Monthly Archives: January 2011

(Community Matters) Turns out our founding fathers did have an opinion about government run healthcare & mandating citizen purchase of coverage – Forbes

(Community Matters) aka Mike McHone – now reading in AAS that the Congress Ave Hotel is breezing through regulatory process. Actually, the project doesn’t sound bad. It’s legal representative, Mr. Super Duplex, aka Mike McHone, the 70s housing coop entrepreneur gone bad – now known for shirking city ordinances and squeezing by on technicalities. While from a far the physical hotel project doesn’t look bad (contrary to the deal which is reported to include variances, allowances and tax abatements/relief), we’re likely to get screwed on the fine print and the business deal.

(Community Matters) wondering how those shouting “keep gov’t out of my medicare” feel about Rep Paul Ryan’s (GOP’s) plan to privatize medicare and social security

(Community Matters) “Obama is not a brown-skinned, anti-war socialist who gives away free healthcare. UR thinking of Jesus.” –FB status, Episcopal Bishop in Arizona

(Community Matters) reading in this week’s ABJ about a new hotel on Congress Ave. Initially slated for 15 stories and 60 rooms, now they are talking about 26 stories and 130 rooms, seeking historical designation and CURE zoning. All was sounding good to me until I read Mike McHone is representing the developer. Mike’s reputation is a serious issue. He’s pulled fast ones on neighbors and neighborhoods – the super duplex could be his logo. Some of his projects have had serious code violations. I’m hoping our city staff & council will take a seriously hard look at any promises represented by this man.  one example

(Community Matters) in the Atlantic

(Community Matters) I finally had a chance to scroll through their blog this morning. Interesting.  The Bilerico Project

(Community Matters) in tomorrow’s NYT “Obama to Press Centrist Agenda in His Address”

five “pillars” for ensuring America’s competitiveness and economic growth: Innovation, Education, Infrastructure, Deficit reduction and Reforming government.

“He’s making the transition from an economic security president to an economic growth president,” said Jim Kessler, co-founder of the centrist organization Third Way, “and he’s moving from the left to the center.”

(Community Matters) reportedly a real message for an Aussie school – doubtful but provocative

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters)

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) I have a husband who loves going to the doctor – his primary care physician, dentists, eye doctors, hand doctors, whisperers, any sort of specialist he might need. Steven’s got enough scientist in him that he doesn’t hesitate to explore a malady and loves the conversation.

My first thought when something pops up isn’t really “oh, I should go to a doctor,” but more like, “hmm, hope this goes away soon,” or, “if I mention this to Steven he’s gonna bug me to go to a doctor.” Don’t get me wrong – I like my primary care physician. My doc’s a buddy; we exchange emails, I like hearing about his basketball game and his latest surfing excursion. Guess I’m not really over his conspiring with Steven that one shouldn’t have more than 2 or 3 glasses of wine a week, nor any cigars.

But, I did see Mark this week for a check up and loved the affirmation about the weight I’ve lost, how good I’m looking and sounding.  And, of course, checking in on his surfing, kids, basketball (finally hung it up) and our various travels. So emboldened I even mentioned an ankle issue I’ve been hiding for a few years. And, today, I went to the orthopedic surgeon. Turns out I know his sister – and I remembered when he was tooling around in Australia.  Yeah, we got around to the ankle (pumps are dangerous & damaging) but, more importantly, I got to connect with an interesting, pretty hot doc.

(Community Matters) sad it takes rules to ensure LGBT partners can visit their significant others in the hospital. Very happy Pres. Obama made this virtually the law of the land – news release here.

Sad the American Family Association and other hate groups* have declared these rules immoral and promised to fight them. AFA earlier produced a video saying the gov’t shouldn’t ensure such.

* The Southern Poverty Law Center has declared the American Family Association & Family Research Council hate groups for knowingly promoting false & demonizing information in its campaign against gays & lesbians – info here

of course, these groups have no integrity – one of FRC’s founders, George Rekers, the same guy found employing a rentboy during his European trip