Campaign Blog: News & Updates

Texas Monthly had a nice cover story on Joel Osteen as the Lakewood folks moved their church a little closer for me to make it out to (for which I'm grateful). Looks like there's going to be a followup of sorts, with Evan Smith doing some Q&A with Joel in the November issue. Evan posted a preview of it on his blog due to the timeliness of his brother-in-law's church in Arlington being in the news over the cancellation of a funeral for a gay veteran. Here's the excerpt, for now. More to scribble down when the mag hits the stands.

Is there any sort of person who might have sinned to whom you would say, "We don’t agree with you or support you or support your lifestyle. We don’t welcome you into this church?"

No, there wouldn’t be anybody. It’s open to anybody of any faith. That’s what the church should be.

In any circumstance?

In any circumstance. I mean, unless it was a legal situation.

I want to ask you about your sister’s church [High Point Church, in Arlington], which had planned to host a memorial service for a soldier, a veteran of the first Gulf War, but reversed course when the soldier turned out to have been gay. A lot of people have asked if Joel Osteen, in a similar situation, would have allowed the service to go on at his church.

We have buried and honored anybody from any walk of life, and, in defense of them, they have too. [The family] wanted their own officiants to come in there, their own pastors to come in there, and [my sister and her husband] didn’t feel comfortable with turning their church over to somebody they didn’t know. That’s the difference. Gary, my brother-in-law, and my sister would do anybody’s funeral in the world.

Have they previously done memorial services or funerals for homosexuals in the church?

I have not asked, but I would almost guarantee you that they have.

Have you done services for gay people in your church?

Yes.

So in a similar situation, if the family had come to you and had asked for its own officiants at your church, your policy also may have been to turn that down? It has to be your officiants?

It does.

It's a management issue more than a moral issue.

Right.

If the family had not asked for its own officiants and said, "We would like to have the service here…"?

We would do it. I’d take anybody.

The events surrounding both High Point Church and Cecil Sinclair don't contain convenient villains or easy heroes despite the best efforts of reporters to shoehorn this into just some church that hates gays. The church's statement can be found here and underscores some of the ways in which the church did act positively. That said, the family got late notice - and via email at that - about the cancellation. By no means does that sound like the best solution for the situation.

Yes Prep starting up at Lee High School ... as in inside Lee High School. Nice story here in the Chron, plus video:

Excerpt:

YES founder Chris Barbic said the relationship is a blend of cooperation and competition. He and Amstutz agree they can learn from one another.

Lee High, for instance, is known for its work with first-generation immigrants, many of whom enter high school at an older age, unable to speak English and years behind.

Most students entering the newest YES program come from the Gulfton neighborhood and otherwise would have attended Long, Grady or Sharpstown middle schools. YES' other locations serve primarily American-born, low-income Hispanic students.

In addition to the summer program, YES students attend class an extra two hours a day. Some spend three or four hours a day just on reading or math — whatever it takes to help them catch up to their grade levels, officials said.

These techniques have paid off at YES' only Houston high school, whose scores blow Lee's out of the water.

» Chron: Pimp was seeking 'something different' (Brian Rogers, Christina Wright)

Put this down as one of the more colorful "slice of life" stories relating to Houston. Well, somewhere beneath astronaut love triangles, that is.

When the business was sold, Lin was a millionaire. His salary, stock options and bonuses left him with a small fortune.

Then, according to court testimony and records, Lin considered his options and made the decision to open a brothel in a strip mall across the street from a residential neighborhood on Richmond.

The 46-year-old computer geek turned pimp is now in a city jail, serving a 10-day sentence for running what prosecutors said was for three years a million-dollar brothel. After he gets out of jail, Lin will serve five years' probation.

I guess everyone has their own definition of the American Dream.

