Monthly Archives: June 2011

(Community Matters) Just out in the New York Observer – a lot of  hardworking & generous folks on this list – including Charles front & center

as always, some glaring omissions: where’s Rabbi Kleinbaum & Mitch Draizin?

(Community Matters) from Andrew Sullivan

. . . .  but it does seem plenty odd, don’t you think, that a leading Mormon would argue that marriage cannot be redefined, when his own church redefined it well over a century ago to outlaw polygamy, previously one of the LDS church’s deepest doctrines? If you can redefine it from that, why would subsequent redefinitions – such as allowing inter-racial marriage – not be permitted?

More to the point: if Huntsman is referring to his religious position, wouldn’t that bar all non-Mormons from marriage as Mormons understand it? No non-Mormon can be married in a temple. Even non-Mormon parents of the groom or bride are not allowed. So if marriage cannot be redefined outside Mormon grounds, does Huntsman believe that anyone apart from Mormons are actually, you know, married?

Huntsman does favor civil unions and says he won’t begrudge a state for passing marriage equality

(Community Matters) I would criticize these groups for succumbing but others blasted us for taking a position on interested carried tax policy. The latter appears much more relevant to EF’s business than an AT&T/T-Mobile merger to civil rights, but that’s my perspective. I’m glad the LGBT groups are reassessing their positions.  story here

(Community Matters) Very proud of Kyle & Kim Hughes who were the primary organizers of this important nonprofit. I had no idea Austin has the highest suicide rate in Texas

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(Community Matters) in USA Today

Raymond’s* 2009 study of charters in 15 states and Washington, D.C., found that just 17% of charters were providing superior education opportunities for their students, half were no different from traditional schools and a third delivered results that were worse than public schools. [KIPP and UT charter school exceed benchmarks but are not the norm.] full article

*Margaret Raymond, Stanford University’s Center for Research on Education Outcomes

(Community Matters) Kudos to my friend Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum for her endless courage.

(Community Matters) This study says nearly half college educated gays & lesbians not out at work – I find this very hard to believe

(Community Matters) I’m hungry and was reading on line that my boyhood best friend is currently in Italy. that led me to a posting on my friend Elizabeth’s blog which led me to this video:

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(Community Matters) I have had all I can stand, Fox TV and I can’t stand no more . . .

We don’t just fight against our opponents, this is a moral movement, we fight for them too.

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(Community Matters) chilling with the family in Sealy for Fathers’ Day

Happy fathers day, Dad

worse drought we’ve ever had here – since 1969 (us)

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(Community Matters)

Belated Happy Birthday to my favorite 12-yo nephew

Eli Joseph Sepulveda

(Community Matters) liking the sound of this – might even see collaborations with Graham Reynolds, Matthew Hinsley &/or Mother Falcon which could bring existing Austin indie/classical guitar fans