Happy Independence Day!

On this day as we celebrate our freedoms, and as ordinance of varying
degrees goes off around us, I am reminded of the basic principles on
which this great nation was founded. From the beginning our fathers
were driven by visions of self-governance, personal freedoms, freedom
of expression, and basically the right to do whatever you dang well
please as long as nobody gets hurt! It is in this spirit that I
raise my glass...

I raise my glass to my homebrewing brothers who love what they drink
and brew what they love.

I raise my glass to all of you who are on duty this night, at the
ready, with one eye open.

I raise my glass to all those holding the line with sand in their
boots.

I raise my glass to those poor, scared souls 230 years ago who had
the balls to throw down against the strongest empire in the world.

I raise my glass to everyone out there who knows how to fold a flag.

I raise my glass to the man who can smoke some mean pork butt.

I raise my glass to everyone who can blow something up, have a good
time, relax, not worry, and have a homebrew!

Call it a toast, call it a prayer, call it what you want. This is
just one guy's thoughts among many, in a big city aglow with
explosive celebration. May you all find happiness and peace this
day... I'm off to blow up some more things of my own!

Cheers!