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high heals and an apron. Yea, that was life for me. I lived in a predominantly Irish neighborhood in South Boston. My Grandmother and Grandfather came to America from Sicily in the early 1900's and finally settled in "Southie", opening one of the many corner markets, a grocery and butcher shop. They learned English and made sure that it was the first language of their 7 children, 3 sons, my father the oldest of all of the children and 4 daughters. My Grandfather died with throat cancer in 1943, which brought my Father home from Panama, where he was stationed with the Army, to run the family business, as the others were still children. My Dad basically took on the role of Father to his brothers and sisters and along with my Grandmother, kept the family going. When my Father met my Mother he was 29 and she,20.They married in 1950 and when I was born in 51 they moved into the 3rd floor flat above the store where my Grandmother occupied the 2nd floor. I had one great advantage while growing up in the 50s. My cousin Janet, who was several years my elder, kept me attuned to the music and the lifestyle of teens of the era.I was also very sensitive to politics at a very young age. When Kennedy ran for president in 60 I actually helped campaign by passing out flyers and buttons at rallies. When he was murdered in 63, even at my young age, I felt a twinge of distrust of the government, as though something wasn't being said.That feeling stayed and amplified throughout every other assassination and demonstration and by the late 60s I was a full blown radical.Not in the sense that I was for peace and love but that I was against war and propaganda.In 1970 I moved to Florida. I met a "hippie" girl, got married and had a beautiful daughter. I now had to support a family so I put aside (as much as I could) my nonconformist ways and worked hard to advance myself into a career position with a New York based car rental co. As time went on my "hippie" wife came to love the material world which for me was just a means of survival. When the firm filed chapter 11 and sold all assets to another company (which turned out to be the largest car rental co. in the country)I lost my job. My no longer hippie wife divorced me, I filed bankruptcy, my house foreclosed and what was left went to her.I learned a great lesson in corporate loyalty and would never give myself over to a conglomerate again. Losing my daughter was devastating and I turned back to my old ways of drinking and drugs. Although I was responsible and worked and paid bills I sank deeper into a dangerous lifestyle.This continued until the late 80s when I met my current wife,Cindy. She helped me change my ways and things were great until the late 90s when I began developing symptoms which dr.s had a difficult time diagnosing. Through several years of excruciating pain,tests,scans and surgeries finally left me out of work and disabled with a multitude of problems.Now, I keep busy reading,writing, playing my guitar, taking care of my Lhasa Apso, Dusty, Cocker Spaniel named Lady, 19 yr old kitten,Chloe and my Green Cheek Conure named Sarge who is my constant companion. My wife, Cindy, saved my life in many ways and I'll never figure out why she keeps me around. Most times I even annoy myself. I love her dearly. She's my life. We share interests in collecting US coins and stamps, an occasional game of pool(she always destroys me)and when we can afford it,which isn't often,travel. After all we've been through I feel fortunate for what we have and though we don't have much what infuriates me is that we are better off than 70% of the people in this country. Any person who is willing to work should be able to live a comfortable life in this country. Me? As long as I have her I don't need much else, except maybe, to change the world. http://1bigdragon.blogspot.com/ OpEdNews Member for 207 week(s) and 4 day(s) 16 Articles, 3 Quick Links, 235 Comments, 3 Diaries, 5 Polls |
235 Comments
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 3:57:05 PM
Article : "Is It too Late to Save Our Nation?"
Logan
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 3:24:03 PM
Article : "Obama Picks a Clarence Thomas For the EPA"
uh-huh.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 3:02:44 PM
Article : "For Cripes' Sake, Make Him Already!"
There is always a solution.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 2:49:32 PM
Article : "Is It too Late to Save Our Nation?"
?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 2:40:09 PM
Article : "Is It Too Late To Save Our Nation?"
Yea!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 1:57:12 PM
Article : "Blue Cross Millionaires Are Scared to Compete With a Public"
Well Said!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 1:36:55 PM
Article : "The Ultimate Cheney Deception is 9/11 Conspiracy"
Well Said!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 1:30:22 PM
Article : "The Ultimate Cheney Deception is 9/11 Conspiracy"
Oh Yea?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 12:57:41 PM
Article : "The Ultimate Cheney Deception is 9/11 Conspiracy"
Force!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 11:24:46 AM
Article : "Bilderberg Plans For Economic "Recovery""
Solutions?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at 11:07:20 AM
Poll : "Poll: Pelosi:Faithful Bush Insider-Do You Agree"
Inside But Not Of Her Own Will
Monday, May 25, 2009 at 4:48:22 PM
Article : "Doom and Gloom for the Dumb and the Glum"
Really!
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 4:48:13 PM
Article : "Doom and Gloom for the Dumb and the Glum"
Your Beret Must Be Too Tight
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 4:32:02 PM
Article : "Doom and Gloom for the Dumb and the Glum"
Your Beret Must Be Too Tight
Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 4:21:07 PM
Article : "Doom and Gloom for the Dumb and the Glum"
You're A Very Funny Guy!
