Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters) Congratulations to our dear friend, long time Austin American Statesman restaurant critic, Dale Rice.

Dale is retiring from the AAS and moving to College Station where his partner, Antonio LaPastina teaches, and he’ll teach journalism at Texas A&M. One of the greatest meals we ever enjoyed was a special anniversary dinner Dale & Antonio cooked for Kip Keller & Michael Barnes and that Steven and I were the two lucky extra guests. Plus we’ve enjoyed Dale’s delicacies at the boy’s annual reading weekend.

besos,

(Community Matters) so, the trading gets underway. . . .

Each morning you’re presented with credentials for the day. Today’s package for me & Bo included tickets to a 10am campaign briefing, the 9 to noon celebration of the Biden nomination, access to to Pepsi Sky Grill Lounge and special guest Pepsi Hall passes. Hey, definitely not looking a gift horse in the mouth. Thrilled to have entry, especially to include Bo as a guest. Now, the fun is to trade up access and seating, so start making calls finding who has what extra, securing this and that from some parties, trading for even better seating and lounge access tonight. Have three guardian angles who have gone to work looking for us 🙂

Attending a 2pm DNC LGBT reception. Then, a dear friend is including us in an intimate coffee with New York Governor Patterson this afternoon. This should be cool. Promised no direct fundraising asks. Though, of course, there’s that ambition more long term. Wouldn’t attend if wasn’t a supporter and if I didn’t plan to contribute to his campaign in the future.

Who knows what’ll pop up after and before tonight’s convention. But, there’s no lack of opportunity for the willing.

(Community Matters) Realizing did a better job of updating yesterday at AAS site, so reposting here too. Pardon repeat:

I made it to Pepsi yesterday in time to catch Cecile Richards – such a rock star. Of course, this isn’t news to anyone. I’ve know first hand since serving on her TFN board before she moved to DC. Currently the national president of Planned Parenthood, she combines the powerful, memorable presence of her mama (Gov. Ann) with Vogue-striking good looks.

Despite my best intentions to take it easy early in the day, Brownsville trial attorney Tony Martinez found me in the hotel lobby at breakfast and propelled me with him and Carol through his whirlwind of Tuesday activities. We joined a luncheon honoring former Denver mayor and Secretary Frederico Pena. Then, a reception honoring NLC fundraisers. Bunch of us from Tx texting all day and agreeing to meet at the Pepsi Center and after, especially at Mark Strama’s party. My friend, Bo Smith, arrived from Arkansas. Steve Adler & Diane Land must have arrived at Pepsi as early as I did; they caught Cecile too. Kirk Rudy was making the rounds sporting that nearly all access credential, a floor pass (Amy’s arriving tonight – can’t wait). Lynn & Tommie Meredith and Sarah perched in one of the private boxes. I think Mark Winkelman and his son Chuck were there too. Though, we didn’t catch up at the end of the night as expected. Suspect they dashed off with Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer to celebrate Brian’s out-of-the-ballpark speech on national television. The Governor is a close friend of the Meredith’s who I’ve met over dinner at their house. Greeted Senator Watson on Bertha Means among the Texas delegates.

Hillary Clinton also scored a gold medal for her gracious, exciting and on-point speech. Kudos to Obama campaign for appropriately celebrating her primary and career accomplishments. Felt as if unity in the making. Watched from a super suite/lounge with Alexa & Blaine Wesner. No Julie & John Thornton yet; they’re arriving today.

After, a bunch of us to celebrate Rep. Mark Strama who was being celebrated as a Rising Star at Club 5 Degrees. Completely sold out and packed with Austin buddies including me, Bo, Diane & Steve, Nona Niland, Ann Kitchen, Kirk Rudy, Jan Soifer, Patrick O’Connell, Rick Cofer and evidently Ian Davis, Amy Everhart and some of their crew. They texted me during the event but I couldn’t find ’em

Good gosh, was that really only my first 24 hours?

(Community Matters) pics from last night

members of our Texas delegation on the floor – holding sign: Rick Cofer, Amy Everhart & Ian Davis. Seated just below: Mario Champion, KT Musselman & Matt Glazer

from Tuaca Lounge watching Hillary

Grandmama, Texas delegate Bertha Means

at the Rising Star party honoring State Rep Mark Strama, with Mark & Nona Niland

(Community Matters)
Such a long, fun night I can’t describe it. But, I’ll try with pics tomorrow

(Community Matters)
I made it to Pepsi in time to catch Cecile. She’s such a rock star. Of course, I’ve known this since serving on her board at the Texas Freedom Network, before she moved to DC. And, now she’s the national president of Planned Parenthood. She combines the powerful presence of Ann with her Vogue striking presence. She was well received. + + forget taking it easy earlier. Brownsville’s Tony Martinez found me earlier and propelled me with him and Carol through his whirlwind of Tuesday activities. We joined a luncheon honoring former Denver mayor and Secretary Frederico Pena. Even solved an immediate Austin campaign funding need while at the table (thx Rudy Green). Then, a reception honoring NLC fundraisers. Found myself agreeing to help host a $1mm+ Texas fundraiser. I knew that margarita was dangerous. Bunch of us from Tx texting all day and agreeing to meet here at Pepsi and after, especially at Mark Strama’s party. Bo’s just arrived. Lynn & Tommy on their way up. Think Sarah with them too. Steve Adler and Diane Land as well. Connected by phone with Ian Davis. The Texas delegation having 7am gatherings – good gosh. Looks as if about half of them already seated. Lots of cowboy hats. I just saw Rick Cofer walk up too. + + + hearing that some Hillary delegates attended a McCain rally this sfternoon. Hoping Hillary’s speech tonight brings them back into the fold. More to come. Posted from my blackberry.

