than a robust local-news gathering staff:
The Golf Handicaps of Masthead executives - Not ONE person on the masthead was let go according to reports.
Caucasian editorial writers - That list is outdated, but the current Chron editorial board is made up entirely of relatively well-off liberal, white males over the age of 50. Hardly representative of Houston. (Or any sizable community {not named the Hamptons} for that matter)
Content from authors with no discernable ties to Houston. - To be fair, it's basically free content to the Chron one would imagine, but still.
the "Cougar" fantasies of one writer - Yeesh.
And...
Quite possibly the most desperate, appropriately named however, website in existence. - Nothing screams "I've been designed by a previous generation pining to be hip!" quite like the genius that is Deepinthegulfofmexico.com.
To this list we can now gleefully add:
Life Styles of the Rich and Worthless. - That's right, Shelby Hodge is blogging. They even are allowing (tightly moderated) comments, which is a step above her column.
In case you were wondering Shelby's first post is a farewell note to a Houstonian who's basically been known for drinking, parties and acting as a plastic surgery experiment. Amanda Mills, who's heading out to Los Angeles in an attempt to hit the big time. She's so serious she's even been *gasp* cutting back on her wine consumption. Oh the agony!
Because, you know, that's way more important than sending a reporter to cover the Texas Lege, for which the Chron decided an AP report would suffice.
Happy San Jacinto Day!!!
(Image courtesy of wikimedia commons public domain)April 21st marks the One Hundred & Seventy Third Anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto.
[SanJacinto-museum.org]
On the morning of April 21st, General Houston held a council of war. The majority of his officers voted to await Santa Anna’s attack in order to leverage their position. General Houston let each man in the council plead his case. Then he made a decision, which he kept to himself until that afternoon: they would attack.
Around 4:30 p.m., the Mexican soldiers awoke from their afternoon siestas to the smell of gunpowder and cries of vengeance. Flushed with victory from the siege of the Alamo, Santa Anna had failed to post sentries to monitor the Texans’ activities.
In eighteen minutes the Texians were in control of the Mexican camp.
The next day Gen. Santa Anna was found, dressed as a common soldier, and surrendered to Sam Houston, thus giving birth to the Republic of Texas.
Of course, The Republic of Texas later became the STATE of Texas, something that a small fringe segment of Texans think might be a good idea to try and undo a second time. (The first time not working out so swell.)
Regardless of your political leanings San Jacinto Day is a day to be celebrated. Not because it signifies a victory over Mexico (again, something those on the fringe either celebrate or are oddly offended by) but because of the importance that this event had in creating the Texas we have today. Even if you don't like this Texas all that much consider this: We could be under the control of the drug cartels right now, how would that work out for ya?
One thing often not mentioned is that the Texas Revolution was, in majority, started when Mexico invalidated their 1924 Constitution and attempted to use force to alter previously agreed to land-deeds. Were the land-owners faultless? No. But neither were they 'gringo aggressors' who stole the land from the Mexican Government either. What transpired was a historical lesson of what can happen when Centralized Government fails to properly listen to those who are outside of its preferred mainstream.
In the end, all revolution is a failure to listen, the Texas revolution included. But at some level, especially considering recent events, all revolutions are a failure to hear as well. Maybe it's time for us all to start doing both?
Houston Area Asides (04/21/09)
The "Mr. Magee, don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry." edition...
Slain suspect used knife to confront police. [Mike Glenn, Chron.com] - Never bring a knife to a gunfight.
Financier Alan Stanford: I left the details to others. [Mary Flood & Tom Fowler, Chron.com] - Yet he's adamant that he knows enough about said details to blanket deny that there was no Ponzi scheme....
Harris Sheriff: Stimulus needed for Chopper, machine guns. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com]
Obama heeding lesson from '94 gun ban. [Stewart M. Powell & Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Chron.com] - When campaign rhetoric meets re-election needs.
Home Depot makes improvement, pays up. [Lisa Falkenberg, Chron.com] - There's not much funnier than watching someone fawn over themselves in front of a mirror when the dress they're wearing finally fits.
The public policy case for an obesity tax. [Eric Berger, Chron.com] - Sure, it sounds great, until they start taxing something you really like, then it's not a great idea.
Congrats to the Chronicle, 2009 Pulitzer Finalist. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - There's really a strong case to be made that they should have won. Unfortunately Kevin has the same questions, going forward, that I have.
House Cleaning at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [Unca Darrell, Chron.com] - If it works expect other newspapers to follow suit.
More adventures in unemployment: The COBRA Edition. [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - COBRA is a mess. Mr. Royal has my sympathies.
The Freeland Historical District. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - The questions I raised here still stand. If the goal is infill and increased density, then how to we determine who gets "preserved" and who gets bulldozed over? Both goals (which are both admirable) are working at cross purposes.
Slain suspect used knife to confront police. [Mike Glenn, Chron.com] - Never bring a knife to a gunfight.
Financier Alan Stanford: I left the details to others. [Mary Flood & Tom Fowler, Chron.com] - Yet he's adamant that he knows enough about said details to blanket deny that there was no Ponzi scheme....
Harris Sheriff: Stimulus needed for Chopper, machine guns. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com]
Obama heeding lesson from '94 gun ban. [Stewart M. Powell & Jennifer A. Dlouhy, Chron.com] - When campaign rhetoric meets re-election needs.
Home Depot makes improvement, pays up. [Lisa Falkenberg, Chron.com] - There's not much funnier than watching someone fawn over themselves in front of a mirror when the dress they're wearing finally fits.
The public policy case for an obesity tax. [Eric Berger, Chron.com] - Sure, it sounds great, until they start taxing something you really like, then it's not a great idea.
Congrats to the Chronicle, 2009 Pulitzer Finalist. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - There's really a strong case to be made that they should have won. Unfortunately Kevin has the same questions, going forward, that I have.
House Cleaning at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. [Unca Darrell, Chron.com] - If it works expect other newspapers to follow suit.
More adventures in unemployment: The COBRA Edition. [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - COBRA is a mess. Mr. Royal has my sympathies.
The Freeland Historical District. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - The questions I raised here still stand. If the goal is infill and increased density, then how to we determine who gets "preserved" and who gets bulldozed over? Both goals (which are both admirable) are working at cross purposes.
Monday, April 20, 2009
New Poll
New Poll up today on the (still emerging) Main Page. It involves the Rockets and how far you think they'll go in the playoffs.
You can answer that here and keep track of updates on all three active blogs.
You can answer that here and keep track of updates on all three active blogs.
It's Pulitzer Time!!! (UPDATED)
Or....The annual Houston Chronicle day of mourning.
The Pulitzer Prize Committee will release their list of 2009 nominees and winners at 2PM Houston time today, leading to a type of communal breath-holding by local media, and media critics.
The Chron's ignoble status as the only newspaper of the 10 largest to never have won a Pulitzer Prize is the stuff of local media-critic legend. It's often downplayed at the Chron, but you know that has to hurt, just a little. Critics however often cite this as evidence of the Chron's deficiencies. It should be noted that said weaknesses, in my opinion, come from the top and are not reflective of the quality of journalism that's found in the Chron on a day to day basis.
The Chronicle has (and had) some quality journalists on staff who possess the ability to piece together some crafty prose. They have (and had) some writers with long tenures and even longer institutional memory. They have the potential to write a Pulitzer worthy story, but (again, in my opinion) lack the editorial leadership necessary to do so.
All that being said good luck to the Chron this year. They've imported an editorial cartoonist with a Pulitzer in his past, but Nick Anderson quickly grew adversarial with the Republican majority and has been drawing more to tweak them of late than to make meaningful political commentary. Outside of Nick's cartoons, and considering the recent cuts in news-staff, I'm unsure where it is the hoped-for award will find its source. Still, perhaps I've missed some piece of local, State or National reporting that would be worthy of inclusion. For the sake of the morale of the news-gathering staff there I hope so.
It's too easy to kick the Chron while it's down. How about an atta-boy when they're up? (Before we result to kicking them when they're down again)
UPDATE: Ah well, another year wait....
5 for the NY Times and 0 for the Chron. As was rumored however, the Chron was a finalist for "breaking news" due to their excellent post-Hurrican Ike coverage. Unfortunately, going forward, there's less staff available to replicate this level of quality.
Oh well, maybe Shelby Hodge can tell us what the very wealthy are wearing during the aftermath (in the South of Fance of course) or 29-95.com can provide us with sex tips and 'non-douchey' things to do after the lights go out.
Congrats to the Chron staff for being named a finalist however, there was a lot of hard work that went into that.
It's Houston Area Survey Time!!! (UPDATED)
Feel like your statistically presumed, stereotyped beliefs on local issues have grown stale?
Have you relocated to a new area in the last year and are having difficulty checking the political pulse of your new neighbors?
Do you miss the breathtaking series of reports in the Chronicle that "Houstonians" support (insert program here) based on oversampled answers to overly-broad questions?
Well then fear not Houston....
The Houston-Area Survey gets released on Wednesday.
That's right, you'll be told your position on a extensive laundry list of local issues based primarily on assumptions about you based primarily on your geographic location.
Live outside Beltway 8? - You can live comfortably with the knowledge that you dislike mass transit.
Live inside the Loop? - You're way less worried about crime than those outside.
Everyone line up and grab your copy, internalize these results even. It's imperative that you do.
Because for the next several months we're going to hear about how these results are definitive proof of how large groups of people feel, how these results are the punctuation to the argument, instead of having the results viewed as they (and any survey based on sampling really) should be: The first word, the starting point, of the conversation.
It begins:
Houston Business Journal: Houstonians say there's no place like home, survey finds..
Heh.
Mike Snyder, Chron.com: Economy tops Houstonians' concerns, survey finds....
Heh
Have you relocated to a new area in the last year and are having difficulty checking the political pulse of your new neighbors?
Do you miss the breathtaking series of reports in the Chronicle that "Houstonians" support (insert program here) based on oversampled answers to overly-broad questions?
Well then fear not Houston....
The Houston-Area Survey gets released on Wednesday.
That's right, you'll be told your position on a extensive laundry list of local issues based primarily on assumptions about you based primarily on your geographic location.
Live outside Beltway 8? - You can live comfortably with the knowledge that you dislike mass transit.
Live inside the Loop? - You're way less worried about crime than those outside.
Everyone line up and grab your copy, internalize these results even. It's imperative that you do.
Because for the next several months we're going to hear about how these results are definitive proof of how large groups of people feel, how these results are the punctuation to the argument, instead of having the results viewed as they (and any survey based on sampling really) should be: The first word, the starting point, of the conversation.
It begins:
Houston Business Journal: Houstonians say there's no place like home, survey finds..
Rice Professor Stephen Klineberg, who oversees the annual survey, pointed to a “paradigm shift” in attitudes toward mass transit. Fifty percent of respondents said improving the city’s public transportation systems would be the best way to handle its traffic problems compared with 40 percent during that past four years, while 58 percent said including rail components in the plan would be a step in the right direction, up from 45 percent in 2003, and 32 percent in 1993.
Heh.
Mike Snyder, Chron.com: Economy tops Houstonians' concerns, survey finds....
Klineberg noted that despite their growing preoccupation with the weak economy, Harris County residents seem increasingly convinced that conditions are even worse elsewhere.
This year, 44 percent said Houston was a much better place to live than other metropolitan areas, up from 31 percent in 2007 and 25 percent in 2005.
Heh
Houston Area Asides (04/20/09)
The "I'm mad too Eddie" version....
Area lawmakers want $2 Billion in earmarks. [Stewart M. Powell, Chron.com] - As much as voters pay lip-service to hating earmarks, Congress critters who don't deliver the goods back to their districts are typically toast come re-election time.
Boehner: Cow Flatulence to Blame for Carbon Emissions. [Desperado, Something Different via Chron.commons] - Making fun of someone for being factually correct just because you don't like their party is hardly representative of the compelling content we've come to expect from elite news sources. C'est la vie.
Georgetown's Cover-Up [Ken Gurley, A Pentocostal Perspective via Chron.commons] - Even more ironic was the fact that Obama paraphrased Christ in his speech. You'd think that could have made the news.
One Cool Idea [Four Caucasian Males, Chron.com]
Sheiffer will need sense of humor in Governor's race. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - Huh?
That will show us! [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Are the Chron's blog rolls the equivilent of a child putting hands over their ears?
Rick Perry's advocacy of Treason. [John, By the Bayou] - Sometimes there are things you said that you wish could be unsaid. I'm guessing Rick Perry feels that way about his Texas secession comments eh? That being said, he's still the duly elected Gov. of Texas. It should be noted that many people who are chiding Republicans for 'failing to recognize the duly elected Gov't' are many of the same people who waved "Bush is not my President" signs when the predecesor is in office. It's become the duty of the group in power to question the Patriotism, sanity, moral quality of the minority out of power, then shudder with the vapours when they're questioned in return.
Still life with Jimbo. [El Capitan, Babboon Pirates] - Funny stuff from a local blogger who I've not met but would be happy to slam down a beer (or three).
Here comes the Supertrain. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - More sourced information from Kuffner on another issue we can both agree on.
Locke Puts Astros to Shame. [Alan Bernstein, LocalPolitics.Chron.com] - This is what? The third roll out of the Locke campaign? I'll give him this: So far he's got his non-specific political platitudes regurgitator working well.
A New Vision for the Katy Prairie [Andrew Burelson, neoHouston] - More from Andrew on development and the proposed Grand Parkway.
True Scourge of Western Civilization, Revealed. [Slampo's Place] - I missed this on Thursday. Another good piece from Houston's Best blogger.
Area lawmakers want $2 Billion in earmarks. [Stewart M. Powell, Chron.com] - As much as voters pay lip-service to hating earmarks, Congress critters who don't deliver the goods back to their districts are typically toast come re-election time.
Boehner: Cow Flatulence to Blame for Carbon Emissions. [Desperado, Something Different via Chron.commons] - Making fun of someone for being factually correct just because you don't like their party is hardly representative of the compelling content we've come to expect from elite news sources. C'est la vie.
Georgetown's Cover-Up [Ken Gurley, A Pentocostal Perspective via Chron.commons] - Even more ironic was the fact that Obama paraphrased Christ in his speech. You'd think that could have made the news.
One Cool Idea [Four Caucasian Males, Chron.com]
Here’s the concept: Local governments and nonprofits provide free energy-efficiency upgrades to people who otherwise couldn’t afford them.Except that they're not "free", they're paid for by taxpayer money. Those who can afford the onerous costs associated with so-called "green initiatives" are going to pay for those who can't. The middle class, who can neither afford to pay for the initiatives or qualify for relief due to the fact that they pull down a paycheck, are going to be stuck in the middle.
Sheiffer will need sense of humor in Governor's race. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - Huh?
That will show us! [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Are the Chron's blog rolls the equivilent of a child putting hands over their ears?
Rick Perry's advocacy of Treason. [John, By the Bayou] - Sometimes there are things you said that you wish could be unsaid. I'm guessing Rick Perry feels that way about his Texas secession comments eh? That being said, he's still the duly elected Gov. of Texas. It should be noted that many people who are chiding Republicans for 'failing to recognize the duly elected Gov't' are many of the same people who waved "Bush is not my President" signs when the predecesor is in office. It's become the duty of the group in power to question the Patriotism, sanity, moral quality of the minority out of power, then shudder with the vapours when they're questioned in return.
Still life with Jimbo. [El Capitan, Babboon Pirates] - Funny stuff from a local blogger who I've not met but would be happy to slam down a beer (or three).
Here comes the Supertrain. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - More sourced information from Kuffner on another issue we can both agree on.
Locke Puts Astros to Shame. [Alan Bernstein, LocalPolitics.Chron.com] - This is what? The third roll out of the Locke campaign? I'll give him this: So far he's got his non-specific political platitudes regurgitator working well.
A New Vision for the Katy Prairie [Andrew Burelson, neoHouston] - More from Andrew on development and the proposed Grand Parkway.
True Scourge of Western Civilization, Revealed. [Slampo's Place] - I missed this on Thursday. Another good piece from Houston's Best blogger.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Beyond Beltway 8 Now Active
My first post on my new food blog: Beyond Beltway 8 is up.
The 25th Annual Law Enforcement & Fire Department Wild Game Cook-off held this weekend (despite the rain) at the Houston Farm & Ranch Club on Hwy 6.
Enjoy.
The 25th Annual Law Enforcement & Fire Department Wild Game Cook-off held this weekend (despite the rain) at the Houston Farm & Ranch Club on Hwy 6.
Enjoy.
A Sunday Question or two....
Just curious is all...
High Powered Couple turn to green energy for their home. [Maggie Galehouse, Chron.com] - Great, but how must does a house like this COST? Just another example of the institutional elitism that founded the 'green' movement.
Related: There's print story in today's edition that's not available on-line showing a proposed 'vision' for Downtown Houston. It's a vision with no roads.
Which leads us to this question: If the future involves a world without roads, then why in the world are we spending billions to bail out the auto industry?
U.S. Boycotting, Iran starring, at UN racism meeting. [Bradley S. Klapper, AP via Chron.com] - What's the point of this again?
We're all left holding the tea bag. [Loren Steffy, Chron.com] - The spending is a bad idea but people protesting against it are wrong. What?
High Powered Couple turn to green energy for their home. [Maggie Galehouse, Chron.com] - Great, but how must does a house like this COST? Just another example of the institutional elitism that founded the 'green' movement.
Related: There's print story in today's edition that's not available on-line showing a proposed 'vision' for Downtown Houston. It's a vision with no roads.
Which leads us to this question: If the future involves a world without roads, then why in the world are we spending billions to bail out the auto industry?
U.S. Boycotting, Iran starring, at UN racism meeting. [Bradley S. Klapper, AP via Chron.com] - What's the point of this again?
We're all left holding the tea bag. [Loren Steffy, Chron.com] - The spending is a bad idea but people protesting against it are wrong. What?
Friday, April 17, 2009
Chron.com: Like HearstCorp.com but with a print edition.
The good, hard working, folks over at Chron.com have been working overtime lately to push parent company Hearst Corporation's newest idea for news reporting.
Not only are they pushing the blog of The Seattle P-I's political cartoonist as well as a column from Hearst Corp.'s (rumored) next online only publication but they're also getting their political blogs in on the fun.
Meanwhile, the Houston blogosphere is wondering why the Chron is lessening their links to local blogs.
Perhaps a new advertising slogan is in order? Something like:
"Chron.com: All the Seattle & San Francisco news that's fit to print, with a dabbling of local content thrown in for good measure."
Don't get me wrong, there are still a LOT of good reporters working HARD at the Chronicle these days. It's too bad management seemingly doesn't value their work as highly as it does out of town sources and long-time Washington media figures with no Houston ties.
Ah well, at least it's less desperate a tactic than this.
Not only are they pushing the blog of The Seattle P-I's political cartoonist as well as a column from Hearst Corp.'s (rumored) next online only publication but they're also getting their political blogs in on the fun.
Meanwhile, the Houston blogosphere is wondering why the Chron is lessening their links to local blogs.
Perhaps a new advertising slogan is in order? Something like:
"Chron.com: All the Seattle & San Francisco news that's fit to print, with a dabbling of local content thrown in for good measure."
Don't get me wrong, there are still a LOT of good reporters working HARD at the Chronicle these days. It's too bad management seemingly doesn't value their work as highly as it does out of town sources and long-time Washington media figures with no Houston ties.
