I want to thank our old and new visitors for sticking by us these past couple of months. There are a few die-hard readers that check in from time to time, and we still get a lot of hits from first-time visitors. This traffic is surprising considering the fact that we’ve put very little new up on JustOneOpinion.com since Christmas. It’s clear that some of our articles have gone well-past their “do not sell” date.

My excuse is that I’ve simply been overwhelmed for the past three months due to construction work going on in my home. Just before Christmas we had a hard freeze here in Oregon that resulted in frozen pipes bursting all through the Willamette Valley. In my home, a pipe froze and burst in mid-day causing minimal damage to my garage. A few hours later, it burst again in another location while we were away, effectively destroying the garage and doing extensive damage to our laundry room, tiled front entryway, and our hallway.

While we suffered a rather alarming loss just before the Christmas holiday weeks, we were able to get plumbers, restoration contractors, and other craftspeople out to the house to help us. This was in spite of the fact that the freeze damaged hundreds of homes and businesses in the area, most as a result of broken pipes, leaving homeowners scrambling to find any available contractors to repair their homes.

Our insurance company gave us immediate and excellent service so that we could get everything cleaned up and repaired. This is not a paid plug, but an honest testimonial for Ameriprise Homeowner’s Insurance, the company that provides customer service and underwriting for Costco here in the western states. I have nothing but good things to report about how their claims representative, Scott Miles, handled our account, immediately paid contractors for the emergency work that had already been done, and then quickly cut us a check that was fair and representative of the repairs we needed to get everything back to normal.

We were also fortunate to have a great local contractor referred to us by our Realtor, Rhonda Marshall. Eric Sorenson exceeded our expectations by making absolutely sure that everything was completed in an organized, timely, and professional way. His dedication to high-quality work was commendable, his quotes were reasonable, and he made sure that everything that was done met our expectations. The walls and ceiling work in the garage looks great and the updated flooring in the entry-hallway and laundry room give our home an entirely new look.

But for me, it has been three months of demolition, restoration, installation, and reconstruction going on right behind my head. That’s my main excuse for why my recent productivity has absolutely sucked.

I’ve been working with Dick Kelly on a book project since last summer and my goal was to have my part completed by Christmas. Finally, just after Thanksgiving, I told my wife that I wouldn’t shave again until I’d completed the project - and I haven’t shaved since. She hasn’t left me yet, but if this project isn’t done within the next few weeks, one of us will be sleeping in our new garage.

On the other hand, being creative is very difficult when you have hammers, saws, nail guns, staplers, paint sprayers and what-all making noise just a few feet away from your office door.

Although most of the blame sits squarely on my shoulders, the other contributors to JustOneOpinion.com have also been quiet over the past few months. Everyone seems to have a lot on their plates these days.

Dick Kelly has been finishing up his sequel to his first book, Growing Up in Mama’s Club. He and his wife have also been living with contractors working in their home in Tucson during the past six months. I hear that they had much of the interior redesigned and updated. I can’t wait to see the results.

Craig Bieber is finishing his new book and hopes to have it published later this year. He was able to take a break and contributed a most interesting article about his Christmas trip to New York that continues, even at this late date, to get a lot of hits from our readers.

Bob and Claire kept us entertained as well as on the edge of our seats during the fall. Their trip all over southeast Asia was exciting and nerve-wracking for all of us during the several weeks they were gone. Not only did we understand the danger and complexity of the trip that they were taking, but we’d also worry every time they would go completely silent for several days. Eventually they would come to a village or city where they could once again access the Internet and finally send us some updates, photos, and videos. They are home now and resting up for their next grand adventure later this year. I’m hoping that they can swing through central Oregon and pay us a visit for a few days.

In the meantime, Bob and Claire are sharing some of their favorite recipes on their website at NewBohemians.net. Go check them out.

Chi Newman maintains a busy schedule with speaking engagements and her usual rounds of bridge parties and other social activities.

I hope that we can all get back in the writing groove over the next few months and expand our readership again. I realize that we’re no Huffington Post, and probably never will be, but we do have a great number of readers and fans – and we thank them all for their patience.

I’ll try to do better over the next few weeks – now that I can hear myself think. Please come back and check us out.

Some languages are available, but a particular page may not already have an existing version in your language. After you select a language, it may take a few hours to convert them the first time a new language is requested.  Make your choice; if the translator indicates that it is busy, come back in about an hour and check again. Most pages can be translated in less than five minutes.

Using the translator is very simple: Go to the article you wish to read, then to the flag tool in the middle of the right sidebar. Click on the flag that most closely represents the language you wish to translate to from the original American English version (USA flag).

Choosing the correct flag may be confusing at first for languages that are spoken in many countries such as Spanish. Even though Spanish is spoken widely throughout the world and has many dialectic versions (Mexican, South American, Caribbean, Philipines, and Europe), the version used here is based on common usage found in Spain. The same principle applies to French, Chinese, and Arabic.