(Community Matters) The Finance Committee doled out hotels. Silly me, I’d declined mine thinking I either wasn’t coming or was staying with friends. When plans changed, DNC thought I was crazy asking for my room back, yet they’ve been sweet to accommodate me. The hotel’s a bit out of town but a nice golf resort – great spa amenities. Alas, I’m in the lobby sipping Starbucks, dressed in running shorts crowned with bad hair. Everyone else is in ties. Good gosh, I didn’t even bring one. Not going to wear one unless I get into the Vanity Fair party on Thursday night! hmm, I’ll actually be more flexible than that but I do not like ties and I forgot to pack one.

Oh my, there’s a guy who looks worse than me. Heck, looks like he’s tooling around in boxer shorts. Wearing a tshirt with a picture of his baby on the front, completely wild hair, and wow, he’s hot. Hmm, doesn’t really make me not look so bad after all. Ok, move on dude!

Picked up credentials this morning. I see there’s a comedy performance by Second City at the from 2 to 3. I have a National Leadership Council reception at someone’s home from 4 to 6, then will meet friends at the Pepsi Center. Bo’s flying in from Arkansas and will join us there. Thank you M for the extra credentials.

The Texas delegation is having a big breakfast as we speak; they’re on the other side of Denver at the Red Lion Inn. There’s a luncheon being hosted by Rep. Barney Franks and the Human Rights Campaign for LGBT delegates. I’ve been asked to join, but unsure. Trying to preserve energy since imagining it’ll be a late night. Hmm, notice there’s also a luncheon honoring Vernon Jordan, alas I’ve not received an invite to that. A reception for Mark Warner from 3 to 5 – that sounds very interesting. The Willie Nelson Concert at the Red Rock Amphitheatre. And, there’s a party honoring Rising Stars tonight – honorees include our own, much loved State Rep. Mark Strama. Oh yeah, and the HRC concert featuring Melissa Etheridge, Cyndi Lauper, Rufus Wainwright and Thelma Houston. Not going to make that one but I did score a couple tickets for a fabulous Obama staffer and his boyfriend.

(Community Matters) At ABIA awaiting my flight. A bit early so could participate in a conference call. Exchanging emails with friends already in Denver wanting to know who’s already in town, who’s going to Pepsi Center to hear Michelle Obama’s keynote. She is fierce; love her. Met her over lunch at Alexa & Blaine Wesner’s earlier this year. Wish I was there in time to see her again. Also, would love to see Barack’s sister, Maya, who we’ve heard so much about. And, finally, the Ted Kennedy salute – including for sure Caroline Kennedy but reportedly even perhaps the Senator (who I saw last year at the ADL conference in DC)

The big event after tonight’s proceedings is the Salute to Nancy Pelosi at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts – Tony Bennett, John Legend & James Taylor performing. Though lots of Texans will be at The Mile High Station for a Texas Democratic Party Celebration with Governor Bill Ritter.

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Good gosh, in only 48 hours, our world has changed. Literally thousands of people have moved in since I was last outside. I just drove to Torchy Tacos and can’t believe how many students are on the streets, in the stores, all along the Drag.

(Community Matters)

Our friend Robert Torian is in Alpine – the twit, didn’t even invite us! 🙂

(Community Matters) There’s a reality to this statement (working harder & falling further behind) for too many Americans. In today’s lead NYT editorial, it’s cited as what voters want acknowledged to believe a candidate understands the economic threat.

A slippery yet real slope – one I’m not qualified to diagnose, much less treat, though I have my thoughts. The adoption of new technologies and globalization have cost workers wages and jobs – most experts believe technology has cost twice as many jobs as globalization. Yet, I can’t argue against either. There are cases of unfairness in all markets, including international. With few and specific exceptions for even fewer industries, we’d be sacrificing long term financial health for very short lived benefits if we obstructed technology adoption or the realities of a global market.

The competition for highly-skilled workers, especially those bringing intellectual capital to their employers isn’t the problem market. I’m assuming here workers and their families are experiencing real increases in wages and wealth.

Industries subject to further automation (i.e., adoption of new technology) and outsourcing as well as the service industries, these are our Achilles heel. The problem is supply and demand. I’m not sure maximizing profits (i.e, as a result of lower wages as well as lower prices, greater revs) is always in our national interests, nor even in the long term interests of US stockholders. America has been an extraordinary economic power in part because of our rich middle class. And, as the Harvard/Cambridge study showed, even our national political stability rests (at least in part) on the belief that one’s children have a fair shot at the American dream.

This overly simplistic review suggests the need for more wage bargaining power. I’m not yet prepared to sign on as an advocate, but it’s the start of my thoughts on this topic. I’d love others’ perspectives.