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David Bruce Collins for US Senate—the Official Site

H-GAC TPC OK's NHHIP

26/7/2019

Several hundred people attend the Houston-Galveston Area Council's meeting on the proposed North Houston Highway Improvement Plan. A screen shows the list of concerns such as safety and noise pollution.

Concerned citizens pack the meeting room, mostly to show opposition to the I-45 expansion plans.

The people came with passion. The people came with data. The people came with reminders that widening highways does not reduce congestion and increases tailpipe emissions in the long run. A local furniture mogul came with a paraphrase from William Jennings Bryan about "crucifying [Houstonians] on a cross of concrete."

This is a sequel to yesterday's post about the North Houston Highway Improvement Project. The first expenditures on Segment 2 of the project got the go-ahead today, despite strong opposition from advocacy groups and Near Northside residents whose neighborhoods will be affected.

Only a few people spoke in favor of the NHHIP; dozens including Gallery Furniture entrepreneur "Mattress Mack" McIngvale, spoke against it. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Houston City Councilmember Dwight Boykins offered motions to delay the vote, which was all the crowd was requesting. But a majority of the Transportation Policy Council had already made up its collective mind to spend the first $100 million dollars toward what McIngvale called "the $7 Billion Boondoggle."

Hidalgo cast the only Yes vote on her motion to delay. The rest of the TPC is ready to let the bulldozers roll.

Here are a few links to reports in local media sources:

KPRC TV (NBC 2—warning: Don't read the comments as I did!)
KHOU TV (CBS 11)
KRIV TV (Fox 26)
HoustonChronicle.com (excerpt below)

“This plan is not a good plan for the city of Houston and represents the past and not the future of transportation in the City of Houston,” former district judge and Metropolitan Transit Authority board member Dwight Jefferson said, noting how prior freeway projects—including I-45—cut large gashes in black and Latino communities.

“The time has come to say no more,” Jefferson said in a fiery speech that drew loud applause. “No more communities dissected, no more families displaced, no more businesses sacrificed.”

Let's NHHIP This in the Bud

25/7/2019

Bakeyah Nelson, director of Air Alliance Houston, gives a presentation about delaying the vote on the I-45 expansion.

Bakeyah Nelson, director of Air Alliance Houston, talks strategy and delaying the vote on the I-45 expansion.

I can imagine the conversation when you mention the North Houston Highway Improvement Project to people who aren't familiar with Houston's highway system.

"We need to stop the expansion of 45!"
'45? You mean Trump? I agree, he's expansive enough as it is."

The agenda of the Bike Houston Ambassadors gathering last week included some information about NHHIP, the three-phase expansion and rerouting of Interstate 45 between the North Belt and Downtown. I have seen articles and op-eds about it in the Chronicle, emails about it from various sources. The breakfast meeting that I attended this morning provided a lot more lowdown on the proposal.

Even for bulldozer-happy Houston, this is pretty lowdown, in everything but the price.

This morning at the Buffalo Bayou Partnership near UH Downtown, Air Alliance Houston's executive director Bakeyah Nelson conducted an information exchange at the monthly Breakfast with Bakeyah (typically held on the last Thursday of the month). Wonks from various advocacy groups and some wonky individuals gathered to learn what they could and share what they knew. And I had a minor revelation that policy advocacy truly feeds my soul and is something I should do for a living if possible—but that's for another time and post.

Consider the Impact, Delay the Vote
Aside from spilling the dirty details of NHHIP, Nelson's main ask was that people who have the time should show up at tomorrow morning's meeting of the Houston-Galveston Area Council's Transportation Policy Council. H-GAC's TPC consists of representatives from Houston City government, Harris County, Galveston County, and METRO. Air Alliance's position is that the TPC should delay voting on the Texas Department of Transportation's proposal to spend the first $100 million dollars on the segment of I-45 between the North Loop and I-10.

AAH and related groups are unlikely to convince H-GAC and TxDOT that the project is wasteful and unnecessary and should be scrapped immediately. Delaying the vote, however would give H-GAC's decision-makers time to consider the project's impact on thousands of lives, buildings, homes, and jobs. Zoom in on the photo above to see the main points.

