Monthly Archives: August 2008

(Community Matters) I hadn’t realized the connection

White supremacists — many call themselves nationalists or “White activists,” with a capital W

(Community Matters) Ohio is the #1 state in this election. McCain’s concealed duplicity could be a deal breaker from his perspective. here

(Community Matters) They don’t get it do they. Restricting press access to the web, detaining the press plane accompanying GW. Yep, let’s piss off the press and expect a PR bonanza.

(Community Matters) Exciting day yesterday. We learned that Michael’s cancer is now in remission and that he only has 3 remaining chemo rounds rather than 6. Huge relief. Funny how persistent back pain I hadn’t been able to relieve is all of a sudden gone. Good gosh, can’t even imagine what it must feel like to him. We hooted and hollared a bit, but not really adequately for the occasion. Stopped by the ranch for a celebratory dinner with mom & dad. We’ll be celebrating with Michael’s parents and family this weekend. This is Senior’s & Betty’s 50th wedding anniversary weekend. Michael & Milinda had planned a huge celebration in Woodlake. Though, these plans on hold now until the 51st since M might not have been able to attend. Instead, we’ll celebrate much more quietly (the anniversary & M’s good news) tonight and tomorrow night in Austin.

(Community Matters) I’m behind on periodicals. Just getting to yesterday’s Maureen Dowd column. Iago, Othello and Cassio obsession. Bill Clinton’s, Jesse Jackson’s and John Edwards’ envy of the new kid on the block. McCain even greener with envy. Bill’s runaway self-obsession – still pouting because we now make him count those mullets (being called out for injecting racism through his comments). Jesse Jackson’s on “keeping whites on the hook.” Edwards, anything to the tabloid love child stories anyway? McCain no longer the dashing, handsome war hero – rendered to disgruntled school yard bully. Now only if the campaign can show Obama down off that mountain and a regular guy – though not too regular. I’m going out on a limb here but think he’s gotta talk to those “angry white guys” and let them know he’s as much guy as black.

(Community Matters) Michael, Robert & I are headed back to Houston for results of Monday’s tests. Happened to run into Michael’s Austin oncologist this morning who asked if we’d yet heard back. Good timing, since I planned to research what markers we could hope to find after the first 3 cycles. Dr. Fain said to look for properly sized lymph nodes, 0.7 to 1 cm, or no detection at all (I’m not 100% sure on this but think he was telling me that cancer-inactive lymph nodes might not show up on the PET scan at all). Such a super duper guy. Really glad Michael selected to work with him locally.

(Community Matters) Time’s article on Clintons and their followers’ feelings here.


Of course, I don’t know what Pres. Clinton and Hillary are feeling. Though, I have spoken with supporters in town and heard reports on national supporters. It’s regrettable that some feelings are still raw. Spoke with a female Clinton supporter at the event for Betty Dunkerley. She’s torn between McCain and Obama. I’m told a group of nationally involved, local women are saying they will not vote in the race if Hillary isn’t the vice presidential candidate. Others including her Texas State Director, Garry Mauro, and Texas Hillary fundraisers are showing their support by attending fundraisers and raising money for Obama. The article says the Obama campaign hasn’t met its commitment to raise $500,000 for Hillary’s debt, but they have. Sure hope we will all come together soon. If not, spoilers could jeopardize the election.

(Community Matters) I forgot to blog about Cherokee Chief Chad Smith and his wife Bobbi Gail. I enjoyed meeting them. They were surprised to learn I’d been in their neighborhood just the week prior. Chief Smith is serving his third term leading the Cherokee Nation.

(Community Matters) While waiting on my lunch date at Chez Zee today, I was seated next to Bishop John McCarthy. Though we’d seen each other at the Anti-Defamation League dinner in February, we hadn’t really spoken in quite some time. He’s doing great. Spending most of his time at St. Edwards, Seton and Hospice Austin. Still preaching many Sundays as a visiting priest. Living in his same home. Seemed in very good spirits. Accused me of getting old!

(Community Matters) One more reason to love the guy. Responding to a letter from the executive director of the Family Equality Council

[W]e also have to do more to support and strengthen LGBT families. Because equality in relationship, family, and adoption rights is not some abstract principle; it’s about whether millions of LGBT Americans can finally live lives marked by dignity and freedom. That’s why we have to repeal laws like the Defense of Marriage Act. That’s why we have to eliminate discrimination against LGBT families. And that’s why we have to extend equal treatment in our family and adoption laws. I’ll be a president that stands up for American families – all of them.

(Community Matters) Full day yesterday. Exhausted, even knocked out early. Got to spend most of the day with very interesting people. Spent much of the morning with Austin Community Foundation colleagues reviewing the performance of $100mm+ investable assets and discussing/planning how to further improve offerings to donors/investors and to modify investment policy. Paul Legris the newest member of our investment committee, joins me, Jolynn Free, Hal Peterson, Steve Shook, Rick Salwen, Ken Gladish, Mariben Ramsey & Susan Finfer.

Bob Bonnar, Dell Children’s Hospital CEO. We have several mutual friends and though I’ve been in a presentation with him once, we hadn’t gotten to know each other. Appreciated the appointment and inspired by what they’ve built and what he plans to build for all of us here (especially our children & their families) in Central Texas. We’re quite lucky to have him.

New grants to nonprofits, equity grants, fundraising, a poker tournament, CSR – everyday stuff mostly on the telephone & email but a few quick drivebys.

A quick meeting downtown with potential Obama organizers/fundraisers. Planning a statewide fundraising swing.

A beer and catching up quickly with several friends at Thom Singer’s & Marny Lifshen’s book signing event before heading to Hyde Park and “certifying” Robert Torian to change Michael’s catheter dressing – which we should have done prior to now in case I am away or communicable in any way.

Starving this morning and realizing I forgot to have dinner. Too tired last night think allergies must be high. Launching this morning over breakfast with Michael Willard, Michael Kellerman and my other good friends at Habitat for Humanity. Coffee with Justin Day who’s leaving Endeavor to work with Lenny Sullivan. Lunch with vcfo’s Ellen Wood, a bit of paperwork (good gosh I’m behind) and catching up with EF staff, BCS meetings with Nan McRaven, then Betty Dunkerley’s debt retirement party at the Headliners. At least I’ll see Steven at the latter and possibly during a CostCo run if they stay open past 7. Headed back to Houston tomorrow for results of Michael’s tests at MD Anderson.

(Community Matters) I doubt the US can tap Iraq’s unspent $79B budget surplus despite our having spent over $48B on rebuilding the country since so much of what we’ve spent has gone up in smoke due to waste and corruption. Perhaps we’ll recover some of our $48B from profiteers after Congressional investigations and criminal trials.