Houston
Perp's wife shuts shop
Yet another neighborhood business closes its doors. I'll miss having an irresistible tourist attraction eight blocks away to take out-of-towners to.
Latest
Education
Kenneth Lay speaks the truth
At River Oaks Elementary, there is a bench with this dedication: "Education is the key to opportunity" in honor of Linda and Ken Lay's grandchildren This is true. Without education, you'll never get the opportunity to defraud your shareholders of billions of dollars.
Houston
Question for the Rice folks
There is a plaque in one of the lounges of the Fondren Library at Rice University which commemorates the campus' "Reading for Pleasure Club". Does Rice also have a "Reading for Duty Club"?
Sports
Greatest Greek victories
1. Marathon 2. Salamis 3. Euro 2004 (Not necessarily ranked in order.)
Intellect
Who are the patriots?
Love is not something you feel. Love is something you do. If you do not act upon a love you profess, then how real is that love? If love of country—patriotism—is like any other love, then who are the patriots? If you measure love not by professions—by
Houston
River Oaks: Going to the dogs
River Oaks is the last neighborhood where I would expect to get chased for a block by an angry mutt. I think the dog was counting on that element of surprise.
Politics
The Bushes and the evangelical vote
A fascinating interview with Doug Wead, who was a liaison between the 1988 Bush campaign and the evangelical communities and an early sounding board for George W. Bush.
History
Where I Was From
Joan Didion's latest book is an extended reflection on California, seen through the eyes of a native Californian; a musing at length about how the mythology and promise of California differ sharply from its reality. Come to think of it…every Joan Didion book I've read
Books
Bush at War
I have finally read Bush at War, Bob Woodward's application of his patented you-are-there-right-now technique to the workings of the Bush White House after September 11. As with all of Woodward's books, it is a compelling and breezy read. A good sign
Houston
Thursday evening at Onion Creek
After lolling around the Rice campus for a couple of hours yesterday evening, Thomas & Lori Gray, Booth Babcock and his girlfriend Moko, Lorin Gaertner (a friend of Lori and Booth's) and I had dinner at the Onion Creek Coffee House up in the Heights. We found a
Books
How to respond to bigoted remarks
Several years ago, I read Encountering Bigotry: Befriending Projecting Persons in Everyday Life, a book that is now out of print. I came across my notes from the book, and thought they might be of interest: People make bigoted remarks because they are dealing with more emotional turmoil than they
Money
Gas prices
Harry Boswell has "some thoughts about gas prices": When you bought your enormous SUV with the huge V-8 engine, there was a sticker on the window. That gas mileage number on the sticker? It meant something. Stop whining.