Friday, December 31, 2010

Best Movies of 2010

Not really. This list isn't necessarily of the best movies (I didn't see every movie released and some on my list I wouldn't even recommend watching). It also isn't strictly a 2010 list (one movie on it was released in 1938). What it is, is a list of movies I've watched this year that I think are worthy of being remembered.

After the jump, the list, in no particular order, along with my Twitter review for each.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Best Plays of 2010

Not really. More like Best Plays and Concerts and other Live Performances of 2010. But it's not a list of the best, either. It's more like a list of those live performances that I happened to see in 2010. Still, it's traditional to do a "best of ..." list at the end of the year, so that's the title I'm going with.

After the jump, the list along with my Twitter review for each.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Best Books of 2010

Not really. This list isn't necessarily of the best books (some I wouldn't even recommend reading). It also isn't strictly a 2010 list (one book on it was written fifty years ago). What it is, is a list of books I've read this year that I think are worthy of being remembered.

After the jump, the list along with my Twitter review for each.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Say Goodbye to Nonpartisan City Elections

You just thought the election was over. No, in our era of perpetual elections, there's always another election just around the corner. In our case, it's the Richardson City Council election of May, 2011. Today, we hear the starting pistol for that race sound in a story by Ian McCann in The Dallas Morning News. The candidates in the race are likely to be wearing team uniforms this time.

After the jump, an early look at the partisan outlines of the race.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Community Gardens Are Coming to Richardson

Community garden

No, that's not right. Community gardens are already in Richardson. Three are owned and operated by Richardson East Church of Christ, First United Methodist Church and The Epiphany Episcopal Church. So, what's coming to Richardson? Apparently, only a proposal for the city to pay for water for these community gardens. (See city's proposal here and The Dallas Morning News story here.)

After the jump, my thoughts.

Friday, December 24, 2010

What's Wrong With This Macy's Ad?

Macy's Ad

Hint #1: it's not the woman. (It never is.)
Hint #2: it's not Macy's secularization of Christmas. (Still, don't tell Jeffress.)
Hint #3: click on the ad for a close-up detail. (Spoiler alert.)

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Best Congress in a Half Century

The 111th Congress winds up its work in Washington, the most productive Congress in a half century.

  • Federal stimulus bill, including large tax cuts
  • American auto industry rescue
  • Children's health insurance
  • Health insurance reform
  • 9/11 first responders aid package
  • Wall Street reform
  • Credit card reform
  • Creation of Consumer Financial Protection Agency
  • Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" discrimination in our military
  • Nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia

If the 112th Congress does half as well, Americans will be well-served. Here's wishing for a happy 2011.

Locally, our Richardson City Council is also winding down on its own two year term, which ends in May, 2011. It also has been a very productive one so far.

  • Open and transparent government initiatives
    • Televising city council meetings
    • Code of Ethics for City Council members
    • Online checkbook for the city
  • Bond program for streets, parks, municipal buildings
  • Progress on West Spring Valley corridor redevelopment
  • Progress on Bush Station development

If the city can keep the momentum on these last two items before its term ends in May, it will be one of the most productive city councils in my memory. Here's wishing for a happy 2011 locally, too.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

DART Is Packing Them In

"Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
-- Yogi Berra, on why he no longer went to Ruggeri's, a St. Louis restaurant

Rodger Jones, editorial writer for The Dallas Morning News, Richardson resident and regular DART Red Line passenger, has been sounding like Yogi Berra recently in his regular complaints about how crowded his DART Red Line train is (see here, here, here, and here). For example:

"For the record, people were standing on my Red Line before we got out of Richardson this morning, Me included. We never got smashed in like sardines as we headed south, but I'm on the early end of the rush hour and don't know what it's like in the thick of it. ... If we ever get close to that, DART will lose loyal Red Line passengers for sure."
Shorter Rodger Jones: Nobody rides DART anymore. It's too crowded.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Winter Solstice in Texas (2010)

From Flowers

The seasons are late in north Texas. It's 80 degrees and autumn leaves are still in glorious color even though the calendar declares it's the Winter Solstice.

