Closing my Eye.

closed sign from flickr user The truth about used via a creative commons license.
If you haven't noticed, and judging by the numbers on my SiteMeter you haven't, my "local politics" drive isn't what it once was. I've been pondering for a while what my next blogging step would be, of if there would even BE a next blogging step for LaE heading into the 2009 Mayoral race and beyond into 2010.

After some soul-searching I've come to the conclusion that the answer is "no". Not only has poli-blogging run its course, but there's precious little to say in a medium that's filled with echo-chambers populated primarily with "my party 'tis of thee" bloggers who's idea of witty political discourse is using either "wingnut" or "libtard" in a blog post describing their political opposites. The blogosphere is so entrenched in their bunkers of late that even requests for discussion are met with anger and vitriol. Otherwise good ideas are overlooked.

Which leads us to our media, a group that's so lost its way no one cracks a smile when massive conflicts of interest are overlooked time and time again, when an internal memo suggesting news coverage that is pro-rail fails to act as a disqualifier in local debate.

In short, I'm shuttering Lose an Eye, not just for a while, but for good. I'm getting out of the poli-blogging game altogether. It's starting to take up too much time while accomplishing too little.

In the meantime, I plan on continuing my sports blog, as well as my Outside the Beltway food blog because those are things that still interest me. I might do something for dog rescue as well, but no more politics for me. (And no more BARC for sure) I'm also going to be working on my house in hopes of selling it soon in hopes of following the advice of a certain local celebrity chef.

I'm closing comments here but will leave the blog up as an archive. I know some people have links back to this so thank you very much if you took the time to link, even if it was to call me an idiot for not seeing things exactly as do you.

So, since I'm no longer a member of the Houston political blogosphere could all of the political campaign's with my e-mail do me a favor and take my e-mail off your lists? I live in Houston's ETJ so I couldn't vote for you anyway. Save the bandwidth for someone who can.*

And, with that, I leave you with the best of all goodbyes: "Good Morning, and if I don't see you, Good afternoon, Good evening and Good Night." - Jim Carrey as Truman.








*One last asterisk just because, in honor of Slampo, who I truly hope wins best blogger in the Houston Press this year and for year's to come

Houston Area Asides (09/15/09)

The "God speed Patrick" edition...

Dirty Dancing star Swayze dead at 57. [Andrew Dansby, ChronBlog]


The Obese Omnivore's dillemma [Loren Steffy, ChronBlog] - Treating obesity only as a "health issue" is short-sighted. It's an education issue as well. (The problem with treating it as a health issue is that the only way to solve it is to put the Government into people's kitchens. We don't want that.)

Incivility is heard 'round the Nation. [Greg Morago & Kylie O'Connor, ChronBlog] - Incivility used to be Patriotism, principled opposition and all of that. Equating what happens in the world of entertainment with that of politics or normal society is just silly. (On the other hand, this is from the editor who had a reporter masquerade as a hurricane victim and who isn't in a position to lecture anyone on civility IMO)

Safe Clear is reducing wrecks, study says. [Carolyn Feibel, ChronBlog]

The new study could not discern if crashes declined because wreckers were no longer racing each other to a scene or because rubbernecking was reduced.

But the study did take into account other influences on the crash rate, such as rainy days, gas prices and the amount of traffic.

“It makes the program look exceptionally effective,” said Bob Stein, a Rice University professor who co-authored the study with Tim Lomax of the A&M Texas Transportation Institute. (Stein's wife works for the White administration as a City Council agenda director.)

Congratulations to the Chron for finally getting Stein's identification right. Unfortunately this study, much like the red-light study conducted by Stein, makes many assumptions, without supporting data, as to why wrecks have declined. Wrecks have declined, but apparently there's nothing from the statistics to say "why". For instance, could wrecks be down because less cars are on the road due to the recent spikes in gas prices? (There are lies, damn lies, and statistics after all)

Hutchison spreads her own "silly rhetoric" [Lisa Falkenberg, ChronBlog] - Keep banging that hammer L'il Red. (Meanwhile, over in the adult end of the pool there are legitimate concerns about the increase of unvetted, unelected czars in the Obama administration with their hands on some powerful levers. Van Jones is the obvious foil because of his radicalism, but the bigger question is how democratic this all is. A decent columnist would have, at least, taken a look at that. Not Houston's own L'il Red however, she's only got one hammer.)

