Monthly Archives: October 2010

(Community Matters) This nugget from my friend David Gail in Dallas

Jonathan Singer:

GOP Suffering Enthusiasm Gap Among Early Voters

Last month I wrote about the potential that early voting might help the Democrats overcome the much-discussed “enthusiasm gap,” because although an unenthusiastic voter might skip going to the polls on election day they might get cajoled to turn in a ballot if harangued over the course of a couple of weeks. Judging by the early numbers, it seems as though this dynamic may in fact be playing out much to the Democrats’ advantage. First the numbers out of Ohio, per professor Michael McDonald:

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(Community Matters) Steven and I arrived last night, departing Austin after lunch, after most of the EF Fall Service Day (400 high tech employees sprucing up various parts of Zilker Park – thx PwC, our sponsors).

Just the 6+ hour drive is a vacation for us – together & relatively undistracted (only 3 conference calls btwn us), stopping by Rather Sweets in Fredericksburg (saw Rebecca who said the Austonian deal didn’t work out so no she’s not opening a shop in Austin 😦 ).

We took the Balmorhea way in to Marfa, through Ft Davis, stopping off at Joni & Tim Powers for a quick drink and appetizers.  Home sweet home – well, we call it our adopted home.  Steven pretty beat so early to bed (ughh, hope he’s not getting the cold/flu I had), and I went out for a late bite.  Had a late dinner with Tom & Tochi at their star rated bistro, Cochineal. Janie & Dick DeGuerian dining there too as well the new director of Chinati, Thomas Kellein, and his family

This am a quiet morning with ST, shopped the farmer’s market, running into Julie & Fran, Valerie & Robert, Rob W, LouAnn & Ganka.

Have a Marfa Public Radio board meeting this afternoon, then a fundraiser this evening.  There’s little better than a few days r&r with my hubby in this highland desert.

(Community Matters) In the LA Times

“Clinton told thousands of listeners at an evening rally at UCLA that they bear responsibility for the nation’s future. ‘It is not enough to have voted for a new president if you will not help him govern and stick behind the members of Congress who stood for him,’ Clinton said as a light drizzle began to fall. ‘I am pleading with you, you need to go out and tell everyone who is not here tonight that any college student in the state of California that doesn’t vote in this election is committing malpractice on your own future.'”

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-1016-governor-20101016,0,1794623.story

(Community Matters) My absolutely favorite house in Austin with the very best kitchen in the world.  I’d buy it if my husband would let me

100 E Canyon Cr

it’s the last home world renowned architect Charles Moore designed

well, there’s the bit about whether I could afford it . . .

(Community Matters) his editorial, How Religion is Killing Our Most Vulnerable Youth

An increasingly popular bumper sticker reads, “Guns Don’t Kill People — RELIGION Kills People!” In light of recent events I would add religion kills young people: gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people.

Perhaps not directly, though. And religion is certainly not the only source of anti-gay sentiment in the culture. But it’s hard to deny that religious voices denouncing LGBT people contribute to the atmosphere in which violence against LGBT people and bullying of LGBT youth can flourish.

The news is filled with the tragedies of teenaged boys who were gay and decided to end their living hell by committing suicide. Maybe they weren’t even gay, but merely perceived to be by their peers, who harassed, taunted, and threatened them unmercifully.

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(Community Matters) In Central Texas, we ought to be supporting Judy Jennings and Rebecca Bell-Metereau.  Our dear friend Bev Reeves hosted a well-attended fundraiser for these two yesterday. Steven and I like and are supporting both of these candidates.  If you care about whether or not Texas schools remain competitive, whether or not we overtake Kansas as the laughing stock of the country – you should support them too.

Lots of support.  Co-hosts included Linda Aaker & Bob Armstrong, Ginny Agnew & Chuck Herring, Elma Cantu & James Aldrete, Robbie & Tom Ausley, Kelly Ausley-Flores, Aimee Boone, Joe Crews, Cari Clark, Zeke De Rose, Congressman Lloyd Doggett, Joan & David Hilgers, Dr. John Hogg & David Garza, Tracy Holland, Joan & Paul Hudson, Diane Ireson & Rowland Cook, Daniel Jochnowitz, Robert E. Jones, Austin Kaplan, Cathy Kyle & Mark Nixon, Cynthia Levinson, Alice London, Susan Longley, Angie Luck & Rachel Howell, Catherine Mauzy, JoAnn McKenzie, Kurt Meachum, Bonnie Mills, Sinead O’Carroll, Carrin Patman, Janis & Joe Pinnelli, Ellen Richards & Greg Johnson, Pete Schenkkan, Eugene Sepulveda & Steven Tomlinson, Jan Soifer & Pat O’Connell, Liz & Duff Stewart, Karen Watkins, Jane Webre, Sarah Woelk & Phil Durst, Elyse & Dan Yates, Elizabeth Yeager.  Also seen there: JoAnn McKenzie, Nancy Scanlon, Jim Marston, Brigid Shea, Cathy Echols.

I remain perplexed by the Austin American Statesman’s ridiculous endorsement of Marsha Farney over Judy Jennings.  Ms Farney deems it necessary to announce she’s first a Christian, is in no way a moderate – though evidently it doesn’t take much to fool some.  I’ve reread their endorsement – ridiculous (a liberal wouldn’t be able to advance any compromise?) and it feels like the GWB presidential endorsement all over again – even written in an unfamiliar voice.  I’m looking for the inside story on this.  I suspect it’s a bone to a constant dissenter.

(Community Matters) My heart just broke a little bit but I understand.  POLITICO Breaking News
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The Obama administration has asked for an emergency stay of a judge’s order banning worldwide enforcement of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” law banning gays in the military. The Justice Department vows to appeal the ruling, and argues that President Barack Obama favors an ‘orderly’ legislative repeal of the 1993 law.

(Community Matters) tough, tough spot.  I appreciate that Press Secretary Robert Gibbs was obviously very thoughtful in his responses yesterday – see Politico here.  The President has been committed to overturning Don’t Ask Don’t Tell since the campaign trail.  And, despite the understandable – even sometimes deserved – venomous anger from LGBT community, there’s little appreciation from the street of the strategic legislative and armed forces prep this administration has put into its permanent repeal.

Most of the national bloggers aren’t doing anyone a favor by distorting the choices facing us today, after Federal District Court Judge Virginia Phillip’s decision declaring DA/DT unconstitutional.  This isn’t a definitive court decision.  It’s a lower federal court decision subject to appeal in the 9th circuit.  And, I’m told the 9th circuit has already upheld DA/DT’s constitutionality – as have 4 other US circuits.

I admit to being torn.  I wish the case wouldn’t be appealed.  Even more I certainly wish Congress had already repealed the damn, unfair law (which goddamn you David Mixner and Richard Socarides you’re screaming from the sidelines when there aren’t any two LGBT members more culpable for this law passed during the Clinton administration*).  I believe it’s unconstitutional.  I wish President Obama believed it was unconstitutional, but in an interview with Anderson Cooper last year, he said he felt it was a legislative prerogative that had to be legislatively repealed.

In several meetings in DC over the last two weeks, I’ve been assured DA/DT will be repealed in the December lame duck session.  And, I realize this assumes we don’t lose the Senate.  I worry it also assumes we don’t lose the House (which is my private bet but I unwilling to gamble our equality objectives).  A US Senator assured me a few weeks ago, that the repeal would pass in December, that GOP Senate minority leader McConnell told his colleagues they could vote as they wished after the election.

Yet . . . do we have to appeal Judge Phillip’s decision?  Should the White House not dictate DOJ’s decisions? Does an administration have the responsibility to appeal all decisions against existing legislation? And, the bottom line – we want this law rescinded permanently.

I trust Pres Obama more than any other elected official. He’s promised us DA/DT & DOMA will be repealed and that he believes in full equality for LGBT Americans (marriage is a sticking point and I believe he’ll come around prior to 2012).  I’m not saying that there haven’t been timing mistakes (not saying there have been – who the hell knows. We were facing a f$#ing Great Depression and political opposition admittedly more intent on opposing Pres Obama’s success than supporting what’s right for our country).

* I adore David Mixner and appreciate his leadership during the last two decades. I helped him and Tom Henderson raise money to fight DA/DT after they ill-advised the President to suspend the gay military ban during his first 100 days in office.  I don’t know Richard and assume he’s a good guy too. But, he should be a bit more gentle with his stone throwing since he was Clinton’s LGBT adviser during the time DA/DT and DOMA were signed. And, finally (?), I’m glad many are screaming from the sidelines; it takes insiders and outsiders to get anything as life changing as LGBT equality accomplished.

(Community Matters) Ausitn’s HRC federal club hosted a Lake Austin boat cruise tonight.  Marty Rouse, HRC’s National Field Director flew in to speak at the event.  Kirk Rice, Marty, Luke Hayes and I met earlier today to discuss national & Texas races.  I’ve promised to further connect Marty & Alexa Wesner and the DNCs OFA.

on the boat tonight with Kirk Rudy, Steven and Becky Beaver

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Todd Cannon & John Kerrigan planned tonight’s event – together with Daniel Brennan they represent Austin on HRC’s board of governors.  Chris Long & Dean Crawford were the evening’s generous sponsors.  Lots of friends on board including (additionally) Perry Heitman, Billy Wilkinson, Rodney Fraser, Joann McKenzie, Laura Crumley & Tamra English, Krystal Gilliam, Michael Harper & Jed Duhon, John Hogg & David Garza, Kevin Loop, Alisa Weldon & Lynn Yeldell, Jill Wilcox & Karen Langsley, Stan Young, John Hildreth, Joe Baldazo, Joanna Linden, George Thorn, Rodney Ahart & lots others

Todd told a story about how he & Perry encountered a bigoted insurance broker when they recently moved to Austin from Portland. Fortunately, they subsequently connected with Joann.

Money well spent supporting HRC’s good work on the Hill and in the field.  Steven and I are committed supporters – & we’re looking forward to their Austin dinner in February

(Community Matters) It gets better . . . (thank you, CM Burns)

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) Sunday’s NYT Mag: Pres. Obama says he does not have an iPad. “I have an iReggie.”

(Community Matters) Yesterday, federal Judge Virgina Phillips of the Central District Court of CA issued an injunction banning enforcement of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, ordering the military to cease all investigations and dismissals.

In  Sept. she’d declared the law unconstitutional, noting that it “infringes the fundamental rights of United States service members and prospective service members,” violating their rights of due process and freedom of speech.

Also, yesterday, 21 US Senators wrote to the US Attorney General recommending he not appeal the court’s ruling. They cite an appeal as a setback to Senate efforts to repeal the law.  I’d like to understand more about this.

We need a permanent end to this discriminatory practice,  wouldn’t not appealing a lower court’s ruling  be a reversible fix?  Admittedly, this isn’t my field.  I’m looking for the counsel of others before forming my own opinion.