Monthly Archives: August 2009

(Community Matters) A friend earlier this week was adamant that passing health insurance reform without Republican support would be detrimental to mid term elections. Another friend counters that midterm elections are all about a parties’ base and that delivering on healthcare reform (which Ds have tried for 50 years) will energize our base for unprecedented wins.

(Community Matters) It was very good – not great but solidly very good. Though, come to think of it, for a chain – hmm, might be the best chain burger I’ve ever had.

Texas Monthly’s #9 burger in the state – Beck’s Prime mesquite-grilled bacon cheeseburger. The meat was a big portion yet surprisingly light, not dense – flavorful, yet missing spice.

So far, #3 Alamo Springs Grill (Fredericksburg) is still my favorite, though admittedly I haven’t yet tried the Grape’s Classic Cheeseburger (Dallas). Suppose I could take a drive and also hit #6 the Stodg (Dallas), #8 Dutch’s (Ft. Worth), #15 Twisted Root Burger Co (Dallas), #17 Love Shack (Ft. Worth), good gosh and a lot more . . . .

(Community Matters)
Michael’s oncologist gave us spectacular news. No measureable disease beyond the lymphnode removed so recommending no additional treatment or therapies for now. MM will go forward identifying a compatible donor b/c he’ll need it at some point but this is great news. Posted from my blackberry.

(Community Matters) Doing a little research on another issue, I stumbled upon this article discussing how Texas affordable housing tax credits are often doled out to political supporters – here.

This report analyzes the $1.3 billion in tax credits that TDHCA awarded from 2004 through 2006. The agency awarded tax credits to many of the same developers year after year, with most of these federal funds going to a small group of politically connected developers. During the period studied, tax-credit recipients contributed $782,685 to Texas political committees and candidates and spent up to $1.9 million more to lobby state officials.

(Community Matters) Doing a bit of homework prior to this morning’s meetings. I’m reviewing an Estimate of Charges which show $263,000 if from a related party donor, or $500,000 for a MUD transplant (matched, unrelated donor) – the latter including $49,000 for donor search & procurement, $222,000 for the transplant and $221,000 for 100 days post discharge treatment.

(Community Matters) first with ST at 5:30 this am. Off to Four Seasons for breakfast with Tommy Meredith and Kirk Rudy. Then, a 9:30 breakfast at Kerbey with Joene Grissom and Eva Hernandez (Sierra Club). Good thing my lunch isn’t until 1pm (Elizabeth Ivester). Then, hey – 70 Acton students and SOs at our house this evening for dinner. I only get to greet and feed them, off tonight with MM & RGT for our MD Anderson meetings in the early am.

(Community Matters) Interesting question about rights to anonymity on the web.

(Community Matters) Since 1982, 423 State of Texas executions*. In 2004, Cameron Todd Willingham was executed for setting a fire that killed his three young children. Mr. Willingham died proclaiming his innocence. Now, a state sponsored study determines investigators erred in ruling the fire arson.

I’m not opposed to capital punishment. I am opposed to capital punishment when our system 1) has such a high error rate of conviction – relying on eye witness testimony seems the major culprit since this as a source has such a proven rate of error – especially across racial lines (they all look alike?). ABC News reported wrongful eye witness testimony in 75% of rape cases overturned with DNA evidence, 2) since proven dishonest/erroneous investigation conclusions, and 3) a system which punishes lower social/economic citizens much more harshly than others.

A 2000 National Law Journal cites a 68% error rate in the trials for capital punishment. A way too quick web scan would suggest a 3% to 7% rate of innocence – that would be 13 to 30 innocent men executed in Texas since 1982 – could be much higher.

(Community Matters) Enjoying a triple shot, extra foam, nonfat venti latte is one of my morning pleasures, all the more because I get to see Traci, Leslie, Jackie, James, Tiffani, Matt and/or Jonathan each morning at the 38th St/Guadalupe Starbucks. Well. . . . Starbucks just saved me a lot of money. Raising prices during this economic downturn, when I’ve already had some guilt about spending $4.31 (before the black card 10% discount) for a coffee each morning, is just too much – prices increased 30% on that extra shot ($.75 from $.50). Instead, I’ll make a latte every other morning and still see my young friends several times a week.

(Community Matters) May he rest in peace

nytimes pic

all men are flawed. all great men’s flaws seem large

New York Times:

Mr. Kennedy had less impact on foreign policy than on domestic concerns, but when he spoke his voice was influential. He led the Congressional effort to impose sanctions on South Africa over apartheid, pushed for peace in Northern Ireland, won a ban on arms sales to the dictatorship in Chile and denounced the Vietnam War. In 2002, he voted against authorizing the Iraq war; later, he called that opposition “the best vote I’ve made in my 44 years in the United States Senate.”

(Community Matters) Andrea Ariel’s FLUSH is underway at the Long Center.

FLUSH is a multi-media, dance-theatre experiment about you, about us, about the stories we all share, the things we want, and what we leave behind. FLUSH is a mystery, an invitation, and a hunt for treasure. FLUSH is where trash gets a lobotomy and a haircut. FLUSH wants to come over for Game Night and a movie. FLUSH thinks you can do better. FLUSH might be the end. FLUSH might change the world.

Tonight, Tana & Joe Christie hosted a dinner party for the cast and crew – what a great bunch. I haven’t seen Andrea Ariel in ages and loved connecting with her and the rest – especially Jude Hickey & Steve Ochoa. Graham Reynolds and Peter Stopschinski wrote the music. Performances through Saturday. As Steven was dining with a potential St. James rector, Tim McCabe agreed to join us as my date and we were serenaded, entertained and otherwise enchanted by Lily & Ivy, the beautiful daughters of dear friends, Charles & Leigh Christie.

(Community Matters) Andrew Sullivan is quite focused on our government’s torture of detainees –

Among those parts of the 2004 CIA report censored from viewing: the circumstances of four prisoners tortured to death (among up to a hundred murdered by the CIA and military under Bush’s command), and the near-death of KSM under the torture techniques of the Khmer rouge, proudly championed by Dick Cheney as a “no-brainer”.