Community Matters

(Community Matters) We’re celebrating Michael’s good news – clean bill of health from MD Anderson this week

(Community Matters) Charles Santos is here as a guest of the American French Embassy, viewing theatre and dance to possibly present at Dallas’ new AT&T Arts Center. Tonight’s the Lyon Opera Ballet, the Show Must Go On, he and Tana are raving (Ron Berry this sounds like a potential FuseBox headliner).

Judge Stephen Yelenosky here to celebrate his and Jill McRae’s 20th anniversary but also to lecture at the Sorbonne’s law school. His visit yesterday went over very well. We’re all toasting to celebrate.

Posted from my blackberry

(Community Matter)

(Community Matters) My response to Mark McKinnon’s piece in the Daily Beast slamming Pres. Obama for blaming Bush:

Mark McKinnon, your piece is total bullshit.   Re: this week’s elections: the Democrat in a race against a Republican won the special Congressional election.

Absolutely, voters are likely to toss out more than a few incumbents in Nov – just watch the obstructionism from both sides against the President’s attempts to fix Washington. Let’s not forget, polls show he’s the most popular elected official. Congressional Republicans are less popular than Congressional Democrats.  And, admittedly yes, midterm elections result in decreased majorities.

The team you helped elect into office for 8 years left such an economic and world political mess, we expected it to take more than 485 days to clean up.  After making millions electing 43, you’re raking in even more defending coal and Goldman Sachs. I’m surprised if you aren’t already pitching BP.

It’ll take more than 485 days to clean up 8 years of 43.

yeah, I know, it’s the agreed upon talking point that Bush & those of his inner circle aren’t responsible.  Karen Hughes, Karl Rove, Mary Maitlin and Mark McKinnon are on the circuit repeating it. Honorable people apologize when they screw up; others simply deflect their own responsibility.

(Community Matters) sorry, more for my own records – inspiring thoughts about our back, back yard

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(Community Matters) On Tuesday, the gang of six took the tour – quite spectacular, not hard to see how the founder of Impressionism, Claude Monet (1840 – 1929), was inspired.

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(Community Matters) Nice blog posting by Jason Mendelson on the issue of whether or not VC carry should be taxed as ordinary income.  Especially happy to hear momentum away from further regulation and taxing of angel investors.

(Community Matters) My response in a Facebook thread

David & Pat – I don’t even know how to respond to your off-the-rail perspectives. Pres. Obama inherited a country at the precipice of economic collapse. The economic stimulus and bailout brought us back from the edge of a great depression. [ugh, I’m not a bailout defender, just being realistic.] Comparing us to Greece? Look at our borrowing costs, amount of foreign investment still pouring into the USA, and percentage of public spending as a percentage of GDP. Nevertheless, we do *have to* bring down the deficit and balance our budget. It’s not gonna happen on the backs of the poor & middle class, however. The GOP way is to cut taxes for the wealthy and increase corporate welfare; that’s *not* ours.

Jason, sorry, we continue to disagree re: the importance of universal health care coverage (I can make int’l competitive/economic development or humanitarian arguments), separation of church and state, constitutional equality for all Americans, and environmental conservation

You guys may disagree with the agenda but the broader American electorate likes the President *by far* more than they like any other living political figure. Pres Obama represents results vs obstruction.

[add] I’m surprised you’d rather turn the clock back to the George W Bush years. And, I’m thankful this *is not* where even close to a majority of Americans want to go.

(Community Matters) Hope it isn’t so

(Community Matters) Terrific day, good weather, art, food, friends . . .

Special thanks to Suzanne Deal Booth for arranging a private tour of the Centre Pompidou. Regrettably, Jill had a slight headache, so just the four of us.

Olivia Font was our art guide.  Loved the narration and conversation – he’s especially interested in modern art and how bodies are depicted – a Francis Bacon fan.

And, no  big surprise, Steven especially wanted to see the library. Isabella Alamartine, the museum’s PR director, also joined us and escorted Steven to the library even before it opened – reminded us somewhat of the Seattle Central Library.

Tana Christie & Charles Santos

Jill felt better later in the morning and we joined her & Stephen for tea at Mariage Freres in the Marais late afternoon.

A French firetruck – happened to be full of French fireman – “leave the fireman alone Steven,” Carol Tomlinson

Dinner at one of our favorite Japanese restaurants anywhere,at Higuma on Rue Sainte-Anne.  Unfortunately, there are now two Higuma’s in Paris, confusing my friend Daniel Dozier who was to meet us for dinner.  Of course, what a time for my blackberry to be out of juice.  Fortunately, SY prevailed in persuading me to call the US Embassy directly – they surprised me by their promptness at helping resolve the situation (it was nearly 9pm), by patching me through to Daniel’s cell immediately (he’s Ambassador Rivkin’s chief of staff at the residence).  Charles and I met Daniel for drinks after – he is having way much fun (and was even wearing the cowboy boots he bought in Austin).

(Community Matters) NYTimes Book Review – The Failure of the American Jewish Establishment

I worry a great deal about the tipping point – appears American progressives have been asking questions for several years and are tiring of group talk back rather than thoughtful, truly self-examining perspective.  If Israel (the state) isn’t losing from a PR perspective with this demographic, it risks doing so without honest discourse.  While support in Congress remains strong, it wouldn’t survive a blatant loss of public support.  Parallels between examination of younger American Jews’ opinions and wider progressive community’s?

And, I think honest, constructively examining dialogue would go a long way toward further preserving the special relationship between our two countries.  Yes, I believe it is a risk at today’s political trajectory.

(Community Matters) Some fun pics from Paris

last night, the Marie Bridge just outside our apt door

Sacre Coeur from our window

I keep seeing things and thinking about my godchildren – the outfit on the right for Ben, a vintage Louis Vuitton purse for a graduating niece.

from the Bastille market

Jill & Stephen

We went to Tracadero Plaza for the kiss-in, celebrating International Day Against Homophobia