KBH's pathetic czar claims. [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - At least the intended audience got a chuckle out of it. (Mr. Kuffner does have a point about the titles, they do have them, but Hutchison's point about the role of the 'special advisors, and their implied powers still rings true. Maybe not to the level of outrage that Republicans are claiming, but it should be of concern to everyone. Ok, almost everyone)

The Big Thaw [The Chron's Caucasian Think-Tank, ChronBlog]

Climate change fueled by human-generated emissions of greenhouse gases has made the polar region the fastest-warming zone on Earth.

That's fine execept that, increasingly, evidence is bubbling to the surface to rebut the "Human-driven" theory in place of something many of us have considered far more likely: Yes, the earth is warming and, yes, this warming is part of a cyclical pattern. (In other words our efforts should be focused on adaptation, NOT on destroying our economy in a Canute-esque attempt to hold back the tide)

King argues for fare rollback, community discussion on Metro goals/resources. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston] - Go over and partake in the discussion. It'd be better if there were Pro and Anti- public transit voices there. (Besides, as a pro-transit voice {albeit anti-current metro plan} I'm feeling a little outnumbered over there in the early discussion.)

Harris County Republican Party Chairman Race Forum [David Jennings, Big Jolly Politics] - Hi! My name is (generic Caucasian male name here) and I'm running to be your next HCRP President. My platform is simple: Democrats are socialists and we really, kinda, might want to think about reaching out to minorities, except the illegals, who our disdain for doesn't mean that we don't like Mexicans. No, really. I love enchiladas. (See? Now you don't have to sit through these events. You're Welcome)

A little context in the local transportation debate. [Rorschach, Red Ink: Texas] - At the minimum they should disclose. (Or the media, who quotes them heavily, should disclose that for them. {see Stein, Bob for more})

An open letter to the Texas Republican House Committee: Your Rally was pathetic. [Phillip Martin, Burnt Orange Report] - In sports we call it "acting like you've been there before". In life it's called "winning with class". (I'll take, things TX Democrats don't do well for $1000 Alex)

Houston Area Asides (09/14/09)

The "so much for the football season" edition....

Another fire on arson-weary Heights block [Dale Lezon, ChronBlog]

Metro needs to wheel out a complete budget. [Carolyn Feibel, ChronBlog] - Why? According to boosters everything's just fine. (Of course, those same boosters want a soccer stadium as well, you know, because everything's going so swimmingly with the other three)

Vow to Harris taxpayers on stadiums may be broken. [Bradley Olson, Chronblog] - Everything's moving along just fine. (I wonder if this was part of "Mayor Brown's Vision"? Or if Gene Locke has anything to say about it, since he played a key role in it's structure?)

Sports Authority may need infusion of Taxpayer cash. [Anne Linehan, BlogHouston] - More on what should be the biggest local story in the Mayoral election. (Instead we get grandoise 'plans' and 'blueprints' on how much more money we need to spend. Unserious candidates lead to an unserious, financially challenged, City.)

The $2,520 question. [Shawn K. Quinn] - Giving to charity is good for the soul.

25 random observations from the Texans/Jets game [John Royal, The Clownvision Chronicles] - There's a lot of this out there today. (Including what I wrote on my sports blog: 3CB)

Rice University should have an art museum. [Robert Boyd, Wha Happened?] - Probably.

Fiestas Patrias Parade -GOP blows an opportunity, Again [David Jennings, Big Jolly Politics] - The "win the hearts and minds" rhetoric of the HCRP is nice and all, but talk without action is well....(It's easier to run around with your hair on fire than it is to engage those you've historically had difficulty engaging)

When a Republican becomes a Jackass...[The Mighty Wizard, Fireballs, Lightning Bolts & Hellstorms] - Yet another take on the "You Lie!" issue.

That is real trite...man [Squawkbox, Lone Star Times] - Funny, a call for honest debate from one of LST's chief flamethrowers. The post makes some valid points, while at the same time illustrating the importance of the messenger to the reception of the message.

The Filth of the Democrats. [Right Wing Sparkle] - Ummm.....OK? (How many people were at both rallies? Are the pictures really representative? From my experience people litter regardless of party affiliation.)

Hit him again, Joe! [Edward William Sidney, The County Seat] - Some support for Rep. Joe Wilson.