Ah well, at least it's less desperate a tactic than this.
Houston area asides (04/16/09)
The "still Grrrrr" edition....
Day 1 of MS 150 is canceled. [Claudia Feldman & Melissa Aguilar, Chron.com] - The bike pants stay in storage for another day.
New at spiffier Hermann Park: train station, dining plaza. [Allan Turner, Chron.com] - A very nice amenity is Hermann Park, with the Zoo , Miller Outdoor Theater and now the new complex its a very nice addition to Houston's Park scene.
Former Hutchison aide cracks on Perry. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - It's almost too easy now.
Agency rules greenhouse gasses are a danger to public health. [H. Joseph Hebert, AP via Chron.com] - So breathing (exhalation of CO2) is now a danger to public health?
House vote nearly depletes Gov. Perry's office budget. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - Temper tantrums are an unattractive quality in Gov't officials.
Local PBS revives controversial political program. [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com] - Watched by few, lamented by many.
Tea and cacaphony: Tax protesters made themselves heard but face resolute majority. [Four old white guys, Chron.com] - Point.
Cacaphony? [Unca Darrell] - Counterpoint.
Why was BlogHouston kicked off the Chronicle's Blog Roll? [Unca Darrell] - I've never been on the "Chronicle's Blogroll" so I'd like to welcome BlogHouston to the seedy side of the blogosphere.
Of photo identifications and such. [Edward William Sydney, The County Seat] - More occasional smart commentary from someone else NOT on the Chron's blog roll.
Day 1 of MS 150 is canceled. [Claudia Feldman & Melissa Aguilar, Chron.com] - The bike pants stay in storage for another day.
New at spiffier Hermann Park: train station, dining plaza. [Allan Turner, Chron.com] - A very nice amenity is Hermann Park, with the Zoo , Miller Outdoor Theater and now the new complex its a very nice addition to Houston's Park scene.
Former Hutchison aide cracks on Perry. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - It's almost too easy now.
Agency rules greenhouse gasses are a danger to public health. [H. Joseph Hebert, AP via Chron.com] - So breathing (exhalation of CO2) is now a danger to public health?
House vote nearly depletes Gov. Perry's office budget. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - Temper tantrums are an unattractive quality in Gov't officials.
Local PBS revives controversial political program. [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com] - Watched by few, lamented by many.
Tea and cacaphony: Tax protesters made themselves heard but face resolute majority. [Four old white guys, Chron.com] - Point.
Cacaphony? [Unca Darrell] - Counterpoint.
Why was BlogHouston kicked off the Chronicle's Blog Roll? [Unca Darrell] - I've never been on the "Chronicle's Blogroll" so I'd like to welcome BlogHouston to the seedy side of the blogosphere.
Of photo identifications and such. [Edward William Sydney, The County Seat] - More occasional smart commentary from someone else NOT on the Chron's blog roll.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The (New) Houston Political Dictionary (Revised)
S
Saavedra, Abe - A prominent leader who's become more of a construct than an actual public figure.
Sack 1. In Medivel times: to destroy, plunder and rape the horses of a city that one was conquering. B. 1980's version: to terminate, ax and rape the dreams of an employee. 2. Historical: A utilitarian object used to carry items, not as fancy as a bag, but more useful than ones hands. B. Modern: A status symbol used to delineate one's place on the green totem pole while shopping for processed, chemically laden, food. The more closely one's 'sacks' match with one's shopping outfit, the higher one sees themselves on the environmental chain.
Sacker - On the endangered species list. A formerly useful job that's lessening in significance as food retailers figure out that people are quite happy to pay them for the task of performing manual labor.
Salmonella - A form of food poisoning mistakenly held responsible for the death of the Ramon Gin Fizz.
Sarcasm - A low form of humor best served dry.
If Clinton killed off irony, then the Bush administration killed sarcasm. He was aided in this endeavor, in Houston, by the Mayor Bill White administration, whose perpetual dry delivery required the City Hall reporting pool to spend numerous hours explaining his jokes to readers.
Satire - A high form of humor that works best when the target is blissfully unaware.
The slaughter of sarcasm is being closely followed by Obama's destruction of effective satire. In Houston this is being hurried along by the antics of one Dan Patrick. In its purest form satire is used to illuminate deficiencies. It's very difficult to pull off effective satire if the target is intent on revealing their own deficiencies without provocation. Absent irony, sarcasm and satire, humor is doomed to devolve into a series of pratfalls and crotch shots.
Satisfaction - An unattainable state of well being.
It's not that Houstonians don't want to be satisfied, in fact, they desire satisfaction very much. The reality that one cannot be satisfied using accepted societal norms seems to be lost on all of us. Living lifes that encourage the 'next big thing' or where success is derived from the misery and humiliation of others perhaps its no mystery that the most popular self-help guru plies his trade in a former sports stadium (a place where there were concrete winners and losers) delivering a message devoid of sorrow? That humans come from the womb wanting and unsatisfied seems to be lost on us. Instead of filling our satisfaction up as we mature human beings seem intent on constantly swapping out for larger cups.
Saturday - In reality, 1/2 a day due to people sleeping in or suffering from hangovers from drinking too many Ramon Gin Fizzes on Friday Evening.
Sceptre - A phallic symbol formerly given to Kings and rulers to signify their power. Modern day sceptres sometimes take the form of transvestite prostitutes with which leaders are caught in uncompromising positions. The hidden upshot of this is that there is no longer a drain on the local economy as a result of wasting all that gold.
School - The easiest way for a poor politician to get re-elected.
Possibly the least efficient system in the world. If a well-educated populace is key to a functioning democracy then why is it American's seem unwilling to take the reins of the education system and demand serious reform? As it is, if caught in a tight re-election battle, a politician can virtually ensure victory by simply posting for a photo-op with a pretty, multicultural group of children, and pledge to send more money their way. Voters ooh and ahh, and never pause to ask why more money is equalling ever diminishing returns.
Scoop - The Holy Grail of Journalism.
Old line journalists will swear on a stack of New York Times that the 'goal' of journalism is to tell the truth. Honest consumers understand that this is a lie. The real goal of journalism is to not be scooped in one's backyard by an out-of-area publication or news outlet. Failure to track down the Holy Grail is a sure sign of a sick news agency. Given the frequency and regularity of Houston stories breaking in out of State outlets, It's safe to say Houston's news diagnosis has been in for quite some time.
Scorekeeping, Racial - A harmless diversion that keeps those too ocupied with race peacefully diverted writing letters to the editor of local newspapers.
Secular - The complete mastery of absolutism over doubt.
Sedentary - A lifestyle that's derided as bad by politicians who spend most of their days sitting in chairs listening to experts sitting in chairs saying that being sedentary is bad.
Sex - Above DNA, the true basic building block of life.
Sex Education - Definitive proof that, despite our self awareness, human beings are really a lot dumber than the animals.
Shame - A fictional state of mind where one is deeply embarrassed by his/her actions. Became irrellavent with the increased focus on Government ethics.
Ship Channel, Houston - There's no connection between Galveston's brown water and the ship channel. If you don't believe that just ask the folks that run the Ship Channel themselves. It's also just a coincidence that after the Ship Channel was constructed the Port of Galveston fell into disrepair due to disuse. Ship Channel executives will swear by this and, as such, feel that they are the right people to take over the Port of Galveston to ensure its revival.
Shop Vac - The power of marketing over common sense.
In the 50's and 60's canister vacuums were all the rage. Of course, they were bulky, hard to empty and generally hard to use. After the rise of the upright, bagged vacuum canister manufactuers had a problem of demand that they solved with the careful marketing of a former home product as a workmanlike solution to 'big messes'. That shop vacs were bulky, hard to empty and generally hard to use was part of their industrial charm. Problem solved.
Sim Desk - If ever there is a museum dedicated to public policy reflective of the Houston Way, this will be among the larger exhibits.
Sin - Ancient concept whicy carries little to no weight in modern, polite society.
According to many, modern-day, Religious leaders the eradication of sin leads directly to material wealth. The logical extension of this line of belief was for society to outlaw 'sin', and replace it with the far less onerous, ethical dilemma. Strangely, instead of being eradicated, poverty has skyrocketed despite the scourge of sin being wiped from society for all time.
Single - A badge of honor for enlightened women everywhere. Alternatively: Lance Berkman's annual offensive output in April.
Soft Landing - Defeated politicians never go down hard. That there's always a law-firm, lobbyist, charity group or non-elected Government post awaiting them shouldn't be seen as a form of influence-peddling or cronyism, but as a reliable way of keeping incompetence out of private industry.
Soft Serve - Legalized libel
Solar Energy - Sytematic attempts to violate the Law of Thermodynamics.
Solange Knowles - Not "Houston's own" this despite the fact that she is currently more closely identified with Houston than her sister, who's currently living in LA.
Special - You're all special which, by definition, negates the special qualities of being special. Such are the harsh realities of philosophy in a Narcisistic society.
Spoon - Perhaps the most mystical object in the world.
One can either be born with it, fed with it, escape jail with it, shovel excrement with it or be disemboweled with it according to 80's Hollywood script-writers. Despite all of this it's high function is undoubtedly as an aid in the consumption of ice cream.
Spork - A more practical, yet less mystical, dining tool than the spoon yet relegated to much lower social circles.
Suburbs - Evil, souless, faceless hovels with zero personality where a majority of Houstonians choose to live.
The problem with suburbs isn't that they all look alike, or that they are all decentralized, or even that they (when gated) seem elitist. There are areas in the city cneter that are sanitized, elite, hard access enclaves as well. Nope, the problem with suburbs is that the people who live there often deride them just as much as those living in the city do, yet they never do anything to change the culture, choosing instead to travel into the City and enjoy the efforts of other people.
Supper - A Northeastern term seeing increased use in the South mainly due to the increased assimilation rate of the foodBorg.
"Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner" are Southern meal staples. Supper, being an upstart, used to be as regional a noun as were 'coke', 'soda' and 'pop'. With more and more of the rust belt and Northeastern minor elites moving to the South because they can't find jobs that will allow them to fund their quality of life, formerly regional dialects are creeping across borders and ruining what used to be one of the great joys of America.
Survey, Houston Area - A statement of absolute certainty (within +/- 3.5%) that all Houstonians opinions, outlooks and priorities can be neatly contained within 700 points of view.
Every year Dr. Stephen Klineberg of Rice University trotts out his survey and every year pundits, media and bloggers treat the results as the end of the debate. This is not the fault of Dr. Klineberg, nor an indictment of his research methodology (which is good despite some questions that are vague and leading), instead this trend reflects the peculiar need of Americans to be "right". And right means that the quantification of the majority opinion as in line with yours is more important than whether or not the ideas in question are successful or not. Right is might, and might is absolute. (See: Tea Parties (Modern) for more)
Statistical Analysis - A creative way to dress up an educated guess to make it more palatable when public policy is designed using it as a basis.
Those who analyze statistics will assure you that, through a rigorous process of trial and error, their results are as close to the truth as can be had. Unfortunately this contention requires that all past error be disregarded or written off as statistical anomoly. Much like an election statistics are seen as signifying the end of a debate on an issue. In fact, both should signify the beginning of the debate over some of the more contentious issues of the day. Had Houston continued the Urban transit debate after the election of 2003 it might have ended up with a system that actually adds to the transportation system.
Statistics - Worse than lies & damn lies, yet held in much higher regard by people who don't understand their implications.
Saavedra, Abe - A prominent leader who's become more of a construct than an actual public figure.
Sack 1. In Medivel times: to destroy, plunder and rape the horses of a city that one was conquering. B. 1980's version: to terminate, ax and rape the dreams of an employee. 2. Historical: A utilitarian object used to carry items, not as fancy as a bag, but more useful than ones hands. B. Modern: A status symbol used to delineate one's place on the green totem pole while shopping for processed, chemically laden, food. The more closely one's 'sacks' match with one's shopping outfit, the higher one sees themselves on the environmental chain.
Sacker - On the endangered species list. A formerly useful job that's lessening in significance as food retailers figure out that people are quite happy to pay them for the task of performing manual labor.
Salmonella - A form of food poisoning mistakenly held responsible for the death of the Ramon Gin Fizz.
Sarcasm - A low form of humor best served dry.
If Clinton killed off irony, then the Bush administration killed sarcasm. He was aided in this endeavor, in Houston, by the Mayor Bill White administration, whose perpetual dry delivery required the City Hall reporting pool to spend numerous hours explaining his jokes to readers.
Satire - A high form of humor that works best when the target is blissfully unaware.
The slaughter of sarcasm is being closely followed by Obama's destruction of effective satire. In Houston this is being hurried along by the antics of one Dan Patrick. In its purest form satire is used to illuminate deficiencies. It's very difficult to pull off effective satire if the target is intent on revealing their own deficiencies without provocation. Absent irony, sarcasm and satire, humor is doomed to devolve into a series of pratfalls and crotch shots.
Satisfaction - An unattainable state of well being.
It's not that Houstonians don't want to be satisfied, in fact, they desire satisfaction very much. The reality that one cannot be satisfied using accepted societal norms seems to be lost on all of us. Living lifes that encourage the 'next big thing' or where success is derived from the misery and humiliation of others perhaps its no mystery that the most popular self-help guru plies his trade in a former sports stadium (a place where there were concrete winners and losers) delivering a message devoid of sorrow? That humans come from the womb wanting and unsatisfied seems to be lost on us. Instead of filling our satisfaction up as we mature human beings seem intent on constantly swapping out for larger cups.
Saturday - In reality, 1/2 a day due to people sleeping in or suffering from hangovers from drinking too many Ramon Gin Fizzes on Friday Evening.
Sceptre - A phallic symbol formerly given to Kings and rulers to signify their power. Modern day sceptres sometimes take the form of transvestite prostitutes with which leaders are caught in uncompromising positions. The hidden upshot of this is that there is no longer a drain on the local economy as a result of wasting all that gold.
School - The easiest way for a poor politician to get re-elected.
Possibly the least efficient system in the world. If a well-educated populace is key to a functioning democracy then why is it American's seem unwilling to take the reins of the education system and demand serious reform? As it is, if caught in a tight re-election battle, a politician can virtually ensure victory by simply posting for a photo-op with a pretty, multicultural group of children, and pledge to send more money their way. Voters ooh and ahh, and never pause to ask why more money is equalling ever diminishing returns.
Scoop - The Holy Grail of Journalism.
Old line journalists will swear on a stack of New York Times that the 'goal' of journalism is to tell the truth. Honest consumers understand that this is a lie. The real goal of journalism is to not be scooped in one's backyard by an out-of-area publication or news outlet. Failure to track down the Holy Grail is a sure sign of a sick news agency. Given the frequency and regularity of Houston stories breaking in out of State outlets, It's safe to say Houston's news diagnosis has been in for quite some time.
Scorekeeping, Racial - A harmless diversion that keeps those too ocupied with race peacefully diverted writing letters to the editor of local newspapers.
Secular - The complete mastery of absolutism over doubt.
Sedentary - A lifestyle that's derided as bad by politicians who spend most of their days sitting in chairs listening to experts sitting in chairs saying that being sedentary is bad.
Sex - Above DNA, the true basic building block of life.
Sex Education - Definitive proof that, despite our self awareness, human beings are really a lot dumber than the animals.
Shame - A fictional state of mind where one is deeply embarrassed by his/her actions. Became irrellavent with the increased focus on Government ethics.
Ship Channel, Houston - There's no connection between Galveston's brown water and the ship channel. If you don't believe that just ask the folks that run the Ship Channel themselves. It's also just a coincidence that after the Ship Channel was constructed the Port of Galveston fell into disrepair due to disuse. Ship Channel executives will swear by this and, as such, feel that they are the right people to take over the Port of Galveston to ensure its revival.
Shop Vac - The power of marketing over common sense.
In the 50's and 60's canister vacuums were all the rage. Of course, they were bulky, hard to empty and generally hard to use. After the rise of the upright, bagged vacuum canister manufactuers had a problem of demand that they solved with the careful marketing of a former home product as a workmanlike solution to 'big messes'. That shop vacs were bulky, hard to empty and generally hard to use was part of their industrial charm. Problem solved.
Sim Desk - If ever there is a museum dedicated to public policy reflective of the Houston Way, this will be among the larger exhibits.
Sin - Ancient concept whicy carries little to no weight in modern, polite society.
According to many, modern-day, Religious leaders the eradication of sin leads directly to material wealth. The logical extension of this line of belief was for society to outlaw 'sin', and replace it with the far less onerous, ethical dilemma. Strangely, instead of being eradicated, poverty has skyrocketed despite the scourge of sin being wiped from society for all time.
Single - A badge of honor for enlightened women everywhere. Alternatively: Lance Berkman's annual offensive output in April.
Soft Landing - Defeated politicians never go down hard. That there's always a law-firm, lobbyist, charity group or non-elected Government post awaiting them shouldn't be seen as a form of influence-peddling or cronyism, but as a reliable way of keeping incompetence out of private industry.
Soft Serve - Legalized libel
Solar Energy - Sytematic attempts to violate the Law of Thermodynamics.
Solange Knowles - Not "Houston's own" this despite the fact that she is currently more closely identified with Houston than her sister, who's currently living in LA.
Special - You're all special which, by definition, negates the special qualities of being special. Such are the harsh realities of philosophy in a Narcisistic society.
Spoon - Perhaps the most mystical object in the world.
One can either be born with it, fed with it, escape jail with it, shovel excrement with it or be disemboweled with it according to 80's Hollywood script-writers. Despite all of this it's high function is undoubtedly as an aid in the consumption of ice cream.
Spork - A more practical, yet less mystical, dining tool than the spoon yet relegated to much lower social circles.
Suburbs - Evil, souless, faceless hovels with zero personality where a majority of Houstonians choose to live.
The problem with suburbs isn't that they all look alike, or that they are all decentralized, or even that they (when gated) seem elitist. There are areas in the city cneter that are sanitized, elite, hard access enclaves as well. Nope, the problem with suburbs is that the people who live there often deride them just as much as those living in the city do, yet they never do anything to change the culture, choosing instead to travel into the City and enjoy the efforts of other people.
Supper - A Northeastern term seeing increased use in the South mainly due to the increased assimilation rate of the foodBorg.
"Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner" are Southern meal staples. Supper, being an upstart, used to be as regional a noun as were 'coke', 'soda' and 'pop'. With more and more of the rust belt and Northeastern minor elites moving to the South because they can't find jobs that will allow them to fund their quality of life, formerly regional dialects are creeping across borders and ruining what used to be one of the great joys of America.
Survey, Houston Area - A statement of absolute certainty (within +/- 3.5%) that all Houstonians opinions, outlooks and priorities can be neatly contained within 700 points of view.
Every year Dr. Stephen Klineberg of Rice University trotts out his survey and every year pundits, media and bloggers treat the results as the end of the debate. This is not the fault of Dr. Klineberg, nor an indictment of his research methodology (which is good despite some questions that are vague and leading), instead this trend reflects the peculiar need of Americans to be "right". And right means that the quantification of the majority opinion as in line with yours is more important than whether or not the ideas in question are successful or not. Right is might, and might is absolute. (See: Tea Parties (Modern) for more)
Statistical Analysis - A creative way to dress up an educated guess to make it more palatable when public policy is designed using it as a basis.