Each page not only translates to the closest wording and grammar possible, but also the text changes to a font style similar to that used to write in those languages. Pages will actually convert the text layout to Arabic, Asian, and Hindi character sets – all automatically.

Please note:  The translation process is ongoing, so not all pages will be available in translated form the first time you visit them.  As a page is requested in a particular language, a translation request is logged and queued.  In some cases, especially with Spanish, if the translator engine is not busy, the page will convert within a few seconds. In other cases, it may take several hours for the process to complete.  If you are especially interested in one article that has not been translated yet, return and try again after about ten minutes.  Eventually all pages will be converted and newer pages will be translated into the most popular languages within one day after being published.

JustOneOpinion.com now has readers throughout the world from the Americas to Asia, from Iran to Israel. To say that we are pleased that our readership has become worldwide is an understatement; we are ecstatic and overwhelmed by the acceptance of our style and presentation of news and opinion.

For users of the language translator we apologize in advance for some limitations in the accuracy of the system. As most multi-linguists will agree, there are too many differences in grammar and phraseology between languages for the text to always read correctly. We hope that this tool will at least give you the ability to read our articles in a basic, if flawed, understandable text.

This most amazing tool is WordPress plugin created by Italian computer programmer, Davide Pozza. Additional languages may be offered when they become available.

Moving to the new server will give us faster load times, fewer maintenance service interruptions, and access to more advanced site functions. The old server has provided us a good home for over three years, but it simply can not keep up with the latest advances in online journalism and blogging portals.

Our senior editor and webmaster, John Hoyle, will be personally involved in the transfer and testing of the new setup. He has done this type of transfer many times and so far all have gone pretty much as planned.

Bear with us and we will soon be back on line better than ever!

In reality the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.

After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author.

Americans celebrated independence on July 4th, the date shown on the Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2nd, the actual date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

The truth is that most of the delegates to the Continental Congress actually signed the official document on August 2, 1776.

Coincidentally, both Presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two founding fathers of the United States were the only two signers to become president, also died on the same day – July 4, 1826 – the country’s 50th anniversary.

The first official celebration of the 4th of July was in Philadelphia in 1777. Philadelphia celebrated the first anniversary with an official dinner for the Continental Congress, accompanied by long-winded prayers, toasts and speeches, and followed by dozens of thirteen gun salutes, parades, and fireworks.

Although it had a long tradition as a local community holiday throughout the country for over 130 years, it was only in 1938 that Congress officially called it “Independence Day” and made it a paid national holiday.

JustOneOpinion.com is celebrating the summer by adding some features and continuing to upgrade our site. We are still playing around with some of the layouts, but you should notice quite a few of the changes have already been put in place.

Most of our blog posts and articles now have a companion video (if appropriate) either in the body text or in the upper right hand sidebar. In some cases, you will find both.

The front page has the “Start with a Smile” video feature at the top of the right sidebar. This bit of foolishness is just that, but is usually topical and connected to one of the more recent articles. Check often, as there are up to six different videos that will appear. So seeing one is not seeing all in this case.

We’ve also added CNN and Google News updates in the sidebar of the main page. These are generally going to be hard news items, but be sure to give them a good look as we may switch the prime subject on one or both whenever the editor gets bored with general news.

Just below the feature article panel, at the top of the left article sidebar, we’ve added late breaking new videos from AP. This updates very quickly so as you browse through JustOneOpinion.com you may want to check back on the home page to see if anything major has happened. After all, we wouldn’t want you to miss the end of the world or California finally sliding into the sea – because you were so enthralled with one of our articles.

There will be more additions and changes over the next few months as time allows. Our goal is to make a visit to every page a unique experience for our readers.

We thank all of our loyal readers (the numbers are growing daily) and our wonderful contributors who keep coming up with some great material. We would also like to welcome the hundreds of new visitors that have come by for the first time because they noticed one of our topical articles that ranked high on Google or Yahoo! search engines.

Above all – everyone – get off the computer and go outside and really enjoy the 4th of July holiday weekend. As Craig Ferguson says on his TV show every late weeknight, “It’s a great day for America!”

We were sent to Nanking and then on to southern Taiwan to live with my sister Amy. The next three years were so traumatic and so sad, that I cannot remember the place we lived in, the bed I slept on, or what I ate. I do remember that we were given private lessons in English, French and Chinese. It was tough and we missed our friends from the French School. Our parents had gone into hiding and none of us knew where they were.

When I was sixteen, I read in the daily paper that the French Embassy was looking for a French speaking social secretary. It was on a Thursday that I rode the train from Kaoshiung to Taipei. I took a pedicab and went to the Embassy. The Ambassador hired me and told me I would be picked up by a chauffeur on Monday to start work. He would be paying me in U.S dollars. It was so much money that I was totally speechless. I was going to be FILTHY RICH!

