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You best believe that if that 77 year old woman, who can "look up" longer than a man can "look down", is of a mind to have an active sex life, she ain't looking for no 77 year old coot trying to hold it together and pull it off, Ideally, she'd be just fine with a 30- something hottie right out of her fantasy, with a body to die for, and a "size matters" probe that searches for love in all the right places, viagra personified, a human vibrator, a - well you get the idea. Misogynists, indeed. Don't get me started...

@Mel&Del I've been thinking about the idea of thinking being overrated. What else can you do with your mind? I'm thinking about it... Listening to music is a good alternative. Music really is magic. It requires you to do nothing but listen, and if you enjoy what you hear, that's icing on the cake! Lately, for some reason I've been thinking how 73 years ago in1951, as a Freshman at the University of Illinois, one of the favorite songs of the little black colony of students on this large campus was a song named "For All We Know." At the end of every social event, those gathered would form a circle, grasp hands, and sing this song followed by a chorus of "Auld Lang Syne". Listening to that old favorite by Nat Cole, the years fall away and I'm swept back to the innocent carefree days of my youth. I imagine. And listen. And no thoughts are necessary. For all we know...

Many people believe Love is a verb—and while it can be, love is a force that is a noun. When I write about love, I refer to it as a force with properties—properties that connect everything in the entire universe. LOVE is energy that transforms and transmutes everything for its purpose. Love, as it is known today, is what ancients called Aether, God, and Quintessence. The symbol for it is shown above. Sometimes, when I write, I use the most comfortable use of love, but I'm referring to the Force (of which nothing would exist if it weren't in play. Still, I can't ignore the teachings and proverbs that return to ancient Africa. - "Love is one thing, knowledge is another,” a proverb from the Temple of Luxor in Ancient Kemet. Language is cultural and changes depending on the victor. Still, words matter, so I hold on to what is shown to me in my dreams. Love is not unknowable—it is just hidden. "If the Master teaches error, the disciple's submission is slavery. If he teaches truth, this submission is ennoblement. If I were writing a dissertation on Love, I would break down its properties ( i.e., what does it do?" and then compare that to something that has been studied almost out of existence and now is returning, "Aether." Now, because most of the time, no one knows what the hell I'm talking about, I begin with prompts, which are questions that will help me put together a mini explanation. Then I'd prompt Chat GPT since it's been programmed to recall most information in the short history of humans... Yes, I'm a nerd, and my "friend" is "Chad," and here's some of what "we've" discussed today about LOVE as a force... Written and Submitted on May 4, 2024. May the Force be with You!

100% I found the answer through Numerology. I am here to inspire and listen to people. You can be in a relationship and still feel invisible. I try to be present with people. Agreement doesn't follow from understanding simply because of life experience, character internal mental and emotional disposition. Who isn't wounded by life? Any concept defies agreement not because of its essence but because of our own.

Considering my gifts and talents, I was probably put here to help and teach i.e. spread love. Love is simply giving of yourself unselfishly and unconditionally without expectation of reciprocation or reward. Looks simple but it's not. Greed, jealousy, envy, hate, etc., make it harder than Chinese arithmetic for most people to give. That's where we get the adage that it's better to give than to receive. Here's the dope part.... Those who give love unconditionally receive far more than they could have asked for in the form of joy. It actually feels great to make a difference in someone else's life.

Yeah, black music promoters were very good students of white entrepreneurs. The popular girl singing group TLC claimed that their manager, former R&B artist known as "Pebbles", cheated them out of millions and they took her to court. Just recently a claim was made that Puff Daddy learned everything he knew about controlling and exploiting musical talent from Clive Davis, who was Whitney Houston's Svengali. (Rapper mogul Shug Knight didn't need a white role model to emulate when it came intimidating his stable of performers.) Joe Jackson spent years trying to extricate his kids from the grip of Berry Gordy. Marvin Gaye also had a contentious relationship with Gordy stifling his career. Prince, of course, considered himself enslaved by Warner Brothers even if he was a control freak, himself, when it came to his proteges. Little Richard was someone else who said he was a victim of the satanic music management he sold his soul to. There's no business like show business when it comes to being taken advantage of by behind-the- scene parasites who come in all colors. As for Farrakhan, I always wondered what he did to deserve his life of luxury and status, other than to tell black folks how misguided they were, and give a marathon Founders' day speech every year, spewing anti-semitism. And, if course, meekly going along with the decision to put super star Malcolm X away.

