A Rebel Life - Emails

"There is a reason they're rich, and I'm just trying to join them." - Gary

"People like us try to blend in with the rich society, to dress like them at work, and that entire "standard" thing. But it doesn’t mean WE WILL BECOME LIKE THEM." - Fonda

"You've honored him [Archie] with an outstanding book, and I'm sure he's smiling down on you from heaven." - XXXXXX

"I have always wondered why? our society views "gangs" as those that live in the inner city and those that are the lower class. " - Yolanda

"Do what has to be done! In my opinion the peaceful solution is the way to go in this situation!" - Nora

"I too come from meager beginnings. My family never had a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of." - Steve

"What do you think about your president how are we gonna change the world with people like him the killer of this century?" - Luis

"Your book sounds very hopeless. Do you ever find hope in the midst of this terrible tragedy of loosing your brother?" - Greta

"Your views are small minded and one way only." - Angelina

I was able to finish my copy of your book when I got home after work last Wednesday…. Corix is almost done also, and he sees your life like the punk rebels we know in the Philippines… life there is pretty fuck-up as well, our country is corrupt because of rich people wanting more money and power, greedy bastards. Muslims colliding with Christians, Poor becomes poorer, and life goes on…

People like us try to blend in with the rich society, to dress like them at work, and that entire "standard" thing. But it doesn’t mean WE WILL BECOME LIKE THEM. I myself removed my piercings just to get a proper job in the Philippines before. Corix cut his long hair and even got his tunnel stitch also! But good thing about here in KSA, is that they don’t have all those whole body check-up crap, and so Corix was able to work here even though he have plenty of tattoos still. Women can have their nose pierced here while at work, just pretend to be a Buddhist, heheh.

You sure have a movie-like life my friend, and I'm really sorry about your brother's lost. Fuck the system as Corix may say. But you did succeed in your fight for a cause; you educated the people through writing a book (I might do the same soon for I had a mess-up life also) and the memory of your brother will linger for many years to come, so try not to let your violent beast inside you literally kill the Rich, =) Plus, you have a family to think of already.

I will buy your hard-bond book as soon as I am out of this country going to UAE. And also to give as a gift for a friend of mine in which I call little brother.

- Fonda

Hey Pete,

I saw your book mentioned on [myspace]. I typed it in in the search engine and since I am Greek, hung out with skin heads who hung out at CBGB's back in the 80's, did drugs, experienced poverty and homelessness, and then managed to pull away from it all, it immediately piqued my interest. I finally got the book today and read it. It was outstanding!!!

I agree with you about the wealthy keeping the poor and middle class down to an extent. I worked as a paralegal for a while and saw first hand the injustices of a corrupt system. Eventually I grew so disgusted with what I saw, I left the field for good. Paralegals are the people who do much of the lawyers dirty work...

The part I disagree with is where you say the lower classes don't choose their predicaments. This is going to sound far off, and maybe you'll wonder if I'm crazy, or just did too many drugs, but I assure you neither are the case, well okay, maybe a little lol ;). The way you studied socio-economics (for lack of a better word), I researched life after death, and the meaning of life, why are we here, etc. After reading thousands of case studies of people who have died and come back, among other writings, what people have all said is that we choose our lives before we get here. We choose the amount of suffering we'd like to endure to learn lessons. These lessons allow us to grow spiritually. The lessons are love, kindness, compassion and humility. I'll leave it at that because as a former atheist myself, I know that if anyone tried to tell me this shit I'd think they were either heavily on drugs or out of their mind. The answers to lifes mysteries are ones each of us have to go looking for, and research ourselves in order to grasp the full meaning, and to believe it.

You have a talent for writing that was yours even before you finished all of your formal schooling. It's a gift, don't waste it. I hope you are going to write more books. There are so many kids that could benefit from your experiences, and your words. With all the lifes experience you've had, you could easily turn your real experiences into works of fiction. Drug fiction is hot now with teenagers since drugs are so rampant. Eventually I'd like to write some books also in an effort to help anyone that I can.

