December 2011 Archives

My time at Barnes and Noble is coming to an end tomorrow. The funny thing is that the people there are split into three categories. There are the managers. They may have started in another field, but they are making a go of it there. They are in it for the long haul and probably making some decent money. There is a sizeable group of us that were downsized from our career of choice and...

Mitt Romney on Tuesday, commenting on the Justice Department blocking a South Carolina law requiring a photo ID in order to vote:"I find it extraordinary that Eric Holder is, one more time, making a very serious error. The idea that people should not be able to be identified as they vote so that we can know that they are not voting multiple times. I mean, that's the purpose here of course. We don't want people...

Another eventful year here at The Hurricane is coming to a close and we appreciate all of our faithful readers.  No matter our political and ideological leanings, one thing remains true that we should especially remember during this season...we are all in this together and each have a responsibility to look after the well being of our fellow human beings.  That obligation to one another often gets lost in the great noise machine of political...

Occupy Houston and Occupy Austin protestors are facing felony charges for taking part in civil disobedience earlier this month outside the Port of Houston. The felony charges had at first been dismissed by a judge, but have now be reinstated by a Harris County grand jury empanelled by the Harris County District Attorney's office.There is little doubt in my mind that these charges are about scaring off further acts of protest in our county. This is...

A few days ago I saw a blue FEMA tarp still on a roof here in Houston.These tarps were all over right after Hurricane Ike in 2008.I believe Galveston still has a number of homes with the tarps still in place. But I have not taken any pictures of those tarps.While you can't see it very well in this picture, the word FEMA is visible at the top of the tarp.Here is the FEMA website. People...

This time of year, I love to see happy news stories.  Here's one from the Associated Press, via Huffington Post:VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. -- A Navy tradition caught up with the repeal of the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" rule on Wednesday when two women sailors became the first to share the coveted "first kiss" on the pier after one of them returned from 80 days at sea. Petty Officer 2nd Class Marissa Gaeta of...

http://this-small-planet.com/2011/epa-study-finds-frac-fluid-components-in-wyoming-town-ground-water/...

What books should you consider as holiday gifts for the Texan in your life, or for someone who would like to learn more about Texas?I have some suggestions.As you can see from the picture above, Hamburger Wearing An Astros' Hat would very much like to learn more about Texas. Hamburger is a member of my Texas Liberal Panel of Experts.You will also please note that Hamburger is trying to use some Republic of Texas currency to buy...

Above are details of an Occupy Houston March to be held on Suday 12/18 at 2 PM.Here are more details of the event from Occupy Houston---Immigrants are part of the 99%. Locally and nationally, immigrant communities are facing increasing attacks and human rights violations. On International Migrants Day, December 18th, Occupy Houston will join with those in the local immigration community and Occupy movements nationally to take a stand against the assaults and record number of detentions...

There is an Occupy Houston training session for field organizing this weekend.Day-by-day Occupy Houston and Occupy efforts across the nation are showing that they will be around for the long haul.Here is the Occupy Wall Street website.Here is Occupy Galveston.Here are details of the Houston training event---OH Mobile Occupation Work Group will be hosting the first in a series of sessions on Field Organizing this Sunday, Dec 18 at 5pm in the downtown branch of the Houston Public Library at 500 McKinney...