Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters) A long dinner out with Jill McRae & Stephen Yelenosky – two of our favorite traveling companions and best friends – spectacular evening.

Chez Nous remains one of the best dining experiences in Austin. The four of us have shared many meals in Paris and were transported back last evening

(Community Matters) Couldn’t believe how big and gorgeous Audrey has gotten. Ran into Jonathan, Audrey & Roni at Bouldin Street Cafe yesterday morning – just after their trip to Israel with Lily.

pardon my poaching Roni’s photo from FB. You gotta admit it’s priceless of both of ’em (Audrey & Jonathan)

(Community Matters) I haven’t thought like this but it’s a provocative piece

(Community Matters) Celebrated Gary Cooper’s & Richard Hartgrove’s wedding this evening and our dear friend Pat Braithwaite’s retirement from Pfluggerville ISD.

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our friend Jim who took my picture w/ Pat probably thought the blur was only the rum punch 🙂

(Community Matters) We celebrated the launch of KXWT in Midland/Odessa this week. Lorraine & Ray Perryman were our gracious hosts (along with Becky & Doug Ferguson) – for me & Steven and Anne Wynne overnight too, way fun

(Community Matters) Even before reading The Righteous Mind, Steven and I have been discussing the changes I’m undergoing as a result of reaching out and collaborating with another tribe (ie, increasingly spending time in Midland/Odessa among many conservative Republicans) – listening better, focusing on what unites us rather than what separates us, promoting facts and civil discourse rather than defensiveness, aggressiveness and spin. I should have done an MRI pre and post engagement. I’d swear my wiring is rerouting or repairing. I’m thinking differently.

One of my observations as I’m communicating more and more outside my own tribe (ie, a liberal among conservatives) is that we (liberals) might confuse conservatives’ head nods & confirmations of understanding with agreement or misinterpret as a yes.  I suspect liberals are less inclined to nod and acknowledge agreement with what a conservative is saying or means, thus the potential for misunderstanding

Dr. Heidt and his colleagues from YourMorals.org are conducting another study – this one on sanctity – here

(Community Matters) The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Ideas, aka The Moral Mind.

[the author:] I chose the title The Righteous Mind to convey the sense that human nature is not just intrinsically moral, it’s also intrinsically moralistic, critical, and judgmental.

Intuitions come first, strategic reasoning second.  The second principle of moral psychology, which is that there’s more to morality than harm and fairness.  Morality binds and blinds – we are indeed selfish hypocrites so skilled at putting on a show of virtue that we fool even ourselves.

I’ve been keenly observing some of the premises of this book as I’m toggling between the red sea of Midland-Odessa and blue waters of Austin. Six moral taste buds: harm & suffering, fairness & injustice, liberty, loyalty, authority, and sanctity. And, I mean this graciously. Engagement of the full spectrum is obvious among many of my new, conservative Permian Basin friends – as is my own, sometimes limited engagement

the author explains much better in The Guardian

subsequent

(Community Matters) Wow, home at 5 yesterday and didn’t even turn on the computer. Gardened, walked to complete a few errands, read, watched television, a couple of telephone calls, then a night cap with MM at Spider House. It was like having a vacation day. Need more of them!

(Community Matters) another sign the tide has turned in quest for LGBT equality, corporations being asked to take a neutral position rather than stand against. And, I do believe our immediate legislative progress and public safety is politically tenuous

(Community Matters) The potential ROI to billionaires for their political contributions for less regulation, less taxes, more privatization is a serious dollar-on-dollar ROI. I don’t mean to dismiss the true philosophical differences between citizens voting for different parties, nor suggest that there isn’t self interest behind the vast majority of identities.

Mr Adelson often publicly states that his number one consideration is support for Israel. In a meeting with a friend who pointed out the current Administration’s track record of support for Israel, he acknowledged an equal concern – repeal of all estate taxes. At an estimated net worth approaching $25 billion, Mr Adelson’s ROI for $100 million in political donations could exceed 8,000%; he could save $8.7 billion.

(Community Matters) “A bill co-sponsor, State Senator Scott Beason, was frank about his motive: “when their children grow up and get the chance to vote, they vote for Democrats.” Mr Beason, was later caught referring to blacks as “aborigines,”  NYTimes: The Strange Career of Juan Crow

After the Russians, it was the Queers. Not that we’re loved by all now but they are definitely losing their hate campaign against us (this doesn’t mean I dismiss serious, possibly violent setbacks should Republicans sweep Nov elections) and have moved on to immigrants with brown skin (which allows a much smaller subset to extrapolate their need for hate against brown skin people, immigrants or Americans). This is probably exacerbated by the demographic trends forecasting minority majorities and the loss of single culture dominance. As I remind myself, no demographic ever gives up power willingly. I also remind myself there’s usually violence and bloodshed.

(Community Matters) Mike Bandy’s a chiropractor referred to us by our dear friend Bruce Christman. Mike’s office is located at the Austin Oriental Medicine Academy on Anderson Lane. Steven went first and was raving about the help with his shoulder and foot. He very quickly helped me with my back. Can’t imagine there is anyone better  – extraordinary!