Michael Phelps has been dubbed the greatest Olympian ever after winning 8 golds in a single Olympic games as well as 14 golds lifetime. That is more than any other Olympian and quite an accomplishment for someone who has at least one more Olympics to go.

And since he is a Michigan Man, I am all the more happier to have seen him win those golds. There was only one race I missed on the TV, but I got to see it online, and it was the first relay race when the team came back at the end. Everyone of his races had me cheering and the best had to be his .001 win in the Fly. It had me cheering right along with him and I loved his families reaction. It was as the MasterCard commercials say “Priceless”. It was a truly historic moment and it fulfilled a dream that Michael had since he was young.

However, that is not what this post is really about, but I wanted to mention it because it was historic in it’s own right. But what I am talking about is the nomination of Senator Barack Obama as the first African-American to a major party.

I don’t care what side of the aisle you sit on or even if you sit on the fence. You have to admit that what happened last night, and even tonight with his acceptance speech, that it is great to finally see that race barrier starting to fall even more. Heck, even the fact that Senator Hillary Clinton had a serious run at it as well was also a great thing to see. You don’t have to like them to at least respect those things happening.

I honestly thought that the Republican Party would be the first to nominate an African-American candidate and not the Democratic Party. Not sure why, but just a feeling I always had.

I find it very fitting that Senator Barack Obama is accepting the nomination on the 45th anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech, because it is a significant step towards seeing that dream achieved. I am looking forward to hearing Senator Barack Obama’s historic speech on this historic night, because as someone who still considers himself undecided I want to gather as much information as I can.

The sad part about all of this is how people are trying to use race as an issue in this election. What I respect about Senator Obama is that he has chosen to try and leave race out of it for the most part. I have yet to see him play the “race card” as some people have claimed him for doing. Mostly it is people looking for it or even race baiting, in my opinion.

What bothers me the most is that while people accuse Senator Obama for using the “race card” I see no one blaming Senator John McCain for using the “victim card”. I have really struggled with even blogging my thoughts about this and before I do let me say that I respect the sacrifice that Senator McCain has made for our nation. He suffered horrible things at the hands of his captors and served his country with pride.

However, if I have to hear him say one more story about his time as a POW, I think I may puke. I swear that during the Saddleback Civil Forum that he talked about his time as a POW after just about every question. Don’t get me wrong I respect his service to our country, but if Senator Obama can’t bring up his race, which has had a major influence in shaping his own life, then why should Senator McCain be allowed to bring up an experience that shaped his life ad nauseum? And someone else isn’t allowed to bring up theirs which just as much shaped their life and still continues to shape it to this day, because it is an ongoing experience. I know that people will label me “un-patriotic” or “un-American” and that just simply isn’t the truth. I am just merely pointing out that it should go both ways for both guys. The comment button is below so go ahead and fire away.

I have made no secret that I will not be voting for Senator John McCain. But I will change my mind if he declares that not only will he get rid of frivolous spending on things like studying the DNA of black bears in Montana, but that he will also not take a salary while he is President or make tax payers pay for the catering service in the White House or maid service or gas for Air Force One, etc. After all, the guy has a wife who is worth $100 million dollars and has more homes than some small countries. So I think he can afford to help out the country for 4 years by doing that. He will then have my vote. So, Senator McCain, if you are listening and want my vote then that is what you wil have to do to get it. Otherwise, you can keep on living in your myriad of homes and dream of living in the White House.

But for now I just want to focus on Senator Obama helping our country achieve the dream and shape history.