Who is JL Miller?
That would be me... Jim Miller. I know, I know. You used to work with Jim Miller, or you went to school with Jim Miller. Maybe your ex-husband is Jim Miller, and I'm sure there are multiple police files under the name of Jim Miller. It's a good name for an alias ...maybe not as good as John Doe, but at least as apropos. When you think of it, do you know a John Doe? All in all, I'm a pretty typical guy.
I've been a worker all my life, mostly (but not always) in the electronics field; sometimes design, sometimes repair, sometimes in broadcast, most times a manufacturers representative. Like most, my occupation doesn't define me. I love good journalism and literature. 
I believe in freedom and fairness, compassion and mercy. I'm passionate about art and music. My website design and graphics capabilities (this site is an example of my work) are all self-taught, and the education is on-going.. If I sometimes refer to "we", it's because I know enough to call for assistance when I'm in too deep.
I am among the first of the "baby-boomers", you know ...the rock-n-roll generation. That was before the "roll" disappeared. Rock will never be the same without the roll. I was a disc jocky so I should know. I call those my dark ages; I had hair then, and it was dark. As you can see from the recent photo (lower right), I've been "enlightened". I'm a veteran, both of war and peace, and I prefer peace. I just wish we didn't have to fight for it.
I was born in Alaska (long before Sarah Palin), and I've lived on both American coasts as well as Hawaii. Hawaii is the best! I've seen a lot of the world, and hopefully will have the opportunity to see a lot more. I've seen some good times and some hard times. I might as well be John Doe.
I'm a long-time member of Toastmasters, my involvement seems to be in leadership, and speaking along with website development. People seem to enjoy my speeches and seminars, and for that I am grateful (and yes, I am available for speaking engagements). Toastmasters is a great organization; everyone should be a Toastmaster.
I''m an independent (politically and otherwise), and I tend to believe that both left and right are wrong in that they only divide us. I always take the side of the people rather than corporations, but this country is about "We the People". I believe in the Constitution, and it upsets me when our leaders ignore it. The Constitution defines us as Americans, and it shouldn't be used as a door mat. As long as the loose leftys and the up-tight rightys adhere to the Constitution, we should be fine and get along.
I believe that freedom should be free, but democracy always comes with a price. The price is that we have to be vigilant, and we have to be true; we have to stay awake, informed, and engaged to have a democracy. We are not threatened by ideals, but we are threatened by greed for power. Too much power in too few hands is very dangerous.
My day to day life (as most of yours) is consumed by my vocation, although this year the intention is to complete a work on sustainability of our species, and our freedoms. I promise you it will be controversial and provocative. Hint: The status quo is not the path to a better future.
As for the blog, I wrote about life for a couple of years as our nation attempted to bring itself back from what appeared to be the brink. My writing usually focused on the current events which affect us all and with events that shouldn't happen. The blog is about staying awake and aware; it's about examining our values, and making sure our beliefs follow suit. It's an effort to make you hunger for more information. I hope you enjoy it. If you do, please tell a friend and send them the link.
