Congratulations President-Elect Obama

I had hoped to put this up first thing in the morning, but I had to go to Crisfield.

Last night was an historic event. America elected an African-American as our next President. While I have long predicted that the first woman, and the first African-American Presidents would be Republicans I am obviously wrong on at least one count. There were no riots in the streets. The sun rose this morning. Our flag still has 13 stripes and 50 stars.

On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama will be MY President. He is to be congratulated for this great accomplishment. He and his people ran a nearly flawless campaign. Whether we agree with his policies or not, he will be OUR President - worthy of our support and respect.

Does this mean that I won't be criticizing a President Obama? Of course not. Whether we have a President Obama for four or eight years, I will be an outspoken member of the loyal opposition. As President-Elect Obama floats trial balloons and President Obama attempts to formulate and implement policy these proposals will have to be analyzed and either supported or opposed.

In all honesty, I am more worried about the Republican party right now than I am a future under President Barack Obama. Here in my own little corner of the world, I can joke with my friend Ernie Leatherbury (Chairman of the Wicomico Democrat Central Committee) and congratulate him on a job well done. I can call up my friend Jim Ireton (another Democrat Central Committee member) and congratulate him. Yet, the First District election is not even decided yet and I am seeing mean spirited attacks on fine people from within my own party (in print and in person).

There are people in the Republican party who I disagree with on certain things. That's fine. I disagree with my Democrat friends on almost everything EXCEPT - we all care about the future of our country. We just disagree on the best way of going about it.

On November 14th we should know who won the Congressional race. If Frank Kratovil wins, I will congratulate him. If, as I hope, Andy Harris wins I will congratulate him. In either case, I will respect both men (and their staffs and volunteers) for waging a hard fought campaign.

In the meantime, we need to accept the fact that those who supported a winning candidate will want to crow about it. We shouldn't take it personally - unless the attack is personal. Even then, we should be a little more forgiving.

Campaigns are (relatively) easy. Governing is hard. The real battles begin in January.

Starting tomorrow, I will begin boring you with a series of thank you's, along with the normal banter.

I'm Not A Big Fan Of Bob Ehrlich

I'm not a big fan of Bob Ehrlich. Despite my being a republican, I think he squandered a glorious opportunity as Governor - particularly in regards to renewable energy initiatives.

On the bad side of things, I believe he appointed 'a boy to do a man's job' at the Public Service Commission. He appointed Kenny Schisler - former House of Delgate for Talbot & Wicomico - as chairman of the PSC. Schisler helped to cost Ehrlich his job. You see the Public Service Commission - (PSC) - proposed amendments to a key Renewable Energy Bill - SB-167. If the Maryland Legislature had implemented the proposed amendments, then, it would have thwarted virtually any renewable energy initiative including wind, solar, hydrogen fuel cell. As I was there to testify in favor of the Senate Bill, I was appalled to learn that the PSC had officially proposed to water down Maryland's net metering laws by eliminating the distribution and generation credits for people deciding to install their own renewable power systems. Though Ehrlich touted himself to be a renewable energy advocate - 'he didn't walk the talk'. There are very few people who knew about the PSC's action. But the PSC's proposed amendments speak loud about their intent.

On a positive note, we got a much better Legislator for Wicomico and Talbot, Jeannie Haddaway - Riccio. Now she is the real deal, a true Renewable Energy Advocate who 'walks the talk'.

Fortunately for Marylanders, the Committee decided to not adopt the PSCs flawed amendments.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2006rs/billfile/SB0167.htm

Breaking News On Andy Harris vs. Frank Kratovil

If Andy Harris gets 52.25% of the absentee votes he'll win the election. Man, this thing could actually come down to the military votes Ladies & Gentlemen. Then again, it could go the other way, so time will tell! They start counting the ballots tomorrow morning.

Obama Vandalism

Joe:

These are pictures of my wonderful car after the Election last night (I got home at 12). I am an Obama supporter and I am glad that he won last night but this has gone way to far. Yes, this is spray paint. Hopefully it will come off. These people need to be caught somehow and pay the punishment.

I do not blame Obama or most of his supporters but these radical actions need to stop. Obama is here to stay for at least four years now. Accept it and move on.

Michael G

P.S. Great job with the blogging.