Those who analyze statistics will assure you that, through a rigorous process of trial and error, their results are as close to the truth as can be had. Unfortunately this contention requires that all past error be disregarded or written off as statistical anomoly. Much like an election statistics are seen as signifying the end of a debate on an issue. In fact, both should signify the beginning of the debate over some of the more contentious issues of the day. Had Houston continued the Urban transit debate after the election of 2003 it might have ended up with a system that actually adds to the transportation system.
Statistics - Worse than lies & damn lies, yet held in much higher regard by people who don't understand their implications.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/15/09)
The "Grrrrr" edition....
City Inspection scheduled for day after collapse. [Bradley Olson & Lindsay Wise, Chron.com] - A sad footnote to a sad story. Condolences to the families.
EPA sides with Mayor White on Emissions. [Matthew Tresaugue, Chron.com] - A big win for Mayor White any way you slice it. (the decision, not Houston's air)
Perry says Texas can leave the Union if it wants to. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - Uhhh..No, it can't. It CAN split into five separate States however. (I'd choose to live in the one that includes the Hill Country.)
Texas Watchdog adds Steve McVicker, Rosanna Ruiz to the fold. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Two of the best (fired) reporters from the Chron go to work for this thriving watchdog group. Good for them.
Victor Davis Hanson on how Obama Nation thinks. [Unca Darrell] - "Obama Nation" being around 60% of the country. That's the hurdle Republicans are trying to clear (without much success so far)
Random abuse [John, By the Bayou] - He's correct, arguing with angry homeless folks is worthless. Eh, he was probably a Republican. (;D)
White Rakes it in for his Senate Bid [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - In what's sure to be a name ID election for Senator (if said election ever occurs) having money is a plus.
The Tea Party in OK City. [Banjo Jones, The Brazosport News] - The crowd looked more like a tub of vanilla ice-cream than Rocky Road, but hey...what can you do?
On the scene at the Houston tea party. [John Nova Lomax, Houston Press] - Unanswered question: Was the guy in the "V" costume any more "stone cold crazy" than some of the people in full costume at Democratic Rallies?
City Inspection scheduled for day after collapse. [Bradley Olson & Lindsay Wise, Chron.com] - A sad footnote to a sad story. Condolences to the families.
EPA sides with Mayor White on Emissions. [Matthew Tresaugue, Chron.com] - A big win for Mayor White any way you slice it. (the decision, not Houston's air)
Perry says Texas can leave the Union if it wants to. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - Uhhh..No, it can't. It CAN split into five separate States however. (I'd choose to live in the one that includes the Hill Country.)
Texas Watchdog adds Steve McVicker, Rosanna Ruiz to the fold. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Two of the best (fired) reporters from the Chron go to work for this thriving watchdog group. Good for them.
Victor Davis Hanson on how Obama Nation thinks. [Unca Darrell] - "Obama Nation" being around 60% of the country. That's the hurdle Republicans are trying to clear (without much success so far)
Random abuse [John, By the Bayou] - He's correct, arguing with angry homeless folks is worthless. Eh, he was probably a Republican. (;D)
White Rakes it in for his Senate Bid [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - In what's sure to be a name ID election for Senator (if said election ever occurs) having money is a plus.
The Tea Party in OK City. [Banjo Jones, The Brazosport News] - The crowd looked more like a tub of vanilla ice-cream than Rocky Road, but hey...what can you do?
On the scene at the Houston tea party. [John Nova Lomax, Houston Press] - Unanswered question: Was the guy in the "V" costume any more "stone cold crazy" than some of the people in full costume at Democratic Rallies?
More things more Important to Chron Management than the Transportation Column
An exploration of Francisca Ortega's 'Cougar' career. (No, we're not talking bout UH Cougars.)
Stacey Anderson, star of the new reality show The Cougar, premiering Wednesday night, has discovered the little known perk to getting married at age 16, raising four kids, becoming a successful business professional and then divorcing again.I just hope for Ms. Ortega's sake that her husband has signed on to her future plans. Because according to this time-line, she's got two divorces in her future. Yeesh!
Do all this and by the time you're 40 and hit your sexual peak you'll be free and clear of family responsibilities, economically stable and still young enough to be damn attractive.
I don't know about you but I'm pleased that the Chron decided material such as this was worth more than a weekly column dedicated to transportation issues.*
*Clarification: I've been told (offline) that the Chron is still covering transportation via different reporters, so to say they've 'eliminated the transportation beat' isn't accurate. Fair enough, they could have announced that publicly however. Ya think?
Adventures in Polite Discourse
From the Comments of One Lump or Two?...
(Naturally, both commenters decided to remain anonymous, imagine that)
Uh.....Two things.
1. There are plenty of references on this blog for any casual reader who's interested in reading to understand I'm a HE.
2. I shoul'dve placed an apostrophe in the wrong place instead of intentionally misspelling 'mis-spelling' as a crack on protest signs.
This one is my favorite:
Uhhh...Two Three things.
1. I'm Caucasian.
2. Threats are typically not a viable way to influence folks that your opinion is the correct one.
3. Early pictures of these events show the crowd to be 95% Caucasian. Isn't it odd that a 'tea party' supporter would pull the hated (by Conservatives) 'race card' when he (or she) him/her-self would have zero problem catagorizing an ACORN or immigration rally as "a bunch of angry minorities"? It's not racist if its true. Still, it's satire for Chrissakes, on a hobby blog.
C'mon angry Caucasians, we can engage in discourse more polite than that can't we?
(Naturally, both commenters decided to remain anonymous, imagine that)
Perhaps someone so condescending ("misspelled signs," etc.) about persons who choose to legally protest government actions should utilize the "spellcheck" available to her on her own computer before posting her comments.
Uh.....Two things.
1. There are plenty of references on this blog for any casual reader who's interested in reading to understand I'm a HE.
2. I shoul'dve placed an apostrophe in the wrong place instead of intentionally misspelling 'mis-spelling' as a crack on protest signs.
This one is my favorite:
I think with your comments and obvious disdain for the "angry caucasian folks" that you are a racist and should be called on the carpet for that! You wouldn't recognize the truth if it hit you in your ignorant face. What you are scared to admit is that "angry caucasian folks" are finally fed up and we are not going to take it anymore!!! You better watch out.....
Uhhh...
1. I'm Caucasian.
2. Threats are typically not a viable way to influence folks that your opinion is the correct one.
3. Early pictures of these events show the crowd to be 95% Caucasian. Isn't it odd that a 'tea party' supporter would pull the hated (by Conservatives) 'race card' when he (or she) him/her-self would have zero problem catagorizing an ACORN or immigration rally as "a bunch of angry minorities"? It's not racist if its true. Still, it's satire for Chrissakes, on a hobby blog.
C'mon angry Caucasians, we can engage in discourse more polite than that can't we?
Dunking the Tea Bag.
And you wonder why this story persists?
[Richard Dunham, Chron D.C. Bureau]
Not surprisingly, 61% of respondents are classifying the 'rebellion' as 'fringe right wing'. Also not surprisingly, Tea-bag is a characterization of the entire event being spread by the fringe Left.
In other words: If you use fringe-left terminology that will show up more predominantly in fringe-left web searches are you really surprised that your poll has 61% of respondents classifying the protests as "fringe right"? (Of course, 'fringe' ain't what it used to be in America, now expanded to encompass pretty much anyone who has a dissenting opinion. Please check your First Amendment to the Constitution with the Government minder before taking your seat.)
Yes, the Blog ran a 'guest post' from US. Representative Pete Sessions, a Republican Congressman from Dallas. That's admirable and will be held up as 'proof of case' by the factually challenged that the entirety of the "liberal media" movement are themselves intellectually dishonest. And they'd have a point, were bias centered solely around Democratic vs. Republican issues and not based along ideological lines. Anyone still fighting the (D) vs. (R) wars either never read Bernard Goldberg's Bias, or they don't have the reading comprehension necessary to understand it.
Of course, the opposite is often true for the news consumer who sees bias in the weather report. They'd be quite happy viewing a "Conservative" bias, but cringe when a story dares venture outside of their comfort zone. "Conservative" bias mongers are the University of Houston football fans of the political world. Print "positive" coverage and 'help us out' will ya'?
Let's put it this way: The next piece that a Chron journalist authors that is not adversarial to the Tea Party Protests will be the first. Of course, the next piece that Fox News runs that casts the tea parties in a negative light (instead of casting it as the next BIG political revolution, spurred on by the grassroots of course) will also be the first. Partisans on both sides will loudly decry that each of them are guilty of selective bias by ignoring the bias of their own, preferred, news source while pointing out the bias of others.
I've got no idea what the ultimate effect of the Tea Party Tax Protests is going to be. If I had to give you an answer I'd say not much, in the short term at least. Long term the sheer numbers demonstrated might bring the Republican party more in line with a fiscally conservative base. I say might because there are huge corporate interests built into the Republican power structure that make this a 50/50 proposition at best. This could lead to Republican gains in the mid-term elections, if the Republicans are willing to stand on principle, something they have a terrible track record of accomplishing. Of course, this projection is made with the assumption that the economy is only going to be marginally improved by Nov 2010. If the economy rebounds fully, then Obama and the Democrats will have the hammer in hand to bash Republicans over the head with. In a perverse way, the Republicans are rooting for America to fail, after spending years (rightly) accusing the Democrats of the same thing.
It'd be nice if media stories on the Tea Party Tax Protests could take the time to lay all of that out and discuss the heart of the matter, rationally and without resorting to loaded terms and questioning the sincerity of the protesters. I, for one, believe that the rank n' file protesters are acting from pure intentions. I may (and do) partially disagree with them, but I don't question their motivations for being out there protesting either.
Do you remember questioning about the motivations of activists protesting the Iraqi war? Neither do I.
[Richard Dunham, Chron D.C. Bureau]
Texas on the Potomac poll.
What do you think of the nationwide Tea Bag rebellion?
Not surprisingly, 61% of respondents are classifying the 'rebellion' as 'fringe right wing'. Also not surprisingly, Tea-bag is a characterization of the entire event being spread by the fringe Left.
In other words: If you use fringe-left terminology that will show up more predominantly in fringe-left web searches are you really surprised that your poll has 61% of respondents classifying the protests as "fringe right"? (Of course, 'fringe' ain't what it used to be in America, now expanded to encompass pretty much anyone who has a dissenting opinion. Please check your First Amendment to the Constitution with the Government minder before taking your seat.)
Yes, the Blog ran a 'guest post' from US. Representative Pete Sessions, a Republican Congressman from Dallas. That's admirable and will be held up as 'proof of case' by the factually challenged that the entirety of the "liberal media" movement are themselves intellectually dishonest. And they'd have a point, were bias centered solely around Democratic vs. Republican issues and not based along ideological lines. Anyone still fighting the (D) vs. (R) wars either never read Bernard Goldberg's Bias, or they don't have the reading comprehension necessary to understand it.
Of course, the opposite is often true for the news consumer who sees bias in the weather report. They'd be quite happy viewing a "Conservative" bias, but cringe when a story dares venture outside of their comfort zone. "Conservative" bias mongers are the University of Houston football fans of the political world. Print "positive" coverage and 'help us out' will ya'?
Let's put it this way: The next piece that a Chron journalist authors that is not adversarial to the Tea Party Protests will be the first. Of course, the next piece that Fox News runs that casts the tea parties in a negative light (instead of casting it as the next BIG political revolution, spurred on by the grassroots of course) will also be the first. Partisans on both sides will loudly decry that each of them are guilty of selective bias by ignoring the bias of their own, preferred, news source while pointing out the bias of others.
I've got no idea what the ultimate effect of the Tea Party Tax Protests is going to be. If I had to give you an answer I'd say not much, in the short term at least. Long term the sheer numbers demonstrated might bring the Republican party more in line with a fiscally conservative base. I say might because there are huge corporate interests built into the Republican power structure that make this a 50/50 proposition at best. This could lead to Republican gains in the mid-term elections, if the Republicans are willing to stand on principle, something they have a terrible track record of accomplishing. Of course, this projection is made with the assumption that the economy is only going to be marginally improved by Nov 2010. If the economy rebounds fully, then Obama and the Democrats will have the hammer in hand to bash Republicans over the head with. In a perverse way, the Republicans are rooting for America to fail, after spending years (rightly) accusing the Democrats of the same thing.
It'd be nice if media stories on the Tea Party Tax Protests could take the time to lay all of that out and discuss the heart of the matter, rationally and without resorting to loaded terms and questioning the sincerity of the protesters. I, for one, believe that the rank n' file protesters are acting from pure intentions. I may (and do) partially disagree with them, but I don't question their motivations for being out there protesting either.
Do you remember questioning about the motivations of activists protesting the Iraqi war? Neither do I.
Rapid Eye Movement (04/15/09)
The "tax man cometh" edition...
U.S. Border czar confronts disturbing discovery. [Dane Schiller, Chron.com] - Obviously the way to stop the cartels from seizing weapons of this sort is to curtail the rights of law-abiding American citizens.
Put your money where your big mouth is tea people. [Desperado, Something Different] - Nothing different about name calling and misrepresenting other's beliefs to forward your arguments.
Federal Reserve considering more transparancy. [Bloomberg News via Chron.com] - Would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath.
Fiat CEO: Concessions or no Chrysler deal. [AP via Chron.com] - Back to you unions.
Can't pay your taxes? "Don't Panic" IRS says. [Stephen Ohlmacher, AP via Chron.com] - In lieu of money they'll accept limbs & children.
Obama tougher than he looks but jury still out. [Black Shards' Chronicle] - All in all a pretty fair-minded piece. The chron.commenters manage to bring it down to normal level pretty quickly however.
Colbert gets a treadmill, not a room, in ISS [AP via Chron.com] - Thus proving that NASA does indeed have a sense of humor.
The war on short Yellow. [Holman Jenkins, WSJ] - While other Cities move away from failed traffic cameras, Houston boldly marches forward.
This tax is for you. [WSJ] - Dummies, you're not supposed to encourage the population to sober up....
Here come the plastic pitchforks. [Thomas Frank, WSJ] - Noting that populism and liberalism, as historically defined, are dead. Replaced with some bastardization of policy called 'grass-roots conservatism' and 'modern progressivism'. Both are a mess.
U.S. Border czar confronts disturbing discovery. [Dane Schiller, Chron.com] - Obviously the way to stop the cartels from seizing weapons of this sort is to curtail the rights of law-abiding American citizens.
Put your money where your big mouth is tea people. [Desperado, Something Different] - Nothing different about name calling and misrepresenting other's beliefs to forward your arguments.
Federal Reserve considering more transparancy. [Bloomberg News via Chron.com] - Would be nice, but I'm not holding my breath.
Fiat CEO: Concessions or no Chrysler deal. [AP via Chron.com] - Back to you unions.
Can't pay your taxes? "Don't Panic" IRS says. [Stephen Ohlmacher, AP via Chron.com] - In lieu of money they'll accept limbs & children.
Obama tougher than he looks but jury still out. [Black Shards' Chronicle] - All in all a pretty fair-minded piece. The chron.commenters manage to bring it down to normal level pretty quickly however.
Colbert gets a treadmill, not a room, in ISS [AP via Chron.com] - Thus proving that NASA does indeed have a sense of humor.
The war on short Yellow. [Holman Jenkins, WSJ] - While other Cities move away from failed traffic cameras, Houston boldly marches forward.
This tax is for you. [WSJ] - Dummies, you're not supposed to encourage the population to sober up....
Here come the plastic pitchforks. [Thomas Frank, WSJ] - Noting that populism and liberalism, as historically defined, are dead. Replaced with some bastardization of policy called 'grass-roots conservatism' and 'modern progressivism'. Both are a mess.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Ten percent of Texas School Children...
...have at least one parent who is an undocumented alien.
[Susan Carroll, Chron.com]
Obama's initial plan seems to be the appointment of another czar, this time a 'border czar'. Will this hearkening back to pre-communist Russia work? Color me skeptical. History hasn't been kind to czars (or Tsars as it were) after all and, no matter what decision is ultimately proposed, its got to squeeze through a polarized Senate where each side has little motivation to deal with the other.
If nothing else these numbers should prove disturbing. Hopefully disturbing enough that we can get past the, voting bloc driven and partisan based, duality of either shipping them out (impractical) or granting citizenship (problematic). Many immigrants have no desire to be citizens, they just want to work. Giving them that chance and, most importantly, integrating them into the taxation and financial system should be the primary focus of any reform.
[Susan Carroll, Chron.com]
A growing share of the children of illegal immigrants are U.S.-born citizens, illustrating a sensitive, demographic shift in the makeup of America’s undocumented migrant population.To say our immigration system is a mess is an understatement. Between the anti-Hispanic sentiment on the Far Right and the anti-'gringo' sentiments amongst some far-left immigrant rights groups the resulting debate is akin to reading partisan blogs, just a bunch of shouting over one another intermixed with a picture of two of a 'hawt' women spotted at a political rally. In short, its not pretty, or all that terribly productive.
The Pew Hispanic Center released a report Tuesday estimating that about 73 percent of the children of illegal immigrant parents were U.S.-born citizens in 2008, up from roughly 63 percent in 2003. During that time frame, the estimated number of children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents increased from 2.7 million to 4 million. The report estimates that at least one in 10 Texas school children has a parent in the country illegally.
Pew’s estimates were based largely on March 2008 Census Bureau survey data, which was adjusted to account for census undercounting and legal status.
The report’s findings highlight an emotional issue in the immigration debate: mixed status families of undocumented parents and U.S.-born children. High-profile immigration enforcement raids across the country in recent years have generated stories of American school children coming home to find out their parents had been picked up by immigration officials.
The demographic shift will have significant implications through the summer as the immigration reform debate heats back up. Last week, the Obama administration indicated it was gearing up to tackle reform, including creating a path to legal status for undocumented immigrants.
“These are American citizens, and we’re rounding up and deporting their parents,” said Rice University sociologist Stephen Klineberg, calling the overall immigration strategy “totally bankrupt,” and in need of repair.
Obama's initial plan seems to be the appointment of another czar, this time a 'border czar'. Will this hearkening back to pre-communist Russia work? Color me skeptical. History hasn't been kind to czars (or Tsars as it were) after all and, no matter what decision is ultimately proposed, its got to squeeze through a polarized Senate where each side has little motivation to deal with the other.
If nothing else these numbers should prove disturbing. Hopefully disturbing enough that we can get past the, voting bloc driven and partisan based, duality of either shipping them out (impractical) or granting citizenship (problematic). Many immigrants have no desire to be citizens, they just want to work. Giving them that chance and, most importantly, integrating them into the taxation and financial system should be the primary focus of any reform.
Where Representative Democracy Goes to Die
In the comments of the Hair Balls Blog...
[Commenter Joel enlightening us all]
Got that 'commoner'? Get your douchey ass to a bar (not one on this list please) and drown your troubles the old-fashioned way.....by booze in lieu of public participation.
People forget that, in reality, America was founded by a bunch of rich-assed white guys who didn't want to pay taxes to the Europeans, or follow their style of Government. It's taken us 230 something years, but our Government has FINALLY gotten to a position where they've convinced us we want to be like them again. All this despite the fact that the American system was the driver of more prosperity and technical innovation in 200 years than Europe accomplished in 1000. All of it good? No. Fair? Nope, neither is life.
