Daily Archives: 10/31/2009

(Community Matters) off to Houston for a weekend of theatre –

Gruesome Playground Injuries tonight

Our Town tomorrow

(Community Matters) Infamous GOP Congressman Joe Wilson has drawn an opponent with Austin ties, Rob Miller. Rob happens to be the cousin of Austinite Laurence Miller, and a bunch of us are helping him raise money in Austin. The host committee includes: Laurence Miller & Judy Wilcott, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Meredith Miller Marks & Alan Marks, Beverly Reeves, Amy & Kirk Rudy, Alexa & Blaine Wesner, Wyeth Wiedeman and Steven & me.

Rob served for 13 years in the Marine Corps including tours in Albania, Yugoslavia, and Liberia and twice in Iraq. He is a small businessman who has the ability to provide South Carolina and our country the strong leadership required to address the economic and foreign policy challenges of our time. The polls are encouraging – 43% to 44% with rising favorables for the President in South Carolina.

The fundraiser is Nov 11 at 6pm. Tickets are $250, sponsors $500, the host committee $1k. RSVP to Guy Selden at (202) 543-5704 or seldengu AT gmail DOT com

(Community Matters) Loved the relaxed, close friend crowd of Kent’s 51st celebration. wow, only 2 months until Kent and Janet Harman are to be married.

Kent (center) & two college buddies Bobby McBride (left) & Rudy Garza (right)

I love Kent like a brother. His daughter, Lauren, is my goddaughter.

Bill Bock & Janet Harman

Pam Reese, Cindi Bock & Carol Robertson

Bill & Alex Smith

(Community Matters) A friend shared a few more pics from Jack’s fundraiser with Secretary Albright.

Jack & Carla McDonald w/ Secr Madeleine Albright

w/ Melba Whatley

Secr. Albright w/ Bertrand Sosa

w/ Nikelle Meade

(Community Matters) I’ve always said, you should pay big bucks to just be a fly on the wall while Victoria Hentrich and David Kurio are creating. What a treat to brainstorm with them, Amy Rudy & Marcia Levy yesterday afternoon at the Four Seasons. They’d been lunching with Bobby Topfer, so we all greeted before launching into wild creativity. Of course they were brilliant and it was an extraordinarily creative meeting. more to come

(Community Matters) It’s been a long time coming. Last year, Pres. Bush (43) and Congress launched repeal of the Jesse Helms sponsored ban against US travel entry for visitors with HIV/AIDS. President Obama entered office with its repeal a priority. Unfortunately, there were problems with the support data prepared previously and required to rescind the regulations. This administration relaunched the initiative and followed the laborious rules for regulatory change. Comments have been addressed and answered. Pres. Obama will sign the reversal on Monday – at long last.

(Community Matters) At an intimate brunch today, former US Secretary Madeleine Albright all out endorsed Jack McDonald, noting how important it was to send a young, experienced, successful entrepreneur to the Capitol. Suzi, Roy & Bertand Sosa hosted today’s event at their MPOWER Labs offices.

Jack McDonald & Secr. Albright

The Secretary noted how important Jack’s race is, not just for our district (though of course it is here too) but also for the entire country.

I jotted down several favorite lines, including: “I believe in Democracy but you can’t impose it, that’s an oxymoron.” “People want American leadership; they just found American leadership wanting,” referring to the previous eight years.

Tom Terkel, Mandy Dealey, Colleen Terkel & Councilmember Randi Shade

Alice Aspen March, Margaret Keys & Secr Albright

I loved the recounting of how Secr Albright’s granddaughter asks why it’s such a big deal that grandma Madie was secretary of state, since “aren’t all secretaries of state women?”

Alice is Marc Winkelman’s mom

Kirk Rudy & Aimee Boone

during Q&A

In response to a question about a new generation of leadership and style of decision making: “With the combination of new people and the rapidity of information, there’s an expectation of instantaneous decision making.” She was also speaking about the availability of information instantaneously online.

signing her books (Suzi Sosa with several 🙂 )

“I want a confident president, not a certain one.”