I got a giggle out of seeing Mastic in your book. I live out in Shirley. When we moved here there were crack heads and 'thugs' all over the neighborhood. After they tried to break into our house one night while we were in it, we declared war on them, and just cleaned house on the neighborhood. It's peaceful here now. People aren't as tough out here as some perceive them. The minute you push back harder the little faggots are tucking tail running for cover lol :)

Do you have a myspace? You could really get some more exposure for your book with one. There are so many people on myspace that could relate, and I'm sure love your book. Most authors have myspaces nowadays. If you have one add me to your friends. I have a lot of the kids out here in the Mastic Shirley visiting my page, and I would love for anyone and everyone who's about to jump into the abyss, to read your book and perhaps think twice. I'm going to pass my copy of it off, and have my library order copies of it.

Great job on the book again, and I'm sorry about your brother. I've lost a handful of people to drugs too, all after turning my back on that lifestyle :( You've honored him with an outstanding book, and I'm sure he's smiling down on you from heaven.

Sorry this is so long!!

- XXXXXXX

As I read on and on, I thought of your mom and wondered how she is. I will be going out to purchased your book this week. I have always wondered through most of my life as to "why we do the things we do?" What makes us the way we are? When I was younger I always wanted to go to The Ohio State University, since I am from Ohio. But life wasn't what I planned, even though I attempted it in 1992. But again, life happened and raising three children after a crazy divorce, they were my responsibility.

Now, my two children I have left are young adults and starting their families. My son Tony died in a car accident on March 1, 2006, Tony was 27. He was a young man trying to make it, but not really ever have a good male role model he made some mistakes. He didn't belong to a gang as "gangs" are defined. He had met a new group of young men, upper middle class and professionals. But in their circles life was full of fun, which involved partying, drinking, marijuana and from what I found out late cocaine.

I have always wondered why? our society views "gangs" as those that live in the inner city and those that are the lower class.

This year has been the worst year of my life, the loss of Tony has been emotional and physical torture. I am doing well, even though my family and I are not on good terms. David and Megan my other children can not deal with me, I am not the same as I use to be. I just can't deal with the pettiness and arrogance of my siblings, so I've taken a stand.

Enough of that, the bottom-line is that Tony's death has given me a new strength. So, I am going back to OSU to pursue a Social Work degree. I am so eager to start this summer, actually June 18th I will start with Sociology 101. When I received you request and started reading your story, I felt as if it was a confirmation that my plans are valid.

Even though you do not know me, thank you.

Yolanda

It's a little depressing your book. It is discouraging to think that there will always be evil because duality is a prerequisite for existence. Yet we can look at the positive side of duality as well. The mountain that arises out of the valley gives us the opportunity to conquer the mountain. Whatever weaknesses we have and challenges we face are an opportunity to achieve greatness. Maybe your anger will help you to overcome whatever weakness or vulnerabilities. But i don't see an answer. The answer. Just anger! Intensity!

With all me respect for a tremendous style, Nora.

Long life ahead.

Peter's Response

Nora, the realty of the working class around the world and here in NY is depressing, not necessarily for me, because I have learned how to play the rich man's game, but many of my kind, including my brother have been swept from existence because they lacked this knowledge. Depression and anger can debilitate a person or become a great motivator of action, expression and change, but I know one thing, happy people DO NOT want change even though the world burns around them.

My anger is not blind or emotional. It is not revengeful. It is not without purpose or meaning. More importantly it is NOT mine, it IS an outcome of an unfair system, that we do not share its insights. I seek justice, equality and peace.

In my book, i visit memories of a past life I once lived that are triggered from the death of my brother. They push me, today, the new logical man I have become, to seek a bloody revenge for his death, the outcome was not anger or bloody at all, but love. Two weeks later, my revenge was to have a child in his memory and raise her to change the world in a meaningful way. So, it is not just anger.

thank you for your email

peter

Nora's response

I was deeply touched about what you have written to me. Some strong images from the book still hunting me, I have thought a lot about you and your decision. Inspiring confidence in yourself is one of the most important things you have, and just like I am now, I suppose the others will be very receptive to your self-confidence. You are a person who has come back from having a very powerful experience that taught you a lesson in life and you have built a solid foundation, that's your strength. But, even if you have tremendous leadership abilities, keep in mind however, that this doesn't mean that your life is necessarily stable. It's exhausting, sure, and you've just about had it. Weather challenge the ''status quo'' and choose ''dare'' , you have here a huge long terme project and it mean's for me that at least you have a plan. Do what has to be done! In my opinion the peaceful solution is the way to go in this situation! I believe that is esentialy also to be totally honest, true to oneself and one's own vision and convictions, even if that means standing alone, for a while.

