Note to Pres - the EV jobs are in the network

To really reap the benefit of electric vehicles, we need infrastructure, not just battery manufacturing.

It's great that Pres Obama is highlighting the benefits of getting more electric vehicles on American roads, but to reap the real sustained benefits - lower imports of oil for transportation and reduced carbon emissions - and create significant numbers of jobs, we need to build the infrastructure. Broad adoption of mass-produced EVs and plug-in hybrids will depend on two things - the vehicles have to be accepted as 'real' mass market cars, and someone will have to build the ecosystem - home and network charging, and a cellphone-like value package, so that owing and operating an EV is easy and at least comparable in cost to a gasoline power vehicle.

Curve update 2010

Return to Prosperity, Arthur Laffer - Entertaining take on cap-and-trade, cash-for-clunkers by Regan-era economics guru

Summer help in the TX heat

Reliant Energy assistance for seniors and others in need http://tinyurl.com/2awjung

Simple, cheap energy savings

Reliant Energy customer home energy audit covered by Jeff Ehling Houston ABC 13 http://tinyurl.com/23zjm4x

The Billionaire's Vinegar

GQ writer on wine, Jefferson, 1990's style conspicuous consumption, self-reinvention and the perils of obsession - great read

Benjamin Wallace brings together history, fraud, people with more money than sense and some really colorful characters and looks into the briefly fascinating world of really old wine enthusiasts. Detailing what looks - in hindsight - almost farcical - heated bidding for bottles of uncertain provenance as trophies, Wallace blends Jefferson's bring French wine to the young America

Molly Ivins - A Rebel Life

very readable bio of TX journalist - great overview of political/culturtal changes in Texas and Houston

There is no doubt that authors Minutaglio and Smith - who make their personal ties to Ivins clear - venerate their subject - the warts and all treatment is credible, but the warts are really interesting. The narrative - near-debutante becomes back-room political reporter becomes national reporter becomes commentator - is compelling for the hard work that Ivins put in before she reached prominence and influence. Political commentary backed by solid reporting and experience. I'm not sure if today's media market could produce another like her.

American on Purpose - Craig Ferguson

Being an unlikely (American) patriot doesn't excuse decades of bad behavior, or this book.

Ferguson is funny, self-deprecating and genuinely in recovery. However, wrapping the tale of his transformation from lout to late-night through good-hearted women who do not suffer him long; family forbearance; and good fortune in a star-spangled kilt is a disservice to both the personal progress and his devotion to his adopted country. WE know he loves the U.S., I just cannot for the life of me figure out why.