But the fact remains that the American economy did great things while running in a relatively free manner, unecumbered by the excessive regulations that have stifled the Europeans. Unfortunately many want to undo all of that and export the worst aspects of the European economy, leaving to them much of what they get right. While we're at it I guess we'll just be abolishing that pesky freedom of speech as well. Who needs it when their are economists and financial advisors getting paid huge sums of money to tell politicians that they, in fact, have crap that smells like genius?
Are the Republicans suddenly deficit hawks? Of course not. The problem is that the government is not prioritizing the part of the deficit that they prefer (read: defense spending and jails) instead choosing to focus on entitlements and other programs that send some Democrats into uncontrollable quivers of joy. (To be fair, the Democrats sure have decided to ignore PayGo now that their fingers are on the finance levers have they not?) That being said there's really no reason they shouldn't protest, if they don't agree with where the Country is headed. Sometimes the right to free assembly is the only weapon in the minorities' arsenal. they'd be wise to use it, amateur pundits such as Joel notwithstanding.
There's no great, principled, statement that's going to be made tomorrow. The rich caucasian folks who don't want to pay taxes are just going to protest again.
What could possibly be more American than that?
[Commenter Joel enlightening us all]
hasn't protesting hit a wall in modern society yet? who in their right mind would put trust in the common citizen and expect them to approach an issue in a fair and reasonable manner. unless this group is composed of gov't finance experts and college professors they should stay home and save everyone some time.
and why the hell have people waited until this year to worry about the debt? if these douches really want to protect their grandkids then they should get the gov't to raise the applicable age limits for entitlement programs right now or each generation is going to feel more and more ripped off and screw over the ones coming up behind them.
Got that 'commoner'? Get your douchey ass to a bar (not one on this list please) and drown your troubles the old-fashioned way.....by booze in lieu of public participation.
People forget that, in reality, America was founded by a bunch of rich-assed white guys who didn't want to pay taxes to the Europeans, or follow their style of Government. It's taken us 230 something years, but our Government has FINALLY gotten to a position where they've convinced us we want to be like them again. All this despite the fact that the American system was the driver of more prosperity and technical innovation in 200 years than Europe accomplished in 1000. All of it good? No. Fair? Nope, neither is life.
But the fact remains that the American economy did great things while running in a relatively free manner, unecumbered by the excessive regulations that have stifled the Europeans. Unfortunately many want to undo all of that and export the worst aspects of the European economy, leaving to them much of what they get right. While we're at it I guess we'll just be abolishing that pesky freedom of speech as well. Who needs it when their are economists and financial advisors getting paid huge sums of money to tell politicians that they, in fact, have crap that smells like genius?
Are the Republicans suddenly deficit hawks? Of course not. The problem is that the government is not prioritizing the part of the deficit that they prefer (read: defense spending and jails) instead choosing to focus on entitlements and other programs that send some Democrats into uncontrollable quivers of joy. (To be fair, the Democrats sure have decided to ignore PayGo now that their fingers are on the finance levers have they not?) That being said there's really no reason they shouldn't protest, if they don't agree with where the Country is headed. Sometimes the right to free assembly is the only weapon in the minorities' arsenal. they'd be wise to use it, amateur pundits such as Joel notwithstanding.
There's no great, principled, statement that's going to be made tomorrow. The rich caucasian folks who don't want to pay taxes are just going to protest again.
What could possibly be more American than that?
Sheep Pong!
OK, It's not for real, its staged to look that way however, and its highly unlikely, but seeing how Border Collies would play pong were they so inclined is worth the watch if nothing else......
Bravo to Samsung for some clever marketing.
Bravo to Samsung for some clever marketing.
Houston Area Asides (04/14/09)
The "Nachos as God intended them......Free" edition.
Slump means big savings for City, Counties. [Liz Austin Peterson & Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - In every recession there are winners and losers.
Small business tax cut weighed. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - Improbably this session has witnessed the rise of Dan Patrick.
Insurance may go up as coastal fund altered. [Purva Patel & Janet Elliot, Chron.com]
U.S. Prosecutor defends pressing case against border agents. [Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News] - Sutton wants to be "a conservative voice of common sense" which caused Pat Gray's head to explode on air this morning.
Dems blast Vasquez over employee remarks. [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com] - By all accounts Vasquez has been competent since taking over the Tax Assessor-Collector's position, which is why the Dems feel the need to start the attacks now. All the better to win the next election my dear.
Southwest Airlines to fly into Boston this Summer. [Chron.com] - Sweet.
Texas Watchdog hosts public information meet-up [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - This evening, at Coffe Groundz. You should go. (sadly I'll be working)
Working the Houston Tea Party. [The Mighty Wizard, Fireballs, Lightning Bolts & HellStorms]
What's next for Wilshire Village. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - An update and one man's wish-list for future development.
County says finances stron despite Moody report. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron Local Politics] - Uh...ok.
Radically increasing IAH express bus ridership and revenue. [Tory Gattis, Houston Strategies] - It all amounts to putting lipstick on a pig, a pig designed without taking local travel patterns into consideration at that.
The Chronicle's Enron Myopia. [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - Yes, its easy to pile on the Chron these days, but Kirkendall's pilings on are more supported, and detailed than most.
Slump means big savings for City, Counties. [Liz Austin Peterson & Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - In every recession there are winners and losers.
Small business tax cut weighed. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - Improbably this session has witnessed the rise of Dan Patrick.
Insurance may go up as coastal fund altered. [Purva Patel & Janet Elliot, Chron.com]
U.S. Prosecutor defends pressing case against border agents. [Guillermo Contreras, San Antonio Express-News] - Sutton wants to be "a conservative voice of common sense" which caused Pat Gray's head to explode on air this morning.
Dems blast Vasquez over employee remarks. [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com] - By all accounts Vasquez has been competent since taking over the Tax Assessor-Collector's position, which is why the Dems feel the need to start the attacks now. All the better to win the next election my dear.
Southwest Airlines to fly into Boston this Summer. [Chron.com] - Sweet.
Texas Watchdog hosts public information meet-up [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - This evening, at Coffe Groundz. You should go. (sadly I'll be working)
Working the Houston Tea Party. [The Mighty Wizard, Fireballs, Lightning Bolts & HellStorms]
What's next for Wilshire Village. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - An update and one man's wish-list for future development.
County says finances stron despite Moody report. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron Local Politics] - Uh...ok.
Radically increasing IAH express bus ridership and revenue. [Tory Gattis, Houston Strategies] - It all amounts to putting lipstick on a pig, a pig designed without taking local travel patterns into consideration at that.
The Chronicle's Enron Myopia. [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - Yes, its easy to pile on the Chron these days, but Kirkendall's pilings on are more supported, and detailed than most.
One Lump or Two?
(Photo courtesy of The Tea Merchants)The Tea Party kicks into gear. [Renee C. Lee, Chron.com]
Felicia Cravens and her friends call themselves the Houston Tea Party Society, part of a national movement in which thousands of people in cities across the country plan to stage Tax Day Tea Parties on Wednesday to protest the federal government’s billion-dollar economic stimulus packages and bailouts for the banking and auto industries. Tea parties are planned for nearly a dozen cities in the Houston area, including Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Friendswood and Pearland.And so begins the Republican move back toward what, they hope, is increased visibility and relevance on the National stage. In an ironic twist, they're hoping to ride the same fiscally conservative smoke n' mirrors employed by the Democrats to convince voters that the 'other sides' deficit growth is untenable. To Further the irony, some Democrats are using the same "un-patriotic card that they chastised those same Republicans for using during the protests to the Bush/Iraqi war. All & all it makes for some head-spinning role-reversals for political observers with a keen grasp of history and a small twinge of intellectual honesty. (Protestations of those without said traits cast aside)
The rallies take their names from the Boston Tea Party, the 1773 event in which colonists dumped tea into the Boston Harbor to protest taxes imposed by the British monarchy.
That is how many people today feel about government spending policies that have racked up trillions of dollars in debt, local organizers said.
“The message to the politicians is, we want them to repeal the ridiculous spending and the out-of -control financial shenanigans or we’re going to retire them,” said Cravens, a Katy resident and part-time teacher.
Cravens said she got the idea to organize a Houston tea party while chatting on social networks with other conservatives energized by CNBC reporter Rick Santelli’s televised rant on the Chicago Trading Floor on Feb. 17. Santelli was cheered on by traders as he railed against the government for subsidizing bad mortgages for people who could not afford to buy the homes.
She quickly connected with others who shared her views about the current administration’s policies and in six days organized a rally that drew about 500 people to Discovery Green Park on Feb. 27, the same day similar protests took place in more than 40 cities nationwide.
Cravens said she expects as many as 3,000 people to attend Wednesday’s rally.
The Harris County Republican Party is encouraging local conservatives to participate in the local protests. It recently sent out an e-mail blast to about 10,000 people, chairman Jared Woodfill said, adding that the movement has energized the local party.
To be fair, you can forgive Republicans their unbridled excitement, this is, after all, the first time they've really done it in the Facebook or through the twitter. These forays into 'new' social networking can bring about rapturous responses. New media having a certain va-va-voom factor to account for.
Sadly, (or not so sadly your choice) I'll be by-passing this latest round of 'tax protests' in lieu of more pressing matters*. I'll have to bypass the litany of mis-spelled signs and angry Caucasian folks belting out canned chants against the evils of entitlements and deficit spending while calling for an increase in production of armaments. To my chagrin I'll miss the counter-protests as well. My disappointment at not being able to snap pictures of said sign mis-spellings in order to use them in ironic attacks against Republicans for their disdain of the little guy is something I'm just going to have to get over. Mob protests are typically loud, group-think filled affairs whose significance and true impact (not to mention attendance) are overstated by supporters and understated by opponents. The good news is, with all of the blogs, media and other coverage of these events, there's going to be plenty access to all three sides of the story.
Republicans, Democrats and....the truth.
*Perhaps, as a demonstration of my enthusiasm, I'll be drinking tea during the time of the protests. Of course, this being the South and spring, it will be sweetened, iced tea.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/13/09)
The "Post-Easter Sugar hang-over" edition....
Texas Lawmakers trying again with ethics reform. [Matt Stiles, Chron.com] - If only Chris Bell were there....
Consumer Lawsuits fight back against debt collectors. [Mary Flood, Chron.com] - They're really out of hand. One day I got seven calls from someone trying to collect a debt from the people who previously had my phone number, over one decade prior.
Evidence may be unravelling in Paris dragging death. [Howard Witt, Chicago Tribune] - A possible case study of why our troubling habit of allowing justice to be conducted in public forums is ill-advised. What if these two men are innocent?
More Republican Hypocricy: Does Government spending create jobs or not. [Desperado, Something different] - This whopper is obviously flying below the Houston Press' "Amateur Chron bloggers" media crit window.
It's Game, Set & Match for Tennis Luncheon. [Shelby Hodge, Chron.com] - How is this in the paper and the transportation beat has been axed? On the bright side, at least there are comments now.
West: "The favored developers get favored treatment, and no one else does." [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Aint no way like the Houston Way.
Hey Richard Justice! [IJ Reilly, Bayou City Madman] - Heh.
So just how low can the carnival barker go? [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - So, what are YOU doing to be a champion today, Drayton?
Presidential results by Congressional District. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - I still don't think "the Obama factor" has been figured out by many people, so I'm hesitant to put much stock in analysis that doesn't take it into consideration, but still, Kuff (as usual) does a good job of aggregating a lot of raw data.
The Glenn Beck Insanity Extravaganza is Headed to Houston, Unfortunately. [Author Unknown, The Houston Press]
Texas Lawmakers trying again with ethics reform. [Matt Stiles, Chron.com] - If only Chris Bell were there....
Consumer Lawsuits fight back against debt collectors. [Mary Flood, Chron.com] - They're really out of hand. One day I got seven calls from someone trying to collect a debt from the people who previously had my phone number, over one decade prior.
Evidence may be unravelling in Paris dragging death. [Howard Witt, Chicago Tribune] - A possible case study of why our troubling habit of allowing justice to be conducted in public forums is ill-advised. What if these two men are innocent?
More Republican Hypocricy: Does Government spending create jobs or not. [Desperado, Something different] - This whopper is obviously flying below the Houston Press' "Amateur Chron bloggers" media crit window.
It's Game, Set & Match for Tennis Luncheon. [Shelby Hodge, Chron.com] - How is this in the paper and the transportation beat has been axed? On the bright side, at least there are comments now.
West: "The favored developers get favored treatment, and no one else does." [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Aint no way like the Houston Way.
Hey Richard Justice! [IJ Reilly, Bayou City Madman] - Heh.
So just how low can the carnival barker go? [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - So, what are YOU doing to be a champion today, Drayton?
Presidential results by Congressional District. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - I still don't think "the Obama factor" has been figured out by many people, so I'm hesitant to put much stock in analysis that doesn't take it into consideration, but still, Kuff (as usual) does a good job of aggregating a lot of raw data.
The Glenn Beck Insanity Extravaganza is Headed to Houston, Unfortunately. [Author Unknown, The Houston Press]
Any sentient human being who knows of Glenn Beck can pretty much agree he's a clown.Nothing like opening your argument that a certain individual is an illogical buffoon than by deploying a pair of logical fallacies is there?
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/12/09)
The "Thanks Easter Bunny...koo...koo" edition.
Differnt Paths to a tragic finish. [Peggy O'Hare, Chron.com] - Sad story.
Critics question fairness in help for developers. [Mike Snyder, Bradley Olson & Nancy Sarnoff, Chron.com] - What, accusations of favoritism in Houston government? It's the Houston Way after all.
Survivalists 2.0: Regular people get ready for the worst. [Mclatchy Newspapers via Chron.com] - Funny. Two dozen people, on Survivor, can barely survive 2 months in a controlled environment, urban commandos honestly think they can do better?
Recession bringing smaller paychecks to graduates. [L.M. Sixel, Chron.com] - It must suck to grow up thinking the world owes you a living only to find out reality is different.
Nuicanse laws stoke regulatory arsenal. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - Everyone supports these until their job becomes considered a nuisance by some group.
METRO: Mary Sit fluffs the numbers, Frank Wilson is MIA. [Anne Linehan, BlogHouston.net] - How troubling are these cost estimates? All supporters have to go on are ad-hominem oddities about post timing.
HUD Audit finds problems in Houston housing program. [Kevin Whited, Chron.com] - The Houston Way on display. Mayor White has never demonstrated a good grasp of Houston's pressing needs, choosing instead to focus on legacy building trinkets while the City's infrastructure has fallen apart.
UI Update [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - We're on different sides of the issue, but Kuff is providing a litany of links to others' writing on this issue if you're keeping up with it.
Differnt Paths to a tragic finish. [Peggy O'Hare, Chron.com] - Sad story.
Critics question fairness in help for developers. [Mike Snyder, Bradley Olson & Nancy Sarnoff, Chron.com] - What, accusations of favoritism in Houston government? It's the Houston Way after all.
Survivalists 2.0: Regular people get ready for the worst. [Mclatchy Newspapers via Chron.com] - Funny. Two dozen people, on Survivor, can barely survive 2 months in a controlled environment, urban commandos honestly think they can do better?
Recession bringing smaller paychecks to graduates. [L.M. Sixel, Chron.com] - It must suck to grow up thinking the world owes you a living only to find out reality is different.
Nuicanse laws stoke regulatory arsenal. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - Everyone supports these until their job becomes considered a nuisance by some group.
METRO: Mary Sit fluffs the numbers, Frank Wilson is MIA. [Anne Linehan, BlogHouston.net] - How troubling are these cost estimates? All supporters have to go on are ad-hominem oddities about post timing.
HUD Audit finds problems in Houston housing program. [Kevin Whited, Chron.com] - The Houston Way on display. Mayor White has never demonstrated a good grasp of Houston's pressing needs, choosing instead to focus on legacy building trinkets while the City's infrastructure has fallen apart.
UI Update [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - We're on different sides of the issue, but Kuff is providing a litany of links to others' writing on this issue if you're keeping up with it.
Sprawl, InFill and NIMBY
They all go together like peas in a pod....
The Mighty Wizard contemplates urban sprawl this weekend, penning a long post contemplating both the positives and negatives surrounding the phenomenon. It's a good post in keeping with the Wizard's detail oriented, statistics-dotted style. You'd do yourself a favor to go and read it. The Wizard's post started me thinking further about sprawl in Houston, and the duality of some citizen's groups arguments against it.
As with most municipal debates, the issue of sprawl is dotted with buzzwords and platitudes that, upon closer inspection, don't really mean what proponents might suggest they mean. Terms such as "infill", "mixed-use" and "sustainable" are thrown around without much consideration for what implementation of the terms encompass. Part of the reason for this is that the 'goals' of the words sound nice, but the reality of bringing them to fruition means that existing, and ingrained infrastructure must give way.
When NIMBY interests meet infill needs the results aren't pretty. When infill meets established neighborhoods, it gets ugly as well. The problem that established neighborhoods primarily populated by relatively wealthy residents butts up against is that the neighborhood design that they are trying so desperately to protect, is not the type of neighborhood design that's conducive to a 'dense, urban environment' that they claim to be promoting.
Much of Houston's Inner-Loop residential design is centered around smaller houses, built on larger lots and, in the case of some wealthy neighborhoods, HUGE homes, built on enormous lots. Many of these neighborhoods are wonderful, from an aesthetic point of view, but lack the design characteristics needed to support a truly-dense, walkable urban environment that's effectively serviced by mass transit.
This NIMBY mentality forces 'infill' into one of two areas, neither of which is ideal for residential development. The first option is to shoe-horn residents into a former business district. This has met with middling success, but the lack of residential infrastructure (i.e. grocery stores, practical shopping etc.) has limited these developments success. Not that local politicians haven't been working overtime to make these types of developments work. Corporate welfare, often derided by those on the left, is the main tool that left-leaning politicians have decided to utilize as a tool to force development into areas the NIMBY's have deemed to be 'preferable'. The second option, one favored by Houston's transit authority (and their boosters), is to try and force developers to invest in blighted areas previously deemed unattractive by market forces. The results in this area have been mixed, at best.
At some point Houston's urban activists are going to have to either accept or reject the idea of infill in their neighborhoods if the program is going to be a success. In many larger, more dense, urban environments the concept of row houses and other forms of development, such as lot-splitting, that are more conducive to dense, urban environments. As long as historical preservation is presented as a premium over dense development Houston's efforts to increase urban density, and make practical mass-urban transit, are going to be met with resistance. The fact is, people want to live in 'nice' neighborhoods such as the Heights and Southampton. In order to fulfill that demand opposition against lot-splitting and the building of row-style houses will either melt away, or scores of Houstonians will continue to move out to suburban areas where they have the ability to own their own structures, surrounded by their own green patches of lawn.
Discussions about smart codes and other zoning principles may be beneficial, but will ultimately prove ineffectual if the NIMBY's who have the ability to fund political campaigns are only willing to discuss their use in the neighborhoods of those with less financial resources. A good example of this is Houston's Sixth ward, and MidTown. Both areas are centrally located with ideal locations where people want to live. In each of these areas old development that wasn't conducive to dense, urban living was replaced by town-homes, row-houses and multi-family dwellings that fit the needs and desires of prospective residents.
