J. Ojanpera

1.To give power or authority to; Authorize: Is that what everyone wants, to be empowered? Is that what the gurus and psychologists are suggesting to us? When you look at the definition from Dictionary.com, it kind of puts a different spin on the word. Instead of a boost of confidence, or some invisible motivational tool, empowerment is actually permission to be the boss. So who grants this power? Is it a supernatural force, or another empowered person?    It seems like something that everyone should have access to; especially if it means more money, more power, or rising a step closer to telling others what to do. In it's literal sense, weighed against society, it makes all of us beneath the empowered. I suggest that the empowered adhere to the second definition of the word. 2. To enable or permit: Wait, I can't use the word "enable" around here because it means that someone is helping a person indulge their destruction, and it's better to let them crash and bur

   Sir, before you join the ranks of the seditious civilian soldiers in your head, I would like to suggest a few changes that might bring you back into the realm of rational discourse. I first have to ask you to quit speaking for America. You don't know who America is. Every time I hear you abuse a microphone, I hear the words of a man who has a very narrow view of who or what America is. I hear a presumptuous man. I hear an old man with propaganda leaflets floating around in his head. I hear a man with war on the tip of his tongue, not against a foreign enemy; your enemy is the American Experiment.    Let me tell you who America is. America is the land of the free. We are free from the chains of slavery, we are free from tyranny. We are free form the chains of a truly un-civil war. We are allowed to live nose to nose with our elected, and we stand together even when they turn off course. The heart of America is huge, and the select few that we choose to distribute that love are a

   An assault rifle is an instrument of death; an effective one. It can spray lead until the clip is empty. If your cause is only satiated by the use of an assault rifle, be careful because your cause will be met with something even more heinous than your full metal jacket. You will be met by the human spirit. You will be met by a force infinitely more powerful than a garage cluttered by assault rifles.    The consequences of any plan to harm humanity as a whole will be disproportionately answered with the most potent force on earth; a people unified by your cowardly, violent plan. You see, when we are united against you there is no chance of success. If you get even one shot off at one of us it will be both a stroke of luck and a death sentence all at once.    We will be carrying the weapons given to us by our creator; our intelect, our mouths, and our feet and fists if necessary. If you attack, your bullets will run out long before we do. If you get a shot off, it will mean that o

Westboro Baptist Church 3701 Southwest 12th Street, Topeka (785) 273-0325   In case anyone wants to send a message of hate or love or a Christmas card to these inbred hacks, or if you would like to blow their phones up; there you go. I would imagine that you have to jump through a few hoops to get someone on the line, as they are fearful people. I read about a group called "Anonymous" this morning, and they are spot on in their mission. The video can be found here. They claim to have hacked a twitter account belonging to one of the women. They hacked Fred's computer, and there is a plan in the works for filing a death certificate for Sherley Phelps so her SSN will ne blocked. I like that one the best; she might as well be dead -to society of course.    These people deserve all of the wrath that their god has to offer. This church is not the only one of it's kind. There are many preachers out there who have backward, militant agendas. Most of them stay quiet with t

@11   I know a boy who is torn between more than a few things. He has what we call "issues". The psychiatric community at large has a few pin-point accurate names and definitions for this boy; some are organic disorders, but most are self-inflicted.  Sometimes we think that there is nothing there but a shell; but then he changes and something brilliant peeks through the veil of his addiction. When he is without, he burns. There is a pressure emanating from his bones. The pressure drives him to the hunt.    He really isn't a boy at all. His mind is stranded between 15 and 21, but he is 26. It makes no difference now. By the time we met him (25) the damage had been done. Some of us tried so hard to pull him out of the black room he lives in, and none of us really ever achieved anything that would indicate any reliable change. Some of us were frustrated, some of us found indifference. The consensus was split, but definitely leaned toward a waste of time, money, and energy.

