January 2009
Table of Contents
Features
The 2009 Bum Steer AwardsIt was a year of abbreviated Aggies, bamboozling boxers, charged Cuban, dumb district attorneys, estrogen-packed elevators, famished firemen, graveyard ganja, half-wit husbands, imaginary illegal immigrants, Jessica jests, koncert kayos, lawn-watering Lance, muddled Moron, next-of-kin-offending newspapers, oblivious operators, pornographic prom dresses, questionable quiz takers, repulsive Roger, stolen shih tzus, tasteless team spirit, useless urine, victimized valedictorians, waning W., x-traneous Xmas trees, yelping Yahoo, and zany zoophiles. Holding GarmsirFighting the Taliban, the 130-degree heat, the boredom, the homesickness, and the weight of history with the Marines of Mustang Platoon in Afghanistan. Plus:Dispatches From AfghanistanJohn Spong narrates a slide show of images depicting the Garmsir District in the wake of the Taliban. |
The Idiot’s Guide to the Speaker’s RaceHow it works, what it means, and why Tom Craddick may not end up holding the gavel this time around. Children of the StormAfter Hurricane Katrina, Rhonda Tavey selflessly opened her Houston home to a New Orleans evacuee and five of her children. She fed the kids, bathed them, and grew to love them so much that when their mother tried to take them back to Louisiana, she wouldn’t let them go. |
Columns
Michael EnnisThe New New DealWhat University of Texas historian H. W. Brands’s new biography of Franklin Roosevelt tells us about the Obama administration. |
Jerald WinakurThe Long GoodbyeI’ve treated hundreds of elderly patients with Alzheimer’s. Now the disease is stealing my own father. |
Reporter
The Horse’s MouthWorking on a Presidential CampaignKenny Thompson on planning Obama’s campaign events. Street SmartsWashington Avenue, HoustonThe once forgotten corridor emerges as an eclectic enclave. |
The Filter
Miscellany
Roar of the CrowdTexas VexesContributorsRich Malley, Sito Negron, and Lucian Read. |
Editor’s LetterThe E Decade |
Web Exclusives
Governor Perry Chooses License PlatesProving his conservative credentials, Gov. Perry held a press conference with the Texas Alliance for Life to express his support for specialized “Choose Life” license plates. ‘Twas the List Before ChristmasAnd my favorite Christmas present of all time is... Straus of RepresentativesThe likely Speaker of the House promises no retaliation, an end to the acrimony, and tells his fellow Republicans to “wake up!” |
The Science of MurderSomeone killed Melissa Trotter and dumped her body in the Sam Houston National Forest. But according to six forensic experts, that someone was not Larry Swearingen. Legalize It?The El Paso City Council may override the mayor’s veto to create a debate on the current U.S. drug policies. In these interviews, the mayor, council members, and others explain their views. The Great DeveloperTrammell Crow made millions based on what he called hunches—warehouses, atrium marts, huge hotels—and amazingly, most of his deals he did on a handshake. Crossing the LineThe facts of this case are quite simple. Two Border Patrol agents shot at an unarmed man as he was running away from them. And then, they covered it up. |
Multimedia
When It SnowsKerry Bexley talks about life after the article and how his business is growing. |