Does this mean that all neighborhoods such as the Heights and Southampton have to lose their character? Of course not. In dense cities, such as Chicago, there are many pocket neighborhoods that mirror those in Houston. But the majority of residential development within the city core, that area that's most desirous to those who crave density and convenience, are dominated by development that's designed to maximize the amount of bodies per square mile. The trick for Houston is going to be to figure out to strike a balance between the NIMBY desires of the rather wealthy, current residents while finding a way to protect the, equally historical, yet less well-funded poorer neighborhoods and satisfying the demand curve of new residents who have a desire to live in areas where shopping and community are already established. The idea that new residents are going to be willing to forgo the experience of some of Houston's more established communities in order to satisfy the whims of the, primarily Caucasian, relatively well-heeled, heritage groups is a formula for whistling past the grave-yard of sustained development.
It will be interesting to see how influential the NIMBY faction is, and how damaging these ideas are to urban growth within the City. The early returns are that its hampering the spread of successful development within the city center.
The Mighty Wizard contemplates urban sprawl this weekend, penning a long post contemplating both the positives and negatives surrounding the phenomenon. It's a good post in keeping with the Wizard's detail oriented, statistics-dotted style. You'd do yourself a favor to go and read it. The Wizard's post started me thinking further about sprawl in Houston, and the duality of some citizen's groups arguments against it.
As with most municipal debates, the issue of sprawl is dotted with buzzwords and platitudes that, upon closer inspection, don't really mean what proponents might suggest they mean. Terms such as "infill", "mixed-use" and "sustainable" are thrown around without much consideration for what implementation of the terms encompass. Part of the reason for this is that the 'goals' of the words sound nice, but the reality of bringing them to fruition means that existing, and ingrained infrastructure must give way.
When NIMBY interests meet infill needs the results aren't pretty. When infill meets established neighborhoods, it gets ugly as well. The problem that established neighborhoods primarily populated by relatively wealthy residents butts up against is that the neighborhood design that they are trying so desperately to protect, is not the type of neighborhood design that's conducive to a 'dense, urban environment' that they claim to be promoting.
Much of Houston's Inner-Loop residential design is centered around smaller houses, built on larger lots and, in the case of some wealthy neighborhoods, HUGE homes, built on enormous lots. Many of these neighborhoods are wonderful, from an aesthetic point of view, but lack the design characteristics needed to support a truly-dense, walkable urban environment that's effectively serviced by mass transit.
This NIMBY mentality forces 'infill' into one of two areas, neither of which is ideal for residential development. The first option is to shoe-horn residents into a former business district. This has met with middling success, but the lack of residential infrastructure (i.e. grocery stores, practical shopping etc.) has limited these developments success. Not that local politicians haven't been working overtime to make these types of developments work. Corporate welfare, often derided by those on the left, is the main tool that left-leaning politicians have decided to utilize as a tool to force development into areas the NIMBY's have deemed to be 'preferable'. The second option, one favored by Houston's transit authority (and their boosters), is to try and force developers to invest in blighted areas previously deemed unattractive by market forces. The results in this area have been mixed, at best.
At some point Houston's urban activists are going to have to either accept or reject the idea of infill in their neighborhoods if the program is going to be a success. In many larger, more dense, urban environments the concept of row houses and other forms of development, such as lot-splitting, that are more conducive to dense, urban environments. As long as historical preservation is presented as a premium over dense development Houston's efforts to increase urban density, and make practical mass-urban transit, are going to be met with resistance. The fact is, people want to live in 'nice' neighborhoods such as the Heights and Southampton. In order to fulfill that demand opposition against lot-splitting and the building of row-style houses will either melt away, or scores of Houstonians will continue to move out to suburban areas where they have the ability to own their own structures, surrounded by their own green patches of lawn.
Discussions about smart codes and other zoning principles may be beneficial, but will ultimately prove ineffectual if the NIMBY's who have the ability to fund political campaigns are only willing to discuss their use in the neighborhoods of those with less financial resources. A good example of this is Houston's Sixth ward, and MidTown. Both areas are centrally located with ideal locations where people want to live. In each of these areas old development that wasn't conducive to dense, urban living was replaced by town-homes, row-houses and multi-family dwellings that fit the needs and desires of prospective residents.
Does this mean that all neighborhoods such as the Heights and Southampton have to lose their character? Of course not. In dense cities, such as Chicago, there are many pocket neighborhoods that mirror those in Houston. But the majority of residential development within the city core, that area that's most desirous to those who crave density and convenience, are dominated by development that's designed to maximize the amount of bodies per square mile. The trick for Houston is going to be to figure out to strike a balance between the NIMBY desires of the rather wealthy, current residents while finding a way to protect the, equally historical, yet less well-funded poorer neighborhoods and satisfying the demand curve of new residents who have a desire to live in areas where shopping and community are already established. The idea that new residents are going to be willing to forgo the experience of some of Houston's more established communities in order to satisfy the whims of the, primarily Caucasian, relatively well-heeled, heritage groups is a formula for whistling past the grave-yard of sustained development.
It will be interesting to see how influential the NIMBY faction is, and how damaging these ideas are to urban growth within the City. The early returns are that its hampering the spread of successful development within the city center.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/10/09)
The "Good Friday" edition.....
US Prosecutor in contentious border case resigns. [Guillermo Quintreras, S-A Express-News via Chron.com] - And there was great rejoicing in KSEV land.
Some sailors want guns on ships vs. Pirates: others aren't so sure.[Carolyn Feibel and Purva Patel, Chron.com] - What a terribly misleading headline. All of the sailors interviewed support the idea, the opposition comes from a stuffed suit who never sets foot on a boat.
Judge blocks new rules for licenses, ID's in Texas. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - Cue outrage.
Hair Balls broadens the media crit beat! [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - It's sad what passes for an 'alt' weekly in Houston.
Hair Balls gets even more Ballz [Richard Connelly, Houston Press] - That's too bad, the Ballz blog was one of their best.
Taxes Tax Republican Unity [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com] - The Texas Republican Party is a hot mess right now. Fairly useless, and looking more and more as if they are on the way out (of power).
US Prosecutor in contentious border case resigns. [Guillermo Quintreras, S-A Express-News via Chron.com] - And there was great rejoicing in KSEV land.
Some sailors want guns on ships vs. Pirates: others aren't so sure.[Carolyn Feibel and Purva Patel, Chron.com] - What a terribly misleading headline. All of the sailors interviewed support the idea, the opposition comes from a stuffed suit who never sets foot on a boat.
Judge blocks new rules for licenses, ID's in Texas. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - Cue outrage.
Hair Balls broadens the media crit beat! [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - It's sad what passes for an 'alt' weekly in Houston.
Hair Balls gets even more Ballz [Richard Connelly, Houston Press] - That's too bad, the Ballz blog was one of their best.
Taxes Tax Republican Unity [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com] - The Texas Republican Party is a hot mess right now. Fairly useless, and looking more and more as if they are on the way out (of power).
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/09/09)
The "kicking off a long weekend" edition...
Houston Online Company rented cyberspace to militants. [Joby Warrick & Candace Rondeaux, Wa Post via Chron.com] - Nice scoop by the Wa Post in the Chron's backyard.
Dog's killing reopens old wounds for former Navy SEAL [Dane Schiller, Chron.com] - The accused are lucky he didn't put a bullet in their brain.
Texas Legislator suggests Asians adopt easier names. [R. G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - Easier for "Americans" to deal with? Last I checked the people she's talking about ARE Americans....Unless she meant "caucasian" Americans that is. Pathetic.
Conservatives make false claims to Boston Tea Party [Neil Aquino, TexasLiberal Chron.commons] - Funny, I didn't see the Houston Press bemoaning this ridiculous post? While I also find the "Tea Party" angle to be incorrect, it's hypocritical and dishonest for progressives to chide those on the Right for taking advantage of the American right to peaceful protest.
Senate advances bill for votes on Texas Road fees. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - There's an honest debate that could be held about how Texas finances roads. I'm not sure if this is it however.
Home Depot needs its own improvement. [Lisa Falkenberg, Chron.com] - Good column. Credit where credit is due.
House Bound: Declining residential valuations likely presage a tax/spending squeeze. [Four Caucasian Males, Chron.com] - Anyone wanna bet there's no spending squeeze coming?
1960's KPRC Houston News Documentary. [The County Seat] - Good stuff.
City OK's TIRZ deal for Regency Square. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - Kuff gives his seal of approval to corporate welfare. (of the correct type of course)
Houston Online Company rented cyberspace to militants. [Joby Warrick & Candace Rondeaux, Wa Post via Chron.com] - Nice scoop by the Wa Post in the Chron's backyard.
Dog's killing reopens old wounds for former Navy SEAL [Dane Schiller, Chron.com] - The accused are lucky he didn't put a bullet in their brain.
Texas Legislator suggests Asians adopt easier names. [R. G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com] - Easier for "Americans" to deal with? Last I checked the people she's talking about ARE Americans....Unless she meant "caucasian" Americans that is. Pathetic.
Conservatives make false claims to Boston Tea Party [Neil Aquino, TexasLiberal Chron.commons] - Funny, I didn't see the Houston Press bemoaning this ridiculous post? While I also find the "Tea Party" angle to be incorrect, it's hypocritical and dishonest for progressives to chide those on the Right for taking advantage of the American right to peaceful protest.
Senate advances bill for votes on Texas Road fees. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - There's an honest debate that could be held about how Texas finances roads. I'm not sure if this is it however.
Home Depot needs its own improvement. [Lisa Falkenberg, Chron.com] - Good column. Credit where credit is due.
House Bound: Declining residential valuations likely presage a tax/spending squeeze. [Four Caucasian Males, Chron.com] - Anyone wanna bet there's no spending squeeze coming?
1960's KPRC Houston News Documentary. [The County Seat] - Good stuff.
City OK's TIRZ deal for Regency Square. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - Kuff gives his seal of approval to corporate welfare. (of the correct type of course)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Houston Area Asides (04/08/09)
The "waitaminnut" edition....
Oceanographer: 'Ike Dike' could repel most storm surges. [Eric Berger, Chron.com] - Of course, the same thing was said about the sea wall as well.
The 'Ike Dike': A critical Juncture in our coastal future. [Eric Berger, Sci-guy blog @ Chron.com] - Berger's personal blog allows him to opine. Namely that he thinks this is a bad idea (as do I, and for many of the same reasons)
Lampson says he's not in running for top NASA post. [Stewart M. Powell, Chron.com] - According to Lampson supporters his losing the election is the root cause of all NASA's current problems. I'm not making that up.
House Panel passes $178.4 Billion State Budget. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - No statement yet from Chris Bell giving this his moral stamp of approval.
Rethinking earmarks for Eggheads. [Rick Casey, Chron.com] - ANOTHER column profiling a San Antonio Legislator. Geez.
Continental gets tentative approval to join Star Alliance. [Shannon Buggs, Chron.com] - Good.
KHOU's Desel outlines Metro Cost discrepencies, METRO refuses comment. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - If Houston were a local politics kind of town, instead of the "Hail to the Party Line" type this would be a HUGE story. As it is? *sigh*
Funniest Vermont Marriage Headline. [John, By the Bayou] - One of the (but not the only) reasons I'm supportive of Gay Marriage is so that the GLBT community will just shut the heck up and quit marginalizing and mocking the same people that they are claiming are marginalizing and mocking them.
Oh by the way, the Unemployment trust fund is going broke. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - So the answer is to take a one-time infusion of Federal dollars which requires an expansion of the system which will cause it to 'go broke' more rapidly (and to a greater extent) down the road? The answer is to fix the funding mechanism permanently, not put a Federal band-aid on the cancer that's treated with a substance which makes it grow faster.
CLC Gambling Update. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - If you'd have told me, before the session, that Kuffner and the Christian Life Council were on the same side of any issue I wouldn't have believed you. As it is, I still support gambling in Texas.
Canoe Trail ruffles feathers, surprises City Hall. [Miya Shay, KTRK Poli-blog] - When environmentalists (NOT conservationalists, two totally different groups) attack.
The Mayoral race gets a touch of class. [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com] - Thus re-affirming Political Rule #1: Money talks. (It could be argued that this is the only political rule)
Let's jump to conclusions about that Bellaire Cop. [Richard Connelly, Houston Press] - Two wrongs don't make a right. (and how the heck did Connelly get 'steroids' from the guys neck?)
Rationing Health Care [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - Health care is another instance where doubt and debate are being replaced by bi-polar arguments that are accomplishing little. Thank goodness there are still some out there who view this complex issue in broader terms than "All hail the party line!"
Oceanographer: 'Ike Dike' could repel most storm surges. [Eric Berger, Chron.com] - Of course, the same thing was said about the sea wall as well.
The 'Ike Dike': A critical Juncture in our coastal future. [Eric Berger, Sci-guy blog @ Chron.com] - Berger's personal blog allows him to opine. Namely that he thinks this is a bad idea (as do I, and for many of the same reasons)
Lampson says he's not in running for top NASA post. [Stewart M. Powell, Chron.com] - According to Lampson supporters his losing the election is the root cause of all NASA's current problems. I'm not making that up.
House Panel passes $178.4 Billion State Budget. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - No statement yet from Chris Bell giving this his moral stamp of approval.
Rethinking earmarks for Eggheads. [Rick Casey, Chron.com] - ANOTHER column profiling a San Antonio Legislator. Geez.
Continental gets tentative approval to join Star Alliance. [Shannon Buggs, Chron.com] - Good.
KHOU's Desel outlines Metro Cost discrepencies, METRO refuses comment. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - If Houston were a local politics kind of town, instead of the "Hail to the Party Line" type this would be a HUGE story. As it is? *sigh*
Funniest Vermont Marriage Headline. [John, By the Bayou] - One of the (but not the only) reasons I'm supportive of Gay Marriage is so that the GLBT community will just shut the heck up and quit marginalizing and mocking the same people that they are claiming are marginalizing and mocking them.
Oh by the way, the Unemployment trust fund is going broke. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - So the answer is to take a one-time infusion of Federal dollars which requires an expansion of the system which will cause it to 'go broke' more rapidly (and to a greater extent) down the road? The answer is to fix the funding mechanism permanently, not put a Federal band-aid on the cancer that's treated with a substance which makes it grow faster.
CLC Gambling Update. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - If you'd have told me, before the session, that Kuffner and the Christian Life Council were on the same side of any issue I wouldn't have believed you. As it is, I still support gambling in Texas.
Canoe Trail ruffles feathers, surprises City Hall. [Miya Shay, KTRK Poli-blog] - When environmentalists (NOT conservationalists, two totally different groups) attack.
The Mayoral race gets a touch of class. [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com] - Thus re-affirming Political Rule #1: Money talks. (It could be argued that this is the only political rule)
Let's jump to conclusions about that Bellaire Cop. [Richard Connelly, Houston Press] - Two wrongs don't make a right. (and how the heck did Connelly get 'steroids' from the guys neck?)
Rationing Health Care [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers] - Health care is another instance where doubt and debate are being replaced by bi-polar arguments that are accomplishing little. Thank goodness there are still some out there who view this complex issue in broader terms than "All hail the party line!"
HB 1928: Bad legislation.
Own a dog that weighs over 40 lbs? Get ready to lose the ability to take them out in public, if this bill passes...
[David Rauf Saleh, Chron.com]
One thing I've learned in just over a month fostering a rescued Pit-bull type mix, is that they're not aggressive toward humans, and they have an innate desire to please, provided they are treated with love and affection, are well socialized, and aren't isolated. Sly loves children. When he's out in the front yard, on a lead, with either me or my wife present, all of the neighborhood kids come over and pet him, pull on his ears, play with him etc. Not once has he growled or displayed any signs of aggression, and this is a dog that was found after being tossed out of a moving pick-up, rescued by my wife. If any dog had a reason to be aggressive, it's Sly. But he's not aggressive at all. That's because we've worked hard at being responsible pet owners something that most Pit-bull type owners don't want to do.
You want to put an end to so-called "vicious dog" attacks? Put some teeth into the rules for dog ownership, and I'm not talking about making it criminal to own a so-called 'vicious dog'. It's well known among dog enthusiasts that certain breeds should not be left alone with babies, its well known that NO dog should be chained to a tree and left alone. It's a well known fact that all dogs benefit from training and proper socialization, yet nothing is done to address those two important factors.
Instead, we go after the dog. Dogs who are incapable of deductive reasoning, who do what they are taught to do. Thousands of years after domesticating the dog, humans are in a rush to abdicate themselves of the responsibility of caring for them.
The Text of the bill can be found Here.
Some of the more onerous previsions (with comments) are reproduced below:
The bolded text (point number 2) is equally ignorant. By requiring all 'vicious' dog breeds to be on a leash in public at all times the lege is attempting to take away key socialization tools such as dog parks (where dogs are allowed to run free and leashes start fights) and other social areas. Keeping a dog, aggressive or not, on a lead around other dogs that are free from leads is a recipe for disaster. the dog on the lead feels overly-protective and gets frustrated because he's not allowed to run and play with the pack. As a matter of fact, at our dog park, dog owners are stronly encouraged to let their dogs off the lead so they can play and interact with others. It would have been nice if the Texas Lege would have taken the time to educate themselves on the matter before rushing a bill onto the floor for passage.
This means that, if you own a Labrador Retriever in Houston, you can no longer take them to the dog park and let them run, they have to be on a lead. Think about that. Lure coursing is out, tracking trials are out, anything that involves the dog being let off the lead for an extended period of time is out. Not because the dog is 'vicious' but because the dog weighs over 40 lbs.
Perhaps the worst provision of all in this bill is that it catagorizes a dog as 'vicious' simply because it has 'certain physical traits' and not due to any behavioral evidence on behalf of the dog. This is a bad bill, written by people who obviously know nothing about dogs, and who are more interested in passing legislation designed to win votes than they are interested in solving the problem.
One last item....
If you want to know who (or what) this legislation is going to hurt most, then take a look at rescue groups and adoption agencies who take in homeless dogs and work to rehabilitate them. Under this law it will be financially impossible for many families to continue this work. Under this law, in large cities, all dogs weighing over 40lbs are deemed "dangerous", people who care for these dogs are branded as potential criminals before the fact.
The Texas Legislature, if this bill is passed, will be firing several rounds from an elephant gun in an effort to kill a gnat. They'll do this because they don't know any better, because they're ignorant of the psychology of dogs, and because the knee-jerk reaction to every problem in Texas is to criminalize the activity.
I'm in support of reasonable restrictions on dog owners, of making people take true ownership of their pets and raise them in a responsible way. I oppose chaining, baiting, encouraging aggressive behavior, leaving large dogs alone with toddlers, and young people owning aggressive dogs. I think that its not unreasonable to require large dog owners to have their dogs trained should they want to own them, I don't even oppose restrictions of all dogs being off the lead in public places. What I do oppose are bills like this whose sole purpose is to extinct certain breeds of dog that, primarily through ignorance, some people feel are 'dangerous' or 'vicious'.
I'm all for getting rid of this attitude:
I'm going to be calling legislators and sending e-mails all weekend, if you own a dog over 40 lbs in Houston and want to keep the ability to properly socialize your dog then you might want to as well. It might not stop this monstrosity from passing, but then again...this bill won't stop vicious dogs from attacking either.
