Daily Archives: 06/13/2008

(Community Matters) Ok, I realize tongue and cheek. If you’re an R, probably rather not watch.

(Community Matters) Wow, John Aravosis posted as a reminder of scary.

(Community Matters) A Pew Global Research Center Survey: After seven years of Bush-Cheney:

There are still just eight survey countries where majorities now have a favorable view of the United States: Britain, India, Lebanon, Nigeria, Poland, South Africa, South Korea and Tanzania. In fact, in one-third of the survey countries, more respondents see the United States more as an enemy than as a partner.

The image of the United States has improved slightly in many countries over the past year, the poll results show. But the new optimism appears to be driven largely by the fact that Mr. Bush will soon be leaving office.

(Community Matters) oh my . . . .

here

(Community Matters) One of my dear friends from Arkansas sent me the link to this Eyeblast video “portrait” of Senator Obama with a note that we have our work cut out for us. The friend is an Obama supporter.

Though the producer of this trash piece identifies himself as Lorne Baxter, a little internet search and we learn he is 28-year old fundamentalist television producer, Jason Mitchell, who sports a tatoo reading “zealot.” He produces a weekly fundamentalist television show called Flamethrower which airs on Faith TV.

Mr. Mitchell also self-identifies as a member of a group called Dark Planet, Visions of America which documents the underground youth subcultures and their music, including skinheads, straight edge, black metal and the zealot movements.

(Community Matters) The Economist’s article on Obama’s inner circle.

photos: Economist

1. Austan Goolsbee
2. Jason Furman
3. Tony Lake
4. Susan Rice
5. David Axelrod
6. David Poulffe

Can we take a minute to celebrate the appointment of Jason Furman as staff director for economic policy? It signals the welcomed introduction of Rubin economics (an important sign for major business leaders). Expect Austan Goolsbee will remain a very important player, so we still expect increased attention to employment and purchasing power of wages. Mr. Furman’s appointment makes many feel better about sensitivity to tax rates and global economic policy.

I had a relatively lenghty conversation with Professor Goolsbee earlier this year. Very pleased to know he is familiar with and a fan of my friend’s, Reid Cramer’s, work on wealth and savings at the New America Foundation. I’d predict modest increases in income tax rates at the highest income brackets to help balance our budget as well as innovative economic policy to build wealth and savings in low & moderate income communities. Especially with the addition of Furman, I wouldn’t expect an Obama administration to make the mistake of too signficantly bumping up capital gains & marginal tax rates.

(Community Matters) Michael and I had a conference call with his director, Katie Pearl this afternoon. We’re close to finalizing dates and location for the production of his play, Highway Home. We’ll need to raise $20,000 $25,000 for the three week production. We’ll set up a charitable fund with box office proceeds benefiting a nonprofit(s) to be named. We’ll be looking for donors: 1-$5k (underwriter), sponsors: $2.5k & $1k and friends, $500. Contributions will be tax deductible.

6/30/08 update: Contributions to underwrite/sponsor the play will be paid to the Austin Community Foundation (ABPorter.org fund). The contributions less benefits & services received by the donor (tickets, parties, etc) will be deductible as a charitable expense. The tax letter will come directly from the Austin Community Foundation.

Opening night will be Saturday, Nov. 29. The play will run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (matinee) through Dec. 14 at the Salvage Vanguard Theatre in Austin. We may extend through Dec 21. Tickets for opening show & party reserved for sponsors and press (due to space restrictions), though there will be a Sunday matinee during the Thanksgiving weekend too.

Sponsors & benefits listed below:

Underwriter ($5,000) Invermundo Financial Services – 8 VIP tickets to opening night & party. Logo & company name in all promotional materials. Full page ad in program. 10 tickets to any other night(s)

Sponsor ($2,500) – 6 VIP tickets to opening night & party. Recognition in program. 8 tickets to any other night(s) 1) Senior & Betty Mitchell, 2) Tana & Joe Christie, 3) AB Porter, 4) Lew Aldridge & Jim Lommori, 5)

Sponsor ($1,000) – 4VIP tickets to opening night & party. Recognition in program. 6 tickets to any other night(s) 1) Margaret Keys, 2) Chris Long, Tim McCabe & their son, Jack, 3) Robert Torian, 4) Steve Davis & Kent Portman, 5)

Friends ($500) – 2 VIP tickets to opening night & party. Recognition in program. 4 tickets to any other night(s) 1) Milinda Mitchell, 2) Kirk Rice, 3) Richard Hartgrove, 4) Charles Santos & Rickie Bond 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10)

More information here

(Community Matters) Obama staffers were sweet enough to invite us to today’s Houston luncheon featuring David Axelrod. Michael didn’t feel like attending so I went alone. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay long (we had a 1:30 at MDA), not even long enough for Senator Obama’s chief strategist to arrive.

I did run into Teddy Adams who told me his mom (MaryLou Adams) was recovering at Seton Northwest and on her way to full recovery.

Houston socialities, super lawyer Trey Peacock & his wife, Chris Bryan, were to host the luncheon at their home but demand so exceeded capacity that the event was moved to the Wortham Center late last week.

Unfortunately, all assembled guests (this one outside) were not equally happy to support Senator Obama. Lanell Anderson feels “disenfranchised and cheated” by the media, the Demoratic Party and Obama supporters. She’s an angry Hillary Clinton supporter and says Senator Clinton was “forced” to make her concession speech.