Monthly Archives: June 2010

(Community Matters) Rep Tom Perriello may be the most courageous freshman in Congress this term. We could use more like him – who vote their conscious, see themselves as stewards, and don’t roll for the sake of reelection

Washington Post profile

(Community Matters) Eddie Bernal’s & Cameron Lockley’s La Sombra Bar & Grill will open at the end of next month (48th & Burnet, next door to Blue Star Cafeteria) – its cuisine inspired from Peru & Chile, from S. American

can’t wait.  we’re doing another tasting at the house tonight:

Cocktails: Caipirinha (Pirussununga Cachaca 51, muddled limes, & sugar), Mojito (Castillo white rum, muddled mint & limes, simple syrup, & club soda), Batido de Pina y Jengibre (Castillo white rum, pineapple juice, ginger, & honey); non alcoholic (really, here?): Papelon con Limon (Sugarcane juice with freshly squeezed lemon); wines: Postales Sauvignon Blanc / Semillion ‘09 (Patagonia, Argentina) and Del fin del Mundo Cabernet Sauvignon ‘07 (Patagonia, Argentina)

First Course: Trio of empanadas (Braised beef, raisins, olives, & aji amarillo); Columbian style potato ajiaco Cheese and seasonal savory chutney Second Course: Cebiche de Hongos (Wild mushrooms, sweet yellow corn, red onions, jalapeños, blackened tomatillo – truffle salsa); Third Course: Ensalada Rusa (Blanched potatoes, beets, carrots, & mixed greens with a chive aioli & parmesan frico); Fourth Course: Aji de Gallina Risotto (Braised chicken over risotto with aji amarillo, walnuts, potato, & Parmiggiano Reggiano); Fifth Course: Bistek (New York strip steak marinated in red chimichurri & served with yucca with salsa huancaina); Sixth Course: Jengibre Crema Catalan (Ginger custard with fresh berries & a chocolate biscuit)

(Community Matters) two enlightening Politico articles

Rep. Cantor – what are his ambitions? first Jewish Republican . . . speaker, vice president, president

former Pres. Clinton – a team player and a free agent

(Community Matters) Had breakfast with my friend Diana Holford this morning.  She reminded me of a wonderful story she first told me last week.

While in a grocery check out line, hurried & running multiple errands — I don’t remember if her 3yo & 6yo were with her but you get the picture – and realized she’d forgotten her wallet.  Uggggh, we’ve all been there, the hurrieder I go the more behind I get. . . .   As she was asking the clerk to hold her groceries while she ran to the house, a man in line told her he’d pay.  She asked for his card so she could send a check and he insisted not, instead suggesting she pay it forward.  Wouldn’t you know, this mensch was Planned Parenthood’s Ken Lambrecht. No surprise there.

(Community Matters)

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) Sorry for his loss. What a motivating story of rags to prominence. Whether or not electeds should be allowed to serve so long a different story.  Our country richer for his service.

W. Virginia Democratic governor will appoint his replacement.  Hopefully soon since Financial Regulatory Reform final Senate passage could hinge on that one vote if MA Scott Brown decides to vote against.

(Community Matters) Telling on myself . . . .

near tapping of whatever karma I might have in the bank.  This morning, while I was watering the lawn – specifically that extra wide rectangular stretch between the sidewalk and road – I noticed the water was spraying on a car which had been parked in front of our house for too many days. Not even one we knew, ie., not recognized as a neighbors. I quickly realized a window was cracked and that water was sometimes spraying into the car.  For a nanosecond, I thought, what the hell, they shouldn’t be parking there. Then the angel on my shoulders won rather than the devil I sometimes have to struggle against.

As Steven was leaving for church, I realized it was his car.  Yesterday, his car replaced the unknown car on the street.  They are both gray/black.

(Community Matters) my thoughts to the suggestion that the administration should adopt that we’re in a political war as the narrative

From having heard then Senator Obama say over and over that changing the way of Washington politics was one of the biggest priorities, I wouldn’t hold my breath on the adoption of a narrative that we’re in a political war.

In fact, I think he’d rather be a one term president than adopt such.  Of course, I could easily be wrong.

I’ve recently had to remind some of my friends that I didn’t join the team to win two terms, to ensure a D house or a D senate (these are other priorities of mine albeit separate & subordinate & admittedly connected). I do my tiny little part to help Barack Obama realize certain deliverables – he and his team are doing exceptionally (we could say historically) well at those to date. I’d rather we have only one term than veer from the objectives of American prosperity, equality, opportunity and sustainability.  Of course, as a gay man, the timing often sucks but hey, more of my LGBT brothers and sisters are impacted by a strong economy & healthcare than marriage or military service. I’m mindful that women delivered the win and once again have had to defer their own equality issues (healthcare). Wish the administration would do better at acknowledging the latter.

(Community Matters) Pitts: The New Jim Crow – an important column. I don’t think most of us realize how real this is. I still remember several affluent African American women in Austin telling me how much they fear for their professional, law-abiding sons because of profiling & bad police practices

(Community Matter) This is an important message. Hope you’ll watch

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) from Politico, Mike Allen

RESURGENT REPUBLIC previews what Rs will be saying about Elena Kagan when her confirmation hearing begins tomorrow: ‘A plurality of likely voters in the November elections supports Elena Kagan’s confirmation, by a 46 to 28 percent margin … But her past positions on military recruitment while at Harvard and the District of Columbia’s handgun ban could harm that support, with undecided voters overwhelmingly saying they would be less likely to support a senator who voted to confirm Kagan on both issues.’

THE AGENDA:

–‘Wall St. reform winners and losers,’ by Carrie Budoff Brown and Ben White, with Chris Frates: ‘THE WINNERS: Citigroup and the business of banking … Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) and his Bay State banks … Walmart: It was pure pitchfork-populism when Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) floated an amendment designed to cut down the fees merchants must pay to banks every time someone swipes a debit card. The amendment will potentially cut in half the $20 billion generated annually for banks such as JPMorganChase, Citi and Bank of America. … Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and her derivatives fight … Goldman Sachs [if the firm drops its their designation as a bank holding company].

‘THE LOSERS: Goldman Sachs and the rest of traditional Wall Street … All big banks: The bigger they are, the more they pay. … Senate Banking Committee Republicans … Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac … Mortgage lenders and brokers. …

(Community Matters) I’ve been meaning to stop in at Franklin BBQ ever since Stacey Franklin helped Meg Schwartz cater a dinner at our house not too long ago.  Have actually tried a few times but they run out of BBQ quick.  Today I arrived before 11 and was the 29th person in line, when I left at 11:40 from picking up my to go order, there were at least 60 people in line.  They are located on the northbound I-35 access road, on Concordia which is between 32nd and 38th.  Stacey’s husband Aaron Franklin runs the operation, ably assisted by a very affable fellow, John.

My quick take:

pork ribs (9 out of 10) delicious, simple, I only detected salt & pepper. love ’em

pulled pork sandwich (6.5 out of 10)  good, expected more. showing my bias for spice here

sausage (4 out of 10), they contract out their own recipe, it’s just not my taste. I don’t like the consistency.

sauces, there are 3 of them – a vinegar sauce for the pulled pork, a regular (not so spicey) and an espresso sauce – good to terrific

pies – they sell Melissa Brinckmann’s (Cake & Spoon) tarts here. I’m trying Lemon Buttermilk (10!) and Raspberry Almond (haven’t tried yet)

brisket & chopped beef – I intentionally didn’t try these today.  I had another establishment’s yesterday. But I’ll be back. These have been rated 10s by others I trust and love.