Daily Archives: 09/26/2009

(Community Matters) I’d missed this mention of Glimmer of Hope founder Philip Berber in the WSJ’s online edition – “one of the stars [of this year’s Clinton Global Initiative] is Philip Berber.” Philip & Donna’s foundation does extraordinary work in Ethiopia. I haven’t spent much time with Philip lately but years past caught up on plans and successes a couple to three times per year. About time we caught up again.

(Community Matters) A dear friend sent me this link to Charlie Rose’s interview of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It’s long, and it’s an enlightening view of Netanyahu’s philosophical and strategic evolution since previously in office. I’m impressed by the clarity and specificity of his position – appears he’s used his time out of office gaining perspective on the successes and failures of his predecessors.

here

Some notes from his inteview – not to be confused with quotes

the simple question: will you recognize the State of Israel, as the nation state of the Jewish people?

looking for the other side to say, if they get a Palestinian state, “it’s over. We’ll cease the conflict, cease all claims against Israel and make a permanent peace with the Jewish state

vs not to end the conflict but to perpetuate for better terms

a desire, hunger for peace on behalf of Israelis – must include guaranteed cease of conflict and that the Palestinian state won’t further the conflict

two conditions for peace: 1) recognition for the Jewish state and 2) must be demilitarized – Israel controlling borders and air space

a strong Palestinian state is in our interest

Peace stands on three legs 1) legitimacy, 2) security, 3) prosperity

believes that prosperity helps peace; used to believe it was the other way around, that peace brought prosperity

have reduced the number of checkpoints in the West Bank from 147 to 14

what is the problem here? the territories taken by Israel in 1967 are the result of the Arab aggression against Israel, not the cause

(Community Matters) AAS reports of Gov Perry’s accumulation of wealth while he’s been a public official. As a former banker, I saw men of means including elected officials in deals as a way to help them afford to stay in office. In fact, there is something to be said for helping the men & women who answer the call for public service. And, people sometimes don’t give away profit potential without a strategic objective – be it gaining influence or acquiring a strategic partner. Gary Bradley passing on a land tip to the Governor in 1996 while he was fighting zoning threats through the legislature? And, if there’s visibility to Rick Perry’s wealth in another 3 to 5 years, will we see additional choice investments? The article didn’t say who runs his blind trust. We hope it’s someone outside political influence peddling.

(Community Matters) wow, missed a day. don’t think I’ve done that for a while.

In Port Aransas, arrived Thursday evening. Dinner with Tim McCabe Thursday night – who happened to be here chilling at the Tarpon Inn.

On the way up, an email from a friend (my yoga instructor) who read on FB I was heading here. Andrew and his boyfriend, Arno, have taken a condo here just for the weekend, so we had dinner at the Venetian Hot Plate last night – wow, fantastic northern Italian. yeah, I’ll forgive Arno for, over dinner, noting that the condo belongs to a “old guy,” someone “probably 48 or so.” 🙂

Super day of work yesterday. Needed uniterrupted time for calls, emails and “paperwork”. A few more hours of the same today. Never hurts to work from a balcony overlooking the bay, hearing and watching the dolphins who feed not 100 yards away.