Before I forget, i dare un advise, I'm the mother of 20 years boy and 16 years girl, i know about what i'm saying. Never project your struggle or frustration on your child. A child grows up absorbing the philosophy of life from his parents, only if there is a true family, based on understanding and compassion. The most important thing is the atmosphere at home - trust and respect.

Anyway, i've bodered you enough! Open your heart and express your love freely, as it will brighten up other people's lives as well. I wish you to be the shining light that others can look to for guidance and support. And as I 'saw' the book, maybe to find o producer to REALISE A MOVIE it will be useful too.

It's a pleasure and a privilege to consider you my friend, Peter!

The book is really good from just what I read in the excerpts. I agree that the war of the rich on the working class did lead to your brother,my friends demise, making us who we are (as we are told who we are anyway) while working in tandem with everything from corporations, the gov't , and organized religion.

I too come from meager beginnings. My family never had a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. My father is from a small town in western PA (my grandfather died from black lung working in the coal mines). He came to NY when he was young and my mother is from a working class Italian family in Burrough Park Brooklyn.

Prior to 1985' my father worked his way up to a decent position as an insurance salesman for a large company. We did well for a time. Then around 1987' he had a full blown nervous breakdown as a direct result from experiences in Vietnam. I guess he suppressed everything and coupled with post traumatic stress...that was it, he has not been able to work, much less function in any "normal" setting since that time. Any relationship he has had and our family life needless to say had suffered immensely over the years.

Around that time he wanted to obtain (for the first of many times)records concerning his diagnosis and his records from St. Albans va hospital in queens. As he was filing for a disability claim, apparently in 1972 he signed some sort of waver as an uninformed, traumatized youth, in order to leave the hospital. He would have signed anything to go home. I imagine it would be a statement not holding the gov't responsible years later after being hospitalized (again). He needed the help and support of the u.s gov't, however, after he fought, killed men, almost died and lost friends, they had the gaul to say he wasn't in Vietnam! After that had failed to suffice as it was an out right lie, they said well, we are not sure of your service while in Vietnam.

what? My father being contacted for a final time from the v.a.stating his"records" were burned in a "mysterious fire" at the place they were kept.huge blow to my father and our family.as you can imagine he was crushed.in his statement to the v.a. administration (some of which i read) it does not paint the u.s. govt in the best light as to what they had my father and many other veterans of that war do on a daily basis. However, its the truth.

Setting a claim aside for much needed finacial assistance for veteran that put his life on the line and is disabled mentally,just the denial of recongnition for his service is unbeileavable to say the least. He did get an advocate and a va lawyer etc. but they are masters of red tape and my father is disgusted.they are waiting for veterans of that unpopular war to"die out".

Growing up in this environment, I suffered as did my sister and mother. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress form child hood and experiences on the streets (I was briefly involved with the white power movement and was in California working with Blood & Honor. Lets just say the shit hit the fan MANY times, but I am no longer and have not been associated with them, as I am NOT racist, never raised that way and disagree with everything they stand for. I'm just giving you my history as to why i have issues. So now i get a "pittance" called "social security" from the govt, as does my mother and father. We are all on medication as well. Casualties of war are not always on a battlefield indeed.

I feel your book while being personal relates to a lot of these universal issues. My family's situation and yours, particularly the war of the rich, which i have seen and felt on working,lower class peoples. When you spoke of being "off" Pete, I felt like I was back at school. Unpleasant, but truly honest. The early school days I can totally relate. I can't wait to read it. As a side note i have also read the works of Tolstoy,Marx,and Che' all very informative insightful material. I would put your work in a similar category. Please excuse such a long letter but i felt i couldn't keep it short and give the full spectrum of our situation as it relates to your book. I hope you are proud of it, I am and I know Archie is.

