Community Matters

(Community Matters) I’d joke that it couldn’t get any worse if I didn’t fear just that.

“Gov. Rick Perry’s plan, which includes a flat tax, would eliminate estate and capital gains taxes, and lower the rate wealthiest Americans pay on their income.”

“Perry said of the increased economic inequality that would result from the tax plan in an interview with The New York Times. “If that’s what comes, I’ll take that criticism.”

This after cutting Texas education funding for the first time in 60 years

(Community Matters)

Happy 50th Birthday!

(Community Matters) Seriously? Mitt Romney has appointed Robert Bork to co-chair his judicial advisory committee? This is the guy who fired Nixon’s special prosecutor for attempting to obtain his secret recordings? The guy who’s passionately argued against civil right legislation, against the integration of lunch counters? The guy who has led in arguing for relaxed regulation against corporations? The guy who doesn’t believe the 14th amendment’s equal protection clause should extend to women? The guy who originated today’s constitutional originalism – to an extreme – arguing that Americans don’t hold any rights not articulated by the constitution, including no inherent right to privacy.

It is not a stretch to worry that a Mitt Romney Supreme Court could further expand the rights of corporations while restricting the rights of Americans – including overturning women’s, minorities’ and LGBT equality and protections.

“Corporations are people too” – Mitt Romney, 2011

(Community Matters) honored to be included: Obama’s Power Gays

(Community Matters) Magen David Adom is Israel’s Red Cross. Several families in Austin hosted dinners last night, the proceeds of which will purchase an emergency operating center/ambulance for the Galilee area. Joaquin Castro & I attended dinner hosted by Suzanne & Marc Winkelman – omg, Chef Terry Conlan cooked a to die for vegan extravaganza.

pic of Suzanne’s 10 rescue pups

(Community Matters) The main purpose of this trip to Marfa (Wed – Sun) has been an MPR board meeting and our Fall Fundraiser. Karen Bernstein arranged a concert by Shawn Colvin at the Granada in Alpine.

Kay Burnett hosted a dinner at her home for the evening’s sponsors prior. Tim Johnson & Caitlin Murphy were our guests. Of course, Julie Speed & Fran Christina joined us as sponsors too – huge MPR fans & supporters, their also close personal friends with Shawn. Suzanne Tick flew in from NY for a 36 whirlwind tour with her friend Anna and joined us at the theater. Emily Keeton and Tim Crowley were to join us but regrettably were called away from Marfa at the last minute.

It’s been a great trip – lots of down time. I’ve slept more than I can remember doing in ages. Bummer that I caught some bug while here, but when better to battle a bug than when able to convalesce. Cooked dinner at the house on Thursday – just us, Julie & Fran. Checked on Paisano arrangements for new years – we seem all set. Rats, didn’t make it to Mini-Rooster, still need to arrange catering. Oh yeah, and made a few new friends, Joey Benton, Jim & Jim. Joey’s opening a custom furniture & textile shop in Austin next month – this should be a big deal.

(Community Matters)  Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie Occupy Wall Street

(Community Matters) posting today about his tour of the Sultanahmet neighborhood. 

(Community Matters) really, religious bigots? hmm, I guess maybe there are. But, that’s not the case when someone says you can promote discrimination against LGBT Americans.

This seems too complex for some people. If you could oppose something or say something about Black, Brown, Jewish, women, men or disabled without expecting to be called out, then you are probably okay. If it’s not okay to substitute one of those groups for something you are about to say or promote, then it’s not okay. Some people once used religion to defend their prejudice against African Americans and Jews too. It’s not okay against gays & lesbians either

Towelroad re: AFA suggesting religious bigotry

(Community Matters) Andrew Sullivan

Hat Tip: David Gail

(Community Matters) Once a year venture-backed entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and other investors come together at a fundraiser benefittng our member company community projects and a named nonprofit. This year, one of three nonprofits will be named as a recipient (Theatre Action Project, Sustainable Food Center or ActiveLIFE).

Our auction items include: Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Really? Give me a break. Lloyd Doggett’s never believed – and has certainly never used in his defense – anything said by a Republican. All of a sudden he’s gonna start building a case relying on what a Republican operative has to say?  Lloyd’s responding to Castro calling him out for launching lies & innuendo