Obama's 2008 Presidential Acceptance Speech!

As promised, here is the speech President-Elect Barack Obama gave last night to the crowd in Chicago's Grant Park. I must admit, Obama had me chocked up just a bit, especially after I saw Oprah and the Reverend Jesse Jackson turning on the faucets. Did anyone else notice the camera man kept stopping on people who looked like celebrities? (Is that Kobe?-Nope, just some dude who looks like Kobe Bryant). 

Surprise, Surprise 

Was anyone else completely surprised by how fast the results were in and the announcement was made that Senator Barack Obama was elected POTUS? I thought we would at least be waiting to the early morning to find out but the announcement was made and the speeches started before I made my late-night Piggly-Wiggly run. Btw, I read in the Chicago Sun-Times that Oprah cried on some strangers shoulders and evidently the paper is looking for the mystery man-I guess to ask him what it is like to have a billionaire cry on your shoulders...awkward... 

There's A New Sheriff In Town!

For all of those people, who said Barack Obama preaches about "change" because it is an acronym for "Come Help A Negro Get Elected", I thought I would give you something to enjoy today as this election didn't really turn out the way you wanted.

And I leave you with this to think about: when McCain gave his concession speech and mentioned Obama the crowd responded with "boos", but if you watched Obama's speech which if you didn't check back here later tonight and I will have (what will probably be the most important speech of this decade) it posted: I digress; when Barack announced Senator McCain and the sacrifices he has made, the crowd in Chicago cheered. Think about it. And then think about change, we can change friends. And I realize that the political divisions in this country didn't begin overnight and they won't be healed overnight, but we do need to begin the process. "Yes, We Can"

"Yeah, he probably reads the Bushido"
I can't take full credit but when Obama said, this [movement] began on the porches of Charleston. And in the conclusion of his speech, he mentioned that "while I breath, I hope" (aka: Dum Spiro Spero) a Charleston, SC and South Carolina motto, but I guess Obama reads the Bushido!

For All Of Those Worried About Obama Being President!

T-Mac sent this picture to me, I am not sure who to contribute it to, but I have to say, I am proud of Us America! The power of the vote, the power of positive thinking for the vision of America's future has prevailed. The Beav told me when Obama spoke at the DNC at the last election, that Obama would run and be our next president (even though I know I told him that, I'll let him take credit for posterity). I knew once Obama took Ohio, our next president would be Barack Obama.

We've got a lot ahead of us America but be proud because we've made one small step for our America and one giant leap for all Americans. America as we look to the future, I remind you of what John F. Kennedy once said at the Convocation of the United Negro College Fund (Indianapolis, Indiana, April 12, 1959) "When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters — one represents danger and one represents opportunity." Be good and God Bless!

Something to Celebrate! Obama's Victory & Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale!

And I just heard in the news we now have something to celebrate: I finally was able to pick-up Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale. After trying it, I found it tasted remarkably similar to the Black Samurai IPA that I make. I looked up the Celebration Ale's recipe and we're remarkably close just a dry-hopping difference. (Photo courtesy of Kerry Nehil)

Sierra Nevada's Celebration Ale Recipe
1.064 OG, 16 degrees Plato, 6.4% ABV
Brewed from 2-row barley, caramel and dextrin malts
Chinook Hops for bittering
Cascade Hops as the Finishing Hops
Centennial and Cascade Hops used for dry-hopping

Ken Mink, 73 Year Old Still Shooting For The Roane State Raiders!

As we now wait for the election results
Fifty-three years ago, Ken Mink dropped out of Ju-Co in Kentucky and joined the Air Force putting his NCAA eligibility and college career on hold. Today at the age of 73 he is wearing the number 13 and is a shooting guard for the Roane State Raiders. (Roane State competes in the Tennessee Junior Community College Athletic Association.)

As promised, this is the video I watched on Nate Ross' iPhone this morning whilst waiting to punch my vote for Obama. The best part of this video is when they mention he had to get his wife's permission to go to a party, to which she replied "No". I guess, the Bushido's Papi was right about guys from Kentucky-they can shoot!

Click here for the article on KnoxNews
Video posted by Knoxnews.com

Just Shy Of 4 Hours! A Vote & Democracy Continues

"Democracy doesn't ask much from Americans: vote, pay your taxes and serve on jury duty."-Jed Trabert
Thoughts I had whilst in line this morning:
It's a shame we don't take voting more serious; why isn't Election Day a National Holiday? Considering the history of those Americans who didn't have the right to vote; why don't women, American youth (last on the list who got the vote in 1971-thank your local Vietnam Vet) and African-Americans always have a fierce showing on Election Day?

Vote Like A Warrior!
Not everyone can sneak away from work for four hours like I did and sadly after a hard days work, they may not vote. That is why the Bushido is calling for every American to Vote Like A Warrior! Get to your local polling station and make it happen folks. Don't let the powers that be play on your apathy or your thoughts that your vote doesn't count-it does!

11:23: A Word About Good Company

You know in this Twitter-iPod-video-game-app (on the phone) disconnected world we live in, I am glad that this voting line is getting some good person to person conversation going. I am standing near some interesting people: Mike on drums and the Post & Courier's own, Tommy Braswell to keep things rocking and rolling here in the voting line. And our old pal, Nate (from the Bobby Cremins Show) just dropped by to tell me about this video of the 73-year old guy who made the basketball team at Roane State. Evidently, if you go in the military your eligibility to play sports in the NCAA freezes-something to think about for all of you folks that could've, but didn't. I'll post the video tonight.

11:00 Getting So Close I Can Feel The Democracy Running Through My Veins

This line isn't getting any shorter folks. "Sweets" just sent me a text that some elderly gentleman just collapsed while waiting in the voting line in James Island. I made my neighbor take in a rest, I don't want him punking out like that Democracy-hating dude over there in James Island. Pace yourself people, standing in line isn't that tough of a thing to do. Bt-dubs, you might want to bring an umbrella-all of you folks just now rolling out of bed.

10:30 AM-The Line It Shortens

So after a "late" start and a 8 am merge into the voting line, we just hit the 10:30 mark, but all is well because of course, the Bushido has kept his eyes on the prize and nothing is going to keep me from punching my ballot. I am thinking I might have about a half-hour left to this little line. Too bad someone isn't selling coffee outside this polling station, I am sure it would be a "hot" sell.

Folks this is the most exciting election since Kennedy won in '60.