The TPC convenes for a public hearing at 9:30 am, Friday 26 July, in the meeting room at 3555 Timmons Lane, 77027.

Pollan's "How to Change Your Mind"—a Non-Review

23/7/2019

As usual, this is a lightly modified version of a review posted on Goodreads.

NOTE: I'm successfully resisting the temptation to read others' reviews before posting this one, although I did see that a Goodreads & Facebook friend also gave this book a full five. Primarily, I wanted to see whether any readers found any problems with Pollan's forays into describing the research protocols or the neuroscience.

FULL DISCLOSURE: To my knowledge, I have never taken any psychedelic substances, but I am currently taking Wellbutrin (bupropion) daily for moderate depression.

So...there's mountains of scientific evidence that tryptamines like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT (found in ayahuasca tea and in your own brain) can be used to help conquer addictions, various mental disorders, and fear of death. Further, these chemicals have shown greater effectiveness than commonly prescribed medications like my current pharmaceutical friend Wellbutrin—and you need only take them occasionally, not every day.

But you don't just eat magic mushrooms at a party and magically quit smoking the next morning: It has to occur in the correct setting, with the correct mindset, and with a trained guide. Despite their well documented efficacy, the US government has made unauthorized possession of these substances a federal crime, and has put the research on hold for most of the last half-century. So science has had to unearth or reinvent parts of the wheel it had in production back in the 1960s.

Whether he knew it or not at the beginning, Prof. Michael Pollan undertook a most ambitious odyssey in producing How to Change Your Mind. His account of that odyssey combines:

a thorough (and often amusing) survey of 70 years of research into psychedelic compounds and their effects in the US, Latin America, and Europe, with
his own and others' experiences ingesting those compounds.

What Multi-Party Democracy Looks Like (Sometimes)

22/7/2019

Yes, I'm late to the party on this item, but Green Party of Texas luminary Laura Palmer just posted the official press release last night. GPTX is one of several groups and individuals who are plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit against the state of Texas over its unreasonable obstacles to the ballot.

News of the lawsuit appeared in the Houston Chronicle (paywall) more than a week ago. The Green and Libertarian Parties both received mention in the headline. The Texas Tribune got its version of the story out on 11 July, and RawStory picked it up the next day.

Palmer herself is listed as a plaintiff, sharing billing with the Libertarian, Constitution, and America's Parties of Texas. TSU law professor Thomas Kleven, who in 2016 ran for Congress in TX-18, also appears on the list.

But...HB 2504! Why Sue Now?
In light of HB 2504 becoming state law this year, guaranteeing Texas Greens a ballot line through 2026, why would GPTX press the issue via a lawsuit? Why would the Libertarians and Railroad Commission candidate Mark Miller, who pulled off a 5% coup in a four-way race in 2016, join in?

Ambassador DBC and Questions for Council Candidates

18/7/2019

dbc holding up his Ambassador sticker from Bike Houston

A few years ago, in the wake of my run for the US Senate, beloved friends and HAUSmates started calling me "Senator." The nickname stuck, and it has become my playa-name in the Burner community. It helps distinguish me from the other Davids in that crowd, not all of whom even have playa-names.

BikeHouston calls me an Ambassador, meaning that I (a) help promote the interests of the organization in my area of town and (b) help shape its approach to policy initiatives in city government. Last night, a couple dozen of us ambassadors got together at the BH office and did some (b) work.

Several BH initiatives and programs came under discussion, including:

Bike Friendly Driver classes, the next of which occurs Tuesday evening 23 July, designed to educate motorists on mixing safely in traffic with cyclists. Members are encouraged to take the class so they can then teach the class.
The Austin Street Team ride, Saturday 27 July at 4 pm, at which a group of BH members and other cycling advocates will ride the length of the soon-to-be-constructed protected bike lane on Austin and La Branch Streets between downtown and Hermann Park. The rides starts at Baldwin Park in Midtown.
Another series of Bike to Vote rides, assembling cyclists at neighborhood bike shops and riding en masse to early voting locations. These will happen during the early voting period, 21 October through 1 November, for the upcoming Houston City Council election.