After I left the Embassy, I realized that I had no place to live and almost no money. Once again I bought a newspaper and saw an advertisement that read, “Mrs. Wong, wife of a member of the Legislative Yuan, is looking for an English teacher for six hours a week and will provide room and board.” I took a pedicab to her house to see if I could land that job too. She hired me and I moved in that night. How lucky I was! My life has been a series of fortunate occurrences that always seemed to pop up when I needed them most.

I loved my job in the Embassy. I felt so sophisticated that I started smoking French Gauloise cigarettes and drank champagne with the staff every afternoon at the end of the workday. The Ambassador trusted me and I was allowed to carry the diplomatic pouch to Hong Kong every month. I took advantage of these trips to have tailors make me Chinese “chongshan” dresses in satin, brocade and Chinese silk, and for shoemakers to hand-craft matching shoes.

Julian Freychet, my thrifty French co-worker, suggested that he put away 60% of my salary in the safe for future needs. He said I was spending every dollar I earned on more beautiful outfits than I could possibly use in Taiwan. He was right, of course, and I am forever grateful that he taught me to be less wasteful and to save something for the future.

During this time, I met an American named Jack McKeehan, who took Mandarin Chinese classes from me. I became totally infatuated with him and he with me. He worked for “Western Enterprises,” which was a front for the CIA. Soon he was able to speak basic Chinese and even to write. He told me that when his time ended in Taiwan, he would marry me and take me to Knoxville, Tennessee. I did not know quite where that was, only that it was in America. I was so excited because I had always wanted to go to America, which is called “Mei Gwo” in Chinese, which means “beautiful country.”

On my birthday, he gave me a record player with 12 albums of country and western music. I loved it so much, and still remember some of my favorites. Songs like, “Seven Lonely Nights,” “Send Me the Pillow That You Sleep On,” “If You Loved Me Half as Much as I Loved You,” and especially, “I Can’t Stop Loving You.” The last song is still my favorite and always will be.

After I had worked six or seven months with the Embassy and felt very secure in my job, I decided to go back south to pick up my few belongings. On our return to Taipei the small plane in which I was a passenger crashed on takeoff and all four of us on board were injured. I remember seeing a gaping hole on my left leg and my back was so painful that I couldn’t move.

Taiwan was quite primitive at the time and nobody knew what to do with us. We each lay on a bed in a big cold room, where we were given minimal first aid. I decided to try to reach Jack by phone to tell him what had happened to me and to ask him to contact my twin sister, Lu. She was working as an airline stewardess and was hard to locate. When Jack answered the phone he said, “Don’t let anyone touch you, I will take care of you!”

That evening Jack marched into the room, pushing aside anyone who was in his way. He was wearing fatigues, combat boots, and a cocky cap. He was so handsome he literally took my breath away! He said, “Come on, let’s go. I have a stretcher waiting and we will fly back to Taipei where Dr. Marino will take care of you.”

The next morning I was in the McKay hospital. Dr. Marino took an X Ray and found that I had six cracked vertebrae. He placed my head on one table, my legs on another, and started to wrap my body with thin gauze. When that was done, the gauze was covered with wet plaster of paris. It took three days for the plaster to fully dry. I was wearing a body cast from my neck to my hips and it weighed over 40 pounds! Consequently, I could wear only large mens’ shirts over elastic pants. I never looked in the mirror because I knew how grotesque my body must have looked.

I continued to work with the French Embassy and Jack continued to take care of me. He never left my side unless he was out in the islands of Quemoy and Matsu. He was not embarrassed to take me out to restaurants and movies, and he had his cook prepare special foods and drinks to keep me healthy. I loved him so much that I gave up all my friends to be with him. I did not even spend time with my twin sister!

Six months later, Dr. Marino told me he was ready to take off my cast. He told me that my back had healed perfectly and I was as good as new.

I started wearing my lovely Chinese dresses and shoes, felt beautiful and confident, and was my happy self again. Jack, however, changed his attitude towards me. He was extremely jealous and frequently accused me of flirting with other men. His behavior became so extreme that I became afraid and knew his behavior was not normal. However, I was so in love with him that I was willing to accept his abuse and his false accusations. I spent every minute with him when I was not working and he was my only friend. Still, I worried about his attitude and after several months I began to have doubts about marrying him.

On July 14, Bastille Day, the French Embassy was having a big celebration. Men were asked to wear tuxedos or dress uniforms, and ladies dressed in evening clothes. I told Jack he could probably pick me up around 9 PM. However, at nine the party was still in full swing so I called and told him to pick me up later. He became furious and banged down the phone. About fifteen minutes later, he charged into the party, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, shorts and tennis shoes. He grabbed me by the arm and said, “Let’s go!” I was so embarrassed that I nearly cried. I told him to leave because I was expected to stay until the party was over.

That night I told him I could not marry him. I knew I would be losing the man I loved and the best friend I ever had. I would also lose my chance of seeing America. But I was afraid of how he would act towards me after we got married when I would be all alone with him in a strange country. My decision took him by surprise, but after a prolonged discussion he finally agreed. We kept on seeing each other, but on a different basis and quite soon it was time for him to return to the United States.

