Recently in Houston Category

Occupy Houston and Occupy Austin protestors are facing felony charges for taking part in civil disobedience earlier this month outside the Port of Houston. The felony charges had at first been dismissed by a judge, but have now be reinstated by a Harris County grand jury empanelled by the Harris County District Attorney's office.There is little doubt in my mind that these charges are about scaring off further acts of protest in our county. This is...

A few days ago I saw a blue FEMA tarp still on a roof here in Houston.These tarps were all over right after Hurricane Ike in 2008.I believe Galveston still has a number of homes with the tarps still in place. But I have not taken any pictures of those tarps.While you can't see it very well in this picture, the word FEMA is visible at the top of the tarp.Here is the FEMA website. People...

Incumbent Houston Independent School District Board member Manuel Rodriguez circulated anti-gay campaign materials during his recent reelection bid.(Above--Citizens of our community calling for the resignation of Manuel Rodriguez.)Mr. Rodriguez won his race by 24 votes.A website has been established to call for Mr. Rodriguez's resignation from the board. There is also a Facebook page called Remove The HISD Bully.How can Mr. Rodriguez well-serve any HISD student? The rights and dignity of all people are connected.If Mr. Rodriguez...

Republican Houston City Council At-Large # 5 candidate Jack Christie recently sent out a campaign mailer in which I am quoted.  Mr. Christie is in a runoff election against incumbent Democrat Jolanda Jones.(Above--Smiling Jack Christie.) Here is what Mr. Christie quotes me as saying about Ms. Jones---"Her story on Council seems in good part to be of an opportunity missed."I did indeed write that. What is not mentioned, however, is that I also endorsed Ms. Jones...

Thank you to the Occupy Houston protestors to marched yesterday in Downtown Houston. Regretfully, I was not able to attend this march which was held in part to mark two months since the beginning of the Occupy effort in New York city.(Both photos in this post are from the Occupy Houston Facebook page. Above are folks in Market Square Park getting set to march yesterday afternoon. Below are non-violent protestors engaging in civil disobedience on...

There will be a protest later today against newly reelected Houston Independent School Board Member Manuel Rodriguez.Mr. Rodriguez, who won by 24 votes, circulated what many view--including myself---as anti-gay campaign materials.Mr. Rodriguez has apologized. That is not enough in this case.  There is simply no way that Mr. Rodriguez can be seen as an advocate for all kids in Houston schools. Nor can he be seen as an example to follow by either students or...

Green candidate Amy Price is simply the best candidate in any City Council race on the 2011 Houston ballot.General Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.(Above--Ms. Price) Here is Ms. Price's website.Ms. Price is running in At-Large 4 against incumbent C.O.Bradford.While Mr. Bradford asserts he is a Democrat, he is endorsed by the Texas Conservative Review. Mr. Bradford has in the past been a poor Chief of Houston Police as he mishandled administration the city crime lab, and is today a Houston...

It is time for our Houston municipal elections.(Above--Houston City Hall.)Early voting runs October 24-November 4. General Election Day is November 8.Here is a link to help you find out where to vote.Who can a liberal or progressive support in these elections?As is so often the case in Houston, the pickings are slim.Houston city elections are low-turnout affairs in which an electorate not representative of Houston's demographics chooses from candidates who discuss a very narrow range...

Here are some pictures from the 12th day of Occupy Houston.I took these pictures a few hours ago.Below---When I went to Occupy Houston this time around, there were about 35 people taking part. This is at Tranquility Park in Downtown Houston.  In talking to a few people I've gotten to know, I was told that the crowd ebbs and flows based on the time of day and what is taking place. Occupy Houston is not...

Below are five photos from Occupy Houston that I took yesterday.The Occupy Houston has been going on for a week so far.  1. New participants are always welcome.2. Each day there is an agenda.3. If you come to visit or to stay overnight--There will be some healthy food for you to eat.4. The Occupied Wall Street Journal from the New York Occupy Wall Street effort relates the news from where this movement began.5. This fine...