Texas
updated
2:17 p.m.
The Supreme Court upheld a $4.3 million patent infringement judgment against Toyota today. An appeals court had kept that ruling intact, but overturned the original trial court ruling that Toyota should pay $25 per vehicle to patent holder Paice LLC of McLean, Va. The infringed patent was for a microprocessor that accepts torque information from both the gasoline engine and electric motor that...
SocraticGadfly - 2:17 p.m.
A discussion of the Upper Trinity’s evolving policy for oilfield waste disposal and injection wells, and the establishment of future water use conditions throughout the district, is expected to take place at a public meeting inside the Parker County Courthouse tonight, beginning at 6 p.m Weatherford Democrat The RRC acknowledges dirty water pumped into injection wells has, in some cases, ...
Bluedaze - 2:16 p.m.
The right-wing mantra of “deregulate, deregulate, deregulate” is costing America one of our most important technological and cultural advantages: ubiquitous, affordable broadband internet access. Ars Technica has an article about how we are being left behind: Despite the repeated claims of the current administration that our “broadband policy” is working, the US actually ha...
Lubbock Left - 2:16 p.m.
Get ready for the spin to begin as soon as West Virginia polls close. Clinton, who will most likey win in WV will crank up the spin to make this tiny victory sound like the tide has turned again, but it is too little too late. A total of only 28 delegates are in West Virginia and it is unlikely that Hillary will win all of them, still leaving her in a back seat for the nomination. But, facts ...
Dungeon Diary - 2:16 p.m.
Doug Goodyear, McCain's choice to run the 2008 Republican National Convention, stepped down stepped down on Saturday. Goodyear is the CEO of DCI Group, a firm with ties to Myanmar's military junta. In 2002, they did a public relations campaign for the regime, and lobbied on their behalf. Myanmar's government is frequently cited for human rights violations, most recently for blocking aid ...
The Texas Blue - 2:15 p.m.
Election politics found a home on the web in this year's presidential primaries. Users submitted questions for the Democratic and Republican contenders on the popular video-sharing site, and the candidates answered them on a live television debate. MTV created its own web-fueled political forum, in a series of live dialogues with the candidates broadcast on TV and through the web via My...
The Texas Blue - 2:15 p.m.
Poor State Rep. Phil King (R-Wetherford). He evidently doesn’t have near enough to do after surviving a hang-on-for-life primary campaign, because now he evidently wants to start a collection of appraised value notices from appraisal districts in his area: Many of my constituents have recently contacted me about large increases in their local property tax appraisals. This is deeply di...
Capitol Annex - 2:15 p.m.
It's Monday, and that means it's time to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance for the preceding week. Check out the best that the Alliance has to offer, brought to you this week by refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left. McBlogger has some advice for State Delegates aspiring to a seat on the floor in Denver. CouldBeTrue of South Texas Chisme say...
Texas Kaos - 2:14 p.m.
We're heard a lot (really, too much) about Obama's association with Wright, while not much about John McCain's association, that he SOUGHT, with nutty pastor John Hagee. And the last few days, McCain and his mouthpiece, Joe Liberman, have been trying to make a big deal out of the fact that, randomly, in the world, some people want Obama, like some guy associated with Hamas. As if Obama has contro...
Somervell County Salon - 2:12 p.m.
I thought this was important to share. Please note the following article sent out by the Associated Press: P Electoral Map Favors a Democrat, Has McCain Playing Defense By Liz Sidoti, Associated Press Published: 05-12-08 WASHINGTON (AP) -- The electoral road to the White House favors Democrats this fall -- either B...
Somervell County Salon - 2:12 p.m.
How sad. The parade was over, and Tom Jones had parked his eye-catching ride, Swamp Mutha, inside the Art Car......
Off the Kuff - 2:11 p.m.
So this morning I woke up and realized I had reached the last year of my mid-30’s. (Contrary to popular belief, I am not 29.) When you’re 31, 32, 33, you’re in your early 30’s. 34, 35, 36, mid-30’s. 37, 38, 39, late-30’s. Then 40. We all know there’s nothing cute about a 40-year-old blogger. Like [...]...
In the Pink Texas - 2:11 p.m.
As the first post-Polings autism case makes its way to federal court , that’s one simple question of mine — how old are the mothers of the autistic children? I’ve already blogged that I believe a change in the DSM, the bible of psychiatry, is responsible for a lot of the autism “surge.” A former diagnosis of child-onset schizoid disorder in DSM-III became Asperger’s in DSM-IV. If, then, some of ...