"The winter solstice occurs exactly when the Earth's axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. The 2010 winter solstice will occur on December 21, at 5:38 pm Central Standard Time. This occurs on the shortest day, and longest night, and the sun's daily maximum position in the sky is the lowest.

"Worldwide, interpretation of the event has varied from culture to culture, but most cultures have held a recognition of rebirth, involving holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time."

-- Adapted from Wikipedia

"... holidays, festivals, gatherings, rituals or other celebrations around that time." It's a busy week or two in almost anyone's social calendar.

So, Merry-Kitzmas-Happy-Winter-Solstice-Happy-Festivus-Merry-Christmas-Happy-Kwanzaa-Happy-New-Year, everyone!

Too bad there isn't a one or two-word greeting that people of goodwill could use to mean all that, a greeting that would include all of these holidays and more, a greeting to extend warm wishes to everyone at this time of year. Someone should invent such a greeting.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Shameful Sesquicentennial

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the end of slavery, the most abominable stain on American history. One hundred fifty years ago Christmas Eve, on December 24, 1860, the government of South Carolina declared its secession from the United States of America. You might think this would be an anniversary to be marked by a day of atonement or at least by a vigil remembering the lives and deaths of those who suffered in slavery or died to end it. You would be wrong.

On December 20, 2010, the Sons of Confederate Veterans is holding a $100-per-person celebration, a "Secession Gala", in Charleston, South Carolina. Organizer Jeff Antley says, "It has nothing to do with slavery as far as I'm concerned. What I'm doing is honoring the men from this state who stood up for their self-government and their rights under law -- the right to secede was understood."

Nothing to do with slavery. It's about honoring heritage, not racism. Expect a lot of that shameful rationalization over the next five years, as white Southerners revise history in an attempt to whitewash the original sin of America, slavery, from their heritage.

After the jump, a closer look at the declaration of causes for South Carolina's secession.

Friday, December 17, 2010

Give 'em Hell, Schutze

Jim Schutze of the Dallas Observer is the best thing going in Dallas journalism. (I did say Dallas, not the suburbs, where Schutze's perspective is sometimes cockeyed. And I didn't say north Texas, where even old columns by Molly Ivins, now dead and gone, are still the sharpest writing around. But Schutze rules Dallas journalism.) He does the old-fashioned legwork, digs out the facts, takes nothing at face value, especially the self-serving statements of politicians, then writes up the story, pulling no punches. Exhibit A: Schutze's description of the Texas Railroad Commission:

"the Railroad Commission is a sleazy rogue body without an ounce of moral or political credibility that cannot be trusted to protect the public."

Ouch. After the jump, what led Schutze to that conclusion.

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Keeping Score on the RISD Bond Election

Wildcat-Ram Stadium Scoreboard

The Richardson school district (RISD) is putting together its Christmas wish list, or rather, its capital needs list for a possible bond election in Spring 2011. You know, all the things you need to run a school system like heating and a/c, electrical and plumbing systems, security systems, paint for the walls, tar for the roofs, computer systems for the classrooms, science equipment for the labs, etc., etc. I trust the administrators and school board members will be fiscally responsible and do the right thing for Richardson's parents, students, and taxpayers. The RISD has set a goal of limiting the bond size so there would be no tax increase.

After the jump, my one niggling concern.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Happy Holidays, Youse

I remember growing up in the 1950s when "Happy Holidays" was in common use as a shorthand way of wishing people "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year." Shorthand. That's all. Trust me, there was no intent to elbow Jesus aside in order to be politically correct or multi-culturally sensitive. There were no Muslims or Jews or Kwanzaa-celebrating African-Americans in my social circle, or anyone's social circle in my ethnically pure hometown in the 1950s. The biggest cultural divide was between the Irish Catholics and the German Catholics.

