BRAZOSPORT NEWS

Sheila Jackson Lee labeled top `Aisle Hog' for persistence at presidential speeches

Tue, 25 Jan 2011 21:14:00 +0000

Over the years we've noted with wonder and awe the dedication shown by US Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, at the annual State of the Union speech.

She seems to be everywhere in her quest for face time (and TV time) with whomever happens to be president.

Other people have noticed, too, which leads us to share this item we spotted today.

Merry Christmas

Fri, 24 Dec 2010 21:23:00 +0000

John Lennon's acoustic home demo of "Julia" from way back in 1968

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 05:40:00 +0000

Journalists should bare all and drop the pretense of objectivity, says Alan D. Mutter

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 03:46:00 +0000

Is time for journalists to declare who or what they believe in before they go about the business of gathering and reporting news?

Media critic Alan D. Mutter think so.

Says Mutter:

journalists not only possess valuable insights into the matters they cover but also have an absolute obligation to share their perspectives with the public after diligently gleaning all sides of a story in an ethical and open-minded manner.

For journalists to be able to report effectively on the news and its significance, we have to replace the intellectually indefensible pretense of objectivity with a more authentic standard that journalists actually can live up to.

The way to do that is to treat the public like adults by providing the clearest possible understanding of who is delivering news and commentary – and where they are coming from. Hence, the following proposal:

Let’s take advantage of the openness and inexhaustible space of the Internet to have every journalist publish a detailed statement of political, personal and financial interests at her home website and perhaps even in a well publicized national registry. Full disclosure would enable consumers to make their own informed judgments about the potential biases and believability of any journalist.

This standard will work as well for journalists and media outlets committed to down-the-middle reporting as those desiring to express a point of view.

A superb example of how detailed disclosure could work can be found at AllThingsD.Com, where co-editors Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg unsparingly bare their personal interests.

Mike Reed wins public service award for coverage of Metro shennanigans

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:14:00 +0000

We've pretty much washed our hands of covering journalism awards, but this one stood out because it is illustrative of how lackluster the Houston Chronicle's news coverage has become in recent years.

The award of which we speak was handed out to Mike Reed, a reporter for the weekly chain of newspapers in Houston that are known collectively as "The Examiners." (Reed is pictured above, on the left, with his writing coach at her part-time day job.)

He was cited for his coverage of the apparent mess that is "Metro" and all that it entails.

In an e-mail that was issued to by a vice president of the company that owns The Examiners and 60 or so other daily and weekly newspapers in East Texas and Colorado, the below was stated:

One last thing, especially for those who don’t work in Houston. I think it’s appropriate to make sure we understand the purpose behind the top editorial award we give every year: The Tom Jacobs Community Service Award. Tom served as editor of the Pearland and Friendswood Journals before his passing a little more than a year ago (Nov. 12, 2009, to be precise). He was one of the kindest men you’d ever meet, but he had an incredible tone with his pen. He could make readers laugh, and he could make public officials squeamish. He knew how to stand up for his readers, and the priority of his newspapers was always to put the good of the community ahead of any one individual.

You can read more about the winner in the attachment, but I thought it would be nice to include a photo of the inaugural award, given to Mike Reed of the Examiner Newspapers for his incredibly thorough coverage of Houston’s public transportation system. Mike literally stayed three steps ahead of every media outlet, breaking story after story about some of the corruption in Metro’s plan for construction of a light rail through chunks of the Examiner coverage area. The results of Mike’s reporting were far-reaching, to say the least. The chairman and CEO of Metro offered his resignation; the federal government launched an investigation into Metro’s funding application; the state opened an investigation into bond sale practices; the district attorney investigated potential criminal misconduct of Metro officers for not releasing public records; and the new mayor of Houston fired all city appointees on the Metro board. Mike would probably have us tell you he wasn’t the only one reporting on this “circus,” but media across the city gave him credit for leading the way.

Mike is a humble guy, but he should know Tom Jacobs would be proud, as are the rest of us.

Congratulations to Mike and the rest of our winners.

This likely won't come as a surprise to some observors of the media scene in Houston, such as the gang at blogHouston, who have commented previously on Reed's relentless bird doggin' of Metro.