Friday, May 22, 2009 at 7:26:11 PM
Article : "Are Baseball Players Paid Too Much?"
They should get interested...
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 4:37:38 PM
Article : "The Joy of Conspiracy Denial"
Why the Bias?
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 2:38:50 PM
Article : "The Joy of Conspiracy Denial"
Why the Bias?
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 12:59:12 PM
Article : "Was the Air Force One Flyover a Warning to Obama?"
It's Not Unusual...
Monday, May 18, 2009 at 6:21:48 PM
Article : "Reviewing Ellen Brown's "Web of Debt:" Part V"
It's about time
Monday, May 4, 2009 at 8:51:47 AM
Article : "Bilderbergers Set To Meet - Beware!"
No One Seems To,,,,
Monday, April 13, 2009 at 7:51:14 AM
Article : "Draft The Bankers; Contain the rats"
It Really is that simple!
Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 6:03:04 PM
Article : "Draft The Bankers; Contain the rats"
Too Lenient!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 8:40:06 PM
Article : "If It's Necessary To Give Handouts, Such As Obama Is Doing,"
?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 8:36:54 PM
Article : "If It's Necessary To Give Handouts, Such As Obama Is Doing,"
Absolutely Right!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at 6:35:22 PM
Article : "If It's Necessary To Give Handouts, Such As Obama Is Doing,"
Forgive what?
Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 12:55:21 PM
Article : "Zoos: Boredom behind bars"
Education and empathy are key
Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 11:04:07 AM
Poll : "Poll: How Good or Bad Are People?"
It's a matter of perspective
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:40:23 PM
Article : "Red Alert! Today We Become a Police State!"
Funny...
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 6:27:45 PM
Article : "Red Alert! Today We Become a Police State!"
Where did you come from?
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 4:30:23 PM
Article : "Red Alert! Today We Become a Police State!"
Wow
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 12:03:45 PM
Article : "Red Alert! Today We Become a Police State!"
It's been coming....
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 11:24:48 AM
Article : "News Media is asking us not to be mad about financial crises"
What's Up With These Clowns?
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 11:55:13 AM
Article : "The Most Evil Corporations, Industries and Orgs"
OK, You're right.
Thursday, March 26, 2009 at 11:51:21 AM
Article : "The Most Evil Corporations, Industries and Orgs"
I only have two simple questions.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 5:43:21 PM
Article : "The Most Evil Corporations, Industries and Orgs"
What Rady said.....
Tuesday, March 24, 2009 at 5:39:18 PM
Article : "The Most Evil Corporations, Industries and Orgs"
It Is About Time!
Friday, March 20, 2009 at 2:31:45 PM
Article : "Financial Giants Are Too Big to Bail, But Not Too Big to Jai"
Why not?
Friday, March 13, 2009 at 2:10:22 PM
Article : "Volunteers Needed For the War on Rich People"
Warfare?.........Pussies!
Friday, March 13, 2009 at 1:50:28 PM
Article : "Income Distribution: Does It Really Matter"
Who's trying?
Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 1:01:27 PM
Article : "Income Distribution: Does It Really Matter"
It's possible,,
Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 12:28:57 PM
Article : "Income Distribution: Does It Really Matter"
A believer in collecting personal wealth ...
Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 10:09:32 AM
Article : "Income Distribution: Does It Really Matter"
Spoken from the heart of greed...
Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 9:53:17 AM
Article : "Income Distribution: Does It Really Matter"
Point Well Made....
Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 12:22:09 PM
Article : "Coming Soon-- Riots in America?"
You are right
Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 11:38:34 AM
Poll : "Poll: Will the Economic Crisis Lead to Riots in the USA?"
You're all right
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 2:42:02 PM
Article : "Mr. Obama, Start Walking Your Bottom Up Talk"
Some great ideas,,,,
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 9:43:15 AM
Diary : "Obama's To-Do List-- Open Thread; Add your to-do items"
So Much To Do,, Where To Begin?
Friday, January 16, 2009 at 1:42:11 PM
Poll : "Poll: Is There Gold In Fort Knox?"
Doubtful
Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 9:03:10 AM
Article : "Thank You For The Sept 11 Attacks"
I believe that you're correct....
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 4:44:24 PM
Article : "Thank You For The Sept 11 Attacks"
Thank you,
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 12:18:05 PM
Article : "Thank You For The Sept 11 Attacks"
I could be wrong.....
Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 8:17:03 PM
Article : "Thank You For The Sept 11 Attacks"
I'm counting on it!
Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 11:53:42 AM
Article : "Connell declared emergency before fatal crash"
So?
Friday, January 2, 2009 at 7:05:21 PM
Article : "Did national/international elites engineer 9/11?"
I Got It!