SocraticGadfly - 11:33 a.m.
There’s Bob Barr instead . He’s a former GOP “name,” and one who is more wingnut than McCain, for sure. However, his stance against government snooping on terror might push away a fair amount of potential GOP voters. If Dems had an ounce of brains (we’ll see on that), with the edge on money over the GOP, the Democratic National Committee would get 527 group support for Barr up and running pron...
SocraticGadfly - 11:33 a.m.
David Hall, who lost the Plano ISD, Place 5 race, asked me to post the following: Bill -------------------------------- Based on my review, I believe that the Plano ISD is better than any other Independent School District in Texas, and that is the key to taking care of next year's $14 million shortfall. First, although I think that 2.5% of students not graduating is unacceptable, I think that ...
The Collin County Observer - 11:32 a.m. - 3 clicks 
From Saturday's Rio Grande Guardian : Speaker Tom Craddick has dismissed claims from a Republican House colleague that anti-immigrant bills will be moved to a committee where they are more likely to pass. Translation: anti-immigrant bills will be moved to a committee where they are more likely to pass . ...
The Texas Blue - 11:31 a.m.
Now is the time to submit all non-problems to the Texas State Legislature. The Republican leadership needs the next few months to figure out what to do about them. They would really like to focus on non-problems that could potentially give them a political advantage. A perfect example would be a voter identification bill; there’s no evidence to suggest there’s voter fraud that needs to be add...
The Texas Blue - 11:31 a.m. - 4 clicks
Bill Krystol is like a never-ending experiment in hilarity. While he's usually just making stuff up about Democrats or being wrong in general about foreign policy, he took an extra bold move this weekend and predicted that Barack Obama would choose former Missouri congressman and Democratic leader Dick Gephardt as his running mate . Now, I like Gephardt and everything — really, who do...
The Texas Blue - 11:31 a.m.
It’s Monday, and that means it’s time to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance for the preceding week. Check out the best that the Alliance has to offer, brought to you this week by refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left . McBlogger has some advice for State Delegates aspiring to a seat on the floor in Denver . CouldBeTr...
Capitol Annex - 11:31 a.m. - 3 clicks
( Blogger’s Note— This is the start of what will likely be a 51 part series for this year’s election.) How will Alabama vote in the 2008 Presidential election? The odds are good that this deeply misguided state will cast its nine electoral votes for the Republican candidate. ( Above you see a marker with the state motto of Alabama. Make of it [...]...
TexasLiberal - 11:30 a.m. - 2 clicks
Above is a picture of the planned Martin Luther King statue for the Martin Luther King National Memorial on the Mall in Washington. (Here is my Martin Luther King Reading & Reference List.) The man you see in the photo is sculptor Lei Yexin. The U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which must approve all statues for the Mall has said it does [...]...
TexasLiberal - 11:30 a.m.
Ezra Klein gives precisely the type of review of the Amazon Kindle that I was hoping to read. Not that it helps move me toward purchasing one any sooner. Like Matt , I'm mostly stuck on the initial pricetag. It might be enough if my fallback use for it was for the internet-ish use it offers, but Ezra offers a rather harsh verdict on the beta browser. Still, the idea has a lot of potential a...
Greg's Opinion - 11:30 a.m.
My apologies for not keeping this blog more current. There is a lot going on in TX-21. With your help, Team Courage is in good position to force incumbent Lamar Smith into a runoff. Most of my blogging - both on TX-21 and other critical races here in the Lone Star State has been done on Texas Kaos . I invite you to join us there, on Burnt Orange Repor t, and of course, Daily Kos , where ...
Texas 21 - 11:30 a.m.
Meet Col. Bernard Dunlevy, U.S. Army (ret.): He was Little Larry's most demanding boss, during one of the most difficult periods of our lives, and he wrote this to the San Antonio Express-News: I have followed from afar the campaign of Larry Stallings for the Texas Legislature. I have read some of the press about Mr. Corte serving in Iraq and his welcome home. I cannot comment about Mr. ...
Larry Stallings for State Representative - 11:30 a.m.
A glossy magazine-sized four-page pamphlet came in the mail today ( not printed in a union shop), addressed to Billy Stallings, from the Bexar County Republican Party. It must have cost a fortune. It has Susan Reed, dressed all in red with a red heart around her neck, smiling her very weird tiny teeth smile (it would be worth having Eddie Bravenec just for something good to look at, but he's sm...
