NPR at the Obama Rally - My 25.5 Seconds of Fame

Today, I had a few people mention that they heard me on NPR (National Public Radio) this morning.

I was at the Obama rally and they grabbed me for a quick Q & A. Here's the web page and audio clip that features me for about 25.5 seconds lol (link).

Mike D. and Shawn Williams on Obama's Press Row

We were doing our thing at the Obama campaign rally today in Duncanville. I've heard things about other campaigns fronting on the bloggers. The Obama staff was a pleasure to work with.

I'll post pics later. It was an unforgettable experience. Thanks to the national staffers that put us on the "list."

Barack Obama in Duncanville on Wednesday

Thanks to my buddy Zai that hit me off with the info.

Here's the link to register. (link)

Free preferred viewing tix will be available as stated in the e-mail.

Get there EARLY. This ain't no Hillary rally with 100-200 people. It will be PACKED!

Obama has more Experience than Clinton, and how to Texas Two-Step

For a long time, Hillary Clinton has been running on the false premise of experience.

Think about it. Barack started in the Illinois state legislature in 1997; Hillary started in ELECTED office in 2001. But that's isn't what election should be about. It should be about accomplishment. Barack has been responsible for multiple bills in Illinois and in Congress where positive laws were passed. Check out this link that compares the two candidates' legislative records.

link to Obama legislative record vs. Clinton

Clinton, who has served only one full term and another year campaigning, has managed to author and pass into law 20 bills. In Obama's first year in the U.S. Senate, he authored 152 bills and co-sponsored another 427.

I don't really care about who is committed to whom in terms of endorsements because of what was done for someone way back when. There are people like Rev. Joseph Lowery that have known the Clintons for over 30 years, but are still supporting Barack Obama.

The "favor for a favor" mentality is one that has our inner-city communities in the state in which they are in now. No one is indebted to anyone forever, the well-being of our communities and this country should outweigh any favors that someone did for any person or elected official on a personal basis.

To younger voters, like myself, these personal ties are insignificant. We are the ones coming out in droves to vote for Barack. We as a group have finally heeded the call and are voting for Obama. Will you allow yourselves to be misled once again? I didn't think so.

Also, don't be fooled by those that won't tell you that you need to show up for your caucus. This is how you make sure that Hillary's people don't steal all of the delegates at the caucus. 67 of the 228 Texas delegates are up for grabs at the caucus so this is super-important.

* On Tuesday March 4th, be at your Democrat voting precinct AT 7PM to participate in the caucus. Go to the Democratic Party polling place listed. To find your voting precinct, use one of the two following links:

*Check on your registration by name (link)

*Check your registration by address (link)

Here's a flyer that explains the Texas Two-Step (link to flyer).
Then, check out this video by Barack himself explaining the process (link to video).

While you're at Barack's website, check out his views and his plan for a better America.

Dr. Sheron's Breast Cancer Builds

On Dallas Progress, I have highlighted various Dallas efforts to heighten awareness about breast cancer.

As many of you know, Highland Hills United Methodist Church's senior pastor Dr. Sheron Patterson suffered from breast cancer. For any family, such a diagnosis could be devastating. Over the past year, Dr. Sheron took her pain and turned it into power as she chronicled her road to recovery through Dallas Morning News articles, a preaching series, and other media.

As I searched through various articles, this one moved me the most. It's titled "My husband and I are fighting breast cancer side by side (link)."

You may have heard that Dr. Sheron has started a community effort called "Breast Cancer Builds." Starting March 1st (this Saturday!) and continuing each Saturday through the end of April, Dr. Sheron will lead the charge to build a Habitat for Humanity Home in South Oak Cliff. The home will be located at Bonnie View and Loop 12, and will be a vessel to raise awareness and money to provide mammograms for low-income women in North Texas and for Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.

Dr. Sheron simply needs 200 breast cancer survivors (25 per day to do one of the eight Saturdays) to complete the project. To sign up, go here. In addition to building the house, she is also raising money to provide low income women in Dallas County with 1,000 mammogram and breast health seminars.

Links:

• The full press release regarding this effort (link).
• Dr. Sheron's website (link).
• Dr. Sheron's Dallas Morning News article archive (link).
  
• The Patterson Pledge (link). Dr. Sheron needs 8,000 women by May 8th (the one-year anniversary of her surgery) to take the pledge for healthy living. Women who join will receive a welcome kit that includes a health record booklet, a lapel pin, a refrigerator magnet for a daily reminder of the pledge and a letter from Ms. Patterson. Podcasts with encouragements in the areas of eating, exercise and mammograms will be available.

Officer Identified

The DPD officer that died this morning has been identified as Senior Corporal Victor Lozada Tirado. Sr. Cpl. Lozada was a 20-year veteran of the force.

Our prayers go out to his family.

DPD Officer Died this Morning in Motorcade

I just found out that a Dallas Police Officer died this morning while on his motorcycle. The officer was escorting the Clinton motorcade for her rally in Dallas.

As is customary, I will not be doing any more posts today other than those surrounding this most unfortunate accident.

