Daily Archives: 11/30/2011

(Community Matters) Maureen Dowd – Republicans have a far greater talent for hypocrisy than easily cowed Democrats do — and no doubt appreciate that in a leader.

But next to Romney, Gingrich seems authentic. Next to Herman Cain, Gingrich seems faithful. Next to Jon Huntsman, Gingrich seems conservative. Next to Michele Bachmann and Rick Perry, Gingrich actually does look like an intellectual. Unlike the governor of Texas, he surely knows the voting age. To paraphrase Raymond Chandler, if brains were elastic, Perry wouldn’t have enough to make suspenders for a parakeet.

Republicans have a far greater talent for hypocrisy than easily cowed Democrats do — and no doubt appreciate that in a leader.

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(Community Matters) In Vanity Fair: The private papers of the late George F. Kennan, Cold War architect and diplomat extraordinaire

Almost no one alive today has a mature, firsthand memory of a country that used to be very different-that was not a superpower; that did not shroud the workings of its government in secrecy; that did not use ends-justify-the-means logic to erode rights and liberties; that did not undertake protracted wars on the president’s say-so; that had not forgotten how to invest in urgent needs at home; that did not trumpet its greatness even as its shortcomings became more obvious. An American today who is 25 or 50 or even 75-such a person has lived entirely in the America we have become.

(Community Matters) “Photographer Jo Ann Santangelo has spent the better part of this year documenting the lives of Austinites living with HIV or AIDs in portraits, audio, and video. She wanted to display those photos and videos in a location with no other baggage attached, to let the documents speak for themselves. After some looking around, she settled upon a portable storage container that has been outfitted as an office space. The container (now named Falcon 5) will be parked at East Fifth and San Marcos for the month of December, and Jo Ann will be on hand every day during that time to talk with folks who come to experience the exhibit.”

On view December 1, 2011 – January 2, 2012

Opening Reception: Friday, December 2, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

At Falcon 5, 1000 E. 5th Street

Hat Tip: Alex Winkelman