Not sure if I knew enough about politics, I mean really studied, that I could possibly pick one side or the other. And pardon my ignorance, but it seems really silly to align ideologically. What is the point? I believe we are meant to think for ourselves. We are responsible to access with integrity any question or problem. To be pre-disposed to a solution based on anything is to forsake the God-given gift of reason. We will never be perfect in our discernment, yet discriminatory factors that may weigh in favor one way or the other must not prevail without thorough examination. And I am not talking about being objective. None of us will ever be objective, and we shouldn't be. Life is not a science. Certain ideals must guide us, first among these for me--for me!--is what is for the greatest or common good. This is a very complex consideration. Appeasement, for the less considerate, seems the peaceful and just path. Yet this can lead to all sorts of complications and harm. There is no formula (and no party platform) that can address properly all the myriad of questions and difficulties facing maintaining a true Republic.

I am an 80s kid. Grew up privileged. Skiing was pretty much my life. Politics was all about whether to allow snowboarders or not: what else could possibly matter? I might even have found it tough to name the president. Then I had a horrific accident on the slopes five years ago. In a coma for almost three months and woke up with partial paralysis to my right side. I did not take it well--and finally got the moniker of "Winona Whyner" (my first name is Winona) after months of non-stop complaining and self-pity. But the accident was a good thing, well, eventually. It took a year, or more like two, I guess, before I came to accept my fate and began to move on. If not for family and friends that never deserted me but never got out of my face about my 'complaining and self-pity,' I would not have the wonderful life I have today. I want to give life as it was unselfishly given to me. The reason I am here is to try and inject hope into our politics in this country. After my injuries and slow recovery, I finally began to notice how divided our nation was, and it was not all about snowboards or skis. Impossible to say now if I may make a difference, but I am here to try. I use these pictures of when I was younger as a symbol of my knowledge on politics.

I am an 80s kid. Grew up privileged. Skiing was pretty much my life. Politics was all about whether to allow snowboarders or not: what else could possibly matter? I might even have found it tough to name the president. Then I had a horrific accident on the slopes five years ago. In a coma for almost three months and woke up with partial paralysis to my right side. I did not take it well--and finally got the moniker of "Winona Whyner" (my first name is Winona) after months of non-stop complaining and self-pity. But the accident was a good thing, well, eventually. It took a year, or more like two, I guess, before I came to accept my fate and began to move on. If not for family and friends that never deserted me but never got out of my face about my 'complaining and self-pity,' I would not have the wonderful life I have today. I want to give life as it was unselfishly given to me. The reason I am here is to try and inject hope into our politics in this country. After my injuries and slow recovery, I finally began to notice how divided our nation was, and it was not all about snowboards or skis. Impossible to say now if I may make a difference, but I am here to try. I use these pictures of when I was younger as a symbol of my knowledge on politics.

Not sure if I knew enough about politics, I mean really studied, that I could possibly pick one side or the other. And pardon my ignorance, but it seems really silly to align ideologically. What is the point? I believe we are meant to think for ourselves. We are responsible to access with integrity any question or problem. To be pre-disposed to a solution based on anything is to forsake the God-given gift of reason. We will never be perfect in our discernment, yet discriminatory factors that may weigh in favor one way or the other must not prevail without thorough examination. And I am not talking about being objective. None of us will ever be objective, and we shouldn't be. Life is not a science. Certain ideals must guide us, first among these for me--for me!--is what is for the greatest or common good. This is a very complex consideration. Appeasement, for the less considerate, seems the peaceful and just path. Yet this can lead to all sorts of complications and harm. There is no formula (and no party platform) that can address properly all the myriad of questions and difficulties facing maintaining a true Republic.

American Only brought up a great point I had not considered before: party affiliation. Told you I was naive. He said "lefties are the enemies of humanity." He has more experience than me so he may be right. Yet perhaps from naivete I question the whole idea of being Left or Right? What is the point in saying I am pre-disposed or prejudice this way or that by such a declaration? I have to say I really do not understand. My mind, such as it is and I am blonde, cannot grasp the need to announce a clear bias of thought by the label of Left or Right. If as a Jew or atheist or Buddhist left for dead upon the road and someone gave me aid and comfort and exceptional care, would I object if I had known that person was a Samaritan, would I have refused? Pre-suppositions about other people can often hurt ourselves. Conservative or Liberal, we are still just humans. Why not approach everything as simply humans, not this or that type of humans. Let's work wholeheartedly for humanity, not some political interest or agenda. Too blonde? I will shut up now.

