September 2004 Archives
30 September 2004
Instant Analysis
Instant analysis of debates is generally tedious and boring.
However, Laurence Simon proves the exception with this.
Spot on.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/30/04 22:43 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
Check Out Best Leader
Friend Steve Casburn sends along this "Best and Worst of Congress" from the Washingtonian.
Rumors that Ronnie Earle is investigating the results and preparing to bring racketeering or other charges are, at this time, unconfirmed. :)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/30/04 06:21 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
29 September 2004
Lence Students Blog
I've been reading Tom Kirkendall's Houston's Clear Thinkers blog for a while now.
And I'm sure I've even glanced at his bio page.
But I actually read the thing carefully today, and noticed for the first time that Kirkendall counts Ross Lence as a mentor.
Small world.
I count Lence as a mentor as well (although I studied more with another political philosophy prof, Don Lutz). And legal-eagle-in-training Amanda Strassner is a former Lence student also.
So, two of the smart Houston blogs I read count Lence as an influence. That's cool. And then there's this one to drag down the smartness, but please don't blame The Good Doctor for that. The man is great, but he can only work with the raw materials he's given. :)
If you're a blogger who also studied with The Good Doctor, leave a comment!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/29/04 19:55 | Other | Technorati | Comments (3)
28 September 2004
Staff Restructurings and Layoffs at the Chronicle
The Chronicle buried the following ominous information in the "Around the Region" column of its Business section today:
The Houston Chronicle is undertaking a restructuring that will include both the creation of new niche products -- in the newspaper and as separate publications -- as well as reductions in operating expenses, including the elimination of staff positions.
"We are working hard to adjust the cost side of our business," said Chronicle Publisher and President Jack Sweeney. "We will not compromise our commitment to quality journalism and service to our advertisers."
In a letter to Chronicle employees released late Monday, Sweeney said he is committed to keeping up with the changes in the Houston community with vibrant new products, pointing to the recent redesign of the Chronicle and the company's commitment to Spanish-language products such as La Vibra, a weekly Spanish lifestyles supplement and La Voz, a weekly newspaper published in partnership with the Chronicle.
A restructuring of the company's expense base is critical because the newspaper needs to invest in the future, Sweeney wrote. The newspaper has already reduced operating expenses and will continue to do so, including cuts in staff. Cutbacks will be achieved through attrition, a voluntary buyout program and, if necessary, involuntary layoffs.
Many of us have been writing about the Chronicle's problems for some time, and have more recently suggested that the design changes really haven't done much to address those problems. They must finally be starting to affect the bottom line.
Publisher Jack Sweeney seems to be spinning what appears to be significant downsizing. While he claims that new niche products will be created, the only examples cited are the redesign -- which isn't a new product at all -- and an emphasis on a weekly Spanish language supplement. However, the new Spanish product being introduced would seemingly be balanced by the old Texas Magazine being discontinued, for no net gain in product, and an actual loss of product for English-only readers.
The last paragraph is the most ominous. Press releases and internal company memos don't bring up the possibility of "involuntary layoffs" if there's a good chance that payroll can be reduced to desired levels through attrition and incentives. Sweeney must be planning a massive manpower reduction.
While I have problems with the Chronicle's editorial decisions -- and think staff reductions might actually be avoided if the editorial product were thoroughly remade into something of higher quality -- I don't have problems with most of the fine folks who make the newspaper go on a daily basis. It's unfortunate that some of them will pay the price for the newspaper's poor editorial choices over the years.
(Update) I should have added, if anyone knows what's really going on, or has hard numbers on the staff reduction, please leave a comment or drop me an email (kevin-at-publiustx.net). It can be anonymous either way.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/04 23:12 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (3)
Danger Train: Collision Update
Thanks to the work of Tom Bazan, John Gaver has posted an updated figure for Danger Train crashes. It's now up to 65, with two crashes that were unreported by local media.
From Bazan's earlier Open Records request, Gaver determined that several accidents in the Metro database had gone unreported by local media (and several accidents reported by local media and documented by Gaver that were not in Metro's own database).
Metro apparently now counts what it had earlier classified as as "suicide attempt" as a collision.
Like a good member of the pajamahadeen, Gaver continues to maintain the most comprehensive list of crashes in town.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/28/04 07:59 | Danger Train | Technorati | Comments (0)
27 September 2004
It's Always Good When The Redskins Lose To The Cowboys
Joe Gibbs sure didn't look too happy about shaking Bill Parcells' hand after tonight's game.
It almost made me wish I had a tivo just to run it back and forth a few times.
(09-28-2004 Update) Scott Chaffin posts the photo in all its glory. Poor Joe Gibbs. He should be happy that Parcells never put together a race team at least!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/04 23:32 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (4)
Audio Tech Goodness From Slim Devices
I've been looking at devices that will interface directly with my home audio system and allow access to my mp3 collection stored on a huge hard drive on a file-server computer in another room.
Since the AudioTron has apparently been discontinued, I've been looking a lot at the Squeezebox made by Slim Devices.
What sets the Squeezebox apart from other devices like it (including consumer offerings from Netgear, Creative, and Linksys) is that it doesn't require the user to install the retarded Microsoft .net framework on the server computer. Rather, the proprietary software that powers the server computer is open source. And it can be used to serve the Squeezebox (or several squeezeboxes) as well as other remote computers anywhere on the network. Just enter the streaming url of the server computer into any local box, and you have full access to the server software, which (as mentioned) supports multiple sessions. And because it's open source, all sorts of interesting plugins and other developments are being refined constantly by an active development community.
I've been playing with the software a bit tonight (as I put some finishing touches on a little web project I've been working on for a few weeks now), and I have to say that it's really impressive. It hardly bogs down the server computer at all, yet remains highly responsive. If I decide to buy any of the devices I've been considering, having a chance to try out this software beforehand, and the fact that it's open source, DEFINITELY give Slim Devices the advantage.
Oh, and the fact that the server software allows (with a bit of tinkering with my router) for streaming music anywhere over the internet (say to work) is another big plus.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/27/04 19:15 | Other | Technorati | Comments (5)
26 September 2004
Big 12 Wrap: Week 4
There were hardly any games in the Big 12 this week, which suits me just fine since I spent much of today running around checking out Texas beaches and am feeling awfully lazy tonight.
So, here's this week's action:
Texas 35, Rice 13
This game was never in doubt, as Texas sprinted (and threw) to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter and seemed to play around after that. Cedric Benson had another monster game against physically outclassed defenders. The game commentators raved quite a bit about the Texas passing game, but in the game I watched, the passing game seemed to revolve around getting the ball to tight ends who were too much for Rice to handle. The passing game is not sophisticated, the wideouts are not highly involved, and Vince Young does not appear to have great accuracy. That will work fine against outmanned teams like Rice -- which DeLoss Dodds suggests will be the sorts of teams Texas plays for its nonconference schedule in the future -- but it remains to be seen whether it will work against marquee teams. Up next: a similar practice session against Baylor.
Texas Tech 31, Kansas 30
Kansas really should have won this game. They had it under control almost all the way. But an inability to put the game away -- and especially missed field goals -- kept it close until the end. And with two minutes remaining, Texas Tech's Taurean Henderson busted off a 70 yard run to tie the game for the Red Raiders (the PAT put them ahead). Kansas couldn't answer, and Mark Mangino must be beating his head against the wall over this one that his team let get away.
Baylor 37, North Texas 14
Baylor got stomped by North Texas last year, and by all accounts, their players remembered. That Baylor's big rival seems to be North Texas suggests that another conference might be a better fit for the Bears. UT will, no doubt, drive home that point next weekend.
(09-27-2004 Update) Tom Kirkendall has his regular local football wrap here. I tend to share his thoughts on the UT passing game. [link updated to point to Kirkendall! sorry for the error!]
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/26/04 21:44 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (4)
25 September 2004
A New Son Volt Release
A couple of days ago, my friend Dave passed along the great news that Jay Farrar will be getting together with his old mates to put together a new Son Volt CD:
Midwest-based Son Volt, with songwriter Jay Farrar at the helm, will begin recording their fourth full length album at the end of September. Following a five-year hiatus, with the exception of the April 2004 recording of "Sometimes" for the Alejandro Escovedo tribute album, multi-instrumentalist Dave Boquist, bassist Jim Boquist and drummer Mike Heidorn will reconvene at Farrar’s St. Louis studio. Speaking about the "Sometimes" session, Farrar says: "It felt like we hit the ground running when we recorded Al's song for Por Vida. Five years seemed like five days at that point. It proved that more recording and performing as Son Volt is something that should happen."
I can't wait. Jack Sparks seems excited also. Hell, Ken Layne even comes in from Move On Cuckoo Land to comment on the news.
In my opinion, Son Volt's Trace CD is pretty much a standard of the genre. One can come up with all sorts of lists of important alt-country CDs and artists, but it's hard to imagine leaving Trace or Son Volt off any of those lists. Farrar's post-Son Volt stuff has been interesting enough, but I wouldn't call it genre-defining. I hope he/they can recapture the earlier energy.
