Monthly Archives: July 2013

(Community Matters) Sitting around kissing under a blue tree, discovered Kon Dimopoulos.

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(Community Matters) Always fun w/ Steven.

Conor McPherson’s The Night Alive

Punchdrunk’s The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable

The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park

with one more evening to program – beyond bummed James Baldwin’s “Amen Corner,” isn’t showing this weekend.

(Community Matters) I’m surprised not to know – well maybe not but want to get to 

(Community Matters) Polling shows Senator Rubio significantly boosts his favorability among Hispanics by advocating for immigration reform. Doesn’t appear to take a hit whether or not it’s likely to pass. So, as we see him promoting it, while he’s supporting extremist amendments such as Sen John Cornyn’s – which is widely acknowleged as a ruse for torpedoing the legislation – seems he can eat the cake too.

Of course, at great potential costs with his primary voters – Tea Party activists. Oh wait, he’s now sponsoring the cookie cutter abortion restrictions (20 weeks, emergency care center standards, hospital privileges). That this legislation has no chance of making it out of the Senate doesn’t seem to matter either.

I still say not a chance in hell again during my lifetime.

(Community Matters) Super hanging with my sister, Bridget, and her friends in Austin earlier this week, with Revs Amy Donohue-Adams & Bill Adams last night, then with Steven’s parents in NYC this afternoon. We’re looking forward to Punchdrunk, Rolling Stones & catching up with a couple of other friends this long weekend.

Ah, and enjoyed seeing the James Turrell exhibit at the Guggenheim.

(Community Matters) I was surprised it was mostly positive energy – women and their allies rallying FOR women’s rights, rather than against someone, or someones. The speakers’ words weren’t necessarily in sync with this view, but (and maybe I’m just being wistful) it’s what I felt from their words and among the thousands rallying at the State Capitol.

And, I was sympathetic for the blue-shirted, anti-abortion protesters quietly standing at the capitol’s gate on 11th St. At least those I saw, greeted with a smile, and looked in the eye. They were sad & hurt, and I didn’t see hate in their faces. It occurred to me, I wish they could understand the rally was for a women’s right to choose rather than a promotion of abortion. Perhaps it’s only obvious to us.

I do think certain political leaders foster, stoke and take advantage of each side’s fear, intentionally driving us further apart rather than together. Our Arab Spring appears on the horizon.

(Community Matters) We wonder why? . . . Of the 234 House Republicans, just four now represent districts that favor Democrats, according to data compiled by The Cook Political Report. Politico’s Playbook

That’s down from the 22 Republicans who resided in Democratic-friendly seats following the 2010 midterms, prior to the line-drawing. … After redistricting and the 2012 election, according to The Cook Political Report, the average Republican congressional district went from 73 percent white to 75 percent white. … A look at the numbers shows why there’s more incentive for House Democrats to get behind an immigration bill than Republicans. Nearly two-thirds of Republicans represent districts in which Hispanics make up less than one-tenth of the population, according to the American Community Survey. The number of House Democrats with such few Latinos in their districts? Fewer than one in three.” http://politi.co/15aafEV

(Community Matters) My friends in DC have all had dinner and/or drinks with me at the Tabard for years. Probably 75% of the time that I’ve stayed in DC since first joining the HRC board in 1994, I’ve stayed at the Tabard – I’d estimate  50 – 75 times over the 20 years (since I also love staying with the Cramers in Takoma). Story of family feud at Tabard Inn – I hope it survives; just wrote to find out more about employee buy out and how I might help. 

(Community Matters) Lying in bed last night, I realized, I am not prepared to assume a majority of GOP congressman won’t discuss and approve a logical replacement map for the Voting Rights Act. I choose not to believe legislators won’t protect the rights of all voters in states or counties with documented voter infringement troubles during the last decade. I suppose it’s now up to the President, House & Senate to show their leadership in this matter – this transcends parties.