Community Matters

(Community Matters) Twice in the last week I’ve blanched at headlines suggesting BHO is using GWB language.

In today’s Politico.com story, the headline reads, “President Barack Obama: Don’t bet against me on health care.”

There was another instance this week where the headlines suggested the President was using language similar to GWB’s “bring ’em on” response to terrorists. I can’t find it online, though I did find the Reuters headline suggesting such language in February’s budget fight.

so, what have I found? I’ve found that headline writers risk crossing the lines of integrity by falsely suggesting BHO is walking the Bush swagger. When I’ve read beyond the headlines, read the actual quotes, his statements are not even close to the flippant arrogance of the original GWB lines. I suppose we should all police our headlines a bit more carefully.

(Community Matters) Princeton Associate Professor of Politics & African American Studies, Melissa Harris-Lacewell on Judge Sotomayor’s confirmation in the Nation

The hearing was a performance of a broader set of social rules that govern race and gender interactions in American politics. Women, and most especially black and brown women, have to prove their fitness for public life by demonstrating the ability to endure harsh brutality without openly fighting back. The ability to bear up under public degradation is a test of worth. America’s favorite black woman heroine is Rosa Parks, a woman who is remembered as silently enduring the humiliation of being ejected from a public bus for refusing to comply with segregated seating.

It was painful to witness (though, admittedly I only did so ex post facto). It was almost funny to hear the white conservative men ridicule and taunt Sotomayor for acknowledging that her diversity would bring a helpful perspective to the court. Then, I remember it’s all about power and privilege and no group gives up either willingly.

(Community Matters) Immigration reform to include same-sex couples.

(Community Matters) I’ve written to United Way’s Interim President and CPO Debbie Bresette and am hoping to hear back. I’m concerned that they’ve named their newsletter Community Matters and am hoping they’ll respect the franchise of this blog and my use of the name since Sept 12, 2006.

(Community Matters) My earlier post noted Cameron and I shopped at the Downtown Farmers’ Market this morning. As we purchased just a few items – some tomatoes, onions, garlic, squash, watermelon and goat cheese – I was startled by the prices. We discussed this and I acknowledged wanting to help sustain local farms, and I don’t want to be gouged.

Once we returned home, popped over to Wheatsville to compare prices. Three organic tomatoes of very similar weight from the same local, organic farm cost twice as much at the Farmers’ Market as they would have cost *retail* at Wheatsville. The watermelon, not the same farm but another organic, local producer, again double Wheatsville retail price at the Farmers’ Market. The onion – also double.

I’m not sure exactly what’s going on here. Doesn’t feel right paying double the retail cost. Doesn’t speak well of Farmers’ Market ambition to bring healthy, local produce to most Austinites. As a new advisory council member for the Sustainable Food Center, I feel compelled to pursue these questions with the organization (they run the Farmers’ Market). Appreciate any thoughts readers might have on the topic.

(Community Matters) On the six members of the Senate he says are being hypocritical about pushing for cost reductions – that they’re in fact protecting the status quo. Krugman here

(Community Matters) Jonathan Tamez in from Portland, OR. Steven and I had dinner with him last night at Julio’s, which was packed, packed, packed. So good to see our dear friend – which would have been even better if his husband, Prof. Keith Walters (soon to be dept chair) had been with him – who we miss and who is down representing a client at SAT immigration court.

@julio’s, we were seated outdoors next to John McGrath & his three out-of-the-park adorable children: Grace (5yo) and the 2yo twins, Evan & Luke. Jennifer McGrath evidently out with the girls.

After an 8 to 10pm nap, I was ready to go, so Michael Mitchell over for some wine in the pool house (nope, still no cigars, now on day 12 smoke free) where we discussed his newest play – I so enjoyed reading the draft of first act, I’m a bit impatient waiting on act II – life, health, public profiles, our friend Robert, Betty & Senior, Milinda, Melissa’s tour of Prague. Decided to show MM the new gate into Wheatsville, and while we were on the other side, decided what the hell, let’s hit Spider House – what a great idea. It was hopping and felt like a hipster.

This am, Cameron Lockley picked me up so we could hit the Downtown Famers’ Market. Cameron has moved back to Austin. After three successful years at Deloitte in Dallas, Cameron moved to Houston to work in his cousin’s restaurant (Catalan) to learn the business – he’s always been a gifted cook. He’s now moved to Austin as a manager for Eddie Bernal’s 34th Street Cafe. Great having Cameron back in town; he’s quite dear to me & Steven – an adopted godchild, along with Melissa Henderson

Observations about prices at the Farmers’ Market – good gosh. I’ll post separately on this one.

We’re looking forward to dinner tonight with Carla & Jack McDonald and Kirk Rudy (though Kirk delayed in Denver, on return from orientation with Sam at Boulder). rats, Amy can’t join us; she’s still in Michigan. hmm, miss her. think I’ll call her now!

(Community Matters) Running in districts where a little nudge and/or cover might be needed for their elected representatives.

(Community Matters) Thank you. May you rest in peace and reconnect with Betsy.

Our condolences to your family, especially Kate and Will.

(Community Matters) My friend Don Boyd responding to my posting on Zen:

The Sufi quotation reminded me of a Rotary Club slogan my father used to display in his office:

The Rotary Four-Way Test : Of the things we think, say or do, ask: Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Who knew that some Rotarian was acquainted with Sufism?

(Community Matters) Evan Smith, president & editor-in-chief of Texas Monthly, today announced his resignation to launch the Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, non-partisan public media organization being founded with Austin Ventures’ general partner John Thornton.

“The media landscape has changed before our eyes, and the challenges facing serious journalism will still be with us when the economy comes back,” Smith says. “While the for-profit business model isn’t going away, we must compliment the good work that newspapers and other media outlets are producing by coming up with innovative methods of funding journalism in the public interest. We hope to forge strong partnerships to ensure that all Texans are talking and thinking about the issues of the day. Civic engagement is too important to leave to the vagaries of market forces.”

The Tribune has raised more than $2 million to date and expects to raise double that amount by year’s end – meaning the organization will have the resources to cover, at a minimum: the 2010 election cycle, the 2011 legislative session, the next round of redistricting and the 2012 election cycle – including the presidential election. At that point, the Tribune will consider expanding its focus into other areas of life in Texas demanding deep-dive coverage.

Austin Ventures’ John Thornton is the Tribune’s founding Chairman. “We want to build a trusted and self-sustaining media brand over the next ten years,” says Thornton. “While we hope to make an important contribution to the future of journalism, what’s important is that the people of Texas feel a sense of ownership in the Tribune.”

(Community Matters)

photo J.R.Laughlin

Plenty written about and already said. I nearly let it pass me by but feeling compelled to note how proud of our president I continue to be/even am just a little bit more after his speech last night.