News and views roundup (02/09/2011 edition)
It's a midweek roundup of news and views:
- The real answer to Houston's traffic congestion (Houston Strategies)
Some excellent proposals here (except for the University Line compromise -- it's time completely to reconceptualize what we are trying to do with transit in Houston, very much in the manner that Gattis suggests). - Mayor expresses regret over withholding video of alleged HPD brutality (Gabe Gutierrez, KHOU-11 News)
There is no justification for what we saw on the video. My question concerns what we didn't see. Watch the video, and note that something is going on in the background. Some of the cops stop beating their defenseless victim in the foreground, and take off for whatever is going on in the background. Did someone else get a beatdown that wasn't captured by a camera? - Continental to lay off hundreds of employees in Houston (Doug Miller, KHOU-11 News)
- City truck falls into sinkhole in southeast Houston (Dale Lezon, Houston Chronicle)
A metaphor of sorts for the city of late? - "KRIV and Barajas mutually agreed to part ways" (Mike McGuff)
McGuff has owned this particular story, with other journos pretty much reading his blog and trying to keep up. Nice work! - Good cents: Dredging the Ship Channel costs pennies and delivers big dollars (Houston Chronicle)
Later in this wretched editorial (a mostly redundant phrase when it comes to the Chron of late), we learn that what the editorial board regards as "pennies" is $80 million. - I guess they'll choose for you? (Harris County Almanac)
- A look at sonogram 'emergency' (Lisa Falkenberg, Houston Chronicle)
Journalistic professionalism and perhaps even ethics (not to mention some sense of balance and fairness) would suggest that a political figure being attacked in such a vicious manner in the newspaper ought at least be afforded the courtesy of a chance to present his view in his own words in the piece. It's not that hard for a journalist to make the call and ask for a quote. - Toyota's Unintended Acceleration Problems Not Caused by Electronics, Feds Say (Hair Balls)
Staying on the topic of ethically dubious journalism: Still no update in this post or elsewhere from Richard Connelly on how his wife -- not identified as such in the earlier Village Voice hit piece on Toyota -- fared in her arbitration case against Toyota. Hopefully, Toyota owners are being more careful these days not to stomp on the gas instead of the brake. That common mistake can lead to *ahem* jarring outcomes. - METRO Looking to Expand Rail Service to Missouri City (Wendy Siegle, KUHF-88.7 News)
Professional coverage of this story. Contrast with.... - METRO Announces a New Commuter Rail, and It Wants Your Input (Hair Balls)
... the Village Voice amateur hour blog post approach. - State politician profits from insurance agency he 'watchdogs' (Mark Greenblatt, KHOU-11 News)
- State Rep. Larry Taylor earned commissions from TWIA insurance group he oversees: KHOU; did robocall promoting story violate state law? (Steve Miller, Texas Watchdog)
- Houston: Desertia (Super Houston)
- Anne Clutterbuck - Houston City Council Speaks Up (Pondering Penguin)
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 02/09/11 10:05 PM | Print |
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