Monthly Archives: September 2011

(Community Matters) in response to a friend’s facebook post about holding AISD accountable for Hispanic student performance

I’ve been thinking more about the issue of under performance in public schools, especially in the Hispanic community. Turning this around requires a more aggressive compact between school officials, parents and students.

Parents have *got* to be part of the solution. Involvement by good folks like you and so many other interested, dedicated parents is a big step, and parents of the other kids enrolled must be better engaged too. Who’s doing the best at making this happen?

(Community Matters) My favorite 2yr, 9mo old

photo: Milinda Mitchell

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daughter of Stephen Walls & Denny Biggs

(Community Matters) Says he has no experience debating, that’s why he loses

(Community Matters) Texas Tribune Festival today and tomorrow – multiple venues.

The Texas Tribune Festival to bring together the state’s most prominent thinkers, politicians and public servants for a weekend of debate, discussion and dialogue on the subjects that matter most to all Texans.

Four program tracks will cover the topics that are most relevant to our state and the nation: Energy & Environment, Race & Immigration, Public & Higher Education, and Health & Human Services. The weekend includes exclusive breakfasts, major keynote addresses, lectures and panel discussions.

(Community Matters) The Enlazando Group paid back more of my KIVA loan today, so I’m reloaning that money to Ma De Los Angeles in Mexico.

The “Enlazando” is 3 women from Nindiri, Masaya. The group Coordinator is Mrs. María de la Concepción Sánchez who has been a corn, bean and manioc farmer since she was young. She used a portion of the loan to buy manure to prepare the soil for planting.  Another member, Ana María Aburto Matus, has a tienda, a grocery store, where she invested the loan.

Reloaned the monies to Sra. Ma de los Ángeles from Mexico. She has a business selling used clothes to her friends. She has been in business for five years. The business provides part of her income; her husband is a farmer. She’ll use the proceeds to buy seasonal clothing.

(Community Matters)

Happy Birthday, Michael

Squirrels In His Attic

(Community Matters) Wasn’t thrilled to hear of Meg Whitman’s appointment as CEO of HP. Her support to overturn CA’s marriage laws offends me. As I’ve researched this a bit more, I’ve found quotes where she supports civil unions and other LGBT equality measures. Still, don’t imagine I’ll be buying from HP if she’s in charge. She financially supported and advocated against LGBT equality. We don’t shop at Target anymore, eat Chick-fil-A or otherwise spend our money where our dollars can be recycled to keep my & Steven’s marriage from being recognized nor us from enjoying the same rights as every other American. Bummer, I like their printers best and we’re shopping for a new one.

(Community Matters) Congrats to Susan Lubin & Marcia Levy on their initiative to launch a breast cancer center at Seton. $1mm just pledged by Susan & Michael Dell

photo: Michael Barnes

(Community Matters) Joe Jervis’ recap of the 3 GOP debates

CHEERS for the death penalty.
CHEERS for letting people die without insurance.
BOOS for active duty gay soldiers.

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All the blah-blah-blah from the candidates – almost ignored. It’s the audience reactions that keep garnering the press. It’s the unbridled gleeful hatred of the Tea Party that keeps earning all those cable news video clips.

(Community Matters) It is a civil rights issue. To withhold any rights from any LGBT Americans is unconstitutional. No one has a right to discriminate against me because of my sexual orientation. They can not like me, they can prefer not to associate with me, but you better not discriminate against me. I won’t stand for it!

(Community Matters) Pres Obama and Israel, in the New York Magazine

(Community Matters)

ok . . . of course jobs. This depth of recession typically 4 – 6 years to recover. Nevertheless, more jobs. Pass this bill now!