From the Houston Biz Journal:
Nearly three years since Hurricane Ike ravaged the Gulf Coast, the University of Texas Medical Branch is moving forward with construction of a replacement hospital in Galveston. The $438 million Jennie Sealy Hospital, to be built on the site of the existing Jennie Sealy building, will feature nearly 250 rooms, surgical suites and intensive-care space. The facility was already in the planning stages before the hurricane.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
I hate you, taxes.
Dear Lamar:
The Big Government Liberals are at it again, confiscating Americans' hard-earned dollars in the name of socialism. That's right, Alamo Heights ISD trustees approved a property tax rate increase of 3 cents per $100 of home value and adopted a 2011-12 budget of about $70 million.
You can read the whole disgusting story here, but I must warn you - it will make you want to vomit: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Alamo-Heights-ISD-raises-tax-rate-2142123.php#ixzz1WAak4KTL
It's a shame those trustees didn't sign Grover Norquist's pledge like you did.
Do you denounce this tax hike, or do you support it? Please answer the question directly and tell the American taxpayers whether you denounce it or support it. In fact, it can just be a one word response - either "DENOUNCE!" or "support." Thanks in advance for your straight-forward response, which I will post on my blog.
Regards,
luridtransom
The Big Government Liberals are at it again, confiscating Americans' hard-earned dollars in the name of socialism. That's right, Alamo Heights ISD trustees approved a property tax rate increase of 3 cents per $100 of home value and adopted a 2011-12 budget of about $70 million.
You can read the whole disgusting story here, but I must warn you - it will make you want to vomit: http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/education/article/Alamo-Heights-ISD-raises-tax-rate-2142123.php#ixzz1WAak4KTL
It's a shame those trustees didn't sign Grover Norquist's pledge like you did.
Do you denounce this tax hike, or do you support it? Please answer the question directly and tell the American taxpayers whether you denounce it or support it. In fact, it can just be a one word response - either "DENOUNCE!" or "support." Thanks in advance for your straight-forward response, which I will post on my blog.
Regards,
luridtransom
Thursday, August 25, 2011
More like Fredericksburg.
We're underwhelmed by both Brooklyn's Oktoberfest and Real Ale's Oktoberfest.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Yeah, but that's MY money.
Liberal Public Radio ran a story about Iowa farmers telling Obama at a town hall meeting to reduce federal regulations on them. Iowa corn farmers want to be in their tractor cabs first thing in the morning, not filling out paperwork for the federal government. He didn’t specify whether the paperwork in question was farm subsidy payment instruction forms.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Paging Mr. Norquist. You're needed in Alamo Heights.
We have 12 grades PLUS kindergarten. I propose cutting out the two or three least productive grades and lowering taxes on the hard-working citizens of Alamo Heights. The time to take a stand against the big government, tax-and-spend liberals at the AHISD is NOW.
From the Express-News:
The Alamo Heights Independent School District has proposed a property tax rate increase of 3 cents to cover the district's bond debt.
If approved, the portion of district's tax rate that pays for school debt would increase from 12.8 cents to 15.8 cents per $100 of home value, said Mike Hagar, the district's assistant superintendent of business and finance. The district's total tax rate would be $1.198 and the average homeowner would pay $119.75 more annually if the increase is approved.
Hagar said property values in the area have decreased in the past two years, a trend the district did not anticipate during its 2010 bond election.
The district will hold a meeting to discuss its proposed budget and tax rate Aug. 25.
From the Express-News:
The Alamo Heights Independent School District has proposed a property tax rate increase of 3 cents to cover the district's bond debt.
If approved, the portion of district's tax rate that pays for school debt would increase from 12.8 cents to 15.8 cents per $100 of home value, said Mike Hagar, the district's assistant superintendent of business and finance. The district's total tax rate would be $1.198 and the average homeowner would pay $119.75 more annually if the increase is approved.
Hagar said property values in the area have decreased in the past two years, a trend the district did not anticipate during its 2010 bond election.
The district will hold a meeting to discuss its proposed budget and tax rate Aug. 25.
Friday, August 19, 2011
From your blog to mine.
"Once any level of math or actual sophistication is involved, the average person is out. They just want some talking points to scream."
