Daily Archives: 06/03/2008

(Community Matters) The first same sex marriages in Greece took place today here. And, in California will take place on June 14. And, in Texas . . . I predict within 10 years. hurray

(Community Matters) The Associated Press is reporting that Senator Obama has obtained enough pledged and super delegates to be declared the Democratic nominee for President. here

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama effectively clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday, based on an Associated Press tally of convention delegates, becoming the first black candidate ever to lead his party into a fall campaign for the White House.

Campaigning on an insistent call for change, Obama outlasted former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in a historic race that sparked record turnout in primary after primary, yet exposed deep racial divisions within the party.

The AP tally was based on public commitments from delegates as well as more than a dozen private commitments. It also included a minimum number of delegates Obama was guaranteed even if he lost the final two primaries in South Dakota and Montana later in the day.

The 46-year-old first term senator will face Sen. John McCain of Arizona in the fall campaign to become the 44th president.

(Community Matters) Big day today. Strange stuff in S. Dakota. No way 38 pt swing since April. David Leip still showing Obama > 50%. puzzled

Will she or won’t she tonight. All signs say yes. Hmm, feeling like Custer spotting Chief Sitting Bull through the Black Hills.

(Community Matters) Sorta breaks my heart when I hear about the violence and prejudice against gays in Riga, Latvia. Though, they are making progress. They held pride celebrations this weekend, receiving police protection against violent protesters. In years prior to 2007, the police could not be counted on to protect gays & lesbians.

I spent a lot of time in Riga in the late 90s negotiating a privatization transaction with their government. For various reasons the deal didn’t close, but during that time I was privileged with access to top government officials, international embassy staff and the Latvian & Russian gay community. Late at night over too many drinks and probably too optimistic of fantasies, we discussed how we as expats (I was planning to move there) and local business professionals would integrate out gays into the establishment, making it easier for other gays & lesbians.

(Community Matters) Reportedly an email from Bob Dole to Scott McClellan:

Scott,

There are miserable creatures like you in every administration who don’t have the guts to speak up or quit if there are disagreements with the boss or colleagues. No, your type soaks up the benefits of power, revels in the limelight for years, then quits, and spurred on by greed, cashes in with a scathing critique.

In my nearly 36 years of public service I’ve known of a few like you. No doubt you will “clean up” as the liberal anti-Bush press will promote your belated concerns with wild enthusiasm. When the money starts rolling in you should donate it to a worthy cause, something like, “Biting The Hand That Fed Me.” Another thought is to weasel your way back into the White House if a Democrat is elected. That would provide a good set up for a second book deal in a few years.

I have no intention of reading your “exposé” because if all these awful things were happening, and perhaps some may have been, you should have spoken up publicly like a man, or quit your cushy, high profile job. That would have taken integrity and courage but then you would have had credibility and your complaints could have been aired objectively. You’re a hot ticket now but don’t you, deep down, feel like a total ingrate?

Bob Dole

(Community Matters) Sorry so light on the postings. Kinda crazy time getting caught up and catching up with ST. He’d been out of town for most of three weeks, then I unexpectedly left for most of a week. Had a lovely weekend with his parents as our house guests. I’m headed back to Houston with Michael on Wednesday, back on Thursday for kickoff of the State Democratic Convention, ST leaves for Europe on Saturday. House guests during the convention.

Super meetings today. Started the day chairing an investments committee meeting (Austin Community Foundation). Colleagues include JoLynn Free, Steve Shook, Hal Peterson, Rick Salwen and staff including CEO Ken Gadish, Assoc ED MariBen Ramsey and Controller Susan Finfer. Today Wells Fargo presented on their performance, structure and strategy. They’ve done a super job managing a small portion of our portfolio during the last 12 months. ACF’s grown to $114 million.

Interesting conference call with a coach on how we might handle a weak link in a community initiative. So great to talk through issues with an objective third party. I won’t out the coach but I owe you.

Hosted a staff meeting at the house. Amanda, Alyson and Samantha have been busy, and I sure haven’t spent enough time with them during the last two weeks. They are good thinkers, planners and executors. Lucky to work with these three plus Marion Cimbala, on our breast cancer project.

Met with Marion, Dr. Barbara Jones and Andy Miller at Lance Armstrong Foundation on program plans. Good stuff. Quick hello with Doug Ulman as well. btw, when I was gathering information about Michael’s lymphoma, I found LAF’s NexProfiler Tool for Cancer a very important resource.

Emails, oh my gosh. A couple of weeks ago, I finally purchased additional “send” email capacity from GoDaddy just to keep up. Now have capacity to send 850 per day. This is silly. Can’t keep up with average 300 not to mention some days multiples more. So sorry if I don’t reply to you. Sometimes emails slip down in the queue, further than from where I can catch up. If I haven’t replied within 24 hours, you should send again. I always start from most recently received. I’m even worse with voice mail. Sometimes best to just call back. Not meaning to be inaccessible. Life would be completely ruled by others if spent all available time replying and returning calls. I do always try, however. thanks

(Community Matters) Polly Scallorn has passed away. Polly was a friend who ran the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Austin program until the mid-1990’s. She built the program brand and squirreled away a nest egg that’s allowed LA to get to where it is today. She’ll be missed.