Jun 152006
Jun 152006
Some people’s commutes are about to get easier. News8Austin and others are reporting that the 45th street construction that started a little over a year ago is complete. The entire length of 45th from Mopac to Airport Blvd got some new sidewalks and water/wastewater lines. It was completed a month early and funded by a 1998 bond issuance, something to keep in mind when the bond elections come up this November. The Chronicle has details and opinions about what’ll be included in that package.
I also saw last week that the work on 183 between I-35 and Springdale/290 is nearly completed and expected to open by the end of the month, a welcome relief for me as the diversion onto the service road and the light at Cameron Road adds at least 10 minutes to my morning commute. The stretch of 183 between I-35 and Ben White is to become a toll road once more improvements are made. I’m unsure of the timeline on that, but now that I said toll road, this post is sure to get some comments. Toll road, toll road, toll road.
Austin ER Gets Props
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Jun 152006
A series of reports by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine is making news across the country. NPR did a story on it this morning and the Statesman ran one today as well. The reports highlight the dismal state of health care in this country and warns that the hospital and EMS infrastructure in most cities would be unable to handle crises like an outbreak of avian flu or terrorist attack.
The report did give examples of systems that had better coordination and gave Austin/Travis County’s emergency medical system props for being a good example. While a lot of this has to be done at the local level, it’s a symptom of a much larger problem with healthcare in this country. I sure am glad that our congresscritters and leadership in Washington are spending time protecting my marriage instead of addressing frivolous things like my family’s health.
You can read the reports for yourself at the Institute of Medicine website.
Update (2006.06.15 12:02 CDT): Mahablog comments on the Washington Post article on these reports and expands (as usual) better than I ever could. This all reminded me of a couple of posts by Malcolm Gladwell earlier this year.
Jun 142006
Jun 132006
An e-mail went out yesterday to the EFF-Austin list about Tamara Hoover, who’s apparently under paid administrative leave and being considered for termination by the AISD school board for artistic nudes of her on a flickr site. A search reveals over 600 pictures of her, only about 10% of which involve nudity, and from what I can see, it’s usually just an exposed breast, clearly nothing in the school board’s definition that would warrant termination. The Statesman has a story this morning as does Austinist. Ms. Hoover (I seriously thought that was a joke when I saw the URL. Simpsons, anyone?) has a MySpace page where she’s posting some of her side of the story, she’s holding back some since she’s exploring legal proceedings.
The comments on the Statesman and her blog seem overwhelmingly supportive of her. I have to agree with some comments that the discipline should be reserved for the other teacher and student who brought up the page in class. It sounds like the other teacher had it out for her and showed poor judgement by following up on the student’s initial comment. If the board does fire her, it’s another reason in the growing list that are causing me to seek alternatives for my own children. Let’s hope they come to their senses and keep her.
Update (2006.06.13 21:36 CDT): The Statesman has printed a statement from AISD General Counsel, which pretty much just says that they think she should be fired and they’re not going to comment until they make a decision…which will be to fire her.
Update 2: (2006.06.14 14:07 CDT): Fleshbot has also picked up the story (don’t click on that one if you’re easily offended as they cover the pr0n industry among other things).
Jun 132006
Jun 132006
I’d probably only heard of Ann Coulter in passing until I read Al Franken’s Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them. I still don’t really care what she has to say. She’s one of those people that says completely outrageous things to get attention and, of course, make money. I’m not linking any of her crap because I don’t want to give her traffic. You can google her yourself if, by chance, you haven’t heard of her by now. Anyway, I bring her up for two reasons:
- She’s apparently going to be on Tonight Show with Jay Leno
tonightWednesday to plug her most recent book. George Carlin is also going to be on plugging Cars. He’s the voice of Filmore. There’s no guarantee that they’ll face off, but it’s worth watching in case they do. As Kevin Seconds notes, Carlin should be able to put her in her place. Speaking of Carlin, Pharyngula linked a skit of his from MadTV yesterday that I’d never seen. - Somebody else linked a YouTube posting of the “Letters from Henry” segment from the third episode of The Henry Rollins Show on IFC. There’s no reason to resort to YouTube though. IFC allows access to segments from all of the shows on the site in addition to web-only extras. If you’re not watching this show, you should be. It’s been pretty solid so far. I’ve yet to miss an episode.
Mary Cheney is still trying vain to plug her new book, but it appears that no one gives a shit. I’m not surprised. There’s a wide swath of members of her own party who’ll avoid the book because she’s a lesbian. The lesbian and gay community will avoid the book because she’s seen as a traitor. And, honestly, in the end, who really cares what the vice president’s daughter has to say? Shuffle her off to current and former presidental offspring camp with Amy Carter, Chelsea Clinton, and Ron Reagan Jr. Can anybody even name the offspring of previous vice presidents? I can picture Gore’s kids and remember that one of them was hit by a car, but can’t come up with names.
Anyway, speaking of possible sparks, Cheney will be on Fresh Air with Terry Gross today. I doubt we’ll get anything on the scale of the Gene Simmons or Bill O’Reilly interview, but ya never know.
[tags]henryrollins, anncoulter, marycheney, georgecarlin, tonightshow, freshair, ifc, npr, kevinseconds[/tags]
I-35 closed both directions in Buda – Possible hazmat spill
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Jun 122006
I just got a breaking news alert from News8Austin. Traffic on I-35 is bound to suck for the next several hours. If it’s bad enough, it’ll affect downtown Austin as well as those travelling anywhere between Austin and San Antonio. All you Buda, Kyle, San Marcos, New Braunfels commuters are in for a fun afternoon. Let’s hope nobody gets hurt and they get it cleared up in time for rush hour.
Update (2006.06.12 14:02 CDT): K-EYE reports a vehicle carrying radioactive material rolled over at Exit 221 near FM 1327 in Buda. The closing is a precaution, nothing’s actually escaped or leaked or whatever the appropriate term may be.
Jun 122006
Jun 122006
Sadly, one of our first posts concerned the news that Ikea was considering a Round Rock location. More speculation followed once the news was official. Well, the wait is almost over, Ikea junkies.
The new Ikea location at University and I-35 is apparently ahead of schedule and will open this fall instead of the original target date of Spring 2007. So now you all you know what you’re getting for Christmas this year.