dbigtex56

So would that also apply to investigative journalists? or war correspondents? In the early 80's I had the distinct privilege of meeting Margaret Moth, who at that time was working for a local (Houston) TV station as a camerawoman. When we next met up, several years later, her appearance had changed drastically. This remarkable young woman had been shot while covering the conflict in Sarajevo for CNN. Most of her teeth and lower jaw had been blown off, her beautiful face hopelessly scarred for life. Yet, as soon as she was able, she requested to return to the front lines because she thought the story needed to be told. Here's a link to the full story. I'm also reminded of Nelly Bly, who a century ago had herself committed to an 'insane asylum' so that she could report on the inhuman conditions within. In both of these cases, reporters were indeed determined to 'change the world' - and did. The point I'm trying to make is that bias is inherent in news gathering, in photography, in just about any human endeavor. By reporting on any subject, the assumption has already been made that this is newsworthy, just as the failure to report suggests the opposite. I agree that the reporter should avoid bias as much as possible - but it will always be a matter of degree.

According to an article by John V. Robinson: The custom of decorating the uppermost point of the structure with an evergreen tree is a tradition that predates the structural-steel industry in America by hundreds of years and has old Northern European roots. Although the topping out tree has ancient roots there is no consensus among modern ironworkers as to what exactly the tree symbolizes, or when and how it came to be used by the ironworkers. According to The Ironworker, the union's official publication, "for some the evergreen tree symbolizes that the job went up without a loss of life, while for others it's a good luck charm for the future occupants"(1984:11). Other accounts attribute the tree as signifying simply that "we [ironworkers] did it" (Kodish, 1989:2). (Western Folklore, Fall 2001 Robinson, John V.) Link to full article

Bizarre. Ludicrous. Pathetic. It just screams "Hey! Who's laughing at my tiny penis now?!"

Gosh, this is just like one of those Rock Hudson/Doris Day movies.... How long until you two give up and admit you're in love?

If the (arguably) greatest inventor of all time offers to build a concrete house for you, don't let him! Here's an amusing article about Thomas Edison's ill-fated experiments in concrete.

Here's a proposal: Put the Imams, the breast-feeders and the flatulent on the same flights, and let them duke it out. Like a bizarre game of paper/rock/scissors.

DMac, to what architectural presentation was this criticism addressed? And by whom? I'd love to see the original concept and the proposed changes, and whether they're as dire as the critic makes them out to be.

Hmm...that looks like a funeral wreath on the door. Did Ann Richards live there?

I don't have to ask. Quicksilver must have closed circa 1980 or '81, because it wasn't open when I moved here late 1981. There were a few long-gone clubs on Avondale as well. One featured the entire cab of a Mack truck as its entryway. There was another called the Silver Phoenix (I think) and of course Dirty Sally's. Remember the place which was on that triangular plot at the corner of Westheimer and California? It had a tree growing through the middle of the building. Another bygone sleazy-but-fun place was Mother's, on Lovett. Formerly it was Baja Sam's, which was a rather nice restaurant - cabaret. I think Billy Stritch used to play piano there.

I recently started going to Tacos A Go-Go (Main @ Alabama, by the HCC/Ensemble rail stop.) Not ultra cheap, but affordable. Be sure to try the green sauce. edit: and of course, we can't forget Harry's (318 Tuam @ Bagby). Cheap and very, very filling. Houston Press review here.

Existing thread here.

Since they're racing pigs, I assume that Craig Baker has his own running shoes on. He'll fit right in.

Hmm....maybe a giant fake Fay Wray is a careless smoker?

How much for the squabs?

So, if you encountered the woman in the photo, would you be comfortable greeting her as "Hey, Aunt Jemima!"? And would you be surprised if she seemed less than delighted? And would you greet a white woman the same way? Of course not. It would be rude, and you're not rude. And rude remarks based on a person's race are (IMO) racist.

Remember the hostage crisis of the late 70's? Every night on the news they'd report "Day number x....America held hostage." Maybe our friends at the Houston Press could start a similar running tally of the number of days the Chron has held the Texas Avenue sidewalk hostage. City Hall sure as hell doesn't seem very interested.

And.....curtain. If either of you feel the need to pursue this further, please do it by personal messenger.

Looks like this topic has run its course... Thread closed.

Yes. It's on the northeast corner of Travis and Rosalie. There previously was a thread about this building, but it may have been on the old board. I'm trying to remember the name of the building...Windward? Something like that. I'll check again next time I'm in the neighborhood.

A problem with warming in northern climes is that permafrost no longer is permanent. Because frost makes the ground hard enough to support structures and make roads passable, its loss is a disaster for people who live and work in these areas. To say that there's a positive economic impact is utter crap. Insects and diseases which were previously kept at bay by a colder climate can thrive in (and decimate) northern forests. The same applies to animal life. And at any latitude, droughts and flooding are not condusive to improving conditions, economic or otherwise.

An embryo that hasn't even been fertilized...? My, you have a unique take on biology. What kind of fertilizer do you put on your embryos?

Wednesday, August 09, 2006 BEAUMONT (AP) - Pope Benedict the Sixteenth has designated Beaumont's Saint Anthony Cathedral as the fourth basilica in Texas. Church official says basilica status recognizes the cathedral's artistic and historical significance. The honorary title makes Saint Anthony one of about 60 basilicas in the United States. It comes in Saint Anthony's centennial year. Other Texas churches that have been named basilicas are St. Mary Cathedral-Basilica in Galveston, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Little Flower in San Antonio, and Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan Del Valle-National Shrine in San Juan. The Catholic Diocese of Beaumont requested in September 2005 that the Vatican consider granting the designation. (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) link From Britannica Concise Encyclopedia:

How proud the gas-guzzler enthusiasts must be to know that they're supporting this government.

And you can tell this due to what....x-ray vision? It's called engineering. I'd sooner take my chances in this vehicle than the pre-Nadar deathtraps.

If you look at womens fashions, designers have exposed just about every part of the breast except the nipple. Wearing pasties makes the female breast legal in public - why shouldn't a baby? A fat-faced kid covers a lot more area. I'm willing to bet that J-Lo has exposed more flesh on the red carpet than that passenger did in a discreet airline seat. Our society has such a weird double standard about breasts. They're to be leered at or regarded with alarm and horror. They're to be padded or enlarged, and then covered, but emphasized. I wonder how women keep their sanity. That being said, I'm among those who believe that anything regarding excretions or secretions should be dealt with in private whenever possible. If that's not an option, discretion is called for. An aside: it's my understanding that breast feeding discourages weight gain in the mother. Could this be a reason women might delay weaning their children?