I'm looking forward to the release, and associated touring promised for 2005 (if Farrar doesn't flake out before *sigh*).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/25/04 18:10 | Music | Technorati | Comments (0)
Good Press For Mandy Smith
A couple of days ago, I mentioned the Mandy Smith Group.
Funny enough, the band makes an appearance in the Comical's entertainment section this weekend:
Mandy Smith doesn't like to waste time.
The Mandy Smith Group, clockwise from top left, is Mandy Smith, guitar and vocals; Wynn Ann Chaney, drums; and Phil DeVille, bass.
The Houston native has released three albums since September 2003 and is already in the studio recording a fourth effort with guitarist and producer Phil DeVille and new drummer Wynn Ann Chaney.
While a self-titled album was first, Smith considers West Texas Sun, released earlier this year, her official debut. Coming Home, the follow-up, was written during a relaxing week in Galveston, and the album's six sprightly tracks are a reflection of her band's travels throughout the state. It was recorded in less than a day and unveiled on May 23.
"The thing for us as artists is that it seems like it takes a really long time to do stuff," says Smith, munching on French bread and brie at Café Brasil. "Even six months, that's like way too long. You have the energy with the music and the songwriting, and you're excited. It shouldn't really take that long, and (Phil) really has proved that with what we've turned out."
Before music, Smith was in the "corporate world" and DeVille was an art dealer at the now-defunct October Gallery in the Heights. The pair met two years ago in Kemah, while playing with different bands. They clicked, and the Mandy Smith Group was born.
The whole thing is worth reading.
As I was looking at the photo of the current incarnation of the band, I noticed a familiar face (in addition to Smith). The drummer actually is a barista at the Starbuck's I stop at on the way to work most mornings. Small world.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/25/04 17:57 | Music | Technorati | Comments (0)
24 September 2004
OCC
The Orange County Choppers crew are in Galveston this weekend, selling gear and signing autographs.
So Chris, are we gonna go catch these guys or what?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/24/04 23:47 | Texas | Technorati | Comments (3)
A Funny Headline
If you know anything about Malaysian politics, the following headline will seem hilarious:
Anwar's freedom catches UMNO with pants down
Heh.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/24/04 12:36 | Other | Technorati | Comments (3)
23 September 2004
Correction
Rob Booth alerts me to this correction in the Comical (posted sometime after my usual early-morning check):
A photograph accompanying a story on the Chronicle Web site on Sept. 17 about a Bush political rally was given an inappropriate file name by one of the site’s copy editors. It came across as an editorial commentary on the subject, and such commentary has no place in our news coverage. The Chronicle regrets this error in judgment and apologizes to those offended by it.
I HATE non-apology apologies.
The apology should read, "The Comical regrets this error in judgment and apologizes."
The apology should not be simply to "those offended," but to all who rely on the newspaper as an allegedly objective source of news.
For those wondering, here's what led to the correction.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/04 11:57 | Other | Technorati | Comments (1)
Miami v. UH
The Miami Hurricanes invade Reliant tonight for a game against overmatched UH.
Michael Murphy says UH fans need to quit sending him bitchy emails and get out to support their team.
Agreed (more on this later).
Dave Maggard is hoping there will be no repeat of the ticket fiascoes at the game with Rice (technically a Rice home game).
He's probably safe. With Ivan bearing down, I can't imagine the walkup crowd is going to be comparable.
In fact, even though I've been looking forward to this game a long time, I don't know if I'm going to brave the possibility of local flooding to go see the inevitable blowout (more on the topic of UH scheduling later too), especially with it on ESPN.
(Update) Well, the storm held off and I made it to the game. Aside from a tough first quarter and turnovers, I thought UH acquitted themselves well against NFL U given the state of the UH program. And I had a hell of a good time watching college football at Reliant, truly a first-class facility. It should be the Coogs' home, but that's a topic for later.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/23/04 09:02 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (3)
22 September 2004
Inside Sooner Football
ESPN is doing this "insider" thing on Sooner football all season, which almost surely will guarantee they won't win a National Championshop (that's how these things go).
It's pretty interesting to this Sooner fan.
Today, there were a couple of stories by Pat Forde on OU AD Joe Castiglione:
Castiglione a man in constant motion
and
Teamwork the key during a crisis
That last is more about the Dvoracek situation than Castiglione per se, but I did like this blurb:
Deciding what to do was dicey for two reasons: all these allegations and incidents resulted in zero police charges against Dvoracek; and he was so highly regarded off the field as an academic All-Big 12 player with a 3.4 GPA in business.
"There was some real apprehension because of the kid we were having to discipline," Mossman said. "This is a young man we all know very well."
But maybe didn't know as well as they thought. As the information came in and the Sooner brass laid it on the table, it all pointed in one direction.
"Regardless of fault, there's sort of a common thread that there are incidents that involve one person," Castiglione said. "This pattern of behavior gave us great concern. From Day 1 we have instilled the notion that no one person is bigger than the program. We try to live to the essence of the team concept."
Bob Stoops properly gets credit for resurrecting Sooner football, but Joe Castiglione is the man who hired him and the man who resurrected an athletics department that had been poorly run for years and had declined to an embarrassing state under several ADs who preceded him. People who follow college athletics closely know Castiglione's one of the best ADs in the country. Still, it's nice to see him get a little love from a national sportwriter.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/04 21:26 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)
Did Anyone See This?
The Dallas Morning News ran this little blurb today:
UT's Benson would take Heisman over beating OU
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
AUSTIN – Texas running back Cedric Benson told ESPN Radio's "GameNight" he would rather win the Heisman Trophy than beat Oklahoma.
"If I could win the game entirely by myself – both offense and defense, punt returns, kickoffs, kicking field goals, do everything – then I'd take the win over OU," Benson said. "But for me personally, the hard work I've been through, growing up as a kid and the dream I've had, I'd love nothing more than to win the Heisman."
Texas coach Mack Brown defended Benson.
"Cedric wants to win or he wouldn't have come back" for his senior year, Brown said. "He could've been drafted by the NFL. Sometimes he gets excited and says things that don't come out the same way in the media as he wants them."
Benson, who is 0-3 against the Sooners, declined to respond to questions about the interview after practice Tuesday.
Okay, when I first saw the headline, I have to admit that I was going to point out that this attitude probably explains why Benson's team has had so much trouble against Oklahoma (Benson is winless against the Sooners).
But does the headline really match what he said?
I don't begrudge the guy wanting to win the Heisman, or being honest about his desire. But unless he was asked point blank, "Would you rather win the Heisman or beat Oklahoma this year," I don't think that second sentence ought to be read as Benson saying he'd rather win the Heisman than beat Oklahoma.
Did any readers see this? How would you read that quote, and do you think it matches the headline?
(09-23-2004 Update) Kevin Blackistone has more on this topic in today's DMN:
But Benson is being excoriated in Austin this week for what over a week ago he told Doug Gottlieb, the one-time chatty Eddie Sutton point guard at Oklahoma State turned radio personality. It didn't make much hay in Austin until this week when an Austin ESPN radio reporter asked Mack Brown at Brown's weekly press conference what he thought about Benson saying he'd rather win the Heisman than beat Oklahoma. Then Austin-American Statesman columnist Kirk Bohls wrote about it.
Benson didn't quite say what the radio reporter suggested. Go to ESPNradio.com to judge for yourself.
On a segment Gottlieb introduced as "Hunt for the Heisman," Gottlieb asked Benson what the Heisman meant to him. Benson talked about how he dreamed of winning the award as a kid. What kid football player doesn't?
Then Gottlieb asked Benson if he could only beat Oklahoma, which he hasn't in three years, or win the Heisman, which would he take. Benson said the Heisman.
Heresy, some Orangebloods screamed.
Benson continued upon Gottlieb's prodding: "If I could win the football game entirely by myself, both on offense, defense, punt returns, kick returns, kicking field goals, everything, then I would take the win over OU."
Benson would be ripe for bashing if he said he'd rather win something for himself than a championship. But he didn't. He was given a hypothetical question loaded with political implications and didn't back down from answering it with candor rather than canned speech. Mack Brown did the latter for him, as he was accustomed doing for Chris Simms. (Overheard at a Tampa-area supermarket recently: "Would you like paper or plastic, Mr. Simms?" Out jumps Mack Brown. "I'll answer that for him!")
As Gottlieb responded to Benson's answer, it was a refreshingly honest response.
Benson knows what side his pro career is buttered on and wasn't afraid to say so. An Oklahoma win might get him a free meal in some Austin restaurants, but a Heisman can be cashed in on Madison Avenue.
That's why this early-season angst in Longhorns land says less about Benson, really, than it does about Texas football fans. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has made the folks who root for the burnt orange as obsessive and paranoid a bunch of fans as can be found in any corner of the country.
