Ohio Passes Issue 3 (finally!)

Ohio's gonna be getting some casinos!

This is an GREAT thing...and I'll tell you why:


5th time’s a charm for casinos - Business First of Columbus:

Where are you during this Historic Moment!??!!?

HAPPY ELECTION DAY!

How exciting is this: we might make history tonight!

I'm sure you know what I'm talking about....

No matter who you're going for, this election year was a record-breaker in so many ways, and no matter the outcome, we still make history in that Barack Obama was the first African-American to be nominated for president! That in itself is very exciting from a historic standpoint and something I think many Americans and Ohians would say it has been a long-time comin'!

So my question (and this post) is short and sweet:

WHAT ARE YOU DOING ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY!?!?! November 4, 2008

Where are you?

Who are you?

What are you doing?

What are you wearing?

What phase of your life are you in?

What does this day mean to you?

What are you thinking right now?

Document this moment through video, journal entries, blogs, photos, clippings, scrapbooks etc. because this is real and for many of us, this is one of the most significant and happy historic moments of our lives thus far. Our parents and grandparents had a number of huge milestones, both good and bad...we've had more negative ones it seems, than positive...so this will be a great, exciting, wanted, necessary and happy moment for many. Cherish this!

(A quick side-note, when Barack and his family were here in Columbus on Sunday, November 2nd, there was a crowd of over 60,000 people! That is the largest rally in the history of the city! Another record broken)

Avoid Voter Fraud and Recounts

Vote Early!

This election is too important, there's too much at stake, and we live in a hugely contested state. To make sure we avoid the problems we faced in the 2000 and 2004 elections with voter fraud, recounts and "lost" ballots...get to the polls today. Let's not leave this to the last minute. Besides that, you won't feel rushed, like you might feel on election day, November 4th. You'll have time to really think over the issues and vote on candidates running in other, local races. 

If you vote early, you could also have time to volunteer at the polls on the day of the election, as well. Also, many times people bring the wrong items or don't bring the proper methods of identification etc. etc. to the polls and if you vote early, and forget something, say like a driver's license, you can go home and get it and go back to the polling location the next day or on election day. If you wait til election day to find out you're missing something crucial to vote, you'll have limited time to go home and get what you need and head back to the polls. You might even give up all together just because you aren't in the mood to deal with a hassle like that. So get prepared, and remember...the early bird gets the worm!

Some people, like a friend of mine, were asking the other day what locations they could go to vote early...that's what made me post this blog.

Here are the places to Vote Early:

(because there are a few that are doing early vote, but when we closer to the election, I'll post a list and links for the standard polling places too)

Franklin County Veterans Memorial

300 West Broad St.

Columbus, OH 43201

Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

From Sept. 30 until Nov. 3 during weekdays

Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sun. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Every Saturday or Sunday in the month of October up until Nov. 2.

Delaware County Board of Elections Office

140 N. Sandusky St.

Delaware, OH 43015

Mon. -Fri. 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 30 until Nov. 3

Sat.- 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

October 18, 25 and Nov. 1 only

Licking County Board of Elections Office

County Admin Building

20 S. Second St.

Newark, OH 43055

Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sept. 30 through Nov. 3

Pickaway County Board of Elections Office

141 West Main St.

Suite 800

Circleville, OH 43113

Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sept. 30 through Nov. 3

http://vote.franklincountyohio.gov/

Here is a great link for you to find out how voting early works in Franklin County.

And below is a link of all the issues from everything from Yes/No issues on things like taxes, schooling, casino-building etc. whatever is going on in your locality. Also, it details all the people running for positions like attorney generals, city or state treasurer, judges etc. and where they stand on the issues. Read all of this Voter Guide from the Columbus Dispatch before you head to the polls so you know what it is and who you're voting for (besides the president).

http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/politics/vg1108/index.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

(One caveat, the Dispatch seems to have a Republican bent, not that that's a problem, just wanted to alert you to that fact in case you sense any underlying conservatism in their voter's guide...don't be surprised and just be sure, whoever you are and whatever party you belong to, that you read their guide for the issues and to familiarize yourself with names)

First Presidential Debate Watch Parties

Whatever side of the aisle you are sitting on you should go somewhere to watch the CNN Debates tonight. This morning, John McCain announced that he would go forward with the debates against Barack Obama tonight, so yes, they will be on and poppin'. Let's all watch and get more information from these candidates and learn more about them and their plans for our (slowly-declining) country. Arm yourself with truthful, fact-checkable knowledge going into the election on November 4th. And if you arent' registered to vote...what are you waiting for? It takes like 2 seconds, seriously. And if you aren't planning on voting (not including those who aren't able to, like non-citizens)....YOU'RE AN IDIOT!

