Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters) If AP is correct, President Obama will nominate US Appeals Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the US Supreme Court. She’ll bring more courtroom experience to the S. Court than any nominee in a very long time – plus she’ll be the first Hispanic on the court and add a second female s. ct. justice (kinda silly only currently one female out of nine & never before a Hispanic – don’t you think?) She’s a Princeton and Yale Law School grad raised by working class parents in the Bronx.

As I’ve already posted, conservatives mapped out their opposition strategies weeks ago in preparation for opposing all likely, female nominees. They’ve reportedly already agreed their opposition to Justice Sotomayor will be her willingness “to expand constitutional rights beyond the text of the Constitution.”

Justice Sotomayor was appointed by Pres GWH Bush as a federal district judge and elevated to the appeals court by Pres. Clinton. Justices Sotomayor’s the first American-born Puerto Rican appointed a federal judge; her appeals court confirmation was delayed for a year by an anonymous Senate hold reportedly out of fear that she would be a logical Supreme Court pick.

(Community Matters) Perfect closing to a beautiful Memorial Day weekend in Central Texas – dinner on Lake Austin, hosted by Suzanne, David & Chandler Booth, catered by Santa Rita & Eddie Bernal.

Steve Hall & David Booth

David & Suzanne decided to host dinner on their Lake Austin property for friends who helped settle differences with their Courtyard neighbors. David explained that once they sat down with Courtyard residents and explained their development plans (a single family home with a few outbuildings) on the former Mueller ranch, the neighbors dropped their opposition.

David & Steve standing within an excavated terraced space overlooking Bull Creek and which had been buried and overgrown

Stephen Jones, Dana Friis-Hansen, Kerry Hall & Suzanne Deal Booth

Suzanne and group just back from the tour for late arrivals.

David Armbrust, Julie Byers, Mayor-elect Lee Leffingwell & Cheryl Armbrust

Lee & Julie couldn’t have been more gracious which I appreciate since I campaigned hard for Brewster. Lee will make a super mayor. I’m grateful for the debates that went on during the campaign. I think they’ll inform us well on priorities and positions as we navigate challenging economic times for our community. I enjoyed meeting David’s wife Cheryl for the first time.

The Booth’s have engaged Jill Nokes to help restore the ranch’s 55 acres. Already, they’ve cleared many non-indigenous species and the pastures & native plants are returning quite beautifully.

David pointed out the sites for their home and a few other, small buildings – minimal disturbance to the land and design which blends with surroundings. Couldn’t ask for more repectful stewardship of an extraordinary oasis nearly central city. Jill noted the return of various bird species since they’ve replanted the pastures and preserved some of the brush piles.

Jill Nokes, Dan Bullock, Annette Carlozzi

I don’t think I’d seen Annette & Dan since their wedding – Annette still radiant when I mentioned it.

Jack Nokes, Steven, Kevin Keim, Jill

Jack and Jill Nokes are friends from St. James. Turns out they’ve long been friends with Kevin as well – Jill remembering titillating stories about Kevin in San Miguel.

(Community Matters) Do512.com

(Community Matters) At least that’s what I’m reading. So, 18,000 couples wed legally in CA will learn if their weddings are overturned or not. CA’s supreme court justices will decide if even a majority can limit the rights of a minority.

I suppose this doesn’t seem like too big a deal to most. Just remember, everyone is in some sort of minority – whether left handed, white males, super rich. Popular opinion is a fleeting thing. If the voting majority is allowed to deny any minority its rights, is anyone safe?

(Community Matters) David Mixner calls for a march on Washington, DC by our LGBT community as an expression of the urgency for equality. here I’ve expressed my similar perspective.

Unfortunately, I’ll be in Hong Kong during the upcoming DNC LGBT Leadership Council dinner and the National Finance Committee meetings that follow, @ which I’d certainly be participating in discussions on this topic. (unfortunately, also missing an NFC dinner with President Obama, rats!)

(Community Matters) According to the National Venture Capital Association in today’s NYTime article on ad revenue.

Decreasing ad budgets. Declining web ad rates. Freemium web pricing models.

I was asking a successful internet entrepreneur about this just two weeks ago. In the last year, his site has actually seen increases in advertising dollars. Notes that rather than decreasing across the board, advertisers were concentrating on their most profitable sites, loping off the bottom quarter or half. Fortunately, his company performs quite well.

(Community Matters) Great way to start the week, Monday morning yoga sessions with Andrew Gray. On Monday’s it’s just me and Andrew. On Thursdays with Amy Rudy. (pics from Thurs)

(Community Matters) What a wonderful woman and a loss for all her communities and family. Condolences to my dear friends, David & Leslie Prothro and their families.

(Community Matters) Richard Florida promotes viewing the housing bubble as defined by housing prices to wages, vs the more accepted comparison to income – the latter including income from wealth, stocks, bonds, interest, rents and government transfers.

Map by Scott Pennington, Martin Prosperity Institute

(Community Matters) Let’s get going on gay/lesbian equality. GOP doesn’t have the votes to stop us. I’d rather know which Democratic congressmen aren’t our friends now.

Expect Lloyd Doggett to stand with us on all four big pieces – 1) hate crimes (which he has), 2) employment nondiscrimination (which he promises), 3) repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and 4) repeal of Defense of Marriage Act. Time for BHO’s administration to unambiguously come out strong too.

(Community Matters) Professor Michael Brandl’s facebook posting:

Here is my summary of what Richard Fisher of the Dallas Fed has to say:

– Rating agencies are idiots: don’t trust them.
– Quant jocks of finance really aren’t that smart.
– Always worry about inflation.
– TARP is a bad idea. [Michael & I have a different interpretation of what Fisher said]
– Fed should becareful not to monetize the public debt.
– Risk analysis isn’t just math (where have you heard that one before?)
– Keep politics out of central banking.
– Let the market punish the stupid and greedy.

In short: Fisher is yet another brilliant economist in Texas!

referring to online WSJ article interviewing Dallas FED Chairman, Richard Fisher.

(Community Matters) Wow, think my cousins have been living right.

Juan Sepulveda just appointed Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. Teresa Nino, Juan’s wife (umm, I mean Juan, Teresa’s husband!), appointed Director of External Affairs at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (HHS).

Their daughter Vicky – after a year with Ameri Corp – just accepted into Harvard. Son Michael finishing up at Loyola and interning in Congressman Gonzales’ office in DC this summer.

Very proud of all four. Hope to celebrate with all of you next weekend.