Daily Archives: 09/18/2011

(Community Matters) I’m by no means unsympathetic to those advocating state recognition. I trust Pres Obama that for whatever reasons, this wouldn’t be in the Palestinian state’s nor the State of Israel’s best interest – most likely because of US Congressional backlash, which at this time could be veto proof. And, it probably signals the US’s weakening position as an ally to both sides. The failure of Bebe Netanyahus’s government to make any progress in negotiations or to curtail additional West Bank settlements is regrettable. As the eminently more powerful of the two parties, the negotiations are more Israel’s to drive.

Placing the US in the position of working against state recognition – which increases security threats against Americans everywhere in the world –  is the sort of ask that taxes friendships. I fear my Israeli friends may have lost the advantage of negotiating with Palestinians from the peak of their power, influence and global friendships.

(Community Matters) AAS quoting liberally from my friends Chad Bockius (CEO Socialware) and Jon Hockeynos:

This is a place where smart people want to be and work, and that has been the case independent of the overall economic environment.

(Community Matters) Steven loved the Richard Bean written farce directed by the Nicholas Hytner.

While the show was a bit too Monty Python-esq for me (which Steven absolutely loved), I’m glad to have seen it since Hytner is the Royal National Theatre’s Exec Director and it provides insight into his artistic direction for the enterprise. Since arriving in 2003, he’s shaken up offerings, transfused energy and edginess into the complex which had become stodgy. The show reminded me of the Rude Mechanical’s I’ve Never Been So Happy – slapstick, lots of double entendre, music, even cartoonish and a wildly laughing audience. I said it wasn’t my kind of show, but it certainly was most of the audiences’.

(Community Matters) The Tate Modern is always one of my favorite visits – though I’ve neglected to stop in recently.

A double treat as they had Cy Twombly’s works hanging. I met his sister this summer. Though I’d heard of him, I’d never known his work until after meeting Ann. The physical power (energy) of his work isn’t captured in a photograph.

First time I’ve ever seen clearly, Matisse beats Picasso. I’ve grappled with that ever since the Matisse Picasso exhibit