Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Change We Can Believe In

This week Tennessee Football Coach Phillip Fulmer was asked by the AD to resign at the end of the season.  This is not a huge surprise, given the disappointing year the Vols have had and the pressure that has been mounting for several seasons.  As new denizens of Knoxville, we haven't really had the chance to form an opinion about Mr. Fulmer until this week.  Watching the press conference (the video is here) made me (and Lixi and Jarom) big fans of his.  Getting a new head coach might be the right direction for the team, but they are losing a great man and a great coach.  Lix shed a few tears watching it, and Jarom thought about it, which is just as good.  Sports really do allow for wonderful moments and create special bonds between people that can last a lifetime.

We also elected a new president today.  As I have stated before, I am no Obama hater, despite holding some very different political views.  I highly doubt that the United States will fall apart during the next four years, despite what some on Fox News may claim.  From an apolitical viewpoint I think that all Americans should feel good about this election and the fact that a black man has achieved the highest office in the land.  I really believe that this is a great sign of the progress that we as a society have made.  Obviously I was not around for any of the civil rights movement or fighting for gender equality, so to me it really isn't that big of a deal that Obama is part African.  And I think that may be the best sign of all.  Many years ago the US decided that it would combat racism by forcing desegregation upon its citizens.  Perhaps we are getting to the point where coercion is no longer needed and race will now begin to recede into a non-factor.  We are certainly not there yet, but this is a good step in that direction.

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