The Culture
November 28, 2011
Texas Gets the “Funny or Die” Treatment
Funny or Die's asteroid spoof proves that state size DOES matter.
2011 – Page 4 of 23
Food & Drink
November 28, 2011
Austin Restaurant Owner’s Rooftop Stunt Brings Headlines
Pappy’s Bar and Grill owner is playing electric guitar and living on his restaurant’s roof in an attempt to attract business.
Politics & Policy
November 28, 2011
Tea Partiers Have Trained Poll Monitors for the 2012 Election
Houston’s King Street Patriots have trained people in thirty states to monitor polls and guard against election fraud, but some accuse the Tea Party group of intimidation tactics.
Politics & Policy
November 28, 2011
BREAKING NEWS: Scalia requests response from plaintiffs
This is a significant development. It means that Justice Scalia did not deny the State’s request for a stay (nor did he grant it). He has asked the plaintiffs to respond by 4 p.m. on Thursday. It will take five justices, Scalia included, to grant a stay. I spoke earlier with
November 28, 2011
Dust Bowl Texas: Drought’s Impact on Christmas Trees, Grapes, and Quail
The drought leaves nothing untouched. This week the ongoing drought impacts the state’s Christmas tree production, grapes, quail, and peanut butter sandwiches.
News & Politics
November 28, 2011
Karl Rove Has Reinvented Himself as a Powerful Fundraiser
Since leaving the Bush White House, Karl Rove has become “the dominant private citizen in the Republican Party,“ according to a new profile in the New Republic.
Politics & Policy
November 28, 2011
Small Town’s Liquor Squabble Is News Fit to Print
Gun Barrel City’s squabble over local liquor laws graces the pages of the New York Times.
The Culture
November 28, 2011
Rising YouTube Star from San Antonio Dubbed Next Bieber
The San Antonio Express-News calls fifteen-year-old YouTube sensation Austin Mahone the “Second Coming of Justin Bieber.”
Sports
November 27, 2011
UT and A&M: Sports Rivals, Academic Friends
Texas A&M’s athletic department may be leaving behind the University of Texas, but they remain linked through academics.
Politics & Policy
November 27, 2011
Today in Perry: Potential Post-Campaign Scenarios, Arpaio Endorsement, and Jay Leno
The governor may have taken a break from the campaign trail for Thanksgiving, but that didn’t stop the campaign press corps.
Politics & Policy
November 27, 2011
Court’s Interim Redistricting Map Claims Aaron Peña
Longtime Rio Grande Valley legislator and recent Republican convert Aaron Peña won’t seek a seat in the next election.
Sports
November 27, 2011
Did the Cowboys Tweet-Block Their Own Cheerleader?
Melissa Kellerman’s Twitter account went MIA after she posted her amused reactions to being “tackled” by Cowboys tight end Jason Witten.
Politics & Policy
November 27, 2011
Abbott’s statement on redistricting
AUSTIN—Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott will file an emergency stay application with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday to halt the implementation of legally flawed redistricting maps drawn by a federal panel in San Antonio. At issue is whether the interim maps imposed by a three-judge redistricting panel violate the
Politics & Policy
November 25, 2011
Pena accepts the inevitable, will not run
Like my former colleague, Patricia Kilday Hart, I always found Aaron Pena to be one of the Legislature’s most interesting members. Pena had no use for the Valley Democratic establishment. Hart chronicled his alienation from the power brokers in a profile for TEXAS MONTHLY earlier this year. He was known
Politics & Policy
November 25, 2011
Breaking news: Roll Call says congressman Charles Gonzalez will not seek reelection
This creates new opportunities for Latinos. Joaquin Castro could run in Gonzalez’s central San Antonio district instead of the weird IH 35 district that connects southeast Travis County to southeast Bexar County, the shape of which arguably violates the requirement that districts must be compact and contiguous. [The Texas Tribune
Politics & Policy
November 23, 2011
Iowa social conservatives seek consensus on a candidate to support; Perry one of four on the list, but …
From CNN: Representatives for leading social conservative groups in Iowa held a secret meeting Monday as part of an effort with one main goal: find and support a Republican presidential candidate who can stop Mitt Romney in Iowa. The idea: avoid splintering the conservative vote in the state by
Politics & Policy
November 23, 2011
The CNN/Heritage Foundation/AEI debate
I don’t have a lot to say about this debate. Perry is showing some improvement. He is more comfortable than he used to be, though that isn’t saying a lot. His demeanor could use some work. Perry comes across as outspoken rather than deliberative, menacing rather than relaxed. Substantively, he
Politics & Policy
November 22, 2011
Why Wendy can win (maybe)(and maybe not)
Readers may or may not be aware that Republican consultant Bryan Eppstein has said that Senate District 10, the Fort Worth district that is represented by Wendy Davis, has a +6 to +7 point Republican advantage, based on the new map drawn by three-judge panel in San Antonio. His conclusions
Eat My Words
November 22, 2011
Thanksgiving with the Gilmores: Recipes From Jack Allen’s Kitchen and Barley Swine chefs
In the years since the first Thanksgiving, families throughout the U.S. have created their own culinary traditions, separate from the archetypal choices. Some opt to forego turkey for Cornish game hens, beef tenderloin, or honey spiraled ham. Some would rather buy cheap, canned jellied cranberries than create their
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2011
Legler seeks stay; calls House members to action on Court map
Here is the the letter Ken Legler sent his GOP colleagues: It is time to take a stand against appointed judges who do not care what the elected legislation and the people of Texas want. The recent ruling maps from the judges in San Antonio does not only affect a
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2011
CNN: Perry supporters in NH complain about lack of communication
From CNN: Rick Perry’s national campaign manager met with a small group of supporters in New Hampshire last Monday, as the Texas governor struggled to recover from campaign stumbles and faced reports his fund-raising operation had significantly slowed. Campaign Manager Rob Johnson spent several days in New Hampshire last
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2011
More on redistricting: just 1 R left in South Texas?