Wikileakage -- Taiwanese style

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 06:07:00 +0000

Unintentional Double Intendres

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 02:22:00 +0000

1. Ted Walsh - Horse Racing Commentator - 'This is really a lovely horse. I once rode her mother.'
2. New Zealand Rugby Commentator - 'Andrew Mehrtens loves it when Daryl Gibson comes inside of him.'
3. Pat Glenn, weightlifting commentator - 'And this is Gregoriava from Bulgaria . I saw her snatch this morning and it was amazing!'
4. Harry Carpenter at the Oxford-Cambridge boat race 1977 - 'Ah, isn't that nice. The wife of the Cambridge President is kissing the Cox of the Oxford crew.'
5. US PGA Commentator - 'One of the reasons Arnie (Arnold Palmer) is playing so well is that, before each tee shot, his wife takes out his balls and kisses them .... Oh my god !! What have I just said??'
6. Carenza Lewis about finding food in the Middle Ages on 'Time Team Live' said: 'You'd eat beaver if you could get it.'
7. A female news anchor who, the day after it was supposed to have snowed and didn't, turned to the weatherman and asked, 'So Bob, where's that eight inches you promised me last night?' Not only did HE have to leave the set, but half the crew did too, because they were laughing so hard!
8. Steve Ryder covering the US Masters: 'Ballesteros felt much better today after a 69 yesterday.'
9. Clair Frisby talking about a jumbo hot dog on Look North said: 'There's nothing like a big hot sausage inside you on a cold night like this. '
10 Mike Hallett discussing missed snooker shots on Sky Sports: 'Stephen Hendry jumps on Steve Davis's misses every chance he gets.'
11. Michael Buerk on watching Philippa Forrester cuddle up to a male astronomer for warmth during BBC1's UK eclipse coverage remarked: 'They seem cold out there, they're rubbing each other and he's only come in his shorts.'

12. Ken Brown commentating on golfer Nick Faldo and his caddie Fanny Sunneson lining-up shots at the Scottish Open: 'Some weeks Nick likes to use Fanny, other weeks he prefers to do it by himself.'

(My longtime Baytown, TX, pal Jim Hill sent me this. If, for some reason, it's inaccurate, I apologize to the persons quoted. I will add that Jim, who's an artist who works in a chemical plant, would not intentionally misquote or spread ill will toward anyone. The guy volunteers his time to work with Texas prison inmates, so he's a good guy with a big heart. That is all.)

Little kids playing tackle football! Risking life & limb!! Concussions!!! Pop him the mouth, son! (Narration by me, Banjo Jones)

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:11:00 +0000

Watch -- no matter how you feel about the War

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 12:36:00 +0000

Ron Paul is looking tan & rested

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 04:44:00 +0000

In a recent appearance on CNN with Anderson Cooper, I couldn't help but notice the congressman for the Fightin' 14th District (Brazosport & environs) is looking quite dapper, which is to say, better groomed than I remember, as well as healthier, more vital-looking and less harried.

What is going on? The guy is tan. No more Mr. Pasty Face.

In the embedded clip, he tells Mr. Cooper we are living in revolutionary times, that Keynesianism is in its death throes and that everyone is fed up with Washington.

On that last point, I do believe he's right. Point No. 1 and No. 2, I don't know.

But he's tan and has what appears to be a new suit. I would say that means he's fo' sho' running for President. What say you?

Texans O-Line get Face Time on NFL.COM

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 04:02:00 +0000

Offensive linemen never get much glory, but the lads on the Texans O-line get some now following the 230-yard rushing performance of Arian Foster last week against the Colts.

Isn't that nice?

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst ... wants me?

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:42:00 +0000

This was in my inbox today. Kinda weird. I mean, I know I'm the "first blog martyr" (that's what I read anyway) but I haven't been real active in Bloggerville lately (sort of outta gas; know you can relate most likely) ... but still and all, I just don't see how can I help this feller ... (Also, I think he did something with which I disagreed at one point in his public service career, but for the life o' me I can't remember what it was) ...

Anyhow, here's the pitch:

Banjo,

In today’s rapidly changing world of digital media, bloggers such as you are becoming increasingly important sources of information about news and current events. That is why I want to invite you to join my campaign and become part of the Bloggers for Dewhurst coalition.

As a member of my blogger coalition, we will add you to the campaign blogroll and get you signed up for blogger exclusives from the campaign. If you are ever interested in a guest post on your blog, please let me know.

I would love to have you on the team so please reply back and let me know.

Keep up the good work with Brazosport News. I look forward to working with you, and reading your blog posts, as we head into the final months of the 2010 campaign!

Thanks,

- Lt Gov David Dewhurst

Pants on the Ground -- on a TV Newsguy!!

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 03:28:00 +0000

via Mike McGuff, who explains:

I've worked with TV news anchors who wear jeans and yes even shorts under the news desk during a newscast but just boxers? That is a new one for me.

The above anchor must have been concentrating hard on his show and when it was time to talk to his producer during the closing credits, he turns his chair around to reveal more than the audience bargained for. Could this be a ratings stunt? Fake video? I'll let you debate that.

I once tried wearing a Speedo for a week while I blogged, but didn't notice any improvement in my writing or content. In fact I think it just disgusted my wife. Guess this really doesn't have anything to do with the above video so I will just shut up now.

