Conan the Barbarian

He's no Letterman: Mayor Parker defends city's honor against Conan's anti-Houston jokes

If you're a lifelong Houstonian, like I am, then you probably hate Dallas. Conversely, if you're a lifelong Dallasite, then you probably hate Houston. For whatever reason, there's a great deal of competition between Texas' largest cities (here's looking at you, Austin).

During a week-long series of shows in Dallas this week, Conan O'Brien chose to disparage Houston in a song, though we're not sure exactly why. (Probably because he was in Dallas and knew he could get a cheap laugh.)

The song, in which he twanged that Houston is "comprised of burning garbage piles" and is "home to every serial killer that's alive today," left many Houstonians cold. Mayor Annise Parker made sure to fire back when her city was attacked and responded on Friday with a Tweet about the incident.

I heard @conanobrien made some jokes about Houston this week. Too bad everyone was watching @ letterman.-A

— Annise Parker (@AnniseParker) April 4, 2014

Houston-based entrepreneur Robert Marsh, CEO of the online sign and banner company eSigns.com, commissioned a parody song from singer/songwriter Dane Sonnier, which can be viewed in the video above. Sonnier videotaped the song Thursday at Dan Electro’s Guitar Bar.

The parody, titled “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Watch Conan,” is adapted from the song, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys," popularized by Willie Nelson.

It's pretty surprising the misconceptions people have about Houston, even within Texas. We know our city for its incredible museums, a burgeoning food scene, unique shopping destinations and tons of green space. Yes, we have traffic and chemical plants, but that doesn't define our city.

I mean, international design magazine Architectural Digestdid just name Houston "the coolest town in Texas," so I think we know where we stand.

no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Texas Original medical cannabis

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana

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