It's Done - *Updated*

We are ready to roll. Frank Corte is goin' down, amigos.

We filed.

Mary Cole down at the BC Dem office verified the Chairman's signature, and kindly faxed the candidate a copy. Now seems like a good time to thank all the folks who not only said they support Larry Stallings, but have acted on that with their time in gathering signatures, giving money, educating the candidate on so many issues critical to the folks in HD 122. A savvy steering committee is taking shape, with lots of expertise to help not only prepare Larry for the campaign, but to help him after he is sworn in as the new representative from 122 in '06. We have toll road experts, education experts, a taxation and budget pro, and some medical folks are on board too, to help us speak to the complexities of health care delivery in the District. Larry also has his own "band of brothers", including Treasurer Terry, who are retired military members who not only plan to work on his behalf, but watch his back during the campaign. They are all, every one of 'em - Republicans. We have also had the informal advice of a number of political consultants, for which we are very grateful, for we couldn't have navigated the murky waters of setting up a campaign in just under 6 weeks without them advising us along the way.

In addition to all those smart people, there are some folks who have been digging pretty deep into their post-holiday pockets to help get that filing fee to the Bexar County Dems. Larry and his staff are very grateful for your financial sacrifices this time of the year.

Speaking of pocketbooks, it will help Frank's pocketbook when Larry wins. He will get a nice $54,000.00 a year retirement check. And he can go do his property development full time. With Larry watching over his shoulder.

Happy New Year and Don't Forget To File

Well, all you good Dems out there who have been thinking about doing the right thing and becoming precinct chairs - ya gotta do it right now. January 2nd at 6 PM is the last minute you can get that filing done. There is no cost to file for Democratic precinct chair, just the cost of getting your paperwork notarized, if you don't have a friend who's a notary. You can download the form here. Contact your local county party organization for more information.

C'mon, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, step up to help those of us brave souls out here running for office against Republicans - become the person who delivers your precinct to the likes of Larry Stallings and John Courage. Make taking back Texas your top New Year's resolution. Pretty please. Pretty please with hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and a cherry. (Geez, am I just noticing now that so many of my images are food images?) Become a precinct chair.

Happier New Year to all Texas Democrats!!!!!!!

I'm Catholic. What Does Chanukkah Have To Do With Me?

Today is the first day of Chanukkah, an eight day celebration of the Israelites taking back their freedom of religion over 2000 years ago. In our household, partly to remember Sam Kasser, our Jewish ancestor whose father and uncles were killed in a pogrom in 1889, and partly to remind us of the importance of the freedom to practice any religion however we are called to do so; our family celebrates Chanukkah. Usually we have celebrated this feast with great joy and gratitude for that freedom; this year we celebrate it in trembling anxiety that this freedom is threatened. At our Chanukkah dinner tonight, we will be reading the following words as a prayer for our country:

"I suggest that you preach truth and do righteousness as you have been taught, whereinsoever that teaching may commend itself to your consciences and your judgments. For your consciences and your judgments we have not sought to bind; and see you to it that no other institution, no political party, no social circle, no religious organization, no pet ambitions put such chains on you as would tempt you to sacrifice one iota of the moral freedom of your consciences or the intellectual freedom of your judgments."

From the commencement address that Isaac Sharpless gave to the Haverford College class of 1888.

Read here the post that inspired this post today.