At that time I was also taking Spanish lessons. I thought that since I already spoke French and English, Spanish would be easy. Jack had always taken me to the Spanish Embassy for the lessons and picked me up when they were over. Even though I was not going to marry him, he still did not want me to take a pedicab alone, so he introduced me to a friend of his who was also interested in learning Spanish. He introduced me to this quiet, handsome man named Richard Newman, who, of course, has been my husband now for what seems to be a million years.

Jack was leaving the next morning around six a.m. I told him that I could not bear to go to the airport to see him off, so we said goodbye the night before. During the time that I was going out with Jack, I would often say to him how I wished there was an armed forces radio station in Taipei. To listen to good American music, we had to tune in to the Philippines and the reception was very bad. I woke up around three a.m. still wet with tears, when I heard some loud banging on top of my room; Jack was installing an antenna so that I could get better reception from the Philippines. My heart was broken and I knew I had lost a man who truly loved me.

About twenty years later, when we were on home leave, I told Dick I would give Jack a call. He was a lawyer living in Knoxville, Tennessee. He told me that he was divorced, but his son was living with him.

When Jack was in Taiwan, he did magic shows for charity, and I would often be up on the stage as his assistant, wearing a short, shiny outfit. I asked him if he still practiced magic and if he still remembered how to speak and read Chinese. He told me that he was too busy to practice magic, and that he had forgotten his Chinese. He said, however, that he sometimes carried a Chinese newspaper around to impress people. He also told me that he was bald, because a few days before at a charity function one hundred dollars was offered to any man who volunteered to have his hair shaved off. I thought that was very cool and impressive. He asked me if Dick and I could visit him, but I declined. That was the last I heard from Jack.

Dick and I became very good friends. He picked me up twice a week for Spanish classes and we went out on dates. I also invited him to be my escort anytime there was a reception at the French Embassy. Dick told me something I did not know. He said that my twin sister, Lu, and I were famous in the American community. They knew we spoke many languages, that one was an airline stewardess and one worked for the French Embassy. I was surprised to learn that.

Dick was completely different from Jack, he wanted me to have friends and enjoyed meeting them and he never doubted anything I said or did. I did not feel tense or worried about his reactions and every time I was with him it was relaxing and fun.

Dick had only a few months left in Taiwan, but he promised that he would come back and marry me. Even though I was only seventeen years old, I was also very realistic. I thought that once he returned to America and started dating beautiful American girls he would forget all about me. I read many American magazines and I was always amazed at how beautiful, blond, and blue-eyed the girls were. I was sad to see him go, but we promised that we would keep writing to each other. He never forgot his promise and the letters kept coming.

Several months after Dick left, an older man came to the French Embassy looking for me. He told me that he had worked under my father for many years and that he had been nominated by the Taiwan government to go to Athens, Greece, as the Chinese ambassador. He needed a social secretary who could speak French and English. He offered me the job and would give me a week to think about it. I was jumping up and down for joy and said “Yes” immediately.

At last I would travel, not as an ordinary citizen, but as a diplomat. I would see Europe and visit all the wonderful countries I studied about. I would climb the Acropolis, visit the Roman Empire, explore the medieval castles in Spain, and finally on to France, land of my dreams. I would find the perfect spot by the Mediterranean sea, speak French while eating baguettes, brie cheese, and truffles, all washed down by good French wine. I was intoxicated with excitement!

The next month, I kept the tailors and shoe makers busy making me beautiful Chinese outfits. Julian Freychet gave me all the money he had saved for me and I was amazed at how much it was. Everything was going my way.

I lived in the Chinese Embassy in Greece. I had my own little maid and Embassy servants served our meals in silver domed trays. I went to diplomatic parties and photographers followed me everywhere; I don’t think they had ever seen a young Chinese girl before. Miranda, the daughter of our landlord, invited me to go to a movie with her three days after I arrived in Athens. I wore a Chinese dress with slits up the thighs and caused a huge commotion. Four Greek soldiers followed us to the movies and then back to the Embassy. They handed me a note that read, “Young lady from the East, we hope you will call us sometime.” They had all written down their names and telephone numbers. I still have that little piece of paper. What a sweet memory!

Dick and I kept up our correspondence and he wanted to come to Greece to visit me. I kept making excuses. I was too afraid to make a commitment. I felt he wanted to get married, but I was having too much fun in this wonderful country. Greek man looked like gods, they were so handsome. I was loving the attention and enjoying the diplomatic parties.

The Ambassador did not allow me to go out on my own, but there were many diplomatic parties to attend. He also promised to send me to Paris after I had completed two years with him.

Dick, however, persisted for over a year. Finally, he said he had enough money saved up and he was coming to visit me. He told me in his letter that I needed to make a decision, to say “yes” or “no” to marrying him. He said he needed to know so that he could move on with his life.

