: About Me

My name is Joe.
I believe in humanity. We each must understand each other and find a way to not kill one another. I don't believe that war serves a purpose other than, as Ebinezar Schrooge said, "to decrease the surplus population". That doesn't get it, brother. Whatever higher power any of you believe in, by the power of each one, we have to find a way to peace.
We can't keep killing humans for no other reason than where a person stands in the world. No man should die of geography! Each person's religion should not be the criteria for his death!

I am proudest to be a  grandfather. Our little ones, the lights of our lights,  must have hope for this cracked-up, churning, burning, sinning, spinning ball! I am mad as hell at my government for the steps taken to fight terror, with terror.
We are so damn glad to be who we are, that we have forgotten who the we were!

I am an American, a citizen, an independent; (That's with a small "i"; that's the verb, not the noun)! I don't believe in the two party system; three or four would be more like it. Let's have a little freedom of choice around here. At least, can we have one person on the stage to debate those who have sold their souls?

I love baseball, rock and roll, and brussel sprouts with cheese. I worked in factories for forty years; I played in a rock and roll band in the 50's and 60's; I am a Veteran. I am a good American. But first, I am a human of this planet.
The Earth is priority for me now. It is our home, our ONLY home! It is the floor of our world. If we don't take care of her, we die; it's as simple as that!

On May 3, 1998, I was diagnosed with Cancer. The tumor appeared in the upper palate of my mouth. It had traveled from my Kidney (Perhaps a stop on the way to my brain?). I was automatic stage 4. On June 8, 1998, Two doctors (saviors) removed my right Kidney and the tumor from my mouth. After six and a half hours, I was clear of Cancer.

On October 31, 2000, I entered the hospital with Adrenal Cancer. My left Adrenal was removed. Complications of a leaking Pancreas, and infections kept me in the hospital for 85 days. I had a near death experience on December 12, 2000. On January 22, 2001 I left the hospital, with an open wound, and still alive.

On Spetember 9, 2004, I had a heart attack. It came just after the Iowa-Iowa Sate football game. I'm not blaming the Hawkeyes, but it wasn't an easy game. Iowa did win 17-13.

Then, in late February, 2008, Cancer appeared again near the area of the left Adrenal. The tumor was removed successfully, and I returned to some semblance of normal life.

In May of 2008, I had another heart attack. Six stents later, I returned home again.

Now, I sit here on Febrauary 8, 2010. They have found Cancer again in my Liver and the right Adrenal gland (Can you survive without your Adrenal glands?). On the 16th of February, I will go to Mayo Clinic for more tests and consultation. Although this is another setback, I remain positive. It has always amazed me how the body takes control of you during crisis. I thought I would crumble when I heard the word Cancer. I didn't; I fought like hell, and had the 'attitude'. I am bobbing and weaving, hoping I can get in a good punch. Cancer is tenacious! He keeps me on my toes. I am a Veteran of these wars, and have a grudging respect for my opponent. I know I am a Palestinian in these battles with the Dark Knight of doom. I remain optomistic and feel great, physically.

These have been the best 12 years of my life. When you learn to live one day at a time, it makes every moment so much more important. The grass is greener, the Bird's song is sweeter, and I watch the children grow. My only hope is that I can be here to see another graduation ceremony, another wedding, another baby. But I do it all one day at a time.

I am also married to the greatest woman on the floor of our world. I am a very lucky man.

Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: September 11, 2001

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I dream of a beautiful day As America bathes in the bright Tuesday air, something comes. We were the seeds of old flowers, with a bolder vision of the world. We saw things fresh, for a new way. The old world never looked out their windows. The window defies the broader vision that portrays the people’s lives. Upstarts, we were called; ruffians of juvenile neglect, from the cast of rebels! Patriots, yes, and rebels, yes, for our own cause. We looked through the glass, and saw the flaws of the real world. We saw that wondrous hope that people can live with their own freedom, and surviv...

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