They're so frustrated about not being able to beat Stoops' Sooners, and having to watch Stoops' Sooners win a national title, that they leave the impression they'd be happy to beat the Sooners and lose every game for the rest of the season, except against Texas A&M, of course.
I would tell them to get a life, but this fixation on the Sooners has become their life.
Benson certainly isn't playing like he's unaware of the desires of those rooting for him. He's playing in his final season like he is possessed.
By one measure, he is off to the best start in Texas history by a running back. He's gained more than 180 yards in each of the first two games this year. Neither Campbell nor Williams did that.
Furthermore, Benson dedicated himself this year to Texas football. He hung up his baseball glove. He stayed in Austin all summer working out. He spent more time in the weight room.
And here's the Bohls column:
Benson gave an honest answer. He said he'd rather win the Heisman, something he's dreamed about since the third grade.
The interviewer, Doug Gottlieb, was stunned and asked him to think about it. You should know that Gottlieb was a point guard at Oklahoma State and fully understands a rivalry with Oklahoma.
He repeated the question, and again Benson said he'd rather win the Heisman. If you heard it live when the interview took place after Texas' practice last Tuesday or you listen to it on audio tape, it would be clear to you that that was Benson's heartfelt opinion. But he said more to make it clear he doesn't want to lose the Heisman or the OU game. The two will hardly be mutually exclusive.
"Well, personally, I'd say I'd rather take the Heisman Trophy. But there's a lot of things that come along in winning a football game," Benson said to ESPN. "You know, if I could win the football game entirely by myself both offense and defense, punt returns, kickoffs, kicking field goals, do everything, then I'd take the win over OU.
"But for me personally, the hard work I've been through, growing up as a kid and the dream I've had, I'd love nothing more than to win the Heisman."
O-kay. It wasn't as if this rivalry wasn't already spiced up enough.
Such an answer clearly flies in the face of Mack Brown's team-first philosophy. The Longhorn football coach doesn't give game balls. He stopped announcing players of the week this season.
All for the sake of promoting team unity and stressing the sole purpose of winning. Admirable goals. Benson's quotes on the face don't sound like they're on the same page or even in the same book or library as that from which Brown is reading.
As Benson explained Monday, "I didn't grow up wanting to beat Oklahoma. I know it's a big thing around here, and I want to play my (rear end) off, but the fans have got to understand. What would they want to do, knowing how great an opportunity it is to win the Heisman?"
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/04 21:12 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (4)
Pearls, Twinkies, and Bugs
Rob Booth posts a snippet from OpinionJournal's Best of the Web highlighting the fact that a spiteful Comical staffer apparently thought it would be cute to give an inappropriate name to a photo saved on its server as part of a story. A photo of a child, no less. Nice.
Someone at the Comical must read either OpinionJournal or Chronically Biased, because the name of the photo was changed some time after Rob posted.
Elsewhere on the site, there were posts today about Twinkies and endangered bugs. Because THAT is the sort of cutting-edge content you expect from a media watchblog.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/04 21:02 | Web Stuff | Technorati | Comments (3)
"Best Of" Time!
It's hard to find fault with this choice.
Well done, Mr. Kuffner!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/22/04 15:19 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (4)
21 September 2004
Reader Participation
From time to time, I like to solicit reader participation.
Tonight's topic is, which of the following items from a KHOU-11 story about the kiddie train at the zoo is more inane?
Up first, this gem:
Tillman Fertitta's Landry's Restaurant Group, which runs a train at the Downtown Aquarium, has talked to a number of city officials about taking over the Hermann Park train concession. And that's raised some questions.
"I think we can really work to explore the possibility that it could become something much, much more than what it is today," says Houston City Councilmember Adrian Garcia.
Uh huh. Not just more, but much, MUCH MORE! Isn't it fun to know that even silly people can become city councilmembers! Hell, maybe it's a requirement. Gives hope to plenty of Houstonians, that's for sure.
And for your second choice:
Anyone who wants to take over this little train and convert it for serious transit will run into some roadblocks.
For example, city officials say the track itself is owned by the family that runs the train.
"Well, if you're going to move people as an item of transportation, you have to make sure people with wheelchairs have access equally to those who are surefooted," says Houston City Councilmember Shelley Sekula-Gibbs.
Ah, yes, good of Doctor Councilwoman to take time from her efforts at solving another of Houston's non-problems to debate the pressing issue of handicapped access to the kiddie train at the zoo.
Apparently, silly doctors can also become city councilmembers!
Please weigh in with your vote as to which is more inane.
(09-23-2004 Update) City Council renewed the contract with the current operator of the train. Still, please continue to comment on the Inanity Competition.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/04 22:51 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (7)
FAQ
Friend Ben Henick sent this along earlier.
I laughed.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/04 22:32 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
Mandy Smith Group
Every time I go to the Stag's Head Pub -- which isn't all that often -- I noticed that I've just missed the Mandy Smith Group performing there.
It happened again tonight. It turns out that she played there last week, which is really unfortunate since it's a short walk and her band is interesting. Blar!
I need to remember to check her website more often.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/04 22:30 | Music | Technorati | Comments (0)
Google Ads
The google ads on the site are a constant source of amusement.
As I've been posting, I've noticed on different refreshes ads for Sooner tickets, then Longhorn tickets, then Texas Tech tickets.
How the hell hard would it be to get Tech tickets, anyway?! Is that really something one must turn to google to do?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/04 22:26 | Web Stuff | Technorati | Comments (1)
Blunders (But No Wonders)
Ya know, if you're going to carry on about making an "appearance" on "National Blogs" (whatever the hell that would be) to your radio audience, I'm thinking it might make sense actually to GET the name of the blog right.
Hint: It's Little Green Footballs, NOT Litte Green Footballs.
As Bill Parcells might say, "I'm not tryin' to be funny. I'm just sayin'...."
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/04 22:22 | Other | Technorati | Comments (6)
No Indictment For DeLay
It must pain the Comical to report that Tom DeLay was not indicted by a Travis County grand jury investigating campaign contributions today.
Several other people were, but not DeLay.
Presumably, the House committee considering Chris Bell's ethics charges against DeLay will now toss them. That would have been hard to do had DeLay actually been indicted, whatever one's feelings about Ronnie Earle and his motivation.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/21/04 13:34 | Texas | Technorati | Comments (1)
20 September 2004
It's Gotta Be A Setup
Callie just sent my "horoscope" to me:
TAURUS (April 20-May 20). A woman in your life -- probably a family member -- requires your famous dependability and strength. Try to resist telling her what to do. Instead, just listen, and be that calming influence she needs.
Should I believe a BIT of this? Because I'm thinking that looks more fake than a Dan Rather National Guard "memo." :)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/20/04 23:21 | Other | Technorati | Comments (3)
Media Bias?
I'm sure there's a perfectly rational explanation for all of it.
Maybe we should put Mike Wallace on it?
Err, okay, maybe not.
On a completely unrelated media note, does anyone else out there think that networks (particularly ABC) are showing fewer replays in college football games, and that the producers are showing way too many player closeups after close plays instead of replays?
Maybe it's just me, but it sure seems like the networks are not showing good judgment on replays this season. It's probably John Ashcroft's fault. Comments welcome, as always.
(Update) I'm serious, football fans. Callie knows (gawd, does the poor girl knows) that I've been griping about the replay situation this season. Has anyone else noticed it?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/20/04 22:56 | Other | Technorati | Comments (1)
Try Injuries AND A Hall Of Fame Coach
Over the weekend, the Star-Telegram featured this bit of nonsense from former Dallas Cowboys head coach and longtime assistant Dave Campo:
And as far as Campo is concerned, the biggest difference between him going 5-11 in his last season in Dallas and Parcells leading the Cowboys to a 10-6 mark and a wild-card playoff berth in 2003 was injuries.
"If we would have stayed healthy while I was there, we would have won a few more games," Campo said. "How many that is, I don't know. But when you lose players, and especially significant players, for any length of time ... you are going to have a problem. I thought they stayed healthy last year and I thought that was as big a reason they made the jump as any."
By all accounts, Dave Campo is a really nice guy. His defenses were always among the league's best when he was coordinator. And there's no doubt that losing Troy Aikman and Joey Galloway right off the bat when his coaching tenure began was a blow, as were the salary cap difficulties and Larry Lacewell's drafting.
But the biggest difference in the success of the Dallas Cowboys last year after three straight 5-11 seasons is that guy with the nickname Tuna.
Bill Parcells just wins. For gawd's sake, he won with Quincy Carter and smoke and mirrors last season -- and yes, he even dealt with a few injuries (none of the caliber of Galloway or Aikman, but then again, there weren't many players of that caliber ON last year's team, and Galloway was mostly an invisible receiver). Maybe Campo was misquoted, because I just can't imagine he meant to compare himself to the guy running things in Dallas these days.