I went to the Ambassador to tell him that I had a friend coming to visit. He asked, “What is his name?”. I replied, “Richard Newman,” and the Ambassador said “What kind of a Chinese name is that?”

I made my decision in a very childish way. I thought to myself, if he looks handsome when he comes off the plane I will say “Yes.”

We were married in the Chinese Embassy and the Ambassador gave me away. I wore a red Chinese dress for good luck. Even though I had only known Dick for four or five months, in my gut I knew he was a good man and would be a good husband. Once again, my instincts were correct, and we have been happily married ever since. We have two wonderful children and two grandchildren. We lived in thirteen countries on five continents.

I am so blessed because I feel like a citizen of the world. I enjoy all peoples and all cultures. Lucky me! I have based my life on the “Yin Yang” philosophy, “Balance” and “Opposites”, and I also know that “Happiness” is not given, it must be earned.

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published on June 16, 2009 on Chi-Newman.com. Chi expands on a small period of her amazing life, describing her transition from being practically an orphan at age 13, to a young woman who found herself working and partying within the highest international government social circles.

If we want energy security here in the United States (I think we need it) and not remain dependent on foreign oil, then why do we appear to be overlooking natural gas?

These questions beg for a logical response. Natural gas is far more cost effective than either oil or coal, and America’s known resource base exceeds 100 years of supply based on current U.S. consumption levels.

My son Keith is a chemical engineer and plant manager for Total Petrochemicals in Houston, Texas. He recently shared with me what I think is a thought-provoking lecture from Keith Rattie, president of Questar Corp, one of the fastest-growing producers of natural gas in America. You can read his speech in its entirety HERE.

This ten-page transcript of Rattie’s lecture is loaded with lots of irrefutable facts about our energy needs. In my opinion it makes an overpowering case for using natural gas—a significantly cleaner fossil fuel—to help wean our country away from gasoline and coal.

Unfortunately, many of the kernels of wisdom could be lost in the misinformation Mr. Rattie also cites about the ice cap in the Arctic and a “green” Greenland, along with some of his assertions about global warming (I prefer “climate change”). And the messenger does not help the cause with his subjective forecast for alternative fuels.

Perhaps that’s how he thinks the game is played. There is currently no accountability system existing to challenge hard-core environmentalists who willingly or naively misrepresent the facts or use doctored-up pictures to garner support for their doom and gloom views. Many Al Gore clones have successfully demonized everything and everyone associated with fossil fuel industries by using these methods.

Far too many in the public treat oil companies like the enemy, forcing them to defend themselves needlessly and to spend their valuable time and resources to satisfy poorly thought-out regulations. Yes -- and it doesn’t help oil people when their cause is championed by Dick Cheney or radio personality Rush Limbaugh, someone who has turned the use of misinformation into an art form. But it also doesn’t invalidate what the “ditto heads” know to be the truth.

And so it is with Mr. Rattie. His use of misinformation doesn’t change the enormous opportunity for America to use more natural gas as an energy source. We’ll make a huge mistake by minimizing our staggering, 24-hours-a-day dependency on fossil fuel producers who are supporting our standard of living. Nor should we fantasize about how simple it would be to completely replace petroleum with energy from the sun, wind, and other natural resources.

Natural Gas: Pros and cons as a fuel for automobiles.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGaA7r2Y70I

I for one am grateful for Mr. Rattie’s motives. I feel that if he wants to make a case for natural gas -- a really good one -- a case that will be supported by the majority of the public and key politicians, then he needs to limit his speech writing to areas in which he is supremely qualified. Rattie isn’t a scientist, but I think he’s a damn good salesman who understands the potential for natural gas. And, I like his tenacity.

[See Editor's note below article.]

Still a Faithful Reader

I’ve decided to answer “Faithful Reader” by addressing his or her concerns in this article.

The name of our online blog or news magazine (I’m not sure you can really define it in standard terms) is “Just One Opinion.”

Our use of  the title “Just One Opinion” does not necessarily mean that we support only John Hoyle’s opinion or Richard Kelly’s opinion.  Nor does it mean just Craig Bieber’s, Bob Rogers’ or Chi Newman’s opinions.

Perhaps a better title for this website might be “Everyone’s Opinion, Just One at a Time,” but try fitting that in a masthead.

You are absolutely right. Articles written by the Senior Editors, and to some extent, Bob Rogers, tend to present Progressive or left-of-center viewpoints. Craig Bieber’s contributions, on the other hand, appeal to readers who take right-of-center positions on most subjects. So far Chi Newman and Claire Rogers have not presented any politically oriented articles, but have chosen to provide informative and educational articles that will appeal to almost every reader.

We invite contributions from anyone that can present a calm, organized and informative essay on just about any subject. Look at Craig Bieber’s article about his knee surgery. Consider Chi Newman’s informative essays on the Chinese New Year and understanding the Chinese language.

