Daily - The Austin Chronicle (2024)

Today Is Election Day

Today is Election Day in the City Council Place 4 run-off between Cid Galindo and Laura Morrison. Polls are open 7am to 7pm.I've said it before and I'll say it again: local politics arguably have an even greater effect on your life than national politics, so all you folks who flooded the polls in the Obama/Clinton contest need to head back to the voting booth and continue participating in your democracy.

Farewell, Tim Russert

As you have probably already read, Tim Russert has sadly passed away at the age of 58. The Emmy-winning Washington bureau chief for NBC News and moderator of "Meet The Press" died of a heart attack, but lived committed to bringing news, debate, and discussion of the issues to TV audiences.Newsdesk would like to give their deepest condolences to his wife Maureen Orth, their son Luke, and his father Big Russ.

Outlaws Update

In last Saturday’s game, the Austin Outlaws shutout the New Orleans Blaze 48-0. It’s no wonder defensive coordinator Narlen Baker felt fairly confident going into their first away game against the Blaze. The Outlaws killed New Orleans 42-6 in their home opener this season. But as Baker explains, the Outlaws need big wins in these last few games if they hope to make the playoffs. “There are always questions that arise when traveling to play on someone else's turf,” Baker states. “I was confident we would win, but how we would win was a concern. With hopes of making the playoffs on the line, we need to first win, but win big as well.”Last week’s shutout means the Outlaws could still land one of the wild-card spots. They just need to win their next two games, which they’ll play at home, and give up as few points as possible. This Saturday they play the Dallas-based North Texas Fury, whom they shutout 33-0 in their second game of the season. Another big shutout like that this Saturday would put the Outlaws in a good position for next Saturday’s difficult game against the first-place Oklahoma City Lightning. Secondary coach Bobbie James is optimistic about the Outlaws ability to bring home a championship if they can just power through these next two games. She states, “Ask the New York Giants how it feels to be a wild-card team. Once the playoffs start, everything starts back at the very beginning and it’s anyone’s game!”

TSOP

Just south of midnight, Scott and I staggered down Broad Street. Well, not staggered – lurched, tripped, stumbled. Three sizzled days accompanying 3am nights of “Philadelphia Freedom” in conjunction with last week’s 31st Annual Association of Alternative Newsweeklies Convention had reduced us to fondue.“Do you know where we are?” whimpered Sancho Panza.“Of course not!” spittled Quixote.“I think we need to take a taxi back to the hotel,” muttered the first, turning on his burro and peering into the steamy mist of a mammoth glass and girder opera house. Broad way glowed yellow brick road.“Two more blocks,” begged Harold.“There it is!” exclaimed Kumar pointing not 10 yards ahead.I spun around as if shot, neon catching me in its arms, an oasis in a stenciled shop front. Closed, of course, and no Sunday hours before my flight home. One particular CD rested against the windowsill of Antone’s Records' East coast cousin, a smaller, more tourist-minded “souvenir shop.”“Look, here’s the office,” nodded Scott.I leapt into the dark alcove, fumbling with my camera. Proof, I needed irrefutable evidence. For myself. The disc’s one thing, Sony Legacy shelf-fodder for Barnes & Noble washing up amid a sea of South by Southwest 2008: The Sound of Philadelphia: Gamble & Huff’s Greatest Hits. The O’Jays’ opening shut-down, “Love Train” then “Back Stabbers.” Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes countering with “If You Don’t Know Me by Now” and “The Love I Lost.” Stone soul witching-hour 1970s staples.“Me and Mrs. Jones,” Three Degrees of amniotic “When Will I See You Again” and their MFSB boop-oop-a-dooper, “T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia).” Lou Rawls’ black velvet pledge “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine,” McFadden & Whithead promising there “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.” Teddy Pendergrass announcing Ms. Patti LaBelle. Turn your love light infrared.

