Morning Roundup: Cleaning terrorism's Klock edition

Good morning, Houston. When it comes to politics, we suppose there's a lot to be said for the shock factor — which is why Brian Klock, a candidate for Congressional District 22, is getting some attention. Klock, one of 10 people vying for the Republican nomination for CD 22, has put up a billboard showing downtown Houston being destroyed by a huge explosion. "The Threat Is Real," the billboard reads. "Ask Brian Klock." And Klock's campaign does seem to center on being prepared to fight terrorism: According to his website, he wants to track foreign cargo entering Houston, keep a fighter squadron at Ellington Field and demand more federal anti-terrorism funding for the city. We can't wait for Shelley Sekula Gibbs' response billboard — except instead of an explosion, it'll be her glorious yellow hair lighting the skies over downtown. Ah, politics.

>> Another step toward Dynamo stadium?: The city still isn't saying whether the downtown land for which it has bid $15.5 million will be the site of a stadium for the Houston Dynamo, but it looks like officials are making plans just the same. According to the Chronicle, City Council is scheduled to consider a special taxing district to pay up to $20 million for "cultural and public facilities" on the tract — which essentially means the city hopes to use property taxes to finance the development, an interesting twist considering that White last year said property tax revenue wouldn't go toward building the stadium. We suppose there's a fine line between using tax money to build a stadium and using it to buy land that the city is only, like, 99.5 percent sure will be used for a stadium. Most recently, White has said that any public money used for the development won't come at the expense of necessary services: "We're not going to just open up the wallet and do whatever," he said. "We won't use funds that could be used for providing essential city services, such as solid waste, and parks and libraries and things like that, public safety."

>> Skilling returns: Remember Jeff Skilling, the former second fiddle at Enron — one of the guys who claims he wasn't at all responsible for the company's financial collapse? Well, more than a year after the charming ex-CEO reported to federal prison, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has set a date for arguments in his appeal. Skilling's attorneys say that all of Skilling's convictions in connection with the Enron implosion should be tossed out because they're tainted by a legal strategy that the 5th Circuit declared flawed in another Enron case; government prosecutors say Skilling should be held to a higher standard because he was a CEO. The arguments are set to take place April 2 in New Orleans.

>> Today's weather: Looks like we're in for a string of nice, fairly mild days in the wake of last night's cold front. Today, expect a sunny afternoon with a high of 63; tonight, clear skies should let temperatures fall into the upper 30s.

>> In brief: Chuck Rosenthal: resigned, but still being paid ... There's a wildfire alert for the Houston area ... State plans improvements to dangerous Texas City bridge ... Judge dismisses case against Harris sheriff ... Roger Clemens will help with Astros spring training