Daily Archives: 06/27/2010

(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. …