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Right. Because the snowflakes and sensitivity police would have you arrested for making that statement outside acceptable channels. Here's doubling down on insensitivity or mysogyny or whatever, I'm glad the infertile 77-year-old woman looks great. Makes that coochie the perfect playground if it's still potable and pokable. Calm down folks...these are just jokes.

***NOTHING*BUT*THE: WHOLE*SOCIAL*MEDIA*TRUTH!!! JUST*HAD*A*STRONG*INCLINATION THAT-Colin-Jost-WOULD-FLOP-2024... SO:HERE'S A*RERUN*OF*2023!!! ***"Roy Wood, Jr. COMPLETE REMARKS: At 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner (C-SPAN)": 2024CALLING*ON*VAUDEVILLE!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5m5dIiJMD0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5m5dIiJMD0 |

from Charles Jeff Wade My cousin, Sylvia Moy. She saved Stevie Wonders career writing songs for The Key of Life Album. Berry Gordy was going to Dump Stevie when his voice changed from the Boy Wonder to Maturing Young Man. Stevie spoke at her funeral crediting her for Saving him. Sylvia Moy - 1939-2017 Prolific Motown Records producer and songwriter. Wrote over 180 songs, with Grammy nominations, 20 BMI Awards Biography Moy grew up on the northeast side of Detroit with her eight brothers and sisters, performing on pots and pans to keep themselves busy and musical. Once she reached school, she played jazz and classical, but found her true place behind the scenes at Motown Records.The first woman at the Detroit-based music label to write and produce for Motown acts, she is probably best known for her songs written with and for Stevie Wonder. According to Berry Gordy’s autobiography To Be Loved, Moy was directly responsible for the label keeping Stevie Wonder. Gordy wrote that, after Stevie’s voice began to change as a result of puberty, he was going to drop him from the label. It was then that Moy went to Gordy and asked “if she could come up with a hit for Stevie would he reconsider;” he agreed. Her first writing success came with “Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” which she co-wrote with fellow SHOF inductee, Henry “Hank” Cosby, after hearing Wonder improvising on piano. Moy wrote lyrics to the song, which she conveyed to Wonder by singing into his headphones one line ahead as he recorded. In 2006, when Moy was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Wonder made a surprise appearance at the ceremony to perform “Uptight” for his former collaborator.Among the subsequent hit singles Moy wrote and/or produced while at Motown were Stevie Wonder’s “My Cherie Amour,” “I Was Made to Love Her,” and “Never Had a Dream Come True;” and “Honey Chile” and “Love Bug Leave My Heart Alone” by Martha and the Vandellas. She also co-wrote “This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)” with Holland-Dozier-Holland for the Isley Brothers; and “It Takes Two” with William “Mickey” Stevenson for Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston. She was the first female to have the title of “record producer” at the label, and one of the busiest and well-known songwriters of the time.Moy went on to write the theme songs for many television shows and movies and eventually earned six Grammy nominations and 20 BMI awards. She made a solid investment in the future of the arts when she co-founded the Center for Creative Communications, also known as “Masterworks,” which trains young adults in the field of telecommunications and media arts.Moy died of complications from pneumonia in Dearborn, Michigan, at the age of 78. my favorite black female written song is man in the mirror

I don’t Look at the Israeli Palestinian conflict as a racial one. There are Black people on both sides of the conflict. What does appear to be true is that that Hamas’ initial attack on the Israel was brutal and Israeli reaction is over-the-top. I won’t pretend to understand the source of the strife, partially religious, partially tribal, but clearly very violent. Why should domestic Black people be overly invested in either side of the conflict, when we have our own immediate problems to deal with right here at home?