Larry Stallings for State Representative - 11:30 a.m.
The Bulldog was disappointed when the San Antonio Toll Party, after all his work in local hearings and after all his stumping their position, did not endorse him, just listed him as one of the "Good Guys" on the issue, and his opponent as one of the Bad Guys" on the issue. They said they did not want to dilute their endorsement. Their call, I guess. But a nice surprise was in The Bulldog's ...
Larry Stallings for State Representative - 11:30 a.m. - 3 clicks
Drop a dime, get a dime. That's right...A little ring-ring can score you some bling-bling. And you better believe I'm about to cash in, because I have exclusive photographic evidence of the sign thief in action: I didn't get his name, but I do believe he called out the words "Robble, robble!" (pause satire) I just want to take this opportunity to point out that this is the same An...
The View From 22 - 11:29 a.m.
I'm getting tongue-tied from these Get out the Vote calls, so I thought I'd take a break and tell you a story... So my brother traded some favors to get the sweet job of "Faijta Judge" at the Needville Harvest Fesitival this weekend. His fellow judges? Shelley Sekula Gibbs, Nick Lampson, John Zerwas, and Annie Elliot. Funniest moment - The whole affair is delayed because a woman near the entra...
The View From 22 - 11:29 a.m.
So I know an audio guy named David who has made it his special project to record all the political calls he gets during this election cycle. His recording of the bizarre Gibb's push poll made the rounds a few weeks back, even finding its way onto Bob Smither's website . But now he's got a new one, and it's amazingly strange. This week, he recorded another extremely bizarre call he rec...
The View From 22 - 11:29 a.m.
Was thinking about the rumour about Obama bailing out Loser Clinton, which would, of course, be using, among lots of others, MY campaign contribution. But consider. Anyone that runs for office knows it's expensive. Clinton is a millionairess and her hubby has ways to get lots of money, much of it hidden to the public. The rule is supposed to be that if a campaign runs out of money, that's the t...
Somervell County Salon - 11:27 a.m.
from Slog. So this is a reasonable question, a prudent one, a fair one, one that the GAO might want to look into: Was Jenna Bush a virgin on her wedding night? And if she wasn't , here's the obvious followup: Why wasn't she? If Jenna Bush wasn't a virgin on her wedding night—Jenna Bush, the daughter of George W. Bush, who sat down to dinner every night with the world's biggest bac...
Somervell County Salon - 11:27 a.m.
SOMEWHERE EXPERIENCING DEJA VU ... AND LIKING IT (TL) -- A few months ago we posted this Hitler movie video with subtitles from a diehard Cowboy fan. The video is back (courtesy MFD) with new subtitles, now chronichling Hillary's downfall.......
Token Liberal - 11:27 a.m.
I did not get to watch my girl Cokie on This Week’s roundtable yesterday until late afternoon, given that it was Mother’s Day and I had demanded that Mr. PL take me out for a proper champagne brunch because I suppose that someday (yes, I do realize that I’m of advanced maternal age) I’ll actually [...]...
In the Pink Texas - 11:26 a.m.
Considering the fact that I've seen members of the progressive blogosphere talk out of their hind sides regarding this lawsuit, I am taking the side of LULAC in this case. South Texas has historically been mistreated by the Texas Democratic Party, and to see the biggest fans of Bob Bullock, Ben Barnes, and Dolph Briscoe demean an organization that has represented the rights of Latinos ...
Dos Centavos - 11:26 a.m. - 2 clicks
Per Politico, as noted on the next-to-last page of a New York Times puff piece on Obama, he is again blaming a staffer for the “wrong” answer on a questionnaire: As Mr. Obama moved closer to running, he paid a visit to James S. Crown and his father, Lester, billionaire investors who presided over a sprawling Chicago business dynasty and prominent leaders in the Jewish community. As the meeting...
SocraticGadfly - 8:22 a.m. - 5 clicks
Why? Because, as the Politico hints in an interview , he’s gotten inside Obama’s head with “Operation Chaos,” among other things. For Obama, this should fall under the rubric of “worry about your own side of the street.” Besides, Rush is doing this to prop up flagging ratings. That’s the same reason he bashed McCain, talked about supporting Clinton, etc. Beyond dispute is that many know Limba...
SocraticGadfly - 8:22 a.m.