Race for Houston Mayor is not about Race. [John Cobarruvias, Bay Area Houston] - He says as he condemns Republicans (on another post) through the use of repeating K's. (Race is the never healing gash in American politics. While the public may operate, on the surface, free from its taint, it's use in politics is cheered in support, and roundly condemned in opposition. Really it just depends on which race is being racist and who benefits from it.)

Netroots n' boots attendees phonebank for healthcare reform. [Katherine Haenschen, Burnt Orange Report] - The overwhelmingly caucasian face of Progressive activism. (Maybe the problem is that BOTH parties are lilly white? On the activist fringe that is?)

Let's roll back Metro Fare Hikes. [Bill King, ChronBlog] - Saving this for last because I believe it's worthy of discussion. (I've a feeling such discussion will be roundly opposed by Metro supporters however. Call it a hunch.)

You Lie!

The voice you heard in the background was Joseph Wilson from South Carolina.

And yes, he's a Republican. A Caucasian, male, Southern Republican at that. At once embodying the stereotype from which Republicans are attempting to distance themselves, while at the same time finding himself thrust into prominence by the vacuum of leadership that's currently residing at the top of the GOP. It's allowing a group of excitable "conservatives" whose main skill is rallying the base and, seemingly, doing nothing but running around with their hair on fire, to take umbrage at every action taken by the opposing party. It's the same crisis of basic governance and civility that's overcome the Republican Party of late, driving many away, perhaps for a long time.

Was this the bottom for Republicans?

I don't think so. The way I see it they still have a long, long way to fall yet before they can even think about a dead cat bounce in the polls. Mistaking the public's frustration at the arrogance and incompetence of *democratic leadership as proof of their re-emergence is just one part of this. Yes, the Democrats (especially the leadership) are bad, but the Republicans are much worse, despite their sudden embrace of populism to the contrary.

What's obvious here is that the Pachyderms still are without an effective strategy for dealing with overwhelming Democratic majorities. A strategy that goes beyond hurling boorish insults and screaming over the crowd. You expect that kind of incivility from the general populace,(After all, throughout history the best public uprisings have always been peaceful, but loud and long in duration) you expect to find better from those elected to represent us as professionals.

Yesterday's footage from Congress more closely resembled a news clip from a Pacific Rim emerging democracy than it did the standard-bearer for world Democratic governance, all that was missing were the fisticuffs. It should have been an embarrassing moment for anyone who still identifies with the GOP, and even for those who identify with the Democrats. Regardless of your political persuasion I think we can all agree that a certain amount of decorum is desirable within the halls of Government. It's one thing for Nancy Pelosi to bear her fangs, but at least she does it in a calm voice. (That being said, Pelosi is among the worst examples of Congressional leadership, her contempt for the American populace being only marginally contained)

As it stands now, whatever hope there is for meaningful, affordable, lasting health-care reform probably lies in a handful of conservative "blue dog" Democrats. Their job it is to now act as the responsible hedge to the Progressive tendency to overspend with abandon. While a majority of Americans may agree that something should be done to provide a course correction in health care, even larger majorities agree that continuing to spend the money of future generations is the height of irresponsible action. The same "fiscal prudence" that progressives preached during the Bush years has fallen victim to a punch-drunk deficit spending orgy that's outstripping anything the military-industrial complex could have imagined in their most private of dreams. Meanwhile, most of America just wants a health care system that works, that doesn't break future generations, and is created by the adults in the room. It doesn't seem to much to ask but, then again, here we are.


All of this, unfortunately, disqualifies a majority of the minority party from having a meaningful place in the debate. While Democrats huddling in meeting rooms trying to work out the differences between progressives and moderates, the Republican leadership is out pandering to a Tea Party constituency who's only contribution to the debate (so far) are some pithy signs and decibels.

Hell, at this rate they might as well join the Texas Blogosphere.


EDITED TO ADD: One shouldn't mistake my lack of support for Republicans to equate to some type of de facto support for Obama or his health care plan. The plan, in its current form, is an expensive, unwieldy monster that's destined for financial ruin. Need a precedent? Try Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security on for size. If you want to go further then take a look at the funding issues England is currently having with the National Insurance, and how much trouble they're in.

