Monthly Archives: March 2010

(Community Matters) This guy my new hero: Sen. Ted Kaufman (D-Del.) blasted the “incrementalism” approach to fixing the nation’s broken financial system. Rather than nibbling around the edges, Kaufman wants to impose strict limits on financial firms’ activities; significantly cut them down in size; and wants Congress to act more forcefully because federal banking and securities regulators failed to protect the public from an increasingly dangerous financial industry.  huffpost story

(Community Matters) ending earmarks, filibuster reform. Congress is finally on a roll. Now, let’s address the deficit, reform healthcare & the financial industry and spur economic activity.

(Community Matters) I serve on the board of the KDK-Harman Foundation which is well-known for its emphasis on funding best-of-class, rigorous academic programs. I’ve also participated in lots of forums looking at successful programs. In Central Texas, we’re making significant, measurable progress with early childhood education, elementary and high school outcomes. And, it appears we’ll now prioritize middle school initiatives. So, the trend is favorable, if way overdue. Administrators need more autonomy – including the right to hire & fire teachers – and they should be held to objective standards.  I’m unpersuaded about dictating curriculum, though there is no doubt that certain researched and tested curriculum consistently deliver outstanding results.

in this article:

More successful nations maintain central control over  standards and curriculum, but give local schools more freedom from regulation.  The question for the U.S. is not just how many charter schools it establishes, but how to build the capacity for all schools to assume charter-like autonomy

(Community Matters) Alberta Phillips in today’s Austin American Statesman commentary has a good point about a Hispanic surname in a GOP primary, and how about the reverse unfairness when a Latina runs for the bench in Travis County?  both are problematic

(Community Matters) The closet causes strange behavior.  I’m not proud these guys are evidently members of our tribe, but it appears they are.  Hoping as they and their demons escape the closet they’ll be productive contributors.

(Community Matters) Kirk Rice’s mom, Betty, passed away peacefully yesterday.  Kirk & Ronnie were at her side.  Service Thursday in Baytown.

If you didn’t know Betty, think of a fiesty, Aggie mom who never missed a football game and always made you laugh.

Condolences to Ronnie & Kirk. Also thinking of Mike just now

(Community Matters) A lot of my meetings in DC dealt with the status of overturning Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  Senator Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services committee, spoke at our luncheon, expressing his overwhelming support to overturn the discriminatory legislation – and he needs help obtaining a majority in his committee so the overturn can be included in the Defense Authoriziation Bill’s markup.  Before anyone gets their panties in a wad about why we are attaching it to defense authorization, that’s how the ban was passed in the first place.

HRC is deploying field to help build the grassroot support needed.  I’m happy to talk with my friends directly about this, not so inclined to blog about the specifics.

In the House, the Armed Services Committee is not so helpful; Chairman Skelton is not supportive.  It doesn’t help that he comes from one of the most R-leaning congressional districts held by a D in the country.  Congressman Patrick Murphy has taken on passage of the overturn and has done an extraordinary job.  As of Saturday, he had 190 co-sponsors.  We need 218 votes; we feel optimistic and will continue to press for public promises. Chairman Murphy’s key congressional aid for defense joined us for breakfast on Saturday.

It is quite possible that Congress will pass overturn of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell with this defense authorization in the late spring or summer.  It is in no way a done deal but its chances are now better than not.

The study underway by the Pentagon is not IF DA/DT should be implemented, it’s about how.

(Community Matters) Very distressing to read of a possible second recent hate crime here in Austin

(Community Matters) Algebra in Wonderland and Building a Better Teacher

(Community Matters) An insightful email blast from my friend, Andy Tobias:

Listen:

Yes, of COURSE there’s lots to be distressed about.  Duh!

And I’ll get back to that.

But —

1.  Politifact.com lists 79 campaign promises Obama has thus far kept.  (Politifact is the Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking service of the St. Petersburg Times.)

2.  In commenting on that list, J.E. Robertson writes:  “There are a further 226 campaign promises officially listed, after extensive fact-checking, as ‘in the works’ . . .  Many of these will be accomplished in 2010, giving Pres. Obama the most extensive record of success in fulfilling specific campaign promises in US history.”

3.  Thanks to your efforts in electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden — and the appointment of Secretary Clinton — America’s standing in the world has been restored.  Most of the world now once again respects our leadership, is now once again rooting for us.

4.  “The Administration has done more in its first few months to protect our air, water and communities than we’ve seen in the last decade,” says the National Resources Defense Council. Continue reading →

(Community Matters) After brunch, I’m headed to San Jose, CA for our Entrepreneurs Foundation affiliates meeting. Amanda & Shobie already there. They attended EF-Bay Area’s CSR Conference on Fri. Reps from 8 or 9 EF’s around the country attending – we have 13 including Tel Aviv. Commonwealth Ventures facilitating visioning and operations sessions. EF – Central Texas has been quite fortunate these last few years. Hope to share best practices and pick up others.

Great dinner last night with Sonya & Reid Cramer and Ted Smith at Central Restaurant, then dessert after at Ted’s and a night cap with Reid. Sonya off to her aunt’s performance, Pearl Seeger. Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matters) It’s a gorgeous day in DC. Highlight of the panels and meetings was hearing from Hilary Rosen and Jonathan Capehart. As well, enjoying the conversations and presentations from HRC senior staff and national & regional political leaders.

I am reflecting on DC, fundraising, giving, relationships, efficacy and the clubiness. I was on HRC’s board ages ago. Surprised how many of directors still on board. That’s a good thing in many ways, and there’s definitely an insider/outsider thing happening. One would expect a bit more love from the organization’s ED and long time board members for the major donors assembled.

That’s just the Washington way – talking with folks looking over your shoulders, folks evaluating whether you’re important enough or not to speak to, a million dollar smile while they are asking for money, averting eyes when they are looking for the next wallet – just the DC way. I’m more interested in what’s getting accomplished and am fortunate enough to get smiled at more than my fair share. But, I don’t like the clubiness, even when I’m invited inside. At near 50yo, I realize we are at a disadvantage when we aren’t spending time with the 20-somethings and 30-somethings. I’m participating, evaluating whether staff is really listening, really soliciting opinions from outside the beltway. I worry that I may help raise money for organizations with too little respect for their donors, for their donors’ opinions and for the value of their dollars. Fortunately, HRC appears to have a high level of accountability for its spend, even if perhaps the beltway mentality that great ideas are only born here.

A good leadership summit so far. Posted from my blackberry