Actually, I've reached the point in my life where I no longer have to work for anything, living off a generous pension, having everything done for me by my family or hired help or computerized technology. I am a generic beneficiary of AI. Mostly all my friends and contemporaries are dead and, by choice, my social life is nearly non existent. Alas - I am too unsteady on my feet to dance and revel. >sigh< But - television is my window to the world, recently allowing me to watch the NFL draft in Detroit and see da Bears for the first time in over 20 years exercise their first pick privilege, selecting a Heisman trophy QB as Chicago's hopes for a winning season soar! I also watch the news and pop culture programs and late night talk shows and documentaries about a variety of subjects dealing with both the past and the present. My phone is my companion which, via social media, enables me to interact with "frienemies" and play card games with robots and scroll through comedy club video clips of foul-mouthed stand-up comics and music videos from back in the day. My plush adjustable recliner is my lover in whose arms I languish and snooze and reminisce... Weather permitting, I go for a daily stroll up and down my driveway. What about reading books, you ask! As a lifelong reader, unfortunately, my short attention span has hampered this pass time, but I still manage to fit an occasional crossword puzzle into my routine to preserve my love of language. Very little cooking for me. Ignoring diets, I snack on goodies, and feast on a variety of fast foods - liberated by my vices. So goes what's left of my one-day-at-a-time life. Is this the chronicle of a lonely person? No, it is not. It is a preview of what Artificial lntelligence will improve upon. But there's one last thing that makes it all work for me. it is what Delano, Troy, and ProfD instinctively know. And it all has somethijg to do with the "who that is you" discipline . I am good company for myself; my own best friend. I am never alone. And when all the substitutes for participation recede, Me, Myself, and I, commune, - energized by solitude. Awareness is the ultimate defense against the potential toxicity of AI. Don't forget to think.

@DelanoI agree. Looks like life as we know it will eventually succumb to the technology that will subsequently eliminate humans - and ultimately itself. What remains will be the "back-to-square-one" phenomena during which a huge explosion will once again occur as the "creator" keeps on trying til it turns out right. 🗯 See ya next time. Maybe.

haha I was about to put this in:)

College tuition is going through the atmosphere. Student loan debt is ridiculous. Non-STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) degrees will become less valuable especially as technology takes over jobs that do not require human hands. Folks are beginning to have the conversation that trade schools might be a better option than a 4 year degree from a college or university. STEM degrees will most likely always land a job somewhere. However, Liberal Arts and Business majors might be in trouble. Talk to young Black folks within your circle about considering a trade especially if they aren't STEM strong. Don't get it twisted....an electrician, plumber, welder, carpenter, mechanic, etc., can make just as much or more money than someone with a degree. Also, a tradesperson can still get a degree too. Especially if they plan to run a business.

for a second there @aka Contrarian I thought you were dropping a clue and revealing your alter ego as @harry brown

Has anyone considered that Majors may actually be a predator who needs an incentive to stop? I have not followed the story other than what I've read here, but why is his actual behavior not a consideration? Maybe the Black judge was trying to protect Black women?

60 Minutes was my must-see TV, and on Sunday, May 5th, it will be again as I watch these two young women make their mathematical debut.

My name is Neal Owens. I am a black multi-award-winning Indie Author. The title of my New Release, scheduled to drop in August 2024, is The Rise and Fall of the Fourth Reich. ISBN: 978-1-7331503-7-8. I am interested in a book review from AALBC. Novel Synopsis: At the end of World War II, Nazi war criminals, given refuge by the CIA because of their expertise on Soviet Union affairs, infiltrated the American political system to raise the Fourth Reich in America. These former members of the SS intelligence and Gestapo, recruited as spies and consultants, aligned with the ultranationalism idealogy in the far-right wing of the American eagle and joined the America First Coalition, a group of wealthy and powerful fascists who only allowed American citizens of German descent as members. This gripping political thriller brings fiction to life with an imagination that feels real.

Well 95% of what is out there in the cosmos today’s scientists can’t explain. They call this stuff dark matter and dark energy. If love is as force in the classical sense there could be a love field and a love particle that binds us all together. Fun fact @Mel Hopkins, one of the early network protocols the “Ethernet” got its name from the Arther you speak of.

@Mel Hopkins Thanks your link has inspired me to use AI to rewrite my bio.. Haven't felt motivated to do a new video... yet

@tipsyturvSeems like you've decided that the darker the skin tone of African Americans is, the worse they are treated by society, and you feel no kinship with anyone who has less melanin than you. I'd submit that white society is not that concerned about how light or dark skin is when it comes to racism. Maybe your friend's empathy is just a symbolic gesture. And perhaps you are being overly sensitive. Ironically, colorism still exists within the black race, - and you are proof of it.