Obama's speech was a partisan train-wreck, using ad hominem and straw man fallacies in an effort to paint anyone against his plan as anti-"change". In that respect he would fit right in on the Left of the Houston political spectrum, mis-identifying arguments and then twisting them to his benefit in "gotcha's" that really aren't. It's dishonest politics where anecdotal evidence is offered up as proof of case for deep, systemic changes.

Before its over I've a feeling that Obama, Pelosi and Reid will fall victim to hubris, much in the vein of Thomas Friedman. Their distaste for those they govern will, ultimately be their undoing. Because the current batch of Republicans are so bad however, they're time in the limelight will probably be extended beyond it's logical half-life.







* Capitalization fixed due to the fine work of my army of free on-line editors.

Houston Area Asides (09/10/09)

The "It's divine" edition....

Beer Fans poised for Divine release. [Ronnie Crocker, ChronBlog] - As a matter of fact, I have the offical LaE-DR8 retrieval team fanning out across the greater Houston area as I write this. (High expectations for this one)

Ancient campsite uncovered on Cypress Creek [Allan Turner, ChronBlog]

HISD ready to offer Superintendent finalist Grier a "fair contract" [Ericka Mellon, ChronBlog] - Ho boy. I wonder how offended Gayle Fallon will be from her beach house?

Gov. Perry expects bonfire to return at A&M [Jeannie Kever, ChronBlog] - Will this be the "lynchpin" of his re-election bid? (God knows he's going to have trouble running on his record or acheivement)

Aggie Bonfire not coming back. [John Cobarruvias, Bay Area Houston] - Bonfire as political issue, who knew? (Since I'm not an Aggie my opinin doesn't matter, but as a Texan I'd be happier if it didn't come back. Some things just need to go.)

Is White losing his strong grip? [Lisa Falkenberg, ChronBlog] - L'il Red swings....and misses....once again....(A real metro columnist might have examined whether or not Mayor White's extensive campaign travelling was hurting him any, or if there were people standing up to him for political(campaign) reasons. Not in OUR ChronBlog however. Those types of questions aren't the ones that need to be asked)

Transit system continues to suffer from declining ridership, collisions. [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston] - Just wait until the new lines are built, bus service is 'stremlined' to force people onto the tram and even more lanes of traffice are lost on busy streets. (The term: Shooting gallery, comes to mind. Although, pointing this out makes one 'anti-transit' in Houston's bizarro-world of public discourse.)

Peter Brown is 2 or 2! [David Ortez, A Political/Social thought Blog] - With people who are pre-disposed to voting for him. (Out in the real world, there's little evidence (yet) that his being first on TV has moved the needle in his direction one iota.)

The Executioners Song [Glen W. Smith, DogCanyon] - Let's see: Texas self-loathing (check), A dig at Rick Perry (check), anti-death penalty rhetoric falsely juxtaposed with the health care issue (check) Yup, DogCanyon is still hitting all of the bases. (Still struggling to find anything "unique" about this perspective.)

Ten Transportation opportunities for the next mayor. [Christof Spieler, Intermodality] - Something missing from all of this: Cost. (Enacting all of these would be terribly expensive, which is something that's frequently overlooked when fanciful plans are generated by arm-chair transportation experts with no financial skin in the game. Yes, some of them are good ideas, but how to pay for them?)

What's unique about it?

R.G. Ratcliffe, writing in the Texas Politics Blog on ChronBlog, gives us the heads up regarding Dogcanyon a new political blog written by former ChronBlog (and Houston Post) writer turned Anne Richardson campaign manager Glen Smith.

As far as poliblogs go it's pretty standard InterLeft fare, links to all of the major blogs of the Texas InterLeft and most of the major media outlets. It's well designed yet suprisingly poorly written, often relying on juvenile hooks and name-calling to get the point across rather than the erudite arguments one would expect from a political insider. What LaE found most telling was the following snippets, highlighted in Ratcliffe's post:

More importantly, there's a growing gap between voters and political events in Texas. And Texas remains on the minds of people around the country. So, we're going to provide our unique perspectives

From a DogCanyon post:

There’s nothing quite as sad as the spectacle of people wearing teabags on their hats while demanding that their health and the health of their children and neighbors be sacrificed to the gods of insurance industry hellfire.

Tonight, President Barack Obama will speak to the nation, going over their teabagged heads to try and reach the last remnants of a sane America. Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Perry continues to steep his own teabag in the cracked cups of the witless. Try and make us healthier, Perry threatens, and Texas will secede from the Union. We are a self-reliant people, by God, so the Texas Republic’s new President Perry will propose, at market prices, pliers for the poor with toothaches and handsaws for diabetics with foot ulcers.