Paul Ends Campaign

Like the last dentist caving on that whole Trident thing, the final Republican presidential also-ran has accepted that John McCain got the nod. Last night, Rep. Ron Paul finally brought his r-evol-ution to an end by officially announcing the closure of his presidential candidacy. No, seriously, he still hadn't withdrawn before that. He said that he was ending his campaign so he could concentrate on "long-term efforts to take back our country."Meanwhile, from the Christian Conservative collection of ex-presidential hopefuls, Mike Huckabee will be joining Karl Rove as a political commentator for (hey, here's a surprise) Fox News. Wonder if they'll mention his Republican-boosting Huck PAC (either in a disclaimer or "contribute here" kind of way)?No word yet on what Alan Keyes is doing.

It's a Dog's Life ... Well, If Muffy Was More or Less a Trained Monkey

I can't decide if this new CBS reality show is one of the four horsem*n of the Hollywood-has-so-run-out-of-ideas-alypse... or the awesomest guilty pleasure ever. It's called Greatest American Dog; the gist is that a bunch of super-talented dogs live in a house together with their show moms and dads and compete for the title of... well, you know.Although one does wonder about how they measure the greatness of a dog. Sure, back flips and skateboarding skills are impressive, but they're not really indicative of dogness, are they? That's more like Greatest American Dog Impersonating a Human. How about Greatest American Dog Licking His Balls for an Hour?Greatest American Dog premieres Thursday, July 10 on CBS. Show preview below.(link via EW's PopWatch)

Mixed Bag

The release of Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III (Cash Money/Universal) this week means there’s about to be a significant Weezy Drought on the national mixtape circuit. And while certain heads might greet this news with grief, Check Yo’ Self is downright giddy about the idea of getting some other material across the boards.WaleThe Mixtape About NothingMark Ronson’s D.C. boy brings go-go music back with the follow up to December’s 100 Miles and Running. Dropping sound bytes from his favorite Seinfeld episodes, Wale kicks off Nothing with a Seinfeldian “What’s the deal…” rap sequence over a variation of the sitcom’s slap bass intro. He riffs over the Roots’ “Star” and the Flava Flav-sampled “The Hype,” calling to mind Common’s Be. One of the country’s next best MCs.BoBHi! My Name is BoBTaking a cue from fellow Decatur, Ga., products Outkast, BoB (Business over Bullsh*t) works within no generic box. Timbo-ringing “Haterz Everywhere” pulls from Stankonia, while “Lonely People” builds on Talib Kweli’s 2003 idea, drops the top, and reels in the gangster. BoB’s a ways away from producing anything close to an LP, but Hi! stands as a good spin and a better introduction.NasThe nigg*r MixtapeEsco’s upcoming album, the title of which he’s changed to simply Nas after everyone from Al Sharpton to my mother threw a fit over the previously decided on nigg*r, can’t come out soon enough. Here Nas hooks up with DJ Green Lantern for more shock and awe, facing controversy and previewing a few tracks. “Black President” makes Mr. Jones’ political affiliation quite clear.

SOS Wilson: Going Already?

In a surprise summer announcement, Secretary of State Phil Wilson has announced he's quitting to join Luminant, the energy production arm of Energy Future Holdings Corp., formerly TXU Corp. Less than a month ago, he was in New York ringing the NASDAQ closing bell and touting the strength of the Texas economy. When he steps down, he'll only just have scraped in a year in the office (July 1, 2007 – July 6, 2008). He'll start with Luminant as senior vice-president of public affairs on July 7.In a press release, Wilson said, "I have been honored to serve in this role for the people of Texas and am proud of the accomplishments we achieved during our time in office; overseeing the largest primary in Texas history, being part of bringing thousands of new jobs to Texas, and investing in our states future employers and technologies."No word yet on whether he'll be standing down as Gov. Rick Perry's designee on the Texas Enterprise Fund or the Emerging Technology Fund. Wilson has long been one of the closest of the Perry posse (Yesterday, Perry called him “a trusted advisor and dear friend of mine and Anita’s for many years"), having formerly served as his director of communications and deputy chief of staff. Before that, he was a key staffer for former senator Phil Gramm.

Trash-Talking in Court

U.S. District Judge James R. Nowlin of Austin is not without compassion. When Wal-Mart attorneys in the Waggoner v. Wal-Mart case insisted that it would be a hardship for their clients to be be deposed anywhere other than Arkansas, the clearly Longhorn-loving Nowlin decided to cut them some slack. His order (will download a PDF) in the case is a quick and hilarious read.