Want to Buy a Piece of History?

The Dallas Morning News is selling a picture (in various sizes) shot by one of its staff of the new "First Family" of the United States during the victory celebration at Grant Park in Chicago Tuesday night. Click the link below to see the picture and to place your order. If for some reason the link doesn't work, just cut and paste into your browser.

AND/OR

You can buy a reprint of the front page of today's Dallas Morning News which includes the pic from above and all the accompanying headlines. You can also choose to have your item professionally framed.

http://www.pictopia.com/perl/ptp/dallasmn?photo_name=2008/11/081104_NPO_04OBAMAbarack4.jpg&embedded=y&thumbnail_url=www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/pt/photos/2008/11/081104_NPO_04OBAMAbarack4.jpg&title=&pps=dmnpt&time=1225915152502
I'll be placing my order tonight.

If you're feeling the pinch of the recession, fear not. There will be a special commemorative section in Sunday's edition of Dallas Morning News. And you can always cut things out of the paper and frame them yourself.

UPDATE: Beware of shipping charges. I ordered a framed reprint of the front page and the shipping cost was $37.95. That's waaaaay steep.

CONGRATULATIONS President-Elect BARACK OBAMA !!!

Election Night Watch Parties

Dallas County Democratic Party will be gathering at a street festival on N. Bishop Ave tonight beginning at 6pm. Visit http://www.pegasusnews.com/events/2008/nov/04/121114/ for more info.

Friendship-West Baptist Church and Dallas South will be gathering at 7pm for an all out election party tonight. Visit http://dallassouthblog.com/2008/10/15/friendship-westdallas-south-election-watch-party-adds-fred-hammond-geno-young-don-diego-added-to/ for more info.

Texas Democrats will be gathering at 7pm at Clipso Sports Bar &Grill (Dallas, TX)
7307 S Westmoreland Road Dallas, TX 75237.

A random group of Obama Supporters are gathering at Gilley's at 7pm. Visit http://www.dallasobserver.com/events/obama-dallas-election-party-1134536/ for more info.

Republicans will gather at 5pm at the Radisson, 6060 N. Central Expressway in Dallas.

Old Republic 2922 N Hall St, Dallas, TX has election-inspired drink specials all night.

Iron Cactus is hosting Democrats tonight. 1520 Main St, Dallas, TX

NOTE: Please don't think that I am intentionally biased towards the Democratic party. The truth is I did a google search for "Dallas election watch party" and I found only one event for Republicans. If you know of other Republican watch parties, please tell me and I will post straight away.

It's Game Day

Remember, you can only vote at your official polling location. Visit the website below to find your polling location. You must enter the address that appears on your current voter registration card. If you don't have your card, enter the address you used the last time you registered to vote. If you arrive at the polls and are told you are in the wrong place, the volunteers/staff present should be able to direct you to the appropriate location. Don't be deterred and don't delay. Voting is your right and your responsibility.

http://www.dalcoelections.org/findprecinct.asp

Bob Schieffer's Mother Was Right!

Texas native, Bob Schieffer, ended the last of the 2008 presidential debates with this quotation from his mother, "Go vote now. It will make you feel big and strong."

I just left my early voting location and that's exactly how I feel. I didn't have to wait in line, but there was a steady stream of voters in and out of the library and the voting booths stayed full. It's an exhilarating feeling to exercise the rights that my people fought so hard for. It is both humbling and empowering. I hope I never lose this feeling.

You can vote early through October 31, 2008. For a list of early voting locations click here.

Election day is November 4, 2008.

BE A PART OF THE PROCESS!!!

Yes We Can Have the Audacity to Hope that Our Faithful Fathers Put Country First! (or something like that)

No matter how politically conscious I think I am, I am always brought down a peg or two when I step up to the election booth. I start out strong. President/VP, check. U.S. Senator, check. U.S. Congressman (or woman), check. State Representative, check. Then I discover that there are not less than 10 local/state elections that I knew nothing about. Never heard of the offices; never heard of the candidates; don’t know what they are supposed to do in office.

I am trying to do better this year, but learning about all the myriad political offices up for grabs in my state is a daunting task. Fortunately, the Dallas Morning News website makes it easier. I found this lovely page that allows you to enter your address and it shows you all the races for your voting district. It even allows you to compare the positions of the candidates running in each race. Some of the information is incomplete but it is a wonderful place to start your research if you are so inclined.

Tip: Get started soon. If memory serves me correctly, there will be 27 races on the ballot November 4th.