He’s got a new “clean-coal” not quite so dirty coal ad ready for Kentucky airing . But, Ben Smith of Politico notes it’s not on the web. Why? Because environmentalists know that clean coal isn’t so clean. (sigh) There is no god and I am his prophet. ...
SocraticGadfly - 8:22 a.m.
Just a few of dozens... There are several drilling rigs operating right now in Wise County ...
Bluedaze - 8:21 a.m. - 10 clicks
More and more Americans are having their privacy invaded by the government. Wiretaps, bank record searches, all increased since 9/11 yet the number of prosecutions has decreased as the spying increases. This means we have sacrificed our privacy for nothing. According to an article in the LA Times : A recent study showed that the number of terrorism and national security cases initiated by the ...
Dungeon Diary - 8:21 a.m.
British soldiers forced to take loans to eat LONDON: Many soldiers in the British army are living in poverty, and some of them are so poor that they are unable to eat and are forced to rely on emergency food voucher schemes set up by the ministry of defence, claims a damning and highly sensitive internal [...] SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: "British Veterans In Worse Condition Than US Veterans?", url...
BlueBloggin Reality In Progess - 8:21 a.m.
From McCain's lobbying ties to superdelegate shifts, this weekend had plenty to offer in the way of political news. The big news trend on the Democratic side of things concerns the distribution of superdelegates and recent changes therein. Senator Barack Obama picked up several superdelegate endorsements over the last chunk of days, and now the focus is, of course, who has the most . The margi...
The Texas Blue - 8:21 a.m.
U.S. wants to stop increased testing for mad cow - CNN.com The Bush administration on Friday urged a federal appeals court to stop meatpackers from testing all their animals for mad cow disease, but a skeptical judge questioned whether the government has that authority. Less than 1 percent of slaughtered cows are currently tested for mad [...]...
Dig Deeper Texas - 8:20 a.m.
It's Monday, and that means it's time to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance for the preceding week. Check out the best that the Alliance has to offer, brought to you this week by refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left ....
WhosPlayin? - 8:19 a.m. - 7 clicks
George Will can't understand why some of you people think you should be able to retire . Didn't you know, that's the kind of thing best left to the idle rich? After all, you'd probably just putter around the house. Or play with your grandkids. ...
McBlogger - 8:18 a.m.
Ah the smell of hypocrisy in the morning. It smells like....like victory. The Houston Chronicle had a very interesting opinion on republican business groups embracing comprehensive immigration policies which is great, unless you are one of those who believe the Republican party is tough on immigration. Employers across the country are finally coalescing to publicly support comprehensive imm...
Bay Area Houston Blog - 8:17 a.m. - 6 clicks
Texas Republicans can't kill public education fast enough! The school funding system approved by Texas lawmakers two years ago provides no new money to cover rising costs — especially for fuel, utilities and health insurance — and officials warn the plan's tax revenue straightjacket will allow inflation to push some school districts into bankruptcy. At-risk districts, generally, will find a way...
South Texas Chisme - 8:17 a.m. - 8 clicks
With eight power plants on the drawing board, Texas could lead the way in an American renaissance of nuclear power, according to industry leaders and some policymakers. Four power companies -- New Jersey-based NRG Energy, Amarillo Power, Dallas-based Luminant and Chicago-based Exelon -- have proposed building nuclear plants in Texas. That would increase the reactors in the state from four to 12,...
South Texas Chisme - 8:17 a.m. - 8 clicks
There's the PR. A former fellow of the Manhattan Institute who has advised the Texas Border Coalition on immigration issues in the past has set up a new national organization to promote comprehensive immigration reform. Tamar Jacoby says ImmigrationWorks USA has two main goals: to educate the public about the benefits of immigration and build a mainstream grassroots constituency in favor of an ...
South Texas Chisme - 8:17 a.m. - 5 clicks
For awhile now, ' Genital Rejuvenation: Answers to those awkward questions' has been on the McAllen Monitor site. I find this headline distressing. Pretty parts aren't just for porn stars and flashers anymore, apparently....
South Texas Chisme - 8:17 a.m. - 8 clicks
It's Monday, and that means it's time to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance for the preceding week. Check out the best that the Alliance has to offer, brought to you this week by refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left . McBlogger has some advice for State Delegates aspiring to a seat on the floor in Denver . CouldBeTrue of South Tex...
