I entered college in 1966, dreaming of a career in the foreign service, diplomacy. I was an honors student, with a knack for languages. Growing up in Miami, I was used to a multicultural atmosphere and was ready to take on the world.

As I learned more about our involvement in Vietnam, I became disillusioned with our actions and policies. We were acting like the "Ugly Americans" (and we, as a nation, still are). I saw at age 18 that we would fail in Vietnam, as the French had warned us. So I decided to change course. I changed my major to Creative Writing from Political Science and before long, dropped out to experience the real world.

I resisted the draft for about 2 years, went to Canada, sneaked back across the border. Lived in a communal farm in New Hampshire and worked picking apples. It was a great time because we had a common cause. (And we were young!)

Finally, the cops lucked out and arrested me for hitchhiking and found I was wanted by the FBI. I went to prison briefly and after a few months of going to shrinks and foot specialists, the Army decided I was a Conscientious Objector with flat feet. 4-F is what they called it. No need to march (but I can hike for miles, just fine).

I have gained a lot of diverse experience over the years. Started several businesses; some successful, some not. Now, I'm back to focusing on my original love of writing.

My main enjoyment is nature and wild creatures. I also enjoy music, including classical, folk, and rock.

Staying in shape has been a lifelong goal.

My cause is Peace and Freedom. I support Ron Paul for President. (I voted for him in 1988, when he ran as a Libertarian, too.) We need him now.

In my opinion, Americans make life too complicated. We put so much stock in how big a home we have, what kind of fancy car we drive. Yet, when I look at people my age, I see they are fat and not very happy. They're working and eating themselves into an early grave. That's no way to live. And think of all the Iraqis who are being killed to do what? Get their oil? To maintain our insane style of living? Not for me, thank you!

We're about to take a fall in our standard of living. We live beyond our means and it will catch up to us. With our warmongering and the lack of concern we show for the lives of the many civilians we kill and maim as we try to do the impossible: subdue the Middle Eastern people. Why not leave them be?

My one wish for the people of the world is that we could start learning to live and let live. It's time to take the next step in our evolution and learn to cooperate, rather than fight. There are plenty of goods for all if we weren't wasting so much of our GNP on war.

Is that unrealistic? Or is it unrealistic to kill millions of people in Afghanistan and Iraq, just to make a weak attempt to "try" to capture Osama bin Laden? How many enemies have we created now? And how much further has this madness put us all in debt?

Nevertheless, I have hope. I want to make a difference in this life. How about you?

My passion is ...

to live in a peaceful, cooperative, happy world.

I know too much about ...

the CIA and covert activity.

My parents always told me ...

Study hard and become a doctor or a lawyer.

My childhood ambition ...

to be a real-life James Bond.

My favorite memory ...

there are so many, can't pick one!

Why I write ...

to awaken others to their fantastic potential.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

gardening books, Hunter Thompson, Bill Bonner, James Kunstler, Ron Paul videos.

My first job ...

breaking concrete in the Florida sun at an industrial laundry

My best moment ...

falling in love with a good friend's sister.

My inspiration ...

anyone who can perform their best in sports, music, science, or politics without getting a swelled head.

Politics, News & Issues > Environment (Other) What is more important: Alternative fuels or affordable food?

1 of 19

How can anything be more important than affordable food? Are those arguing the other side of this question thinking that THEY and THEIR FRIENDS can have both alternative fuel and affordable food, while many people they'll never meet go without? That's the way it will be if our political leaders continue subsidizing the use of food crops to produce fuel for our vehicles.

Fortunately, this is not an either/or choice. We can have both affordable food and fuel, theoretically, so long as the fuel is not made from food. But, pray tell - What is it? And will this replacement for petroleum ...

More..

Writing: