Bittersweet

Although the election did not turn out as I had planned I am walking away from this experience with my head held high. I knew that this was a possibility and I knew from day one that my age would play a huge factor in the way people would vote or not vote in my favor. But I can say that it was a tight race and I am proud of that and I thank all of those people who voted for me and showed their support and confidence in my ability to lead a County Democratic Party. This is not the end by any means and I do not plan to back down when it comes to calling for organization at the County level. Nor, does this mean I will not continue to work for the county Democratic party in any way. I congratulate the winner Mrs. Smith and I look forward to working with her in the weeks leading up to the County Convention. I hope to attend the State Convention with her in June in Corpus!! Thanks again for the support so many of you showed and we will get them next time!!

The State of the Union

Yes, tonight all of the news networks are buzzing. You can turn on Fox News and hear the fair and balanced news. I say that with the fair and balanced scale tipping to the right. Or, you can watch CNN and hear both sides and see Anderson Cooper in Haiti. You can turn on MSNBC and just listen to people talking. I prefer CNN but that is just me. I found the speech very uplifting. Yes, people think that the president is a huge failure already and he has not done anything but, he did address some major issues tonight. The one point I would like to make is that regardless if you are a Democrat or a Republican if you are elected to an office you should do your duty and represent all of the people that you serve. Like our Representative Conaway and the hate he came to Comanche preaching. How we should call friends in other states and have them call their Senators to tell them to vote no on the Health Care Bill. That solves nothing. What really turned me off was when I asked him a question and he lost his temper. It was just a simple question.."If you could of changed something in the bill what would it of been?" It is not like I called him out on some major issue that he has not addressed. I should of asked why he is not looking at the bills he votes on not as a Democratic bill or Republican bill but as a plain bill. I guess that many that approach Washington and are elected to positions like that are partial and vote party lines but, I would like to see someone who would for once just vote based on his or her belief. Like Kay Bailey who said that she was Pro-Choice. Perhaps that is not what Republicans want to hear but props to her for at least going against the grain. I will not vote in the Republican primary but, if I did I would not vote for her nor Pretty Boy Perry. I hope he wins though because that means we might have a Democratic governor in Texas!! I would vote for the third woman who was so straight and to the point during the debate it was just great. Tonight's speech I felt was needed it was needed to reaffirm that the president inherited many problems that we are faced with now and yes there has been improvement. But, change takes time. It does not happen overnight turning around an economy that has been falling for eight years. As he said we had a surplus in 2000 and when he walked in the door the deficit was the highest in history. Yes he has added to it but, he did mention how he would pay for it. He is proposing very strong and interesting actions but, if we can just get past party lines and work as Americans I feel that these actions can be done.

Taking Chances...A Good Idea or Bad?

Have you ever taken a chance? Have you ever done something in your life that you had no control over the outcome of your actions? For me I have always liked to stay in my own personal safety bubble but, I learned quite along time ago that sometimes it is ok to burst your own bubble. So many times in life we choose a path that leads into the darkness but, as the Scarecrow said in The Wizard of Oz "It can only get darker before it gets lighter again." Interesting concept for perhaps out of decisions that have led us into the darkness there is still light at the end of the tunnel. When you reach the light it is a feeling of accomplishment for you know that you battled and fought the good fight for yourself. So many times people just give up and throw in the towel. But, I do believe that there is someone upstairs that will help carry you through the darkness as it tries to take you over. So I am challenging myself once again to take another chance. I don't know what it is yet but I am going to step out of my comfort zone and try something new. You know so many times we always seem to get stuck in the same old routine of things and that can be so dangerous. For you become like a robot just living your life as if each new day is the same as the one before. As Auntie Mame said in the movie, "Life is a banquet and most sons of bitches are starving to death." That is very true. For so long I was stuck in the same routine but I decided that I wanted to progress my surroundings. Well progression begins with one's self and so I switched things around and began getting involved to see if we couldn't see something different and the outlook is good. For, people are seeing that progression has so much potential if done correctly. But, you have to take a chance. There are many people taking chances in my hometown and it fills me with joy. For, we have so much potential I can gradually see that progression is right around the corner. But, it is the fear of change that scares most people off from making taking that one chance that could benefit them in the long run.

That's All

HRH JDH

Why am I running?

Over the course of the past month many people have asked me. "Why are you running." Many people do not understand why I am doing what I am doing. Well it is not for any glory or fame it is because I want to see some much needed organization within the County's democratic party. Regardless of which party you follow or if you just do not follow any party there is always a need for organization. There are rules in place so that everything is done correctly and I have seen rules broken. Now, I know that I have not always obeyed the laws yes I speed sometimes going down the highway and I have broken others and I have admitted my mistakes and done my retribution for my shortcomings. But, the voting process is a right that is given to us and I feel that we take it for granted. Every vote does count I firmly believe and you know I love politics because it gives me a passion that nothing else does. I have yet to wavier on my beliefs nor compromise my standards to please others. I have been calling for organization for two years now. Do you know where that landed me in the party. I was cut off by our former County Chair. Then she decides that she is going to step down and does not tell anyone and went down a list asking people and finally she found someone who would take the position. Now I find it funny in elections when there is more than one name on the ballot people say some pretty funny things. I was working with Ernie Casbeer's campaign in the 2008 election and I was given the names of every registered democrat in Comanche County. I do believe my list was printed after the primary and there was one name that was not on there. Mistake perhaps I do not know but the husband's name was on there. Where was she? A question that will never be answered. I am not trying to be mean or ugly but I am very protective of my political views and the party itself. The people that give their time at the Pow Wow each year are dear to me. That shows that we still have a spark of interest in the party and it only takes a spark. I hope if given the chance I can turn the spark into a fire. Then later this year we have our State Convention in Corpus Christi which I hope not to miss. The last one was a blast minus when I locked my keys in my car. I was amazed to see people that were just as passionate as me and I became friends with a girl who is the county chair in Llano county and was elected as a national delegate and got to go to Denver to the National Democratic Convention. I did not apply but, the stories I got and the phone calls that I got during speeches filled me up. It is so awesome to see so many people with the same beliefs it makes you feel like you are not alone. The best part was when our petition that I began in my apartment was forced to the floor by passing the rules committee. They threw a State Senator and then we were forced to evacuate the building for an "Emergency Situation" we were told to walk across the street and I was talking to someone from Austin and I told him, "I hope it is not a bomb for we will all die from glass impaction." Ten minutes later they let us in. It was struck down but, our Senate District voted not to table the resolution which made me feel as though I had made a slight difference. Perhaps one honest voice is louder than a crowds and fake bomb threats. I would be honored if you would vote for me for County Chair. Early voting begins on February 16th at the Courthouse and ends on Tuesday February 23. The polls are open from 8:00-7:00 I do believe. Together with your support and your advice we can better this county party with organization and a simple idea that everyone is welcome!!

