Monthly Archives: February 2014

(Community Matters) Deal Me Out: A stacked deck at the New York Times by Alex Pareene 

The conservative perception of the New York Times as a liberal newspaper isn’t totally inaccurate. It’s a newspaper by and for the Northeastern elite, and the Northeastern elite is a pretty liberal bunch, at least about most social issues. But it is by no means a left-wing paper, and while it may editorialize in favor of modest economic redistribution, its coverage and its editorial choices are plainly crafted for the Haves. The paper’s audience is a certain kind of rich New York liberal—the hackneyed shorthand is “Upper West Side”—and the paper’s content naturally reflects this outlook (especially since this demographic also encompasses most of the people who edit and publish the paper).

(Community Matters) Last night celebrated the one-year anniversary of Battleground Texas. What an awesome political initiative – thank you President Obama – as well as my dearest friends Kirk Rudy & Adrienne Donato who are helping lead this initiative for our state.

Photo: with Steve Adler (future mayor ), actor Ben McKenzie & State Senator Kirk Watson (former mayor). Loved hanging, chatting with and otherwise catching up with (also) Will Roman, Amy Rudy, Emmy Ruiz, Jenn Brown, Hector Nieto, Hazel Barbour and so many others. 

(Community Matters) Unbridled enthusiasm  for yesterday’s court decision overturning Texas’ ban on same sex marriage:

Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx): Great day for equality in TX –>”Texas’ ban on gay marriage ruled unconstitutional”

Lloyd Doggett (@RepLloydDoggett): Another significant decision from San Antonio on #equality.

(Community Matters) Epic ruling by San Antonio federal judge Orlando Garcia overturning the Texas constitutional ban on same sex marriage. “Equal treatment of all individuals under the law is not merely an aspiration — it is a constitutional mandate,” Garcia wrote. “Without a rational relation to a legitimate governmental purpose, state-imposed inequality can find no refuge in our United States Constitution.”

Our dear friends Suzanne Bryant & Sarah Goodfriend (photo AAS) at yesterday evening’s press conference and rally celebrating the court decision. I love the AAS profile on them.

(Community Matters) One of our favorite places.

Quick trip to London with Steven for a business meeting. In an airplane togther for many hours and alone in another country (plus on long car rides to Marfa) are among our most intimate times. We’re creatures of habit in London – often staying, eating, wandering in the same places. Like the Alley Theater in Houston was for many years, the Donmar Theatre in Covent Garden has become our favorite regional theatre – this time saw Versailles.

Steven warns me about talking about our travels. If it sounds pretentious to anyone, I apologize. If it is unbecoming to discuss one’s good fortune, maybe I’m just an uncouth bumpkin who still marvels at good fortune and wants to shout out “WOW.” We try to share travel and adventures with others – whether physically or, me, through sharing pictures and stories.

(Community Matters) Thanks to a delay in our flight from Austin to New York, we missed our original flight to London and rescheduled for an 11pm one – giving us time to pop into the city and have our previously delayed dinner with godson Luke Hayes, nephew Brent Huggins (& his mate, Noah Gillespie) and long time friend Rob Oppegard – made our month, love these guys.  At Roberto Santibaez’ restaurant, Fonda.

(Community Matters) UT Prof Mark Regnerus is a continuing embarrassment to the University of Texas and its reputation as honest scholarship. In his speech to the Catholic Franciscan University of Steubenville: Same-sex marriage will grant straight men “permission to stray”, have anal sex.

(Community Matters) War Veteran Alex Minsky as an underwear model.

Hat Tip: Towelroad

(Community Matters) King Ranch – enjoyed a lunch and tour of the ranch today, in honor of a friend’s birthday. Loved, loved, loved it. Great stories and history.

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(Community Matters) Inside Climate News and the Center for Public Integrity: Fracking the Eagle Ford Shale.

Our eight-month investigation reveals the dangers that come with releasing a toxic soup of chemicals into the air and just how little the government of Texas knows – or wants to know – about it.

The Buehrings complained to the TCEQ in 2012, prompting investigators to check out several Marathon Oil facilities near their home. At one point the emissions were so high, the investigators wrote in their report, that they “evacuated the area quickly to prevent exposure.” Marathon, a Houston-based company worth nearly $25 billion at the end of 2013, reported that it fixed the problem and was not fined.

Chemicals released during oil and gas extraction include hydrogen sulfide, a deadly gas found in abundance in Eagle Ford wells; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like benzene, a known carcinogen; sulfur dioxide and particulate matter, which irritate the lungs; and other harmful substances such as carbon monoxide and carbon disulfide. VOCs also mix with nitrogen oxides emitted from field equipment to create ozone, a major respiratory hazard.

(Community Matters) One-Percent Jokes and Plutocrats in Drag: What I Saw When I Crashed a Wall Street Secret Society by Kevin Roose

(Community Matters) Joe Christie sent me this link – It’s Snack Time in the Cosmos

– love it.