Promised Summer Vacation Slideshow, Part B

11/7/2019

Unlike Part 1, this gallery features only selected photos from the our 6,000-mile journey through 15 states in 15 days, via 15 Interstate highways. Also unlike Part 1, I'm adding captions and Alt text here.

We didn't get photos from every state or person we visited along the way, but we got most of the locations that weren't just overnight stays. Plus, Kayleen went out of her way to find souvenir fridge magnets from all 15 states on the trip.

Cadillacs partially buried nose-first at the Cadillac Ranch installation near Amarillo TX.

Kayleen standing with a blue 1957 Cadillac Sedan de Ville by the Cadillac Ranch souvenir shop.

dbc with a white 1958 Sedan de Ville at the souvenir shop near the Cadillac Ranch.

The "Legendary Road" mural in Tucumcari NM features scenes from the history of the Western US and US Highway 66.

Photo of the dashboard of the Kia Niro that transported us all over the West and Midwest, with the fuel economy gauge showing 60.7 MPG.

Stylized octopus mural on the outer wall of a sushi restaurant near the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City

After-dinner wine a picnic table outside the residence of friends Sam and Homer in Salt Lake City.

The trees and waterfall at the Travelers' Oasis truck stop in Eden ID.

The Oregon Trail Motel on US Highway 30 in Baker City OR.

The Oregon Trail Restaurant in Baker City OR, next to the Oregon Trail Motel.

The bike rack outside the Pendleton Woolworks in Pendleton OR.

Exhibit of native weaving and other artifacts at the Pendleton Woolworks.

An elaborately beaded native vest and moccasins.

Bolts of various grades and colors of wool at the Pendleton Woolworks.

The entrance to the main house, where tours of the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery begin, in Woodinville WA.

The bottling line at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery, Woodinville WA.

The filler, labeler, and boxing apparatus for wine bottles at Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery.

The Summer 2019 concert calendar for Chateau Ste. Michelle.

A substantial Newfoundland dog visiting Chateau Ste. Michelle with his people.

English lavender in full bloom at Lavender Hill Farm, Vashon Island WA.

Kayleen cutting some lavender blossoms at Lavender Hill Farm, Vashon Island WA.

Out to dinner in SeaTac with long-unseen friends from Massachusetts.

Tesla charging stations in a parking lot in Butte MT.

Silk flowers adorn "Harriet's Booth at Pannekoeken Huis in St. Louis Park MN (Twin Cities).

A delivery cycle and Holstein painted waste basket at Carr Valley Cheese Store in Mauston WI.

A softball field and some high-rise dwellings in South Chicago.

View of Lake Michigan across Lake Shore Drive (US Highway 41) from Kenwood Park, Chicago.

Street art, featuring Chicago pioneer Jean Baptiste Pointe Dusable, in an underpass below the elevated trains in Kenwood, Chicago IL.

Wells House co-operative dwelling on South Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

An image of a young human's face seems to spit a stream of water at the Millennium Park Splashpad, North Michigan Avenue, Chicago.

Another slow-motion human face image at the Millennium Park Splashpad, Chicago.

Pride Parade graphics in the window of a book store on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago.

Kayleen points to the honorary street sign for Bob Fosse Way in Downtown Chicago.

A short list of cocktails and "pyes" sold during the production of "Hamilton."

The front of the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago.

A "Wired to Wear" pole banner on one of the streets of the University of Chicago campus.

Saint Louis Gateway Arch and skyline, seen from across the Mississippi River in East Saint Louis IL.

Plaque on the pedestal of the bronze statue of Mickey Mantle, in his hometown of Commerce OK.

Bronze statue of Mickey Mantle and his home run swing, near Commerce High School in Commerce OK.

Promised Summer 2019 Tour Slideshow, Part 1

11/7/2019

Herein is the first of two summer vacation slideshows that I thought I might be able to post last week. However, I have been a busy unemployee lately. It isn't that I haven't had enough time, but that I haven't had enough time in one continuous chunk. Part of my busy-ness was making sure that the US Women's National Team won that World Cup thing to justify all that swagger.