That’s the gist of an e-mail I received from a Republican friend who analyzed the revised House maps. My correspondent believes that the Court sought to eliminate most Republican districts in South Texas, and when the dust clears, only one Republican rep will remain. Start with Aaron Pena. My correspondent
Politics & Policy
November 21, 2011
About Abbott
Republican sources tell me that there is disgruntlement toward the attorney general among Republican House members. Their gripe is: The attorney general’s office had a “lackadaisical” attitude toward the case; or, alternatively, “Abbott didn’t have his A team on this.” Abbott’s ballyhooed strategy was an attempt to win the case
Politics & Policy
November 20, 2011
The Senate redistricting map: why?
The district court left most of the map unchanged. But it did make two significant decisions–one active, the other passive–in the Metroplex, and it did so for no apparent reason. The first major decision involved Craig Estes’s district. It changed Estes’s district from a rural district anchored in Wichita County
Politics & Policy
November 19, 2011
Hemlock by the gallon
The R/D split can be rounded off to 90-60, a solid R majority but enough meat on the bone for the Democrats to mount real opposition. More important, the trend line is in the Democrats’ favor–inexorably so. This year — 2011 — is the last time that Republicans will dominate
Politics & Policy
November 18, 2011
Roll Call on Texas congressional redistricting
This story appeared in today’s edition. A federal court in San Antonio will release an interim Texas Congressional map in the next couple of weeks, and it’s anybody’s guess what the plan will look like. “Based on what happened 10 years ago when a similar process occurred, who the
Politics & Policy
November 18, 2011
Perry defector cites “difficult” staff
From the Houston Chronicle: Former Georgia state Sen. John Douglas blamed his decision to abandon Perry to the candidate’s “difficult” staff and his plummeting public support. Douglas announced his switch on Facebook, both on his personal page and the Rockdale County Republican Party’s page: After very careful consideration and
November 17, 2011
Bum Steer of the Week: Literally
University of Texas fans are fuming about the photo of a “Horns Down” Longhorn that the Alcalde put up on its website.
Politics & Policy
November 17, 2011
Redistricting: the House
I will leave to others an analysis of winners and losers in redistricting. The only point I want to make is something the Republicans refuse to accept: You can’t ignore demographics. Republicans drew a map that maximized Republican seats and ignored Hispanic population gains. No one should be surprised that
Politics & Policy
November 17, 2011
The Interim Redistricting Maps Are Revealed
Instead of drawing you a map, how about a few shortcuts? Here are the key takeaways of what Thursday’s interim redistricting maps mean for our elected officials.
Eat My Words
November 17, 2011
Trailer Thursday: Food Truck Park in Fort Worth Coming
How a food truck scene evolves. First, trucks move around from place to place, in many cases because that’s what city law requires. Then they find a parking lot or vacant lot in which to stay parked all the time. If the landlord has more room to add in
Politics & Policy
November 17, 2011
New UT College Republicans President Continues Offensive Tweeting Tradition
Cassandra Wright is the second University of Texas College Republicans President in just over a month to get into hot water for a tweet about President Obama.
