wernicke

I think it would be much easier to list the things that Bush has done well... But I personally can't think of anything that his administration has handled well. We are far worse-off than we were 8 years ago.

It seems to me concrete is a much more sturdy medium long-term as compared to asphalt (which expands/shrinks more with changes in temperature). I-45 is absolutely hideous. But I don't think that will change for a long time. The I-10/610 interchange on the other hand is very well done... the overpasses look nice, there's millions of ever-green saplings that should look even better as years pass, it looks like they incorporated trails, etc. I-10 and a portion of 610 are how freeways should be done (except rail should have been included on I-10). And we should note, we have Mayor White and his friends to thank for the mass tree plantings...

Pretty exciting... it'll be nice to have some more cranes downtown. Although, it will never compare to the medical center... where I counted at least 12 cranes last week.

I am obviously being nit-picky here, but... I never said he broke the law. I said he supported legislation in congress (that is pending approval secondary to staffing issues at the FEC) that would have made his own actions a few months later illegal... Palin sold the Alaskan government jet and endorsed flying on domestic airlines like regular people. Again, I think it is a salient point.

Take a deep breath. Exhale. Everything is going to be OK. First, I don't think you read the article. The point is that after backing legislation last year requiring presidential candidates to pay the actual cost of flying on corporate jets, McCain started using his wife's jet without paying the actual cost of flying on corporate jets. Which is just another indication of how McCain is willing to change his principles to fit his ambitions. Seems like a salient point to me.

Except for the inconvenient fact that McCain has used her jet for political-related business. McCain Frequently Used His Wife's Jet for Political Activities The senator was able to fly so inexpensively because the law specifically exempts aircraft owned by a candidate or his family or by a privately held company they control. The Federal Election Commission adopted rules in December to close the loophole

Funny... I was thinking Palin herself has far overshadowed candidate McCain, who we haven't heard anything about since he selected Palin. Other than the fact that he only met her once, and his campaign didn't start looking at her until late in the process when they sealed the nomination up in March.

I wonder how she feels hopping on her private jet after Palin trash-talked private jets?

Welcome and good luck this weekend. A close friend of mine proposed in a hotel room in Moody Gardens... sounded OK (the rooms there aren't that great). I kind of like Niche's suggestion of a nice beach stroll. Maybe you could have a couple of events leading up to the big question or something, then pop some nice champagne after she says yes. It's a personal decision though. I proposed in April, so I feel your pain. I had thought about getting a room at the San Luis, but decided to do a series of clues-type thing in H-town, I think on a suggestion from someone on this forum (ricco, maybe).

Here's a nice hot mic moment with Mike Murphy and Noonan. "It's over," said Noonan, and then responded to a question of whether Palin is the most qualified Republican woman McCain could have chosen. "The most qualified? No. I think they went for this

Those renderings are pretty cool. Although I would like to see the Embassy Suites building be a little more substantial. Too bad the credit crisis will prevent everything other than DT from getting off the ground for at least a few years. Unless those foreign investors step in... or maybe the City of Houston can make the second convention hotel happen if the Hilton Americas sells for $380 million. I would love to see the convention hotel go with a design that is dramatic and modern.

What do you think about it lockmat, I can't find the discussion about these comments specifically...

Anyone catch this: In a speech last June to her former church in Wasilla, Ms. Palin said the war in Iraq was “a task that is from God.” In her speech to the Wasilla Assembly of God in June, Ms. Palin said it was “God’s will” that the federal government contribute to a $30 billion gas pipeline she wants built in Alaska. Scary stuff. We've already been through this "God's will" stuff with George W. Bush (although I think his handlers were smart enough to never let him say it publicly). Does anyone else feel the Iraq war -- a war that has cost us a trillion dollars, over 3000 soldiers, and killed 100s of thousands of Iraqi civilians to make us less safe in the world -- was a task sent from God? She said that in JUNE, people!

Well... now they can start calling her a devoted grandmother too. Seriously though, quite the unfortunate situation for her daughter to be national news for getting pregnant (although at 5 months pregnant, the Palin and McCain people must have known... right?). Sucks for her.

Can anyone tell me if this picture is real or not?? EDIT: On second look... it must just be a look-a-like.

First, I was a biology-journalism double major and let me tell you... journalism majors are not the sharpest tools in the shed. Second, HA! I was thinking of the Dominique Sachse comparison earlier today. Could you imagine Dominique becoming mayor of Bonham, TX (population 9000)... then "governor" of Austin, TX (relative population/economy similar to Alaska) for 20 months... then BAM! she gets named VP running-mate!

I think it is good the pick has sparked a national discussion. I personally have a soft-spot for John McCain, for what he's been through and how he has worked in a bipartisan way on several issues, but... man... has his drastic pandering to the base been helluva disappointing, and discredited his basic political philosophy. I even think the country will be fine with a President McCain, although I think Obama is a much better choice for moving the country forward. But I certainly cannot say the same thing about McCain's VP choice. Very troubling.

Exactly musicman. The McCain age and melanoma issue is quite serious because he has chosen such an unknown quantity that almost no one in the entire country knew who she was until Friday morning. And someone McCain himself HAD ONLY MET IN PERSON ONE TIME! And as for addressing corruption... you are giving her a lot of credit for addressing the widely acknowledged corrupt Alaskan Republican party. In 2006 she was quoted as saying she supported "the bridge to nowhere". She wasn't against said corruption until it became a complete national joke.

A woman with a 5 children, including a 4-month-old Down syndrome baby, who has 20 months of experience running a state with a population and economy the size of Austin, who has no national or foreign policy experience, and who only won the governorship because she pointed out that the state's Republican party and governor were corrupt?? That has absolutely everything to do with it.

You obviously aren't interested in actually discussing the very serious issues that are facing our country today... but instead want to re-live past culture-war grievances. And, in point of fact, McCain is the only person running for President who is an admitted adulterer... Like I said before, this is serious business. We can't afford to elect people willing to play political games with the most important job in the world. McCain The Maverick, according to his own advisers, wanted to pick Lieberman as his VP, then he wanted to pick Tom Ridge... but in the end he gave in to Rush Limbaugh and picked Palin. Let's be honest, this is a 72-year-old man who has had 4 episodes of melanoma... a disease known for popping up anywhere in the body, no matter how long it has been in remission. These are facts.

Like I said, I didn't say it. My fiance said it. So you think the full-time job of raising 4 kids (1 of her kids is out of the house) is compatible with the 24/7 job of being President of the US? I think it is a fair question, but obviously it is easy to call sexist.

A&M lost their first game in the Sherman era... to Arkansas State! Not looking good.

Something my fiance just said about this Palin thing... you can't be a mother of 5, with a child with special needs born in April, and leave them at home to go be VP or President. Kids need their mothers. And she thinks of herself as a (modern) feminist! Hillary's daughter was all grown up.

El Presidente (no, not of the PTA)? Sorry guys... this stuff is just too much. I am watching her speak right now... my lord... she definitely seems like she would be a great PTA president. She is in WAY over her head.

Here's a nice quote from Bush's main man, MC Master Rove: Karl Rove: