Community Matters

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) I remember the public hearings and shouting matches as AISD debated comprehensive sex-education programs. It’s been 15 years, and I’m pleased to see we are tacking back to the center – away from Just Say No to practical programs which continue to acknowledge abstinence is the surest, safest way and which also teach responsible pregnancy and STD prevention practices for those who chose to be sexually active. We’ve wasted a lot of money and ineffectively empowered our kids during the last 15 years.

(Community Matters) Wow, I was really digging the story then:

The children will live in their father’s house until they marry, and they will be virgins. Their first kiss will be when the preacher says, “You may kiss the bride.” We forget, Bruce Collie says, that really used to mean something.

yet

You might be judging Bruce and Holly Collie right now. They’re used to it. . . . But if you meet them and their children, you cannot say they are not raising loving, respectful and well-behaved people — so well-behaved that when you first meet them, they will line up from eldest to youngest and introduce themselves.

(Community Matters)

(Community Matters) Charles Blow on BHO’s batting stats

According to Gallup poll results released on Wednesday, the president’s approval rating has stopped falling and has leveled out in the low-50 percents, about the same as Ronald Reagan’s and Bill Clinton’s at this point in their presidencies (both two-termers, lest we forget).

His leadership in these forums [United Nations & G-20 Summit] to tighten the screws on Iran for its nuclear programs project a presidential certitude and sense of steel and authority that was sorely needed and sorely missed.

a rash of recent terror arrests has sent the signal that the aggressive pursuit of terror suspects remains a top priority.

[Wall Street Journal/NBC News] Those who disapprove of the way that Republicans are handling the health care debate outnumbered those who approved of their behavior by a margin of more than 3 to 1.

(Community Matters) Tana, Joe & Jim Christie taking a leisurely drive back to Boston. This from Tana today from their lunch in Moncton, New Brunswick.

(Community Matters) I’d missed this mention of Glimmer of Hope founder Philip Berber in the WSJ’s online edition – “one of the stars [of this year’s Clinton Global Initiative] is Philip Berber.” Philip & Donna’s foundation does extraordinary work in Ethiopia. I haven’t spent much time with Philip lately but years past caught up on plans and successes a couple to three times per year. About time we caught up again.

(Community Matters) A dear friend sent me this link to Charlie Rose’s interview of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It’s long, and it’s an enlightening view of Netanyahu’s philosophical and strategic evolution since previously in office. I’m impressed by the clarity and specificity of his position – appears he’s used his time out of office gaining perspective on the successes and failures of his predecessors.

here

Some notes from his inteview – not to be confused with quotes

the simple question: will you recognize the State of Israel, as the nation state of the Jewish people?

looking for the other side to say, if they get a Palestinian state, “it’s over. We’ll cease the conflict, cease all claims against Israel and make a permanent peace with the Jewish state

vs not to end the conflict but to perpetuate for better terms

a desire, hunger for peace on behalf of Israelis – must include guaranteed cease of conflict and that the Palestinian state won’t further the conflict

two conditions for peace: 1) recognition for the Jewish state and 2) must be demilitarized – Israel controlling borders and air space

a strong Palestinian state is in our interest

Peace stands on three legs 1) legitimacy, 2) security, 3) prosperity

believes that prosperity helps peace; used to believe it was the other way around, that peace brought prosperity

have reduced the number of checkpoints in the West Bank from 147 to 14

what is the problem here? the territories taken by Israel in 1967 are the result of the Arab aggression against Israel, not the cause

(Community Matters) AAS reports of Gov Perry’s accumulation of wealth while he’s been a public official. As a former banker, I saw men of means including elected officials in deals as a way to help them afford to stay in office. In fact, there is something to be said for helping the men & women who answer the call for public service. And, people sometimes don’t give away profit potential without a strategic objective – be it gaining influence or acquiring a strategic partner. Gary Bradley passing on a land tip to the Governor in 1996 while he was fighting zoning threats through the legislature? And, if there’s visibility to Rick Perry’s wealth in another 3 to 5 years, will we see additional choice investments? The article didn’t say who runs his blind trust. We hope it’s someone outside political influence peddling.

(Community Matters) wow, missed a day. don’t think I’ve done that for a while.

In Port Aransas, arrived Thursday evening. Dinner with Tim McCabe Thursday night – who happened to be here chilling at the Tarpon Inn.

On the way up, an email from a friend (my yoga instructor) who read on FB I was heading here. Andrew and his boyfriend, Arno, have taken a condo here just for the weekend, so we had dinner at the Venetian Hot Plate last night – wow, fantastic northern Italian. yeah, I’ll forgive Arno for, over dinner, noting that the condo belongs to a “old guy,” someone “probably 48 or so.” 🙂

Super day of work yesterday. Needed uniterrupted time for calls, emails and “paperwork”. A few more hours of the same today. Never hurts to work from a balcony overlooking the bay, hearing and watching the dolphins who feed not 100 yards away.

(Community Matters) John Phillip Santos’ latest book, “The Farthest Home Is in an Empire of Fire,” an interview in the San Antonio Express News

(Community Matters) Arrived here this afternoon after a morning of meetings, including an ADL executive committee meeting.

Nice drive out. Plenty of work accomplished on the telephone during the 3.5 hour drive, and some realizations including, I really like backing charismatic leaders in accomplishing worthy objectives. Of course, numero uno, Steven Tomlinson and everything he does, artistically, academically, in the community, for the church. And . . . increasingly Kirk Rudy (politically), Jack McDonald (also politically), John Thornton (journalistically) and Steve Adler (for ADL). Indirectly, but I have to be able to include him, Pres. Barack Obama (national finance committee). Hey, and not just for men, Adrienne Donato is our leader in DNC fundraising. Janet Harman at the KDK-Harman Foundation. My most memorable bosses are women – Liz Coker @ Minco, Michelle De Angelis early in banking. yeah, yeah, I’m no pansy, I get a lot done on my own as well. And, my ego has matured in a way that allows me to be a great number 2, or at least I feel like a good one.