Monthly Archives: May 2010

(Community Matters) Nice blog posting by Jason Mendelson on the issue of whether or not VC carry should be taxed as ordinary income.  Especially happy to hear momentum away from further regulation and taxing of angel investors.

(Community Matters) My response in a Facebook thread

David & Pat – I don’t even know how to respond to your off-the-rail perspectives. Pres. Obama inherited a country at the precipice of economic collapse. The economic stimulus and bailout brought us back from the edge of a great depression. [ugh, I’m not a bailout defender, just being realistic.] Comparing us to Greece? Look at our borrowing costs, amount of foreign investment still pouring into the USA, and percentage of public spending as a percentage of GDP. Nevertheless, we do *have to* bring down the deficit and balance our budget. It’s not gonna happen on the backs of the poor & middle class, however. The GOP way is to cut taxes for the wealthy and increase corporate welfare; that’s *not* ours.

Jason, sorry, we continue to disagree re: the importance of universal health care coverage (I can make int’l competitive/economic development or humanitarian arguments), separation of church and state, constitutional equality for all Americans, and environmental conservation

You guys may disagree with the agenda but the broader American electorate likes the President *by far* more than they like any other living political figure. Pres Obama represents results vs obstruction.

[add] I’m surprised you’d rather turn the clock back to the George W Bush years. And, I’m thankful this *is not* where even close to a majority of Americans want to go.

(Community Matters) Hope it isn’t so

(Community Matters) Terrific day, good weather, art, food, friends . . .

Special thanks to Suzanne Deal Booth for arranging a private tour of the Centre Pompidou. Regrettably, Jill had a slight headache, so just the four of us.

Olivia Font was our art guide.  Loved the narration and conversation – he’s especially interested in modern art and how bodies are depicted – a Francis Bacon fan.

And, no  big surprise, Steven especially wanted to see the library. Isabella Alamartine, the museum’s PR director, also joined us and escorted Steven to the library even before it opened – reminded us somewhat of the Seattle Central Library.

Tana Christie & Charles Santos

Jill felt better later in the morning and we joined her & Stephen for tea at Mariage Freres in the Marais late afternoon.

A French firetruck – happened to be full of French fireman – “leave the fireman alone Steven,” Carol Tomlinson

Dinner at one of our favorite Japanese restaurants anywhere,at Higuma on Rue Sainte-Anne.  Unfortunately, there are now two Higuma’s in Paris, confusing my friend Daniel Dozier who was to meet us for dinner.  Of course, what a time for my blackberry to be out of juice.  Fortunately, SY prevailed in persuading me to call the US Embassy directly – they surprised me by their promptness at helping resolve the situation (it was nearly 9pm), by patching me through to Daniel’s cell immediately (he’s Ambassador Rivkin’s chief of staff at the residence).  Charles and I met Daniel for drinks after – he is having way much fun (and was even wearing the cowboy boots he bought in Austin).

(Community Matters) NYTimes Book Review – The Failure of the American Jewish Establishment

I worry a great deal about the tipping point – appears American progressives have been asking questions for several years and are tiring of group talk back rather than thoughtful, truly self-examining perspective.  If Israel (the state) isn’t losing from a PR perspective with this demographic, it risks doing so without honest discourse.  While support in Congress remains strong, it wouldn’t survive a blatant loss of public support.  Parallels between examination of younger American Jews’ opinions and wider progressive community’s?

And, I think honest, constructively examining dialogue would go a long way toward further preserving the special relationship between our two countries.  Yes, I believe it is a risk at today’s political trajectory.

(Community Matters) Some fun pics from Paris

last night, the Marie Bridge just outside our apt door

Sacre Coeur from our window

I keep seeing things and thinking about my godchildren – the outfit on the right for Ben, a vintage Louis Vuitton purse for a graduating niece.

from the Bastille market

Jill & Stephen

We went to Tracadero Plaza for the kiss-in, celebrating International Day Against Homophobia

(Community Matters) I forgot to post these from our trip last week.  Didn’t have a chance to spend time with their exhibits but we loved the Santiago Calatrava Valls designed museum

(Community Matters) Steven and I arrived Saturday afternoon – as opposed to scheduled Saturday morning but airline delays abound – connecting with Jill McRae & Stephen Yelenosky, with whom we’re sharing the loveliest apartment on ile St. Louis, literally looking over the Siene – from the kitchen windows, overlooking Notre Dame Cathedral.  Tana Christie & Charles Santos arrive this morning (Sunday).

(Community Matters) Nice profile in The Daily Beast on Patrick Gaspard, Pres. Obama’s political director.  I’ve met several times; he is impressive, and I do believe we’ve learned invaluable lessons from MA that’ll serve us well in Nov.

(Community Matters) from the National Journal:

If the economy produces jobs over the next eight months at the same pace as it did over the past four months, the nation will have created more jobs in 2010 alone than it did over the entire eight years of George W. Bush’s presidency.

(Community Matters) Grassroots protest against JPMorgan’s Jamie Dimon

(Community Matters) What an awesome day, from coffee with one of my dear friends this morning (Walker Moody) hearing his terrific news.  Then discussing LemonadeDay success around the country in a conference call with founder Michael Holthouse.  Wrapping up lots of lose ends at EF before leaving on vacation, including celebrating Peter Frey’s great work for EF these last, nearly two years and Carl Tyson’s birthday – with Iron Works BBQ and an devine coconut cake a la Buttersweet Bakery (Amanda Chiampi).

Then to Austin Ventures for a HelpHaiti grants committee meeting with Phil Seigel, Philip Berber and Isabel Welland.  We approved new grants totaling $150k to provide cash-for-work funding as well as health & nutrition assistance for the children of Fonkoze’s women borrowers and savers.  Immediately followed by an Entrepreneurs Foundation board meeting including members Bill Bock, Jeff Browning, Scott Collier, Elizabeth Davis, David Lee, Jan Lindelow & Phil Siegel.  Corey Bathula represented Ellen Wood; Elisabeth Gagel Anderson representing Paul Hurdlow. The board definitely recognized the fantastic work Amanda Chiampi, Shobie Partos, Leigh Christie and Peter Frey accomplished in just the first four months of 2010 – over $1.5mm and 6,000 volunteer hours for other nonprofits in these four months.

Day capped off with a bon-voyage dinner for Tana Christie at Julio’s including Joe Christie, Melissa Henderson & Drew Valcourt, Milinda Mitchell, Janet Maykus & Mark Smith, my godsons Nico Selby and Ben Knaplund, Robert Torian and Michael Mitchell.  Days rarely get better than this except when they include Steven, who enjoyed a day off and roaming in NYC (including observing a class teaching will-be DJs).