It's a shame that Robert Jeffress, the Grinch at First Baptist Church of Dallas, now insists on misinterpreting my friendly greeting of "Happy Holidays" and spoiling my warm memories of childhood. The growing insistence that I and others use the greeting of "Merry Christmas" in order not to offend him or other sensitive Christians is a demand for political correctness itself. There's irony in that. But, hey, at the heart of political correctness is a desire to avoid giving offense, an attitude very much in the Christmas spirit. So, Merry Christmas, y'all, even the Grinches at First Baptist Church of Dallas.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Response to Concerns about US75/PGBT Development

US75 and PGBT

A high-end, mixed-use development is planned for 140 acres south of President George Bush Turnpike on both sides of US 75 in Richardson. Opposition is arising from a self-organized group calling itself the Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson (recently discussed here).


After the jump, a look at NPAR's concerns.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Not Your Average Load of Apartments

The Great Recession, the housing crash, the commercial real estate slump, the state budget deficit, none of that is stopping Richardson from moving forward. NIMBY attitudes just might.

"The City Plan Commission heard a presentation this week that proposes a mixed-use development in a part of town that has been planning for such a project for the past 13 years. ... The project would be built on nearly 140 acres of undeveloped property that lies on both sides of US 75 south of the Bush Turnpike. ... The City’s 2000 Comprehensive Planning Guide, following community input and ratification by the City Plan Commission and City Council, designated the area for mixed-use transit-oriented development. Earlier this year the City was approached by the area property owners with a plan to create a high-end mixed-use development -- with features similar to Watters Creek in Allen, West Village in Dallas or Legacy Town Center in Plano."

-- "Week in Review", December 10, 2010

Of all that, you know what was heard by the reflexive critics of the city council, don't you? "Our city leaders want a load of apartments built on prime land in Richardson near Central and Bush."

After the jump, a look at Watters Creek and Legacy Town Center.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Collapse

Imagine the world a thousand years from now. Go ahead, I'll wait. What did you come up with? A Jetsons' world with flying cars and moon colonies or a Mad Max post-apocalyptic world of violent gangs looting what's left of civilization? Those are the two most common visions.

After the jump, the outlook by Michael Ruppert, former cop and now an independent writer and the subject of a 2009 documentary titled "Collapse." Hint: the title gives away which vision of the future Ruppert holds. ;-)

Thursday, December 9, 2010

How Not to Deal With Computer Viruses

I found an email in my spam folder this morning. I don't recommend following its advice on how to deal with a computer virus, but its unintended humor did prompt me to post it here, so that part of the spammer's plan worked, I guess.

After the jump, the spammer's email.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Richardson Is Now Transparent

This month, the City of Richardson has started putting the city's check register online. Checks issued by the city, including payee, amount and short description of the goods and services being paid for are now available for public perusal.

This is the third of three major initiatives that the City Council committed to as part of its goals. All three were issues in the council election in 2009, when all the winning candidates expressed support for more open and transparent government. The other two commitments were to televise city council meetings and to adopt a code of ethics. The council previously delivered on both of these promises.

Links to all of Richardson's efforts at improved government transparency can be found on the city's website at www.cor.net/Transparency.aspx. Good job, council.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Untraditional American Values in Farmers Branch

There is no Farmers Branch school district. But that could change if the mayor of Farmers Branch, Tim O'Hare, has his way. He's exploring whether the city of Farmers Branch can withdraw from both the Carrollton-Farmers Branch and Dallas Independent School Districts and form its own school district. (Read The Dallas Morning News stories here and here.)

After the jump, what triggered the mayor of Farmers Branch to involve himself in the public schools? Hint: it has something to do with "traditional American values." That's code for it has something to do with Hispanics.

