Nothing but “Star Wars”

A little over 20 years ago, I had my first byline in the Houston Chronicle, my hometown newspaper. I’d been working there for about a year as a part-time clerk to three assistant managing editors while studying journalism at the University of Houston. My tasks were fairly mundane, but the job gave me my first taste of life in a big city newsroom.,The occasion was the pending release of Star Wars, Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Rate this:

Patriotism, Then and Now

Thirty years ago today, I woke up very early at my childhood home in Alief to make a pilgrimage to the old U.S. Customs House in downtown Houston — the site of the Military Entrance Processing Station. There, I raised my hand to swear an oath to defend the people and Constitution of the United States, and became a sailor in the U.S. Navy.

Rate this:

Houston Council votes to oppose “sanctuary cities” bill

The small group of incoming high-school freshmen probably didn’t know exactly what they were in for when they attended today’s Houston City Council members. What they got was an excellent example of the debate of competing ideas and democracy in action.

Rate this:

A peaceful protest in Houston

Houston prides itself, quite rightly, on the diversity of its population. It’s often said that the Bayou City is the most diverse big city in the United States. That diversity extends to its international population — as I was reminded at a recent event, Houston has perhaps the largest number of foreign consulates in the country.

Rate this:

A new kind of climate change law?

The role of law and the courts, both in the U.S. and abroad, in addressing climate change is shifting away from a “sector-by-sector” approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions toward one focused on determining how climate change impacts on people and holding emitters directly responsible, a panel of experts said at the University of Houston Law Center last week.

Rate this:

Farewell, Sarah

I was struck not only by Sarah’s outer beauty, but also the depths of her inner conviction and idealism.

Rate this:

Fair winds and following seas, Ranger

Last weekend, I took a trip into the past.

Rate this:

Harris County Judge Ed Emmett discusses hurricanes, indigent health care and (yes) the Astrodome at Houston Skyline Rotary

In a recent talk, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett discussed being the chief emergency official in a highly urbanized county, the problems associated with taking care of mental health patients in the Harris County Jail and the fate of the Astrodome.

Rate this:

Annise Parker discusses her Houston legacy, possible future plans at Skyline Rotary

In a recent talk, Houston Mayor Annise Parker Annise Parker discussed some of the legacy issues of her time as mayor, but gave only the slightest hint of her intentions after leaving the office.

Rate this:

Opera and European furnishings: A perfect pair

I’ll just put this out there right away: I’ve never been what you’d call a huge opera fan.

Rate this: