J. Johannes 's Comments

mona lisa moves by J. Johannes

Dec 27, 2008 | comments: 3

J. Johannes Feb 15, 2009, 10:25pm EST

Thank you all for your compliments.

An Inconvenient Fact by Rob W

Feb 28, 2007 | comments: 23

J. Johannes Mar 1, 2007, 10:32am EST

I wonder if this will improve Bush's approval rating? I'll bet Gore didn't have THAT in mind...

Cheryl Williams - 'Spirit of Community' Award Recipient by Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V.

Jan 26, 2007 | comments: 99

J. Johannes Jan 31, 2007, 8:59pm EST

Wow, I'm really late on this, but I just wanted to say Congratulations! If anyone deserves to be commended for her wonderful spirit, it's you Cheryl!

Threshold Of Mind's Freedom by Will Evans

Jan 19, 2007 | comments: 12

J. Johannes Jan 19, 2007, 1:01pm EST

I will have to read this again and again, I'm sure, to draw out more and more meaning (I'm sure it will keep coming), but let me just say now, thank you. I seldom read Gather anymore for truly inspiring content, and you have given me something to come back for. This poem gnarled me up in each line, but somehow at the same time had me floating above it as though it were an out of body experience that I could never understand. My favorite kind of reading.

Minimum Wage Game by Charles Signorile

Jan 5, 2007 | comments: 54

J. Johannes Jan 5, 2007, 1:29pm EST

Don, jealousy of the rich doesn't enforce your argument. Don't misplace your scorn for labor exploitation by nailing the capitalistic market to the wall -- lots of times personal accountability and hard work come in to play in making a person's livelihood and quality of life better. When hard work is NOT paid adequately given the current cost of living -- that's the real problem. Not the price of the hotel room.

Minimum Wage Game by Charles Signorile

Jan 5, 2007 | comments: 54

J. Johannes Jan 5, 2007, 10:32am EST

That's not what I said, Hugh Jass (lol, btw). I was contrasting how sad it is that a full time worker who busts his butt at min. wage could possibly make less than a family on welfare who does absolutely nothing. If there ever was a bud of incentive from such people, there it went -- out the window. Flawed. Flawed. Flawed. And no, $7.25 sucks too -- but I suppose we should never address the issue huh? I agree Clark -- this isn't a class issue or a party issue. It's a human decency issue. I'm usually all for big government staying out of private business, but if there are still companies out there paying employees our measly min. wage and getting away with it, then somebody needs to step in.

Minimum Wage Game by Charles Signorile

Jan 5, 2007 | comments: 54

J. Johannes Jan 5, 2007, 10:07am EST

Craig -- the point I was trying to make is that you should have been paying your staff commensurate with your own profits all along. After all, they are the driving force of your business. If you're paying your staff above min. wage (as this article suggests is already happening), then you shouldn't be affected by the rise in the min. wage because they are already making above the wage and won't need a raise. If you're paying them $5.15, then shame on you. No one can live on that. In fact, they could probably live fatter on welfare rather than working at all – just pop out a couple of kids, stay home and wait for the check. That would be GREAT for the economy – I'm sure with their extra welfare money they'll stop by your restaurant for lunch on occasion. Or not. Raise your prices, do whatever you have to do – eating out is a luxury that people who afford it do and won't mind paying a bit more for. However, your dishwasher should be able to buy some food from the discount grocery with the salary he makes cleaning off your customer's plates.

Minimum Wage Game by Charles Signorile

Jan 5, 2007 | comments: 54

J. Johannes Jan 5, 2007, 9:35am EST

I don't think the Democrats are seeing the minimum wage hike as a way to alleviate poverty – they see it as a way of moving with the times and inflation. As a teenager, I was hired at a job for $4.25 an hour (the minimum wage then) and I busted my butt for long hours for not a whole lot of money. I could buy a gallon of gas for a little over a dollar then, and the cost of everyday items was simply cheaper. In my opinion, the fact that we are 12+ years in the future and we have only seen a gradual hike in the minimum wage is on its face wrong. The cost of goods going up means companies make more money, and they should be allocating those earnings into labor costs. Ideally we would all go out there and learn a trade and become a skilled worker, or go to college so that we would never have to be dependant on a minimum wage. But realistically, not everyone is afforded that option. Even the .06% of people you referred to affected by the low wages shouldn't have to be impoverished if they are working full time and trying to make it legitimately.

Servers at restaurants only make roughly $2.13 per hour (well below minimum wage) as it is and that wage basically covers taxes. The rest of their income is all tips. If restaurant prices go up, it won't be because of outrageous labor costs – it will be because the companies will be too stubborn to suffer a setback of profit in the name of paying staff.

Marriage: A Change in Vows Needed? by Cheryl W.

Jan 3, 2007 | comments: 31

J. Johannes Jan 4, 2007, 3:25pm EST

Pretty harsh words from Carolyn, and one of the reasons I've kept the marriage idea at arms-length thus far. I was made to believe that it was such a sacred covenant that should NEVER be broken under any circumstances (which is odd, my mother preached that but was divorced from my father). When I do it, I want to do it right (doesn't everyone?) -- so much that I'm terrified of doing it wrong. Carolyn is short-sighted and close minded and is so worried with brow-beating that she doesn't see reality (I'm talking about how it is, today, not thousands of years ago).

I have a friend, Yvonne, who is the most devout Christian I've ever met. She forgave her husband for cheating on her TWICE and for spending their four children's food money on crystal meth. She battled for the marriage and chastised herself repeatedly when it didn't work -- because of God and her conviction. I don't believe in a God that would tell her to stay in such a situation. The reality is that some things just don't work out no matter how hard you try -- because we are HUMAN and not Gods ourselves. I'm sure there's a lesson or two in the Bible that would say that, right?

Anyway, people with such an archaic view of marriage need to realize that times have changed and that societal roles have changed. Marriage has too – even if you don't want it to. For example, I know many people who have chosen not to say "love, honor and obey" because "obey" invokes feelings of female submissiveness. In these times, it just doesn't apply.

I hope to write my own vows and go into it with as few blinders on as possible -- because realistically, life evolves and changes whether we want it to or not.

Great article, Cheryl.

Honda S2000 Going Soft? by Jason L.

Jan 4, 2007 | comments: 4

J. Johannes Jan 4, 2007, 1:27pm EST

OHHH NO! I love the S2000 and abhore the Sebring! What is going on??
Good tips on the miata ... I was desperately seeking a fun car in the spring and considered one -- but instead I bought a motorcycle :/. Oh well, there's always this spring! :)

Books and Writing Sample, Boston, MA by Margaret F.

Dec 29, 2006 | comments: 1

J. Johannes Jan 3, 2007, 10:58am EST

Is there supposed to be a poem attached to this?

I resolve: to learn to play acoustic guitar in 2007 by Tom Gerace

Dec 26, 2006 | comments: 46

J. Johannes Dec 27, 2006, 8:39am EST

I learned to play the guitar at age 13, but have found that I mostly like to just play for myself. One word of advice -- practice, practice, practice and make yourself stick to the practice -- even when your fingers are killing you! Also, find a teacher that knows the neck and the deep technical stuff. I learned from my mom and brother in a "put your fingers here and strum" fashion, and I've always felt that I missed all the intrument had to offer because I didn't understand it the way I probably should have. Good luck!

A Cruising Good Time by Cheryl W.

Nov 12, 2006 | comments: 7

J. Johannes Nov 13, 2006, 10:34am EST

So glad to hear you guys had a fun and relaxing trip away! It was much needed and much deserved. Did you take lots of pictures??!!!!

Frozen Words by J. Johannes

Nov 1, 2006 | comments: 4

J. Johannes Nov 4, 2006, 4:34pm EST

Many thanks, jessie. I feel the same about your photography!

"The Fair Tax" is a Fair Tax by Dylan Williams

Nov 2, 2006 | comments: 13

J. Johannes Nov 2, 2006, 1:37pm EST

Much clearer, Dylan. Thank you! This is such a gigantic issue but seems like it could make so many positive changes.

"The Fair Tax" is a Fair Tax by Dylan Williams

Nov 2, 2006 | comments: 13

J. Johannes Nov 2, 2006, 1:25pm EST

Thanks for explaining it further, Dylan. I understand that government wants ultimate control, but from what I see this FairTax replacement seems like a no-brainer. I'd hate to think political formalities would be what stopped this from going into effect. But it seems to me that the numbers add up (I'm no economist, but the percentages make logical sense!)

My main concern was what we would do with government programs such as Social Security (a system I'm paying into but question whether or not I'll benefit from). I just read the section on SS and now I have peace of mind that it would all be worked back into the percentage rate. I'd say to government officials that are against this to get their head out of the clouds! If they want votes, then they should support efforts like this that really provoke change! It seems like this FairTax would solve many social inequity issues (immigration, welfare etc.) as well as give the power back to consumers to do what they do best -- consume. Then, I wonder who the "entitlement crowd" would go after next?

"The Fair Tax" is a Fair Tax by Dylan Williams

Nov 2, 2006 | comments: 13

J. Johannes Nov 2, 2006, 12:56pm EST

I'm still reading up on this, but I've agreed with it on its face since I heard about it several years ago. How come nothing is coming about as far as reform?

Struggling To Find Balance by Spencer T.

Nov 2, 2006 | comments: 6

J. Johannes Nov 2, 2006, 12:37pm EST

Ain't it the truth! Well said once again, Spencer.

somebody save me..... by whoisjobe ?

Nov 2, 2006 | comments: 9

J. Johannes Nov 2, 2006, 12:35pm EST

You've got to pay the bills, jobe. Go easy on yourself and just make sure it's not a job that puts too much stress on you! As always, the quotes you select bring me up and away from the office and into the mindset I love. I really intend to explore the authors you post further. Thanks again.

Frozen Words by J. Johannes

Nov 1, 2006 | comments: 4

J. Johannes Nov 2, 2006, 7:41am EST

Thank you Cheryl ... and for being my audience! ;)