Well, that's not very unique (especially in Texas) now is it?


Snark aside, welcome to the Texas Blogosphere Mr. Smith.

Rapid Eye Movement (09/09/09)

Stuff that deserves mention that didn't make it into my "Houston Area Asides" post from this morning.

1. Forget Linux. Microsoft trains retailers on how to pitch Win7 PC's vs. Macs. [Mary Jo Foley, ZDnet] - With all that Microsoft does wrong (according to techies) it's a miracle they're still in business, much less the market leader in their industry. (h/t: Dwight Silverman)

2. Peter "BluePrint" Brown? Sounds more like a blues singer than a Mayoral Candidate to me. I'll give the guy credit, he's really working to see his message. (and still desperately trying to find a viable constituency)

3. The political left believes in power, not freedom. [Wesley J. Smith, First things]

China is hardly a “benign” oligarchy. It is a brutal tyranny with utterly no respect for the sanctity/equality of human life. It has a terrible eugenics policy, the one child policy has led to forced abortions and female infanticide, it executes prisoners for their organs, stifles political dissent, arrests Falun Gong because it detests their religion, brutally occupies Tibet, etc. etc. etc.

Beyond that point, the insufferable smug presumption in the superiority of the Left’s ideas–which is relevant to the Obamacare debate and how the cost control panels would work–is revealing. Friedman’s swoon over China is yet another warning about the threat of allowing people of his political ilk to exercise centralized control over crucial aspects of our lives.

Freidman's screed today represents everything wrong Progressive rhetoric. It's not about freedom, it's about control. It's about taxing the other American, who just happens to be one pay grade above you. It's about shared sacrifice, for everyone else. It's the kissing cousin to the politics of no espoused by some Republicans. (H/T: PubliusTX)

Houston Area Asides (09/09/09)

"The nines have it" edition....

VA Hospital on Holcombe opens clinic for veterans. [Lindsay Wise, ChronBlog] - More clinics would be a good solution to one part of the health-care problem.

Texas air rules violate Federal Law EPA says. [Anthony Caputo & Gary Scharrar, San Antonio Express-News via ChronBlog] - Apparently the Texas economy is too strong in comparison to the rest of the Country. Something, therefore, must be done!

McDonalds comperable store sales rise in August. [AP via ChronBlog] - What's this? MORE economic success? Hold onto your butts McDonalds.

Obama unveils tougher health care strategy. [Stewart M. Powell & Jennifer Dlouhy, ChronBlog] - Campaigning is easy, governing is hard. (Especially with a Congress populated by the marginally competent *or, in most cases, worse*)

Sex Ed. Now [The Chron's Caucasian Think Tank, ChronBlog]

Or at the very least, that she'll make a less awful decision and use a condom.

What a horrendously sexist editorial. All I can say is Wow. This is a new low for an editorial board that continually redefines the bottom of intellectual debate. (One guesses that young males should just be locked up in isolation with their sexual members duct-taped to their body. After all, they're not the one's making 'choices'.)

Van Jones knows. [The Chron's Caucasian Think-Tank, ChronBlog] - A bigger question is whether or not this expansion of the President's Office is necessary, and whether or not having unelected officials in charge of everything is desireable. (You would think that, Democrats, with their concern about 'rights' and what-not would be up in arms over this. I expect Republicans to turn a blind-eye to the expansion of Presidential power, they did it for 8 years under Bush after all.)

Mea Culpa: Not just for Right-wingers anymore. [Ed Truitt, etee2k.com] - It's a community Come to Jesus meeting.

Der Kommisar's in town. Uh-Oh [Hamous, Lone Star Times] - After their dalliance with citizen-journalism, the men of LST return to their Neo-Con roots. (OK, I'm wrong. THIS expansion of executive powers is (to them) beyond the pale. Bush's was just "responsible government" etc. etc.)

Meet Ted Cruz [RightWing Sparkle]

I had been hearing about this young handsome attorney in the Texas Attorney General's office for a while.

Something about that just reads wrong doesn't it?

Upcoming City Candidate Forums in Clear Lake [John Cobarruvias, Bay Area Houston] - Good information for residents of the area. (Ripped and pasted without attribution?)