(Update) Speaking of injuries, the Cowboys top draft pick, running back Julius Jones, suffered a broken shoulder against Cleveland. No decision has been made yet to put him on IR, but that seems likely. This latest draft class has been plagued by injuries, which is not good for a team that needed an infusion of talent.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/20/04 20:10 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (0)
19 September 2004
Danger Train: Collision #63
The Danger Train suffered collision #63 this evening:
Two people suffered minor injuries after a car ran a red light and collided with a MetroRail train today in downtown Houston. The accident was the 61st involving a light rail train.
The accident occurred at about 4 p.m. at Main and Pierce. A northbound rail car collided with the car after the female driver failed to stop at a red light, said Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Chief Tom Lambert.
The unidentified driver and two children, ages 5 and 9, were uninjured but declined medical treatment, said Metro spokesman Ken Connaughton. Lambert said the driver was cited for running a red light.
Two light rail train travelers complained of arm injuries, but only one was transported to Ben Taub Hospital with minor injuries, Lambert said.
It was actually "incident" #63 by my count.
We are world class!
Incidentally, it comes on the same day David Wolff had this to say:
For nearly nine months now, the Metropolitan Transit Authority has had to deal with jokes and derisive news reports because of accidents between motor vehicles and MetroRail trains. Whatever the cause, there have been too many accidents.
Rather than blame drivers for whom traffic signals seem at best advisory, we have done our best to make the system more user-friendly.
I remember METRO Police Chief Lambert blaming drivers constantly until METRO apparently decided that he was a public relations disaster. Sorry, Mr. Wolff, but I'm not buying your whitewash. Maybe if METRO had engaged critical Houstonians a little more constructively in the beginning instead of treating us all like children, the organization would be the butt of fewer jokes and less derision.
But yes, there HAVE been too many accidents. I guess that admission can be regarded as progress.
(Update) KTRK-13's coverage of the latest accident is here.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/04 20:41 | Danger Train | Technorati | Comments (1)
Big 12 Wrap: Week 3
After last week's crummy showing, most Big 12 teams turned in better performances this week.
Oklahoma 31, Oregon 7
The big story line in this game is Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 183 yards on 24 carries subbing for an injured Kejuan Jones. But the real story is how the defense responded to the removal of fiery team leader Dusty Dvoracek from the team, and against an Oregon team that under Mike Belotti always features a disciplined, high-flying offense. Clearly, the Sooners don't have the same number of individual playmakers on defense they've had in recent years, but the defense responded with stronger overall team play and a bend-but-don't-break approach that should serve them well in conference play. Oregon had four drives of nine plays or longer but only got points one one of those drives. Not many Big 12 teams besides Texas Tech (probably not Texas at this point) have the offensive sophistication this year to sustain long drives like that against the Sooner D. Interestingly, co-defensive coordinator Bo Pelini's Nebraska defense played a lot like this last year (but with less talent).
Oklahoma State 59, SMU 7
The Cowboys had their way against the hapless Mustangs, even throwing the ball around a little bit. In a down year for the Big 12, OSU has been a surprise so far, and may well finish in the top half of the conference despite losing so many playmakers from last year.
Colorado 52, North Texas 21
Joel Klatt rebounds from last week's underwhelming perforamnce to go 26 of 33 for 369 yards for the Buffs. Colorado quietly moves to 3-0, and takes their turn as the class of the weak North.
Texas Tech 70, TCU 35
After being down 21-0 midway through the second quarter, Mike Leach's team roars to life and finishes with a score that would make Bobby Knight proud.
Kansas State 40, Louisiana Lafayette 20
At least it wasn't a Division I-AA opponent. Otherwise, this game doesn't tell us that much, aside from the fact that Darren Sproles can run for a lot of yards against inferior competition.
Missouri 48, Ball State 0
Another game that doesn't tell us much, except for the fact that Mizzou can light it up against inferior competition.
Nebraska 24, Pittsburgh 17
The Bill Callahan era continues to underwhelm, but at least they got the win on the road against an inexperienced Walt Harris team that had a chance to tie with a late drive that fell just short. Watching John Blake waddle the sideline and signal furiously to the Nebraska defense at the end of this one made it worth watching the majority of this awful game. Maybe Callahan isn't such a bad coach, since he was able to overcome Walt Harris on the other sideline AND John Blake on his own.
Northwestern 20, Kansas 17
Mark Mangino's crew isn't quite improved enough to win on the road against Northwestern, and suffers its first loss.
Texas A&M 27, Clemson 6
The Aggies grab a win against a ranked opponent with a big running game and a solid defensive effort. Kinda reminds one of the football they played under that last coach.
Iowa State 48, Northern Illinois 41
It may not rank high for style, but this looks like it was probably the most exciting Big 12 game of the week.
(09-20-2004 Update) Tom Kirkendall has his local football wrap here, and Alex Whitlock has his Conference USA wrap here.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/04 20:18 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (0)
Courting Soccer Moms?
Did a focus group tell the man that this would poll well with soccer moms?
I have my doubts.
First there was the sterile-suit photo op. Now the soccer ball.
You'd think all those DNC millions could buy better media handlers.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/04 10:09 | Other | Technorati | Comments (1)
UH 35, Army 21
It was good to see the Coogs get a much needed victory last night.
At times, it looked like they solved some of their offensive line problems. Then there was the rest of the time.
Early on, the defense looked pretty stout against Army, but started to surrender some things in the fourth quarter.
The special teams were not special all night, finally leading to the decision to use squib kicks (and give up starting position between the 30 and 40) because UH couldn't seem to cover regular kicks.
Miami looms on Thursday night, and it's almost certainly going to be as ugly as the Oklahoma game for a team that struggled to put Army away.
At least it will be at Reliant. Most Coog fans seem to prefer to play games at Robertson, which I could understand during the last days of the Dome (that place had turned into a dump). But Robertson is a dump itself, and I'd much prefer to see UH making use of our Super-Bowl caliber stadium in town.
I'm looking forward to seeing TP's Hurricanes in person for the first time. Sometimes, I don't think television does justice to the speed of college football's elite teams.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/19/04 09:04 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (4)
17 September 2004
Museum District Day
Don't forget that Saturday is Museum District Day in Houston.
From 10 am to 6 pm, Houston's fine museums will be offering free admission.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/04 22:21 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (1)
Over The Top
The Comical achieves new rhetorical lows with the beginning of this anti-DeLay screed posing as a staff editorial:
DELAY'S DEVILMENT
Egregiously redrawn seats illustrate misbegotten redistricting
The deformed spawn of U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, new congressional districts finally enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature stand as a freakish monument to political megalomania.
The rest isn't much better, rhetorically or substantively.
After yesterday's news from The Hill that Chris Bell's charges against DeLay are likely to be dismissed, one expected some frothing from frustrated partisans.
But the beginning of this editorial goes well beyond what one might expect from Representative Bell's staff, let alone a major daily newspaper that expects to be taken seriously.
Of course, nobody really does take the Comical all that seriously.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/04 21:32 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (1)
Football Fans For Truth
This website is making the rounds.
I'm probably a little slow to link to it, but as a football fan AND someone who appreciates a little frivolity among all the frothing that is going on over politics right now, I'm gonna link it anyway.
And now I'm gonna go fret a bit more over my football picks for tomorrow (no, not gambling, just a fun little pick'em league I play in, with no prizes at all). This week is tough.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/04 20:14 | Other | Technorati | Comments (1)
Dvoracek Suspended Indefinitely
Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops suspended defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek today:
Oklahoma suspended starting defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek indefinitely Friday pending an investigation into an incident that ended with one of Dvoracek's high school teammates in the hospital.
Dvoracek, an All-Big 12 selection and third team All-American last season, will miss at least the Sooners' game Saturday against Oregon. Oklahoma then has an off week before hosting Texas Tech in its Big 12 Conference opener Oct. 2.
"As always, the university takes matters of this nature very seriously and is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities in their investigation," Oklahoma associate athletic director of media relations Kenny Mossman said. "Standards for personal conduct have been set at the highest level within the athletics program and inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
"Dvoracek has been suspended from the team indefinitely by head coach Bob Stoops and will not play in this Saturday's game versus Oregon. Dvoracek also has been removed as one of the team's captains."
"Final determination as to Dvoracek's status with the team will be made once all of the facts are known."
Norman police said Friday they had contacted the family of Matt Wilde, one of Dvoracek's teammates at Lake Dallas (Texas) High School. Wilde suffered a head injury either late Saturday or early Sunday. His condition was upgraded from fair to good, Paula Price, a spokeswoman for Norman Regional Hospital said Friday.
Circumstances of how Wilde was injured are under investigation.
The Daily Oklahoman has been reporting on this, but I haven't posted anything because they seemed to be relying too much on rumors about what happened. Whatever happened, it doesn't look good for Dvoracek, who was expected to be a force on the Sooner defensive line this season. Stoops hasn't had too many problems like this during his tenure at Oklahoma so far, especially with his marquee players, so I was interested in how he would handle it. So far, it seems like he's handling it like he has incidents with lower-profile players, and that's good. The last thing that place needs is a return to the Last Days of Barry Switzer.
