Renewing America

Today is, by all accounts, an historic day. Within a single generation of the Civil Rights struggle, and only three generations removed from the shameful convention of slavery and oppression, we installed today a "black" man as the President of the United States, in many ways unraveling the threads from that cloak of racism draped over so much of of America's history.  Today, for the first time in a very long time, I am proud to be an American. For those of us who cast our votes for Obama, and supported his campaign both with our time and our resources, this is the culmination of our efforts and the realization of our hopes. Certainly there are those less inclined toward President Obama's views and policies, and to them I would suggest that this is a time for celebration, not of anyone's particular politics, but of our potential as a nation to move beyond race and realize the dream of another great American prophets wherein each man is judged by the content of his character. My prayer for our new president is that he would be a man of strong character promoting such policies as would bring about greater equity and justice, that would support life in all its forms, that would enjoin us to be better stewards of our planet, better neighbors, that would affirm the dignity of every person, ban torture, and advocate for the de-escalation and eventual banishment of nuclear weapons from the Earth. 

Only time will tell if Mr. Obama, now President Obama, will lead us down that path toward a more perfect union, but today is not so much about that. Today is about what we--"we the people"--have done in nominating a man who, only a generation ago could not walk into a public restroom, as our 44th president. That is an historic event, and I have chosen to mark it in my own little way, with a very special pipe to commemorate the day. Few probably know this, but President Obama's father was a pipe smoker, so clearly the man comes from good stock.

Barack Obama's father puffing on a nameless bulldog.

This piece, not unlike President Obama, is both "black" and "white." It is a somewhat more contemporary take on an otherwise very classical shape. The blast is deep and well defined if somewhat unpredictable. It does not entirely conform--it is not exactly a cross grain nor exactly a ring grain--but has the best elements of both. Overall, this is a very handsome and well-formed piece. It will look great with a suit, but will also be right at home being smoked on the back deck. Finally, while this piece is very symmetrical, following the line along the shank and stem, it does perhaps list just slightly to the left.  

This pipe is SOLD.