Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters)
Still waiting to hear what pardons GWB issued in his final hours. Fortunately, O’s admonistration and the courts immediately to work stopping egregious environmental regs approved final weeks. Posted from my blackberry.

(Community Matters)

Happy happy birthday to one of my best friends.

(Community Matters) Today’s inauguration. Hard to describe, though that sure isn’t limited to those who attended. I read Facebook postings this afternoon which showed those watching on tv got everybit those of us in the audience felt. Hope, inclusion, diversity, competence. We were lucky arriving and getting through security. Long story but we arrived very leisurely and late relative to others. Lucky for us the back of the orange line became the beginning of the orange line when they opened that checkpoint, so I think we only waited 15 minutes. We emerged to shouts of “hey, the orange line is A LIE.” See a Meredith for other telling orange line stories. Being actually there was of course an extraordinary privilege. And, as expected, the sun warmed us up (not to mention several layers, some thermol). Ran into friends on the grounds. Observed one of my best friends, Kirk Rudy, on the platform just behind the podium. Eight national finance committee members were selected to sit on stage, Kirk – very appropriately – represented those of us from Texas & Oklahoma. .Steven visited with Kirk & Coop Watson and Juan Sepulveda & Teresa Nino all queueing for the potty. Kirk & Coop stood earlier with Tom Hanks.

Mickey & Jeanne Klein

Merediths

Suzanne Winkelman & family

Bruce Springstein was seated behind the Winks for a while but had been ushered to even cusher digs by the time I found them.

Meredith women (though sans Abby)

As they were showing various politicians entering the platform, the crowd responded enthusiastically to Powell, Gore, the Clintons and especially Jimmy Carter. They stayed mostly silent during the introduction of GWH Bush, a little (thankfully not much) booing during 43’s introducing. Though, earlier twice when Senator Lieberman was shown on the screen, very loud boos – deserved?

I thought President Obama gave an excellent inaugural speech – including that we reject as false the choice between the safety of our country and ideas and how we will lead again. Many other important points as well, though a very long day. I’m looking forward to reading the full text tomorrow.

What most stood out today was everyone’s great spirits. Even though roads were blocked, people were having to walk far in the cold, were bumping into each other, sometimes cutting off one another, spirits remained high and folks (nearly 2mm) extraordinarily cordial and respectful. That so many African Americans participated which such enthusiasm, this signals a huge milestone in our nation’s history.

Steven and I had a wonderful meal tonight with the Merediths/Winkelmans and their guests. We decided against the Southern Inaugration Ball and gave away our tickets. We couldn’t top today, Denver and Grant Park, especially after such a warm, intimate dinner where we discussed what today means and how it impacts us and those we love.

Happy President Barack Hussein Obama Day.

much love,

there’s an album of even more photos 

on my facebook page – Obama’s Inauguration

(Community Matters) A bunch of pics from tonight. I’ll post the narratives later. good night

(Community Matters) Thanks to Thom Singer for letting me know CommunityMatters.biz has been nominated for the AAS Social Media Awards. Honored to be included on the list.

(Community Matters)
Awesome evening. Some pics and lots of postings on my facebook page. Texas Black Tie & Boots was huge. 12k-ish Texans (all?). Hung mostly with Sofia. Rudy kids too. As well, Jordan Herman, David, Bev Reeves and Melanie Barnes & the girls. Never saw Kirk & Coop Watson, though know they were expected. Text from Ian & Amy, they arrived later. Juan & Teresa too.

Arianna’s party unbelievable. She and her sister Agape treated me like a long lost friend. Hope I didn’t burn up too much karma – from the vip entrance pass, to introductions to Sting, Robert DeNiro and a very cool dude named Kute Blackston. Much fun with Amy Rudy, Agape, Sofia, Gay and Suzanne. Haylie & Ed, Sam, Alex & Ellie Rudy too. Playing on stage; Sheryl Crow, Will-i-am and Sting. Thx gosh for Musie; he’s giving me a ride home now. Wouldn’t be fun trying to hail a cab. Lots of pics. Will post tomorrow – though gotta get up early for swearing in. We’ve gotten lucky with ticketing. My parade tickets to David Corn & family. Fulbright & Jaworski party to watch the parade instead (read: warm, food & drinks).

Steven arrived earlier and will be at home sleeping. Yum . . . together tonight. I’ve missed him. Love him so much.

Obama is almost our president. Posted from my blackberry.

(Community Matters) In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, a visionary and founding father.

I think we should amend our agreement of history and include Dr. King and Cesar Chavez as founding fathers of this country. They may not have been among the signers of our founding documents, but they each contributed significantly to the founding of this country as we know it today.

(Community Matters) Wow, I didn’t realize Eric Schmidt (CEO, Google) had taken over as their board chair. Quite an impressive board.

Have loved my morning conversation discussing the Seeger/Cohen family history (generations of important musicians, scholars & beatniks), savings & wealth creation and Keynesian economics while watching the kids play in first snow.

Steven arrives tonight – yeah. Unfortunately, not in time to join me at our Texas Delegation Reception, Texas Black Tie & Boots or the Huffington Post Party, but he’ll have warmed the bed by the time I return.

