Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters)
Facebook – through FB our cousins learned we were in Michigan and sent us a note last night that they were too – in St Joseph’s, which is south, also on Lake Michigan coast near the Indiana/Illinois/Michigan border. So this am we’re venturing out to have breakfast with David, Lisa, Cadance & Laurel Tomlinson, Mike & Tracy Kienitz and Uncle Bob (Tomlinson).

##Then, we’ll be off to Grand Rapids where Steven’s attending *Poets, Prophets & Preachers,* a conference of people exploring the intersection of theology, performance art & literary theory. I’ll return to White Lake (tonight or in the morning) to continue the practice of midwest Americana.

###Frank Rich’s column: seconds my fear that the financial services industry is too addicted to paper profits to realize substantitive reform & regulation which would serve its long term interests, even if not short-term, banker bonus interests.

###Thomas Friedman’s column on ET (energy technologies that produce clean power & energy efficiency) a provocative read, especially in the context of big oil dominance in *The Big Rich* and Fast Company’s recent article on the microgrid. The latter about how big utilities are doing everything they can to prevent consumers from generating their own power, which would reduce our reliance on fosil fuels – particularly effective in Tx.

(Community Matters) Gorgeous weather yesterday, after a couple of days of cold, overcast (which worked out just fine actually). The community where we’re staying is actually called White Lake, though the postal city is Whitehall. Township about 30k, 96% anglo.

As the map shows, White Lake Township is on Lake Michigan. What it doesn’t show is that to the east, it’s also on White Lake, a rather large recreational lake.

Ellie has been taking sailing lessons for a couple of years and took Kirk out yesterday. She’s really very good – and only 10yo, good gosh.

Amy & I went out on the boat.

the light house (on channel between White Lake & Lake Michigan)

the channel

Steven at lunch at White Lake Yacht Club

Steven got out a lot more yesterday. He probably slept eighteen hours on Thursday, not surprising since he’d never recovered from Scotland/UK/Austin/HongKong/Austin jet lag.

(Community Matters) The National March for Equality will take place Oct 10 & 11. Just booked our flights – should have last week when first checked. Last week, could fly roundtrip Washington National Airport for $240 each, today, $440. Instead, booked to/from BWI for $220 each – using one of our $500 vouchers just earned on this trip (we agreed to fly to Detroit instead of Grand Rapids for two $500 vouchers). Of course already booked at the Tabard Inn – booked tentatively weeks ago when first rumblings of a possible march.

(Community Matters) perplexing

(Community Matters) Allan Baker’s latest play, Last & Always, was produced in NYC as part of Short Stories 10 by Native Aliens Theatre Collective during Pride Week. Allan says:

New York was quite fun! I saw a lot of theatre…God of Carnage, August: Osage County, Mart Stuart, Next Fall…and my own play, of course. I also got some very good news about a possible future NYC production of my newest play, A Midsummer Night’s Conversation. And I visited museums and galleries as part of the background research for my next project: a modern re-telling of the Rigoletto story…set in the contemporary art world.

(Community Matters) Former students know I have way much affection for Goldman; nevertheless, I’m looking forward to reading this article.

(Community Matters) Steven and I are in Whitehall, Michigan for celebration of July 4th. Amy, Kirk & Ellie Rudy are our hosts. We’re staying at Lakeside Inn Resort on White Lake – just down the hill from their house. Lake Michigan is nearly across the street.

The Rudy’s have been visiting here for 10+ years, Amy & Ellie spending most of every summer for the last several years.

Loved meeting so many summer friends, hanging out at the 100+ year White Lake Yacht Club and driving everywhere in the cool golf cart.

(Community Matters) Reading the ABJ story about Boy Scouts’ $2.5mm challenge grant – I’m not especially a fan of boycotting Boy Scouts or banning from funding or participation. And, I do believe we need to make progress with the organization accepting gay & lesbian participants.

(Community Matters) bless her heart . . .

We the People of Oklahoma, Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessing of Liberty; to secure just and rightful Government; to promote our mutual Welfare and Happiness, do establish this proclamation and call upon the people of the great State of Oklahoma, and our fellow Patriots in these United States of America who look to the Lord for guidance, to acknowledge the need for a national awakening of righteousness in our land.