We’ve presented a poetic consideration of the illegal alien issue (Joyce Hodges) and an industry insider’s thoughts on the ”Green Economy” (Jon Waalkes). Do our readers care what part of the political spectrum that these writers identify themselves? Possibly -  but the editors certainly do not.

The staff members of JustOneOpinion.com do not send out editorial guidelines to our writers. When we receive an article submission (usually in an email attachment),we will primarily edit for readability, spelling and grammar. We will heavily edit or return a submission if we feel it needs more work because it rambles, does not make its point, or has inflammatory or potentially libelous content.

Opinions? Everyone has one. Some of us have several. Others change opinions like we change our clothes.

Our goal for this website is for it to become a widely read open forum for individuals who may not have a website of their own, or if they do, might want to share their articles with us. This way they can have their thoughts published and read by our growing worldwide audience.

So, “Faithful,”  I hope we haven’t lost you as a regular visitor and reader. In fact, I hope you will share opinions with us.  As you can see, no matter what your opinions about politics, or religion – or even movies – might be, they are welcome here.

America is big enough for everyone to have a point of view. So is JustOneOpinion.com.

Editor’s Note:  Please note the correction to the first paragraph of this article.  I actually received the email from “Faithful Reader” about a week before I had Craig Beiber’s article ready for publication.  The original sentence read, “…right after our publication of Craig Bieber’s article…” It has been corrected to read “… but  just a few days before our publication of Craig Bieber’s article…”

I had already posted Craig’s article just a few hours before and then finished editing my response to Faithful just before I published it. At that point, when I added my reference to the ”Fred Longcoor” article, I had a brain fart and flip-flopped the timing of the two in my brain again just before I uploaded this article. I got the time of the publication of each article mixed up with the time of my receiving them from their writers.

I’m sorry that my error may have left the impression that “Faithful’s” email and my response was referring specifically to Craig’s ‘Fred Longcoor’ article. The two were actually unrelated other than the fact that they were both posted within a few hours of each other. 

My apologies to our readers and to Craig Bieber for any misunderstanding. However, the “Fred Longcoor” article is an excellent example of a writer offering a very strong point of view that might be considered opposite to those of the Editor and yet we are happy to publish it. In spite of that fact, the two articles being published sequentially was only coincidental. – John Hoyle

In technical terms, getting a new knee is called a “knee arthroplasty.” Currently, almost half a million people in our country have either a knee or a hip replacement every year. It’s both a bane and a blessing of being a “Boomer” in our current world. Most members of our generation have led more active lives than our parents did, and we are fortunate to live in an era where technological advances are rapidly keeping pace with our drive to wear our parts out.

I had a knee arthroplasty two weeks and three days ago. Getting to the point where you are ready to commit to this surgery generally follows a period of years with angst and pain. Making the elective decision to go through a period you know is going to be full of even more intense angst and pain is not an easy one.

I began to write this article last week while I was still in the early days of the rigors of post-surgery out-patient physical therapy to bring a sense of reality to what this is all about. Like me, I know many of you are facing the probability of needing joint replacement surgery. My intent is to give you some first-hand information that will help you with your decision, and to help you understand what to expect if you do decide to have the surgery.

Here are a couple of important no-brainers: Unless you have great insurance, the surgery and the follow-up physical therapy are expensive. The surgery is painful, and the physical therapy that begins immediately after surgery is monotonous and also very painful.

As the doctor I chose told me, having a bad knee is not life threatening. For me, if you can get some additional life out of your damaged knee with treatments, such as injections, it is worth trying.

I managed to get two pretty good years with injections of SYNVISC. Depending on the degree of damage to your joint, this visco-supplement can do some of the work that was done by the synovial fluid in your knee, which can break down over time. In my case, almost thirty years of participation in amateur sports had simply worn my knee out, so the injected fluid helped to lubricate the damaged joint.

Be sure to get more than just one medical opinion. When you think you have found the right doctor, check him out. Google search had a lot of information about my doctor, all of it positive. I found out he is a leading orthopedic surgeon who only does joint replacement surgery and has pioneered some of the latest developments that make the surgery less painful, less invasive, and easier to recover from. Frankly, I told my second opinion doctor that I thought the guy “was a little cocky.” His response to me was, “He’s probably just good.” I think he probably is.

To me, this is the most important part of this story. My doctor puts out a wonderful, inch thick booklet that tells you what to expect, and what to do before and after the surgery. The only thing I thought could have been stated more emphatically was the suggestion that you exercise as much as you can before the surgery. In the first few days after the operation, almost every little thing you do is difficult: rolling over, getting out of bed, going to the bathroom, sitting up to eat. You need strong arms and a strong good leg to compensate for the fact that you cannot get anything out of the surgery leg.

Until three days before the surgery, I was walking three miles every other day. Yeah, the knee hurt and swelled up, but I just iced it and took Advil. I also worked my upper body and my arms with a ten pound medicine ball on the days I walked.

