Monthly Archives: March 2010

(Community Matters) I’m not sure what’s up with this – I know a really smart, successful, fit and good looking 45-year old professional woman who ought to be booked on dates every night. Today she told me she hasn’t been on a date in a while. Totally overlooked. 35 – 55 eligible bachelors interested? email me.

My facebook posting about this suggests it’s not an anomaly in Austin.  What’s with that?  is there a gender inbalance?

(Community Matters) Quick trip to Houston yesterday for a couple of meetings with DNC Chair, former Virginian Governor Tim Kaine.  A cocktail event hosted at one home where I enjoyed chats with many including former Gov. Mark White – especially his fond stories of Lowell Lebermann.  After, a much more intimate dinner at a good friend’s.  Casual, candid and lively chat with Gov Kaine and good friends.  We’re all in agreement that Texas is in play and that Mayor White is a very promising candidate.  Kirk Rudy and I drove back last night – it’d been too long since we’d had such a block of time together.

(Community Matters) A friend sent today:

(From my favorite blog this morning. There’s already too much inflammatory shit out there, and I didn’t want to add to it by just posting this willy nilly. But this is sort of how I feel, because I’m so seriously puzzled by some of this reaction.)

You didn’t get mad when the Supreme Court stopped a legal recount and appointed a President.

You didn’t get mad when Cheney allowed Energy companies to dictate energy policy.

You didn’t get mad when a covert CIA operative got outed.

You didn’t get mad when we illegally invaded a country that posed no threat to us.

You didn’t get mad when we spent over 600 billion (and counting) on said illegal war.

You didn’t get mad when over 10 billion dollars just disappeared in Iraq.

You didn’t get mad when you saw the Abu Grahib photos.

You didn’t get mad when you found out we were torturing people.

You didn’t get mad when you found out the government was illegally wiretapping Americans.

You didn’t get mad when we didn’t catch Bin Laden.

You didn’t get mad when you saw the horrible conditions at Walter Reed.

You didn’t get mad when we let a major U.S. city drown.

You didn’t get mad when the deficit hit the trillion dollar mark.

You finally got mad when… when… wait for it… when the government decided that people in America deserved the right to see a doctor if they are sick and not lose their homes or life savings.

Yes, illegal wars, lies, corruption, torture, stealing your tax dollars to make the rich richer, are all OK with you, but helping other Americans… well fuck that.

That about right?

(Community Matters) http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/03/23/whats-health-care-bill

(Community Matters) Per USA Today: By 49%-40% those surveyed say it was “a good thing” rather than a bad one that Congress passed the bill. The findings are encouraging for the White House and congressional Democrats, who get higher ratings than congressional Republicans for their work on the issue.

(Community Matters) The Economist – a titillating article of Senator Cantwell’s proposal for Cap & Dividend green house gas control.

(Community Matters) Overlook the flowery language and get to the metrics – an informative and potentially helpful document.  thanks, CAN

(Community Matters) Conservative columnist David Frum

We followed the most radical voices in the party and the movement, and they led us to abject and irreversible defeat. So today’s defeat for free-market economics and Republican values is a huge win for the conservative entertainment industry. Their listeners and viewers will now be even more enraged, even more frustrated, even more disappointed in everybody except the responsibility-free talkers on television and radio. For them, it’s mission accomplished. For the cause they purport to represent, it’s Waterloo all right: ours.

(Community Matters) Laurel Tomlinson.

I’d given Laurel (7yo) and her sister, Cadence, (9yo) Livestrong bracelets as they left Austin last weekend

(Community Matters) Extraordinarily proud of Pres. Barack Obama.  One of his most important campaign promises was to reform healthcare – universal coverage, rescuing medicaid/medicare, eliminating pre-existing conditions, portability, affordability, controlling costs, etc.  It is by no means perfect, and it is such a big step in the right direction – a huge step forward.  A major campaign promise delivered.

(Community Matters) How lucky am I that Steven prefers to drive most of the way to and from Marfa – he calls it my rolling office. Fixed with back issues of the Economist (including rereading their Jan special report on social networking). Trading emails with Kirk Rudy (Florida), Steve Adler (Austin) and Doug Ulman (while on a stationary bike ride I think) about heathcare reform – Kirk admonishing us not to count our huevos rancheros until the chickens lay the eggs & mamma finishes the salsa.

Yesterday was my first Marfa Public Radio board meeting. It’s a terrific institution and an important way for Steven & me to plant roots and give back to a community we love. I’m replacing (ha, that impossible but know what I mean) Stewart Vanderwilt on the board. Stewart, KUT’s general manager, resigning to focus on design and construction of their new studios/offices being built in that Guadalupe parking lot across from current studios. Enjoyed hanging with him & his wife Stephanie at last night’s fundraiser.

KRTS is in application to expand from a 50 watt station to 100 watts. It’s an extraordinary asset for West Tx to have NPR and local programming. We have outstanding staff, solid public and private support. I’ve gotta spend more time with staff and board to confirm where I’ll plug in and contribute – beyond financially of course.

Terrific evening with ST, Stewart & Stephanie, Tim & Caitlin & Ross Cahiola, Jessie & Daniel Browning (expecting their 2nd btw), Tom & Katherine Michael (KRTS gm), Tom Jacobs, Fairfax Dorn, new friends Sally Gill & Kathy McCord, Carolyn Pfiffer, Joe Duran (board chair), Tim Crowley (meant to circle back for a visit, barely touched hands & said hi), Rachel & Chase, Amanda, Barbara Fountain Love, Karen Bernstein, Steve Odewahn and so many more.

We had a great quick R&R. Stayed at Glen & Leanna Clifton’s Brown Recluse rental which will soon be up on VRBO. It’s not quite ready but should be a terrific place to stay. (The house & RHS at Paisano were occupied but nice mixing up locations). Steven and I want to start spending more time in Marfa. Might have to talk with Dave & Andy about addt’l weeks. Don’t think will work this year since an extended trip already in the works for this summer, though we’ll be back with Tana & Joe for the McDonald Observatory festivities in July. Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matters) I suppose Congressman Lloyd Doggett is trying to trade and negotiate.  I’m sure he’s being responsible, but I’d like to know how this is reflective of the overwhelming support of his supporters for the President and reform  . . . .  http://www.statesman.com/news/nation/doggett-among-texas-holdouts-on-health-care-bill-402696.html