Monthly Archives: May 2010

(Community Matters) Steven and I have moved from London to the country, staying at a “spa & resort” which is a mix between John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers and Lakeside Inn Resort in White Lake, MI.

(Community Matters) NYTimes: Deadly Israeli Raid on Aid Flotilla Draws Condemnation

I am not a foe throwing stones at Israel; I am a friend saying this is bad, very bad for the people of Israel (and for America’s strategic interest in the region). It’s not the tipping point, but it is one more stone in the scales that risk tipping American public opinion against our important, strategic friend.  I have written much about how Israel’s support among Senators and Congressmen appears disproportionate to their grassroots support among the American electorate.  I fear there could come a time when politicians have to flee from supporting the special relationship we have with Israel if public opinion suddenly and decisively shifts.

The handling of this raid appears incompetent and overly aggressive.  Though, I await hearing from outside experts how else the flotilla could have been stopped.

I was already expecting my week in Israel to include serious & lively political discussions – will be guests of Israelis in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa as well as touring the West Bank (Bethlehem, Hebron and Beit Jala) with Palestinian activists.

(Community Matters) Thank you to all our vets & those currently serving!

(Community Matters) London Assurance at the Olivier Theatre at National Theatre – a restoration comedy, the English version of a French farce.  The audience roared.  Loved it

(Community Matters) Tonight we had drinks with a gay couple introduced by a new friends in Rome. Turns out, they are good friends with our friends in Chicago/Marfa AND one of them and I graduated in the same class from A&M. He recognized me and was also in student government.

(Community Matters) Nike’s ad hottest on web right now, breaking web record. Features Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Dider Drogba

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) Regrettably, the online version of the article may only be available to subscribers.  A succinct and clear chronology of events which include many critical missteps.  http://online.wsj.com/article/SB30001424052748704026204575266560930780190.html It’s especially helpful since the WSJ has credibility when reporting on corporate activities, or at least not biased against.

Were it not for the ridiculous federal indemnification, I’d say we’d own BP by now, or at least sue for a lien on all company assets to ensure all those materially and directly effected by the spill will be appropriately compensated up to shareholders’ equity.

(Community Matters) Steven and I saw Enron at the Noel Coward in London’s West End tonight.

Lucy Prebble’s play about defining corporate excess in the 1990s has played strong in London, though it folded after only two weeks in New York.  Not difficult to understand why it didn’t translate.  Prebble used caricatures rather than believable characters.  Not sure caricatures ever earn sympathy or intellectual rationalizations.  Nevertheless, we’re both glad we saw the show which tells an important story, even if a bit sophomorically.

(Community Matters) I met Frank Loy on the streets of Washington one day, unexpected attended an event for EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson at his home that evening, prodded his wife Dale Loy about a mesmerizing painting in their home (which as it turns out she painted) and now, fortunately, bump into them often when I’m in DC.  What a treat when I found out they keep a home in Rome and would be here during my visit.

I love their apartment very near the Piazza de Farnese and the French Embassy where I joined them and a friend, Jonathan Nadler, for drinks before accompanying them to dinner at a favorite trattoria just down the street.

Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Among my new Roman friends are Jeannette Montgomery Barron & James Barron, long time friends of Suzanne who I met at the AAR Gala

Jeanntte & James

James is an art dealer, Jeannette a photographer who’s recently published an exquisite book, My Mother’s Clothes.  Enjoyed my afternoon visit to their spacious and light rich apartment just behind my favorite coffee shop in Rome, Sant Estauchio.

(Community Matters) I wasn’t familiar with mithraeums,the place of worship where (especially) Roman soldiers practiced the mystery religion of Mithraism.

Since the site we visited is still being excavated, I better not identify it. Our guides, AAR fellows in Roman art history (post doctorate) and Roman archeology hosted us for tours of this site as well as Case Romane del Celio and San Clemente

Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Up early and crunching away on some numbers, organizing notes from about a dozen telephone conversations these last two weeks, and conducting a wee bit of internet research.  I love vacation and work doesn’t stand still.  Though, it’s not taking up too much more than 10 hours a week while away. I’m a bit behind so could be more.