There are quite a few, but I think like attracts like. We tend to be in the company of people who are similar to us. I'm not surprised you know someone who can advance your work in other astrology markets. By the way, I'm looking forward to watching more of your videos.

On the surface, yes. I'm discovering that love is an energy for creating something out of nothing. Nothing is as it seems. I'll report back with more findings shortly.

As I've mentioned before, the world would be a much better place if humans truly understood how to give and receive love. Most *problems* would be solved.

Is it possible our journeys don't always require courage? Instead, we design our journeys to bring forth an experience we may have yet to experience in another incarnation. I distinctly remember wanting to understand the currency of LOVE. During those rough patches, I learned hard times don't require fearlessness. I found out I could be afraid and still do what's necessary. In fact, I knew that while I worked as a flight attendant. During inflight emergencies, I focused on what I could do to get the desired outcome. Even then, I leaned on Love. But I thought that's not LOVE, is it? So, when hardship hit home, I guess life showed me there was no difference. I wouldn't have had the strength if it weren't for LOVE. Love endures all and gives us the endurance to move through hard times. Courage hadn't crossed my mind because I wasn't directly experiencing the effects of the diseases—I was the witness who served everyone in the capacity the best I knew how. I wasn't always successful, either. My daughter shut down on me a few times. I didn't understand what she needed from me. I later found out she needed me to be in the moment. My mother accused me of treating her like an infant -I didn't know how to care for her either. Then I learned caring for someone doesn't mean infantizing them. Through all the fights, I just wanted to understand what I was supposed to know about the experience. And I found that I learned the currency of Love. So, maybe every journey reflects the level of knowledge you want to bring forth.

The problem with race is it is an artificial and subjective assessment but based upon American standards he is Black even with the Anglo lips

Yes, I do believe the pandemic has made an existing issue much worse. Yes, but it's like having 'tunnel vision'. Just because they know how to do that 'in a crazy way' does not add to their whole intellect at all. I wish I understood what Al really is. Months ago, I did understand when I looked into it but now, i've forgotten. I see a recent discussion thread about it, but I haven't commented because I just do not understand. A local library recently offered a class to teach about Al, but I missed that one, however, I hope to take a class because I keep hearing about it and think it might be important to understand. I absolutely agree. I was unaware of this. can you name a couple of examples from the last decade or two? what about Thomas Edison? I think he was so severe and could not keep up that he was expelled from school. He may have been illiterate but I don't remember off hand. And his invention came to completely change this world. I don't know of any recent people a decade or two ago. I just googled and have to edit. I turns out that today, it is said that Thomas Edison is not described as illiterate but had dyslexia. However, some reports say a scientist named Michael Faraday was illiterate and became renown.

what?! Is this pioneer using the good professor’s account? ok we CLEARLY can’t have a serious conversation on this subject. That statement is profoundly absurd man, I’m shocked Were you triggered by my use of the word iillit