(Community Matters) Pardon the quick post of pics from today. Long day. Tired 🙂

the Cramers at the Lincoln Memorial Opening Ceremonies

Dio got creative before we left the house

Will-i-am

at Ben/Melanie Barnes & Bernie/Audrey Rapoport’s party
Lynn Meredith, Susan (?), Alexa Lange

Steve Adler/Diane Land

Tom & Kate Meredith

Marc Winkelman

Alexa Winkelman, Kate & Sarah Meredith

at Penny Pritzker’s Party at the Park
Alexa, Adrienne Donato, Blaine Wesner, Amy Rudy

at Norman Lear’s party – Norman Lear

Suzanne Deal Booth, Agape Huffington, Patricia Duff, Ambassador Paolino

Nuttin’ But Stringz

Mother Jones’ David Corn & Agape

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Arrived 5ish yesterday afternoon with friends Suzanne Deal Booth, Sofia Wolpert, Steve Adler & Diane Land. Wasn’t too bad getting into town from Dulles and other than a few detours because roads between the White House & the Capitol seem to be closed, we made it just fine. Dropped off Suzanne & Sofia first, Diane & Steve next, then me to the convention center to pick up credentials. Guy Selden & Adrienne Donato were there working – quite the understatement. Guy tells me he’s put in minimum 14 hour days the last several days, 21 the day prior. Great to see them and as they’ve always done, they exceeded expectations and helped me obtain tickets for several folks who wouldn’t be able to attend the swearing in, Lincoln Memorial concert and inauguration balls otherwise. Secretary Cisneros arriving to pick up his credentials just behind me.

Quick metro ride to Takoma Park and picked up at the station by Reid Cramer. Dinner at home with Reid, Sonya, Dio (11yo) and Gabel (9yo). Long conversations about Reid’s work at the New America Foundation, the Cramers’ 2008, travel, the kids, expectations for America, the economy and the new Robert Frank exhibit which Sonya’s daddy, John Cohen, was in to help open. A perfect night in.

The five of us are Lincoln Memorial bound this morning. Fortunately, enough tickets for us all so we don’t have to queue up quite so early. Breaking news 🙂 – Sonya’s uncle, Pete Seeger, flew in with Bruce Springstein last night and rumors he’ll join the Boss on stage. After, we’ll split. I’ll pull a batman change, then off to some parties/receptions including the Barnes/Rapoport Welcome, a dinner hosted by friends of Houston Mayor Bill White and an NFC party hosted by Penny Pritzker.

My impressions – it is colder than a witches tit, but it’ll be fine if we avoid rain/snow. The traffic seemed quite manageable yesterday, is it simply too early? They are recommending arriving at the swearing in at 8am, it takes place at 11:30. Projected high on Tuesday 34F and Steve & Diane want to have breakfast at 6 – I’ll let ST make the call.

Lots and lots of friends in for the festivities, in addition to those who flew up together: Rudys, Merediths, Winkelmans, Kirk Rice (arriving today), MaryLou Adams & family, Jordan & David, Ian & Amy, Juan & Teresa (arriving this evening), JD Gins, Ken Flippin, Wesners, Thorntons, Kleins, the Kevins, gosh others but I’m spacing just now.

(Community Matters) . . . . headed to DC to celebrate the inauguration of our 44th president, Barack Hussein Obama.

Yes, it’s very significant that Barack is a black man, a multiracial American, and that millions of people who never imagined a person of color in that office during their life time will see Barack become president and will see the Obama family living in the White House.

And, race aside, we are lucky that President Obama and his team will soon be in office to guide us through the horrific challenges George W. Bush and his den of thieves and imbeciles leave to us.

Our youngest god children (Nico & Lauren) inspired Steven and me to get more involved. Kirk, Alexa & Tommie invited me to participate as a fundraiser for Barack, eventually as a national finance committee member – in addition to the national leadership council and LGBT steering committee. So many good friends contributed through me that we raised over $225k. Others contributed over $50k to the inauguration. I’m lucky to attend these historic events as their proxy. And, I’m attending as a self-selected representative of St. James’ Episcopal Church as well as a representative of the Sepulveda, Gomez & Tomlinson families.

Kirk Rudy was the early bird in Austin. I still remember his first call asking for $1,000. I thought, holy cow, he wants me to give $1,000 to someone named Barack Hussein Obama who thinks he’ll be president? I (then) said no, but I trust Kirk enough that I paid close attention going forward. Obviously so did a lot of others in Austin. Alexa got engaged. Tommie invited me and Steven to meet Barack at the Driskill. My cousin, Juan, brought us even closer into the campaign, introducing us to the teams on the ground who helped make the election happen.

Fast forward, on Tuesday the right man at the right time will assume leadership of our country. There are so many reasons why Barack is the right man. He’s extraordinarily smart, isn’t threatened by those even smarter, asks the right questions, synthesizes the information and makes good decisions. The Obama campaign was Barack’s idea. Those inside will tell you, he’s the master strategist – not to take away anything from the brilliant Davids. And, his race isn’t a nonissue, it sends the right message to Americans and to citizens of the world. That America is the first democratic country to elect a minority member as its CEO is historic, and it signals that Americans are resuscitating the American dream.