[David Rauf Saleh, Chron.com]
After intensifying penalties two years ago on owners of dogs that seriously injure or kill in unprovoked attacks, Texas lawmakers now are targeting the mauling canines, too.First off, I'm sorry to see anyone get killed by any dog, pit-bull type or no. In both of these cases however there was irresponsible behavior displayed by the dog owner that was a contributing factor. "Chaining" a pit-bull type dog is a recipe for disaster. It fuels aggressiveness and isolation, two traits you don't want to see in any dog. Leaving an dog alone with a toddler is a bad idea as well. Pit-bull type dogs are strong and leaving them alone with a baby is inviting trouble. Humans also forget that dogs don't share our self-righteousness or humanities unique ability to project. In other words, dogs don't share our convenient moral code.
Moved by the death last week of a baby killed by two pit bulls, a controversial bill before the House would define a “vicious” dog and would require owners to obtain liability insurance to protect the public.
Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, is sponsoring the bill, which he says is needed more than ever after the death of 7-month-old Izaiah Gregory Cox of San Antonio.
“There’s going to be a lot of debate about this bill, but the way I feel about it … we must act to address the issue of vicious dogs before this Legislature adjourns,” said Martinez Fischer. The measure was heard Monday by the House Committee on County Affairs, though no vote has been taken.
In the span of four days at the end of March, two children were killed in separate pit bull attacks across Central Texas. In Luling, 18-month-old Tyson Miller was fatally mauled after the tot apparently wandered into the backyard alone, where a female pit bull was chained. The most recent case is that of Cox, who was left alone in a room with two pit bulls while his grandmother warmed a bottle.
One thing I've learned in just over a month fostering a rescued Pit-bull type mix, is that they're not aggressive toward humans, and they have an innate desire to please, provided they are treated with love and affection, are well socialized, and aren't isolated. Sly loves children. When he's out in the front yard, on a lead, with either me or my wife present, all of the neighborhood kids come over and pet him, pull on his ears, play with him etc. Not once has he growled or displayed any signs of aggression, and this is a dog that was found after being tossed out of a moving pick-up, rescued by my wife. If any dog had a reason to be aggressive, it's Sly. But he's not aggressive at all. That's because we've worked hard at being responsible pet owners something that most Pit-bull type owners don't want to do.
You want to put an end to so-called "vicious dog" attacks? Put some teeth into the rules for dog ownership, and I'm not talking about making it criminal to own a so-called 'vicious dog'. It's well known among dog enthusiasts that certain breeds should not be left alone with babies, its well known that NO dog should be chained to a tree and left alone. It's a well known fact that all dogs benefit from training and proper socialization, yet nothing is done to address those two important factors.
Instead, we go after the dog. Dogs who are incapable of deductive reasoning, who do what they are taught to do. Thousands of years after domesticating the dog, humans are in a rush to abdicate themselves of the responsibility of caring for them.
The Text of the bill can be found Here.
Some of the more onerous previsions (with comments) are reproduced below:
(6) "Vicious dog" means a dog that:The problem with these definitions is that "reasonably concludes" will be applied to mean "barks" from behind a fence. Since most people don't understand the meaning of barking, most people incorrectly assume that all barking is aggressive. If my Rottie-mix (Jones) is in his backyard and someone comes walking up to the fence, he's going to bark...loudly. That doesn't mean that he's vicious. These definitions are too vague, and could lead to abuse that punishes responsible dog owners and dogs.
(A) because of the dog's physical nature and vicious propensity is capable of inflicting serious bodily injury, as that term is defined by Section 822.001, or death to human beings and constitutes a danger to human life or property;
(B) without reasonable provocation has habitually behaved within the enclosure in which the dog is kept in such a manner that the owner knows or should know that the animal is likely to attack or bite;
(C) commits unprovoked acts while in the enclosure in which the dog is kept, and those acts cause a person to reasonably believe that the dog will attack and cause bodily injury to that person; or
(D) acts in a highly aggressive manner while in the enclosure in which the dog is kept and appears to a reasonable person to be able to escape from the enclosure.
(a) Not later than the 30th day after a person learns that the person is the owner of a dangerous or vicious dog, the person shall:Again this law is opening Pandora's box. Where are the checks and balances that allow responsible dog owners recourse should a neighbor with a grudge, or one who doesn't like Pit-Bull types, falsely say that the dog was 'aggressive' toward them? The facts are there are none. Jones is a 9 year old Rottie-mix with arthritis, he walks with a limp and is on medication. In nine years he's never so much as bared his teeth at a stranger. Yet he could be listed as a 'dangerous dog' under this bill because the Texas Lege is trying to legislate from a position of ignorance.
(1) register the dangerous or vicious dog with the animal control authority for the area in which the dog is kept;
(2) restrain the dangerous or vicious dog at all times on a leash in the immediate control of a person or in a secure enclosure;
(3) obtain liability insurance coverage or show financial responsibility in an amount of at least $100,000 to cover damages resulting from an attack by the dangerous or vicious dog causing bodily injury to a person and provide proof of the required liability insurance coverage or financial responsibility to the animal control authority for the area in which the dog is kept; and
(4) comply with an applicable municipal or county regulation, requirement, or restriction on dangerous or vicious dogs.
(b) The owner of a dangerous or vicious dog who does not comply with Subsection (a) shall deliver the dog to the animal control authority not later than the 30th day after the owner learns that the dog is a dangerous or vicious dog.
The bolded text (point number 2) is equally ignorant. By requiring all 'vicious' dog breeds to be on a leash in public at all times the lege is attempting to take away key socialization tools such as dog parks (where dogs are allowed to run free and leashes start fights) and other social areas. Keeping a dog, aggressive or not, on a lead around other dogs that are free from leads is a recipe for disaster. the dog on the lead feels overly-protective and gets frustrated because he's not allowed to run and play with the pack. As a matter of fact, at our dog park, dog owners are stronly encouraged to let their dogs off the lead so they can play and interact with others. It would have been nice if the Texas Lege would have taken the time to educate themselves on the matter before rushing a bill onto the floor for passage.
(b) A person who owns or keeps custody or control of a dog weighing 40 pounds or more shall ensure that the dog, at any time the dog is not on a leash in the immediate control of a person, is kept inside a residence or in a secure enclosure on the premises where the dog is kept.This is the most wrong-headed provision of all. Look at the text. This legislation, in a city such as Houston, is outlawing dogs over 40 lbs being off a leash at any time.
This means that, if you own a Labrador Retriever in Houston, you can no longer take them to the dog park and let them run, they have to be on a lead. Think about that. Lure coursing is out, tracking trials are out, anything that involves the dog being let off the lead for an extended period of time is out. Not because the dog is 'vicious' but because the dog weighs over 40 lbs.
Perhaps the worst provision of all in this bill is that it catagorizes a dog as 'vicious' simply because it has 'certain physical traits' and not due to any behavioral evidence on behalf of the dog. This is a bad bill, written by people who obviously know nothing about dogs, and who are more interested in passing legislation designed to win votes than they are interested in solving the problem.
One last item....
If you want to know who (or what) this legislation is going to hurt most, then take a look at rescue groups and adoption agencies who take in homeless dogs and work to rehabilitate them. Under this law it will be financially impossible for many families to continue this work. Under this law, in large cities, all dogs weighing over 40lbs are deemed "dangerous", people who care for these dogs are branded as potential criminals before the fact.
The Texas Legislature, if this bill is passed, will be firing several rounds from an elephant gun in an effort to kill a gnat. They'll do this because they don't know any better, because they're ignorant of the psychology of dogs, and because the knee-jerk reaction to every problem in Texas is to criminalize the activity.
I'm in support of reasonable restrictions on dog owners, of making people take true ownership of their pets and raise them in a responsible way. I oppose chaining, baiting, encouraging aggressive behavior, leaving large dogs alone with toddlers, and young people owning aggressive dogs. I think that its not unreasonable to require large dog owners to have their dogs trained should they want to own them, I don't even oppose restrictions of all dogs being off the lead in public places. What I do oppose are bills like this whose sole purpose is to extinct certain breeds of dog that, primarily through ignorance, some people feel are 'dangerous' or 'vicious'.
I'm all for getting rid of this attitude:
(from the ironically named Chron.commenter truthliberates)I would like to see Pitt Bulls outlawed in the State of Texas. I refuse to debate this issue with Pitt Bull lovers. This is my opinion.If you refuse to debate the issue then you are blinding yourself to the truth.
I'm going to be calling legislators and sending e-mails all weekend, if you own a dog over 40 lbs in Houston and want to keep the ability to properly socialize your dog then you might want to as well. It might not stop this monstrosity from passing, but then again...this bill won't stop vicious dogs from attacking either.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Crunching Numbers
It just doesn't add up...
[The Mighty Wizard; Fireballs, Lightning Bolts and Hellstorms]
Here's a Link (provided by the Wizard) to an explenation of what goes into the "letter of no prejudice" as required by the FTA.
I'm not surprised at all by this revelation. Yes, I've been very critical of how Metro's handled the light-rail and now it seems that my concerns are playing out. The "true" cost of the proposed system should be of concern to every transit advocate, not just those who are opposed to Metro's developer-friendly plan. If we're going to subsidize a preferred group of developers, which is the main criticism against the proposed Grand Parkway expansion, the least we can do is ensure that we're getting an accurate picture of how much money we're throwing their way.
Were Texas a civilized country, this is where the debate over MetroRail would be centered: On whether or not it is the correct plan, and how to make it workable. Instead we're forced into fighting about whether or not to build public transportation. We've got one, bad plan that's going to cost Billions more than projected and is designed to be punitive toward the travel patterns of 99% of the populace. We're given one option: "tear it up", that's going to do nothing to improve mobility for those who don't want to give up the car. I'm aware that I'm a broken record on this matter, but it needs to be stated over and over again until the Least Common Denominator of society we keep electing into public service gets it....
The goal of public transportation should be to increase travel options, not reduce them.
Say that to yourself, then repeat over and over until you get it.
Congratulations to KHOU reporter Jeremy Desel for performing the footwork necessary to bring this story to light. In a world where the newspaper of record has decided to ditch transportation coverage in favor of promoting liquid breakfasts and how diet affects oral sex its going to be beholden to television news and hobby bloggers to take up the hard-news slack.
[The Mighty Wizard; Fireballs, Lightning Bolts and Hellstorms]
KHOU-TV's Jeremy Desel ran a story this evening concerning the latest discrepancies about the cost of Metro Rail. It seems that business owner Paul Magaziner came across some information that contradicts what the unelected Metro board has been stating recently about project costs. Moreover, the source of the discrepancies is coming from none other than Metro itself.
Last month, the Metro board announced that it had approved a deal (though it had not signed a contract) with Parsons Transport Group where Parsons would lead a consortium to build four of the Metro Solutions Phase 2 rail lines, but not including the Wheeler / Richmond rail alignment. This deal would involve building a total 20 miles of Metro's planned 30 miles light rail for a price $1.46 billion. The costs of the North Corridor and Southeast Corridors were announced to be $387 and $441 million respectively. Desel's accompanying news story showed footage of last month's board meeting where Chairman David Wolff expressed optimism of falling costs, presumably due to a fall in materials costs resulting from the current economic downturn.
However, apparently in an FTA Letter of No Prejudice communication dated March 23rd 2009, the costs of the North and Southeast Corridors were stated at $896,797,000 and $911,211,000 respectively.
Here's a Link (provided by the Wizard) to an explenation of what goes into the "letter of no prejudice" as required by the FTA.
I'm not surprised at all by this revelation. Yes, I've been very critical of how Metro's handled the light-rail and now it seems that my concerns are playing out. The "true" cost of the proposed system should be of concern to every transit advocate, not just those who are opposed to Metro's developer-friendly plan. If we're going to subsidize a preferred group of developers, which is the main criticism against the proposed Grand Parkway expansion, the least we can do is ensure that we're getting an accurate picture of how much money we're throwing their way.
Were Texas a civilized country, this is where the debate over MetroRail would be centered: On whether or not it is the correct plan, and how to make it workable. Instead we're forced into fighting about whether or not to build public transportation. We've got one, bad plan that's going to cost Billions more than projected and is designed to be punitive toward the travel patterns of 99% of the populace. We're given one option: "tear it up", that's going to do nothing to improve mobility for those who don't want to give up the car. I'm aware that I'm a broken record on this matter, but it needs to be stated over and over again until the Least Common Denominator of society we keep electing into public service gets it....
The goal of public transportation should be to increase travel options, not reduce them.
Say that to yourself, then repeat over and over until you get it.
Congratulations to KHOU reporter Jeremy Desel for performing the footwork necessary to bring this story to light. In a world where the newspaper of record has decided to ditch transportation coverage in favor of promoting liquid breakfasts and how diet affects oral sex its going to be beholden to television news and hobby bloggers to take up the hard-news slack.
Houston Area Asides (04/07/09)
The "put me in coach" edition....
Houston Dad reportedly said meat put demon in beaten son. [Dale Lazon, Jennifer Latson & Anita Hassan, Chron.com] - A sick crime, but you just know some vegetarian group is thinking about running with this.
Emotional Stanford vows to fight fraud allegations. [Mary Flood & Tom Fowler, Chron.com] - How effective has the class war against the wealthy been? Stanford has already been convicted by the kangaroo court of public opinion, which has sided with a government that has a track record of being unable to prove their case and trampling on citizens' rights to win. You know...all of the things we 'hate' the rich for supposedly doing....
Texas House to OK Houston's proposed apartment crackdowns. [Matt Stiles, Chron.com]- The goal is a worthy one, but will the idea work? Will rents increase and price the poor out of their homes? Additional costs (and these proposals are a HUGE additional cost) are always passed on to the consumer.
Tent-dweller who beat the Port now tackling La Porte. [Carolyn Feibel, Chron.com] - Is Feibel on the outer communities beat now? Or is this a one time thing? Also, a $100 fine for living in a tent, on his own property??? You'd think this would be laughed out of court. Proof that we no longer live in a free Country.
County to vote on Soap Box Derby Hill today. [Liz Austin Peterson, chron.com] - I'm so glad flooding and additional infrastructure needs have been all taken care of.
Education board's ideas on warming raise tempers. [Lisa Falkenberg, Chron.com] - The great Scientific Inquisition of 2009 moves forward. Absolutism at its finest commented on by a writer with no ability to logically examine opposing points of view. (Ironically, one of the main criticisms levelled at hobby bloggers {especially some of the 'All hail the Party' bloggers} is their inability to think and write critically. It's kind of sad that the level of commentary at the Chron has sunk to levels lower than what even the independent, amateur blogosphere will tolerate is it not?)
Stiles Hits the State Ethics Beat. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Stiles is a good reporter. The Chron needs more like him and Carolyn Feibel and less like Falkenberg and Casey.
Brown annoyed at "copycat slogans". [Miya Shay, ABC 13 Poli-blog] - When you're ideologically identical there's bound to be some message overlap.
There's always an excuse not to do it. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - The way the Lege is criminalizing everything it won't be long before a majority of Texans are in jail anyway. Might as well get a jump on things by increasing the presence.
In the Land of the smug and arrogant, the liquor shill in the phony uniform rules. [Slampo, Slampo's Place] - Heh.
Houston Dad reportedly said meat put demon in beaten son. [Dale Lazon, Jennifer Latson & Anita Hassan, Chron.com] - A sick crime, but you just know some vegetarian group is thinking about running with this.
Emotional Stanford vows to fight fraud allegations. [Mary Flood & Tom Fowler, Chron.com] - How effective has the class war against the wealthy been? Stanford has already been convicted by the kangaroo court of public opinion, which has sided with a government that has a track record of being unable to prove their case and trampling on citizens' rights to win. You know...all of the things we 'hate' the rich for supposedly doing....
Texas House to OK Houston's proposed apartment crackdowns. [Matt Stiles, Chron.com]- The goal is a worthy one, but will the idea work? Will rents increase and price the poor out of their homes? Additional costs (and these proposals are a HUGE additional cost) are always passed on to the consumer.
Tent-dweller who beat the Port now tackling La Porte. [Carolyn Feibel, Chron.com] - Is Feibel on the outer communities beat now? Or is this a one time thing? Also, a $100 fine for living in a tent, on his own property??? You'd think this would be laughed out of court. Proof that we no longer live in a free Country.
County to vote on Soap Box Derby Hill today. [Liz Austin Peterson, chron.com] - I'm so glad flooding and additional infrastructure needs have been all taken care of.
Education board's ideas on warming raise tempers. [Lisa Falkenberg, Chron.com] - The great Scientific Inquisition of 2009 moves forward. Absolutism at its finest commented on by a writer with no ability to logically examine opposing points of view. (Ironically, one of the main criticisms levelled at hobby bloggers {especially some of the 'All hail the Party' bloggers} is their inability to think and write critically. It's kind of sad that the level of commentary at the Chron has sunk to levels lower than what even the independent, amateur blogosphere will tolerate is it not?)
Stiles Hits the State Ethics Beat. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.net] - Stiles is a good reporter. The Chron needs more like him and Carolyn Feibel and less like Falkenberg and Casey.
Brown annoyed at "copycat slogans". [Miya Shay, ABC 13 Poli-blog] - When you're ideologically identical there's bound to be some message overlap.
There's always an excuse not to do it. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - The way the Lege is criminalizing everything it won't be long before a majority of Texans are in jail anyway. Might as well get a jump on things by increasing the presence.
In the Land of the smug and arrogant, the liquor shill in the phony uniform rules. [Slampo, Slampo's Place] - Heh.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Stimulated
Tax credits hit worker paychecks this month. [R.G. Ratcliffe, Chron.com]
No, they probably don't. Not anything substantive anyway. What they do accomplish is probably more mental than anything, and while I believe the CPPP's analysis saying that every dollar spent equates to a $2.15 return to not have its basis in reality, I do believe that unemployement can help, for a time.
The funniest part of this political drama is going to be watching Texas Republicans who, in the past, have defended miniscule tax cuts vehemently oppose this one as "worthless" while local Democrats, who have repeatedly blasted local Republican backed tax cuts as "miniscule", trump this one as the solution for all things recession.
All that being said, I'm sure most American families won't turn down even a little bit of extra dough each week. I'm not sure what my tack will be. When then-President Bush changed the withholding rates during his tenure (the "Bush tax-cuts") it was done without a fully off-setting alteration of the tax rate. Because of this a lot of families felt the sting of additional payments at the end of the year. I adjusted for this by giving back most of the extra cash by way of extra money taken out each paycheck on my W-4. As a result my tax bill the last two years has been as close to zero as you can get.
I encourage you to take a look at your new tax rate, make some rough calculation and make sure that whatever reduction you will be paying is equal to the revised withholding formulas. If its not, then adjust your W-4 accordingly.
Federal economic stimulus dollars are making their way into the pockets of Texas consumers, providing more money in unemployment benefits, payroll checks and food stamps.
Though much of the more than $17 billion targeted for Texas is embroiled in legislative battles over spending on highways, schools, unemployment insurance and local government grants, Congress made sure some money is directly available for citizens without waiting for governmental decisions. Among other things:
• • Most Texans’ paychecks will be a little fatter starting this month as the Making Work Pay tax credit kicks in and employers reduce their payroll tax withholdings by about $13 a week.
• • Texas’ jobless are now receiving an extra $25 a week in their benefits as mandated by Congress, according to the Texas Workforce Commission.
• • Food stamp recipients soon will get about $38 a month more to spend on necessities, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Don Baylor, an analyst with the Center for Public Policy Priorities, said every dollar spent on unemployment benefits and food stamps helps the families receiving it — but has the added effect of boosting the economy in general.
