Daily Archives: 11/24/2011

(Community Matters) Flying between Munich and Washington DC, I watched The Help. I was moved to remember Mrs. Rosa Parks and her memorial service at the US Capitol. Seems a fitting memory on Thanksgiving – while so many people around the world (& even in our own country) must still fight for equality, fairness and civil rights.

(Washington, D.C., Sunday, Oct 30, 2005)

Standing in line among so many proud Black women, proud Black men, proud men and women of every color… Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Happy Thanksgiving

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(Community Matters) The courts have largely reversed the most egregious gerrymandering we’ve ever seen in Texas. Austin mostly gets back an intact Congressional district and San Antonio is the primary beneficiary of one of Texas’ new districts.  Lloyd Doggett and Joaquin Castro can now both represent Central Texas in Washington.

And, the competition didn’t hurt Austin. Fortunately being outraised and outpolled in the last quarter encouraged Lloyd to recalibrate his position on LGBT equality. And, thanks to the urging of many supporters, he’s finally agreed to co-sponsor the repeal of DOMA and support same sex marriage rights.

I’m slightly bummed San Antonio & Austin won’t be linked in representation, believing our future, global competitive advantage really is as a super metropolitan area.  A single elected leader focused on both great cities is likely to help make more happen – including fast rail. Glad Joaquin is going to Washington – it really is broken. We need a new generation of leaders.

(Community Matters) spent my last night in Istanbul with Brent & his friends. A few of us out to dinner, then joined by two others for drinks – a Turk, another American, a German and a Bulgarian – all great young people, serious young people who plan to change the world.

Brent & roommates: Barış & Kevin

Kevin, Lara, Nick & Brent

easy trip back to states yesterday. arrived OKC and met Steven for Thanksgiving with family