Monthly Archives: November 2008

(Community Matters) I’m torn about this posting, mostly because it is a time for reconciliation and unity.

I believe our country and this world deserve – even require – repentance from those who so eagerly led us into the financial, societal and global leadership positions we find ourselves after the last eight years. I choose to believe most who led us here did so nobly, honestly expecting better for this country and the world. Though I note the, in some cases, vastly increased wealth & position of many of those GOP champions who accessed investment & earnings opportunities as a result of their unblinking loyalty.

And, I think about their continued advocacy even in light of Sarah Palin a heart beat away from the presidency. At this level, these people are too smart & too experienced to have believed that was in the best interest of our country, suggesting some again placed their positions and wealth ahead of the national and societal interests*

Reviewing GOP support (still) for Sarah Palin as the choice for vice president (read JT’s posting) and considering unrepentent Bush advocacy these last eight years, you gotta wonder whether we should be embracing the civic leadership of those still supporting Palin and G. W. Bush. A sure sign of failed leadership is not learning from our mistakes.

(Community Matters) I learned just yesterday that we didn’t defeat Harris County Republican tax assessor collector Paul Bettencourt. And, once again, he was relentless in attempts to suppress Democratic votes. The Harris County Coordinated Campaign did a great job in so many ways and for so many races, but perhaps not so well turning out newly registered voters. Despite very many and real progress in Harris County, our failure to win back this important position could very well jeopardize statewide D ambitions. With slight margin House wins this election, wondering how we’re going to hold without Obama on the ticket in 2010.

(Community Matters) Fantastic dinner party last night at the home of Ingrid & Mitch Berman. We celebrated Ingrid’s birthday. Not sure that we should have let Ingrid cook on her own birthday, but so glad she did – spicy pumpkin soup, quail and asparagus. The quail was extraordinary – rubbed and grilled. Such succulent food, breaking off tiny pieces, dipping into a meyer lemon sauce, then rolling in fresh spices, salt & smokey dry spices. It melted in my mouth.

After saying good night to Daniel, Isaac and Solvye – who’d had their own celebration at iHop – champagne, cheeses as first course, than sat down to dinner with Ingrid, Mitch, Ann Lewis, John Robertson, Kathy Benayoun and Jean (rats, last name . . . .). Steven and Mitch ending the evening with a little competitive soccer on the kid’s court; me sipping a really nice tequilla.

(Community Matters) We hosted the campaign thank you bash at our house yesterday afternoon, i.e., Juan & Teresa hosted the event for Juan’s staff here. Mostly young folks (younger than me is young!) from all over the state. Then, they and about 50 Travis County volunteers celebrated at Freddies. Must have been fun. I went to bed after 1 and they were apparently still going. Thank you to all those who worked so hard on Barack’s election and our Travis County races.

Just received these pics of Kirk, Amy & me in Chicago.

(Community Matters) Posted by Ian Davis on Burnt Orange

(Community Matters) I’m not sure why there are bonus pools due bankers given that their earnings from the last several years have been wipped out by the financial crisis. If those earnings and shareholder values have evaporated, shouldn’t their bonuses have done similarly?

(Community Matters) “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

“If he is able to rise to the moment,” Kuttner writes, “he could join the ranks of a small handful of previous presidents who have been truly transformative, succeeding in fundamentally changing our economy, society, and democracy for the better.”

For twenty of the past twenty-eight years, the occupant of the White House was a conservative Republican, and the idea that government should keep hands off the economy conformed to Republican ideology. For eight of those years, the incumbent was a centrist Democrat. Except for a brief and failed effort to secure universal health insurance in 1993, the Clinton administration’s main preoccupations were fiscal.

Despite the severe economic situation, there is an undertow of stale thinking that discourages transformative policies. Even with increased Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress and a great deal of goodwill, progress will be far from automatic. The new president will need to inspire the American people to demand enactment of bolder measures than either the Congress or Obama himself currently thinks necessary or possible.

Obama’s Challenge’: A Transformative Opportunity

(Community Matters) Steven and I hosted last night’s dinner of 14 early Obama activists/fundraisers. I better not mention names since folks were sensitive to my blogging. Though, I will mention the lingering questions. What do we do now? Can the political wave be harnessed to affect real change in policy, legislation and behaviors? Is it dependent on a candidate?

(Community Matters) from Joe Jervis at Joe.My.God:

And we thought the power of Facebook could only be used for good. Mollygood reports:

Apparently this anti-Obama Facebook phenomenon is really getting out of control and, luckily, some ignorant crazies are being forced to pay the consequences. Meet Buck Burnette, a football player for the University of Texas and blatant racist. Shortly after the election, his status read: “all the hunters gather up, we have a #$%&er in the whitehouse.” Classy guy, that Buck. As you can imagine, coach Mack Brown kicked him off the team immediately. Buck then issued an apology that was obviously not written by him.

Clearly I have made a mistake and apologized for it and will pay for it. I received it as a text message from an acquaintance and immaturely put it up on facebook in the light of the election. Im not racist and apologize for offending you. I grew up on a ranch in a small town where that was a real thing and I need to grow up. I sincerely am sorry for being ignorant in thinking that it would be ok to write that publicly and apologize to you in particular. I have to be more mature than to put the reputation of my team at stake and to spread that kind of hate which I dont even believe in. Once again, I sincerely apologize.

(Community Matters) He is certainly presidential. Noted 1.2mm jobs lost so far this year. More than 10mm currently unemployed. Greatest economic challenge in our lifetime. Only one government at a time; Obama isn’t in charge until Jan 20th. 1) We need a plan for the middle class – extend unemployment benefits and enact a fiscal stimulus plan 2) Address the spreading impact of the financial crisis – small businesses, state & local governments, and the auto industry 3) Review this administration’s implementation of the bailout plan 4) Adopt policies to grow the middle class & strengthen our economy over the long term

I’m voting for a labradoddle

(Community Matters) I might live to regret it, but Steven and I decided early so no decisions in the heat of the moment. Received a call asking if I’d allow my name to be placed on a national list of Hispanic leaders for consideration for a confirmation-level Obama Administration appointment. I’m not interested. Steven and I have a terrific life now where we’re able to contribute to our communities in meaningful ways. Perhaps I’m being a little selfish, but I don’t want to change the life we have nor limit our capacity to continue making a difference here/now. Of course I’d help if there was something nationally I was uniquely qualified to do better than anyone else, but I don’t think that’s the case.

(Community Matters) Wayport’s acquisition by AT&T bodes well for Austin nonprofits. The company established a donor-advised fund at the Entrepreneurs Foundation through the donation of equity last year. Once AT&T pays shareholders, they’ll have monies to designate to nonprofits. The company has a rich history of community involvement, especially in elementary education. Congrats to Dave Vucina and his team at the company as well as John Long at Trellis and all their investors.