Photos from the 9.12 March on Washington have been posted at my Facebook page.

In in effort to free up some of my time and streamline operations of this website, all of the content on Knowjoe will move to my profile page on Facebook on October 11, 2009 (my 25th birthday).

You can access this now by going to http://www.facebook.com/JoeBykowski. Knowjoe will still be available at the current web address until October 11th as I move all content over to Facebook.

You will need to have an account on Facebook to access my profile page.

Sorry for being so political lately, but the country needs attention paid to it’s politics right now. This is probably the best speech on conservative principles in recent memory. Watch it. Learn it. Love it.

Most politicians suck. It’s a fact of life. Most of the time, you simply need to decide who sucks the least. This election was no different; there was suckfest “RHINO” John McCain and his amnesty-loving, aisle-crossing ways, the ever suckful Ralph Nader (simply sucky because he never makes any headway), and one giant space-vacuum uber suck named Barack Obama.

This is a man who’s past Tom Brokaw admits “we don’t know much about”, with the exception of his days as a community organizer (whatever that is) and his buddying around with domestic terrorist William Ayers. He barely finished a term as a state senator when the Dems came along and plucked him out to be new fearless leader.

But aside from his mysterious past and shady associates, the reason why I didn’t wan’t Barack Hussein Obama as my President was because of the socialistic and totalitarian policies that he wants to create, selling them to America with false promises, and using race and fear to defend them from any opposition.

If you make over $250,000 a year, you are too rich and you will be penalized with higher taxes. Or was it $200,000? Or $150,000? Heck, it doesn’t really matter…if they decide that you make too much money, you’re getting higher taxes. So what does that do to the drive to achieve that has been a hallmark of American progress for the past two centuries?

Mandatory civil service from students? Sounds a lot like something out of Nazi-era Germany. Nationalized healthcare for all? Welcome to Cuba - I’m sorry Mr. Smith, you aren’t eligible for open-heart surgery for two more years (take it easy ’til then)!

The best part is how he sells it to us. “Obama’s gonna give me a tax break.” “Obama’s gonna cure my cancer.” “Obama’s gonna buy me a new car so I can get down to the welfare office.” He especially appeals to the MTV-set that have never had any interest in politics before and probably don’t even understand what socialism is. He does this with unprecedented ad spending, god-like campaign events (”The Ascension” at Mile High Stadium), and a global media infatuation.

Any opposition to him and his policies will be branded as racist or closed-minded. Even though an African-American has been elected the leader of the free world, this will still be a racist society. We will still have “a long way to go”. Could the Fairness Doctrine make a comeback? I’d like to see them try…

My final thought is on American exceptionalism. What happened to it? And why would we elect a leader who doesn’t believe in the exceptionalism of the United States?

That’s all I have for now. I do hope Obama will do some good things for this country. And whatever he messes up, Sarah Palin can fix in 2012!

Thank you to everyone for wishing me a happy birthday and for my great gifts. I couldn’t have turned 24 with out you!

I’m posting my birthday wish list! My birthday is October 11th.

• Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) with Controllers (2)
• Yankee Candle Company Sun & Sand Car Air Freshener
• Gillette Mach 3 Razors
• “The Office” DVD - TV Show (any season)
• “Reno 911!” - TV Show (any season but first)
• “Sid Meier’s Civilization 4 - Beyond the Sword” - PC Game
• “The X-Files” - TV Show (any season)
• Gift Cards: Simon, Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, Best Buy, Staples, Darden Restaurants, BP, Speedway, Meijer, American Eagle, Aeropostale, Hollister, Abercrombie & Fitch, Napster
• Blank MiniDV tapes (for digital camcorder)
• Aluminum Foam Padded Carrying Case - example (as wide as possible)
• Parenthood - DVD Movie
• Ocean’s Eleven - DVD Movie
• Kill Bill 1 & 2 - DVD Movie
• Rat Race - DVD Movie
• Family Guy - Blue Harvest - DVD Movie
• Clue - DVD Movie
• Zoolander - DVD Movie
• Super Mario Bros. - DVD Movie
• Complete Star Wars Collection - DVD Movie (Episodes 1-6)
• Clueless - DVD Movie
• Election - DVD Movie
• Casino Royale (James Bond) - DVD Movie
• Moleskine Soft Cover Pocket Plain Notebook (3.5 x 5.5)

We were lucky enough to take a tour of the impressive new facility on Saturday. Here are a few photos from the tour for your enjoyment!

July just flew by…I’m not really sure why because it seems like I didn’t really do much. Now that August is here, I’ve got two big things coming up: the annual Luau and a big move at the end of the month.

I’m REALLY hoping for no rain this year. It’s our third almost-annual Luau and each year so far, we’ve had rain. Tomorrow is the official planning meeting–a week before the big show (I can’t plan more than 5 months in advance for an event like my Dad…maybe someday).

Moving will be fun, and contrary to popular belief LIVING WITH YOUR MOM is very cool! Happy is also looking forward to the move. For those of you who don’t know, Happy is the family dog (we didn’t name her–otherwise her name would be “manic depressive” instead).

It’s all here and it’s live now! While not EVERYTHING is here from the old Knowjoe, the best stuff is. I hope that you enjoy it!

I like spring. A lot. May is my favorite month. No, it’s not because of Amy’s birthday but that is a nice thought.

We’re going to try the new pasta from Pizza Hut tonight at work. I’ll let you know how that goes.

I’m going to go see Grandma this weekend and I’m very excited about it. However, I will have to forfeit some family fun time in South Bend at Notre Dame.

Unfortunately, Simba didn’t make it. I’m kinda creeped out because Dad buried him right up against the house. Although I guess it’s a good resting place (e.g. the dogs won’t pee on him). I’ve decided that Scooby is going to be our new cat. I’m just going to start referring to him as “good kitty”. He won’t notice the difference.