South Texas Chisme - 8:17 a.m. - 6 clicks
Or, maybe they are just being misled by the people who want bond packages approved. On May 10th 2008 voters in Austin, Hays City and other areas unanimously approved their bond issues, which ranged in issues from schools to roads. During special elections voters continue to approve various proposals and bond issues without considering the past hi...
Somervell County Salon - 8:16 a.m. - 6 clicks
Is Rush Limbloat talking about this? Virtually all the nation's political attention in recent weeks has focused on the compelling state-by-state presidential nomination struggle between two Democrats and the potential for party-splitting strife over there. But in the meantime, quietly, largely under the radar of most people, the forces of Rep. Ron Paul have been organizing across the country ...
Brains and Eggs - 8:16 a.m. - 9 clicks
What do you guys want from Democrats? Billy Carter? I won't deny that I'm concerned about November. With Obama now in a position to be called the "presumptive nominee," I worry about hardcore Clinton supporters with hurt feelings who won't come around in November. WaitaminutebeforeyoureactIwouldhaveworried aboutthesamethingfromhardcoreObamasupportershadClintonwon. 1 And, of course, t...
Panhandle Truth Squad - 8:16 a.m.
I've never been a believer that GPS tracking systems are a serious alternative to incarceration in most cases, but for certain offenders they make a lot of sense. The New York Times this morning focuses on the use of GPS to combat juvenile truancy in Dallas, which might just be one of those areas where the technology is worth the bang for the buck (" To curb truancy, Dallas tries electronic monito...
Grits for Breakfast - 8:15 a.m. - 4 clicks
» WaPo: Some Heroes Want to Get Real (Mike Musgrove) I was curious how this would play out ... Though real musicians often regard rhythm video games like Guitar Hero with a dose of suspicion, if not contempt, it's tough to ignore a phenomenon that has created $1 billion in sales while getting young people excited about the thrill of hammering out rock-and-roll chords -- even if it's on...
Greg's Opinion - 5:22 a.m.
» NYT: An Indie Scene That Comes With a Texas Twang in Denton (Lionel Beehner) Midlake may be the current poster boys for Denton's indie music scene -- with gushy write-ups in Rolling Stone and cameos among its members for trendy causes like Al Gore's We Campaign -- but they are not the only ones vying for that title. The town's lo-fi sound, a mélange of Southern twang and experimental ...
Greg's Opinion - 5:22 a.m. - 4 clicks
It's Monday, and that means it's time to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance for the preceding week. Check out the best that the Alliance has to offer, brought to you this week by refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left . McBlogger has some advice for state convention delegates aspiring to a seat on the floor in Denver . CouldBeTrue of...
Brains and Eggs - 5:20 a.m. - 7 clicks
The folks in the food business are feeling the pinch. Restaurants across town are facing the same problem this Mother's......
Off the Kuff - 5:19 a.m. - 2 clicks
While I mostly agree with this list of the Top 10 Worst Sports Franchises, I can't really take seriously any......
Off the Kuff - 5:19 a.m. - 2 clicks
At this point in the overviews, I've basically covered the races where I think the candidates have a good chance......
Off the Kuff - 5:19 a.m.
Ever wonder why your feet hurt? Apparently, shoes are the problem. Not just stiletto heels, mind you - pretty much......
Off the Kuff - 5:19 a.m.
With the Obama Veepstakes poll now concluded and Gov. Bill Richardson as your chosen running mate (which was covered by the Santa Fe Reporter ) it's time to take this a step further: Who would you like to see in an Obama cabinet? Today you can vote in the runoff on the next Secretary of Agriculture: ...
DailyKos (Texas) - 3:27 a.m. - 10 clicks
» Media Matters: So now the press tells candidates when to quit? (Eric Boehlert) I'm not the biggest Eric Boehlert fan in the world, but dang if this isn't just the best read of the day. And even though Boehlert uses his trademark (too-)broad brushstrokes, there is something to be said for the suddenly applied standard that the media is attempting to game the system and make the same dem...
Greg's Opinion - 1:51 a.m. - 2 clicks
It's Monday, and that means it's time to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance for the preceding week. Check out the best that the Alliance has to offer, brought to you this week by refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left . McBlogger has some advice for State Delegates aspiring to a seat on the floor in Denver . CouldBeTrue of stxc.blog...
