The Texas Blue: News
TDP Chipping In
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 2:24pm
I'm not usually a fan of online petitions, because most of the ones I see are in support of silly things, like bringing back Mr. Kotter or making Pocky illegal. But this one is definitely worth it — the TDP has a petition online which you can sign in support of fixing all the problems with CHIP, including doing away with the 90-day waiting period, extending the renewal rate from every six months to every year, and eliminating the assets test. You can find it here.
Who's Blue? State Representative Ellen Cohen
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 1:50pm
On this week's episode of Who's Blue?, I talk with Ellen Cohen, freshman State Representative from District 134 in Harris County.
We discuss her experiences so far in the 80th Session, her work at the Houston Area Women's Center, and legislation concerning the Texas Institute for Regenerative Medicine. Check it out here.
Go Mean Green
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 11:12am
I would be remiss if I didn't point out that the men's basketball team from the University of North Texas, my alma mater, won the Sun Belt Conference title last night, which earned them a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 80's. This is a big deal for UNT, and they join Texas Tech, Texas, and A&M as the Texas delegation.
Wednesday Roundup: Enough Bad News To Go Around
Wed, 03/07/2007 - 9:32am
The information is flowing now about the TYC coverups, and the situation is becoming more troubling for state lawmakers and executive officials. The Dallas Morning News put together a report on complaints and allegations filed since 2000, and discovered that more than 750 have been filed in that time. That story chronicles what is turning into a real mess that probably could have been at least somewhat mitigated by strong leadership within the institution.
How much do you get for falling on your sword these days?
By David Gurney
Tue, 03/06/2007 - 4:49pm
And so, Scooter Libby has done his duty as a good Roman and fallen on his sword. He stood before the Forum and ended his political career in a dazzling Roman finale, as befits any Consul of the Republic.
Department Of inJustice Under Scrutiny
By Josh Matlock
Tue, 03/06/2007 - 3:23pm
A Senate committee is looking into the allegation that Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico) and Rep. Heather Wilson (R-New Mexico) pressured a federal prosecutor on a corruption case against Democratic candidates before the last fall elections.
Bill Tracker: HB 116 - Dropping College Classes
By Karl Lynch
Tue, 03/06/2007 - 2:19pm
This bill prevents college students from dropping more than three classes at any one particular college. The section of the Education Code applies if the student was able to drop the course without receiving a grade or incurring an academic penalty and the student's transcript indicates or will indicate that the student was enrolled in the course. The only two exceptions to the rule are for severe illness of the student or if the student is taking care of a sick person.
Breaking: Libby Verdict
Tue, 03/06/2007 - 10:37am
Scooter Libby is found guilty on four of five counts with which he was charged. There will be endless speculation about this in the next few days, and indeed, within the Texas Blue offices, some of that has already begun. Some of us are convinced he'll receive a pardon just like Caspar Weinberger did in Iran-Contra. I think, if anything, the case will get locked up in legal proceedings until someone throws it out, like they did with Oliver North. However, I think it is much more likely that Scooter may take it for team on this one.
Tuesday Roundup: News, Thy Name Is MySpace
Tue, 03/06/2007 - 9:43am
More has come out this morning about the TYC case, and the following story contains some tales about the hiring protocols and standards employed by the TYC, or perhaps the lack thereof. This is one of the more bizarre headlines to come out of the TYC abuse debacle: one of the TYC officials being investigated has a MySpace page which the Austin American-Statesman's Mike Ward was intrepid enough to dig up. If you're of a certain age or generation, you probably have a MySpace page, but I don't know many 41-year-olds that have them.
John Edwards Thunderdome: Beyond Iowa
Mon, 03/05/2007 - 2:43pm
While the rule about the Iowa caucus is not strictly "two men enter, one man leaves," it is a very important event in the presidential primary timeline. John Edwards has acknowledged the importance of Iowa by spending a great deal of time there since 2004. The DVDs explaining his health care plan that were sent to 70,000 Iowans only reinforce the idea that not only does he consider Iowa to be important, he also thinks he can win there.