Peace -- For Now

A caravan to Cuba isn't hassled. Yet.

Comments (0) By Richard Connelly Thursday, Jul 15 2004

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Representing an Alternate Universe

Meet Brent Sullivan, whose name in English means "Snowball in Hell." Sullivan is running as a Libertarian against Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, and given Lee's devoted constituents -- no Republican even bothered to run against her -- he is, you'd have to say, something of a long shot.

Josh Harkinson

WELCOME TO HOUSTON! Downtown was festooned with colorful banners in the days leading up to the July 13 All-Star Game. Baseball fans were welcomed, and highlights and attractions of the city were proudly pointed out. Perhaps the biggest banner was devoted to the city's newest symbol of corporate evil, Halliburton. Hung on the side of that empty hotel by the Pierce Elevated, it sent a simple message that Halliburton cares -- about some things.

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An undaunted long shot, though. A hopelessly deluded long shot…that's for others to decide. Sullivan is emphasizing Jackson Lee's support of a return to the draft, without necessarily underlining the fact that her proposal would eliminate rich-kid draft deferments, stoking war anxiety among the white well-to-do.

Hope springs eternal in the 18th Congressional District:

Q. You think the draft bill actually has a chance of passing?

A. I think it has a real strong chance. This is the kind of thing that may not be talked about at all now, but late November or December, it'll slip through…People ought to stand up and say no.

Q. So how's your platform playing in, say, Acres Homes?

A. I've been thrilled by the result I've gotten. People first of all are happy to see a candidate for Congress talking to them.

Q. The Republicans aren't even running a candidate in this district.

A. They're hugely missing the boat here.

Q. Sheila's got some big-name supporters. She showed up at a news conference recently with Michael Jackson. What celebrities can you count on?

A. Jimmie Vaughan is a Libertarian. He played a concert at the Libertarian National Convention.

Q. Jimmie who?

A. He's Stevie Ray Vaughan's brother. Pretty accomplished blues guy in his own right. Then there's Alan Greenspan and Milton Friedman…They've both identified themselves as Libertarians. But I haven't got any celebrity endorsements yet.

Houston Sports Legend

Tracy McGrady, guard, Houston Rockets, 2004

McGrady, acquired in a trade that sent Steve Francis to the Orlando Magic, has been greeted as a demigod by Houston fans. The more cynical local sporting media has refused to grant him that status, however. They treat him as a full-fledged deity. *Career Highlights: Was treated as a savior when drafted out of high school by Toronto; acrimoniously left three years later, dissing his teammates (including Vince Carter, his cousin). Was born again as a savior when he returned home to play for Orlando; acrimoniously left four years later, dissing his teammates (no relatives, though). Told Rocket fans he wants to finish his career here and that "I feel I'm a coachable player," so the third time's obviously a charm. Showed two-sport ability in February when he was ejected from a game for kicking a ball into the stands. Twice. *Honors: Golden Globe quarter-finalist for his scene in the Magic training room earlier this year, when a trainer asked the pouting star where his knee hurt. "Where do you want it to hurt?" T-Mac replied. Won the Sociology Statistician of the Year award in 2003 for his ability to discern -- and to tell Stuff magazine -- that "about five percent" of NBA players are gay. Nominated for an NBA Executive of the Year award for complaining that the Magic front office actually made a trade for Juwan Howard without consulting him first. *Moment to Remember:As he sat out yet another late-season game in March, he said in a courtside TV interview that turning the Magic around was "gonna take getting guys in here with a winning mentality and guys who won't take days off."