Signs of Opposition to Development at US75 and PGBT

Fresh off their victory (?) over the rebuilding and expansion of the Lookout Drive trash transfer station, the Neighborhood Protection Alliance of Richardson (NPAR) has focused its attention on the planned development for the open land southeast of the US 75 and the President George Bush Tollway (PGBT). In an email blast (I can't find it on the group's website to link to), NPAR Chair Maitri Smithhisler rallied the neighbors to attend a City Planning Commission meeting Tuesday Dec 7th, at 7PM at City Hall, at which it will be considering the Parliament planned development for the open land.

Now, I'm all in favor of grassroots involvement in civic matters such as this, even if I fear that a reflexive NIMBY attitude is likely to prevail. Smithhisler's email suggests that risk is real in this case, although I'm encouraged by the appearance of an open mind: "Please note: while the significant traffic increase, the massive apartment presence and the form-based code pose great concern, there are many aspects to this development that preliminarily look positive."

Hey, it's the corner of an 8-lane freeway and an 8-lane tollway, with a DART station in the middle and another rail line, the Cotton Belt, on the drawing boards. If that's not tailor-made for high-density development - offices, apartments, retail -- what is? The increased tax base will help pay for those parks and rec centers and trails that everyone else in Richardson likes so much. This kind of development should come as a surprise only to the most clueless home buyers for about the last 20 years. And form-based code is a plus. It's what enables mixed-use and reduces the need for people to use cars to get from a neighborhood zoned residential to a neighborhood zoned commercial. If you want to free Richardson from its shackles to the automobile, support form-based zoning.

So, let's hope that Smithhisler's open mind is genuine and that she can persuade other homeowners to keep an open mind, too.

P.S. My earlier post with comments on the subject, comparing it to another development in downtown Dallas, can be read here.

Monday, December 6, 2010

OTBR: The Parthenon in Nashville

Latitude: 36.1450 N
Longitude: 86.8100 W

A child on a road trip with his family asks, "Where are we?" and the father answers, "Let's check the map. We're off the blue roads [the Interstate Highways marked in blue on the road atlas]. We're off the red roads [the US and state highways]. We're off the black roads [the county highways]. I think we're off the map altogether." It was always my dream to be off the map altogether.

After the jump, a few of the random places (and I mean random literally) that I visited vicariously last month that are "off the blue roads".

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Richardson Santa's Village

From 2010 12 Santas Village

"A heart-warming event for the young and young at heart.....where all of the sights and sounds of the holiday season can be enjoyed! Santa's Village features a variety of dwellings, each with a different activity, and live entertainment on stage."

Santa's Village is located in front of the Richardson City Hall, and will be open from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m., Saturday - Sunday, December 4 - 5, Thursday - Sunday, December 9 - 12, and Thursday - Sunday, December 16 - 19, 2010.

To see more photos from Santa's Village, look here.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Is Texas Too Business Friendly?

Steve Blow (yes, the folksy Metro columnist of The Dallas Morning News) provoked a political debate yesterday with a column asking whether Texas was *too* business-friendly. He points out that Texas ranks 49 out of 50 states in tax revenue per capita but is near the bottom of the rankings in public school quality, clean air and health care.

I know, it sounds blasphemous for a Texan to suggest it's possible to be *too* business friendly, doesn't it? But Steve Blow tossed the question out there anyway, trolling for bites. After the jump, did his bait attract any fish?

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Is Mathematics a Divine Language?

Is mathematics a divine language? That's the provocative question posed by Mark Vernon in an article in the Big Questions Online blog.

Readers may remember that editing BQO is the gig of Rod Dreher, former editorial board member of The Dallas Morning News. I assume he's still at BQO, but it's hard to say for sure because someone at the Templeton Foundation dropped the cone of silence over Dreher last summer after he posted several articles about the construction of an Islamic center in lower Manhattan. (Dreher took the anti-Muslim position, naturally.) The ability of readers to comment on BQO articles was shut off at the same time. Because BQO doesn't allow me (or anyone else, for that matter) to comment on Mark Vernon's article on the BQO website, I'll do so here. :-)

After the jump, is mathematics a divine language?