And it's a welcome contrast to Mack Brown's handling of, say, Cedric Benson, who managed to get his jail time squared away so he wouldn't miss any playing time.
(Update) Check that (as Bob Barry might say). Bob Stoops has "piled on" so to speak. Dvoracek is toast:
University of Oklahoma defensive tackle Dusty Dvoracek was dismissed from the football team late Friday amid mounting allegations of violent behavior.
OU head football coach Bob Stoops announced the decision in a statement released by the school. Hours earlier, OU had announced Dvoracek had been indefinitely suspended and stripped of the title of team captain for his involvement in an altercation last Sunday morning that landed a friend in the hospital with a head injury.
But as allegations of past incidents surfaced Friday, Stoops came to a more final conclusion.
“I have learned more over the course of the day and now believe there is a sufficient pattern of behavior to merit Dusty’s removal from the team,” Stoops said in the statement.
Bob Stoops is not Mack Brown. He's also not Barry Switzer. Both of those are good things.
(09-18-2004 Update) Daily Oklahoman reporter George Schroeder's coverage is here. Columnist Berry Tramel says Stoops made the right decision. Agreed. In truth, it probably should have happened before now.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/04 19:36 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (8)
Round Rock Becomes AAA Affiliate
The Round Rock Express was officially named the new Houston Astros Triple A franchise yesterday, according to the Austin Business Journal. The press release is here.
I wasn't aware this was going on (being more interested in football season), but the Comical had a blurb that the move was forthcoming in this article posted 12 September, and apparently it has been in the works for a while, according to the coverage in the middle of the Comical's beat article today.
Go Round Rock!
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/17/04 09:42 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (4)
16 September 2004
Pajamahadeen
I just saw the term Pajamahadeen over here.
That's funny. Maybe not as funny as this Lileks graphic, but pretty darn funny.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/16/04 22:56 | Other | Technorati | Comments (1)
'Stros Stuff
USA Today ran a nice column earlier in the week on Phil Garner and the Astros' turnaround since Jimy Williams got the boot. It doesn't mention Gary Gaetti, who probably deserves some credit as well.
I don't know that the Astros have enough firepower left to win the wild card, but as I wrote previously, I'm glad they got themselves back in the race after many of us had given them up for dead. I think that's probably good enough to get Garner back next year.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/16/04 08:39 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)
Make That #62
METRO's chairman yesterday praised -- yes, praised -- his organization for its efforts to lower the collision rate along the rail line:
"We're proud of what we've done," [David] Wolff said. "We're hoping the motoring public would help us celebrate by lowering the numbers even further."
With no apparent sense of irony, METRO also announced that it had reclassified one previously unreported incident as a collision:
Also Tuesday, Metro said an increased property damage estimate led it to reclassify a Sept. 7 incident as an official collision.
Police said a 29-year-old Houston woman was traveling northbound on Main Street in Midtown when she stopped and backed up onto the tracks, where her sedan was struck by a northbound train. There were no injuries.
The woman received a citation for unsafe backing.
METRO remains a source of entertainment.
I also am entertained this morning by the Comical box that lists definitions for "reportable incident," "collision," and "attempted suicide" with regard to the light rail line. Whoever included the "attempted suicide" definition has a sense of humor.
Here, we don't have such definitions and distinctions. If there is a collision with the train (regardless of damage assessment), it's reported. That's what you get from folks sitting around in their pajamas, I guess. :)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/16/04 07:47 | Danger Train | Technorati | Comments (0)
15 September 2004
The Ongoing Implosion
Glenn Reynolds tonight notes that some CBS affiliates are refusing to air 60 Minutes II, apparently figuring out what Dan Rather and the Viacom suits haven't yet: that the longer the fraud is perpetuated, the longer it will take for CBS News to rebuild its credibility.
The Reynolds post led to this rather interesting bit of local news:
The reactions of affiliate stations of CBS's refusal to back down from their increasingly discredited Bush National Guard story range from patient to angry.
Ken Charles, the program director of KPRC radio in Houston, told the Kerry Spot Wednesday evening that he has notified CBS Radio news that he will be switching to Fox News feed for their Friday evening news, instead of using the Dan Rather-anchored CBS feed.
"Dan has been doing the Friday 4 P.M. slot for about three or four years, and this is the first time Dan Rather has been the story," Charles said. "I have a problem with my news people being the story."
Charles said that his station is under contract with CBS, and that the move is unlikely to have a financial impact for CBS. The public-relations damage, however, could be significant.
"We're the number-seven market in the nation, and I would hope it would send a message to them about how serious this is," Charles said. "I announced at 5:10, and since then (about an hour and a half) we've gotten 150 e-mails from listeners, all supportive.
Charles said he had communicated his concerns to a CBS News official, who had told the concerned program director to wait until the network's Wednesday announcement. That announcement was expected at noon, and was delayed until after 5 P.M. EST. When the terse statement released by CBS News President Andrew Heyward did not address any of the question about the story, Charles made his decision.
Does anybody know if KHOU-11 aired 60 Minutes II tonight?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/15/04 21:03 | Other | Technorati | Comments (2)
$2 Million Museum Boondoggle Shelved
Mayor White suffered the first high-profile defeat of his administration today, as Council shot down his budget proposal to funnel $2 million to an African-American museum:
Houston's proposed African-American Museum has lost its $2 million allocation in the city's budget.
The council voted Wednesday morning that the city first needs to establish a policy outlining what criteria private groups should meet before the city hands over money for any museum.
That's the fallout from a debate among Houston City Council members who split on the controversial appropriation placed in the budget by former Mayor Lee Brown.
The move also shot down another proposal to spend $2 million on an Asian Center.
As noted in an earlier post, Mayor White had supported this proposal that originated with his predecessor, Lee Brown, and even wrote an op-ed in support of it today.
Kudos to Council for making the right decision.
(09-16-2004 Update) The early reporting from KHOU-11 was lacking in some detail (and has now been updated on their website -- I HATE it when they airbrush old stories by changing them that way). Council approved an amendment that pushes aside funding until Council puts together specific guidelines for funding cultural organizations and determines if particular groups meet the guidelines. The Comical this morning is reporting this as a victory for the museum and Mayor White. And while the vote was unanimous and Mayor White supported the amendment in question, I think it's safe to say the Mayor's office probably would have preferred less scrutiny on this issue. But given the additional reporting, I might be disinclined to call it a "high-profile defeat" for the Mayor (as I did above, earlier).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/15/04 13:38 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (1)
Danger Train: Collision #61
The Danger Train has suffered Collision #61:
Police say a suspected drunk man could have gotten himself killed overnight when he walked in front of a light rail train in downtown Houston.
Officers say the man just walked right in front of an oncoming train on Main near Lamar. Authorities say if the engineer had not slowed down, the man could have been killed. Instead, he suffered minor injuries and was taken to Ben Taub Hospital.
Granted, the man was apparently drunk and ran into the train, but since Metro always insists no collision is ever the fault of the train, we'll just stick to noting the collisions and let readers decide fault.
We report, you decide.
(Update) KHOU-11 has a blurb here, and KPRC-2 has a report here.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/15/04 07:35 | Danger Train | Technorati | Comments (1)
The Boondoggle Files
METRO will have to borrow money to cover a MASSIVE budget deficit, the first time it's ever had to do so according to Lucas Wall:
Metro projects it will fall $93 million short of covering its expenses in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1, forcing the transit authority to have to borrow money for the first time in its 25-year history.
The proposed budget for fiscal 2005, which the board of directors is scheduled to consider at today's 1 p.m. meeting, anticipates expenses of $716 million but revenue of only $623 million.
Frank Wilson, Metropolitan Transit Authority president and CEO, said he expects the agency will soon need to sell short-term debt. Such borrowing does not require voter approval.
Wilson said Metro's upcoming financial hole was expected in projections ran last year as part of the 22-year Metro Solutions expansion plan, which voters passed in November along with a $640 million long-term bonding authorization. Another shortfall is likely for 2006, he said.
A drop in sales-tax collections since the 2001 recession, major capital outlays for the Main Street light rail line, street construction and bus facilities have combined to create the red ink, Wilson said.
Bus services have already been cut, and will no doubt have to be cut further. And now METRO is projecting expenses that will exceed revenues by nearly 15% and will have to take on "short-term" debt.
Having a "world-class" rail line doesn't come cheap.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/15/04 06:22 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (1)
14 September 2004
Will New Media Beget New "Old" Media?
Here's an interesting conclusion to an interesting Reason article by Matt Welch (that you should read in its entirety):
Having nonpartisan, elite news organizations staffed overwhelmingly by Democratic-leaning journalists -- a recent study by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press showed that newsroom liberals outnumber conservatives by 5 to 1 on the national level, 3 to 1 locally -- creates an obvious demand for right-leaning news in the growing number of markets that enjoy competition.