A new book states that looking your best at 50 and beyond can be just as easy as looking your best at 20, yes, even if you are a curvy woman. Linda Peavy, style expert and head blogger of Cultured Curves: Sophisticated Style, Fashion, and Beauty for Curvy Women over 50, has answered a few prayers with her new book, The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women, Volume 1. The ultimate style guide for mature curvy women, this captivating book provides a roadmap to developing an effortless style for mature women, including tips and suggestions on fashion, make-up, and skincare, and even leads on where to shop! In many parts of the fashion industry, plus-size women are overlooked in the available inventory, style, and design aesthetics. Peavy states, “The unique style needs of plus-size mature women must be considered at fashion houses without merely replicating what is available for younger counterparts!” The book purports that when bodies and faces change, style must evolve with them. However, mature women can find it much harder to change with age and get stuck in a style rut. Fear can prevent women from trying something new. The Cultured Curves Guide to Style for Mature Curvy Women, Volume 1, makes learning or nurturing personal style easy with step-by-step guidance and fashion options. Eleven chapters feature how-to advice on what to wear, how to wear flattering outfits, fashion basics, developing a signature style, lingerie, swimwear, shoes, accessories, anti-aging resources, and the best make-up routines for aging skin. A special section of essays and affirmations encourages women to love the skin they’re in. Over 200 photos showcase fashions modeled on curvy bodies and products that inspire women to look their best. This ground-breaking book will be available via am*zon.com. The book includes The Cultured Curves Retail Guide, which displays hundreds of stores offering plus-size clothing, make-up for mature skin, anti-aging products, and more. The Cultured Curves Guide to Mature Curvy Style, Volume 1 features styles and advice from these partners: ❖ Badgley Mischka ❖ Calypsa ❖ Chocolate Diamond ❖ Curvitude ❖ Curvy Bombshells ❖ Donna Vinci ❖ E’Mit Couture ❖ Expression, Inc. ❖ Fat Girl Flow ❖ Gigi Pip ❖ Harlem Heaven’s Hats ❖ Healthy Feet Store ❖ JiBri Designs ❖ Juvia’s Place ❖ Macy’s ❖ Momentous Fashion ❖ Moonlight Serenade ❖ Nina Sharae ❖ Our Favorite Things ❖ Paint by Shawn Denise ❖ San Diego Hat Company ❖ Styles of Imagination ❖ Superfit Hero ❖ Sydney’s Closet ❖ Therese Marie ❖ Walking Cradles ❖ Wide Widths ❖ Uniquely U Fashions The book trailer is at Linda is also developing a broad community for mature, curvy women. The official Cultured Curves® Insider group has launched, giving members first access to fashion news, early access to YouTube tutorials, invitations to insider-only gatherings, and a subscription to the Cultured Curves® e-newsletter that offers fresh style blog content. The Cultured Curves Insider group is completely free, and members will also get discounts on the upcoming Cultured Curves® membership program. Register at https://www.culturedcurves.com/become-an-insider. About Linda Marie Peavy Linda Marie Peavy is a 60-year-old mature, curvy style influencer and body positivity advocate. She founded the award-nominated blog Cultured Curves: Sophisticated Style, Fashion, and Beauty for Curvy Women over 50, heralded by Feedspot as “one of the best blogs on the planet for women over 50.” Linda speaks internationally, providing workshops that uplift and inspire women to embrace self-love and their bodies. Her style contributions can be found on todayshow.com, Northeast Ohio Boomer Magazine, and multiple other forms of media nationwide. A dual entrepreneur, Linda owns LiPav Consulting, LLC, a marketing, communications, and grants services firm founded in 2008. Linda is available for talks and interviews.

@ChevdoveHave you seen the reel of the 4x100 Womens' relay race that took place at the Worlds Track & Field event that took place in Budapest last summer? The USA team anchored by our girl. Sha'kerri Richardson. took first place in an exciting finish against Jamaica. I never get enough of watching it! A magnificent display of talent and teamwork as the 4 sistas brought it home for a thrilling victory! I've tried to post the URL here but I haven't been able to do it!

National Black Cheerleading Championship 2024 I've watched this entire program at least 5 times! ... It's an addiction. Every single group was insanely awesome. I've posted 4 of my favorite but again, you have to see it to believe me.... They were all incredible. This video is NOT the actual championship but preliminaries. [1] Crown Athletics won in their category. They were much more dynamic in the finals! It was crazy. The short girl with the leg brace is the captain. Towards the end, she told the group to breathe and catch their breathe. They had no break between routines. [2] William Fleming was one of my favorites but honestly, North Meck and more were just as awesome. They were in the tumbling category. [3] Chowan was another of my favorites. They were non-tumbling. [4] The Virginia Union Rah Rah--Wow! Just Wow! They won! They were non-tumbling. This the entire championship competition! IMO It's worth the time!

LOL! Okay, I am going to divert from topic for a moment due to the previous post! I saw this short clip and I am thinking . . . Okay, back to post about recent star phenomena happening this month. Also on April 20, 2024 was a large planetary alignment, a rare one. Although I did not tune too much, I did see some of the planets and it was spectacular for what I saw. However, I've seen a couple of complete alignments in the past. A large planetary alignment is distinct from a complete alignment because it involves about 4 or 5 planets. But what is unique about some alignments is the particular position and arrangement and degree that they are in configuration. and although western scientist think it is nonsense to believe these alignments can cause earthquakes or volcano eruptions, but I think they are not truthful at all. It depends on the position of the planets whether or not they can affect our earth planet. This alignment just happened to occur at the same time another earthquake hit Taiwan. So yes, I do believe that the comet and this alignment does have something to do with these recent phenomena.

