Category Archives: Uncategorized

(Community Matters) I’m embarrassingly far from a tree hugger, yet I’m blown away by all the unnecessary packing and wrapping. Just back from picking up a script from CVS, so we have pills in a bottle, a custom label, a stapled bag, with a really long printed receipt and they tried to throw it in a plastic bag too. I took the old pill bottle thinking they might be able to recycle it, but they don’t. I wonder if I don’t call in a refill, if they’d refill the old bottle to avoid using another – of course then I’d have to sit and wait 10 to 20 mins, so doubtful I’d often have time to do that.

(Community Matters) I’m not going to quote in honor of the Senator Obama’s intent to run a campaign about hope and opportunity. And, there’s a Daily Mail story about Senator McCain that reinforces my beef with his hero and hollier-than-though image. After all, this is the man who reportedly called his current wife the C word in public (fyi, it is so widely remembered by several journalists that I considered it confirmed).

(Community Matters) Submerge egos, focus on bringing gifts, passions, energies and vision to a common task and great things can be accomplished.

Now everyone is counting on you, not just me.

(Community Matters) Just finished Tim Blake Nelson’s controversial, contemporary movie of Othello. If faulted, perhaps too literal, nevertheless, an outstanding movie provoking thought during our political season.

(Community Matters) “The selling point of Mr. Obama’s vision of change is not the doctrinaire liberalism or Bush-bashing but an inclusiveness that he believes can start to relieve Washington’s gridlock much as it animated his campaign”

“They empowered adherents in every state rather than depending on a Beltway campaign hierarchy . . . . “

“. . . . the public pandemonium may make J.F.K.’s “Ich bin ein Berliner” visit to the Berlin Wall look like a warm-up act.”

(Community Matters) Steven’s obviously on one of his power walks.

pics from Vienna

(Community Matters) Wow, just realizing I haven’t downloaded photos for quite a while. A menagerie here:

Chelsea Clinton waiting while being introduced

Chelsea was articulate, funny and gracious. Made a good impression on all delegates (Clinton and Obama)

Senator Kirk Watson (future Lt. Gov?)

Commander Rick Noriega (future US Senator)

I wrote earlier that I expect Rick to become our next US Senator. Well, this is, of course, subject to some funding. Wouldn’t be too hard to ride Obama coattails but he’ll need several million to build name ID in major markets.

Cousin Juan briefing Hispanic Obama delegates. Juan’s been working with Obama’s political staff since ’06
As we’e entering Friday’s general session

Nico with me at Friday’s SD-14 caucus (notice Flat Liberace joined us)

Enviromedia’s Kevin Tuerff was on hand and lent Nico his iMac on which he played with image making
Kevin’s a long time, very dear friend. Always a treat spending time with him

After Friday’s general (well, when we left at 8:30 anyhow) I was literally too beat to walk to Congress and 6th where I’d parked. Rationalized that Nico wanted to take his first pedicab anyhow

Abey Mathai, Michael’s physician’s assistant at MD Anderson – he’s very cool

(Community Matters) Steven’s arrived in Vienna where he’ll spend the next week teaching micro economics at IMADEC. I won’t be able to join him after all. That’s okay, we’ll take a trip together later this summer or early fall.

Vienna Opera House (from ST’s trip there in Jan)

(Community Matters) . . . . will go down in history as the woman who busted the political glass ceiling. She proved qualified and capable of winning the Democratic nomination for president, and most don’t doubt she would have gone on to win the general race itself. The loyalty Senator Clinton solicited from supporters is mind-boggling. I just witnessed it in Texas. Especially awesome is the loyalty felt among most Hispanics who attended the Texas Democratic State Convention.

Today’s concession speech was classy and unequivocal – the true mark of a leader who can call a loss as well as bask in a win. And, she’s now redefined the win, electing a Democratic president who’ll respect individual liberties, restore financial & moral integrity, provide universal health care, protect this country by restoring the power of our military by strategically recalling our troops and investing in the men & women who have given more than any other Americans.

I will have long conversations with my godchildren to make sure they know Hillary Clinton is a hero and that sometimes good people don’t reach their goals, but the best people put mission before themselves.