My doctor and two therapists described my recovery in the early stages as “exceptional.” My hospital stay was supposed to be three days but I was out in just two, primarily because I did so well with the physical therapist. I understand that some people just aren’t used to physical activity, and some potential candidates for surgery have too much damage or so much pain that they simply can’t exercise.

I’d made my mind up to follow all of the directions that were given to me before the surgery. I ate smartly, limited my alcohol intake to a couple of beers a night up until three days before the surgery, and then just drank water and juice. We tried to prepare our house by removing all tripping obstacles such as throw rugs. I realize that everyone has different limits on what they can do, but if you can recover without dealing with stairs, it will be much easier for you.

There were many other instructions that come in the booklet the doctor gave me, and some of them relate to doing things that help to lessen the possibility of clotting and infection  – both very real possibilities with this type of surgery. I did everything they suggested.

I attended a pre-surgery class with a group of about fifteen people who were scheduled to have knee joint replacement with four different doctors. From the beginning, the hospital representative issued a series of disclaimers. We were informed that those of us who had my doctor would have different procedures during the surgery and throughout the recovery period. To me, the first and most important difference was that we were going to receive nerve blocks.

When I awoke in the recovery room after the hour long surgery, my right leg was in a continuous passive motion machine (CPM). The machine was gently bending my knee every few minutes immediately after the surgery. With only occasional breaks, my leg stayed in the CPM machine for a good part of the time I was in the hospital. I don’t know how much pain medication would have been required to allow my leg to have this immediate post-surgery therapy without the benefit of the nerve blocks.

The CPM came home with me and I was required to use it for three two-hour periods every day. I reached the required bend of 90 percent on the CPM just nine days after the surgery.

This is probably a good place to take a little more of the glow off my story. This was major surgery, so the pain is real. You have to take pain medication to be able to do the therapy – and you have to do the therapy. Internal scar tissue can form quickly, and if you don’t do the proper amount of therapy, the recovery will be long and nasty. For most people, heavy amounts of medication cause loss of appetite and constipation. You can get through this by drinking lots of liquids and regularly eating small amounts of good food, including fruits, vegetables, and fiber.

Everything you do will be difficult and painful for a while. My doctor required me to have blood-thinning shots in my abdomen for my first week at home. I was taught how in the hospital, and it was easier for me to administer them to myself than to have my wife do them. In reality, the injections were very easy.

For the first week or so, sleeping comfortably is very difficult. You’ll be lucky to get a couple of hours of sleep at a time. Put a small, comfortable pillow between your legs so you can sleep on your side for part of the night. Be sure to leave night lights on between your bed and the bathroom.

If you chose out-patient therapy, as I have, find a good therapist. I found mine by doing an in-network search through our insurance company. My therapist works me hard, while making me feel positive about what I’m doing. Three days ago he gently worked my leg to 105 degrees – two days before my staples came out. As I mentioned above, it’s important to take your pain medication so you can manage the PT and was reminded to do this many times.

I wanted to get off the prescription pain medication as early as I could. I went to a therapy session last week after taking Extra Strength Tylenol, which had been working for me around the house, but it turned out to be a painful experience. Since then I use the prescription medication before each PT session. Now that blood thinning is not an issue for me, I can use Extra Strength Tylenol combined with Advil around the house. Unless you have a very high tolerance for pain, I would recommend that you also use the prescription medication before your physical therapy sessions.

Oh, and I have to mention the white surgical stockings – on both legs! They are for control and prevention of blood clots, so they are a fashion item you’ll just have to deal with.

I know it sounds corny, but being positive is the best medicine I can prescribe. I can already see a pain-free future where I will be able to do some of the things I love to do and haven’t been able to for a while. Don’t try to do it alone. My wife has patiently helped me through this, and I can’t imagine anybody making it through their first week at home by themselves.

As I stated, this story has a happy ending. Yesterday – just fifteen days after my surgery – staples were removed, the CPM was returned to the supplier, those sexy white stockings were discarded, and candidly, I don’t really need the cane.

Yesterday I had the best night of sleep I’ve had since before my surgery and I feel my only limitations will be based on how much I am willing to push myself.

The best trick I’ve learned? Put your left hand between your legs on the front of the toilet seat. Put your right hand on the right side of the toilet seat. Push yourself up with both arms and your left leg.

And now that glass of scotch in the evening tastes oh so good.

Editor’s Note: We’ve obliged Craig Bieber’s request to have this article appear on his newly redesigned website, www.CraigBieber.com. Go check it out and be sure to let Craig know what you think about it. He promises some great new features and articles on subjects that are near and dear to him.

Editor’s note by Dick Kelly: Jon Waalkes lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Along with his wife, Kim, Jon has a passionate interest in making this earth a healthy and prosperous place for his future yet-to-be grandchildren to live when they are old enough to be responsible caretakers for our beautiful planet.