And what was the Purpose...To Marginalize Criminalize Afflict/Sicken Unhinge and Destabilize etc - in short Dehumanize Basically the Criminalization of Black Culture....So as to Debase people with Black Skin or Making Black Skin synonymous with Criminality Illness Dysfunction and Disease. When it comes to Drug Abuse in the Black communities.....it is a Criminal Issue In the White Communities it is a......Public Health Issue. True...so as to Malign and Destroy any Potential for Growth Success Education and Political Activity. Great book on this subject is - Bruce Wright's Black Robes White justice. Racism and Political Expediency

My vehicle of choice is a truck but I'm not a truck driver by profession. I realize AI is being used to produce content right now. I'm looking at a future of AI lawnmowers. A higher tech version of that Roomba vacuum cleaner.

Tananarive Due speech transcript, not perfect - Thank you so much to the LA times - the other nominees were incredible to say this this is an honor is an understatement back in 2014 I got a phone call from the florida state attorney's office And learned that my great uncle robert stevens died in 1937 at a notorious - school for boys, a reformatory in florida and after attending a meeting there with my father freedom rider john - due jr I knew I had to write about robert stevens but i also knew that my story would need a different ending , and ghost The novel took me seven years, to write, thank you so much to my husband Steven Barnes, I love you so much, also a great writer, for keeping me on the path, my editor-, my agent donald- , my father for helping me manage the jim crow judge's chamber, my sister joanna- , and my late mother patricia - due, for her courage as a civil rights activist. If I didn't know what should happen next in my book I just had to ask what would mom had done. There are countless robert- stevens in the world. And too few of them get a happy ending. so as we face the horrors in our world, in our cities, in gaza and elsewhere. And where there's true life racism , homophobia , islamaphobia, and antisemiticsm, let us honor the courage of young people as the primary creators of change throughout history and the lesson my mother taught me , activism takes many many forms, as the late octavia a butler said, the only lasting truth is change. thank you very much

Hilarious skit. That sista crushed it.

I originally posted this in the Black Literature Forum but am also posting it here, with an expletive (where people will see it ) Anyhow, this is the first AI generated video that I created. With the learning curve of using the software, it took me all of two to make the following video. I even let AI write the script. I picked the young sister from about 20 different avatars. I don't know if she is real, or AI generated.

I noticed that too @Delano. On some level, that imperfection made her more human I know it’s too late to ask because you know the answer but if I didn’t say anything, would you have suspected for a split second at this was all generated by AI?

https://www.faithringgold.com/ her page on aalbc https://aalbc.com/authors/author.php?author_name=Faith+Ringgold

Hello, Fellow Writers and Readers I have been away too long. I have missed you. I will return with the continuing saga of my promotion for The Culinary Art Portfolio of Josephine E. Jones. But right now, I want you to see my first published work under my pen name: Wendy Ebo Jones. Since there are at least 300 people named Wendy Jones in North America and one other writer who shares my name --after attending an Independent Book Publishers Association webinar on the subject of making sure your work stands out, (they used the term "branding," which brings up the smell of the burning flesh of enslaved people, so I don't use it)-- I decided to differentiate myself. Why Ebo? It's a family name. Here is a link to the essay, On the Bus (approx. 500 words): https://theravensperch.com/on-the-bus-by-wendy-ebo-jones/,

I wonder if there will be a forum in 20 years. For those of us who live long enough and have our marbles the time will go quickly. What happens in the next 20 years will be far more interesting than any solar eclipse.

@ProfDThat'll be the day when Blacks and whites decide to forgive and love each other. I have yet to encounter any black folks who don't harbor contempt and mistrust for white people. And most whites don't seem to care one way or another about nigras.