Eat My Words
November 17, 2011
Seasonal Texas Sides for Turkey Day
Next week, we celebrate my absolute favorite food day of the year. The turkey’s nice, don’t get me wrong, but I’ve always been a bigger fan of that particular bird the day after Thanksgiving, served between thick slices of white bread slathered with a healthy dose of mayonnaise and
Politics & Policy
November 17, 2011
Combs on the Formula 1 crisis
Combs’ statement is a welcome but long-overdue acknowledgement that all is not well with the race that may never take place. It appears on the Comptroller’s web site. It’s no secret that I’ve supported Texas hosting a Formula 1 race since 2008. A well-organized event of this magnitude can be
Food & Drink
November 16, 2011
Fort Worth Gets the Metroplex’s First Food Truck Park
In a city where most food trucks are required to be mobile, a new cluster near the West Seventh Street entertainment district will be the prominent exception.
Politics & Policy
November 16, 2011
Meet Ron Paul!
Buoyed by a strong showing in two polls, the "other" Texas presidential candidate finally catches the eye of the Perry-fatigued media.
Politics & Policy
November 16, 2011
UT Student’s Tweet: It’s “Tempting” To Shoot President Obama
Lauren E. Pierce, the president of the College Republicans at the University of Texas, tweeted about the White House shooting suspect Oscar Ramiro Ortego-Hernandez and lands on the national political media's radar.
Politics & Policy
November 16, 2011
Buy or Seliger?
The Quorum Report carries the news that Randy Rives of Odessa will challenge Kel Seliger. Rives is the prototype of a perennial candidate. He has run for state representative (finishing 3rd in the 2008 Republican primary behind Tryon Lewis and Buddy West) and he has run for the State Board
Politics & Policy
November 16, 2011
News you may have missed from the Perry campaign
Posted November 4, on rickperry.org: AUSTIN – Texas Gov. Rick Perry today announced key members of his Idaho campaign leadership team. The state team will be co-chaired by Idaho State Treasurer Ron G. Crane and Ralph D. Perez. Perez will serve as the Perry state network coordinator, leading campaign
November 15, 2011
Whataburger Drug Bust Suspects Get Racy in Squad Car’s Back Seat
Two suspects arrested at a Whataburger outside of Houston find a unique way to kill time while being taken to the precinct.
Politics & Policy
November 15, 2011
Perry: make Congress more like Tx Legislature
It’s hard to figure out what the Perry campaign is trying to do these days. The message varies from day to day. Today it was government reform, a sweeping plan to make Congress resemble the Texas Legislature and federal judges resemble Texas state judges, who must face the voters every
November 15, 2011
Is Austin’s Formula One future already out of gas?
Construction halts on track outside of Austin after state treasurer Susan Combs withdraws previously promised Major Events Trust Fund bucks.
November 15, 2011
Warren Jeffs’ Batty New Writings from Jail
Polygamist leader Warren Jeffs has sent out his third mass mailing of “revelations” from God this year.
BBQ
November 15, 2011
Franklin BBQ Takes Manhattan
Aaron Franklin, who was attending the Second Annual Eater Awards, was smoking briskets at New York City's barbecue joint Hill Country.
Politics & Policy
November 14, 2011
Buffalo Soldiers Museum Gets License Plate, Rips Patterson
Proprietor of Buffalo Soldiers National Museum tells the Houston Chronicle it's “shameful” to compare them to Confederate veterans.
Politics & Policy
November 14, 2011
Public Policy Polling: a Newt ball game
GOP Presidential race Gingrich 28 Cain 25 Romney 18 Perry 6 Bachman/Paul 5 Huntsman 3 * * * * Tweets by PPP about Perry: * 67% of voters nationally now view Rick Perry unfavorably- pretty amazing figure * Perry favorability is 34/48 with California GOP voters…getting towards being under water
Food & Drink
November 14, 2011
PETA Wants Turkey, TX, to Change Its Name to “Tofurky”
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals points its Thanksgiving publicity campaign toward the small Panhandle town of Turkey.
Sports
November 14, 2011
“Cougar High” is now about the University of Houston’s BCS ranking
ESPN “Game Day” puts Saturday’s Univeristy of Houston–Southern Methodist University game on the national stage as undefeated Cougars inch toward their first-ever BCS bowl.
Politics & Policy
November 14, 2011
Fact checking Perry as “commander-in-chief”
Perry had a reasonably good performance at the CBS/National Journal debate, but he has a propensity to exaggerate his record and his accomplishments. Not that every other politician in the history of the world hasn’t done the same. One question moderator Scott Pelley directed to Perry involved his recent gaffe
Politics & Policy
November 13, 2011
Looks like another speaker’s race
The appalling Michael Quinn Sullivan seems to be determined to try once more to undermine Speaker Straus. After all, he was so successful in 2010. With all of his vitriol, unprecedented in speaker’s races, he managed to rouse 15 of 150 House members to vote against Straus. The Quorum Report