2008 Wicomico Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade

Joe,

You have always given us publicity in the past and we wanted to give you the updated information. The Wicomico Yacht Club 2008 Christmas Boat Parade will be held Saturday evening November 29. The parade format has changed this year. The fleet will depart Wicomico Yacht Club at approximately 4:15PM and proceed up river toward Salisbury. We should arrive in downtown Salisbury about 6:30PM and immediately the fleet will move back down the river and arrive back at WYC around 8:30PM. The public may view the parades return to the club from WYC grounds. This will give spectators along the river two opportunities to view the display. For additional information please call 410-430-2282.

Thanks For Your Support,
Wicomico Yacht Club,
Scott McCurdy, Commodore

Andy Harris Makes Statement On Election

Andy Harris released the following statement:


My parents immigrated to the United States to flee Communism with the hope of a better life for themselves and their children. Their experience taught me early on to believe in and trust the democratic process in America, where we have a fair and just system of laws in place to make sure every vote cast is counted fairly.

I will work with the County Boards of Elections and Mr. Kratovil's campaign to make sure that we come to a conclusion quickly, so that we can get back to work for the people of the First District. I have complete confidence in our election system and the men and women responsible for making sure that the process of counting each vote is fair and straightforward.

Duvall Calls It Quits?

"THATS IT

This seems like an appropriate moment to chuck the whole blogging caper, go underground, and persue other endeavors; including, without limitation, the protection of assets from dissapation, confiscation and redistribution.

My heartfelt thanks to those ( who know who they are) whose contributions of leads and links, as well as general encouragement, were an essential ingredient in whatever measure of success we achieved.

"AUX BARRICADES ", or, if you prefer "SECESSION NOW"."

Are you sure it wasn't the vision of seeing all those comments in a matter of a few hours on my Blog that finally made you realize no one is viewing your Blog anyway?

Nevertheless, thanks for all that you have done Bill. My guess is that you'll be back anyway or you're reaching for some serious attention but if I'm wrong, (which obviously I've experienced a lot of that lately, lol) thank you for all that you have given over the years. I, (of all people) can clearly say that I feel your pain and know just what it takes to do this each and every day. Enjoy your retirement in good health.

Republicans Got What They Deserve, Americans Got What They Wanted

There's no denying they system worked this go around and Americans weren't screwed out of a Presidency.

Overwhelmingly throughout the Country people voted out the incumbents, (YES) and demanded CHANGE. While some are saying I have sold out the Republican Party, you have to be NUTS to believe any of that garbage. George Bush sold out the Republican Party. Congress sold out the Republican Party. The games are over and damn it, it's about time.

As you followed this Blog for the past two to three months, I never once swayed away from my message as a Republican. I clearly stated that I would vote my party line in this election and I did so. I stated that Obama was a good man as well as Kratovil. Am I torn about the meaning of CHANGE, hell yes I am and if you say you're not comfortable about how this Country has been run the past 8 years, you need help.

Would McCain have changed things for the better? No, I personally do not believe so. However, again, as I stated in the past, neither Presidential Candidate will do well over the next 4 years, we're that screwed thanks to George Bush.

I'm sure many of you can imagine, my phone is ringing off the hook and what you're reading is exactly the message I'm spreading.

As for the Congressional Race, Andy Harris vs. Frank Kratovil. Again, I stated Frank was a good man and Frank knows the one on one conversation we had outside Holloway Hall a few weeks ago. I meant what I said to him. However, it was after that day Frank Kratovil lied to the public by stating the Daily Times retracted a quote and they absolutely did not. He could have worded it professionally and stated a completely different article was written by a completely different reporter but there was no correction and there was no retraction.

Do I feel Andy Harris will make a better Congressman, ABSOLUTELY! Does either Candidate have this thing won? Absolutely Not! When Andy Harris spoke at Holloway Hall, he failed to reach the people. He came off arrogant and I believe that hurt his race dramatically. It must be understood however, Andy has experience and while he was simply answering questions with great confidence, he didn't carry himself with an attitude of, I want your vote.

I will also state that Bonnie Lunna was nothing short of a pain in the a$$ throughout this entire campaign and rather than the Central Committee selling the McCain/Palin/Harris race, she kept Andy out of that connection and the numbers clearly show the end result of her drive. McCain did well in Wicomico County, Andy Harris did not. Bonnie, (IMO) is a scary individual in which you never know what's up her sleeve.

There's a lot of finger pointing and blaming going on everywhere in America today. When your knocked down and out, you don't get back up and take the same beating over and over again, you move forward and accept your loss. Yeah, there's going to be a lot of bellyaching over the next year, perhaps more. All I can say is, I stuck to my Party and I am so pleased that I live in the State of Delaware. Maryland has some serious issues and it's not going to be an easy road to travel in that sate for many years to come.