Thanks For Your Time,
HRH JDH

It's Christmas Time!!

Yes,

It is that time again with your last minute shoppers running through the mall looking for the perfect gift for that perfect somebody. I was in Ft. Worth last weekend and I happened to be in Macy's and you would not believe some of the gifts that are on the shelves this year. I personally would settle for First Row Seats to Adam Lambert's first Concert hint hint but a nice set of Waterford would not be too bad either!!! My how this year has flown by and pretty soon we are going to say goodbye 2009 and hello 2010. What are you doing for NYE or New Years Eve? I think I am going to Brennan Vineyards but, I do have other invites out there I think I will just stay home it will result in me less likely to get into trouble. Trouble? Me? Never....But back to Christmas. I hope that each and every one of you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! God Bless You All and I will see you on New Years Eve!! Hopefully!!

Dawson

Thanksgiving Day and Christmas is on the way!!

Well it is around three forty five in the afternoon and the Christmas decorations on the square are still there which gives me a positive outlook!! I guess the invisible electric fence works!! The lights have been lit and Perkin's Electric has done a wonderful job lighting the buildings and the courthouse. They also lit Woodley & Dudley, The Chief and Comanche National Bank. Well there are some things to come up in Comanche and the primary purpose of this blog is The 12 Days of Christmas scavenger hunt that will begin next Friday. Many business have contributed to this project and each day we will post a store that you must go into find the clue and try to guess what Christmas Carol the clue is!! I am challenging all of you if you can or have the time to participate. There are fifteen businesses that will have clues and although it is just twelve days I am sure that you will have to go to more than one place in one day. We will keep you updated. But, the stuff donated is pretty awesome and if you participate and are my friend on Facebook and you win. I will throw in a surprise myself just for my friends on Facebook. This is just a challenge to see if you can figure out the clues that I have in store for you!!! Good Luck lets see if anyone can figure out my clues....We will see!!

Comanche Wins.....The Holiday Madness is About To Begin!!

Well we did see another eventful evening in Comanche last night. Following the win by the Comanche Indians in Abilene. Saturday night was packed with things to do receptions at the Country Club or Second Saturday Sounds at the Vineyards. I have been told that it was not the case of one event taking away from another instead it was the fact that people are just not attending events. I wonder why that is? Usually, there is nothing to do in Comanche but, sometimes we do run across a great party or event that has great music!! Which makes me wonder if anyone is going to show up for the Christmas Parade on the 12th of December and stay for the live entertainment after. This is the first time we are having this and this year we are taking a whole new approach to Christmas in Comanche we are hoping that music and unique entertainment will provide for some holiday memories that you will not forget. So many of us are constantly on the go it is either a meeting here or there and we do not take time to stop and forget all of our worries just for one night. That is what I hope it will be like on the square for so many. I hope that for once Christmas in our little town will be a magical experience that you will not forget the next day. Come at least to see the group from Dallas that is coming to perform. You have to be at least 45 years old to be eligible for this group and have professional tap experience. They are great ladies and they are coming all the way because they just enjoy spreading joy and they are quite a bunch. They are good too!! Plus they wear the costumes covered in sequins and they change in sixty seconds. I can not even get my jeans off in sixty seconds and Dolce and Gabanna is really easy to get off!! I just wonder what is going on with the citizens of this town. I hope that our community is not becoming a depressive one for there are many challenges ahead. Not everything is easy and sometimes you are the only person in the room with a firm belief that no one else believes but, you still hold your head up high. That happened this past week at an event that I attended I was invited and showed up and I listened to how fear is used to spread around so many versions of the truth. I believed differently I am sure and was the only one in the room with my beliefs and it was quite disturbing how after doing some fact checking some of the things said were not true. Then once again I was a subject of gossip for even showing up to the meeting as a conversation was overheard at a local cafe about me. I guess some people have either nothing better to talk about are I come off as a threat. What ever the case it was funny to me. I know that there were intelligent people there especially a lady whom I have the up most respect for who knew that she was being fed some b/s. But I move on to this week where I am attending a gala at the Bass Hall in Ft. Worth and I have a Doctor's appointment in Dallas the next day so it is off to my second home away from home a lovely flat in Downtown Ft. Worth for two days. Then it is school, Christmas planning and we begin the pageant prep. Not complaining I guess there is no rest for the wicked. If you need anything please call or want more information on anything I am sure you can find me in the afternoons having my coffee and thinking about the world. Right now I am thankful that unlike the Scarecrow I was given a brain!! It is when I use it now that is the scary part....until next time!! Chow!!