During July’s Democratic National Convention, for example, the Boston Herald sought to differentiate itself from the more staid Globe by bashing the bejesus out John Kerry’s entire family. ("Kerry Girls Gone Wild," was one headline.) "If The Boston Globe hates Kerry," one Herald reporter told me, "then the Herald wants to kill his wife and decapitate his children." As Herald Editor Ken Chandler explained to The New Yorker, "Somebody’s got to be the conservative paper in this town."
But newspaper liberals are significantly to the right of political lefties on issues such as free trade and military interventionism, so yet another thriving cottage industry has emerged from the ideological gap, as evidenced by the phenomenon of Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 and the myriad pocket-sized bestsellers by the likes of Noam Chomsky and Gore Vidal. Now that it’s no longer prohibitively expensive to print a book or even launch a daily newspaper, politically based competition in an evenly and passionately divided Red-Blue nation is inevitable, and it is already shaking up a news industry that had grown fat and boring.
OutFoxed would have you react to this world by petitioning the Federal Communications Commission to "take back our media" (which, judging by its long and gaseous interview with former CBS anchor Walter Cronkite, perhaps means a return to 90 minutes a day of broadcast news). But the documentary’s very existence suggests that a hands-off FCC -- one whose relaxation of ownership restrictions allowed Murdoch to create a fourth national network in the first place -- is one that will allow media activists’ treasured goal of "diversity" to actually flourish. Last year in The Atlantic Monthly the media commentator James Fallows predicted "there will be liberal papers, radio shows, TV programs, and Web sites for liberals, and conservative ones for conservatives."
Such an environment may make journalists sweat about the future of their profession. But even the most jaded critic should recognize that fretting about a new newspaper’s motives is a considerable improvement over 40 years of not having any new newspapers to complain about.
Rupert Murdoch has shown that there's a market for a targeted news outlet. I'm not sure if that holds for the newspaper industry (if it did, I'm pretty sure Welch would be a print bigshot for Richard Riordan about now, and it's not clear to me yet that the New York Sun can be deemed a "success").
I do think that existing newspapers are going to have to start being more responsive to their markets, though, or they're going to leave themselves open to startups. Here's Lileks from a few days ago (talking about bloggers and Rather):
Blogs haven’t toppled old media. The foundations of Old Media were rotten already. The new media came along at the right time. Put it this way: you’ve see films of old buildings detonated by precision demolitionists. First you see the puffs of smoke – then the building just hangs there for a second, even though every column that held it up has been severed. We’ve been living in that second for years, waiting for the next frame. Well, here it is. Roll tape. Down she goes. And when the dust settles we will be right back where we were 100 years ago, with dozens of fiercely competitive media outlets throwing elbows to earn your pennies.
In retrospect, TV looks like a big smothering quilt: it killed the afternoon papers, forced the survivors to consolidate; it reshaped the news cycle to fit its needs, shifted the emphasis to the visual. It fed off the Times and the Post and other surviving papers, which had institutionalized the Watergate and Vietnam templates as the means by which we understand events. The old-line media, like its Boomer components, got old, and like the Boomers, it preferred self-congratulation to self-reflection. And so the Internet had it for lunch, because the Internet does not have to schedule 17 meetings to develop a strategy for impactfully maximizing brand leverage in emerging markets; the Internet does not have to worry about how a decision will affect one’s management trajectory; the Internet smells blood and leaps, and that has turned the game around, for better or worse. So we’re back to where we were in 1904 – except that the guys on the corner shouting WUXTRY, WUXTRY aren’t grimy urchins selling the paper – they’re the people who wrote the damn thing, too.
I repeat my earlier obvious advice to middle-market newspapers: go local.
Back to Welch: go local (or else?)
There are at least two new Houston-centric blogs to be appearing soon (and developing, so far as I can tell, in weird parallel universes). There's already Chronically Biased, which occasionally still carries a post related to Houston. And there are plenty of personal blogs that at least touch on Houston. It's all filling a niche (and need?) going unfilled by the print daily and print weekly.
But I don't know if I'd bet on a new print daily anytime soon. I think Welch is a little too optimistic on that front.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/14/04 23:09 | Other | Technorati | Comments (0)
Evidence Of Communism?
Local political consultant and occasional guest talk radio host Chris Begala makes some interesting points about the whole CBS News memo controversy here.
Unfortunately, he does something that the bloggers most responsible for busting Dan Rather (Powerline, Little Green Footballs, etc) have avoided, and that's going way overboard:
They [CBS News] ended the story with the utter gall to again state that they stand by their story and the authenticity of the memos. This is Communism at its most fundamental level. Lie and continue to lie as you suppress the truth with your vast power. Rather has lied and avoided the truth with the same omnipotence of the Chinese Communist Government denying the Tiananmen Square massacre. 'How dare you even question us.
No, it's not Communism at a fundamental or any other level.
If it could be proven that Dan Rather knew these were fakes and ran with them anyway with an intent to deceive, you could call it propagandism perhaps.
But it's NOT Communism.
So far, conservative websites have been highly responsible in their treatment of this issue -- which is one reason people in the mainstream media, including Washington Post media critic Howard Kurtz, have taken it seriously.
Our city's self-described media watchblog needs to back away from the silly labels and be a little more responsible itself.
(09-15-2004 Update) In contrast, here's local blogger Beldar, who levels strong charges at Rather and CBS News and then goes on to make a strong case, all without calling anyone Communists. That attention to detail and thoroughness are, among other reasons, why Beldar has become one of Houston's highest-profile political bloggers in recent weeks (deservedly so).
(09-15-2004 Update 2) Speaking of Kurtz (above), here's more from him in today's WaPo.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/14/04 21:44 | Other | Technorati | Comments (3)
Misplaced Priorities
Councilman Mark Goldberg weighs in on Mayor White's support of former Mayor Brown's plan to provide $2 million in funding for an African-American museum:
Twenty years ago, city of Houston officials tried to fund a cultural museum showcasing the diversity of people who make up our local community. It was to be a celebration of the different races, cultures and classes of people responsible for making this city great.
City Council is now being asked to vote on a project that will do just the opposite. Instead of being inclusive, it will, by its very name and purpose, serve to exclude all races and cultures except one. The proposed museum will send a message to all Houstonians that the history of every other race and culture is not significant enough to warrant inclusion in this obviously exclusive exhibit building.
The original proposal by former Mayor Lee P. Brown was a poorly conceived last-minute plan to hand over $2 million cash to an undisclosed group to create an African-American Museum. The proposal had no business plan and so many legal problems and such lack of support that his own administration advised Brown not to proceed with the project. Now, the administration of Mayor Bill White has embraced the project and decided to continue with this project, despite admitting that there is still no business plan and still questionable financial support.
This sets one of the worst precedents ever set by any administration.
The precedent is even worse given the facts that Mayor White has presided over several efforts to increase city revenues (including a boost in water/sewer rates, a boost in downtown parking meter collection times and coverage, and cameras mounted on traffic lights all over town to catch -- and bill -- red-light runners), and has squeezed the pension plans of municipal employees, all in the name of fiscal responsibility. If it's fiscally responsible to do those things, then it's fiscally irresponsible to turn around and drop $2 million on this project.
Mayor White needs to reverse course on this one.
(09-15-2004 Update) Instead, Mayor White is digging in. He responds to Goldberg with an op-ed that argues what a good thing this museum would be. That's not really a response at all. Most Houstonians would surely agree that such a museum is a good thing. It just doesn't need $2 million of municipal funds at a time when the city is strapped for cash.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/14/04 19:10 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
Marvin Exposes A "Psychic Surgeon"
Marvin Zindler went after a psychic cancer healer yesterday:
A Houston woman in search of a miracle says she stumbled onto a scam. A lot of desperate people are looking for miracle cures. And, boy, there were a lot of folks flocking to a so-called "psychic surgeon."
A woman I'll call Jane Doe because she doesn't want to be identified told me she wants to expose a so-called psychic surgeon she went to. Romy Bugarin claimed he can remove a fibroid tumor from Jane's abdomen by putting his hand into her body and pulling out the tumor without surgery. Jane said he used a glass of water and a peanut as an example.
She said, "He could put his hand through the water and pull the peanut out and then the water closes up… That he could put his hand through your skin and grab the tumor and pull it out and the skin would close back up."
Another strange thing is that Bugarin practices his "psychic surgery" in a Heights chiropractic clinic of Dr. Michael Bonner. The title "Dr." lends credibility to the scam.
"There's a lot of people going and a lot of people that are very ill, with diseases like cancer," said Jane. "That, I feel is horrible, that they're praying on ill people that are in a very dire situation."
The author of "The Facts about Faith Healing" wrote that Romy Bugarin was named in an alleged scam. The article said chicken blood and animal organs are used in the scam.
Should a chiropractor let his office be used to perpetuate a scam? To lead poor people to believe that cancers can be removed as if by magic?
We're certainly not in favor of scam artists here at PubliusTX.net, but at some point you have to ask someone who actually thought a man with demonstrated ability to remove a peanut from a glass of water could also remove tumors, WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!
