J. Ojanpera

   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 enti...

   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, think...

   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 ut...

   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 liv...

   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.  ...

   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...