To say we Americans live fast is like saying dolphins can swim. No argument in either case. In fact, whats to be gained by stating the blatantly obvious?

And yet, if we channel our American tunnel vision beyond U.S. borders, the importance those two thoughts are given can experience diminished relevance.

Id guess the starving in Ethiopia care nothing about the chosen speed of the American lifestyle. And, like most Americans, Id guess the average Ethiopian knows dolphins can swim and thinks nothing about it.

How to procure that days food for the family is a far more pressing matter for most Ethiopian fathers, mothers, or in many cases single mothers with children.

In a previous column I addressed the huge money tilt in this world where an unbelievably tiny percentage of the human population possess an unbelievably huge percentage of the monetary assets.

Mathematicians can take a passing interest in the matter and, within seconds because of the technological age we live in, calculate on paper how to feed Ethiopian families by implementing an equal-distribution, or even semi-equal distribution program.

But that soon would become boring because, simply stated, It aint going to happen.

And so, lets turn our attention to the things we fast-paced Americans choose to do on those rare occasions when we are fortunate enough to look up from busywork and discover free time.

In the good news category here is how well our economy, national/local, has helped make such choices in Wallowa County simpler. Meaning, when anyone locally stumbles upon free time, they need not waste time considering options available elsewhere such as attending movies in a theater or bowling at the alley in Joseph.

And lets face it, television referred to years back as the opiate for the masses is becoming more attractive as the number of channel selections expands beyond 100.

Many people throughout the world utilize time by turning their energies, and sometimes their souls, toward the field of social networking. Go to Facebook, dash around, and time marches past.

Others pass free time, and maybe achieve the social interaction they might be craving by texting.

Surfing the Internet provides a pleasant time warp for many individuals and potentially can lead to expansive learning in chosen directions, but many dangers lurk.

An excellent example of such dangers is a recent mayor of Spokane and previous state legislator whose leisurely hours on the Internet led to some ugly times.

However he got there or how long it went on seems to be of far more importance to others than myself, and yet the fact that this respected public figure got hooked on pornography did not speak well for the city of Spokane or for his public image.

What infuriated city residents most was his penchant to view pornography on the computer in his mayoral office while employed by the city.

The daily newspaper uncovered his secret, made it public, and proceeded to crucify the man in the press. Rightfully so, maybe, but the papers subsequent lack of mercy by reporting new angles of the story day after day after day on the front page seemed excessive. The man died shortly after.

Personally, I try to avoid television as much as practical and steer clear of porn.

My choices, in addition to writing, include doing Word Search puzzles and rummaging through my old, used copy of Bartletts.

Some people knee-jerk into free time by going to prayer. But then, like ducks having breath, thats such a commonality it neednt be stated. Even the Ethiopians know that.

Jabberwock II columnist Rocky Wilson is a reporter for the Chieftain.