Pastrami King for Lt. Governor. [Perry Dorrell, Brains n' Eggs] - A weak bench gets you every time.

Hi! I'm Lt. Governor Mark Katz, try the Reuben. [Mean Rachel]

Alas. Democrats might end up with Kinky as Governor and Katz as Lt. Gov. Or we might stick with Goodhair and secede. Either way, these are looking like two options that I'm not really ready to confront. The Lone Star state is starting to look pretty loony.

Wait...I thought all this secession talk was indicative of the Right Wing loon jobs? What? (Seriously, in this political climate, with this group of lousy Republicans in charge were I a Democrat I'd consider leaving as well if this is the best the State Party can do.)

What happens now in HCC District 8? [Charles Kuffner, Off the Kuff] - A fascinating mess.

Understanding Storytelling. [Tom Kirkendall, Houston's Clear Thinkers]

Houston Area Asides (09/08/09)

The "get up and get back to work" edition....

Stimulus money beefs up Special Ed programs. [Jennifer Radcliffe, ChronBlog] - It's a touching story, but not very stimulative. (Something not mentioned in this article, instead there's anecdotal tearing down of "those mean old football programs"? What?)

Texas ports taking big hit from recession. [Jenalia Moreno, ChronBlog] - So much to report (so little reported on regarding the Port of Houston etc.)

In speech, Obama urges students to work hard. [Tom Hamburger, LA Times via ChronBlog] - Way to tackle the local angle of the issue ChronBlog (Katy anyone?)

Cypress home hit with hate graffiti. [Bradley Olson, ChronBlog] - Given the proper resources a very good series of stories could be penned on the growing pangs currently being experienced in Houston's rapidly diversifying suburbs. As the City Center gentrifies, these minority families are moving outside the Beltway. Much to our benefit I might add. (Unfortunately, some don't feel that way. It'd make for a hell of a story should the media decide to honestly* tell it.)

*The key word here would be honestly, without bias, loaded language etc. Given the state of racial dialogue in America, and especially the South, this doesn't have a prayer of happening anytime soon.


Better wait a few days befor trying the Chron recipes (cont'd) [Kevin Whited, BlogHouston] - I thought that tasted off. (Heh)

Big XII wrap. Week 1 [Kevin Whited, PubliusTX] - Oh, K-State won as well, but I could see how leaving them out would be tempting. (Sorry K-State fan. It's nothing personal, my wife is a fan, born across the street from the stadium FWIW)

Beck/Olbermann - More manufactured outrage: From the right [David Jennings, Big Jolly Politics] - The "mini-Rush" boom on TV and radio is bearing its fruit. (And it's not very tasty to some)

Intellectual upper class. [Unca Darrell] - The mistake that these primarily Caucasian, primarily non-producing members of society make is that their automatically "right" due to crossing some mythical threshold of information consumption. (A far better determinant of intelligence is common sense, of which the Intellectual upper class has little. From my experience in dealing with them that is.)

John Woods and Gun Free Schools win Chronicle Award. [Katherine Haenschen, Burnt Orange Report] - Which is a lot like saying the Link Letter gave former President George W. Bush a lifetime achievement award. (Or that the Houston Press named a left-leaning blog "blog of the year")

Promises getting chopped up? [Stace Medellin, Dos Centavos] - Yet another call in the local InterLeft for a repeal of the Bill White tax cuts. (And calls for further tax increses? Not in so many words, but if all the wonderful programs and pet projects are to come to fruition...)

A change in blogging seasons....

Mountain biking by Flickr user Thorne Enterprises used via a creative commons license

With the flip of the seasons (and the weather) from Summer-bake-your-ass-off-heat to more tolerable Fall in Houston the pace and tenor of blogging is going to change quite a bit here as well. Probably all that I'm going to do on most days is an "asides" update and nothing on the weekends.

I've spent most of this weekend watching College Football and getting our bikes in order to hit the trails that are all over the West side of Houston.

Mountain biking, and other outdoor pursuits, are going to be my main focus as Fall turns to Winter. Politics, and the silliness that follows them, will be moving to the back row of the bus, behind the great outdoors and College football.

Until then, I'll try to finish up my Texas wine country recap over on Beyond Beltway 8 and will be posting (somewhat) regularly on 3CB. As is usual, you can keep track of all of it on The Harris County Almanac.

Until then, see you on the trails.