Community Matters

(Community Matters) Very interesting proposition – perhaps we should to be focused on helping elect the Republican members of the State Board of Education

(Community Matters) Frank Rich has certainly gained the voice for progressives.

It was not a referendum on Barack Obama, who in every poll remains one of the most popular politicians in America. It was not a rejection of universal health care, which Massachusetts mandated 2006. It was not a harbinger of a resurgent G.O.P., whose numbers remain in the toilet. Brown had the good sense not to identify himself as a Republican in either his campaign advertising or his victory speech.   [Yet, the administration has major challenges]

The president is no longer seen as a savior but as a captive of the interests who ginned up the mess and still profit, hugely, from it. He not only refused to signal his health care imperatives early on but even now he, like Congressional Democrats, has failed to explain clearly why and how reform relates to economic recovery.  His two principal economic policy makers [Gheitner & Sumners] are useless, if not counterproductive, surrogates.

Not stated but perhaps implied, healthcare shouldn’t be as high a priority in today’s economic environment (yes, saw the polling).  Healthcare is our 1964 civil rights act.  I’d rather see the president sign it into law and lose reelection than not finally provide coverage for 30mm to 40mm.  The most developed country in the world should provide some basic level of healthcare to all its citizens – no, emergency rooms are not effective healthcare.  And, it would help increase American manufacturing competitiveness.

LBJ signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 knowing he was signing away the south to the Republicans for the next generation.  We need leadership that isn’t afraid to be tossed out of office for doing the right thing.  I remain convinced this is our president.  I am unconvinced that the extraordinary bubble that has locked in around him, that the lieutenaunts who have gained power aren’t now drunk.

(Community Matters) The return of David Plouffe is a super sign.  A review of the D political operation an imperative – our spends & political strategies in VA, NJ, MA and on OFA especially.

I’m also wondering who made these calls and how.  We need accountability for results and expenditure of dollars raised from donors all around the country.  Where we’ve promised net positive investments, are we on track to accomplish such?  We came into power less interested in promoting (ie., preserving) our own power than producing results – healthcare at the top of the list.  Covering 30mm – 40mm uninsured should not be up for compromise.  Most of the people I know didn’t invest their souls, time, treasure & /or votes to preserve future D majorities.

(Community Matters) In DC for meetings starting Monday.  Early arrival to spend time with my friends the Cramers – Sonya, Reid, Dio & Gabel

Walking through Takoma Park, a home cooked meal, lots of political conversation (natch) and a game of scrabble.  Reid’s head of research for the New America Foundation.  Of course the political events of this week even more dramatic inside the Beltway then elsewhere.  Everyone here has been waiting for passage of healthcare, also so they can move forward on other agendas.  Add MA and the S. Ct ruling – not a good week.

(Community Matters) The Austonian was hopping last night with guests celebrating its opening.  Terry Mitchell (the building’s developer) tells me residents will start moving in this June.

Zac, Luke & Terry

The views are spectacular and the amenities unprecedented in Austin.

(Community Matters) Update from Susan Sayers of Partners in Health (@PiH_org):

The PIH team has now established 24 functional operating rooms (ORs) throughout Haiti, providing round-the-clock surgery and medical care to earthquake survivors.  Twelve of these ORs are at the central University Hospital in Port-au-Prince (HUEH), which was nearly uninhabitable at this time last week.

We have also had great success assembling surgical teams, transporting them to Haiti, and putting them immediately to work. At last count, more than 150 surgeons, nurses, anesthetists and other specialists had arrived, allowing our ORs to run at full capacity 24 hours a day. But our team in Haiti continues to report a great need for additional medicines (antibiotics, anesthesia and narcotics), medical equipment (anesthesia machines and x-rays), medical supplies (IVs, tubing, irrigating saline), and water. Continue reading →

(Community Matters) Joe Cutbirth is a former reporter for the Ft. Worth Star Telegram, a disciple of Molly Ivins and a profesor of journalism in Vancouver.  His letter from Sam Houston to President Barack Obama

(Community Matters) TOL production meeting today with Shelley Zausmer, Steve Adler, Amanda Chiampi, Michael Feferman, Dave Shaw, Marcia Levy, Amy & Kirk Rudy, Martin Cominsky and Stacey Fields.  We have the best production team.  Can’t wait for the event on Jan 28 at the Four Seasons – even if we have oversold and some of us will be sitting in the foyer.  Hey, my table will be out there with you!

Austin is No Place for Hate

http://bit.ly/7iXxa9

(Community Matters) What gay man doesn’t want to be Tana Christie in his next life?  She’s one of my dearest friends and an extraordinary member of our community.  Michael Mitchell makes her laugh.  Her grandchildren make her smile.  Her children make her proud.  Joe Christie makes her happy.

and, she’s made Austin a better place to be

(and, I know, I kinda make her crazy.  She hates being on here – too bad!)

(Community Matters) Very well attended launch to FuseBox Festival 2010 where Ron annonced 80% of the season’s participants

Ron and UT’s Texas Performing Arts Center Director, Kathy Panoff

exciting to have the Texas PAC as a community sponsor this year – they are investing real money and intellectual capital into the Festival

w/ artist Pete Duggins

Lots in attendance including Amy Bryant & Palo Chalupka (with Ruby), Shobie Partos, Hank Cathey, Sam Webber, Dana Friis-Hansen & Mark Holzbach.

(Community Matters) I’m probably the last to know.  Is this even real?

Wow, evidently so

Hey, I’m not piling on the guy.  In fact, I’m kinda pleasantly surprised the Right got over it – good gosh 20 years ago.

(Community Matters) Toxic Assets – Steven Tomlinson’s newest play.  It’ll be performed as a one-man, one-act as a benefit for FuseBox Festival on March 11, 12 & 13 at the Rude Mech’s Off Center Stage (apprx 100 seats each evening).  March 11 will be a preview performance.  The opening will be Friday, March 12 – because of such limited seating, only open to Friends of Fusebox (ie., 1,000 watt level & above).  Saturday’s performance will be open to the general public.

While this will be a full performance, it’s also a workshop for what Steven currently thinks will be a multi-character, multi-act play.

More information forthcoming