Conrad New York

Stay: May 13-17, River view suite using a gillzion (all we had) points plus $500.  

Status:  Hilton Honors Gold

The Hotel is Downtown across the street from the Memorial to the Victims of the 19th Century Irish Famine, along the Hudson River; about a block from the World Trade Tower.  The Hotel is literally a work of Modern Arts.  Lots of original art including an amazing atrium art piece(s).  

This hotel consists of all suites – it was initially branded as an Embassy Suites but years ago was up-branded.  This was a return visit for us since we had such a nice stay before.  

We spend more time in then room than most, I think, so the size and quality of the room is important to us – also a good view.

The Location worked for us since two major activities were within walking distance and plus there is convenient access to the subway via the shopping mall and Oculus.  There are a variety of restaurants and takeaways in addition to the hotel restaurant which had good breakfasts.  The Honors Gold Breakfast benefit is to order off a limited set of entrees with juice and coffee, or a $20 credit person for ordering other items.  BTW the $8 side of bacon is a value!

The staff were all pleasant and helpful.

The hotel suite is a standout design with plenty of room to spread out, a nice bathroom with a walk-in shower with rain head, hand held wand and the most water pressure I have had in a hotel room.  The suite has lovely wood built-in for closets, desk and wet bar.  A mini refrig/freezer is available upon request at no charge and the maids are generous with the branded bottled water.

Bottom Line: Super accommodations if a bit pricy

This afternoon, June 6, 2008, the Obama campaign had a nation wide conference call for LGBT folks. It appeared primarily as an out reach to Clinton folks, which as many know included lots of GLBT Leaders. The call was led by Deputy Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrandt who reached out as well as reported that the campaign has been working for 6 weeks on the plans, budget and processes for gearing up a Presidential campaign in all 50 states and 7 territories (excuse me for a parochial thought, but I live in a District not a territory, even if none of us have representation but DC alone has taxation).

Elizabeth Birch talked about her transition from Clinton to Obama and the camapign journey’s meaning to her 9 year old bi-racial adopted twins. Joe Solmonese announced HRC endorsement of Obama today (http://www.hrc.org/10571.htm) And my favorite David Mixner talked well of the naturalness of Obama’s support and understanding of gay folk.

DC Dems are having a LGBTQ Kiss and Make Up at Halo this Sunday!

Fired Up Ready To Go

Selling of AMERICA

USA TODAY on-line has an article today about unknown foreigners buying into CSX Railroad. The declining dollar and America’s collective debts are leading to small and large scale selling of America assets to foreigners who may or may not share America’s ideals, and Senators expressing concern.
(http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2008-06-04-railsecurity_N.htm?loc=interstitialskip )

This is another sign that America's (Gov't, Businesses and Individuals) overspending and debt is coming home to roost. Politicians of both parties refuse to acknowledge that we have to pay for what we buy. Republicans especially are guilty of hypocrisy in both saying they believe in fiscal responsibility, but refusing to pay for their war spending and even worse demonizing government to create self-serving political barriers (mostly through misinformation and fear) to fair and adequate taxation.

It is hard to not fulfill all our desires – myself included, but we must hunker down, buck it up, tough it out and take the necessary action to restrain our spending. I believe our biggest error/sin/brokenness (however you want to characterize this) is our opulent living – again I am just as guilty as the next person, but now is the time to come to the aide of our country and our children’s future.

I believe electing Barack Obama President is the most important collective action Americans can take after individually reigning in our own spending and helping our families and friends who might be part of the painful economic fallout that will be a big, unfortunate part of this corrective action. Senator Obama’s refusal to play the same old games with a wink and a nod as demonstrated by his refusal to support a gas tax holiday is clearly a sign of great leadership that the country sorely needs.

Remember when the current president took office the federal government had annual budget surpluses and was paying down the long term debt. Greedy Republicans had the power to say budget surpluses are bad things so they cut our taxes and did not pay for a foolish war and on going occupation.

Say no to buying that next thing you really don’t need (repeat) and say NO to republicans in November.