I have been promising folks for some time that I would be posting something like this if the election turned out as it did last night.

While I congratulate Barack Obama on his election, this means that I will work against Not-My-President Obama and his policies, because I can only presume that they are illegitimate, unconstitutional and not in the best interests of this country or the world as a whole. Anticipate my first call for his impeachment and/or the appointment of a special prosecutor at approximately 3:00 PM Central time on January 20, 2009 – after all, I have been told for eight years that dissent is the highest form of patriotism (not paying ever more and higher taxes, as claimed by Not-My-Vice-President-elect Joe Biden), and I am nothing if not a patriot. Prepare to reap what you have sown for eight years, Democrats.

That does not, of course, reflect what i truly feel about this election and its outcome -- rather it parodies my liberal foes.

So instead let me begin with some observations about yesterday’s election.

There are some things I am very proud about.

I am proud that my country showed that it can, as usual, carry off an election that produces credible results without any of the shenanigans that happen in so many other parts of the world. Even our most unusual elections have been quite clean by any reasonable standard.

I am proud that so many Americans did, in fact, turn out to vote. Participation is important, as I have told my students again and again. Interestingly enough, when I polled my students today they told me that about 1/3 thought I supported McCain, 1/3 thought I supported obama, and 1/3 weren't sure, so I'm also proud that I didn't allow my political views to color my teaching.

I am proud that we have shown again that any American can rise from humble beginnings to the heights of American politics – something that has, in my lifetime, been shown by the election of Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Clinton, and, now, Barack Obama. It is particularly noteworthy that we have demonstrated that it is possible to move in a single generation from immigrant to the top office in American government.

Oh, yeah, and I’m proud that we have demonstrated that race is not an obstacle to success in this country. But then again, as a Republican I have never doubted that – I just wish that the first black president was named Rice, Watts, Steele, or Blackwell, not Obama.

On the other hand, let me note that I am also ashamed of so many of my fellow citizens – that they would reject a man with what is perhaps the most distinguished record of service to this nation of an living American in favor of an individual whose major qualifications appear to be his good looks, rhetorical skills and an almost chameleon-like ability to disguise his background, associations, and position on the issues is quite disheartening.

Add to that the failure of our nation’s media to even make a pretence of playing the role of an honest broker in this election and I am left with grave misgivings over the next four years.

And so I look ahead, making the following commitments.

First, I commit to working to bring to the forefront grassroots candidate for office here in Harris County and the state of Texas – candidates who will not merely reclaim positions taken by the Democrats in yesterday’s elections, but also those who will stop the hemorrhage that yesterday’s results created. That will mean, among other things, supporting someone other than Rick Perry for Governor, David Dewhurst for Lt. Governor, and John Davis for State Representative in my district during the next primary.

Second, I commit to continuing to be a voice for conservative principles on the internet and in my daily life. I will get back to blogging more regularly once we have recovered from Hurricane Ike and returned to our home sometime after the first of the new year.

And finally, I commit to offering to Barack Obama my support and respect after his inauguration -- and not the same level of support and respect that the Left showed George W. Bush. I will support Obama when he is right, but fiercely oppose him when he is wrong -- something I suspect will be more often than not. But as i said in 1993 when Bill Clinton was inaugurated, my prayer is that barack obama leaves this country better than it was at the begining of his term, and am fully prepared to be pleasantly surprised if he does. After all, my country is more important to me than my party -- as it should be.

So hold on tight, my fellow Americans -- its going to be a bumpy ride.