WHEREAS, “It is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand” (John Adams); and

WHEREAS, “We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by Religion and Morality” (John Adams); and

WHEREAS, “Our Constitution was made only for a Moral and Religious people” (John Adams); and

WHEREAS, “We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government…but upon the capacity of mankind for self-government, upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God” (James Madison); and

WHEREAS, “Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God (Benjamin Franklin); and

WHEREAS, “God who gave us life gave us liberty and can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the Gift of God” (Thomas Jefferson); and

WHEREAS, “Whether any free government can be permanent, where the public worship of God, and the support of Religion, constitute no part of the policy or duty of the state” (Joseph Story); and

WHEREAS, “We hold sacred the rights of conscience, and promise to the people…the free and undisturbed exercise of their religion” (Roger Sherman); and

WHEREAS, “This great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians” (Patrick Henry); and

WHEREAS, “When you…exercise the right of voting for public officers, let it be impressed upon your mind that God commands you to choose just men who will rule in the fear of God” (Noah Webster); and

WHEREAS, “The principles of genuine Liberty and of wise laws and administrations are to be drawn from the Bible” (Noah Webster); and

WHEREAS, the people of Oklahoma have a strong tradition of reliance upon the Creator of the Universe; and

WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and

WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and

WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and

WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and

WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that we the undersigned elected officials of the people of Oklahoma, religious leaders and citizens of the State of Oklahoma, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world, solemnly declare that the HOPE of the great State of Oklahoma and of these United States, rests upon the Principles of Religion and Morality as put forth in the HOLY BIBLE; and

BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, believers in the One True God and His only Son, call upon all to join with us in recognizing that “Blessed is the Nation whose God is the Lord,” and humbly implore all who love Truth and Virtue to live above reproach in the sight of God and man with a firm reliance on the leadership and protection of Almighty God; and

BE IT RESOLVED that we, the undersigned, humbly call upon Holy God, our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer, to have mercy on this nation, to stay His hand of judgment, and grant a national awakening of righteousness and Christian renewal as we repent of our great sin.

Signed on the second day of July in the year of our Lord Christ Two Thousand and Nine.

Same Sally Kern who said:

“Studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades. So it’s the death knell of this country. I honestly think it’s the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam — which I think is a big threat, okay? Cause what’s happening now is they are going after, in schools, two-year olds…And this stuff is deadly, and it’s spreading, and it will destroy our young people, it will destroy this nation.”

(Community Matters) I haven’t wanted to delve into it, though talked about it last night with Michael & Robert, after dinner at Julio’s. I’ll get there. Just now, a bit exhausted by lack of empathy re: civil rights equality & my own community’s outrage/lack of patience with BHO. Sorta burying my head in the sand for a few seconds – I know.

(Community Matters) Unfortunately, I was traveling during dinner club this month. Cookie Ruiz’s turn to host, and of course she organized quite an experience – private pilates lessons by Boo Ruiz at Ballet Austin, dinner at Blu, then back for a tour.

Sandi Aitken, Joene Grissom, Cookie, Marianne Rochelle & Christopher Kennedy
(Mark Salmanson evidently capturing the moment)

You snooze, you lose. Sorry to miss my dear friends this month.

I think we’ve been gathering since all on the Leadership Austin board in 1999 – wow, that makes 10 years. Lee & Tommy Thomson were original members – since retirement they are globe trotting, however.

(Community Matters) Made it back to Austin just after 11pm. Quite a miracle actually when you think about being able to travel half way around the world in 26 hours, including a 6 hour layover in Newark.

Lots of time to think, read, sleep, talk w/ & be w/ Steven on the journey.

Many thoughts in addition to miracle of modern travel:

how lucky Steven and I are, how much we love our family, friends and community.

how I regret that I pop off sometimes – most recently in my communication about/with Congressman Doggett, re: some of our neighborhood issues, even about Mike Levy who does add an important voice on important city issues.

It hurts my heart that so many in the LGBT community feel so disappointed and neglected by Obama. I don’t share the disappointment or pessimism but understand it. And, I think about how glad I am that he is our president. Eight months ago I was mostly praying we wouldn’t experience another great depression. I truly think this administration helped save us from that (though, I’m still quite worried about the global economy and don’t consider us yet completely out of danger). Increased CHIP funding, equal pay for women, the stimulus package, the budget, reversal of environmental policies, so much that helps us all. And, I don’t doubt his commitment to hate crimes, enda, doing away with Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, overturning DOMA. He’s only been in office 162 days.

Healthcare – good gosh we need universal coverage & changes to our system. I do want him to muster political capital to change our system. Don’t understand when some say we have the best healthcare system in the world – we have the most expensive, 49 million American have no coverage, life expectancy of Americans has gone down, 40ish % of all costs in last 6 months of life, significantly higher infant mortality than most industrialized countries (for sure Japan, UK, Germany, Switzerland).

I know & regret I didn’t give Lloyd the benefit of the doubt about the federal benefits issue. Lots of other thoughts generated by planning for an event in August and what I might say, how so many others work so hard for no recognition and how I get way more attention and appreciation for work that others would be thrilled to do.

The trip was fantastic – mostly because it was intense alone time with Steven. I hope others don’t think I take such luxuries lightly. It was a business trip for Steven. It was lucky for me that flights are so ridiculously inexpensive (or were when I booked) and that hotels are a fraction of normal costs. I love that traveling with ST isn’t about staying luxuriously, or shopping, or staying out partying. We witness others, usually spend our days frugally & mostly soak up the communities where we’re lucky to visit.

Home sweet home. Wouldn’t want to live any place else.