Monthly Archives: May 2010

(Community Matters) from Mike Allen’s POLITICO Playbook Daily Update:

WEST WING MINDMELD: With release a few polls in the last few days, the West Wing can’t help but point out that a trend seems to be emerging: A Public Policy Polling survey showed the President’s approval at its highest since October (50%). http://bit.ly/aNgVdL A Fox poll a week ago showed Obama approval up net of +5 (48 approve/43 disapprove from 46 approve/46 disapprove). And Fox yesterday showed Obama’s highest favorability all year (53%), the lowest Dem deficit on generic congressional ballot this year (Dems -2) and big progress in enthusiasm gap / NBC/WSJ poll last night showed Obama approval up net of +5 (50 app/44 disapp from 48 app/47 disapp), and is first poll of theirs since October to show net approval on handling the economy.

(Community Matters)

Happy Birthday, Carl

the ever gentle giant

happy birthday dear friend, Steven & Eugene

(Community Matters) Don’t think I’ve missed three days of blogging in a very long time.  Steven’s been out of town (left Monday for NY) and I’ve been buried wrapping up work and projects before leaving town – and good stuff going on:

Mamma Jamma Ride for Breast Cancer – yesterday afternoon the organizers (yes I am one of those) were wined and dined by Seton as thank you for a $39k gift to their breast cancer emergency fund.  Chris Attal, Diana Phillips and their team organized a very thoughtful reception.  Jan Hill (the mamma of mamma jamma) and David Smith also spoke, launching the 2010 ride  – all very exciting. Carol Johnson, Vivian Smith, Jessica Pavelka and many others also on hand.

Foundation Communities – broke ground yesterday on their new $20mm plus affordable housing project at MLK, across the street from the Meredith’s Featherlite site.  I was there with Tommie, Lynn, Will, Rudy Green and Ken Gladish to announce a $1mm gift ($500k grant; $500k loan) from the Chestnut Fund.  The ACF Chestnut Fund was established when we created the Chestnut Commons condominiums project and – in partnership with Terry Mitchell & David Mann – directed 50% of profits and all land costs into the affordable housing fund.  The Meredith Family donated the land to that project.  The project eventually raised nearly $1.3mm for affordable housing.  EF was a contributor/organizer in the earliest days.  $250k was granted to Habitat for Humanity in 2007, with which they rehabilitated owner occupied housing of longtime, elderly and low income Chestnut Neighborhood residents. Mayor Leffingwell and council members Martinez and Morrison were on hand. speaking of AHFH, where has Michael Willard been; I miss connecting.

Theater – interesting session at our house yesterday afternoon.  Rude Mech’s Kirk Lynn asked if I’d assemble a few friends so he and his colleague, Melanie Joseph, could ask us some questions as part of their research for a new play.  Margaret Keys, Amy Bryant, Carrie Fountain, Diane Land, Steve Adler & Michael Mitchell joined us.  Diane, Steve and I had dinner at 34th St. Cafe and then toured the new space with favorite 27 year-old godson, Cameron Lockley.

Are you shitting me? Seriously, Texas is considering allowing in other states’ nuclear waste?  Even before reading the story I knew it had to be Rick Perry’s closest former aides (all now gazillionaire lobbyists).  And, I know how this is done; it ain’t just them getting rich. As a banker in the 80s and early 90s, I heard too many times how the “governor” was also in this deal, his name couldn’t be on it but his buddies eventually figured out how to share the wealth.  story1 and story2-Texas Dump Might Get Other States’ Radioactive Waste Under Rick Perry, we’re run like a banana republic – best example of absolute power corrupting absolutely . . .

Austin School Board Runoff – I stayed out of the general election because I liked too many of the candidates to take sides.  In the runoff, I’m persuaded by many dear friends to support Tamala Barksdale.  I don’t know Tamala, though we spoke only once and ever so briefly.  She’s strongly supported by folks who I know and love and who vouch for her acumen and passion.

(Community Matters) It’s been fantastic – first the experience of sitting next to my husband watching the play he wrote about our lives. And the experience of meeting Julie Swenson, Suzan Fete, Marie Kohler & Jennifer Rupp, founders of the Renaissance Theaterworks. John McGivern played Steven’s role as his own to great delight & satisfaction; Jenny Wanasek directed the piece with great respect for Steven’s work, bringing her considerable experience, even reorganizing a couple of places, picking the best from several versions. The play’s run a complete sell out.

Steven & I enjoyed a long walk this morning along Milwaukee’s beautiful Lake Michigan shore from Lake Bistro (highly recommend) to what may be one of the coolest coffee shops encountered (AlterraCoffee.com) to Calatrava Museum.

Brunch with Jenny and Mark Weinberg who run The Center for Applied Theater. Mark worked with Augosto Boal (Founder of the theater of the Oppressed) for 17 years

Departing now

(Community Matters) Here to see a local production of Steven’s American Fiesta.  Until arriving in Wisconsin’s largest city, didn’t realize this would be my 49th state – now just need Alaska.

