Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters) His column in today’s NYT here. Some excerpts:

What Obama also should have learned by now is that the press is not his friend. Of course, he gets more ink and airtime than McCain; he’s sexier news. But as George Mason University’s Center for Media and Public Affairs documented in its study of six weeks of TV news coverage 28% was positive, 72% negative. (For McCain, the split was 43/57)

Asked in last week’s NYT/CBS News poll if each candidate shares their values, registered voters gave Obama and McCain an identical 63%. Asked if each candidate “cares about the needs and problems of people like yourself,” Obama beat McCain by 37 to 23 percent. Is the candidate “someone you can relate to”? Obama 55%, McCain: 41%.

Most Americans, unlike the press, are not obsessed by race. (Those whites who are obsessed by race will not vote for Obama no matter what he or anyone else has to say about it.)

Pacifistic politics is an oxymoron, and Obama is constitutionally incapable of coming off angrier than McCain.

Is a man who is just discovering the Internet qualified to lead a restoration of America’s economic and educational infrastructure? Is the leader of a virtually all-white political party America’s best salesman and moral avatar in the age of globalization?

(Community Matters) Good to have John Thornton back blogging on Insomniactive after his and Julie’s Montana visit to hang with Alexa & Blaine. Though, I’m wondering who’s the doom & gloom founder – Garvey?

(Community Matters) Thanks Don Boyd

(Community Matters) I’m sorry, but trusting a Texas politician when he promises to place his $200mm in a blind-trust – then we learn he never did – to avoid conflicts of interest as the most powerful legislator in our state, just doesn’t cut it. Shame on Dewhurst.

(Community Matters) hmm, I do not like Steven’s Twitter posting, ” A bout of summer flu proves more thoroughly restorative than most vacations we’ve taken” here but knowing his perspective I understand what he means. We mostly sequestered ourselves this weekend, outside of the few hours he was on a Habitat build site. Steven’s a terrific nurse, and we even watched Recount together; know what? Lieberman was a judas back then too.

I was completely whipped yesterday, good gosh, 102-ish fever zaps every ounce of energy these days. When I was younger, I wasn’t so susceptible to fever, routinely running 103 with colds/flus. I’m feeling much better this am. Woke up in the middle of the night realizing my fever had broken and feeling refreshed this am, admittedly I haven’t gotten up. A triple, non-fat latte, 1/3 decaf with extra foam sounds awfully good.

(Community Matters) Received a CNN alert on the vice presidential selection at 10:55 last night, a note from my cousin at 2:28am and the text from the campaign at 2:40am. Didn’t receive the longer note/email from Obama until 10:01 this morning.

And, the response to Barack’s decision to invite Sen Biden as his vice presidential running mate seems overwhelmingly positive. I nearly emailed Texas Hillary Clinton chair, Garry Mauro, to ask how he felt, though didn’t want to appear gloating or unsympathetic. I know Garry had been pulling for Hillary as VP. I’ll see and talk with him about this in Denver.

Biden is a hell of a man, extraordinary credentials in foreign policy, crime & judicial system. Love that he’s always taken the train home to Delaware and speaks his mind.

(Community Matters) The AAS reported earlier this month on rising crime in Central Austin. According to the North University Neighborhood listserve, last week, a man assaulted a woman inside the HEB on Hancock, trying to grab her purse from her grocery cart. He was tackled by staff and other customers, managed to get away and ran outside & into a waiting car with two others. There was also a mid-morning rape in Hyde Park just last month. Crime in Austin seems out of control. Steven and I are hosting Chief Acevedo for dinner next month; you bet this is my planned line of conversation.

(Community Matters) Yesterday afternoon’s nap has been extended. I’ve been in bed since. High fevers and chills, hopefully just the 24 hour type ST had earlier this week. Major bummed this leaves us out of Philip Berber’s 50th Birthday Bash. No doubt promises to be one of THE parties.

(Community Matters) A good Economist piece on the race here

(Community Matters) Last night was a terrific event benefiting Care Communities and honoring Joyce Christian, Clarke Heidrick and Flynt Sparks. There were so many people there Steven and I love (I didn’t steal this line from Clarke who used in it his speech. In fact I’d said the same thing just an hour prior).

Of course we love all three of the honorees and Joyce is an especially dear/close friend. She gave an extraordinary acceptance speech. Lucky us we were placed at the table with Joyce, her family and her care team members.

Literally, so many dear friends and others we admire that I’m not going to list because I’d forget someone very dear and important and because I’m going to take another nap now 🙂

(Community Matters) Made a super meeting this am with Amanda (EF), Ken Gladish (ACF), Ann Staford (Spansion), Chelsea McCullough (NPower & RISE), Matt Kouri (Greenlights) about Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunity Conference we’re planning for 2009. I love meeting with people smarter than I am!

Alas . . . I’ve slowed down significantly through the day. Tried to avoid Steven’s ailment but now I’m feverish and achy. Gonna beat this pup by Monday!

(Community Matters) Every quarter the Entrepreneurs Foundation hosts a breakfast where entrepreneurs can chat with bankers about a published topic. This quarter’s presenters were friends from Square One Bank, Susan Casey & Tommy Deavenport.

Joining us included: Gary Sabins, Jeff Frizell, Jordan Herman, Gerry Bula, Dale Misczynski, Russell Reeder, Matt Marino, Jayne Walters, Mark McClain, Kent Fuka, Corey Blahuta and others I’m forgetting 😦