Refinish69 - 1:50 a.m. - 12 clicks
Since it became obvious to most people that Barack Obama will be the nominee for president of the Democratic Party, we have been hearing a lot of talk again about the "dream ticket" or "unity ticket". The idea is to have both Obama and Clinton on the ticket this Fall for the Democrats. The news media has made it sound like this was a broad-based movement, but it turns out that is...
jobsanger - 1:50 a.m. - 18 clicks
Saturday was local Election Day and I put in a long day. I took off before 6 AM to pick up my alternate judge and then head to Morgan's Point. It would have been a lot earlier but Morgan's Point City Hall refuses to open its doors much before 7 AM to allow setup. Why Morgan's Point you might ask and why was I going there? Morgan's Point is a historical small town located at the tip of Gal...
Easter Lemming Liberal News - 1:49 a.m. - 10 clicks
It's Monday, and that means it's time to show some love for the best posts from the members of the Texas Progressive Alliance for the preceding week. Check out the best that the Alliance has to offer, brought to you this week by refinish69 at Doing My Part For The Left . McBlogger has some advice for State Delegates aspiring to a seat on the floor in Denver . CouldBeTrue of South ...
Easter Lemming Liberal News - Sun 11:14 p.m. - 14 clicks
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban makes a compelling case to make CEO pay cash-only : Make companies generate 100 percent of their compensation in cash that will be 100 percent expensable in the quarter paid. Counteracting the “CEO as riskmeister” myth, Cuban writes: Everyone who works for that company is at risk – of losing their jobs, benefits, raises, you name it. Employees live in the corp...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 9:12 p.m. - 10 clicks
A - re - TAY is dead; An Aristotelian Sympathetic mind. For the grace of Zeus There go I, judging blindly, Without second thought. No pity, no thanks. And no quiet gratitude For a better fate. Weight, beauty or smarts, Missing, destroyed or squelched Shake my inner mind. Arete’s distance, For mere effort, there go I; Pride, luck, hand in hand. There is no god and I am his prophet. ...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 9:12 p.m.
That was a difficult title to write, y'all! Rasmussen continues to take polling snapshots of Senate races around the country with a look Northwest to Oregon . With a margin of error of 4%, Rasmussen shows incumbent Republican Senator Gordon Smith leading Democrat Jeff Merkley by 3%, 45%-42%. The same poll shows the matchup between Senator Smith and Democrat Steve Novick to be 47%-41%. This is ...
The Texas Blue - Sun 9:12 p.m. - 10 clicks
Chris Cillizza and Shailagh Murray take their guesstimate shots at who Barack Obama and John McCain will name as vice presidential nominees . The duo stumbles from the start by claiming polls show Schmuck Talk Express™ doing better against Obama than against Clinton, so much better than he wouldn’t need to consider Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, whom they rank only No. 4 among the top five. The tw...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 7:08 p.m. - 2 clicks
According to Scott Burns, the United States’ entire net worth is equivalent to that much oil , at $120/bbl. That’s a smidgeon more than the proven reserves of only three Middle Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia (260 billion barrels), Iraq (115 billion barrels) and Iran (105 billion barrels). At about 36 times its 1970 price, oil has outstripped the value created by a full working generation of...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 7:08 p.m. - 2 clicks
First place first: ... As his bus pulled up, he strode onto the handsome old track just as the women's 5K was ending. A murmur went through the crowd, the public-address announcer confirmed his arrival, and the action came to a halt as 5,000 track fans rose as one to cheer the senator from Illinois who appears suddenly on the verge of claiming his party's presidential nomination. The javelin h...
Brains and Eggs - Sun 7:04 p.m. - 3 clicks
... to my friends Vince , Stace , and Martha , who need to take their fingers out of their ears and stop singing "tra-la-la-la-la, I can't hear you". Come on, ya'll; even Greg woke up and smelled the coffee some time ago. And now, on with the toons ... ...
Brains and Eggs - Sun 7:04 p.m. - 4 clicks
A January memo from seven career employees at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel details their concern with OSC head Scott Bloch stifling an investigation into whether or not federal politics played a role in the trial and conviction of former Alabama Gov. Don Siegelman. The memo is both broad and detailed in its list of concerns. At the same time, it details cases where Bloch insisted on push...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 4:58 p.m. - 2 clicks
The Snooze lumps Rome’s two wars against Jewish rebels with Nazi persecution of Jews in what sets a new low standard for non-political stupidity on the editorial pages of the Snooze. The murder of 6 million European Jews in the 1940s fiercely and urgently showed why Israel was, and is, necessary. It is no small mystery, though, that the failed attempt to exterminate the Jewish people would re...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 4:58 p.m. - 13 clicks
Derrick Jackson has the lowdown on how both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are among top campaign money recipients from Exxon, Chevron and BP. In the 2008 election cycle, the second-biggest recipient of contributions from Exxon – after the $39,730 for Sen. John Cornyn, Republican of Texas – is Mr. Obama, at $23,550. Mrs. Clinton is in fourth place, at $15,700. Both are ahead of the $8,450 f...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 4:58 p.m. - 14 clicks
So, the Toxic Avenger dropped by the Current office this week. He had a lot to say about CPS’s backpeddle on nuke investments being included in that rate hike the San Anto Council votes up, down, or to the side next week. Weird, you know. He’s from Jersey. Now-solvent NRG Energy is based there. Maybe he’s [...]...