Dallas County Voting Information

Now that voting season is in full swing, here's all the info you need to vote in Dallas:

*Check on your registration - You can view your ballot ahead of time (link)

*Check your registration by address - You can view your ballot ahead of time (link)

*List of all Elections (link)

*When and where to early vote (link)

*Demonstration of Touch Screen Voting Machine (Flash player required) (link)

*Services Available to Voters with Special Needs in Texas (link)

*League of Women Voters' Presidential Primaries Online Voters Guide (link)

Barack Obama Rally in Dallas!!! It's On!

Barack will be in the building! Here are the details:

Link to register here: (link). You should be registered at the Barack website first, then sign up for the rally.

Stand for Change Rally with Barack Obama

Reunion Arena
777 Sports Street
Dallas, TX

Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Doors Open: 10:30 a.m.
Program Begins: 12:00 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, however an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Admission is on a first come, first-served basis.

For security reasons, do not bring bags. No signs or banners permitted. Please limit personal items.

Drug Houses going down in Oak Cliff, and the Mayor and Deputy Mayor never wait for backup!

On Friday, there was a press conference that signaled the last straw for a Dallas homeowner that knowingly operated a drug house in South Oak Cliff. The house is in the 2600 Block of South Ewing (map). He was sued a couple of months ago by the city, which is the legal process that is great at stopping these types of places.

The Mayor was there, along with Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway and other city officials.

Thank you to Jennifer Richie, Janet Spugnardi, Tom Perkins, and the others in the Dallas City Attorneys office. Thanks to Deputy Chief Sherryl Scott and Chief Kunkle for staying on top of the situation.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are like Butch and Sundance. I'll explain why. Before the press conference, Dwaine got a call that there was a house where an old man was selling candy but also said to be selling beer and possibly drugs. It was in South Oak Cliff, so after the cameras left Dwaine talks to the Mayor and along with some of his staff follows us in a car to the other house. Thankfully, someone told Chief Scott so several police cars followed as well.

Before I can get my seat belt off and the DPD could park, Dwaine and the Mayor hopped out of their cars and go up to the house and start banging on the door and the burglar bars. Fortunately, the homeowner was a slow mover and no danger lurked on the other side. A broken toilet, beer cans, and various debris littered the yard. Interestingly enough, the "nephew" walks down the block to see what's going on with his "uncle" and the DPD were there to intervene. This "nephew" had a bunch of pit bulls in his backyard and some issues which will be looked into.

We got to talk to some of the neighbors, which were glad the we showed up to address this street. When we said that we would work 'one block at a time,' this is what we meant.

When you tour with the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, know that they never wait for backup. This isn't the first time this has happened. We're laughing now but I wasn't on Friday, believe me.

There's a lot that the cameras don't see. So when you listen to people that never had the guts to step out on a drug house or anything significant but want to hate on what we do, know that we're in the streets. The Mayor is in the streets too. A lot of people that blog and hate on us do it from the comfort of their comfy homes while we're on the block.

We are reinforced by the people of our district and city that have our backs, not a small band of losers hanging on to their last grips on power and influence.

It's been like that since day one. Check out some of the pics from the press conference.

DART Lancaster-Kiest Station is in Shambles

On Friday, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway and I were taking a tour of our council district. This is something that we do on an ongoing basis.

Dwaine had a photo shoot at the Kiest station. The Kiest train station in Oak Cliff is a mess. The place had not been cleaned in months, maybe years. The smell of urine was everywhere. Gang graffiti littered the station, and there were broken windows at the station as well. It was flat-out disgusting. Would this happen at the Mockingbird station? I doubt it.

Gary Thomas, the embattled President of DART, was grilled on Friday about the situation. I'm glad he called back; he was at a banquet when we first called.

I think what we will have to do is have someone inspect all of the Oak Cliff stations. We have been promised that the situation will be fixed within the next couple of days.

Barack is coming to Dallas

Barack Obama will be in Dallas on Wednesday! When the location is finalized, I will let you know.

He will not be at the rally today at Fair Park. This rally is from 3-5PM. Enter Fair Park by Gate 3; the rally will be at the Hall of State.

For my H-town people, he will be in Houston at the Toyota Center on Tuesday at 6PM.

VOTING STARTS MONDAY. As I've been doing for years, I will have all of the voting info you need.

Nancy from D Mag Rocks

I just wanted to give a shout to Nancy Nichols from D Magazine.

Late last week, I was up against the wall in terms of a dinner spot for Valentine's Day (I'm a man, and these things happen). All of my planned spots were booked. For me, dinner with my wife on V-day is a must; not for the sake of doing it but because of all the stuff that I try to do in Dallas. My wife is the reason I can go all out trying to change this city knowing I have the support I need to do so. Yes, it's real like that.

Barack has Michelle. Ossie Davis had Rudy Dee. I have mine.

I was stuck. I e-mailed Nancy and she suggested Craft and also Sevy's, both of whom had spots still available. I decided to go with Sevy's on Preston; the lower in decibel level of the two.

