This has been a long time coming for us. We first conceived of the project about 10 years ago, and the federal funds were approved about three or four years ago, but there have been delays over the years.

That was 31/2 years ago, and the controversy has only increased over time.

Whenever you fly into Louisville, you see a sign that says, 'It's Possible Here.' I remember my first time seeing it - I think I was coming home from the studio in L.A. - I was working on my debut album, and I just thought, 'Wow, it is possible here.'

The world is very lucky to have America. It's got to be the first time in the whole history of the planet that a country has been the dominant force in the world and it has actually been a force for good... America really deserves more credit.

That's a third of your project, basically.

It is just coincidence. We made the movie a while ago [2004]. The fact that it's coming out now was really just fortuitous.