Monthly Archives: October 2011

(Community Matters) nice write up by Michael Barnes (his pic posted here)

and congrats & thanks to my friend Dr Declan Fleming too

(Community Matters) favorite style evening, friends over for dinner – Barbara Woghlemuth and Carrie Stapelton have returned from their annual 5 months on Cape Cod; Michael Mitchell & Robert Torian rounded out to five.

(Community Matters)  Please join us

(Community Matters) Once again Congressman Doggett sent voters a misleading video and email. Ignoring subsequent, public clarifications about the testimony cited in his CD-35 boundary video, it’s just another example of an iconic politician losing his way, violating his principles & ethics to hold onto something he now believes is his, rather than realizing we’re all simply entrusted with these positions of responsibility and authority.

The author of the blog piece cited in Congressman Doggett’s campaign email is a friend and important community leader. Regrettably, the posting ignores the clarification and is misleading. There’s an even bigger, more serious issue here, however. The Doggett campaign has been leading, encouraging and using a public payroll external affairs officer tasked with maintaining federal relations  in their campaign, another breach of discretion and principles (if not more serious).

Sad to see Lloyd succumb to these practices. All of us hate the GOP slash & burn redistricting. I’m hoping CD25 & CD35 are both restored to D majority districts and Travis County gains even more representation. But, watching a 40 year elected official trample all over his own principles to hold onto an office  . . . .

(Community Matters) Last night I hosted a dinner for three exceptional women from Haiti, who work for Fonkoze. This morning EF hosted a breakfast at LIVESTRONG for these friends and donors. Carine, Linda and Natalie explained how they help women who’ve lost every sense of worth, every shred of hope . . . . help them rebuild their lives, improve their homes, propel their children toward better lives.

240,000+ women who now save money, 55,000+ women who operate small businesses. Fonkoze knows they must address these women’s children’s health, their schooling, their housing, in order for the families to climb a very steep economic ladder. Even leadership development – one of their participants has risen to government minister, others have become leaders in their community, sought out by other agencies to help in the cholera epidemic, to combat violence against women, to organize during the many times of crisis.

The EF/AV HelpHaiti Fund helped thousands of Haitians immediately after the earthquake. It’s helped many of us who lived thousands of miles away.

(Community Matters) I’d joke that it couldn’t get any worse if I didn’t fear just that.

“Gov. Rick Perry’s plan, which includes a flat tax, would eliminate estate and capital gains taxes, and lower the rate wealthiest Americans pay on their income.”

“Perry said of the increased economic inequality that would result from the tax plan in an interview with The New York Times. “If that’s what comes, I’ll take that criticism.”

This after cutting Texas education funding for the first time in 60 years

(Community Matters)

Happy 50th Birthday!

(Community Matters) Seriously? Mitt Romney has appointed Robert Bork to co-chair his judicial advisory committee? This is the guy who fired Nixon’s special prosecutor for attempting to obtain his secret recordings? The guy who’s passionately argued against civil right legislation, against the integration of lunch counters? The guy who has led in arguing for relaxed regulation against corporations? The guy who doesn’t believe the 14th amendment’s equal protection clause should extend to women? The guy who originated today’s constitutional originalism – to an extreme – arguing that Americans don’t hold any rights not articulated by the constitution, including no inherent right to privacy.

It is not a stretch to worry that a Mitt Romney Supreme Court could further expand the rights of corporations while restricting the rights of Americans – including overturning women’s, minorities’ and LGBT equality and protections.

“Corporations are people too” – Mitt Romney, 2011

(Community Matters) honored to be included: Obama’s Power Gays

(Community Matters) Magen David Adom is Israel’s Red Cross. Several families in Austin hosted dinners last night, the proceeds of which will purchase an emergency operating center/ambulance for the Galilee area. Joaquin Castro & I attended dinner hosted by Suzanne & Marc Winkelman – omg, Chef Terry Conlan cooked a to die for vegan extravaganza.

pic of Suzanne’s 10 rescue pups

(Community Matters) The main purpose of this trip to Marfa (Wed – Sun) has been an MPR board meeting and our Fall Fundraiser. Karen Bernstein arranged a concert by Shawn Colvin at the Granada in Alpine.

Kay Burnett hosted a dinner at her home for the evening’s sponsors prior. Tim Johnson & Caitlin Murphy were our guests. Of course, Julie Speed & Fran Christina joined us as sponsors too – huge MPR fans & supporters, their also close personal friends with Shawn. Suzanne Tick flew in from NY for a 36 whirlwind tour with her friend Anna and joined us at the theater. Emily Keeton and Tim Crowley were to join us but regrettably were called away from Marfa at the last minute.

It’s been a great trip – lots of down time. I’ve slept more than I can remember doing in ages. Bummer that I caught some bug while here, but when better to battle a bug than when able to convalesce. Cooked dinner at the house on Thursday – just us, Julie & Fran. Checked on Paisano arrangements for new years – we seem all set. Rats, didn’t make it to Mini-Rooster, still need to arrange catering. Oh yeah, and made a few new friends, Joey Benton, Jim & Jim. Joey’s opening a custom furniture & textile shop in Austin next month – this should be a big deal.

(Community Matters)  Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie Occupy Wall Street