Bernard Pollard's pottymouth mars otherwise great win over Indy Colts

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:55:00 +0000

"The Falling Man" -- a documentary on 9/11

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 04:34:00 +0000

Almost 5 million have watched this documentary on the World Trade Center attacks of 9/11.

It tells the events of that day, but unlike other documentaries, it focuses on attempts after the attack to identify a man in an AP photo who chose to jump from the WTC before he asphyxiated or burned up.

Media critics likely will view it as further proof of the excesses of journalism, but for me, it's reinforcement of my view that we shouldn't be afraid of the truth, however painful it may be.

The paywall at thefacts.com

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:36:00 +0000

Are any of you ponying up the dough to read the online Facts if you are not a subscriber?

(I'm not, but that's beside the point.)

The reason I ask is that Mike McGuff has reported that the Houston paper decided a paywall wouldn't work.

Does The Facts know something the almighty Chron doesn't?

Brother Can You Spare a Dime - Dr.John & Odetta

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:28:00 +0000

Pissin' in the wind

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:32:00 +0000

We received a missive today from Rachel Mills, press secretary to our congressman Ron Paul, which reads:

Washington D.C. (July 23, 2010) – The House of Representatives is expected to act next week on a privileged resolution introduced last night by Congressmen Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and Ron Paul (R-TX). The resolution directs the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove the United States Armed Forces from Pakistan.

“We have known that U.S. forces have been operating in secret inside the territories of Pakistan without Congressional approval. We recently learned from an article in the Wall Street Journal titled, ‘U.S. Forces Step Up Pakistan Presence’ that the United States is engaged in a covert strategy to increase our troops’ role there incrementally, with the goal of convincing Pakistan to be more accepting of our presence. This is a violation of the 1973 War Powers Resolution and it is our Constitutional responsibility as Members of Congress to act,” said Kucinich.

“The US military has significantly increased its activity in Pakistan – both in troop presence and Predator attacks – at a time when there are, according to the CIA, very few al-Qaeda members in that country. This increasing US military activity in Pakistan has little to do with protecting the United States and in fact is creating more enemies than it is defeating. The administration, like its predecessor, is misusing language in the original post-9/11 resolution to prosecute a wider regional war and Congress is sitting quietly on the sidelines. This must stop,” said Paul.

The introduction of H. Con. Res. 301 follows a promise last December to introduce bills to remove the U.S. forces from both Afghanistan and Pakistan. In March of this year, the House of Representatives debated H. Con. Res. 248, Kucinich’s resolution to debate and vote on whether to continue the war in Afghanistan.

Carry on.

In memoriam

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 03:15:00 +0000

You're driving along and it's a good day but then you spot a pickup ahead with a message on the back windshield and on the tailgate.

Michael "Eyre" is written along the top of the windshield, above the image of a soldier's helmet resting atop a rifle butt, the rifle's bayonet buried in the ground. At the bottom: "My son, my hero"

On the tailgate is a black ribbon set against a red, white and blue background.

At the top of the black ribbon it says "Tallil Iraq" and "Cpl. Michael E. Thompson" and "He Gave All" and "9-18-08"

The pickup moves on and you move on thinking, Jesus, what a waste.

**************************************
The story in the newspapers

Enviros lower their sights

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 18:39:00 +0000

The state agency that's supposed to police industrial pollution will undergo a sunset review and the enviros already have signaled they've lowered their goals.

The vice chairman of the sunset commission is our own Dennis Bonnen, the state rep from Angleton.

Will he welcome the enviros' new, pragmatic approach or continue to paint them as enemies of the people?

What say you, Mr. Bonnen?

The annals of failed hookups

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 19:35:00 +0000

From Deadspin ...

It was my last day at college for the semester, and I was leaving the state the following day to go back to my annual summer amusement park job. Over finals week, I had gotten pretty close with a girl (who I'll call Meg) and I knew this was my last chance to seal the deal before departing for three months.
We were at her house on a Saturday afternoon, when she got a knock on the door. A good friend of hers had stopped by briefly to say goodbye for the summer. This gave me a much-needed opportunity to use her bathroom for a monster dump.
This wasn't another of the liquid explosions that ruins so many hook-up attempts, but a very large solid #2. With no fans or windows in her bathroom, I knew it needed to be a quick mission-drop it and flush as quickly as possible. I was very confident in my ability to pull this off. Just as I was about to wipe up, I heard Meg invite her friend into the living room, which bordered the bathroom. I finished wiping, pulled up my pants, flushed, and... dammit. It wasn't going down.
Water was rising and nearly ready to flow over the bowl, and my crap was floating near the top, spinning around with the rising water. No plunger was anywhere to be found. Thinking quickly, I emptied her trash can and began scooping water from the toilet and into the bathtub to prevent overflow. It appeared I had at least stopped the overflow, but there was still that giant crap to deal with.
Digging through the cupboard under the sink, I found an old plastic sack with some rags in it. I picked the poop out of the toilet, placed it into the plastic bag and tied it shut, then washed my hands over and over, and added the final touch by spraying some sort of cleaning fluid everywhere to mask the odor.
I knew there was no way around the girls in the living room, so I was left with two options-either leave the bag of shit in the bathroom, or just make a run for it past them and dispose of the bag. I opted for the latter. I opened the bathroom door, darted through the living room, scurried through the kitchen, flung open the door, and side-armed that bag of crap as far as I could throw. It landed near Meg's friend's car in the parking lot.
"What the hell was that?!" asked Meg as I returned to the living room. "Why does it smell like Clorox in here?"
I thought about making up an elaborate story, but decided perhaps she and her friend would find this story humorous, so I actually told the truth. After I delivered the final line, I waited for the eruption of laughter. The only response to my tale was "So where did you throw the bag of shit?" We looked out the window and saw a pair of stray dogs clawing at it. There was to be no last-day hook-up.