Props. 5 & 9 go down, the rest win. Among the wins, gay marriage is now doubly redundant illegal here in Texas. While faux conservatives glee, they seem to be rather forgetful that federal law has already dictated this since the Clinton administration. But who can blame 'em ... most voters would be hard-pressed to identify that reality as well. So it is that many voters went to the polls no doubt convinced that gay marriage was the issue. DallasBlog.com seems to be a bit more honest in realizing the situation:

Prop 2 is a key part of Gov. Perry?s re-election strategy. He hopes to mobilize an army of evangelical Christians in defense of traditional marriage and hopes they will come back next year in November.

...

Prop 1 also appears to be a major part of Gov. Perry?s re-election strategy. The governor collects lots of large campaign contributions (and in Texas they can get very big) from contractors, engineering companies, and other businesses. This amendment has strong backing from the major chambers and lots of endorsements.

...

And there you have it: the Perry re-election campaign. First, motivate a large base of social conservatives as George W. Bush did in Ohio last year. Second, water the money tree by pushing a wide range of transportation issues. This is not to accuse the governor of being insincere; he truly believes in his Trans-Texas Corridor. But it does have an added advantage.

Funny thing is, that even otherwise intelligent folks on the right fell for this trick by a Governor they can no longer defend. If it's unintended humor you want on the analysis, here's Chris Elam's take: "Roughly 25% of Texans are backwards enough to vote against marriage." To which Rob Booth (who opposed Prop. 2 out of a more honest commitment to libertarian ideals) comments: "I'm here, I'm backwards, get used to it." Yeah, even if a little friendly fire hits one's own party-mates, it's not enough to hold off the bitterness of some. Best of luck to our GOP friends who bend over backwards to make a case for Rick Perry next year.

At some point, however, those on the saner side of this battle ought to spend at least a few moments and ask themselves why they think they lost this one. From the right wing of the spectrum, a battle like this is similar to shooting fish in a barrel. You know the bulk of the organized opposition to Prop. 2 is going to take the bait that this is about gay marriage, and sure enough, they did. The one good thing I'll credit the No Nonsense gang with is identifying the legal glitch in the amendment language. It didn't make a bit of difference in the legality, but it did undercut what little intellectual honesty the other side had about the issue. All we need now is a strict constructionist to look at the language and nullify every marriage in the state. Of course, that'll only happen if you think the GOP really means what it says about judicial theory. Seriously, though ... you should all know better.

Beyond the dueling cases, another tidbit that ought to be taken from this outcome is that it's nearly impossible to make any case widely known in a state as big as Texas unless you've got an endless well of campaign cash to cover every media market (not just Dallas, Harris, & Travis County). That's a high hurdle for a party out of power and one that a few notable leftwing critics of a certain candidate for Governor ought to be very well attuned to after a loss like Prop. 2. If a loss is worth fighting for the end to on an issue closer to home for some, then maybe they'd be wise to look at the meaningfulness of other races and that we Dems aren't just one magic bullet away from turning around our fortunes. It'll take a concerted effort and right now, there's a few people that need to get off the side stage.

Meeting to Oppose Night Club at Bellaire/Fondren

Turning a bit of attention to the home front, I get the following post via email from my State Rep.:

As you may know, we believe that the former Gillman property at Bellaire and Fondren has been sold to owners who intend to relocate the troublesome Carnival Night Club to that location. Carnival is currently located at 59 and Gessner in the old K-Mart.

Carnival has applied for the renewal of its liquor license at its current location. That renewal has been delayed because of community opposition, subject to a hearing which has not yet been scheduled.

I am still trying to confirm details of this transaction, but, needless to say, an expanded Carnival at that location is not in the best interest of our area.

Council Member M.J. Khan has arranged a community meeting to discuss this problem and organize to oppose these plans. The meeting will be tomorrow, Saturday 10/29 at 11:00 am at the Lansdale Park Community Center, 8201 Roos, just off Mary Bates.

Please know that this is not a "not in my backyard" issue. Rather, this club has been a source of continual problems for the nearby neighborhood and has been cited for severe overcrowding which could endanger the lives of those who attend. Its continued operation in such a manner at its present location is not acceptable - much less a move to a new location with additional exposure to residential areas.

