Monthly Archives: October 2011

(Community Matters) posting today about his tour of the Sultanahmet neighborhood. 

(Community Matters) really, religious bigots? hmm, I guess maybe there are. But, that’s not the case when someone says you can promote discrimination against LGBT Americans.

This seems too complex for some people. If you could oppose something or say something about Black, Brown, Jewish, women, men or disabled without expecting to be called out, then you are probably okay. If it’s not okay to substitute one of those groups for something you are about to say or promote, then it’s not okay. Some people once used religion to defend their prejudice against African Americans and Jews too. It’s not okay against gays & lesbians either

Towelroad re: AFA suggesting religious bigotry

(Community Matters) Andrew Sullivan

Hat Tip: David Gail

(Community Matters) Once a year venture-backed entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other investors come together at a fundraiser benefittng our member company community projects and a named nonprofit. This year, one of three nonprofits will be named as a recipient (Theatre Action Project, Sustainable Food Center or ActiveLIFE).

Our auction items include: Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Really? Give me a break. Lloyd Doggett’s never believed – and has certainly never used in his defense – anything said by a Republican. All of a sudden he’s gonna start building a case relying on what a Republican operative has to say?  Lloyd’s responding to Castro calling him out for launching lies & innuendo

(Community Matters) another, especially-notable event bridging Austin & San Antonio for Joaquin Castro for Congress

(Community Matters) NYTimes op-ed from the authors of “The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age.”

(Community Matters) This sounds like insightful perspective on the electorate

David Brooks:

Some economists say the government should be spending more now to stimulate a recovery. Thirty-eight percent of Americans seem to agree with that. But 56 percent have said “government spending when the government is already running a deficit is the wrong approach during an economic downturn because it is only a temporary solution that increases long-term debt.”

These majorities are focused on the fundamentals. They say that repairing the economic moral fabric is the essential national task right now. They are suspicious of government action in general, saying that government often undermines this fabric. But they support specific federal policies that nurture industriousness, responsibility and delayed gratification, like spending on infrastructure, education and research. They distinguish between the deserving and undeserving rich*.

America went through a similar values restoration in the 1820s. Then, too, people sensed that the country had grown soft and decadent. Then, too, Americans rebalanced. They did it quietly and in private.

After listening to family and other moderates over the last week, I’m even more daunted by the task ahead.

* I’d like to know more about this “concept” of deserving and undeserving rich

(Community Matters) so . . . what can 500 Entrepreneurs Foundation volunteers accomplish in 6 hours at Zilker Park?

•    spread 10 acres of wildflower seeds
•    plant 8 palettes of native grasses and plants
•    stripe eight parking areas
•    spread 15 yards of mulch
•    repair and paint 8 benches and 6 tables
•    remove 60 truckloads of invasive plant species (!)
•    install new shelving
•    install a weather station
•    re-gravell 100 feet of beach around a pond
•    build 120 feet of split-rail fence
•    set 120 square feet of brick trail
•    build 3 ½ tons of stone into a dry-stack wall
•    and much more!

(Community Matters) The Daily Beast reports on emails from a Perry political operative

not to be misunderstood as any defense of the Mormon church which organized and spent millions in CA (against tax exemption laws btw) to overturn marriage equality. They’ve declared war against constitutional equality for LGBT Americans

(Community Matters) No surprise Wall Street is lavishing its support on Romney and Perry. Pres Obama passed the most aggressive financial regulatory reform he could get through Congress and the Republicans want to reverse even that. NYTimes article – Romney Beating Obama in a Fight for Wall St. Cash

There are some (too few) enlightened Wall Street players who get that a strong middle class, more fair taxes, and a strong regulatory system are not only in the best interests of the 99% but of the 1% too.

Pres Obama hasn’t been winning friends on Wall Street by passing & enforcing financial regulatory reform – a lot more is needed: 1) a constitutional amendment rolling back S Ct Citizens United decision, and 2) more aggressive regulatory reform will real penalties. I don’t know if as far as reestablishing Glass Stegall but the current situation & level of influence is intolerable.

(Community Matters) Friedman on Emanuel in Chicago – A Progressive in the Age of Austerity

I’d like it even more if Cut, Pay & Invest

Reminds me of Warren Buffett’s story: A genie is talking to twins in the womb. Tells them they’ll each be bright, beautiful and rich beyond their wildest dreams. Only issue is, one will be born in the US & must pay 70% taxes while the other will pay no taxes & be born in Bangladesh. Guess where they both want to be born.

Wealthy Americans will pay a premium for US services – stability of markets, access to capital, rule of law, roads, healthcare and other services. Talk that modestly higher, marginal taxes will stifle job creation is total bullshit.