Here's a list of places where they'll be a Watch Party gathering for your viewing pleasure:

  

North Franklin County Watch Party

Starts @ 5 p.m.

Northern Franklin County Obama Campaign Office

Hosted by Max Blachman

6066 Huntley Road

Mount Air/Worthington Hills Watch Party

Starts @ 8 p.m.

The Rusty Bucket Restaurant in

Olentangy Hills Shopping Center

Hosted by Greg Fess

Upper Arlington Debate Watch Party

Starts @ 7:30 p.m.

Arlington Banquets

1967 Henderson Rd.

Hosted by Melissa Hedden

Downtown Watch Party

Starts @ 8 p.m.

Urban Spirit Coffee House

893 E. Long St.

Hosted by Clifton Williams

Zanzibar Watch Party

Starts @ 9 p.m.

Zanzibar Brews

740 E. Long St.

Hosted by McCullough Williams

Dublin Pre-Debate Party and Watch Party

Starts @ 5:30 p.m.

Mary Kelley's Restaurant in Dublin off of 161 and Muirfield exit

Hosted by Lawrence Ambrosio

South Franklin County Phone Drive and Watch Party

Starts @ 7:30 p.m.

Southern Franklin County Obama Field HQ

193 E. Rich St., downtown

Hosted by Cameron Mongale

Ohio Obama Pride Watch Party

Starts @ 8:30 p.m.

East Villiage and Q Bar in Bexley

Hosted by James Winnett

OWU Student Watch Party

Starts @ 8 p.m.

Bene's Room at OWU (in Delaware, Oh)

61 S. Sandusky St.

Hosted by Bridget Fahey

Delaware Watch Party

Starts @ 7 p.m.

Delaware County Obama Campaign HQ

57 N. Sandusky St.

Hosted by Jenifer Burks and Laura Bowers

Pickerington Campaign For Change Party

Starts @ 8:30 p.m.

Pickerington Campaign For Change HQ

155 E. Columbus St. Suite 190

Hosted by Brian Neiser

Democratic National Convention Watch Party in Columbus!

So everyone knows that the Democratic National Convention is taking place this week in Denver, Colorado. I, for one, and ready to get this general election show on the road! Sen. Obama has chosen Delaware Sen. Joe Biden to be his Veep candidate. Rumor is, there's already a list you can get on to be one of the firsts to receive an Obama-Biden bumper sticker.

Here's a link to the DNC Schedule for this week.

So, tonight, Michelle will be speaking...I LOVE this lady. She is like a black Jackie O. I really think women look to her for inspiration and assurance. I know many women look to her and feel a sense of normalcy, because Michelle is an all-American mom (who happens to be the wife of a man who's running for president). But she's genuine. That is what a first lady ought to be. And I think women like me around the country see that in her. Plus, she's already inspiring people in the fashion arena. The first time she appeared on the morning TV talk show The View, she was wearing a cute dress from the readily-available retailer White House/Black Market. The next week, the company was selling out of that particular dress, left and right. Or should I say left and left? Ha. I crack myself up. She wasn't wearing some $3,000 Gucci getup from Neimans or anything...she was wearing a dress from a store that most women can afford and relate to. Ok, I'll shut up about her for now.

Then on Tuesday, Hillary will speak. She is going to be speaking in support of Barack and she's going to award all of her delegates to him! I think this is great step in the direction of cohesiveness, which is what Dems are really needing to focus on right now. By Hillary doing this, she is showing that she approves of and back Obama, and hopefully she will urge all of her die-hard supporters (some of who are salty that she won't get the nomination) to go ahead and vote Democratic...meaning even though they may be upset, they need to think about unity in the party and about change in the government.

Wednesday, Bill Clinton will speak on the topic of Homeland Security.

 

Look at that, they have great chemistry already....

And finally, Thursday, Obama is going to accept the Democratic nomination for president. He (and I assume Biden) will be speaking; it will be the main event of the DNC. So, Max Blachman is hosting a Watch Party on that day, August 28, 2008, at 8 pm. It's going to be at The South Oval, off of 12th and College Streets on OSU's campus. Click here for a map. Be there or be square...or I guess, oval.

A picture of the "South Oval" at OSU