American Only brought up a great point I had not considered before: party affiliation. Told you I was naive. He said "lefties are the enemies of humanity." He has more experience than me so he may be right. Yet perhaps from naivete I question the whole idea of being Left or Right? What is the point in saying I am pre-disposed or prejudice this way or that by such a declaration? I have to say I really do not understand. My mind, such as it is and I am blonde, cannot grasp the need to announce a clear bias of thought by the label of Left or Right. If as a Jew or atheist or Buddhist left for dead upon the road and someone gave me aid and comfort and exceptional care, would I object if I had known that person was a Samaritan, would I have refused? Pre-suppositions about other people can often hurt ourselves. Conservative or Liberal, we are still just humans. Why not approach everything as simply humans, not this or that type of humans. Let's work wholeheartedly for humanity, not some political interest or agenda. Too blonde? I will shut up now.

A little girl leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the collar of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.


The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings the girl to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.


A reporter has watched the whole event. The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, 'Sir, this was the most gallant and bravest thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.'


The Harley rider replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right.'
The reporter says, 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what do you do for a living, and what political affiliation do you have?'


The biker replies "I'm a U.S. Marine, a Republican and I voted for Trump".


The journalist leaves. The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:


** U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT & STEALS HIS LUNCH. **


And THAT pretty much sums up the media's approach to the news these days.


Can't laugh much as it's not that far from the truth.. 😯

A little girl leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the collar of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.


The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings the girl to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.


A reporter has watched the whole event. The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, 'Sir, this was the most gallant and bravest thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.'


The Harley rider replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right.'
The reporter says, 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what do you do for a living, and what political affiliation do you have?'


The biker replies "I'm a U.S. Marine, a Republican and I voted for Trump".


The journalist leaves. The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:


** U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT & STEALS HIS LUNCH. **


And THAT pretty much sums up the media's approach to the news these days.


Can't laugh much as it's not that far from the truth.. 😯

I am an 80s kid. Grew up privileged. Skiing was pretty much my life. Politics was all about whether to allow snowboarders or not: what else could possibly matter? I might even have found it tough to name the president. Then I had a horrific accident on the slopes five years ago. In a coma for almost three months and woke up with partial paralysis to my right side. I did not take it well--and finally got the moniker of "Winona Whyner" (my first name is Winona) after months of non-stop complaining and self-pity. But the accident was a good thing, well, eventually. It took a year, or more like two, I guess, before I came to accept my fate and began to move on. If not for family and friends that never deserted me but never got out of my face about my 'complaining and self-pity,' I would not have the wonderful life I have today. I want to give life as it was unselfishly given to me. The reason I am here is to try and inject hope into our politics in this country. After my injuries and slow recovery, I finally began to notice how divided our nation was, and it was not all about snowboards or skis. Impossible to say now if I may make a difference, but I am here to try. I use these pictures of when I was younger as a symbol of my knowledge on politics.

A little girl leaning into the lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the collar of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, under the eyes of her screaming parents.


The biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back letting go of the girl, and the biker brings the girl to her terrified parents, who thank him endlessly.


A reporter has watched the whole event. The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, 'Sir, this was the most gallant and bravest thing I've seen a man do in my whole life.'


The Harley rider replies, 'Why, it was nothing, really. The lion was behind bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt right.'
The reporter says, 'Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front page. So, what do you do for a living, and what political affiliation do you have?'


The biker replies "I'm a U.S. Marine, a Republican and I voted for Trump".


The journalist leaves. The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of his actions, and reads, on the front page:


** U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT & STEALS HIS LUNCH. **


And THAT pretty much sums up the media's approach to the news these days.


Can't laugh much as it's not that far from the truth.. 😯

I spent years in the Rockies. I have been skiing twice. Snowshoed quite a bit. You will find all kinds here, right wing, left wing, and wing nut.
Opinions differ and tempers flare. It's better than the apathy and ignorance that infects most of the electorate. At least people here care enough to get pissed off. Since you showed your baby pictures, I thought I would show one of my first birthday. You see, I, too, was adorable. At least I think so. Welcome to OPP. Jump right in when you have something to say.