BP

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 04:32:00 +0000

Back in 2005, when the BP refinery in Texas City blew up and killed 15 workers, we blogged our outrage about the safety deficiencies at the plant.

Today, the New York Times took a look at BP's history in a story headlined,

In BP’s Record, a History of Boldness and Costly Blunders

The Texas City explosion was beginning of the end for John Browne, the head of BP who received a knighthood and membership in the House of Lords after he took the company to new heights amid a radical program of company cost-cutting, the newspaper reports.

Writes The Times:

"....Mr. Browne’s fall from grace really began on March 23, 2005, when 15 people died and more than 170 were injured in America’s worst industrial accident in a generation: a huge fire and explosion at Texas City.

A Troubled Workplace

"Acquired by BP in the Amoco purchase, the Texas City plant was America’s second-largest refinery, turning 460,000 barrels of crude oil a day into gasoline. But the facility, built in 1934, was poorly maintained and long starved of capital investment.

" 'We have never seen a site where the notion ‘I could die today’ was so real,'" the Telos Group, a consulting firm hired to examine conditions at the plant, said in a report two months before the accident.

"The explosion occurred when a 170-foot tower was being filled with liquid hydrocarbons. Because of poor communication among several workers who had been on 12-hour shifts for more than a month straight, no one noticed that the tower was filled too high.
"A 20-foot geyser of unstable chemicals shot into the sky, and the vapor ignited when a contractor, trying to get away, repeatedly tried to start the engine on his stalling pickup truck.
"The subsequent investigations were scathing. The explosion was “caused by organizational and safety deficiencies at all levels of BP,” the United States Chemical Safety Board concluded in one report.
"The government ultimately found more than 300 safety violations, and BP agreed to pay a then record $21 million in fines."

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***
After that, of course, Tony Hayward took the reins of BP, and we think you know what happened next.

This sort of stuff (the Texas City explosion, the Deepwater Horizon explosion and oil spill) is just the cost of maintaining a "healthy business climate" in the eyes of many of our elected office holders in Texas, but we ain't buying it and neither should you.

Ron Paul may make 2012 prez run

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 01:58:00 +0000

He hinted heavily on CNN that he may make another go of it.

“It is probably hard to believe, but I look at it a little bit differently than others,” Paul said in an interview during his recent visit to Iowa. “I don’t expect to be president. I don’t expect to be. That doesn’t mean I won’t run for president, but I am really energized when I think we make inroads … to broaden the outreach on the philosophy I have been talking about for 40 years.” [...]
“I am very serious about thinking about it all the time,” Paul said about his possible presidential aspirations. “My answer is always the same thing: You know I haven’t ruled it out, but I have no plans to do it.”

Says Mediate:

This time around, Paul would have much more name recognition than on his first run, given that 2008 saw him rise— both metaphorically and, in blimp form, literally— as an internet superstar and the heir apparent to the Libertarian throne. He also led the first post-British rule incarnation of the Tea Party movement, a monster of a political effort now wrested out of his hands by social conservative icon Sarah Palin.

So while Paul is probably right in not expecting to be President, he could prove a significantly stronger spoiler in a field defined by the divisions between those who support social freedoms and those who don’t (while national security is also a point of contention between conservatives and libertarians, this particular point is nowhere near as much of a wedge in the Republican Party as social issues are). And by openly declaring that he has no interest in winning a campaign he would still want to be a part of, he may be working towards a new standard of ideologically-driven candidates that are out to send a message more than to regain power. Yes, it’s not like Ross Perot,Ralph Nader, or– if you really want to go back in time– Eugene Debs didn’t do the same, but none of them quite reached the pseudo-mythical status Paul has as the original Tea Partier.

2012 is going to be a fun year.

"Nowhere Boy" traces Beatles origins

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 02:48:00 +0000

Happy 4th of July

Sun, 04 Jul 2010 01:23:00 +0000