I recently finished reading The Green Collar Economy just in time. Because, for over the past month, the need for action at the level that the author, Van Jones, described has been ratcheted up a few notches. As the Senate debates the current stimulus package, the opportunity to make the changes described in this book is a distinct possibility. At least, I hope so.

Converting from a carbon/oil based economy to a green-collar economy and the subsequent use of renewable energy to power our lives, I believe, will not happen if the governments of the world don’t dramatically change the incentives and funding behind the change. This change must start with the United States. As one of the big abusers of the world’s environment, our country must change in order to have the world follow, and to persuade others by our standards and purchasing power.

The opportunity is now! The challenge is to make it financially viable for individuals to participate, businesses to start up, and communities to change. This is where the federal government needs to get involved. The government needs to spend on green initiatives, finance community spending, and rebate individual consumers for energy improvements to their homes and transportation.

In addition, the government must accelerate spending in research and development into alternative energies, as the efficiency model of 2020 that will finally cut our addiction to oil has yet to be developed. This is where the stimulus bill should be headed – real jobs, right now.

Tax breaks will not create stimulus. The old conservative model of the trickle down economy is obsolete. The tax breaks for the wealthy will only result in bigger investment portfolios—investments that don’t equate to jobs for the poorest of our society. It only equates to a CEO, with a bloated salary and bonus structure, making layoff decisions based on a quarterly dividend for the portfolio holders. This is why we need to give incentives to spending in green technologies as our way out of the ecological and economic mess we are in.

The other point of Van Jones’s argument is to develop a system that penalizes violators. The government needs to make it painful to these business offenders. Tax breaks to oil companies need to be reversed and a carbon tax/cap and trade system needs to be developed. The government’s role should be to accelerate penalization without creating economic difficulties for the poorest of Americans. To do this, the economic price of alternatives needs to be subsidized for the short term.

As I read The Green Collar Economy, I kept hoping the author would tell me about a successful, green collar, free-enterprise business model—a company that could be replicated over and over across America, rewarding investors and providing long-term financial opportunities to stakeholders (vendors, employees, and community). However, that company doesn’t yet exist – at least not one that doesn’t cater to just the eco-conscious elite of our society.

The serious deficit that renewable energy must overcome is witnessed by the recent layoffs at many of the wind turbine manufacturing plants. As the economy has turned downward, so have the employment levels of many startup turbine manufacturing companies that have created new hope in many communities across America. The financial incentives of alternative energy are not present at this time, requiring that the government must fully support the change to alternative energy in order to level the playing field. Government backing will make wind, solar, and geothermal energy a financial reality for everyone.

The author of The Green Collar Economy did identify some non-profit organizations that are doing well, but this approach alone is not going to cut it. Things must change, and that change must be initiated by Washington. It appears that we will need to ask our government to act with the power to both move mountains and stop the removal of mountain tops!

While I really enjoyed reading the book, it is a bit scary knowing that the roadblocks to achieving a green collar economy are so huge and some of the solutions still very far from our grasp. However, I look forward to hearing from other readers of JustOneOpinion.com on their views of the reality of a green collar economy?

Jon Waalkes

Editor’s Note by Dick Kelly:  Joyce Hodges is a retired school teacher who has been writing poetry all her life. She and her husband, Bill, spend four months a year in Tucson, Arizona, and split the rest of time between their home in Muskegon, Michigan and nearby cottage on Big Bass Lake.

Immigration Reform is a hot topic in today’s news. And yet, people’s opinions vary dramatically on this important issue. Living in the south end of Tucson, Arizona, four months out of the year, conversations can get quite heated, with no middle ground. And I wonder why people seem so convinced that they and they alone, seem to know how to handle the problem. Without taking sides, I decided to pen the following poem in rhyme:

Amigo or Illegal?

Amigo or Illegal – Thoughts come to mind. 
                         Some are malicious and others are kind. 
                         Perception of people can often occur. 
                         Tainting the facts, making views premature.  

Amigo or Illegal – Environmentalists shout. 
                         Trash in the washes is what it’s about. 
                         Then there are crops that rot in the field. 
                         Farmers need someone to bring in their yield.  

Amigo or Illegal – With hospitals and schools, 
                         each city needs finances and its share of rules. 
                         There are serious problems we must not ignore. 
                         Is someone a drug runner or just a señor? 

Amigo or Illegal – The walls we have built,  
                         will they give us comfort or leave us with guilt? 
                         Are Mexicans eager and willing to work? 
                         Are America’s borders considered a perk?  

Amigo or Illegal – There are many who see 
                         oppressive conditions that cause them to flee. 
                         The fear of arrest gives rise to heartache. 
                         Some leave their country to make a clean break.

Amigo or Illegal – The questions aren’t clear. 
                         We often form thoughts that one wants to hear.
                         But remember, dear friends, that whatever we do, 
                         we must be sure of our facts for a fair overview.  
                                         

Joyce Hodges