“That money is spent almost immediately. People aren’t saving that money,” Baylor said. “People buy bread. That creates jobs at the supermarket, and the chain goes on.”
But while these dollars may be good for individual people, Michael Quinn Sullivan of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility said the $1.1 trillion Texas economy probably won’t feel it. And he said the payroll tax credit is just a deferred payment to the IRS.
“These kinds of things probably don’t accomplish a lot,” Sullivan said.
No, they probably don't. Not anything substantive anyway. What they do accomplish is probably more mental than anything, and while I believe the CPPP's analysis saying that every dollar spent equates to a $2.15 return to not have its basis in reality, I do believe that unemployement can help, for a time.
The funniest part of this political drama is going to be watching Texas Republicans who, in the past, have defended miniscule tax cuts vehemently oppose this one as "worthless" while local Democrats, who have repeatedly blasted local Republican backed tax cuts as "miniscule", trump this one as the solution for all things recession.
All that being said, I'm sure most American families won't turn down even a little bit of extra dough each week. I'm not sure what my tack will be. When then-President Bush changed the withholding rates during his tenure (the "Bush tax-cuts") it was done without a fully off-setting alteration of the tax rate. Because of this a lot of families felt the sting of additional payments at the end of the year. I adjusted for this by giving back most of the extra cash by way of extra money taken out each paycheck on my W-4. As a result my tax bill the last two years has been as close to zero as you can get.
I encourage you to take a look at your new tax rate, make some rough calculation and make sure that whatever reduction you will be paying is equal to the revised withholding formulas. If its not, then adjust your W-4 accordingly.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Rapid Eye Movement (04/05/09)
"Whistling in the dark" edition....
Geithner says bank executives could be replaced. [AP via Chron.com] - The 'jobs for political backers' program soon to ramp into high-gear.
Hispanics least-likely to pursue higher education. [Jeannie Kever, Chron.com] - The question should be why we, as a society, have de-valued hard work, not why Hispanics value working hard over liberal-arts degrees.
North Korea rocket fizzles: Outrage persists. [AP via Chron.com] - Apparently someone forgot to notify Kim Jong-Il of Obama's plans.
Obama wants to control the banks. [Stuart Varney, WSJ]
Obama calls on UN to condemn North Korea. [Richard Lloyd Parry, Times UK]
Bankruptcy means freedom for GM [Shika Dalmia, OC Register] - Unsaid: Puts pressure on Ford to accept Gov't control.
Feel like getting nasty? [Mark Steyn, NRO]
A budget deficit. [Matthew Continetti, The Weekly Standard]
Geithner says bank executives could be replaced. [AP via Chron.com] - The 'jobs for political backers' program soon to ramp into high-gear.
Hispanics least-likely to pursue higher education. [Jeannie Kever, Chron.com] - The question should be why we, as a society, have de-valued hard work, not why Hispanics value working hard over liberal-arts degrees.
North Korea rocket fizzles: Outrage persists. [AP via Chron.com] - Apparently someone forgot to notify Kim Jong-Il of Obama's plans.
Obama wants to control the banks. [Stuart Varney, WSJ]
Obama calls on UN to condemn North Korea. [Richard Lloyd Parry, Times UK]
Bankruptcy means freedom for GM [Shika Dalmia, OC Register] - Unsaid: Puts pressure on Ford to accept Gov't control.
Feel like getting nasty? [Mark Steyn, NRO]
A budget deficit. [Matthew Continetti, The Weekly Standard]
On the border
Voter Issue: Inside or Outside the Loop? [Alan Bernstein, Chron.com]
Of all the candidates, Council-member Brown's statements seem to be the most puzzling, he's on record as saying his priorities would be the inner-core and wooing businesses from the suburbs after all, beyond that pretty much every candidate is restating what the other has already said. Even Morales, the "Republican" in this supposed 'non-partisan' race, sounds an awful lot like Locke and Parker.
More puzzling is why no candidate mentioned Metro's punitive lack of service for suburbs that weren't big supporters of their (predominately inner-loop) light-rail plan, nor was there more than passing mention of traffic concerns, flood control, and City services to communities such as Kingwood.
Except that its not really all that puzzling at all. As I've mentioned previously, there's likely to be nothing of substance debated in this election because all of the candidates share similar views on the biggest issues. When everyone thinks and feels the same, its unlikely that fresh, new, or controversial ideas will emerge from the debate.
If you've been wondering why Metro is allowed to design a transit plan that only services 1/3 of local residents, or why elected officials are allowed to market for Inner-Loop properties on City time a large part of the problem could be that all of our elected officials believe that Inner Loop development, where many wealthy campaign donors reside FWIW, is the 'right' thing to do.
It would be easy for people to blame this on a biased media or an ineffectual local Republican Party. And while its true that both entities have failed in their role to cover and offer up mass-transit alternatives, the real culprit here is a citizenry that has tuned out of the local political process.
The candidates for Houston mayor live less than seven miles from City Hall. Most of the city’s registered voters don’t. In a city known for low-density sprawl, the majority lives outside Loop 610; some live 29 miles from downtown.
Contenders in the Nov. 3 election say they know the needs of the suburbs and would never overlook them. But whether any candidate is far-sighted enough is an unanswered question in the early part of the campaign, where the focus has been on neighborhood protection rather than expansion, mass transit instead of highways.
(snip)
Candidate and Councilman Peter Brown, an urban planner and architect, lives in the close-in Museum District and said he helped raise his now-grown family in the Briargrove neighborhoods outside Loop 610. He has said the city needs to help develop commercial and residential centers along rail lines, compete with surrounding cities such as Pearland for business development, and “stop the exodus to the suburbs.”
But Brown also said he is attuned to the suburbs as someone who designed homes and buildings in dozens of suburban neighborhoods and who is jealous of the town center projects in Sugar Land and “planned communities” such as The Woodlands.
(snip)
Lawyer Gene Locke, who lives in the Riverside area west of the University of Houston main campus, oversaw the city’s legal staff and provided advice to agencies that built sports stadiums, the light rail system and parts of the Port of Houston.
He said the art of meeting the needs of a far-flung city involves knowing which problems are uniform — such as street flooding, crime and a lack of bus shelters — and which are particular to certain neighborhoods.
(snip)
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Roy Morales, an elected trustee of the county education department, lives east of the Texas Medical Center and said that as a young San Antonio resident, he spent summers working construction jobs at suburban Houston apartments.
He said the city needs to address crime and drainage problems in suburban areas such as the far west side: “There is no safety out there where you think there would be safety.”
(snip)
Controller Annise Parker lives in a 105-year-old home that is a city-designated landmark and said she grew up in Spring Branch when it was a semi-rural northwestern reach of Houston. She said she has also lived in Oak Forest and the city of Bellaire.
Like Locke, Parker said her goal as mayor would be to focus on the economic and city service needs of the overall city while catering to other, more diverse needs at the neighborhood level. As a council member, Parker said, she helped craft the ordinance that provides different building codes for different parts of the city. Parker said she lives in the inner part of Montrose partly to save time commuting to work.
Of all the candidates, Council-member Brown's statements seem to be the most puzzling, he's on record as saying his priorities would be the inner-core and wooing businesses from the suburbs after all, beyond that pretty much every candidate is restating what the other has already said. Even Morales, the "Republican" in this supposed 'non-partisan' race, sounds an awful lot like Locke and Parker.
More puzzling is why no candidate mentioned Metro's punitive lack of service for suburbs that weren't big supporters of their (predominately inner-loop) light-rail plan, nor was there more than passing mention of traffic concerns, flood control, and City services to communities such as Kingwood.
Except that its not really all that puzzling at all. As I've mentioned previously, there's likely to be nothing of substance debated in this election because all of the candidates share similar views on the biggest issues. When everyone thinks and feels the same, its unlikely that fresh, new, or controversial ideas will emerge from the debate.
If you've been wondering why Metro is allowed to design a transit plan that only services 1/3 of local residents, or why elected officials are allowed to market for Inner-Loop properties on City time a large part of the problem could be that all of our elected officials believe that Inner Loop development, where many wealthy campaign donors reside FWIW, is the 'right' thing to do.
It would be easy for people to blame this on a biased media or an ineffectual local Republican Party. And while its true that both entities have failed in their role to cover and offer up mass-transit alternatives, the real culprit here is a citizenry that has tuned out of the local political process.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Controlling what you put in your mouth.
Texas Lege to consider banning Trans-fats. [Alan Turner, Chron.com]...
How does reducing options constitute a "choice"?
That being said "Trans-fat" containing products were, at one time, marvels of human ingenuity. They were treated in a lab and sold to the public as a healthy alternative to butter, lard and other oils. What we know now is that science was terribly wrong. Banning trans-fats would really be an admission that science, and humans, don't know as much as we think we do.
Sometimes Nature has it right. Despite our presumptions of arrogance.
In a perfect world educated customers would reject trans-fat cooked items out of hand, the market would dictate that natural oils are used. Unfortunately this isn't a perfect world, with perfect information and customers who actively search-out their options. The result of that is legislation calling for the banning of certain foods, of reducing choice in the name of choice.
Yes, it makes no sense, but its where we are today.
As much as I dislike trans-fats (and avoid them in my own diet) I'm concerned that a trans-fat ban will open a Pandora's Box of food-based legislation that could lead to the elimination of foods to satisfy certain political groups. (read: red meat) People will pooh-pooh this idea as fantasy. Probably the same people who pooh-poohed the idea that the Government could ever take control of a US auto company.
Texas diners who like everything — Twinkies to bacon — a heaping lot better if it’s been deep-fried soon may be chowing on healthier cuisine if the Legislature approves a measure to ban heart-clogging artificial trans fats from restaurant meals.
Lawmakers in coming weeks will consider bills by Houston state Rep. Carol Alvarado and state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, that would outlaw restaurant use of certain oils, shortenings and margarines by September 2011.
The oils, which have been treated with hydrogen at high heat to prolong shelf life, were touted as healthful alternatives to butter until doctors found they contributed to cardiovascular and other diseases.
“Texans want to make healthy choices,” Alvarado said Friday. “This has nothing to do with taste. Our restaurants cook with trans fat-free oils, and it doesn’t compromise the flavor at all.”
Glen Garey, general counsel for the 5,000-member Texas Restaurant Association, said his organization “stands arm in arm” with Alvarado on the issue, especially since the bill was altered in committee to allow restaurants more time to comply.
If the bill becomes law, Texas would join California and New York City in banning the restaurant use of oils containing artificial trans fats.
How does reducing options constitute a "choice"?
That being said "Trans-fat" containing products were, at one time, marvels of human ingenuity. They were treated in a lab and sold to the public as a healthy alternative to butter, lard and other oils. What we know now is that science was terribly wrong. Banning trans-fats would really be an admission that science, and humans, don't know as much as we think we do.
Sometimes Nature has it right. Despite our presumptions of arrogance.
In a perfect world educated customers would reject trans-fat cooked items out of hand, the market would dictate that natural oils are used. Unfortunately this isn't a perfect world, with perfect information and customers who actively search-out their options. The result of that is legislation calling for the banning of certain foods, of reducing choice in the name of choice.
Yes, it makes no sense, but its where we are today.
As much as I dislike trans-fats (and avoid them in my own diet) I'm concerned that a trans-fat ban will open a Pandora's Box of food-based legislation that could lead to the elimination of foods to satisfy certain political groups. (read: red meat) People will pooh-pooh this idea as fantasy. Probably the same people who pooh-poohed the idea that the Government could ever take control of a US auto company.
Friday, April 3, 2009
In Honor of Wrestlemania 25
I give you the The Best Wrestler Theme Song of All Time period, end of story. Not to mention the best entrance choreography EVER.
Plus, his home is in the Houston Region!
For a time he used this one, which was equally as fun:
When the wife and I were living in Branson and she was working every Monday Night I was watching a LOT of wrestling. At the time I was working retail and two of the guys I worked with were HUGE fans. I got tired of not knowing what they were talking about and got hooked. This was during the time of Stone Cold Steve Austin (who's being inducted into the WWE hall of fame this year), Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson and Triple H of Degeneration X fame. (Also accompanied by the wife's favorite: the New Age Outlaws)
The other day I watched 'rassling again just to see what was going on. I was shocked to see the Undertaker still going out there and putting on a show. I'm assuming he's got to be getting on toward the end of his career, so this could be his last, big hurrah in front of the Home-town fans. It'd be nice if they'd write him out a winner, but I don't think anyone has ever gone undefeated for their career at Wrestlemania, and I can't see them giving the Undertaker a higher honor than Andre the Giant recieved, despite the fact that he's probably just as respected among his contemporaries as Andre was by his.
Still the best ring intro ever.
There's no laughter online
Alternate Title: See...the humor came in...
2nd Title: Twitter is NOT a funny place.
@loseaneye (me):
@Fulmer (in reply):
Example #2:
@loseaneye (me):
@kuff (in reply):
OK, granted, I'm not going to be giving Geroge Carlin a run for his money in the Comedy HOF, I understand that. But still....
Twitter is a valuable tool as fairly clean feed reader and news aggregator, as a communication tool? Eh, not so much.
Clinton killed satire, Bush killed Irony, Obama is killing sarcasm. Pretty soon all we're going to be left with is slapstick and the physical, until some advocacy group tries to outlaw those.
2nd Title: Twitter is NOT a funny place.
@loseaneye (me):
Texas increases taxes on sex and cigarettes but they want to subsidize taxes on a movie industry that's full of sex and cigarettes?
@Fulmer (in reply):
@loseaneye And the problem with that is? States that don't offer tax based incentives for the film industry see very little production.
Example #2:
@loseaneye (me):
If you'd have told me Robison went to work for a Democrat yesterday I would have seen right through that April Foo....wait....nevermind
@kuff (in reply):
@loseaneye i'm sure you felt the same way when former chron reporter kathy walt became rick perry's spokesperson.
OK, granted, I'm not going to be giving Geroge Carlin a run for his money in the Comedy HOF, I understand that. But still....
Twitter is a valuable tool as fairly clean feed reader and news aggregator, as a communication tool? Eh, not so much.
Clinton killed satire, Bush killed Irony, Obama is killing sarcasm. Pretty soon all we're going to be left with is slapstick and the physical, until some advocacy group tries to outlaw those.
An Update on Life Under the Sea
So, 29-95.com has gone live. Finally Houstonians get to see the future vision of news in Houston according to The Houston Chronicle. So, I know you're dying to know, what is this spectacular content that's taking the place of hard news reporting on Metro NASA, and any suburbs Beyond Beltway 8? What's the "new content channel" that was worth cutting food writer Dai Hyunh as she was coming back from materinity leave?
Apparently...the future's a little lame.
You've got Questions, I've got Answers. [MILF & Cookies, 29-95.com]
Don’t believe me? Too bad because I can help you liven things up in the bedroom (or anyplace else that you might want to get naked and a little sweaty).As I said on the Press' comments: Obviously they're not proud enough of their sluttiness to post without a pseudonym. I mean, being proud and all.
What are my qualifications? I’m a huge slut. Unlike a lot of people, however, I am not ashamed to admit it. I love sex. I practice a lot, and I am damn good at what I do.
Do I have a Masters degree in Human Sexuality? Nope.
Do I have a PhD in Psychology? Absolutely not. Am I a licensed therapist? Sorry, but no.
In my experience "book learnin’" is an admirable pursuit, but it is unlikely to result in an earth-shattering orgasm. Sex is a hands-on activity that is perfected by trial and error. When it comes to fucking, practice really does make perfect.
So, if you want theory, go buy a self-help book; if you want real world advice that will make you the tramp that you secretly want to be, then read my columns.
As was expected, the comments are getting rough. It appears that 29-95.com has decided to live by their Initial promise to not f*ck with you because examples of cursing for the sake of cursing are splattered all over the site and the comments. It's just an orgy of ham-fisted cursing. So far no-ones had the temerity to throw out some of the really taboo curse words, words stronger than just casual use of the "F" word. (which, honestly, can we all admit just isn't all that shocking any more?)
My guess is that the Chronicle has developed this "channel" as a communication tool to reach out the Young Urban Dwellers (YUD's) that they've been predicting are going to fuel the next wave of Houston's growth. The problem is that these YUD's estimated to constitute less than 5% of the overall Houston-area population.
If the Chronicle wants to know why they're bleeding revenue, subscriptions and reader loyalty maybe they should start by examining the logic of a business plan that's designed to alienate 95% of the population? Another problem they have is that YUD's aren't attracted to pre-packaged bullshit. And that's exactly what this site is. Judging by the content and the site design its been forced through the sausage making process of focus groups and caucasian, baby boomer decision-makers in grey suits. It's a washed-out version of edgy. People want the Ramones, the folks down at the Chron are giving them the Pussycat Dolls.
Take away the sprinkling of curse words, the MILF & Cookies and all you're left with is another version of the same Chron Features material that's been hemmoraging readers and advertiser dollars for years. Looking at it that way maybe the name is appropriate. The best place for this waste of bandwidth might be under the sea.
I'm sure those laid-off by the Chron were delighted to see this monstrosity of hep in polyester spring to life. It must be comforting to know that a bashfully proud slut was considered more mission critical than you.
Houston Area Asides (04/03/09)
The "makin' it to the week-end" edition...
Perry wants to see loopholes on immigration sewn shut. [Susan Carroll, Chron.com] - No mention in the article if the labor doing the sewing will be undocumented.
Texas House tentatively supports 10% strip club tax. [Janet Elliot, Chron.com] - Texas is taxing the crap out of sex and cigarettes while subsidizing the film industry (which just so happens to be full of sex and cigarettes)
City wins verdict against 'hot sheet' hotel. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - More political flailings at the world's oldest profession. (and just what are lonely, creepy, lecherous guys supposed to do for sex during a recession huh?)
Six Lovin' Animals from CAP still need adopting. [Rescue Volunteer, Rescued...From under a bridge] - If you are considering a pet, adopting one of these would provide you with a loving companion. Please adopt when you can. (and don't buy from storefronts, ever)
Don't just say no to teens on sex. [Rick Casey, Chron.com] - As one who supports sex-ed for children, I hate seeing ham-fisted articles like this that basically accuse everyone against of being a religious zealot. Don't do any good. (although, one could argue, the Chron is more about making people angry now than actually...you know...reporting the news)
Welcome to New Texas. [IJ Reilly, Bayou City Madman] - Depending on your political leanings you're either going to find the photoshop of Sen. Patrick in Gestapo gear infuriating, or hilarious. (Gotta give it to Dan, he sure is a polarizing figure)
On Very Special Assignment. [The County Seat] - Surprisingly, there was no coverage of this meeting on the Chron: Local Politics Blog. (Which has been dispatching Bernstein to almost every local snooze-fest held by the Repubicans)
Cremation experts say mistakes shouldn't happen. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com] - Of course, if you could 100% guard against them they wouldn't be 'mistakes'. (in today's lawsuit-happy society however, human error often translates into wealth - for lawyers)
Perry wants to see loopholes on immigration sewn shut. [Susan Carroll, Chron.com] - No mention in the article if the labor doing the sewing will be undocumented.
Texas House tentatively supports 10% strip club tax. [Janet Elliot, Chron.com] - Texas is taxing the crap out of sex and cigarettes while subsidizing the film industry (which just so happens to be full of sex and cigarettes)
City wins verdict against 'hot sheet' hotel. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - More political flailings at the world's oldest profession. (and just what are lonely, creepy, lecherous guys supposed to do for sex during a recession huh?)
