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Here are answers to the questions that I am asked many times. Rather than answer each one individually I have compiled a list from which I add, remove, and modify as circumstances require. If you want to ask me something more specific or that isn't answered here, send me an e-mail. I'll respond (if you are civil) even if it is to say I can't or won't answer the question.
In the community where I live there are quite a few people of
Muslim or Arab descent. The name Ali is as common among them as
Steve, Tom, John or Bill is among those of European ancestry. At
the mosque I am part of there are at any given time six or seven
Alis. So, how to distinguish one from another without confusion
or mistakes? The common practice here is to append their job or
profession into their name.
At the time I joined this mosque I was working in sales for a
firm that sold agricultural chemical products such as
fertilizers, pesticides, and anti-fungals among others to the
farms and orchards in this area. And so I became "Chemical
Ali", to distinguish me from Mechanical Ali, Furniture Ali,
Dental Ali, and some others. While I no longer work in that field
having started my own business, the name has stayed with me.
And so it went until the mid-1990s when one of Saddam Hussein's
generals, one Ali Hassan al-Majid started using Sarin, VX, and other nerve and
blister agents on the Kurds, Iranians and uppity Sunni Iraqis.
And in traditional Arab fashion he became known as "Chemical
Ali" to distinguish him from other Iraqi military officers
named Ali.
Given that change in circumstances I get asked a lot why I
"picked" this name. Actually the name picked me. And so
that is how Chemical Ali came to be. Maybe I'll change it
someday, and maybe I won't.
I am not from the Middle East. I was
born in Dearborn, Michigan, USA. I have resided in Renton,
Washington and Bryan, Ohio as well. I am an American,
and I love America. However, I am not too fond of the US
government. I try not to hate anyone. Here is a article about the
neighborhood I grew up in. Under the Veil, Who's for Kerry?
I try, but the thing is...I'm a not a
professional writer or scholar. I write what I think and what I
have experienced or learned. I make no claims to the publishers
or readers of anything more than this: Here is my honest opinion,
for whatever it is worth to you. Nothing more but nothing less either.
After I graduated from high school the very thought of sitting a
another classroom for the next four years filled me to the brim with
loathing and anxiety. However I had promised my Gramps shortly
before his death that I would achieve a bachelor's degree and so
I was on the hook. Word given is a bond for a man worthy of
respect in my family and so I had to do it. However, I didn't promise how
or what, eh?
As soon as I received my letter of acceptance from Eastern
Michigan University I went to the
campus and enrolled. I bought a student undergrad catalog from
the bookstore and I flipped through it until I found the minimum
course requirements for the Bachelor of Business Administration
(BBA) degree. I ripped that page out of the catalog and pinned it
to my bedroom wall.
I then proceeded to relentlessly take every single class needed
to achieve a BBA. I took a full time (12 credit hours) class
schedule every single semester (fall, winter, spring, summer). I
graduated with my BBA in two and half years.
I did this by taking no breaks or time off. I did this by taking
the easiest possible electives that fulfilled whatever
requirement the University had in that area. I had no interest in
the Government & Politics of Modern Canada, Intro to Botany,
or Intro to Aesthetics, but I took them anyhow because they fit my
schedule and were not too demanding. I regret this choice now.
I took the three required economics classes required for the BBA
degree. Econ 100 (Macro), Econ 110 (Micro), and Econ 300(Econometrics,
and I aced 'em all. So do I know economics and economic
theory very well then? No, or not really well enough to pretend
to be able to argue with those guys at the Ludwig von Mises Institute Blog or LewRockwell.com or
any of the other "gold standard" websites dedicated to
Austrian Economics , Libertarian political theory and philosophy.
My pitiful excuses continued: I am a single parent, a small
business owner (with 17 employees) and I am seriously trying to build a secure
future for myself and my kids. So besides the fact that Human Action or For A New Liberty seem
stupifyingly boring to me, (my eyes get tired and my brain cells
overheat trying to read it after working all), I just don't have the time to pour through these works
in great detail just so I can joust and spar with the wonks at
LRC or LvMI blogs and websites.
So there it is. Any suggestions for remedying this shortcoming in
my education will be greatly appreciated. (PS - I have already
read Chaos Theory, Economics for Real People, and few other shorter works.)
In the recent past I and my family, friends, home, and business
have all been the target of threats and vandalism. Especially
since September 11, 2001 and this is intolerable to me.
I have a ex-Yugoslavian Army SKS rifle and LOTS of ammunition for
it in my home. I was trained in combat riflery by the US Army and
never qualified at any level but Expert. Since that time I
practice with the SKS at least monthly and often more.
Why do I state these facts openly? Draw your own conclusions.
Not much, frankly. I've written a short essay on this topic.
Clink the link here and go see. No NAP for me.
I invite your questions and
comments. If you want to discuss my vision of liberty or yours
send me an e-mail.
August 6, 2005