This first gallery comprises photos from the Fremont Solstice Parade, held almost three weeks ago on a chilly Saturday in "Junuary." It contains no photos of the procession in which I participated, the nearly one thousand paint-clad cyclists and skaters who rolled down the parade route before the parade itself began. If you're curious, you can search on Flickr for Fremont Solstice Cyclists to find photos of nekkid humans on bikes and skateboards.

You'll find the other gallery here.

I present to you these 60 photos with minimal context or explanation. You can look at the pictures and form your own conclusions on what it all means. The context I will provide is that the Fremont Arts Council in its various incarnations has for 30 years staged these deliciously trippy parades through this artsy district just west of the University of Washington.

The FAC takes pains to remind the public that the Solstice Cyclists are a separate entity, and that the wheeled procession is not part of the parade. The organizers of the Cyclist group maintain friendly relations with the FAC mostly by following the FAC's rules and dictates, which purportedly exist for reasons of logistics and safety. This leads inevitably to some grumbling among the cyclist participants, along the lines of Why must we do A this year? Why can't we do B? We've done B for years, and it's never caused any problems. The two entities usually negotiate a satisfactory compromise.

The rules for entries in the parade are fairly simple, per the website:

☼ No printed words or logos: Please do not wear your team jersey or a t-shirt with words printed on it. We ask that you do not carry signage identifying your crew during the parade. Also, please do not pass out handbills or flyers to the crowds during the parade. Your group will be identified in our publications, website, and will be announced to the crowds as you pass by in parade.
☼ No live animals (except guide animals): Please leave your pets at home for this event. We ask that no animals join the parade for both safety and sanitation of the parade route.
☼ No motorized vehicles: We allow motorized vehicles for handicapped access only. Our parade is a human-powered parade!
☼ No actual weapons or fire: Safety first!

In no particular order, my favorite parade entries in this, the third Solstice Parade I've attended, are:

the Alice in Wonderland group
the Flying Spaghetti Monster (which I wound up explaining to a young mom with her toddler)
the samba school
the group from Extinction Rebellion

#CloseTheCamps Protest and GP Houston Organizing

3/7/2019

We're back in H-Town after our big roadtrip to Seattle, Chicago, and various points between. During the two weeks' travel, I took a break from blogging, as there was no time for it with all the driving and hotel check-ins and visiting friends and other activities. For me, you might say that it was a vacation from unemployment. As for Kayleen, she started her new job Monday, the day after we returned. Selected photos from out excursion will appear in a later post.

A portion of the crowd demonstrating near Sen. John Cornyn's office at 5300 Memorial Drive.

Just a portion of the crowd demonstrating near Sen. John Cornyn's office on Memorial Drive. Protesters also occupied the other three corners at Memorial and Detering.

This Is What a Crowd of Pissed-Off (Mostly) Democrats Looks Like!
Yesterday I got back to activism, showing up at the weekly protest in front of Sen. John Cornyn's office, with a larger-than-usual crowd gathered to yell "CLOSE THE CAMPS!" and other slogans. I don't like chanting, but it warmed my heart to be present there. I didn't even mind all the Democratic Party t-shirts that showed how deluded the wearers are. MoveOn, for example, had a fairly large contingent in attendance. My UU brethren numbered about a dozen. I was immensely gratified that venerable Houston activist Gloria Rubac and some friends showed up to represent F.I.R.E. (Fighting for Immigrant Rights Everywhere). We got some media coverage from the Chronicle and several TV stations (e.g., KPRC).

Despite Cornyn's recent flippant tweet about having to withdraw his money from Bank of America in response to its no longer doing business with private prison companies, the senior senator from Texas has apparently introduced legislation to stop the family separation policy. Republicrat Rep. Henry Cuellar has put the same bill before the US House. Did the protests have anything to do with that? I'd like to think so, even if not; the bill was announced two months ago. If adopted, watered down or not, the bill would still bring a return to the unacceptable "keep families together behind bars" policy of the Obama administration.