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Twitter Tracks: Football, Marching Bands and More

Twitter tracks from November, 2010:

  • 2010 11 01 - Lots of people interested in finding out about George M. Clayton. Too late, I'm afraid. Schoolchildren could have used you last March.
  • 2010 11 01 - Northwestern’s opinion of getting picked for the Jan 1 Dallas Football Classic bowl game. "Lord have mercy; please, no!" http://goo.gl/64zv
  • 2010 11 01 - Rally To Restore Sanity is already paying dividends: Headline: "Keith Olbermann Suspends 'Worst Person' Segment" http://goo.gl/rY0o
  • 2010 11 02 - Today's the day. UIL State marching contest. Representing DFW ... "Berkner. Duncanville. Bell. Marcus. All are giants." http://goo.gl/Q5u1
  • 2010 11 02 - The forecast is for conditions to be cold, wet and inhospitable to man or beast. The weather ain't so good, either.
  • 2010 11 02 - Berkner's Mighty Ram Band has qualified for tonight's Finals competition at UIL State marching contest in San Antonio. "Blow my face off."
  • 2010 11 03 - Kudos to Marcus (1), Bell (2), Duncanville (3), Coppell (5), Hebron (6), Berkner (8) for representing DFW well at UIL State marching contest
  • 2010 11 03 - "The only surprise election night was that [Texas Gov. Rick Perry] didn't give his acceptance speech in Iowa." -- Glenn Smith.
  • 2010 11 03 - Likely? How about definitely? Headline: "Huge GOP majority in Texas House likely dooms transportation funding increase." http://goo.gl/jekLj
  • 2010 11 04 - @DalArtsDistrict and @WalkableDFW are talking. That's something at least. Right?

After the jump, more Twitter tracks.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Stefani Carter Supporter "Feels Like a Fool"

The celebrations following the Republican sweep of Texas state offices in the November election didn't last long. The knives are out as the victors, fresh from vanquishing the Democrats, now turn on each other to root out those Republicans whose conservatism is not deemed pure enough. The first litmus test: choice of speaker of the Texas House.

After the jump, a Stefani Carter supporter expresses disappointment and Carter's surprising response.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Richardson Trash Talk: Pointing Fingers

The neighborhood group got the agreement it wanted with the city and the water district. So why do the neighbors still seem so unhappy? Perhaps a case of buyer's remorse? Perhaps because they didn't get everything they hoped for? Perhaps because they didn't get a legally binding agreement? Perhaps because they misunderstood who they were dealing with? Perhaps a little bit of all of these.

After the jump, the latest trash talk from Richardson regarding the renovation and expansion of the Lookout Drive trash transfer station.

BCS Bowl Madness

Unbeaten TCU likely won't have a chance on the playing field to make its case for being the best football team in the land this year. Even though no team TCU has faced this year has been able to stop them, the BCS powers-that-be have, using polls and computers to decide that TCU doesn't even belong in the so-called national championship game.

After the jump, more craziness of college football.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Christmas at Firewheel

From 2010 11 Garland Firewheel

To see more photos, click here.

Black Friday: Now Safe From Natural Disasters

Anyone have trouble finding a parking spot because of that 40-foot long tractor trailer parked in the Target parking lot in east Richardson on Black Friday? That was the Richardson Police Department's new "mobile command unit". The police say "it provides a deterrent to crime." I'm sure it does, but is it a cost-effective way to do that? The police say it will be used in response to natural disasters and SWAT operations. I'm sure it will, if R-town ever suffers a hurricane or terrorist strike.

After the jump, why this 40-foot long tractor trailer is in Richardson and not, say, in a city much more likely to be struck by terrorists?

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Bad PR from the PR Guy in Richardson

Silver Jubilee plaque

Queen Elizabeth II is looking forward to celebrating her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, marking her 60 years on the throne. Expect parties and parades in celebration. Expect markers and plaques to be installed to serve as a reminder of the celebration long into the future. For example, even today, 33 years later, walk between any of London's key attractions and you will notice discs embedded in the sidewalk honoring the Queen on her Silver Jubilee in 1977.