(Community Matters) We’re back and again started the General. [we’ll break to watch Hillary’s speech on the monitors as soon as she takes the stage] Kirk Watson welcoming us. Rev. Emily Whitehurst gave the invocation – Emily formerly of Austin Interfaith Ministries, now runs the Rothko Chapel in Austin. Travis County Democratic Chair, Andy Brown announced that we can text 41411 with the message TCDP to receive Travis County Democratic Party updates electronically.

Kirk’s announcing the informal presidential poll of delegates: Clinton 43%, Obama 57%.

SD-14 stayed until 3:30am last night, including Lora who’s just joined me.

Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., urging the party to unify and support Senator Obama.

Senator Clinton starting now! Means so very much to so many of the people here, and obviously there, to see Senator Clinton right now. I’ve been looking forward to hearing this too. yikes, the live feed just dropped. Now back again.

The way to realize our dreams is to “do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next president.” As I “suspend” my campaign. I endorse him and extend my full support. And, I ask all of you to join me in working as hard for BO as you have for me. damn lost feed again. Still lost. An obviously disappointed room

They never got the feed back, but I picked up from the NYTimes blog:

“The way to continue our fight now, to accomplish the goals for which we stand, is to take our energy, our passion and our strength and do all we can to help elect Barack Obama the next president of the United States.

“I endorse him and throw my full support behind him.”

“Please don’t go there. Every moment wasted looking back keeps us from moving forward. Life is too short, time is too precious and the stakes are too high to dwell on what might have been.”

She then promised to “work my heart out to make sure that Senator Obama is our next president and I hope and pray that all of you will join me in that effort.”

******

Senator West asked all delegates to hold hands, Hillary supporters and Obama supporters. We did. I think Hillary’s speech did help. Everyone held hands and most everyone chanted yes we can.

(Community Matters) Bummed I didn’t stick around after the general session. This is when SD-14 was electing its eight national delegates. I intended to run, filed, but just too beat after a long week, long day and Steven leaving for Europe this morning. Instead, Nico and I left about 8:30pm.

(Community Matters) Largest turnout ever. Extraordinay energy. Senator Kirk Watson gave an outstanding speech – and isn’t he looking quite dapper?.

Houston Congressman Al Green introducing Rick Noriega now. Al – wow!

Rick came out to a rousing welcome. Impressive man.

Nico and I mostly hung with Judge Lora Livingston at the general. He’s so blase about it all. I remember introducing him to Judge Stephen Yelenosky in Marfa. Nico’s first comment to me was – I already know a judge, Lora. Same as when I asked him if he wanted to go with me to NYC to see Steven’s play – “I’ve already been to NYC and I’ve already seen Steven’s play.”

Ran into State Rep. Juan Garcia earlier. You watch, the man may be the first Hispanic Governor. Can’t believe he’s having a tough race. We all need to give him money! interesting tid bit, Juan went to law school with Senator Obama. I believe Juan also dated Michelle before the Senator and she met.

State Rep. Mark Strama was his usual mensch self today, at one point Nico and I separated. Mark found him, held him and called me.

Ian Davis and Amy Everhart working hard all day.

State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez will graduate from law school in Dec (way to go Eddie!); he, Councilmember Mike Martinez and I chatted a bit and now have a plan to work for Obama together.

Former State Senator Gonzalo Barrientos still his same ol’ self, aka the Hispanic Caucus a la Slate Rock and Gravel Company.

Running into Rep. Donna Howard all over the place. She’s also a mensch. Her son-in-law just graduated from the Acton School of Business. And, reading Burnt Orange, Donna hung until the very end. You go Donna! Steven and I are committed to hosting a fundraiser for Donna in Sept.

New Travis County D Chair, Andy Brown presiding and complimented by JR Gonzales who has it down 🙂

I didn’t realize David Mauro (who’s blogging for AAS and Burnt Orange) was Garry’s son. Good gosh, I still see David as an 8 yo. Obviously David hung until the end. I’m impressed with his commitment to reporting on the convention.

Cousins Juan Sepulveda and Teresa Nino knocking it out on behalf of Obama Campaign. Good gosh, I envy their energy and knowledge. Hope Juan was elected a national delegate in SD-26 last night.