Your afternoon reading.
The Midday Brief: November 16, 2009
TribBlog: Physical Education Requirements Soon to be Gone
Amid handwringing over child obesity, SBOE likely will eliminate health and physical education requirements at this week’s meeting.
TribBlog: In his own words
The full text from state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh’s e-mail response to The Texas Tribune for the story “Shapleigh Ever After” is pretty illuminating. Here it is for your viewing pleasure.
The Brief: November 16, 2009
It’s as true in Texas’ non-race for U.S. Senate as anywhere else: The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Into Thin Air
Lobbyists spent a record $15 million on advertising during the 2005 session and another $12 million in 2007 — but less than $1 million this year. What happened?
Shapleigh Ever After
The longtime El Paso state senator, who said last month that he would not run for reelection, hasn’t revealed his statewide ambitions, but his public and private remarks leave little doubt that he’s seriously considering a gubernatorial bid.
Detaining Care, Part One: Mental Hell
The physically disabled and suicidal detainee was put in an isolated cell without her crutches. She was strip-searched and denied feminine products. For days, she slid around on the floor, covering herself and the cell in menstrual blood. When inspectors came out to investigate, they found a facility poorly equipped to provide mental health treatment to its 1,500 detainees.
The Case for Civility
We live in an era of rudeness, in society in general, in the popular culture, and in our political life. Our culture today rewards incivility, crudeness, and cynicism. You can get on TV if you out-shout and offend the other guy. Everyone screams. No one listens. People don’t just disagree; the challenge to the other is a battle to the death. What happened to us?
Size Doesn’t Matter
Americans are less concerned about the amount of money in politics than about where the dough comes from, according to a new survey done by researchers at UT-Austin.
Hopson’s Choice
Rep. Chuck Hopson, D-Jacksonville, will seek reelection, but as a Republican — a move that might save his neck while wrecking his former party’s chances at winning a majority in the House.