Jane Doe indeed.
Sometimes this town just makes me shake my head.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/14/04 18:39 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (1)
Another Local Angle
Drudge has posted new information from Lt. Colonel Jerry Killian's secretary, who claims the CBS News memos were fakes.
Here's the best part, though:
Knox has been following the story since last week when the 60 MINUTES II broadcast aired, and on Friday she contacted the HOUSTON CHRONICLE wanting to tell her side of the story. Since then the DALLAS MORNING NEWS has also contacted her.
Ha! The newspaper that missed the Enron scandal couldn't be counted on to do a little legwork on another local issue. Oh no, she had to contact them. And so far as I can tell from a search on the Comical site, they've apparently not gotten around to doing anything with the information yet.
They were probably too busy spinning poll results that are clearly trending in favor of President Bush (and that can be tracked easily here, without the "analysis" of hyperpartisans like Clay Robison). Indeed, it's a little stunning that six reporters got credit for contributions to pedestrian Page-One analysis that anyone with a reliable net connection could have done herself in no time at all. But that's our Comical -- ignoring the local to (mis)report the "big" stories. :)
(Update) Here's Pete Slover's article in the Dallas Morning News with Ms. Knox's observations. Can we say SCOOPED Comical? Yes, I thought we could.
(09-15-2004 Update) The Comical has finally posted this story. Better late than never, I guess. But they should have owned this one instead of getting beaten by the Dallas Morning News and Drudge.
(09-15-2004 Update 2) Jim Geraghty of NRO raises questions about the inconsistencies in this secretary's story as reported by the Comical. The following line from the Comical story is particularly troubling to me:
Knox said she decided to report her recollection of the time period to the media after hearing White House press officials say the information in the memos was false.
But later, Julie Mason and Robert Crowe write:
Knox said last week she had not seen the disputed documents obtained by CBS, butwas reacting to news reports challenging their authenticity, primarily by countering claims that Killian did not keep copies.
NRO's Geraghty can't recall anyone in the White House saying the information in the memos was false. Rather, they passed them on to the media with hardly any comment at all, and the media began to raise questions as bloggers demonstrated the memos seemed like fakes. So Knox can't have been reacting to White House officials, a point that is buttressed by the later assertion that she was reacting to "news reports challenging their authenticity."
Did Comical reporters insert their own views into this story, rather than reporting what the lady said?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/14/04 18:30 | Other | Technorati | Comments (1)
Sullivan/TNR On The Hoax
Andrew Sullivan wails on CBS News in a new post on TNR Online:
Last week, CBS News reported on fascinating and newly discovered documents that purported to show that George W. Bush did not perform his military service in the Texas National Guard adequately and that political influences got him off the hook. The alleged memos--from Lieutenant Colonel Jerry B. Killian, Bush's Texas National Guard squadron commander--are almost certainly fakes. And the fakery was uncovered by a series of blog postings on a variety--a bewildering variety--of old, new, and tenacious blogs. Within a couple of days, the news about the probably forged memos had reached full circle to become stories in the MSM itself, with even The New York Times conceding that Dan Rather had almost certainly been hoaxed to some degree or other.
[snip]
This is not the first time that a major news organization has been hoaxed. It happens. But what's stunning is the way in which CBS has responded. Its defensiveness is not the attitude of any journalistic organization truly interested in finding out the truth. CBS's Jonathan Klein even went so far as to say the following: "Bloggers have no checks and balances. ... [It's] a guy sitting in his living room in his pajamas." Actually, I'm in sweatpants and a tanktop. But of course, it doesn't matter a jot what a fact-checker is wearing as long as his facts are correct. CBS's apparently aren't.
There's been a lot of hubris in the blogosphere about this, and, indeed, some blogs, most especially Power Line, should get the blog equivalent of a Pulitzer for their dogged pursuit of the truth. But the reality is far simpler and less flattering to bloggers. Journalism is not a profession as such. It's a craft. You get better at it by doing it; and there are very few ground rules. By and large, anyone with a mind, a modem, a telephone, and a conscience can be a journalist. The only criterion that matters is that you get stuff right; and if you get stuff wrong (and you will), you correct yourself as soon as possible. The blogosphere is threatening to some professional journalists because it exposes these simple truths. It demystifies the craft. It makes it seem easy--because, in essence, it often is.
Blogging's comparative advantage has nothing to do with the alleged superior skills of bloggers or their higher intelligence, quicker wit, or more fabulous physiques. The blogosphere is a media improvement because the sheer number of blogs, and the speed of response, make errors hard to sustain for very long. The collective mind is also a corrective mind. Transparency is all. And the essence of journalistic trust is not simply the ability to get things right and to present views or ideas or facts clearly and entertainingly. It is also the capacity to admit error, suck it up, and correct what you've gotten wrong. Take it from me. I've both corrected and been corrected. When you screw up, it hurts. But in the long run, it's a good hurt, because it takes you down a peg or two and reminds you what you're supposed to be doing in the first place. Any journalist who starts mistaking himself for an oracle needs to be reminded who he is from time to time.
CBS News has failed on all these counts. It did shoddy reporting and then self-interestedly dug in against an avalanche of evidence against it. Rather can blather all he wants about the political motivation of some in the blogosphere--but what matters is not bias but accuracy. His attitude, moreover, has bordered on the contemptuous; and the blogosphere has chewed him up and spat him out. He has acted as if journalism is a privilege rather than a process; as if his long career makes his critics illegitimate; as if his good motives can make up for bad material. The original mistake was not a firable offense. But the digging in surely is.
One of the guys from the Powerline blog he references is scheduled to be on Special Report with Brit Hume a little bit later tonight (and he promises to get out of his jammies and throw on a suit).
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/14/04 16:39 | Web Stuff | Technorati | Comments (1)
13 September 2004
Peter King Is Unimpressed
SI's Peter King was not impressed with the Houston Texans on Sunday:
I think no team suffered a more damaging loss over the weekend than my candidate for most overrated team of the off-season, Houston. Losing to San Diego at home? Uh, Houston, we have a problem. I saw the Texans lose the most one-sided preseason game I've ever seen in Pittsburgh last month, and I kept wondering if that was a fluky August thing. Apparently not.
Well, they beat Dallas in the first preseason game, Peter. Apparently, that's good enough around here. How else to explain going out for movies when there was so much work to be done in training camp? And right before the Pittsburgh debacle that King mentioned.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/13/04 18:39 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (3)
Houston: It's Worth It (cont'd)
Lianne Hart wrote an article on ttweak's "Houston: It's Worth It" campaign for the LA Times over the weekend, and it's now making the rounds at other newspapers.
It's not much of an improvement on the earlier New York Times article on the same topic, save for a couple of new quotes:
The last time Houston's slogan got much attention was in 1997, when Elyse Lanier --wife of former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier -- led a $5-million effort to boost the city's image. Her group's catchphrase: "Houston. Expect the Unexpected."
"When people ask me about Houston, I tell them about the theater district or the medical center," Lanier said. "I don't even acknowledge that cockroaches are alive…. It would never occur to me to talk about mosquitoes."
Lanier was calling from Malibu, where she was vacationing at the beach to escape the brutal Houston summer. She's the first to admit that Houston in August is miserable, but to build an ad campaign around the sweltering heat "would not be my approach," she said. "I prefer to focus on the positive, but I hope whatever they do works."
Let's see, the lady who led the last big marketing push seems not to care for Houston all that much and hangs out in Malibu in the summer. Maybe she wasn't such a good choice to head the last (incompetent) marketing effort, eh?
Here's another choice quote:
Gerard J. "Jordy" Tollett, president of the Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau -- which has spent $75 million in the last 30 years to promote the city -- declined to be interviewed for this article. "He doesn't want to talk about it anymore," a spokeswoman said.
Excuse me, but isn't it his JOB to talk about this city when major newspapers call?
The last time I checked, the Los Angeles Times qualifed as a major newspaper.
For that matter, he declined to talk to the New York Times. Whatever its problems, it's still one of the great newspapers of the world.
Whatever Tollett thinks of ttweak's marketing campaign, he still needs to represent this city when major media call him. Declining interview requests of this nature is unacceptable.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/13/04 17:25 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (3)
12 September 2004
Big 12 Wrap: Week 2
It was a crummy week for the Big 12, especially for the North.
It was so crummy that I'm not much in the mood to recap it, so this is going to be a fairly crummy wrap.
Oklahoma 63, Houston 13
Oklahoma played like the best team in the Big 12. A coverage bust led to an early score for Houston, which led briefly (once) in the game. That only seemed to annoy the Sooners, who romped to a 49-7 halftime lead and played just about everyone. Crazy thing is, Houston played somewhat better in this one than against Rice last week. But Oklahoma is not Rice. Adrian Peterson gained 100 yards for the second straight week.
Texas 22, Arkansas 20
Texas recovered a fumble late in the game as Arkansas moved within field goal range, and held on to avenge last year's loss. The Longhorns won a tough road contest behind a strong running attack. The passing game still needs a lot of work, however, and Selvin Young's broken ankle is a bad break for UT. Rice and Baylor should provide nice scrimmages before the Red River showdown.