I'm thinking Sharpstown has enough crime without this. The club in question is rather well known in the southwest side of town and for all the wrong reasons. Scott's right when he says it's not a NIMBY issue ... it's a "Not At All" issue.

HoustonChronicle.com - Lakewood Church selling former worship site

I can't count this as a total surprise, but the numbers are bound to set off a few among the chattering class. Notably, the old site's pricetag of $15 mill compared to the lease price that Lakewood paid to get the current facility: $11.8 million for a 30-year lease.

Of course, there's $25 mill in alterations within 10 years that are a requirement of the lease and also $39 mill in improvements over the first 30 years in order to qualify for the second 30-year lease which clocks in at $22.6 mill. All in all, that's over $95 mill. No small change, that. All that via a Church Executive interview with Lakewood Administrator Kevin Comes

I'm guessing the bulk of that $15 mill sale will go towards a big loan payment that's due by Lakewood in January 2007.

I'm several days behind on noting this, but it's a tough stretch for Sharpstown Dems as we lose yet another key member:

April 13, 1928-September 8, 2005 ROBERT H. MCCLUER died suddenly on September 8, 2005 in Houston, TX. He was born April 13, 1928 in San Angelo, TX. He leaves his wife of 56 years, Carol Olsen McCluer; his two sisters, Janet McCluer of Houston, TX and Jeanne Riley, of Austin,TX; and four children, Forrest and his wife Martha and daughters Mackenzie and Kelly of Falls Church, Virginia; Chris and his wife Lisa and daughter Chanelle of Overland Park, Kansas; Dan, and Megan and her husband Mike all of Tehachapi, California. Dr. McCluer received his BA in Biology and Chemistry from Rice University, Houston, Texas in 1949 and his PhD in Biochemistry from Vanderbilt University in 1955, Bob was widely respected and recognized worldwide for his pioneering biomedical research on the analysis and functions of brain lipids called gangliosides. He spent most of his career working at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center for Mental Retardation, near Boston, Massachusetts, where he was chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and ultimately director of the Center. Under his leadership the Center became internationally famous for its ability to study and analyze complex molecules. After his return to Houston, he remained active in research, serving as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at University of Texas-Houston. Dr. McCluer developed an internationally recognized research program in glycobiology. He authored more than 80 scientific publications, and mentored many students and post doctoral trainees. He sewed the scientific community as an associate editor of the Journal of Lipid Research, and as a member of the Pathobiological Chemistry Study Section at the National Institutes of Health. He was a member of several professional societies, including the American Chemical Society and the Society for Glycobiology. Bob was an active member of the Sharpstown Democrats Club, and championed the cause of solving the health care crisis that exists in our country and city. He will be truly missed by the many people whose lives he enriched. Visitation Saturday September 10, 4-6 PM at Miller Funeral Services, 7723 Beechnut,Houston TX 77074. There will be a memorial service at Grace Presbyterian Church, Sam Houston Toll at Westheimer at 4 pm on Sunday September 11. In lieu of flowers, thefamily requests that memorial donations be sent to the American Red Cross, NAMI Houston, or a charity of your choice.

Red Cross, you've got the link at the top of the page ... NAMI Houston's address is:
P.O. Box 271266
Houston, TX 77277-1266

... and, indeed, Bob will truly be missed by everyone who knew him.

?Sky is The Limit? For New Home of Nation?s Largest Church

Well, too many commitments to take in the final open house for the new Lakewood digs before they open. Still, the buzz is pretty heavy for opening weekend. Reports of travel packages for those non-Houstonians to take in the wonders of our fair 'burg, and not just for opening weekend ... which is already predicted to see traffic snarls worse than I experienced during an NBA Finals Game Seven and two trips to see Garth Brooks.

I'm officially on dilemna status for which time/service to head out to this weekend. Wednesday night looks like a given for me, though.