After the jump, Richardson's own discs.

 

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Richardson's Walkability

Richardson's Walk Score Heat Map

Are you thinking of buying a house and care about being able to walk to restaurants, grocery stores, schools, parks and entertainment? The map above is a heat map, with colors indicating walkability (green indicates walkable; red indicates car-dependent).

After the jump, how Richardson fares.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Department Store Time Machine

Neiman Marcus
Photo by Elliott Muñoz

All good time travel stories need a time machine. H.G. Wells used a Victorian sled. For us, light rail provided the vehicle.

Waiting at the Richardson DART station was a couple wearing Dallas Stars' jerseys. It wasn't hard to guess where they were headed. Also waiting was a young couple with two children, aged about 4 and 2. I think I know where this family was headed, too, and it wasn't to a hockey game. The boy was excited by the adventure by train, asking questions only a four year old can ask. "What are we waiting for?" The simple answer, a train, wasn't what he really wanted to know. "Why is this a train station?" Syntactically fine, yet impossible to know exactly what he meant or how to answer. Across the tracks was a billboard for a 4G cell phone service that promised "Waiting for the train was never this entertaining." I had to agree, but not because of the video streaming offered by my mobile phone provider.

After the jump, our train ride to a younger America.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Politics and Dining Out in Richardson

Restaurant Scores

The Richardson Coalition is a political action committee (PAC) perhaps best known for its infamous mailer before the 2009 City Council elections, which many thought was misleading and/or unfair. The PAC is now endorsing restaurants as well as candidates.

A recent PAC editorial brags that "Richardson has attracted almost 100 new restaurants in the last three years. ... We encourage you try a number of local restaurants. You may be pleasantly surprised at the variety, high quality of food, and service." The PAC promotes a program, "Dine Smart, Dine Local," by the Richardson Chamber of Commerce to encourage patronizing Richardson restaurants.

After the jump, what about inspection scores by the Richardson Health Department?

Thursday, November 18, 2010

President Obama Bestows Science Medals

"I've danced with a man, who's danced with a girl, who's danced with the Prince of Wales."
-- Herbert Farjeon, 1927

Dr. Amnon Yariv and President Barack Obama
Amnon Yariv and President Obama

From the Associated Press: "From super glue to microchips to digital cameras, President Barack Obama on Wednesday celebrated the brains behind these inventions and other breakthroughs as examples of 'the promise of science.'"

After the jump, my own two degrees of separation from this celebration of science.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Trail at Yale, FAIL

Richardson, Texas, has an abundant and growing urban trail system. Not only are more trails being added all the time, existing trails are being enhanced and expanded. For example, in the Duck Creek Linear Park, the spillways in the creek bed were reinforced for erosion control; the Tree the Town initiative planted a hundred trees along the trail; and a side trail was added through Huffhines Park connecting to the Glenville Trail. This constant attention to the quality of life in Richardson is much appreciated.

Still, there's been one aspect of the Duck Creek Trail that I've never been happy with. After the jump, see if you can spot what it is.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Guess the University Behind the Essay Prompt

It's that time of year when high school seniors are applying to colleges. That means writing the dreaded essay to show that they are expressive, creative, unique, or whatever other mysterious traits university admissions directors are looking for this year.

After the jump, one particular essay question that reveals as much about the school as the essays reveal about the applicants.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Speaking English: Perilous Debt

"Americans for Prosperity Citizen Watchdog Leader." Whew! That noun stack is a mouthful. I think it means Grand Poobah of the anti-tax crowd. It's how one Adrian D. Heath is described on the AFP Texas website, where his November 8, 2010, testimony before the Texas House County Affairs Committee is published.

Heath complains of elected officials "encumbering our real property with perilous debt." Heath says "perilous debt" kind of like you might imagine him saying "dastardly villain," taking it for granted that debt is perilous just like villains are dastardly.