   I have played Guitar Hero about six times. I found that when you only have five color-coded buttons, a "whammy bar", and a two-way strumming thing to worry about on the "guitar", that it sort of makes it a different instrument. It is actually a fancy controller for your game system and not an instrument at all. In it's day, before sales tanked, it had a huge impact on gifted musicians and musically void players alike. By the numbers, people still play it; mostly teenagers.    These types of games are sometimes used in psychiatric rehabilitation exercises -occupational therapy- because of it's hand/eye coordination capabilities. The game also exposes people to music that they might never have heard before. I think it is a great tool for hearing the same songs over and again, to the point of a player knowing a handful of songs by rote. Hearing is the first step toward understanding the pieces that make up music. In that respect, it has some value. Any time

   I am waiting for my turn in the office. This is the least busy doctor's office I have ever visited. I have never seen more than three patients in the waiting room at the same time. My doctor is a no nonsense type of guy. He is popular in Mobile, and has been practicing for over thirty years. He has been a breath of fresh air for me since leaving the cattle farmers of Alta Pointe. Don't be fooled by the fancy spelling of "Pointe"; there is nothing fancy about it. They have over 12,000 "consumers", we call them patients. I was over, under, and inadequately medicated, and the therapist learned more about my issue from me, than he taught me. I never saw the same Dr. twice, leaving no room for continuity of treatment. One Dr. didn't speak a word of English (Chinese), and after an hour of sitting in a room, he came in, looked at me for an uncomfortably long time, and then glued his eyes to the screen that contains my darkest secrets. I was labeled as "

   First off, I love women and what they do for the world. They have abilities that men will never achieve; like it or not. I have learned so much through the years that has amazed me and confused me at the same time. This is a very complex topic that I do not pretend to have all the answers to. I believe that women will be man's greatest challenge, and that we will never crack the code.    My experience of getting answers and "secrets" has been somewhat successful, but falls well short of a thorough understanding. My wife has let me in on some things along the way that have led me to a few conclusions. I have had the pleasure and ease of mind that can only come from a loyal and sacred relationship, so I am sure that there are no big surprises lurking under the surface. What I have learned is that women possess the ability to go to their grave, having never told a soul about some of the darkest periods in their lives. How do they do it?    This knowledge kind of makes a

   If you find yourself on the more staunch side of conservatism, I have questions for you about entitlements. I hear about the ground level moochers, and how they just want something handed to them with no reasoning other than "I want". Could it be possible to remove the small handful of system abusers, and leave those who are in the entitlement system out of true need, on the discussion table? If so, would this group have sound reasoning for being in this system? I bet they would. I also believe that the elite conservatives who talk about these few, constantly heap heavy doses of guilt on the people who already have it bad enough to need the services that this country can most assuredly afford.    It hit me this morning that working Americans also ask for handouts from their employers. What's the difference? You demand better, cheaper health insurance, you ask for raises simply because you think you deserve one, and when you don't get what you believe you are entit

   I have the priviledge of  pride that goes along with having active service members in my family. I often hear from them the things that are right, and the things that are not so right concerning the military. I read whatever news I can that relates to them and their service. When I come across stories that are obviously propaganda driven -yes, our soldiers are victims of American politics, even overseas- I have to wonder what kind of officer would stoop so low as to suggest some type of political affiliation to a subordinate, much less a General whose only goal is to perpetuate war through his politics, or one who views war through an equitable lens. Maybe we should excuse those with high rank; they must be informed more thoroughly than mere enlisted troops. I won't try to uncover a voter fraud ring in the military, but I will say with great confidence that "shit runs downhill", and history repeats itself.    Imagine having tens of thousands of voters, thinking as you

   Why would a rock climber carry a knife? There are many types of climbing; I am most familiar with top-rope, and free climbing, so I will limit all of the variables to these two styles. When you are rock climbing with a partner or two, their lives are in your hands, likewise your's in theirs'. I don't know any figures, but I will guess that the vast majority of us have not been in many life or death situations. Climbing cliffs with your most trusted and experienced friends can be as deadly as knowing nothing; it only takes the slightest mistake, the smallest lapse of attention.    Top rope climbing is probably the safest way because the rope goes through an anchor or around a tree. You are tied to one end, your partner or "belay" is on the other end pulling up slack as you climb. With this system in place, your fall should never be much further than the elasticity of your rope; usually around 10 feet. You will be scraped up, but it's still better than death

   The succor of Auburn, the dominance of Alabama. Half-time, and Auburn only needs 43 points to win! Hopefully they will stage an upset. If they do, Gene might have a job this evening. Don't make the mistake of thinking that the Eagles are done; this is the SEC after all. Stats are still open to interpretation.