harman on earth - Sun 4:57 p.m.
Of course, it's too late to stop the development. Voters rejected both incumbents who sought re-election Saturday, electing four new members to city council. District 6 incumbent Dianna Puccetti, who received 340 votes, lost to Karen Mahoney, who had 428 votes. District 3 incumbent Juan Peña lost to Elizabeth Beeton, getting just 217 votes to her 286 votes. West End voters were motivated by the...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 17 clicks
I think the message came through loud and clear! Voters on Saturday ousted incumbent Mayor Jerry Shults and chose to keep the councilman who in the last year became harshly critical of him. But who will take Shults’ place won’t be clear until run-off elections June 14, when voters will choose between hardware store owner Toni Randall and caregiver Chris Mallios, both strong detractors of Shults. ...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 15 clicks
We've seen Corpus Christi, Brownsville and the Texas House caught out for giving people health insurance. Such a crime. The real crime is that cronies and self-serving politicians have blocked universal healthcare. Now, Brownsville Mayor, Pat M. Ahumada Jr. , has asked city commissioners to pay the city back for their healthcare coverage....
South Texas Chisme - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 15 clicks
Although former sanitation department director Emma Acosta enjoyed a healthy lead over her four opponents, she didn't get the 50 percent plus one vote needed to win. She will meet Assistant County Attorney Naomi Gonzalez, who came in second, in the runoff, which could be on June 7 or June 14. ...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 13 clicks
Just back from Israel, Del Mar College Board of Regents Chairwoman Chris Adler confirmed one of the other items circulating Thursday night. She has been urged by some members of the business community to run for City Council District 4 against incumbent Michael McCutchon in 2009 and she is taking the idea seriously. Jaime Powell tries to smear McCutchon over the beach access issue. Jamie, Mike...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 15 clicks
In fact, just asking to talk put their panties in a twist. San Antonio mom Della Nagle thought it would be a simple task: Go to some of the nation's largest churches, visit with members and prove to them that she and her wife — yes, wife — can be part of a Christian family, too. But with the first church visit scheduled today in Houston, Nagle and her lesbian partner, Ruth Pinkham, whom she marr...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 17 clicks
Edinburg city council members stay. Incumbents Gene Espinoza and Alma A. Garza - backed by former mayor Richard Garcia - kept their Place 3 and Place 4 seats, respectively, on Saturday after the final but unofficial tallies in the city elections. Their challengers - Leonel Guerrero and Johnny Rodriguez - had been backed by Mayor Joe Ochoa. No show rejected as Elsa Mayor . Edcouch saw 2 out ...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 16 clicks
Cindy Liendo Espinoza becomes the first councilwoman elected since 1996. She easily beat the other two candidates, Canuta "Tita" Quintanilla and Juan Ramirez Jr., son of current District VIII Councilman Juan Ramirez, who couldn't run again because of term limits. "I think it will bring balance and a new perspective to how things are run, and it's a great thing for the city," Espinoza said about ...
South Texas Chisme - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 15 clicks
Want to know where our gas dollars are going? (click on the blue links below) W hile Americans and our neighbors around the globe are scratching their heads wondering why they're paying so much for gas and oil, OPEC member nations are rubbing their hands in glee. Oil barons have more money than they know what to do with. However, those in Dubai, one of the seven ...
Somervell County Salon - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 3 clicks
The following commentary printed in the San Antonio Express-News by Ken Allard underscores the ongoing battle between the state's transportation department, the legislature and the needs of the people of Texas. It is worth the read. P . ...
Somervell County Salon - Sun 4:55 p.m. - 14 clicks
The rising price of gasoline has many effects. Soaring gasoline and food prices and the nation's housing crisis have local......
