I don't think my story will mean much to most of those participating here, as I get the general impression that I am a good deal older than most of you. I was also a bit older(I turned 50 this year) than most of you were, when I first went to the St. Pete Seed as well, I believe in 1972 or 73. And, as I recall, I didn't stick around very long either. You'll have to forgive me, but that was thirty years, a lot of drugs and probably a good 10,000 gallons of alcohol ago. I ran from the Seed and continued running until 1996. There were a few brief stops along the way, 75-79 I spent in prison after getting drunk and pulling an armed robbery. A few months after I got out of prison, I finally gave up on the drugs, I didn't want to go back and alcohol was far easier to get. I still had all of the same demons, just a different way to deal with them.
If anyone is interested, I can tell a little more about my mis-spent youth, but it may interest you to know that all of the misery and heartache brought by The Seed, Straight, Art Barker, Mel Sembler, et al. was simply collateral damage or acceptable loss. The Seed and Straight were merely a means to an end for these "founders." There is none so powerful as he who has the control of youth and that is true either figuratively or literally. These men gained enormous power and influence, not to mention a fair amount of wealth and fame at the expense of a generation. Do a search on Art Barker or Mel Sembler, and you might be surprised at results. If nothing else, look and see what the pain and misery a few thousands kids gets people.
[ This Message was edited by: Lazarus on 2003-09-08 00:21 ]