Monday, December 22, 2008 at 5:12:19 PM
Poll : "Poll: What to do with CEOs and Execs who have received bailo"
Well,,,,,,
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 5:21:04 PM
Article : "Why aren't we dancing in the streets? We just liberated ou"
Maybe a bit too optimistic?
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 5:17:13 PM
Article : "Why aren't we dancing in the streets? We just liberated ou"
?
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 4:52:21 PM
Article : "White House Lied About Iraqi Yellowcake Buy, But That's Not"
Again and Again
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 11:00:49 AM
Article : "Prosecuting Bush and Cheney for Torture: No One Can Be Above"
100%
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 10:22:39 AM
Article : "We Talk About Impeaching Blagojevich! How About Bush and Ch"
There's Only One Thing Left To Say!
Friday, December 19, 2008 at 10:19:54 AM
Article : "America's Acid Test"
Just Because The Dems Are here...........
Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 8:40:47 AM
Article : "Is It Really Change We Need Or What?"
This Editorial is Not What I Wrote.
Monday, December 15, 2008 at 6:09:35 PM
Article : "Pivot Point For The Peace Movement; Help Obama Take On the M"
You're heading in the right direction.
Monday, December 8, 2008 at 9:04:32 PM
Article : "The Extinction of Right Wing Neanderthals; The Rising of Bo"
Absolutely Correct!!
Monday, December 8, 2008 at 7:43:43 PM
Article : "The Extinction of Right Wing Neanderthals; The Rising of Bo"
Thank You!
Monday, December 8, 2008 at 5:03:28 PM
Article : "The Extinction of Right Wing Neanderthals; The Rising of Bo"
Who let you in here?
Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 11:55:02 AM
Article : "Hope You Die Before You Get Old"
I think I'm done
Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 10:37:44 AM
Article : "Hope You Die Before You Get Old"
Why they don't see!
Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 10:25:05 AM
Article : "Hope You Die Before You Get Old"
I had a lot to say.....
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 4:21:43 PM
Article : "Obama Will Spend over $3 Trillion on ECONWAR! Fire and Penal"
Yea Rob, You Must Be Crazy!
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 6:02:55 PM
Quicklink : "How I Spent Election Night in a Baltimore Jail"
He did the wrong thing.
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 4:30:17 PM
Article : "Pathetic Right-Wing Attempts To Spin '08 Election Results"
Me Too!
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 3:36:12 PM
Article : "Making an Invisible Minority Less Invisible"
I voted for him for many reasons,
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 4:09:20 PM
Article : "Obama's Economic Challenge Underestimated"
What else do we have?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 1:50:21 PM
Article : "Now It's Time To Clean Up The Mess Left Behind. The First T"
There is no one exempt.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 4:54:08 PM
Poll : "Poll: Assassination Conversation Poll"
Not well placed comments!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 4:49:25 PM
Poll : "Poll: Assassination Conversation Poll"
BRAVO!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 3:29:22 PM
Poll : "Poll: Assassination Conversation Poll"
WOW
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 2:28:49 PM
Poll : "Poll: Assassination Conversation Poll"
Golly!
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 5:25:39 PM
Article : "Now It's Time To Clean Up The Mess Left Behind. The First T"
Yes, We Can!
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 3:41:37 PM
Article : "Now It's Time To Clean Up The Mess Left Behind. The First T"
You're right!
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:50:24 AM
Article : "Now It's Time To Clean Up The Mess Left Behind. The First T"
Finally
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:48:03 AM
Article : "Now It's Time To Clean Up The Mess Left Behind. The First T"
Do you only read the parts you want?
Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 7:42:53 PM
Article : "Now It's Time To Clean Up The Mess Left Behind. The First T"
I suppose.
Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 10:46:41 AM
Article : "Now It's Time To Clean Up The Mess Left Behind. The First T"
It can not be disallowed!
Friday, November 7, 2008 at 4:04:02 PM
Poll : "Poll: ... And the justification against Impeachment is now w"
Exactly what I expected.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 1:47:09 PM
Quicklink : "Some things just break my heart..."
and drain his brain.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 1:25:59 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
Who backed a loser?
Monday, November 3, 2008 at 5:48:44 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
OK
Monday, November 3, 2008 at 5:17:29 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
Try to take this seriously.....
Monday, November 3, 2008 at 8:14:57 AM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
?
Sunday, November 2, 2008 at 9:27:49 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
I've obviously scraped the bottom
Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 11:48:14 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
What are ya gonna do?
Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 11:24:29 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
Not you Kenshin..
Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 11:21:56 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
Geez
Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 10:06:26 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
Really?
Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 9:59:23 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
I should also say....
Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 9:45:41 PM
Article : "As Election Day Closes In I'm Getting Tired, Frustrated And"
Against the bailout.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 5:49:10 PM
Article : "Is George W. Bush Sane?"
I Just Don't Get It.
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