- Steve

Gary
I'm not rich, but I don't envy or hate them. There is a reason they're rich, and I'm just trying to join them. If I never become rich, it's my fault and nobody elses. I don't blame others for my problems.

Peter
what if the "others" are found to be the cause of your problems, will you have the courage to blame them?

Will you have the courage to go against such a strength that has historically leveled the working class beneath them and offers slim chances to enter their class to the ones that think more for themselves than the community?

Everyone cannot be rich, only a select few. Why won't you feel guilty if selected?

Luis,
Hi Peter everything with you man what do you think about your president how are we gonna change the world with people like him the killer of this century?

Peter
He is not my president and the way we change the world is to make being rich illegal. I don't think we should focus on one man as "the killer of this century" because the worlds ills stems from a small class of wealthy people around the world in all cultures. This one man is used as a scapegoat to keep a system that permeates through out history. It is not just the American Rich that is at fault for exploiting the world's working class, it is the wealth seeking groups within each culture doing "business" with them.

Luis
You talk about wealthy as though wealthy were sickness remenber this ill is manage by people so we got to stop the people and the corrupted sistem look what is happening here in venezuela we got a president that is trying to change the corrupted sistem and even we are mayority a litle rich group handled by united stated deparment and from europe are making people see that everything here is going bad that is when a system is born to fight for poor people immediatly is exterminated

Your book sounds very hopeless. Do you ever find hope in the midst of this terrible tragedy of loosing your brother?

Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ? Hope sounds like what you are looking for through this work. I've come through some rough things myself and thank the Lord for my relationship with him. In the Bible, God promised to never leave or forsake his own--those who have called on him and surrendered their lives to Christ. Have you done that? Do you want to do that? Sounds like you do/like you need to, but the choice is yours.

The cover art of the book is very powerful. Good job.

"Your book sounds very hopeless," as hopeless as a mass delusion that has consistently, logically, rationally, realistically and scientifically be shown to be A) wrong and B) exploitive of the working man?

Hope? is for the wealthy, that the masses do not understand the power that they have to choose their outcome.

Greta, I appreciate what you are attempting to do with your comments, but WE do not need salvation from a dead historical figure (who was a rebel and taught rebellion against authority and the rich, I might add) that can not nothing for our realistic situation right now. his teaching, as other great figures should be put into context as "great men" not gods to be worshiped.

Our answer to our problems that the working class face is right here on earth - eliminate the wealthy and all our differences will not be as heightened.

Thanks

I do not share your opinion on "the rich" manipulating our lives and I do not share your opinion that you have more choices/options, if you have more money. If you state that phrase, the consequence means "if you have limitless money. your options are limitless" and that is completely wrong. Money can´t buy you friends, money can´t buy you talent, money can´t buy you love. Making money the driving force in your life is your own decision and directing your life after the money is your own decision and only choosing options for your life, that money has to offer, is your own decision. Your views are small minded and one way only, stained by grief and pain about the loss of your brother who you loved and treasured. The earlier you stop blaiming other people (in that case "the rich") and stop spreading hatred against people who work hard to harvest the fruit of their ambitions, the better. There ARE some ruthless people who make money without respect for life in general, especially respect for other people and I agree, that we are ruled by a rich elite that puts itself above others and that thinks that they are even above the law. But that´s an exclusive club of people - a couple of hundreds, maybe thousands, worldwide. But we have six billion people on this planet. Some have money and some haven´t and most of them work hard. Very hard. Leading a hate-campaign against them, because you lost a loved-one? You certainly do not have my support.

I like this email because it demonstrates the typical American bourgeoisie attitude to the rich, trying to make a distinction between good and bad rich. As if we are all islands whose actions do not affect each other? Is it illogical to suggest that the more resources an individual hordes, that more impact his foot print has as it steps threw the ocean and generates ripples that wash away the smaller islands? But I guess a good rich person tip toes around the smaller islands.

I have always found it fascinating when some people see it wrong to blame the cause of a condition that scientists, historians, economists and philosophers stretching back to the Greeks have pointed out. Although I’m an atheist I’ll even add religious leaders such as Christ, Mohamed and Buddha that have pointed out that money (all, with no distinction) is the root of evil.