The city’s on Lake Michigan – looks to be directly across the lake from Amy & Kirk’s place in White Lake, Michigan.

Regional population 1.7mm, 23rd most populous city, 39th most populous region.  French fur traders settled the area then occupied by rich, Native American tribes in the early 19th century, followed by immigration by Germans, then Polish & Italians (largest Italian American festival in the country in Milwaukee).  Hub of socialist movement in the USA early 20th century.

Brewing, manufacturing, healthcare & tourism major industries.  Rust belt flight in 20th century, turning around in 21st. In 2006 named one of the “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  13 Fortune 1000 companies headquartered here.

“According to the 2000 Census, there were at least 1,408 same-sex households in Milwaukee which accounts for 0.6% of all households in the city. Although this number is slightly lower than other cities in the region such as Chicago and Minneapolis, Milwaukee continues to be noted for its generally accepting attitudes towards the LGBT community.”

Sixth highest per capita student population in North America.

Reception tonight honoring Steven at the home of a Renaissance Theater board member, the show, drinks with the actor, and, I think, breakfast with the director before we head back tomorrow, just after lunch.  quick trip – it’ll be our first time to watch one of Steven’s shows being performed without him.

(Community Matters) no surprise, I’m a strong proponent for financial regulatory reform, and I am worried about the size and concentration of economic assets.  And, I’m a huge fan of Senator Brown.  Nevertheless, as reminded last week, simply breaking the largest banks up into 2 or 3 doesn’t solve the problem, it just makes even more financial institutions to worry about (not so simple but there’s a lot to be said about this too simple approach).  Nor is spinning derivatives business into some unregulated entity an appropriate reform.

(Community Matters) Evidently I made a mistake not joining Steven on his business trip to Traverse City, Michigan.  He’s reporting it is gorgeous and very friendly – great parks, walks, people and restaurants.

We’re meeting in Milwaukee tomorrow for a performance of his American Fiesta, plus a reception for Steven with Renaissance Theaterworks board members and donors.  It’s exciting to see one of Steven’s plays performed by others.

(Community Matters) At yesterday’s Anti-Defamation Leagues’ executive committee meeting, lots of super updates on the great work our Austin staff has launched.  And, a presentation from national staff on their work in helping law enforcement fight & monitor hate groups.

Patriot Movement – I didn’t really know what this means.  It includes three groups: 1) militias, 2) sovereign citizens and 3) tax protesters.  As I understand it, militias believe our government is at risk of falling and they are preparing to defend it.  Sovereign citizens believe government has already fallen; they don’t recognize the government in power, don’t believe they must obey “illegitimate” laws, often issuing their own arrest warrants and holding their own courts – lots of new world order conspiracy.

I’ve been told before but forget some of the more prevalent jargon/code used by these folks:

14 words refers to the phrase: We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children

88 – eighth letter of the alphabet twice, HH – Heil Hitler

23 16 – White Power

KOTF – Keepers of the Faith

Michigan has the largest number of militia members; Texas is thought to be second.  Scary stuff

ADL site on Extremism in America

(Community Matters) Polls indicating the GOP’s overwhelming support and 50% of Independents supporting the AZ immigration law could help their midterm results don’t anticipate the increase in intensity among the D base, ie., likelihood of turnout.  I haven’t seen polls supporting the latter but suspect it intuitively.

rather not speculate what it means culturally for such strong support of the law

(Community Matters) Joe Jervis posting on his Joe.My.God that Geo (a male prostitute) was hired by Dr. George Rekers, the “virulently anti-gay NARTH* board member and Family Research Council co-founder.  Miami New Times article

It’s *almost always* about some deep, dark secret (closet), about self-loathing.  #Hypocrisy

(Community Matters) I was just at dinner with Michael Mitchell.  We’d run into Kathy Negrel who told us she’d spent the day with Tana Christie, looking over maps of Paris, making certain recommendations.

I mentioned to Michael that Tana was looking for French made objects while we’re in Paris.  He heard French Maid and got a really big smile on his face.  I hated to burst his bubble, though hell, maybe I heard wrong and she does mean maid . . .

(Community Matters) From the Watson Wire

My Really True Secret … Involving Guns and Kittens

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

I have a secret that I’ve been keeping under wraps.  I haven’t disclosed it to anyone – not in public, not in private, not in this weekly email newsletter that’s posted on my web site, Twitter, and Facebook. Not to any of the thousands of people I come in contact with each week.

How could I know that it would actually improve my chances of getting on a Presidential ticket?

Two months ago, I was out for an early-morning run.  As usual, I was carrying a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum (that’s right; the kind that Dirty Harry carried).  I was fully loaded with steel-piercing shells and a sight I designed myself using GPS technology (I’d tell you more about it, but it’s classified). Continue reading →