Monthly Archives: July 2008

(Community Matters) . . . for war crimes and likely for other nefarious actions. This is certainly 43s prerogative. And, since he can’t pardon himself – though gosh knows someone in DOJ (though really Dept of Cheney) will write an opinion supporting that he can, it’ll be our responsibility to investigate and prosecute 43 if there’s evidence that he violated the Constitution.

The World Court and courts of other countries aren’t bound by US presidential pardons, so I imagine they’ll be quite a few home bound former administration officials.

(Community Matters) I’m not talking about bread.

here

(Community Matters) Woosh, only 2 in Austin on the closing list. I feared losing stores with friends. Only Academy & Congress and a Slaughter Ln store closing per list on Huffington Post.

(Community Matters)
I’m at the convention center for the Netroots Nations conference. Rick Noriega on a panel and strolling around visiting with all. John Thornton here. Folks seem happy with turnout and programming. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to spend as much time here as I would have liked. Missed Howard Dean’s speech yesterday, though fortunate to have joined him and others at Chris Mattson’s & John McHale’s for dinner last night. After, dropped by the Paint Texas Blue party at Club Deville. Connected with Cong Lloyd Doggett, Ian & Amy, Crystal and a few others. Had to leave before Wes Clark introduced Rick Noriega. Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matters) How’d I forget to mention it? Super duper tour of the Travis County Coordinated Campaign offices yesterday with Coordinated Campaign Manager Ian Davis. They’re located in the old Safeway at 12th and I-35. The Mark Strama Campaign Academy is taking place there too. And, most local candidates are consolidating offices in the space as well.

Super meeting with State Rep. Sempronia Thompson who’s mounting another campaign for House Speaker, plus some exciting initiatives to register voters. Field organizer Ken Flippin and Ass’t Campaign Director Sylvia Camarillo in the meeting too. Burnt Orange’s Matt Glazer and techno-guru Mario Champion busy as always.

(Community Matters) Fifty states plus satellites here

(Community Matters) Good gosh, I missed that yesterday the Senate approved the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the multi-billion dollar plan for fighting HIV/AIDS inclusive of language which would repeal the travel and immigration restrictions against those with HIV/AIDS. This is huge. Long overdue. Few other countries restrict travel & immigration based on HIV status, though the United States, Russia, Sudan, Saudia Arabia & Lybia do. The ban will be lifted once the President signs the bill. here

(Community Matters) Leonard Pitts gets it perfectly

I’d avoided posting a copy of the cover until I had time to articulate why I didn’t find it offensive. I find the rhetoric and lies it reports on extraordinarily offensive – in a more perfect world, we’d be able to enforce accountability. The cover itself is a way of communicating this ridiculousness. I still haven’t had the time, but Leonard Pitts has here.

(Community Matters) Bush’s tired and abusive use of Executive Privilege to keep FBI records of the Plame leak out of Congressional hands is extraordinarily offensive and a real & threatening risk to US citizens. Of course, the administration knows this and is simply trying to run out the clock. Congress should fast track appeal directly to the Supreme Court. If the ideologically driven majority doesn’t restore checks and balances, then the next president and Congress should devise a plan to correct this threat.

(Community Matters) Had lunch yesterday at a new Japanese restaurant, WeFuse founded by Jon Gaboric, a European fine dining trained chef. The new location on the Fourth Street side of the Frost Bank Building downtown. Unbelievable really. Amanda and I had a Seared Tuna Bento Tray, a Roasted Salmon Bento Tray, an order of Veggie Dumplings and two iced teas, for $25.00 including a tip! (kept me thinking about mine and ST’s salad and chicken sandwich plus two Palegrinos for $40 at the Flying Saucer – grrr). Outstanding food. Exceptional value. Menu

Jon Gaboric

Jon’s the founder and executive chef. He trained in Europe, last at a Michelin 2-star in Germany. Worked with his sister at Cafe Matisse before opening the first We Fuse in the Dobie.

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Oh my gosh. Best new find. Will post tonight!