Monthly Archives: April 2013

(Community Matters) I am surprised by Andrew Sullivan’s tilt toward declaring Islam a religion which promotes violence (more so than the general consensus that religions can edge fundamentalists toward violence).

And, it reminds me of a thought trail wondering if fears of domestic radicalization aren’t a self-fulfilling prophecy. As young Muslims in the US are further marginalized by public opinion and encounter discrimination, do we risk radicalizing even more? This isn’t only a lesson about religion; other examples abound.

Is there a European lesson for Americans? I’m ordinarily torn on driving assimilation when it means diluting one’s cultural heritage.

(Community Matters) Andrew Sullivan says it could turn moderate suburban voters for Democrats. 

(Community Matters) Who knew crude petroleum and natural gas xxtraction was Austin’s fastest growing industry in terms of job creation between 2007 and 2012? Brian Kelsey’s Civic Analytics 

(Community Matters) Corp officers and regulators who skirt worker & public safety protections and cause deaths are also today’s domestic terrorists. I’m pretty sure we’ve lost more Americans (including innocent children) to public safety violations.

It’s time the American public stands up and demands public officials enact swift criminal penalties against those who kill as a result of negligence and/or malfeasance.  Journalists report on investigation of West Fertilizer plant explosion – realizing this is preliminary, I’m not suggesting there is yet enough evidence for conclusions.

(Community Matters) LIVESTRONG and Partners in Health deliver Hope around the world.

(Community Matters) Great to see Dr. Paul Farmer again and hear, “An Update from the Field.” LIVESTRONG and Partners in Health are partners in the delivery of cancer treatment abroad. I  consider Paul a hero, a man who thinks expansively & constructively, is committed to others, and who everyday makes this world a better place to live   – notes from a August 2011 visit.

A few of my notes:

Catastrophic illness is often the tipping point from poverty to destitution.

Stigma is a barrier related to barriers preventing access to treatment.

NGOs should be working w/ public health authorities, not against them.

Soon it will be possible to cure people of chronic Hepatitis C.

He cited Treatment Action Group (TAG) as a model of organization and advocacy – citing them as more knowledgeable about AIDS/HIV than most infectious disease experts.

Urged other advocates to not argue against any existing levels of funding but for more.

“Vertical enthusiams”

Appreciate Andy Miller, Doug Ulman, & Morgan Binswanger inviting me to join the presentation. Pleased to see so many LIVESTRONG friends as well as Lynn Meredith, Bob Wynn, Spencer Hayes and my godson, Austin Knaplund.

(Community Matters) Steven and I joined JoLynn Free, Sharon Watkins and friends for a light supper and drinks with playwright Andrew Hinderaker (pictured) and director Sarah Rasmussen before heading up to UT’s Lab Theatre to see The Kingdom.

It was a staged reading within UT’s annual showcase (UT New Works) presenting new plays from the M.F.A. Playwriting Program. Michael Mitchell, Gable & Dio Cramer & I had recently seen Colossal, which blew me away – tight script, compelling story, great directing & choreography, spectacular staging. Last night, Steven and I were equally compelled by the staged reading of Andrew’s The Kingdom.

Obviously in a rough state, it’s already compelling and the characters are living. I can’t wait to see what this play becomes.  (Colossal photo ©2013 David Bjurstrom)

Andrew Hinderaker’s other recent work include the New York premiere of Suicide, Incorporated (Roundabout Theatre) and the world premieres of Dirty (Gift Theatre) and I Am Going to Change the World (Chicago Dramatists). His plays have been produced/developed by the Kennedy Center, Steppenwolf, Manhattan Theatre Club, Rattlestick, Mixed Blood, and numerous others.


Sarah Rasmussen is a recent transplant to Austin, joining UT as the MFA directing professor and Zach Scott as Associate Artistic Director. She’s got an impressive resume of directing, teaching and fellowship credits. It’s a real coup that UT has recruited her here. Brant Pope, Steven Dietz, Suzan Zedder, Kirk Lynn, now joined by Sarah, are rebuilding UT’s Theater & Dance Department in a huge way. Steven and I are thrilled to participate.

(Community Matters)  First they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.

Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist.

Then they came for the  trade unionists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.

Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Catholic.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.

I’m certainly not defending Dzhokhar Tsarnaev nor suggesting he doesn’t deserve the swift & full sentence of justice. And, we should think twice before listening to lynch mob sentiment.

(Community Matters) Just barely back in town last night in time to celebrate the nuptials of Penny Wilson & Jeff Browning at their extraordinary Volenta abode on/overlooking Lake Travis.

(Community Matters) How might disillusioned liberals think of their work in light of President Obama?  –  a perspective from a life long civil rights advocate. March Sojourners: Do Not Grow Weary or Lose Heart.

for the last 60 years . . . . we have even begun to commit ourselves to say out loud that we want a multiracial democracy. . . .

As for the money question, the compassion question, the racial question, now the religious question—all of these are things that we have to take hold of. We should not see them primarily as more burdens, but, “Lord, what a gift you are giving us to try to make a nation out of this stuff. Wow.” . . . .  How do you struggle when folks are constantly pushing back? I can only say, How else do you struggle? That’s what makes struggle—not constant victories, but getting up after you have been knocked down, again and again. That is what makes for your faith in the fact that you are a follower of the One who took up the cause.

(Community Matters) Joined Mark’s family, friends and church members for a celebration of his life in Costa Mesa, CA. this morning. So glad I went; got to see the life Mark lived as a man, his bevy of friends – close friends, his best friends as a grown man – see his daughter and his wife, and reconnect with his mother, father and brother, even meet his sister-in-law.

Mark was a wildly successful man. I know little about his material successes Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Scouts for Equality, is a grassroots initiative organized by Zach Wahls, that wonderful son of two lesbian moms who became a YouTube hero. He’s hired our friends Mitch Stewart & Jeremy Byrd (who ran the President’s battleground states campaigns and have launched Battleground Texas) and Jamie Citron (who ran the President’s LGBT outreach) to organize and reach out to the 1,400 local and regional council representatives from across the country who’ll convene in Irvine, TX on May 23 to vote on a resolution to end discrimination against gay youth in the Boy Scouts.

Continue reading →