Community Matters

(Community Matters) An important political, economic and foreign policy discussion between Tom Daschle, William Cohen and George Mitchell at the DLA Global Real Estate Summit. Interesting – “search for the common ground.”

video here

(Community Matters) Tana shared with Michael who posted on Squirrels and now . . . .

Vodpod videos no longer available.

(Community Matters) from Politico’s Playbook:

FIRST LOOK : House Democratic leader NANCY PELOSI, to CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR, for ABC’s “This Week,” on whether she supports the Occupy Wall Street protests: “Well, I support the message to the establishment — whether it’s Wall Street or the political establishment and the rest — that change has to happen. … Continue reading →

(Community Matters) If I’d been in New York, I would have attended the Occupy Wall Street protest, but I am reluctant to participate in Occupy Austin.

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(Community Matters) from Politico

HUDDLE EXCLUSIVE: DOGG-GONE?: TEXAS REP’S PRIMARY OPPONENT RAISES HALF A MILLION — Joaquin Castro will announce a $500,000-plus third quarter fundraising haul this morning, according to his campaign, a number that should run a shiver down the spine of Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas). Continue reading →

(Community Matters) I keep hearing that the City Charter rules, that council members of course support November elections and greater voter participation but that their hands are tied by the rules.

If I believed this rationalization, I’d have to believe that they’d have had me and Steven arrested prior to Lawrence v Texas  which stuck down Texas constitutional laws outlawing relationships between same sex Texans. And, if they are that strict in interpreting rules, I’m not sure how a devout Christian reconciles today’s lifestyles with the rules laid out in Leviticus. Continue reading →

(Community Matters) An acquaintance has tried to convince me against moving City of Austin elections to November – arguing that it could increase Republican influence. If Texas GOP motives for Voter ID were intended to suppress Democrat participation and that wasn’t good, keeping elections in May to ensure less GOP influence isn’t good either.

More participation by citizens is good.

(Community Matters) Another view on raising taxes from Amity Shlaes of Bloomberg News

Obviously, the difference between 70% and 25% tax rates would drastically influence behaviors. NO ONE has suggested anything even approaching such increases – talking modest increases to rates under Bill Clinton when the country enjoyed one of its most expansive economic growths in history.

(Community Matters) If we didn’t have Joaquin Castro’s fundraiser tonight, I’d be headed back to New York. Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matters) Great fun at last night’s Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner in DC. Many thanks to my host and dear friend, Andy Tobias. And, enjoyed sharing his table with Tym Matusov, Patrick Gaspard, Jeffrey Lerner, Jamie Citron, Heather, Mark Perriello and Diego Sanchez.

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(Community Matters) I agree with Defense Secretary Panetta on this.

Some see US support as at an all time high. Though while this may be true on Capitol Hill, I don’t believe it’s so within the broader American electorate (hope I’m wrong and the first prediction is right). Neither the administration nor Israel has effectively articulated why we’d spend so much capital obstructing the UN’s recognition of Palestine as a state. This risks further eroding broader electorate support in the US. Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Lies, bribes and other criminal behavior