   Today is one of those days that I am thankful for the media and the television. I have a media philosophy of reading versus watching or hearing it. I listen in on the radio a couple times a week to see if they will call me an idiot first thing in the morning, but other than that, no tv, no commercials. I do this for the fact that seeing and hearing can sometimes become more of a subconscious tool for conditioning, and less an active, engaging source of good information.    I already know what medicines to take, so I never have to wonder if my symptoms match what is being advertised. They don't have commercials for juicing carrots, fresh spinach, or granola -the kind that is stuck together with honey instead of corn syrup. They do have wonderful ads for pizza and burgers. I want to binge when I see those.    I will admit that I watch documenteries and Swamp People on Netflix; I don't mean to say that I am cut off from the currents of culture. I also utilize VUDU and Amazon

   As I age, I seem to be losing the desire for absolute transparency. It isn't an accountability issue, as I don't have a problem with that. This has to do with the intricate system of honesty, truth, loyalty, and commitment that comes with a relationship. It has to do with my heart and her heart, where they meet, and where they overlap. My wife and I have been together for 18 years and we have been in almost every kind of situation together. We grew up together, we had four kids together, and our love never quits growing and evolving.    The general philosophy of our union is that we cannot be "one" if there is anything between us; you could call it a "trust-based system". It has served us well so far. Before our wedding, we had a man tell us that the best way to run a relationship is through giving. He said, "If both of you give to the other constantly, then neither one of you will ever be in need." It's so simple, right?    No. It is very

   Who are the people (real people) living in the social basement? Does it really matter when votes are cast? Depending upon what view you choose and what floor you live on will tell us. This sub-terranian landscape is the one that is mostly ignored. In the world of some politicians, the basement contains 47% of the country, and amount to nothing more than a number. To others, the actual number of us on welfare is 1.5%. These numbers will no doubt be shifting as time goes on. I have lived very close to the basement in past years. Working 60-70 hours a week while paying half the power bill, putting off rent for a week or two, surviving on grits and eggs, and considering peanut butter and jelly a square meal. Pawn shops became our banks for the early years of my family. I didn't work in the service industry where people are the purest form of wage slaves; I am a caftsman who took the time and commitment to learn a craft, and because of this, I made pretty good money. We were living o

   It's cold season again, and a vaporizer/humidifier should be in everyone's arsenal. They provide moisture to the air around us which greatly increases your ability to breathe. As long as you monitor the humidity in the air, it is usually safe. Somewhere between 30% to 50%. Any more than this will promote dust mites and mold. Be careful to change filters regularly, and use de mineralized water; this will keep your appliance free of annoying minerals like calcium. Calcium is found in our tap water among others.    You should also get a new vaporizer every year. They are the perfect incubators of mold when stored. Imagine blowing mold spores into the air of your child's room, who is already sick. Humidifiers are inexpensive, and the benefits exceed the harmful traits when used properly.