For me personally. I'm looking forward to watching Obama deliver his message to Americans. I'm happy to believe that he'll not once get on that television and tell me he sees weapons of mass destruction. I'm going to enjoy watching the Democrats pull us out of this DEPRESSION we are in or heading into. I want nothing more than to be able to say to everyone here, well, they most certainly did it. I'm confident we wouldn't be saying those same words if McCain had been elected.

So even though I was just a child when we heard the great words from Martin Luther King, "I Have A Dream," the dream has come through and as Americans you should all be extremely proud and embrace victory. Now let's keep this man safe and this time give America a chance to heal. Let's bring our Troops home and end this war in Iraq. South Korea & South Vietnam survived, so will Iraq.

I'm encouraged to sit back and watch democracy at its best and I hope all of you are too.

John McCain Concedes With Class

"Tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for its citizens. Whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent, and will be my President. And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties, but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America because nothing is inevitable here. Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history, we make history."

--John McCain

Beaglin Park Drive

"WHY has the north corridor road (Beaglin Park Drive) not been opened yet? It has been finished for more than a month complete with street lights, and is still closed. The daily Slime announced this completion a month ago, but has had no more news on it since then Is it condemned already?"

A Letter To The Editor

"After voting yesterday, I was able to do a complete news blackout. I did not turn on the TV, or radio, even last night. I did not find out any election results until I got up at 6:30 this morning. The United States of American has survived a lot of wars and disasters in the last 200 plus years. I pray that we will survive this one as well.

Now I am going back to bed........ I'll get back up in four years."

Obama Wins

You have to tip your hat to President Elect Obama. There are many challenges ahead and if there's one thing that's more important than any other time in this United States of America, we must all stand together to get through the many challenges we face.

The day has come where America has finally grown to the point where we finally have a Black President and that in itself shows just how much we've grown. For those of you who are bitter, change is always difficult to accept but we deal with that every day of our lives and this presidency will prove we are the greatest Nation on Earth.

God Bless America and God Bless President Elect Obama.

Dont forget the new national anthem

I'd like to buy the world a home And furnish it with love Grow apple trees and honey bees And snow white turtle doves.Chorus:I'd like to teach the world to sing In perfect harmony I'd like to buy the world a CokeAnd keep it company That's the real thing.(Repeat chorus)I'd like to teach the world to sing In perfect harmony I'd like to buy the world a Coke And keep it company That's the real thingChorus 2:What the world wants today Coca-Cola (background)Is the real thing (Repeat chorus 2)What the world wants today Coca-Cola (background)Is the real thing I'd like to teach the world to singSing with me (background)In perfect harmonyI'd like to buy the world a Coke And keep it company That's the real thing(Repeat chorus)I'd like to teach the world to sing In perfect harmony I'd like to buy the world a Coke And keep it company That's the real thing.(Chorus 2)What the world wants today Coca-Cola (background)Is the real thing (Repeat chorus 2)What the world wants today Coca-Cola (background)Is the real thing

Late Start

Its now 2:31 AM and I'm just turning in for the night. While I expect a late start in the morning, expect things to get pretty lively during the day. Hopefully our Contributors fill in for me in the mean time.

The Race Tightens Between Kratovil & Harris

I just got some more poll reports and while a Baltimore District STILL hasn't reported, the difference is now 700 votes. This thing is so close it isn't funny. Talk about exciting! I wonder how many days this will last?

1st Congressional Race Won't Be Decided Until Friday

With Andy Harris down at this very moment by about 1,000 votes, the 21% worth of district not yet reporter will be in Harris' favor. However, there are about 12,000 absentee ballots left that will be counted starting Thursday and they, (Harris) expect to get 55% of those votes. The word is they won't have final numbers in until Friday.

That being said, this race is neck to neck and Campaign Manager Chris Meekins said Andy Haris wasn't coming downstairs until the final numbers are in.

You also have to tip your hat to Frank Kratovil for yet another well fought campaign. The Democrats AND Republicans truly have spoken this year and quite frankly, America wants CHANGE.

It's going to be a long week for these two gentlemen and it will certainly keep things lively on the Blogs as well. You might even say the Daily Times will sell some additional papers to boot.

I'm not sure just how long I'm going to hang out here tonight because it really makes no difference. This 1st District election will not be made this evening, period.