Heath believes that debt is contrary to the whole purpose of government. After the jump, what Heath believes that purpose is.

Friday, November 12, 2010

All Richardson, All The Time

Richardson Times

How often do you drive by a strip shopping center and wonder how long some new business or other will last? You know, the new knickknacks-and-more store, or the 50-flavors-of-popcorn store or the cake decorating store? A year? Six months? You wish the owner the best of luck, but you wouldn't bet on the business overcoming the high mortality rate of small businesses.

After the jump, a new business venture that has me figuring the odds again.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Putting a Lid on the Trash Talk

VJ Day Times Square Kiss

Our long municipal nightmare is over. The trash talk has reached consensus on Sixteen Points that make our neighborhoods fit and safe to live in. Peace is at hand. Even though light at the end of the tunnel has been glimpsed before, this time it's for real. Really. For sure. Pinky swear. Probably. Maybe.

After the jump, the good news from the peace talks.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Rick Perry vs Jon Stewart

Rick Perry and Jon Stewart

This week, Gov. Rick Perry (R-TX) got into the ring with a heavyweight and came out unscathed. Rick Perry is making the media rounds plugging his book "Fed Up!" One of his stops was "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." Jon Stewart didn't lay a glove on him.

After the jump, some thoughts about the highly anticipated (at least in Texas) match of wits.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

OTBR: A Gentle Stretch of the Deschutes River

Latitude: 43.9322 N
Longitude: 121.4190 W

A child on a road trip with his family asks, "Where are we?" and the father answers, "Let's check the map. We're off the blue roads [the Interstate Highways marked in blue on the road atlas]. We're off the red roads [the US and state highways]. We're off the black roads [the county highways]. I think we're off the map altogether." It was always my dream to be off the map altogether.

After the jump, a few of the random places (and I mean random literally) that I visited vicariously last month that are "off the blue roads".

Monday, November 8, 2010

Senior Taxes: Pay Now Or Pay Later

Richardson City Council member Amir Omar keeps trying to sell his senior tax freeze. He ran on the idea when he won election to the council in 2009. He lobbied his fellow council members in a July council work session. This week, he was back. There was nothing new to change the analysis I offered in July.

After the jump, rehashing old arguments.

Myths About the Stimulus and Bailouts

Things everybody believes are true that really aren't:

  • The Bush administration's TARP bank bailout cost American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars. Wrong.

  • The Obama administration's loans to General Motors and Chrysler cost the American taxpayers billions of dollars. Wrong.

  • The Obama administration's stimulus package led to a huge increase in government spending. Wrong.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Speaking English: Man Up

Sarah Palin said President Obama didn't have the "cojones" to crack down on illegal immigration. Christine O'Donnell told Chris Coons to get his "man pants" on. And, most famously, Sharron Angle told Harry Reid to "man up."

After the jump, what such language tells us about the state of American society today.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The Election is Over. Here Comes the Election.

In the American political system, the next election campaign begins the morning after the votes are counted in the last one. Will Sarah Palin run? (Yes.) Will President Obama draw a serious challenger for his party's nomination? (No.) Those are the big early questions for the 2012 presidential election. (You heard the answers here first.) But there are local elections to watch that are much, much closer on the election calendar.

After the jump, a look at the local elections ahead and what, if anything, the state and federal elections just ended can tell us about them.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

When the Lights Go On Again

"When the lights go on again all over the world
And the boys are home again all over the world
And rain or snow is all that may fall from the skies above
A kiss won't mean 'goodbye' but 'Hello to love'

When the lights go on again all over the world
And the ships will sail again all over the world
Then we'll have time for things like wedding rings and free hearts will sing
When the lights go on again all over the world"

-- by Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus, Eddie Seiler

Is there a song at once more sad and still so hopeful as this #1 hit tune from 1943, a time of battles and blackouts during World War II?

After the jump, what that song has to say to us today.