Community Matters

(Community Matters) and for once, the passengers actually paid attention

video here – I disengaged b/c it started up constantly

(Community Matters)

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today released the following statement:

“This week, we sadly lost two young men who took their own lives for one unacceptable reason: they were being bullied and harassed because they were openly gay or believed to be gay. These unnecessary tragedies come on the heels of at least three other young people taking their own lives because the trauma of being bullied and harassed for their actual or perceived sexual orientation was too much to bear.

“This is a moment where every one of us — parents, teachers, students, elected officials, and all people of conscience — needs to stand up and speak out against intolerance in all its forms. Whether it’s students harassing other students because of ethnicity, disability or religion; or an adult, public official harassing the President of the University of Michigan student body because he is gay, it is time we as a country said enough. No more. This must stop.”

(Community Matters) he’s totally ruling this crowd of 3.5k. Drawing strong distinctions between GOP agenda and that of Dems – GOP has pledged to cut taxes on the wealthiest by $700B at the expense of the middle class. They have pledged to give power back to the special interests.

The Pres came into office wanting to promote bipartisanship. He tried. They’ve obstructed every bit of the way. Even when Pres O has agreed to support their ideas, they’ve refused and pulled back, intent on denying him any successes, even at the country’s expense.

The Pres back at the top of his game, rallying these young people to return to vote. Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matters) See post immediately below

Nate Silver says: House: 166 solid D seats; 168 solid R seats; 101 seats in play

Real Clear Politics says: House: 190 solid D; 207 solid R; 38 in play

RCL pretty widely acknowledged to have an R bias in its samples.  Nate (538) had the best track record in ’08.

(Community Matters) Some notes of what we’re hearing today in DC . . .

The midterm elections – what’s been the narrative?

• during the summer – Democrats in disarray
• by Labor Day – Ds in disarray & could be in trouble, but those being  elected in the Republican primaries are nuts
• last five days – the Ds may have momentum and the Rs may have peaked.  Is there enough time?

Continue reading →

(Community Matters)

A 13-yo commits suicide after taunts from peers

Gay Rutgers student commits suicide

(Community Matters) I’ve met Prof Austan Goolsbee several times and have been increasingly impressed with his mastery of issues and ability to articulate the situation. It’s a good thing that he’s been elevated to chair of the President’s Council of Economic Advisers. And, the other changes on the economic team aren’t bad either

My Vodpod links don’t appear to be working.  Go to Politico link here for article and videos (I recommend the videos)

(Community Matters) Not a surprise the major phone and cable carriers have convinced the GOP to block any net neutrality legislation.  Now it’s up to the FCC to impose – of course respectful and mindful of investment and return but preventing monopolies from manipulating the system. We once imposed expectations for public good on corporations to whom we’d granted utility franchises. These expectations need to be reimposed.

(Community Matters) On my way to DC for two days of meetings – DNC NFC, our LGBT Leadership Council (I recently stepped up as co-chair) and kick off of Gen 44.  Pres. Obama is kicking off the latter at a concert with B.o.B.

Rick Cofer and Haylie Rudy have stepped up as co-chairs of Gen 44 in Austin.  Thx you two!

on my way to the airport, my cab driver asked me if people didn’t remember who got us in this economic mess and were they really thinking of reelecting the same guys.

(Community Matters)

Job Title: Project manager, Lemonade Day Austin

Lemonade Day Austin is a fun, free, city-wide educational program that helps youth set up and operate lemonade stands. Lemonade Day is on Sunday, May 1, 2011. Lemonade Day Austin’s Project Manager is responsible for: coordinating and overseeing registration at designated registration events; recruiting and overseeing volunteers at events; coordinating with City of Austin, nonprofit organizations, and participating schools; helping represent Lemonade Day Austin in the community, and assisting the Lemonade Day Austin Director with other initiatives and responsibilities.  Reports to: Lemonade Day Austin Director.

Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Lonely gay men?  I don’t think so; now, all you gotta do is turn on Grindr to find the nearest gay men around you. Uses GPS.  The guys swear it isn’t all about pick ups.

Wonder who in the restaurant is queer?  Grindr. Is that guy European or hitting on me?  Grindr.

Uses GPS and some sorta divining rod to identify all the queers in a room – well yes the former, no the latter.  You subscribe and when on, it captures and broadcasts your location. Fascinating . . .

The single guys at the Literary Society demonstrated to us last night. How long until Michael Mitchell gets an iPhone.  Robert’s already an iHomo but I don’t think he has the ap.  Steve Davis is very popular. Thais Austin wrote from DC that women are developing the application for str8 men, gonna call it Remindr

(Community Matters) I get reminded we aren’t a book club, we’re a literary society.  I’m not sure what’s the difference, think it’s southern – sorta like saying “how nice” instead of “f#%k you.”

Steve Davis‘ corner abode in the Spring – very nice.  Swedish meatloaf – takes more than 1 hour to cook.  Whole Foods across the street – also very nice (especially for quick, unexpected runs).  The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo scored well – higher than average.  Consensus that translation was poor, writing got better through book – much better in second and third book.  Some of us thriller fans, a couple not so much.

Our next selection – To Kill A Mockingbird. Room and Obama’s War received the second most votes.  Obama’s War would have won but Michael Mitchell has a thing against Bob Woodward – professional envy or some such.  Others who attended last night:  Stephen Walls, Robert Torian, Jim Amick & Greg Chico.  Chris Long, Gene Brenek couldn’t make it. Rob Schneider also a member but sustaining status while living in NY.  We told stories on our husbands and the single guys demonstrated Grindr.

the wayward bandaid, another story