TOGO.....is Challenging what is being called a Constitutional Coup and Extension of Term Limits by the current Legacy Ruler - Gnassingbe. Is this the Beginning of a Revolt Against France CFA Franc/UEMOA??? That would make it 5 out of 8...dominoes falling Guinea Bissau Benin and Cote d! Ivoire which is next....My guess is Guinea Bissau

Societal dysfunction is like cancer. There's no money in the cure. Plenty money to be made maintaining it. A whole lotta folks are getting paid through social dysfunction i.e. law enforcement agencies, judicial system, prison industrial complex, hospitals, social services, etc. That's just to name a few. So many ancillary businesses and services draw money from the same well.

Gee, I missed some of this conversation. Parts of it are new to me and must've occurred when I was trying to get my bearings after my e-mail was hacked and my computer broke down, and I was reinstating my account here. @Mel HopkinsI had no idea what you were going through during that time! My dear brave girl, how impressed but not surprised I am by the way you rose to the occasion and displayed your true grit in coping with the crises that tested and gave meaning to why you are here! "Life is the question, love is the answer." You go, Girl! I feel inadequate because my journey has not veered off into paths that called for me to be courageous as I trudge along, knowing that I know not. But being old does present challenges and - I.Am.Still.Here.

If I ever needed a definition of what it looks like to Love another - this is the best definition, "Caring for someone without expecting a return on the investment"

OMG I've missed you, the woman formerly known as Cynique @aka Contrarian A woman I used to be in a rap group with back in the early 90s now has a YouTube channel (Stephanie Danger). She asked her followers what name we would choose for our alter ego, and I decided on Contrarian. Today, I would choose "Neutral." During these last two years, I also questioned the meaning of life after my mother underwent major heart surgery and two of my three daughters had major surgeries, one after battling stage 3 cancer. I couldn't be with my daughter (thank goodness for dads) because my brother is severely disabled - and during my mom's treatment (I almost lost her twice), I had to care for him. Everyone pulled through, and by December 2023 - I concluded no one knows an effing thing. We make this bullshish up and look for followers to cosign our beliefs. The more believers we acquire, the more it becomes our collective reality. So, thank you, Contrarian, for remaining here in this dimension. I can confidently say that part of your mission is to remind us that the majority is nothing more than a bunch of weak-minded and lazy folks who chose to follow the beaten path instead of dazzling us with their Divine creativity.

The body language of Umar and the other guy was off. They both were shaking their feet, like they were nervous or something made me a bit wary. when I was a lot younger, and you could still smoke anywhere, I would occasionally have a cigarette because it would give me a quick buzz. But now I don’t smoke at all seems like a dumb expensive habit. my mom still smokes. I brought her a pack of cigarettes the other day and they cost 15 bucks maybe more. Supposedly they text the heck out of them to discourage use. but it’s just very regressive tax. They need to ban these products as they so bad for your health. i’ve tried a variety of weed products over the years, especially after they became legal. They have had variety of effects on me from euphoria to lethargy, and no effect at all. If I could get to euphoric effect consistently, I probably would use weed more often, but I don’t so I don’t mess with the products nowadays. I drink barely regularly. I’ll have a glass of wine or two with dinner a few times a week. I’m hanging out depending on my mood I have a beer, wine or whiskey. My cocktail of choice is a Manhattan. I will occasionally have a cigar, but it is a social activity that I engage in when playing poker with the fellas and then I may only do that once a year is about the fellowship of ritual of sorts. @aka Contrarian it is always a pleasure when you post. I’m always anxious to hear what you have to say and have a special affinity for you. I’m sure if you just tag @Mel Hopkins and @Chevdove they will respond next time they are on the boards. I went away for a few days because my daughters were in town and we were hanging out. @Pioneer1 yeah I think social media was the biggest thing to impact this forum and forums in general. Like cigarettes those platforms are designed to be addictive and keep the users engaged there. People have a fixed amount of times in their lives, and social media comes at cost. Attention is a zero sum game. The more time we spend on social the less time we will spend playing outside, participating in discussion forums, reading the book, making love, etc. @frankster and @ProfD continue to make the forum interesting. If it were not for them and Pioneer, I don’t know where would be.

I always look up things that I don't know the answer to or that I'm curious about. i don't waste time trying to remember what I never knew. I:'ve always been about expanding my mind! This is the case with most people - except for those with narrow minds who only want to reinforce what limited knowledge the have stored in their memory and are deluded enough to believe that they already know everything there is to know.