- Scipio Tex
- Scipio Tex
Wait, often? Now I'm even more confused. Are you even in this country legally?
Key word is "often." Some should have signed up by now, a week before launch. This is very unusual.
Thanks for reading and writing.
barry
Thanks for reading and writing.
barry
Inquiry to the Perry campaign.
Rick - What are the gaps in the theory of evolution? Thanks in advance for your response.
Regards,
luridtransom
Regards,
luridtransom
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Gatsby, but not Gatsby?
"The sign of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in the mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function."
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
Barry,
You tell me that carriage deals are often struck just before midnight and both sides like to haggle to the last moment. But then you tell me that some carrier somewhere in the great state of Texas should have signed up to carry the Longhorn Network at least two weeks before the launch date. I’m confused. Which is it?
Thanks,
luridtransom
Network difficulties at the Longhorn Network
By BARRY HORN
The Dallas Morning News
August 12, 2011
As launch date nears, Longhorn Network is still looking for carrier
If a television network launches and no one can watch it, does it make a sound?
That's the philosophical question of the day. The Longhorn Network is scheduled to launch in less than two weeks, and not a single cable, satellite or telecom carrier in the state has signed on.
Can LHN launch as scheduled on Aug. 26 if no one can watch it?
Let's begin by saying it is likely that some carrier will add the network to its buffet menu of offerings before launch. Two weeks is an eternity in the game of chicken that ESPN and the University of Texas are playing with the likes of Time Warner Cable, DirecTV and AT&T.
Carriage deals are often struck just before midnight. Both sides like to haggle to the last moment over who will make how much from the subscriber fees that will be added to your bill when LHN is launched and placed on the same tier as the likes of ESPN, Fox Sports Southwest and CNN.
(Personal aside: I would love to eavesdrop on the conversation when a Texas A&M fan calls their carrier to ask about the extra 40 or 50 cents a month on his bill and is told it's for LHN.)
But I'll say this: Some carrier somewhere in the great state of Texas should have signed up by now. But no one has stepped forward. I checked with ESPN on Friday just to make sure the self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader wasn't holding back on a carriage announcement.
Of course, it isn't. Instead a spokesperson offered up the network mantra: "We are still in active discussions."
What is unusual here is that ESPN, LHN and Texas haven't made a single deal with say DirecTV or Dish or AT&T or Verizon Fios that it could try to leverage against the cable companies, as well as its satellite or telecom rivals.
I can see it now. DirecTV signs on for LHN while Dish doesn't and starts marketing itself as the place for Aggies, Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State fans.
There's no question that Time Warner is the big dog that LHN needs in the state. That is the same Time Warner that is the lone holdout that has yet to make a deal with NFL Network.
Time Warner is the No. 1 carrier in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin. Comcast is No. 1 in Houston, where Time Warner isn't a player. Maybe ESPN and Texas will have to bring the carriers on board as partners, much the same as MLB Network did to assure its wide distribution.
I'm sure ESPN and Texas considered the uniqueness of their situation before deciding to launch. They bet they would make their deals with the carriers. They probably will. Someday. But right now, they have to be holding their breath.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
Barry,
You tell me that carriage deals are often struck just before midnight and both sides like to haggle to the last moment. But then you tell me that some carrier somewhere in the great state of Texas should have signed up to carry the Longhorn Network at least two weeks before the launch date. I’m confused. Which is it?
Thanks,
luridtransom
Network difficulties at the Longhorn Network
By BARRY HORN
The Dallas Morning News
August 12, 2011
As launch date nears, Longhorn Network is still looking for carrier
If a television network launches and no one can watch it, does it make a sound?
That's the philosophical question of the day. The Longhorn Network is scheduled to launch in less than two weeks, and not a single cable, satellite or telecom carrier in the state has signed on.
Can LHN launch as scheduled on Aug. 26 if no one can watch it?
Let's begin by saying it is likely that some carrier will add the network to its buffet menu of offerings before launch. Two weeks is an eternity in the game of chicken that ESPN and the University of Texas are playing with the likes of Time Warner Cable, DirecTV and AT&T.
Carriage deals are often struck just before midnight. Both sides like to haggle to the last moment over who will make how much from the subscriber fees that will be added to your bill when LHN is launched and placed on the same tier as the likes of ESPN, Fox Sports Southwest and CNN.