Sevy's was also the scene of my first V-day dinner with my pretty wife way back when we were dating (long story).

Not only did Sevy (or Jimmy, I can never figure it out) get me seated when I showed up 30 minutes early with my lovely wife, but he got us a booth in the back. People were looking at us like we had pull or something. It was a good night.

The food was off the hook. Not to mention a free valet (take that, lower greenville)! Service was cool except for the waitress that didn't thank me for the tip. Thanks again for making me look good on V-day. Credit is earned where credit is due.

When is Barack coming to Dallas?

That is the big question right now. I have gotten dozens of e-mails asking for this info.

We all know about the rally and march to Fair Park next Sunday, but the time is in dispute. Some say it will be at 10AM, some say it's starting at 3PM.

If you're working high-up in Barack's campaign, let me know.

Dwaine Caraway Endorses Obama

Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway has made it official - he is endorsing Barack Obama for President! As you know, Caraway is the highest ranking African-American city official in Dallas.

He wanted me to pass the word as the Obama campaign rolls into Texas.

Community Teen Summit Moving Outside the Walls of City Hall!

For the February '08 Community Teen Summit, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway will be taking the show on the road.

The next Teen Summit will go on the road, providing local youth the chance to learn the ins and outs of the entertainment business. “Step into the Spotlight…Showcase Your Talent” will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23 at Radio One Dallas, 13331 Preston Road, Suite 1180.

Dwaine is hosting along with 97.9 The Beat and the Miss Dallas Scholarship Organization. The event will feature representatives from the modeling, acting, pageant, advertising and record industries.

Here is the press release with registration info (link to image).

Good Riddance Sunset Motel

This week, the Sunset Motel's temporary restraining order was thrown out in court. This is the hot-sheet fleabag motel that is adjacent to the Urban League at 4343 S. Lancaster.

We are one step closer to shutting this place down for good. The motel next door (Southern Comfort) is already closed and cannot accept motel room customers.

Congratulations to Cedar Oaks

Yesterday, the Cedar Oaks neighborhood in District Four presented their case for an NSO (Neighborhood Stabilization Overlay) to protect their neighborhood. They specifically focused on setbacks and unsightly structures in their eclectic neighborhood.

Cedar Oaks is roughly bounded by Marsalis, Edgemont, Cedar Oaks, and 18th street just south of the Zoo.

They have over 75% approval, which meant that they qualified for the fee waiver. THAT is a united neighborhood.

It still has to pass City Council, but the Cedar Oaks neighborhood is one step closer to achieving its goal.

This neighborhood will be one of three in District Four that will be a focus under the City's new "Pride in Your Neighborhood Program."

A block at a time, District Four continues to be improved. Neighborhoods are cleaned up, and hope is restored. This is just the beginning.

R.I.P. Charles Whitaker

Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighter Charles Whitaker died on Tuesday from his injuries.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the family. I hope that they can find peace in these difficult times.

There will be no other posts today in honor of Mr. Whitaker.

Pray for Dallas Firefighters

Two Dallas Fire Rescue firefighters are hospitalized in Arizona. Please pray for Charles Whitaker and Reginald Cuington, who appear to be victims of random gun violence. They were both shot after the Super Bowl near Peoria, Arizona while walking back to their hotel. All news accounts show that they caused no trouble in the sports bar in which they watched the game Sunday night.

Mr. Whitaker is in critical condition at this time. Please keep both men and families in your thoughts and prayers.

Last Day to Register to Vote

Today is the last day to register to vote in next month's election.

Here's all the info you need to vote in Dallas:

*You can always find a ballot at the library or the Post Office.

*Check on your registration - You can view your ballot ahead of time (link)

*Check your registration by address - You can view your ballot ahead of time (link)

*List of all Elections (link)

*When and where to early vote (link)

*Demonstration of Touch Screen Voting Machine (Flash player required) (link)

*Services Available to Voters with Special Needs in Texas (link)

*League of Women Voters' Presidential Primaries Online Voters Guide (link)

Faith Johnson would have never done this

You all know that I have been writing about the trials of Lt. Carlton Marshall, who was shot in a drug raid last fall. He is still severely injured. Yesterday, Judge Tracy Holmes reduced the bail of the alleged shooter from $1 million to $250,000 despite the pleas of Dallas County prosecutors and the family of Lt. Marshall. Here's the news story.

The suspect's bail should absolutely be $1 million. She should never have the chance to sniff the smell of freedom outside jail bars. Why? If you shoot a cop, you'll shoot anyone.

Judge Holmes' opponent in the last county election was the beloved Faith Johnson. Do you think that Faith Johnson would let a cop shooter get a chance at freedom? We all know the answer.

KNON Should Be Embarrassed

KNON should be embarrassed for having a clown like John Wiley Price on a radio show, cursing and masquerading as a public servant. The integrity of the station is at stake - we'll see how they respond.

Putting them on Blast

I will be traveling southern Dallas with my camera, with a focus on District Four. I want everyone in Dallas to know about how much work we have to do to clean up our District.