   I have to say something about the General. I am going to call it while the confusion and disbelief machine is crunching numbers and careers. What if the General really did botch the Benghazi ordeal? Maybe there was a deal made with him by the Executive branch, telling him to quit making them look bad. Maybe he doesn't fit the mold of the next four years because he is a remnant of the 21st century war makers. Who knows? We might not know what really happened for twenty years or so; if ever. Whatever the case, this poor man and his fate will be played around the world until something better comes up. We are all deserving of a break from the super storm, no, the election, or maybe the North Easter, a.k.a.; "noreesta". I think that was the news, interrupted by the General, the storm that added insult to injury and more injury for so many. Thank you General. We have been safe on your watch, and I hope you are allowed to live in peace. Don't worry; headlines never last v

   I read an op-ed this morning about how the Romney campaign truly believed they would win; even during the eve of the election when the numbers were pooring in. Mitt was apparently "shell shocked" and his boy wonder running mate was "generally shocked". Why were they so shocked?    I can count a few reasons for their massive defeat. Aside from the political suicide of Richard Mourdock and Todd Akin, there was another factor. The Romney camp decided to look at their own numbers; "Instead, it turned to its own internal "unskewed" polls, which it believed more accurately reflected the situation on the ground." (CBS News) The media duped him. Even his own people lacked the assertive gene neccessary to win an election. A sad state of affairs in an election so big as to make us feel like something detrimental will happen to each of us. If you feel like you are in danger because of Obama's win, I cannot help you.    Another factor of confidence

   I don't usually talk about what I listen to in the morning when I take the kids to school, but I heard something so refreshing and encouraging that I have to spill it.    Some mornings I listen to music; it gets the kids excited about the day ahead. They love "Orange Crush", "Day Sleeper", and "Bad Day"; by REM. They sing along with music that I love and it truly is wonderful. Music is usually played on Thursday or Friday mornings because we are all tired from a long week, and by then I am usually sick to death of my other listening choice; talk radio.    Mobile has an FM talk station that is -for entertainment and audience access purposes- right wing by definition, and after a morning show, the heavy hitters of conservative talk hit the air waves or maybe airwaves.    "Mobile Mornings", is the name of a locally hosted duo of local media jewels; Sean Sullivan, and Wayne Gardener. They offer a moderately conservative, viewpoint on the

   If we lived in a comic book world, President Obama would be the hero that doesn't use weapons or money to win; or be the victor. He would be the hero that everyone knew, but didn't always know what he was doing. We do know that we will likely be safe under his watch.    If the antagonist somehow gained the power I would feel like his true agenda, whether it be stated or hidden, would be either a Mormon state, or more Republican warmongery. His underwear alone could get us nuked. He could set up a system of buttons to be pushed whenever a voice of dissent squeaks, that instantly vaporizes them; at his whim. He could finally admit that he wants to be friends with no one. He could pick fights with Iran, or secretly build an army of American defectors living in Mexico (and the ones' that have friends who have been deported). Of course this type of evil overlord is always thwarted because he forgets that there are only defectors and deportees because of him.    We do not li

   Some of us sleepy Americans will go to their assigned voting stations tomorrow. We will be thinking about the things that matter to us individually. Some will have a good time throwing their lot in with the one's whom they believe most closely fit their own agendas. Others will be angry and militant when they vote; possibly thinking the bubbles they fill in will somehow be darker than the bubbles of their enemies (any opposing voice).    Some will vote filled with fear that one of their guaranteed freedoms might be at stake. In my experience, the greatest fear factories are the churches, and certain "news" outlets. For some reason there is a message getting out there that is making people truly afraid that our country will be swallowed up by atheist hippies if the incumbent wins. I have said before, and again; eight years is not long enough to do anything like that to this country. Plus those people are supposing (even though formally debunked) that our President is a

   I know; there are a thousand or more churches with the name " New Life ". That's not what I am talking about. I want to talk about what it means to find yourself in a situation that literally makes you feel like an ingredient has been added, and it opens you up to a completely new kind of life.    I'm talking about music in particular. Any time you add new elements to the old, it produces new life; musically. My way of viewing the group setting is through a wide lens. I love to improv (jam) with random people. Achieving something congruent with complete strangers is a feeling that I will describe; maybe.    A group of five people sit down at a conference table. One member puts a piece of paper on the table that has a short line drawn on it in pencil. The others observe the line, then pull their instruments out. One may have a red colored pencil, one a heavy black marker. (some musicians may use this as a muse; for the vapors .) These two turn their gaze toward