HoustonChronicle.com - Eyeing contributions of Uvalde bats With video

Ya know, I really don't care how much of a positive impact bats have on this state, I'd be more than willing to re-allow DDT to be sprayed over crop fields if it meant no bats.

The possibility that bats could be eating corn ear worms first arose in the 1990s, when a weather station placed in South Texas picked up two "storm" clouds converging at thousands of feet. The image turned out to be bats eating migrating moths.

Further research has shown that a single Mexican free-tailed bat, the size of a large thumb tip, will eat half its body weight in insects each night. Nursing bats, which account for the majority roosting in Texas, consume two-thirds of their weight. If there were 100 million bats feasting above the fields of the Winter Garden each night, during their six-month stay they would eat 45,000 tons of bugs.

A study by McCracken has shown that as much as half of that tonnage could be crop-destroying moths in the midst of migration.

Yeah, whatever ... I still don't care. Spray Agent Orange on stuff if you have to. My dealings with bats are shaped by two moments in time:

One, while watching "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls" (yeah, I'll admit to seeing it). When Ace is told about the presence of bats in a cave, he goes off on a tizzy that I'm pretty sure sums up my own repulsion to these rodents.

The other was while waiting in line to see an Austin Ice Bats game. Looking up, I noticed these small creatures doing a little loop outside of the belfy at the Travis County Expo Center. I was ready to go home about an hour before the puck dropped.

Then again, maybe it could be that I'm just a bit on edge having recovered from the effects of a spider bite recently. Damn bugs ... kill em all.

One final note on Ed Wendt via ye olde email inbox. His obit is now online, but the historical record offered in addition is worth noting as well. In particular, check who Wendt's lawyer was when he had to defend himself against City Hall ....

HoustonChronicle.com - Northern exposure: Bill to legalize Canadian drugs is a sensible safety measure

Worthwhile Chonicle Editorial on Texas' legalization of Canadian drug importation. Among the converts ... Attorney General Greg Abbott. Now if we can just work on the State Senate.

I've said it once, I'll say it again ... Scott Hochberg has put as solid a bill for safeguarding the safety of imported prescription drugs while also letting the free enterprise system work its magic.

Nevermind that the one thing pharmaceutical companies (and their so-called conservative apologists) seem to fear the most is free enterprise.

Which local Fox morning newscaster is having their lawyer send email warnings to area bloggers to get them to quiet up on critical comments of their client - described as "a private individual" ... nevermind that she's on my television every morning???

We'll tell you, but only after an annoyingly lengthy teaser campaign whereby we build up enough interest to make you think it's someone far more interesting than it actually is.

HoustonChronicle.com - Poll: More Texans side with Robin Hood plan

After all these years, Ann Richards had it right the first time!

"Robin Hood" may be the bane of some of the state's wealthiest school districts, but a majority of Texans agree with the financing system that requires property-rich districts to share their money with property-poor districts, according to a new poll.

The 58 percent support for Robin Hood is the highest recorded by The Scripps Howard Texas Poll since the question was asked in the fall of 2002, and was an 8 percentage point increase since last October.

Ya never know what you had till it's gone, I suppose. But for every complaint registered at the school finance mechanism, there was but a mere microscopic percentage of that number that were actually seeing tax dollars go elsewhere. Perhaps that calculus finally registers a bit as many more schools now wonder where on earth new money is going to come from.

Damn! WB39 News just had back-to-back stories on my little ghetto of a neighborhood. Story, the first, as about a prostitution crackdown involving 28 johns gettting carted off to jail. Story, the second, was about a missing kid last seen at Jane Long Middle School (where we held elections and a friend teaches music).

HoustonChronicle.com - Wire-transfer fee proposed to aid health care

Put me down as "on the fence" for this issue. Taxing international wire transfers from Texas certainly seems to make the math work out in that it pays for indigent health care. But given how already regressive taxes are in Texas, I'm a bit leery of yet another tax that hits lower income people the hardest. I'll reserve some judgement on this till I get a few responses and a few questioned answered from others whose judgement I trust.