Texans have big hearts, except for Dallas

The Chronicle has an article today describing the Texas hurricane emergency evacuation plan. On the eve of hurricane season we finally are moving towards a unified plan on how to deal with all the possible displaced people if the worst comes. Each coastal city is paired with an inland city to handle evacuees. This sounds like a good and sensible plan except for the fact that Dallas is rolling around on the floor kicking its feet in a tantrum screaming, "You can't make us take those people."

I think everyone expects better from our city managers. Although if the worst happens and people are sent to Dallas against the city's will I'm sure there will be room and care available for them. That being said, I would have hoped that people from such a stalwart section of the Bible Belt acted like the Christians they claim to be.

Memorial Day moment of silence filled with muzak

Ok, everyone should thank a veteran today. Heck, buy them dinner or give them a warm hand shake and hug. They are true heroes and should be treated as such everyday not just today. This brings me to a little observation at a "unnamed" grocery store this morning. As I'm cruising through the dairy section hoping to find tubes of oatmeal chocolate chip cookie dough at the other side, the store PA starts broadcasting a message by someone in the office with good intentions. He asked all the shoppers and employees to stop for a moment of silence. Great idea, but remember to turn off the music that's constantly playing over the PA all day long. Somehow Big Audio Dynomite's "The Globe" doesn't seem like a proper salute to our American heroes.

Well at least is wasn't some American Idol pseudo-star screeching out the next "big" hit.

Privacy Evaporation, thanks W

President Bush stated last week that the NSA phone call record database was to be used only for stopping terrorism. "We're not mining or trolling through the personal lives of millions of innocent Americans." Well that lasted all of 5 minutes. ABC News is now reporting that a senior federal law enforcement official told one of their reporters they are monitoring ABC phone calls. Now that they’ve gone this far, who should they tap/monitor next? Personally, bloggers with negative opinions of the program should be next. They are bunch of rabble rousing troublemakers after all.

Let's look into a quick chronology on privacy matters and where the Republicans stand.

Pre 9/11: Justice Department, ATF, NSA, CIA, etc. = Jack booted thugs who invade our privacy and infringe on our constitutionally guaranteed rights.
Post 9/11: Justice Department, ATF, NSA, CIA, etc. = You're the good guys, do whatever you want, just don't tell us about it so we don't have to feel nauseous.

Can Tom Delay's resignation bring about a revolution?

Back in elementary school history we all were taught that we should have some say in the government that levies taxes upon us. Come on, you all no the battle cry, "No taxation without representation!" So what are the good citizens of Tom Delay's district to do if/when he resigns prior to the election? Do they continue to toe the line and pay their "tea taxes"? No way! Real patriots, defenders of the democratic ideal and Texans will refuse this ill treatment. But short of coup d'état what recourse do they have?

I suggest they pay a pro-rated version of their federal income taxes. They will still have a senator so I guess paying at a 50% rate during the congressional vacancy is reasonable and just.

Tom, if you're not gone yet, get to stepping because your absence is going to pay for a lot of shiny new plasma screen TVs next year.

Where has all the quality gone?

I'm in the process of looking for a new home to buy and am having difficulty finding anything I want to plunk my hard earned and borrowed dollars on. Ideally I'd like a 3 car garage to accommodate a wood shop and allow 2 cars to be parked inside. However, I've decided to broaden my horizons and look at any nice home in my price range on the west side of town. The problem is that all the new houses are built at about the same quality level. Even if I throw an extra $100K or $200K in the pot the homes only get bigger not better. I'd like a high-end 2100-2500 sq. ft home, but it appears that they don't exist in Houston. Where have the craftsmen gone? Where is the pride in one's work? Why do people settle for shoddy craftsmanship?

Everyone blames unskilled illegal labor for this problem, but that's not the case. There are just no skilled craftsmen or cabinetmakers working the home building trade in Houston that are affordable for the middle to upper middle class. (Hint: this is why I have my own wood working equipment.)

Am I too old or is it too loud?

I love movies and seeing them in on the big screen is the best way to experience them. However, I haven't been too excited about Hollywood's offerings over the last 12-18 months so I haven't been to the theater much recently. Last night I went to see a "blockbuster" summer movie at a local multiplex. Normally the previews are loud and obnoxious and last night was no exception. The trouble started when the movie began to roll and the sound/volume was cranked up even further. It was painfully loud to me and I have a family history of hearing loss (i.e. if it bugs me, your ears may be bleeding). During action sequences it was too loud even with covered ears. I looked around, but didn't see anyone else other than my wife and I suffering or showing signs of discomfort.

I wanted to go ask the management to turn down the volume but I would have missed part of the movie. I should have left and asked for my money back, but that would have ruined the evening. Sitting through rock concert level sound was painful and ruined the evening. How should a no-win situation be like this handled? In the end an evening that was supposed to be relaxing and fun left me tense with a feeling of being abused. Is there a satisfactory outcome even possible when things like this happen?

Dear lord, I hope this isn't a sign I'm getting old.

How secure are your files?

This is an amazing bit of information regarding your computer's password security and has nothing to do with grumbling about Houston. It seems that most passwords can be cracked relatively quickly without NSA intervention. I don't feel so lame for having such a long passkey now.

Houston's wind plan as stated, looks like a loser

On further investigation the designated site for the project isn't too great. Kenedy County is shown to have a Class 3 wind potential by Texas State Energy Conservation Office. Class 3 is defined as having commercially marginal viability.

This map seems to show that the intercoastal waterway and barrier islands would be the place in Kenedy County to locate the wind farm. Class 3+ might make the grade for me to grudgingly accept the expense. However, should the city be in the electric biz? I don't really think so.

BTW, Texas currently makes 2,009.4 MW of electricity from the wind. I like that and I'd like to see more renewable energy sources come on line ASAP. But why would Houston need to be buying its own wind farm? Shouldn't more energy efficient building codes be implemented first? Those wouldn't cost taxpayers a penny. Also, tax breaks could spur residential solar energy production which would drive electricity prices down a bit and protect against price spikes. The more I think on the topic the more this project seems like a cash handout instead of a comprehensive plan to reduce energy costs.

Houston to enter the the wind farm business, maybe...

About 10^2 bloggers have beat me to this story, but here's the scoop. The city, i.e. Bill White, is going through the motions to set up a wind farm in order to help control it's energy bills. This is a commendable goal considering the huge jump in natural gas prices over the last year. However, on closer inspection it seems that Mayor White's old pal Michael Zilkha of Horizon Wind Energy may be on the receiving end of a huge windfall (ugh, I know it's a bad pun) from this deal. This sort of partnership/"make your friends rich" gimmick is generally how things get done in government, but I don't like it one bit and would love for someone to review the legalities of the venture. Unfortunately, that won't happen until a huge amount of taxpayer money disappears.

Now let's ask some questions regarding the project.

1. Should the city look for ways to insulate itself from energy price spikes? Yes, a general top down review of all services, staff and assets should be completed, followed by a realistic, common sense conservation program implemented. For example, one of the energy savings strategies being implemented by my employer is to replace every fluorescent light in it's buildings with newer more energy efficient fluorescent lights. The savings are there otherwise they wouldn't be going to the trouble.


2. Should the city be looking at renewable energy to solve the problem? Yes, why not. London, England is promoting new construction using solar shingles. Why can't we?


3. Should the city really be in the energy generating business?Hmm, that's a tough one. I know New York City has a number of large generators but they are more to solve grid and emergency problems rather than save money. If it can be proved and windmills aren't going to be a money pit like MetroRail, I could be persuaded to give them my approval.

For more information on the story check out blogHouston