About Bill
Bill's Bio
Yale University
Harvard Law School
20 years corporate law practice
Currently Professor of Law, Ethics and Business (10 years)
Harris Stowe State University
William Woods University (MBA Program)
Member, St. Louis School Board, 1997-2005
Public Service over a period of 40 years, since community organizing as Vista Volunteer 1968-1970. My second day, Dr. King was killed. My third month, Bobby Kennedy. It was a long year.
This I Believe
The following was my submission to National Public Radio's segment called "This I Believe". It was not accepted for broadcast, but is on their website. It should tell you more about who I think I am, what I believe, and more about me personally. I hope you find it helpful and informative.
"I'm 63, but feel younger. My life has had some advantages, and I've had my share of joys - Yale College, Harvard Law School, 20 years of corporate law practice, and 8 years on the St. Louis School Board that I enjoyed and did well at. And I think I'm reasonably attractive, good-hearted, athletic, and well-adjusted, or at least sane. I'm a pretty good swimmer and runner, and a good dancer. I have many wonderful pets in heaven and a few left here on earth. They bring me joy and love every day. My dog kicks my butt in running, and I like that. It keeps me moving. Mummy the 3-legged cat has had her share of adventures, but never loses heart and always comes back for more.
But my life ambitions are not fulfilled and often it looks like they never will be. But I've never stopped pursuing my dreams, and presumably never will. As I always say, if you just do your best every day to be the best you can be, and never give up, you'll get where you're supposed to be going. That's the theory, anyhow. On the days it's hardest to believe that, it's probably the most important to do so. At the very least, it does no harm. That's my belief.
Since I was an adult, more than thirty years, I've only wanted two important things out of life: significant success in politics, which I have long believed I have gifts for, and a good love with a woman. I have neither. Most days it looks like I never will. Sometimes I think that God will give me my dreams, but I'll be 97 at the time. Well, if that's the plan, so be it. It's hard to argue with the plan. Hopefully there is one for all of us. This I believe.
Sadly, most people, or at least many people, don't get their dreams in life. That's why I always say it's my dream to be successful in politics - to make other people's more simple dreams come true. Significant public service and love - if I had to choose one, which would I choose? Sometimes I don't know, but sometimes I do. Love - maybe she needs me more than politics does. This I believe. And if I never get my dreams? Then all the lessons I've learned in this life are to prepare me better for the next one. This I believe, too. But I'll still be sad in this one."
Postscript, update: I currently have in my life a very good friend who means much to me, and I'm going to win this race. So my so-called life seems to be changing, doesn't it? It's about time.