(Personal aside: I would love to eavesdrop on the conversation when a Texas A&M fan calls their carrier to ask about the extra 40 or 50 cents a month on his bill and is told it's for LHN.)
But I'll say this: Some carrier somewhere in the great state of Texas should have signed up by now. But no one has stepped forward. I checked with ESPN on Friday just to make sure the self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader wasn't holding back on a carriage announcement.
Of course, it isn't. Instead a spokesperson offered up the network mantra: "We are still in active discussions."
What is unusual here is that ESPN, LHN and Texas haven't made a single deal with say DirecTV or Dish or AT&T or Verizon Fios that it could try to leverage against the cable companies, as well as its satellite or telecom rivals.
I can see it now. DirecTV signs on for LHN while Dish doesn't and starts marketing itself as the place for Aggies, Texas Tech, Baylor, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State fans.
There's no question that Time Warner is the big dog that LHN needs in the state. That is the same Time Warner that is the lone holdout that has yet to make a deal with NFL Network.
Time Warner is the No. 1 carrier in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and Austin. Comcast is No. 1 in Houston, where Time Warner isn't a player. Maybe ESPN and Texas will have to bring the carriers on board as partners, much the same as MLB Network did to assure its wide distribution.
I'm sure ESPN and Texas considered the uniqueness of their situation before deciding to launch. They bet they would make their deals with the carriers. They probably will. Someday. But right now, they have to be holding their breath.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Quantitative Easing is Almost Treasonous.
"If this guy [this guy being Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke] prints more money between now and the election, I dunno what y’all would do to him in Iowa but we would treat him pretty ugly down in Texas. Printing more money to play politics at this particular time in American history is almost treasonous in my opinion.”
- Gov. Rick Perry, campaigning in Iowa.
- Gov. Rick Perry, campaigning in Iowa.
Monday, August 15, 2011
H-E-B has 30 days to install a bike rack before I call for a city-wide boycott.
H-E-B
Attention: Customer Relations Department
P.O. Box 839999
San Antonio, TX 78283
August 15, 2011
Re: You should put in a bike rack at the Lincoln Heights H-E-B.
Dear H-E-B:
It recently came to my attention that the Lincoln Heights H-E-B doesn’t have a bike rack. This is very disappointing as I had planned to start riding my bike to the store. I’m told some people chain their bikes to a wooden flower display stand outside, but this is certainly less than ideal. I spoke to the store manager about the lack of a bike rack (I forget her name), and she said only the suits in corporate could approve installing a bike rack. Huh.
H-E-B supports community health and fitness and clean air, right? If so, please demonstrate that commitment by installing a proper bike rack. It should be cheap and simple – just buy a welded bike rack and anchor it to the sidewalk. (If you have any questions about procurement or installation, Whole Foods at the Quarry has one, so you might ask them.)
Thanks in advance for installing a bike rack at the Lincoln Heights H-E-B. I look forward to riding my bike to the store to buy groceries.
Very truly yours,
luridtransom
Attention: Customer Relations Department
P.O. Box 839999
San Antonio, TX 78283
August 15, 2011
Re: You should put in a bike rack at the Lincoln Heights H-E-B.
Dear H-E-B:
It recently came to my attention that the Lincoln Heights H-E-B doesn’t have a bike rack. This is very disappointing as I had planned to start riding my bike to the store. I’m told some people chain their bikes to a wooden flower display stand outside, but this is certainly less than ideal. I spoke to the store manager about the lack of a bike rack (I forget her name), and she said only the suits in corporate could approve installing a bike rack. Huh.
H-E-B supports community health and fitness and clean air, right? If so, please demonstrate that commitment by installing a proper bike rack. It should be cheap and simple – just buy a welded bike rack and anchor it to the sidewalk. (If you have any questions about procurement or installation, Whole Foods at the Quarry has one, so you might ask them.)
Thanks in advance for installing a bike rack at the Lincoln Heights H-E-B. I look forward to riding my bike to the store to buy groceries.
Very truly yours,
luridtransom
The failure of democracy and the triumph of great Italian food.
Sir, what are you talking about?
