Monthly Archives: September 2010

(Community Matters) Health care reform: effective today insurance companies 1) cannot exclude children with preexisting conditions, 2) prohibited from imposing lifetime caps on benefits, 3) cannot drop sick and costly customers b/c of technical mistakes on applications, 4) must offer coverage to children under 26 years of age.

(Community Matters)

Happy Birthday, Michael

(Community Matters) Julie’s selling her studio in Marfa – it’s a great space overlooking the railroad tracks, park and just around the corner from the Marfa Bookstore. In Marfa, the R/R is a very cool thing.

Appx 22 x 43 with 12 ft ceilings and north light.  It’s zoned commercial  around  and kitty-corner to the big shade structure in the center of town. 124 El Paso St. Connected to the studio is a 14 x 19 office and/or bedroom, a 10 x 10′  kitchen with fridge, stove, dishwasher,  plus 1 1/2 baths, one off the kitchen and one off the bedroom, washer/dryer,  There are separate AC/Heat units, one for the studio space, one for the living space.  Also a secret garden – large funky walled courtyard with a big elm and a Mexican elder.  She and Fran are asking $237,500.  I’ve drunk a lot of wine, tequila, beer and who knows what else in this building.  Quickly thought we should buy it, then remembered we have the perfect house share arrangement in Marfa already and want to spend more time in Cape Cod the next few years.  Nevertheless, it’s a special place – extraordinary location & light, in Marfa!

(Julie is moving her studio to her home complex, into the former jail)

(Community Matters) Bob Woodward’s newest tome – Obama’s Wars – releases Monday.

In today’s Mike Allen’s POLITOCO Daily:

OFFICIALS WHO SAT DOWN WITH BOB WOODWARD for “Obama’s Wars,” according to top administration sources: President Obama (on the record, in the Oval Office, for just over an hour); Vice President Biden; Secretary of State Clinton; Defense Secretary Gates; CIA Director Panetta; David Axelrod; Robert Gibbs; Gen. James Jones, the national security adviser; National Security Council Chief of Staff Denis McDonough; Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes; Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq; Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan; countless others.

HOW WOODWARD GOT THE GOODS, by Mike Allen and John F. Harris: “The White House doors swung wide for the world’s most successful non-fiction writer. … ‘Obama’s Wars,’ Bob Woodward’s 16th book-the previous 15 have all been best-sellers and often dominated the news upon release-comes out Monday [with sneak peaks, excerpted below, in NYT and WP today]. … Woodward surprised top defense and intelligence officials by coming in for interviews armed with classified maps, in some cases labeled with code names for clandestine operations. … Part of Woodward’s magic comes from his long relationships after more than 30 years as Washington’s most famous reporter. Woodward has known Gen. David Petraeus, commander of the war in Afghanistan, since he was a major. He has known the White House national security adviser, Gen. James Jones, since he was a colonel.

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(Community Matters) Big gathering last night – the evening benefiting the Austin Community Foundation chaired by Becky Beaver and Marc Winkelman exceeded budget by over $100,000.  No doubt because of last night’s terrific honorees – Lynn & Tommy Meredith, Margo Weisz, Carol Adams, the Junior League and Steve Saunders.

Loved the vintage photos Tommy & Lynn – Tommy looked like a mini-him at 3years old, seriously, it’s uncanny.  And, those sideburns . . . 🙂  Lynn was already drop dead gorgeous in the crib.  Margo gracious and inclusive in her comments.  Carol Adams had a cheering section of friends (including this one on the other side of the room).  The Junior League, I’m embarrassed to have forgotten what program especially was recognized, and Steve Saunders talked about the legacy of giving and the great philanthropists in Austin.

Tons and tons of friends in attendance – at our table also Amanda Chiampi, Adrianna Bernal, Gary Lindner (PeopleFund’s new Pres/CEO), Gregory Brooks, Margo Weisz, Kirk Rudy – plus others at the event: Sarah Meredith, Kate & Pedro Andrade, Eli, Alex & Suzanne Winkelman, Hailey Rudy, Mike Cook, Larry & Deborah Peel, Joyce Christian, Rudy Green, Clarke Heidrick, Janet Harman & Kent Mayes, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Senator Kirk Watson (served as emcee), Bill Dickson, Chris Adams, UT Pres Bill Powers (introduced Lynn & Tommy), Brett & Debra Hurt, Charles Barnett, Ken Gladish, MariBen Ramsey, Susan Finfer, C/M Sheryl & Kevin Cole, Lynn Yeldell & Alisa Weldon, Michael Barnes, Richard Hartgrave, Heath Riddle, JoLynn Free (incoming ACF chair), Sylvia Acevedo (out-going ACF chair), Patsy & Jack Martin, Patti & Jim Huffines and so many others . . . .

thao nguyen photo

(Community Matters) well, it appears the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is defeated for today – for lack of a 60th vote to end the filibuster. This doesn’t represent a lack of majority to repeal. Republican Senator Collins who who supports repeal refused to vote for closure because of partisan bickering about amendments.

in fact, closure was defeated 56 to 43 – likely by only one vote with others flipping once they saw it wasn’t going to win

I’m regretful but not feeling defeated. It’s about politics, not fairness or even legislative merit

(Community Matters) Today’s a big day – it could be historic.  The Senate will vote for closure on the Defense Authorization Bill which includes the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.  We’re dependent on securing at least two Republican votes to stop the filibuster McCain is supporting – saying that DA/DT shouldn’t be included in an authorization bill.  Funny since this is how DA/DT was passed in the first place.

Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Scott Brown are the most likely swing votes, though their participation in serious jeopardy, reportedly as a result of Reid not allowing Republican amendments.

(Community Matters) Sounds like  a real winner, Life Sack

Hat Tip: Andrew Sullivan

(Community Matters) Love the climax of irony

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) Steve Adler & Diane Land hosted a huge fundraiser for Congressman Lloyd Doggett this afternoon.  Steve reminded us about Lloyd’s opponent, Tea Party candidate Dr. Donna Campbell.

While she’s probably a good doctor & a nice lady, it’s not inconceivable that the rural part of Lloyd’s district (including La Grange, Shiner, Eagle Lake, Smithville, Yokum, Gonzales and Bastrop) could elect a Tea Party Republican against separation of church & state and against a woman’s right to choose to represent a large part of Austin. Don’t take it for granted: volunteer, donate, display a yard sign for Lloyd Doggett.

I enjoyed seeing and hanging out with Doug Ulman, Suzanne Booth, Alexa Wesner, Suzanne & Marc Winkelman, Laura Huffman, Bettie Nowlin, Suzanna Caballero, Linda & Glenn Neland, Jim Marston, Andy Brown and so many others – the place was packed.  Great showing of support for the Congressman.

(Community Matters) NYT: an extraordinarily poignant story demonstrating the ethical dillemas of clinical trials – is it right to withhold a promising drug from patients whose lives it could save, in order to measure against a control group?

both in the clinical trials – Thomas (left) is receiving the drug, his cousin Brandon (right) was in the control group

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I find myself unable to form a detached opinion – I think immediately of Michael Mitchell’s lymphoma and Doug Ulman’s melanoma (both in remission) and wouldn’t want to settle for any arguments if eithers’ cancer returned. (Not to mention the avalanche of names and types of cancer that floods into my head thinking just a minute longer.)

(Community Matters) Is it tacky to hang on the wall & call it fine art?

Cristiano Ronaldo for Armani Jeans