Monthly Archives: August 2009

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) I’m still in Marfa. Will be hard to tear me away.
Michael’s in Houston for tests and appointments with a couple of specialists. I’m feeling slightly guilty for not being there, though he promised to record the conversations and we discussed questions.

One of the great things about my job is the ability to do most of it from anywhere. Spent a few hours on line and on phone yesterday in fundraising and planning. Conference call staff meeting this morning.

Hadn’t seen Jessie & Daniel Browning, they’d been on a trip. Made plans for a Pizza Foundation dinner, then realized PF closed. Monday night in Marfa, not too much open. Wow, an epiphany, realized I could make dinner. Tom & Vilis joined us. Nice evening.

The weather is so much nicer here. Marfa’s elevation makes all the difference.

This tiny building on the Judd compound may well be the inspiration for my next construction project.

Celia Thompson mentioned the history club during my May visit with Suzanne & Kevin. Evidently, the early German immigrants to Marfa were particularly well educated and established the history club as an intellectual oasis – inviting speakers, establishing a library and promoting more learning.

I hadn’t noticed these two homes before.

(Community Matters)

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of Media Affairs

________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release

August 17, 2009

Statement by the President on the Smelt v. United States Brief

Today, the Department of Justice has filed a response to a legal challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act, as it traditionally does when acts of Congress are challenged. This brief makes clear, however, that my Administration believes that the Act is discriminatory and should be repealed by Congress. I have long held that DOMA prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits. While we work with Congress to repeal DOMA, my Administration will continue to examine and implement measures that will help extend rights and benefits to LGBT couples under existing law.

(Community Matters) Mind-boggling

The Bielliers are now among 386,000 people worldwide whom the Copelands call their “partners,” most of whom send regular contributions and merit special prayers from the Copelands.

The Bielliers were at the convention a few years ago when a supporter made a pitch for people to join an “Elite CX Team” to raise money to buy the ministry a Citation X airplane. (Mr. Copeland is an airplane aficionado who got his start in ministry as a pilot for Oral Roberts.) At that moment, Mrs. Biellier said she heard the voice of the Holy Spirit telling her, “You were born to support this man.”

Mrs. Biellier said some friends and relatives would say the preacher just wanted their money. She explained that the Copelands did not need the money for themselves; it is for their ministry. And besides, even “trashy people like Hugh Hefner” have private airplanes.

(Community Matters) I stayed in on a Saturday night – and not just because Steven wanted to, all on my own. Had plans and rescheduled. Needed a night down, under the big sky, so-so on stars, even watched my first Mad Men which I downloaded from iTunes.

Super afternoon catching up with folks in Marfa yesterday including Leana & Glen Clifton (formerly owned Brown Recluse), Tim Johnson (Marfa Bookstore), Terry Mowers (Suzanne unfortunately not here this trip) and Julie Speed. Mike Levy was at Julie’s studio so we all had a long discussion about health care reform and other political matters. Tried catching Fran Christian at their house (very near completion) but he was away – didn’t stop me from letting myself in, wow the place is looking fantastic.

Breakfast this am with Tom Jacobs & Vilis Indie at Cochineal. Having dinner there tonight with Julie & Fran.

(Community Matters)

But the question to be asked after eight years of Bush/Cheney is this: Was such a danger [terrorists getting their hands on a nuke] more acute, or less acute, when those two men left office on Jan. 20, 2009 than it was when they took office on Jan. 20, 2001? Was Iran closer or further from a weapon? Was North Korea closer or further? Were the weapons in Pakistan closer or further from falling into terrorist hands?

(Community Matters) New rules start August 24. For us: immediately: must turn off pool auto refill and only water once a week (handheld watering still allowed any day, any time)

(Community Matters) It’s 63F in Marfa this am, expected to reach 90F

Quintron & Miss Pussycat

Last night at Padre’s, Quintron & Miss Pussycat – way fun and saw tons of friends. Off to breakfast now with some – Glen & Leana

(Community Matters) As I think about it, I’m surprised the AMA’s endorsement doesn’t carry more weight with those concerned about healthcare reform, especially seniors.

The AMA has created its own fact check site http://www.ama-assn.org/go/reform. In their recent physician communication, they reaffirm their support for the House bills which deliver on their priorities:

• Extending coverage to the uninsured
• Making investments in the physician workforce
• Providing long-term relief from Medicare’s flawed physician payment formula
• Increasing the nation’s focus on preventive care and wellness initiatives
• Simplifying administrative burdens for patients and physicians

The AMA notes that the public option is NOT socialized medical care and consider it consistent with their principles of pluralism, freedom of choice, freedom of physician practice, and universal access.

The AARP has a terrific piece about the disinformation being bandied about and on why it also supports reform:

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/policy/articles/health_care_reform2.html



update: I had it wrong: The AARP hasn’t endorsed a bill but supports reform

(Community Matters) Germany’s New Banking Risk Management Standards. . . . outlaw bonuses on short term incentives and require long term perspectives on the financial health of their financial institutions. This Financial Times article doesn’t go into enough details to evaluate specifics but I do love the principle.

(Community Matters) Of course not, but everything is relative. As it is honoring a ceasefire in Gaza and proclaiming it has no general opposition to the broader west, a new fringe forms.

A new fringe will always form. The test is whether or not they’ll be put down.

(Community Matters) I find it completely fascinating that a 4,000 ton ship can go “missing” after passing through the English Channel.

Reports of its sighting, masked gunmen boarding, disembarking, fly overs . . .