Off the Kuff - Sun 4:54 p.m. - 2 clicks
Greg Maddux, in his fifth shot, finally got win No. 350 Saturday night, just the ninth pitcher to hit that mark. Five more puts him past Roger Clemens and wipes the Rocket off the list of most winning pitcher since Warren Spahn. That said, Mad Dog needs to retire after this year. An ERA of 4 with Petco as your home park is pretty high. And, it’s been over 4 each of the past five years. There i...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 1:52 p.m. - 15 clicks
Well, not directly. But they are running anti-SCHIP / anti-Democrat / anti-Heather Wilson ads in New Mexico's Senate race. You can see the ad over at TPMElection Central, and then spend a few minutes wondering why Club for Growth is full of meanie-heads. It still amazes me that, to some people, giving little kids health care is seen as nothing more than a tax hike or a welfare trip. ...
The Texas Blue - Sun 1:51 p.m. - 2 clicks
This is a bit of old news but I wanted to save it for today, Mother’s Day, in case I didn’t have anything good to say about yesterday’s election – which I don’t. One hundred and seventy eight Republican congressmen voted against Mother’s Day after they voted for it. This is a true story. Nebraska congressman Jeff Fortenberry (R – NE 1) sponsored a house resolution, HR 1113, to honor Mother’s...
Half Empty - Sun 1:50 p.m. - 2 clicks
History may point to it. As an avid reader of history, I have been leaning towards the view that we, as a nation, are causing our own collapse. It is a fact that the world great civilizations depicted in history have lasted several hundred years. Is it true that "Nothing lasts forever."? During the past several decades, the social, economic and ...
Somervell County Salon - Sun 1:48 p.m. - 16 clicks
New sun probe for less than $1 bil? Johns Hopkins says it can create a new solar exploration satellite, one to go nine times closer to the sun than Mercury for less than $750 million . Such solar probes have been discussed before, but price has always been a major roadblock. Our galactic journey causes mass extinctions Evidence is mounting that our rotation about the Milky Way can trigger lar...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 11:02 a.m. - 13 clicks
Given the way Jason Isringhausen has been blowing saves for the St. Louis Cardinals, is his removal from the closer’s role a mental health break for him or for Redbird skipper Tony La Russa? Or for us fans? “I’m just pitching like a second grader,” Isringhausen said. In 2007, Isringhausen had just two blown saves the entire season. Even though he has 11 saves this season, he also has failed t...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 11:02 a.m. - 14 clicks
Barack Obama Middle East advisor Robert Malley has stepped aside after The Times (London) asked about his connections to Hamas. Malley told The Times that he had been in regular contact with Hamas, which controls Gaza and is listed by the US State Department as a terrorist organisation. Such talks, he stressed, were related to his work for a conflict resolution think-tank and had no conne...
SocraticGadfly - Sun 11:02 a.m. - 14 clicks
By Faith Chatham - DFWRCC - May 11, 2008 Candidate for District 6, Arlington City Council, Joseph Farah wins our "top bonehead" award for bonehead mentality in a local race. Joseph Farah said Arlington badly needs a light-rail system, particularly one that runs from the city's entertainment district to Dallas. However, he opposes bus service circulating inside Arlington. "We don't want to a...
DFW Regional Concerned Citizens - Sun 11:01 a.m. - 14 clicks
Former Greenpeace member Patrick Moore and reborn nuclear power champion has had a busy schedule as a paid promoter of atomic energy, most recently glad-handing with the Victoria Economic Development Corporation. Excelon wants its next plant to be in Victoria County. The company, you may remember, is the owner of the leaky old nuker that was [...]...
harman on earth - Sun 11:01 a.m. - 12 clicks
Truly, these are strange days. The tale of the production assistant who gave John McCain some overwhelmingly positive feedback (A++++ Candidate, Would Vote For Again) on the red carpet at a Time Magazine to-do ends with her being canned by News Corp . If this were to become a trend, how long would it take to empty out the FoxNews studios for blatant bias? ...
The Texas Blue - Sun 11:01 a.m. - 4 clicks
The Republican Party has lost three seats in Congress in special elections since the year turned to 2008, and they face a fourth test in Mississippi on Tuesday. The district has been reliably Republican for years, but that's been no firewall to loss so far, and the GOP leadership has the slightly sick feeling that Tuesday could make the DCCC four-for-four in special elections. The Washington Pos...
The Texas Blue - Sun 11:01 a.m. - 13 clicks