Oklahoma State 38, Tulsa 21
OSU takes care of business against Tulsa, which is finding it harder to surprise teams after last year's turnaround. Donovan Woods only threw the ball eight times, completing three, but the Pokes ran the ball 60 times. So long as they can do that this season, they'll win, but it will be tougher against elite teams. Luckily for OSU, there don't seem to be many of those in the Big 12 this year.
Kansas 63, Toledo 14
Kansas may be the class of the Big 12 North this year. In football. That's just crazy.
Colorado 20, Washington State 12
Colorado goes on the road, gets 5 first downs and 133 total yard (versus 15 and 347 respectively by Washington State), and wins? Upside down. But a win is a win.
Troy State 24, Missouri 17
Missouri still hasn't quite learned to behave like a Top 20 team. And after this one, they won't have to worry about it for a while. Apparently, they thought the game ended when they cruised to a 14-0 lead. It didn't.
Fresno State 45, Kansas State 21
NOW I see why Bill Snyder likes to schedule those I-AA opponents. Darren Sproles' highly unlikely Heisman bid ends here, with 11 carries for 37 yards. Too bad, because he's a good back, but it looks more and more like he's the entire offense, and other teams know it.
Southern Miss 21, Nebraska 17
Ah, that's why Nebraska prefers I-AA opponents like last week's. That terrible thrashing sound you heard was Bill Callahan's West Coast offense crashing in the corn fields.
Texas A&M 31, Wyoming 0
Wyoming looks to be terrible, but that's okay, because A&M hasn't been beating even terrible teams much lately, let alone controlling games like this one. Reggie McNeal finishes with nearly 300 yards passing, and Coach Fran gets to stay in town for at least another week.
Iowa 17, Iowa State 10
There's no shame in Iowa State hanging this tough with the #12 team in the country.
New Mexico 27, Texas Tech 24
Do you think Mike Leach even cares that much about the loss? Quarterback Sunny Cumbie went 44 of 69 for 452 yards, after all, and that seems to be mostly what it's about in Red Raider land these days.
Baylor 24, Texas State 17
Big 12 teams should not be scheduling I-AA opponents, but if they're going to do it, they ought at least to beat the hell out of them. Sadly, Baylor probably is closer to a I-AA program than a legitimate Big 12 team.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/12/04 22:21 | Big 12 Football | Technorati | Comments (1)
Where's Roy?
Wow, three-fourths of the way through the Dallas-Minnesota game, I'm wondering where former Sooner standout Roy Williams is.
I know he was activated, because the announcers said so. And I'm seeing him in the huddle from time to time.
Has anyone seen him make a play?
This hasn't been a good day for the Dallas defense, which played well as a unit last year. The coaches seem to be learning that you can use two players to take one player (Randy Moss) out of the game, but that the remaining 10 players on offense are more than enough to have their way with the remaining 9 players on defense.
Ugly.
On the other side of the ball, it's nice to have a quarterback who can make NFL throws. Vinny Testaverde passed 41,000 career NFL passing yards early in the game and has played well. But this team isn't going to win many games if it has to ride Vinny Testaverde's arm because the defense can't slow down anyone.
(Update) Yeah yeah, I *know* where Roy was -- the coaches decided on this strategy that took their only real playmaker on defense out of the game so he could help on Randy Moss. Unfortunately, Minnesota has lots of other playmakers, and the Dallas defense doesn't. So when Minnesota goes 10 of their guys on 9 of Dallas' guys, guess who's gonna win?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/12/04 17:44 | Dallas Cowboys | Technorati | Comments (1)
Wonder If Reliant Will Put That In A Commercial?
Laurence Simon notes that power went out during the Texans game today, at the stadium named after the power company.
Nice.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/12/04 17:34 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (0)
I'm Missing The Pre-Game Shows!
Having one's cable out on the first big weekend of the NFL is most decidely NOT cool, Time Warner.
It's not cool at all. And it's not reassuring to call their automated line, only to have a shrill computer voice tell me, "We are aware of the problem in your area" after I key in all my info.
The least they could do is have a recording of a woman with a sultry, seductive voice tell me they'll she'll be tending to my problems ASAP.
(Update) Finally, the cable is back. Now I can happily turn off the radio bozos (no offense to Vandermeer, but Andre Ware and John Granato just make it hard to listen to that broadcast if something else is available).
(Update 2) 30 minutes into the game, it's out again. Grrr.
(Update 3) It's back. I hope this is settled by the end of this dang thing.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/12/04 11:24 | Other | Technorati | Comments (3)
Recapping The Local Angles On The Memo Controversy
CBS News continues to stick to its guns even as fellow major media outlets engage in more scrutiny of those "newly discovered" memos that Dan Rather ran a few days ago.
Powerline, Instapundit, Little Green Footballs, and Rather Biased probably remain the clearinghouses for new developments, but here's a roundup of what some local experts have had to say:
A UH professor appeared in this early story by Jessica Willey (apparently now removed from their site), and concluded it was most likely forgery.
A Rice professor emailed Hugh Hewitt, arguing forgery.
And a local printer (I could walk over to his shop in about 3 minutes) explains why he thinks the articles are forgeries here.
Please let me know if I've missed anyone of interest locally.
There's also local blogger and attorney Beldar, who comments on authentication in relation to legal evidentiary procedures (updated thanks to Rob Booth's comment).
Elsewhere, CBS News, Kevin Drum, and Josh Marshall continue to defend the memos as genuine, and suggest they have new information that a secret military time-travel machine being tested by obscure members of the Texas Air National Guard in the 1970s provided a military officer who apparently rarely typed his own memos regular access to the latest in 2000-era computer typesetting and printing technology. They continue to assail those who doubt the existence of such time-travel technology at the Texas Air National Guard in the 1970s as "partisan hacks funded by shadowy political operatives."
Developing... HARD.
(Update) Cox and Forkum bring their talents to bear (there's no local angle, but it's fun):
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/12/04 10:18 | Houston | Technorati | Comments (1)
11 September 2004
9-11
Update: Lileks seems appropriate today..
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/11/04 11:10 | Other | Technorati |
10 September 2004
Glide
Congrats to Houston Cougar and Rocket Clyde Drexler, who was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame tonight.
Other than that little stint as UH basketball head coach, it's all been good.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 09/10/04 23:34 | Sports | Technorati | Comments (0)
Remembering Bill Carr (And The SEC Bid That Never Came)
The Daily Oklahoman posted a pretty good article earlier this week about the demise of the Southwest Conference (and with it, the football program at the University of Houston):
Fred Jacoby presented and lost his case more than a decade ago at the Embassy Suites by the Will Rogers World Airport.
It was there that Jacoby, the commissioner of the now-defunct Southwest Conference, told Big Eight athletic directors he wanted in. And he was going to bring eight Southwest Conference schools, including the Houston Cougars, with him.
It would be the country’s largest power conference and control the lucrative college football television market from upper Midwest to the Gulf Shores of Texas, Jacoby said.
“Then Bob Devaney (then AD at Nebraska) looked at me and said, ‘What are you trying to do, run us out of the Orange Bowl?’ ”
And Jacoby knew he had lost. The meeting was the death knell for the SWC and signaled the demise of the Houston football program.
After 26 mostly successful years under Bill Yeoman and three more successful years with Jack Pardee, the Cougars are on their fourth coach in the last 15 years. The combined record of those coaches is 57-101-1. There was an NCAA investigation, which uncovered no major infractions but revealed John Jenkins’ habit of splicing adult film scenes into practice films.
At one point in the ’90s, the Houston faculty petitioned to abolish sports at Houston. Only 11,048 showed up for a 2002 home game. To top it off, Houston has operated with a budget deficit since the breakup of the Southwest Conference in 1996. That deficit has climbed to $10 million early this decade but has since been trimmed to slightly more than $2 million.
“To me, the breakup of the Southwest Conference really hurt (Houston),” Jacoby said. “And it developed an elitist group in college football.”
That group, Jacoby said, started to take a strong hold on college football in the early ’90s. And the Big Eight was, in large part, responsible.
“Some of the conferences got a little chesty,” Jacoby said. “The Southeastern went with ABC, and then Notre Dame went with NBC. The whole thing started to unravel and everyone was left to fend for themselves.”
Houston developed the stubborn attitude of a child who didn’t get his way. Then-Houston athletic director Bill Carr refused to talk with the other three left behind schools - Rice, SMU and TCU - about the future. Carr held to the far-fetched belief the SEC would absorb Houston.
Bill Carr's decision was disastrous, and UH is still paying the price for the fact that he had no backup plan, and UH wound up in a dog of a conference (C-USA).
Later in the story, the author quotes Bill Yeoman, who suggests that the state's elite schools conspired to keep UH out of the Big 12. Nowhere does the article mention the role of Ann Richards, who go