Liberty is the Highest Political End
Ever since I was a boy I have held a fascination with politics, history and freedom. My life goal is to move the world towards liberty, non-aggression and industry for all. I am a capitalist, individualist and objectivist. I’m a Libertarian party member and ACLU supporter. I know that my rights end where yours begin and that the initiation of force is the basis of all evil in our world today. Free minds trading voluntarily is my utopia.
Politics as Usual not for me
I cast my first vote in 1992 for Ross Perot and made my first political donations in 2008 to Ron Paul and Bob Barr. I used to be a Republican but have no time for the Republicrat duopoly that has a stranglehold on American politics today. I found inspiration in The Fountainhead, Atlas Shrugged and Ayn Rand’s philosophy in the early 90’s. I haven’t looked back.
Dad, Writer, Unix guy from PA
My life goal is to move the world towards liberty, non-aggression and industry for all.
I’m a dad, writer, small business owner and Unix systems administrator from Pennsylvania who’s into politics, movies, Ayn Rand, Linux and FreeBSD, open-source software, Colombia, liberty, fiction, history, Star Trek, Golden Retrievers, tea, photography and dark chocolate. I’m an idealist.
Done a Little Bit of Everything
I’m a University of Chicago graduate in United States History and have lived in my home country of the USA, as well as Japan and Colombia. My first language is English, I’m fluent in Spanish, and I speak a little Japanese and German. I have worked as a newspaper delivery boy, busboy, retail salesman, investment banker, Chicago cab driver, English as a Foreign Language Teacher, Unix systems administrator, business owner and writer.
I had the privilege of attending Presidential Classroom in 1988, served as student government president both at the Central High School of Philadelphia and the University of Chicago and am a proud member of the Alpha Tao Omega fraternity, where I served as Rush Chair and Pledge Master in 1992. I’m currently active on the committee that’s planning my high school 20th reunion.
Look Forward to Connecting
I enjoy a good debate and conversations with friends. I invite you to comment, subscribe to my RSS feed and connect via Twitter, LinkedIn, FriendFeed, Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, reddit, email, Google Talk or offline. I look forward to hearing from you.
My Life in Brief
- 1971
- Born in Western Pennsylvania to a teenage mom.
- 1980
- Condemned to Catholic school in Philadelphia - became class rebel. Hated religion class.
- 1983
- Started first job as paperboy - local bullies stole newspapers. Learned the value of making $2.65 for a day’s work.
- 1987
- Elected student government president. Faculty sponsor insisted on running everything - resigned in protest and got suspended for exercising my 1st Amendment rights.
- 1989
- Graduated from Central High of Philadelphia - fell in love, didn’t work out.
- 1991
- Elected university student government president but later resigned in scandal. I screwed up, big-time, and take full responsibility.
- 1993
- Graduated from the University of Chicago with Honors in History (my thesis) - but no job. Walked a centimeter in my Grandpa’s shoes by working in his scrap yard for 6 months.
- 1994
- Worked in investment banking in Chicago - quit in frustration and boredom.
- 1996
- Drove Chicago Yellow, Checker, Flash and United cabs - had a blast and met a lot of immigrants but ultimately got bored when I decided not to go to graduate school.
- 1997
- Taught English in Japan for Nova, Berlitz and a half-dozen big brand-name conglomerates - made decent money and spent time with good friends.
- 2001
- Moved to Colombia - taught English, started a business, closed it, started three new ones.
- 2002
- Got married - still together! (despite the bickering)
- 2006
- First son Clark born - thrilled. Kids are a lot of work!
- 2008
- Wrote a mission statement, working on my writing, getting into shape, buying an apartment. Watching with pleasure as Colombia’s FARC is flushed down the drain of history.
Other Ventures
Other ventures I am involved in or working on include:
Credits
- Existence thanks to mom and Grandpa P., and without thanks to dad.
- Education thanks to great teachers like Dr. Kreider, Mr. Diano, Mr. Mangol and Professor Novick, Pell grants, PNC Bank, Grandpas P. & D., the U.S. Department of Education, credit cards and others.
- Miscellaneous thanks to: the ER doctor for noticing and speaking up, Dr. Ganime for telling the truth, Pat and Ben for being true friends, Grandpa C. for treating me as one of his own, Dr. Kreider and Ms. Hamill for caring so much, Presidential Classroom and my classmates for a wonderful and educational time, MITCH for accepting me and being so egalitarian, Steve G. for offering to take the rap for me, Eric H. for taking me in, bearing their crap for me and teaching me how to drive, J for driving out to Redneck, PA and driving me back to Philly, William for inviting me to Medellin, Doña Amparo for treating me like a son, Eric V. for getting me that cushy job in Japan and being a patient friend, Randy for taking me to the hospital, Virgil for being a cool boss, Aunt P. for too many things to name.
- Dollar-sign favicon thanks to famfamfam.
- CSS inspiration and code from Scott Wallick, Chris Pearson & others.
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