Daily Archives: 05/08/2008

(Community Matters) Perhaps the most tasteless video ever.

(Community Matters) Super Delegates, time to take her out. She’s confirmed her willingness to destroy the party even after N. Carolina & Indiana. here

(Community Matters) The Economist endorsement of Obama as the Democratic nominee

. . . . Meanwhile, Mr Obama attracts other voters in a way Mrs Clinton never has. For every white bigot who switches sides because of Mr Obama’s skin colour, there is likely to be a white independent—especially a young one—running to support him. The data show that young people, both black and white, prefer Mr Obama. Against Mrs Clinton, Mr McCain might have swept up all the independents; with Mr Obama he will have to split them. Mr Obama has raised money from close to 1.5m individuals, far more than anybody else ever has. That will stand him and his party in good stead come November. Each of those donors will be working hard to make sure that their investment is not wasted: an army of footsoldiers to fight the Republicans.

More than any other candidate this year, he has articulated an idea of a nobler America . . . . Despite considerable provocation, he has never wavered from his commitment to bipartisanship—nor from the idea of America once again engaging with the world. . . .

(Community Matters) The National Venture Capital Association today recognized Joe Aragona with its American Spirit Award for his commitment to philanthropy and making such a difference in society. Joe has helped in very meaningful ways with so many initiatives, including the High-Tech Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund & other Entrepreneurs Foundation initiatives, Casa Montessori, Davis Phinney Foundation, Dell Children’s Medical Center, the Miracle Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, St. Stephen’s Episcopal School and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. As a longtime board member of LAF, Joe’s been instrumental in it’s evolution from an important local nonprofit to a leading national cancer foundation.

Joe’s a founder of Austin Ventures and has served as a general partner since 1982.

(Community Matters) UK athletes raise money for the Everyman Campaign for Male Cancer.

(Community Matters) Yesterday met very briefly Art Wolff, Regional VP for Field Operations for the American Cancer Society. Exciting quick news about initiatives being launched in Central Texas. We’re getting together in a couple of weeks so I can learn more. Will post about it then.

(Community Matters)

ABC: Stephanolpoulos said sources tell him the Clinton campaign debt is far higher than the reported $10 million — and could be double or more. Added it doesn’t look like Michigan, Florida will go her way either. Said there are more supers hanging out there for Obama than Clinton, some are trying to give Clinton space to make up her mind before moving to him.

(Community Matters) Thank you but no thank you to Michigan Democratic leaders pitching a compromise for seating their delegates 69 Clinton to 59 Obama.

(Community Matters) Fortunately, the economy doesn’t rely on Steven and my consumerism since we don’t really buy much other than books and wine. However, every great once in a while . . . .

Sony’s new Bravia home theater setup, the DAV-F200.

(Community Matters) With Bill Clinton’s election and adoption of budget balancing economic policies, Democrats gained credibility for fiscal responsibility. Why the heck would Senate Democrats consider moronic fiscal policies like windfall profit taxes? By all means let’s revoke tax breaks and other special interest incentives. And, the Justice Department should be vigilant in protecting Americans from predatory and manipulated pricing. However, the industry’s margins are not out of line with risks. here

(Community Matters) Why the heck compromise with the appointment of a Bush tainted nominee? Why not hold up nominations which would survive this administration until the next elected president? here

(Community Matters) As painful as it’s been – especially these last two months – the primary has been good training for Obama’s general election campaign. He’s handled well the fall out from Rev. Wright, addresses the characterization as an elitist by modifying his campaigning, and impressively answers questions about his relationships with Bill Ayers and Tony Rezko. He’s better prepared to run against the extraordinary GOP machine that will kick in. Let’s not forget, the election and its results literally mean trillions of dollars to special interests. They won’t lose their unbridled access to power, budgets and regulatory control without a fight in which they’ll pour tens, if not hundreds, of millions.