Dear Mr. Centeno:
I read with interest your column in the Express-News (see link below). I'm not sure I understand the new paradigm you favor. I guess you're saying that instead of offering companies tax abatements (and the like) to move to San Antonio or expand in San Antonio, the city should use that money to decrease the poverty rate. Is that your point?
Thanks,
luridtransom
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/commentary/article/It-s-time-for-new-economic-policy-driven-by-the-1920919.php
I read with interest your column in the Express-News (see link below). I'm not sure I understand the new paradigm you favor. I guess you're saying that instead of offering companies tax abatements (and the like) to move to San Antonio or expand in San Antonio, the city should use that money to decrease the poverty rate. Is that your point?
Thanks,
luridtransom
http://www.mysanantonio.com/opinion/commentary/article/It-s-time-for-new-economic-policy-driven-by-the-1920919.php
Friday, August 12, 2011
Mule with a Spinning Wheel.
Sept. 15, 1968. Two Hemisfair Mini-Monorail trains collided and derailed, killing one and injuring 47.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Dog Notebook.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/politics/article/Sculley-trims-7-from-city-s-budget-for-2012-1849181.php
City Manager Sheryl Sculley will recommend to the City Council today a $2.2 billion budget that's 7 percent smaller than the 2011 spending plan, once again staving off drastic measures such as layoffs or involuntary furloughs.
Sculley's recommendation includes keeping the property tax rate flat, increasing funding for Animal Care Services and the library system, and maintaining current appropriations to the city's 70 delegate agencies, including the controversial Project Quest.
Animal Care Services is the city dog pound. So in conclusion, we're cutting the total budget 7%, but INCREASING the dollars allocated to dog food for cur dogs.
City Manager Sheryl Sculley will recommend to the City Council today a $2.2 billion budget that's 7 percent smaller than the 2011 spending plan, once again staving off drastic measures such as layoffs or involuntary furloughs.
Sculley's recommendation includes keeping the property tax rate flat, increasing funding for Animal Care Services and the library system, and maintaining current appropriations to the city's 70 delegate agencies, including the controversial Project Quest.
Animal Care Services is the city dog pound. So in conclusion, we're cutting the total budget 7%, but INCREASING the dollars allocated to dog food for cur dogs.
Monday, August 01, 2011
Compatibility Test.
Mark these activities/things either COOL or NOT COOL.
Watching television
Elton John
Visors
Paesano's
Doing your own laundry
Flip Flops
Alamo Quarry Market (The Quarry)
Restoration Hardware
Catching red snapper at offshore rigs
Golf
Spare Hidey Key (Auto)
Spare Hidey Key (House)
Dogs
FJ62 Landcruisers
Bicycles
Microbrews
Smoking ribs and other meats
NCAA March Madness
Couples wedding showers
Toll roads
Vacation in France
Mig/Tig Welding
Backyard patio stereo speakers
Socialism
Credit Cards with 2% Yield
Wade Fishing for Speckled Trout
Canoe trips on rivers
Backyard landscaping & patio projects
Chevy Tahoe
Martinis
Outdoor tree lighting
Farmer's markets
Attending UT football games
Riding Jet-Skis
German Club
CCA
Vegetable Gartens
Stock Market
Skinny Jeans
Re-useable grocery bags
Academy Sports & Outdoors
Going to the movie house
Watching television
Elton John
Visors
Paesano's
Doing your own laundry
Flip Flops
Alamo Quarry Market (The Quarry)
Restoration Hardware
Catching red snapper at offshore rigs
Golf
Spare Hidey Key (Auto)
Spare Hidey Key (House)
Dogs
FJ62 Landcruisers
Bicycles
Microbrews
Smoking ribs and other meats
NCAA March Madness
Couples wedding showers
Toll roads
Vacation in France
Mig/Tig Welding
Backyard patio stereo speakers
Socialism
Credit Cards with 2% Yield
Wade Fishing for Speckled Trout
Canoe trips on rivers
Backyard landscaping & patio projects
Chevy Tahoe
Martinis
Outdoor tree lighting
Farmer's markets
Attending UT football games
Riding Jet-Skis
German Club
CCA
Vegetable Gartens
Stock Market
Skinny Jeans
Re-useable grocery bags
Academy Sports & Outdoors
Going to the movie house
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