Six Lovin' Animals from CAP still need adopting. [Rescue Volunteer, Rescued...From under a bridge] - If you are considering a pet, adopting one of these would provide you with a loving companion. Please adopt when you can. (and don't buy from storefronts, ever)
Don't just say no to teens on sex. [Rick Casey, Chron.com] - As one who supports sex-ed for children, I hate seeing ham-fisted articles like this that basically accuse everyone against of being a religious zealot. Don't do any good. (although, one could argue, the Chron is more about making people angry now than actually...you know...reporting the news)
Welcome to New Texas. [IJ Reilly, Bayou City Madman] - Depending on your political leanings you're either going to find the photoshop of Sen. Patrick in Gestapo gear infuriating, or hilarious. (Gotta give it to Dan, he sure is a polarizing figure)
On Very Special Assignment. [The County Seat] - Surprisingly, there was no coverage of this meeting on the Chron: Local Politics Blog. (Which has been dispatching Bernstein to almost every local snooze-fest held by the Repubicans)
Cremation experts say mistakes shouldn't happen. [Liz Austin Peterson, Chron.com] - Of course, if you could 100% guard against them they wouldn't be 'mistakes'. (in today's lawsuit-happy society however, human error often translates into wealth - for lawyers)
Thursday, April 2, 2009
A short note on Blame
Obama: US needs to account for its role in world crisis. [David Sanger & Mark Landler, NYT via Chron.com] - Let me st...no, takes too long, let me sum up: Congress revoked Glass-Steigel, Hedge funds and derivative funds ran wild, Republican members of Congress encouraged fraud by further removing regulatory barriers, Democratic members of Congress encouraged fraud by pushing companies to make dodgy loans to certain political constituencies, the American people over-spent (mainly via credit) at unsustainable levels, the home market overbuilt, the automobile companies over-promised to the unions, Americans tuned out of the political process, the media failed in its duty to watchdog these events, instead filling the airways with stunning (shocking!) accounts of abducted interns, sex-scandals and Paris Hilton, ARM mortgages started to re-set......the house of cards started falling, the politicians re-elected primarily due to innatention, a failure to self-educate and a general lack of institutional memory on behalf of the citizenry blew the recovery. Amazingly, no one seems to have been around when all of this was taking place, and everyone who weighs in on the problem was doing the correct thing at the time and feels that they shouldn’t have to pay for the ‘irresponsibility of others’.
Yup, Welcome to Crisis Management 101 in the “Me” Generation.
Obviously by "account for its role" Obama means every American excepting him and those who think like him. You know, those people who got us into this mess ALL BY THEMSELVES.
Yup, Welcome to Crisis Management 101 in the “Me” Generation.
Obviously by "account for its role" Obama means every American excepting him and those who think like him. You know, those people who got us into this mess ALL BY THEMSELVES.
Houston Area Asides (04/02/09)
The 'no kidding' edition....
Plea deals in Harris County may be tied to citizenship. [Brian Rogers & James Pinkerton, Chron.com] - This should prove an interesting shouting match. (c'mon, we're not really debating immigration any longer are we?)
State Senate's $182 Billion Budget delivers on some wishes. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - This should prove an interesting shouting match. (c'mon, we're not really debating gov't expenditures any longer are we?)
Lawmaker needs primer on Medicaid. [Lisa Falkenberg, Chron.com] - Columnist needs a primer on making logical arguments without begging the question, making false appeals to authority or issuing ad-hominem attacks. (just sayin')
Early Battles in Mayor's race being fought in City Council. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - I guess public servants serving the public is too much to ask? (the Gov't we deserve and all of that)
Houston to be home for new coffee company. [David Kaplan, Chron.com] - Great, pre-packaged, cut n' paste, French Press. The Houston FoodBorg are going to go nuts over this. (They should do well in Houston, they have a snappy brand name)
Where's the outrage now? [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.com] - Heh. (selective outrage is the bestest outrage of them all)
House Passes Veto-override legislation. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - "I do think this would restore some balance" (I agree)
Don't beevil funny. [John, By the Bayou] - Anger. (Yoga works wonders)
Making Change on Montrose [Katherine Schilcutt, HP Eating our Words] - Not an area I frequent all that often because there's nothing down there my wife can eat. Gluten intolerance and sliders don't go together, and BB's has ignored repeated questions regarding whether or not they can accomodate persons with Celiac Sprue. (Nice to see you can still get Diedrich Coffee however)
Plea deals in Harris County may be tied to citizenship. [Brian Rogers & James Pinkerton, Chron.com] - This should prove an interesting shouting match. (c'mon, we're not really debating immigration any longer are we?)
State Senate's $182 Billion Budget delivers on some wishes. [Peggy Fikac, Chron.com] - This should prove an interesting shouting match. (c'mon, we're not really debating gov't expenditures any longer are we?)
Lawmaker needs primer on Medicaid. [Lisa Falkenberg, Chron.com] - Columnist needs a primer on making logical arguments without begging the question, making false appeals to authority or issuing ad-hominem attacks. (just sayin')
Early Battles in Mayor's race being fought in City Council. [Bradley Olson, Chron.com] - I guess public servants serving the public is too much to ask? (the Gov't we deserve and all of that)
Houston to be home for new coffee company. [David Kaplan, Chron.com] - Great, pre-packaged, cut n' paste, French Press. The Houston FoodBorg are going to go nuts over this. (They should do well in Houston, they have a snappy brand name)
Where's the outrage now? [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston.com] - Heh. (selective outrage is the bestest outrage of them all)
House Passes Veto-override legislation. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - "I do think this would restore some balance" (I agree)
Don't be
Making Change on Montrose [Katherine Schilcutt, HP Eating our Words] - Not an area I frequent all that often because there's nothing down there my wife can eat. Gluten intolerance and sliders don't go together, and BB's has ignored repeated questions regarding whether or not they can accomodate persons with Celiac Sprue. (Nice to see you can still get Diedrich Coffee however)
Lose an Election, Get a Pay Raise
Such is the logic in Government...
[Stewart M. Powell, Chron.com]
So much for 'de-politicizing' science, which is what the Obama administration is saying they want to accomplish in their justificaitons for embryonic stem-cell research (which, having a sister with leukemia, I support FWIW).
I don't have any problem with Lampson getting the head job at NASA, especially if the position is to be political in nature. As a defeated politician from the majority party with a big rolodex, he's the ideal candidate to run NASA in a culture where duty to process is rewarded over expertise. Could he 'help' NASA? Temporarily. Maybe. If the economy turns around to a degree that allows the Obama administration to increase funding. If the economy stays flat however you could create a hybrid of Lee Iacocca, John Glen and Neil Armstrong and it wouldn't make one iota of difference.
[Stewart M. Powell, Chron.com]
Former U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson, once a county assessor and school science teacher, has emerged as a contender for the top job at NASA, sources on Capitol Hill have told the Houston Chronicle.
The 64-year-old Stafford Democrat, whose Houston-area congressional district included Johnson Space Center, has joined a short list of prospective nominees for the $177,000-a-year post.
Former astronaut Charles Bolden Jr., a retired Marine Corps major general, also remains in contention, in part because of support from Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., chairman of the Senate panel that oversees NASA.
Lampson did not return telephone calls seeking comment. A spokeswoman for President Barack Obama, Gannet Tseggai, said the White House has no comment.
The selection of a NASA administrator has dragged on for months. It has been complicated by political divisions within the NASA community, rival candidates favored by Texas and Florida lawmakers and a White House distracted by a national economic crisis.
A bipartisan group of 14 lawmakers — including seven Texans — recently wrote Obama to express their concern about the absence of a NASA administrator.
(snip)
Scott Pace, a former NASA official directing George Washington University’s Space Policy Institute, said Obama would be looking for a two-person leadership team on which the administrator enjoys a strong relationship with the president and Congress — and the deputy administrator would have broad technical expertise. “Between the two officials, you need to be able to operate up and out to the White House, Congress and the public — as well as manage down and into the agency,” Pace said.
Lampson, a political moderate with friendships that cross party lines, could help the $18 billion-a-year agency negotiate the treacherous political shoals of Capitol Hill.
The president’s selection has been complicated by efforts by influential lawmakers to see allies chosen for the post. Nelson initially urged Obama to reappoint NASA Administrator Michael Griffin, brought onboard by the Bush administration to choreograph the return to flight after the 2003 Shuttle Columbia disaster.
So much for 'de-politicizing' science, which is what the Obama administration is saying they want to accomplish in their justificaitons for embryonic stem-cell research (which, having a sister with leukemia, I support FWIW).
I don't have any problem with Lampson getting the head job at NASA, especially if the position is to be political in nature. As a defeated politician from the majority party with a big rolodex, he's the ideal candidate to run NASA in a culture where duty to process is rewarded over expertise. Could he 'help' NASA? Temporarily. Maybe. If the economy turns around to a degree that allows the Obama administration to increase funding. If the economy stays flat however you could create a hybrid of Lee Iacocca, John Glen and Neil Armstrong and it wouldn't make one iota of difference.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
April Fool's Jokes that didn't make the Cut.
The Houston Chronicle: "Hey, let's announce an expose on Metro's failure to live up to the 2003 'Solutions' referendum."
Four Caucasian Males: "Let's come up with an idea for solving a problem without rolling out the catapult and throwing money at it."
Rick Casey: "I'm going to author a column on a Houston issue that's not just a re-hash of a previously published article."
Lisa Falkenberg: "Falkenberg! How about a column that doesn't use the word 'I'?"
Richard Justice: "Maybe I'll do some meaningful sports analysis today?"
BlogHouston: "Let's pen a favorable retrospective on the Lee P. Brown administration."
Lone Star Times: "Hey, Jolly. Benzion wants you to write a story critical of John Cornyn."
Off The Kuff: "I'm announcing today that I'm swearing off blockquoting others."
CTC Houston: "Should we write something suggesting that the Main Street Line isn't all that it's cracked up to be?"
Houston City Government: "Mayor White is set to announce that, going forward, the City will focus primarily on flood control, mobility and infrastructure issues....."
Houston Press: "You know, we could try to be a real alt/indy publication for a day?"
KTRH AM 740: "....and now, the news."
And finally.....
Lose an Eye, It's a Sport: "Starting today, we're going to work at making this blog good dammit!"
Happy April Fool's Day. May you not get Confickered.
Four Caucasian Males: "Let's come up with an idea for solving a problem without rolling out the catapult and throwing money at it."
Rick Casey: "I'm going to author a column on a Houston issue that's not just a re-hash of a previously published article."
Lisa Falkenberg: "Falkenberg! How about a column that doesn't use the word 'I'?"
Richard Justice: "Maybe I'll do some meaningful sports analysis today?"
BlogHouston: "Let's pen a favorable retrospective on the Lee P. Brown administration."
Lone Star Times: "Hey, Jolly. Benzion wants you to write a story critical of John Cornyn."
Off The Kuff: "I'm announcing today that I'm swearing off blockquoting others."
CTC Houston: "Should we write something suggesting that the Main Street Line isn't all that it's cracked up to be?"
Houston City Government: "Mayor White is set to announce that, going forward, the City will focus primarily on flood control, mobility and infrastructure issues....."
Houston Press: "You know, we could try to be a real alt/indy publication for a day?"
KTRH AM 740: "....and now, the news."
And finally.....
Lose an Eye, It's a Sport: "Starting today, we're going to work at making this blog good dammit!"
Happy April Fool's Day. May you not get Confickered.
Forcing a Failed Market-Idea Through
In case Houstonians didn't understand that "Mixed-use" development was the future, City Council is there to remind them.
[Bradley Olson, Chron.com]
What you can take from this is that there are, currently, ZERO public works problems in Houston. There's no flooding in Houston. If there's a case where it rains 1 inch and someone's car floods in high water? Well they shouldn't have been driving in a temporary lake. These things are needed for municipal beautification after all. There are no road issues either. Just because you think you suffered transmission, muffler or alignment damage from a pot-hole doesn't mean that this is the case. Maybe if you quit running into 'alternative speed-control devices' in your rush to get where you're going you wouldn't have this problem. Public transportation? Fixed. It's not Houston's fault that you might feel the need to go somewhere else besides up and down a 7-mile amusement ride between DownTown and the Medical Center. Why, if these places can just get built, you won't have to go anywhere else. Ever.
On another note: I wonder if Buckhead Investment Partners or The Texas Medical Center will be getting any of this 'stimulus'?
[Bradley Olson, Chron.com]
Houston is set to embark on a program to provide a boost to some of the city’s biggest developments, many of which have been put on hold amid the ongoing financial crisis.I don't know about you, but I'm happy to know that the guy who's supposed to be working on road construction and flood control for the City is tasking himself with the duties of pushing through sweetheart development deals.
The plan aims to entice developers not to put their multimillion-dollar projects on hold in exchange for millions in incentives if the companies begin building soon and agree to make improvements to public roadways, sidewalks and streetscapes.
City Council is scheduled to vote today on what would be the first such incentive package for Regent Square, a planned 4-million-square-foot, $850-million mixed-use development that city officials said was about to be put on hold indefinitely by Boston-based GID Urban Development Group. The development will abut Allen Parkway near Dunlavy and Dallas.
If council approves, the company will receive $10 million in reimbursements to be paid out of tax revenues generated by the development.
“This is our own stimulus program,” said Andy Icken, deputy director of the Department of Public Works and Engineering, who helped negotiate with the developer on behalf of the city. “The alternative to what we’re talking about would have been to have a great deal of investment going on in this community and to have a big, giant piece of property sitting vacant for a long period of time.”
Critics say such incentives go too far and run the risk of artificially propping up some property and creating more commercial real estate than there is demand for at a critical time for the economy.
“It’s a zero-sum game,” said Barry Klein, president of the Houston Property Rights Association, who has fought the expansion of government-involved development in that area in the past. “There’s no net gain to the economy. It doesn’t change the demand for commercial space, it simply changes the supply. The favored developer who owns the land is the beneficiary and the victims are taxpayers on the one hand and unfavored, unsubsidized developers on the other.”
What you can take from this is that there are, currently, ZERO public works problems in Houston. There's no flooding in Houston. If there's a case where it rains 1 inch and someone's car floods in high water? Well they shouldn't have been driving in a temporary lake. These things are needed for municipal beautification after all. There are no road issues either. Just because you think you suffered transmission, muffler or alignment damage from a pot-hole doesn't mean that this is the case. Maybe if you quit running into 'alternative speed-control devices' in your rush to get where you're going you wouldn't have this problem. Public transportation? Fixed. It's not Houston's fault that you might feel the need to go somewhere else besides up and down a 7-mile amusement ride between DownTown and the Medical Center. Why, if these places can just get built, you won't have to go anywhere else. Ever.
On another note: I wonder if Buckhead Investment Partners or The Texas Medical Center will be getting any of this 'stimulus'?
The Problem of co-mingling revenue and prohibition. (UPDATED)
Two (unrelated) stories today caught my eye, which highlight the folly of trying to fund Gov't on the backs of those who partake in activities with which the majority disagrees....
1. New tax today pushes pack of cigarettes to $7 in Texas [Moises Mendoza, Chron.com]
2. Texas may raise legal smoking age from 18 to 19. [Jackie Stone, AP via chron.com]
There was a time, that America was referred to fondly as the "Grand Experiment". Our Republic, at its birth, had the potential to be governed by serious, community-minded leaders who understood what John Ralston Saul meant when he said: "Debate, discussion and disagreement are the body of the sentance, Democracy is the punctuation." There were two divergent paths down which America could progress. A path that looked to our elected officials to forward our arguments, concerns and desires to the body politic on the issues of the day, or the path that viewed elections as 'referendums' that made moot debates and discourse about said policy. The former option breeds statesmen, the latter? Political machines and mini-demogogues. One is a path to a healthy society bursting open with honest political discourse, the other is a land of faux-"gotchas" and smirking in hind-sight done by people who didn't understand the intricacies of the issue in the first place. One leads to being governed by the best and brightest, the other by the least common denominator of society.
Guess which option America chose?
UPDATE:
Oh it gets better: Add tobacco to the list of industry the Gov't now controls. Food is next (think, no red meat or meat period), followed by energy companies, then utilities....
1. New tax today pushes pack of cigarettes to $7 in Texas [Moises Mendoza, Chron.com]
Each day Mark Baylor sits downtown rolling cigarettes from tobacco, then takes some deep puffs from his self-made smokes.
But a massive federal tobacco tax slated to take effect today may finally force Baylor to kick his 20-year habit.
“I’ve stocked up in advance though,” Baylor, 45, said Tuesday. “I like smoking.”
Baylor, like many smokers, has been stockpiling tobacco — he’s bought several pounds of rolling tobacco in anticipation of the tax that will make his habit much more expensive.
The new taxes, meant to increase funding for the federal State Children’s Health Insurance Program, are rising dramatically. Now, federal taxes on a packet of rolling tobacco will be about $1 instead of 4.5 cents.
Taxes on cigarettes also will go to a little over $1 from the current tax of 39 cents. Chewing tobacco will be taxed at 11.3 cents per can instead of the previous 4.4 cents.
That’s all on top of existing state taxes — in Texas, $1.41 per cigarette pack for the last two years.
A typical pack of cigarettes will cost about $7 in Texas after the tax takes effect. As of today a pound of rolling tobacco will cost $60 instead of the current $15.99 at Tobacco Outlet in West Houston.
2. Texas may raise legal smoking age from 18 to 19. [Jackie Stone, AP via chron.com]
Though they are legally considered adults and can serve in the military, 18-year-old Texans would be considered minors when it comes to smoking under a bill passed unanimously through a Senate committee Tuesday.Of course, the irony here is that the same people who are pushing the smoking ban, are cutting off funding from one of their other pet projects: the Children's Health Insurance Plan.
The measure would increase the legal age for buying tobacco products to 19, and would cut off an estimated $12.5 million in tax revenue for the state over the next two years.
San Antonio Democrat Sen. Carlos Uresti pushed the same measure in 2007, but after winning approval in the Senate it fizzled out in an end of session backlog of bills in the House.
Supporters say raising the legal age will prevent teens from smoking an extra year and keep cigarettes out of high schools, where they can be passed along to younger students.
According to the Department of State Health Services, roughly one-fourth of Texas high school students smoked cigarettes in 2006.
There was a time, that America was referred to fondly as the "Grand Experiment". Our Republic, at its birth, had the potential to be governed by serious, community-minded leaders who understood what John Ralston Saul meant when he said: "Debate, discussion and disagreement are the body of the sentance, Democracy is the punctuation." There were two divergent paths down which America could progress. A path that looked to our elected officials to forward our arguments, concerns and desires to the body politic on the issues of the day, or the path that viewed elections as 'referendums' that made moot debates and discourse about said policy. The former option breeds statesmen, the latter? Political machines and mini-demogogues. One is a path to a healthy society bursting open with honest political discourse, the other is a land of faux-"gotchas" and smirking in hind-sight done by people who didn't understand the intricacies of the issue in the first place. One leads to being governed by the best and brightest, the other by the least common denominator of society.
Guess which option America chose?
UPDATE:
Oh it gets better: Add tobacco to the list of industry the Gov't now controls. Food is next (think, no red meat or meat period), followed by energy companies, then utilities....
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