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People are still scratching their heads over the Jussie Smollett farce after the Chicago Police Department, on the recommendation of a grand jury, leveled 16 charges against Jussie for his alleged crime of falsely claiming to be a victim of a hate crime at the hands of 2 masked Trump supporters, shouting "this is "MAGA country"! So, what had happened was that in its zeal to sanitize its bungling, racist, reputation, Chi-Town's police force conducted a very thorough investigation of the case in an effort to track down Jussie's attackers, only to reach the conclusion backed up by security surveillance cameras and other incriminating evidence, that Jussie had perpetrated a hoax on the city, lying about this incident in an effort draw sympathy to himself and thereby secure a higher salary for his gig on the TV show EMPIRE. Once no credible evidence was found to support jussie's inconsistent and contradictory claims and with the testimony of 2 Nigerian brothers, who reluctantly confessed to aiding and abetting Jussie in staging this hoax, the duped and enraged CPD, led by its black Superintendent, Eddie Johnson, and hot-headed lame duck Mayor, Rahm Emanuel, decided to throw the book at Jussie and bring him to trial in order to erase this blemish on the beleaguered city of Chicago. Elsewhere, the Cook County States Attorney's office, headed by Kim Foxx, a black woman who had earlier recused herself from this case because she was approached by a mutual friend who was a former aide of Michelle Obama's, and who was also acquainted with Jussie's family, and who had asked if Kim could intervene on behalf of Jussie, and get the FBI involved in the proceedings because his family feared Jussie was being framed. Then - out of the blue - without consulting any local law enforcement officials, the States Attorney's office dropped a bomb shell, declaring all charges would be dropped against Jussie and his record expunged with the agreement that he would perform 60 hours of community service, and forfeit the 10% of $100,000 bond he had posted. When all hell broke loose, the States Attorney office explained that their action was an option in "Class 6" felonies, a category that is just one step above a misdemeanor, and something a defendant who has not committed a violent crime and had no previous criminal history is eligible for. They further admitted that their action did not exonerate Jussie of the charges and that he was, indeed, believed to be guilty as charged but that he had been the party in a routine plea bargain negotiated by his attorneys. Subsequently, Jussie, in a brief statement to the press, poured salt on the wounds of the CPD by continuing to insist he was innocent - a performance drawing mixed reviews from the entire country. As the case now stands, with the city in an uproar as everyone takes sides, Chicagoland blacks are mumbling about this being payback for the short 4-year sentence given Jason VanDyke, the white cop who pumped 16 bullets into the back of LaQuan McDonald, an unarmed black teenager walking away from him. The police union is frothing at the mouth, claiming this is an affront to their hardworking boys in blue, and are calling for the head of Kim Foxx, who is now on the hot seat, being criticized from all quarters by those who think that behind the scene, she was instrumental in showing favoritism toward a celebrity. Those in the hood are also angry about all of the money spent on investigating this bogus case, believing it could've been better spent on the unsolved killings of hundreds of black murder victims. Mayor Emanuel agreed and has sent Jussie Smolette a $130,000 bill for services rendered, after telling Trump to "butt out" when 45 publicly referred to this Chicago fiasco as an embarrassment to America that needed to be looked into by the FBI and DOJ. Meanwhile, Jussie has reportedly arrived in Los Angeles, presumably to attend the NAACP Image Award TV show Saturday, where he is a nominee for "best supporting actor in a drama"... You can't make this stuff up, Folks.

@Troy consistent with the belief, those messages are not from G-D , those whispers are from THE WATCHERS who were explicitly told not to intervene in human affairs. They can warn or in this case "report". What humans choose to do with that information is based on their own understanding and belief system. see: daniel, mary. and host of others who received visits and messages

Meanwhile, Former Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno allegedly filed a false report claiming a woman stole is Audi. The woman turned out to be his friend. Police opened an investigation on him too. But I guess it wasn't that serious to them. They seem to take a "boys will be boys" attitude with the alderman. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-chicago-alderman-joe-moreno-false-police-report-investigation-20190205-story.html Filing a false report is a misdemeanor in Illinois -but Jussie's celebrity status and his accusation that he was attacked by MAGots made him the perfect target. At some point we're going to learn this system isn't set up for black people foolishness - even if it's the truth. lol

This is the only thing I read about Justice Smellit.

@Pioneer1 yeah I can see that my first post was "attacked" by a few people. I thought it was funny. Often when people react in a rude are harsh way it is more about them than you. Besides, "sticks and stones..." brother. The perceived hostility is lightweight compared to growing up on the 'hood 🙂

...and there are plumbers, electricans, and web based booksellers who need to supplement their incomes too -- especially those who live in the nation's largest cities. @Pioneer1 education is not simply about learning the skills for a profession or trade. It is about becoming a well arounded individual with a base of knowledge and experiences to help navigate an increasingly challeging world. Liberal arts which you and so many short sighted people eschew and disparage is why our nation is full of zenophobic, culturally illiterate, social media manipulated, Trump voting, dullards. Even the compulsive drive toward STEM is why people are less likely to sit down for an hour or two and read a book to expand their minds and get a perspective different than the one in their head. Oh by the way MOST students never learn calculus -- even in college and you don't need it to be and an accountant.

Our destiny is different than what we are known for doing well. It's also different from what we see ourselves doing. It's the things that makes us feel alive and timeless. Sometimes it is to special to tell others what it is. Especially if they are controlling or don't want to see you grow and develop. Our social structure can't afford for it's members to become self actualized. Although you may already know that you shouldn't divulge what makes you golden. You have an angel and a devil giving you advice. The angel is quieter and in the background. These could be actual people . @Chevdove

@E.equals.dtb I wrote a response to your post the other day but for some reason - it's not here. 😞 Anyway, "black people" is not your audience. Some black people might be in your audience but we're not a monolith. Therefore, some of us may hurt your sales more than help. A lot of new writers make the same mistake especially those who think they don't understand 'marketing (promotion)'...But I believe you do understand how to promote your book because you worked in nonprofit! Just like a nonprofit doesn't serve everyone -neither will your book. BUT you do have a very specific audience. It's the audience that is most receptive and will benefit from your message. Find that group first and start speaking with them...and they will help you sell your book. Also join us over at #readingblack.com - it's another discussion forum on aalbc.com (this website) that helps authors with strategies for selling. MERGED Also, I should be more specific about what I mean when I say find that "group." This group may be those who identify as "black" but remember there 's a lot of "black" people in the world. Further some "black" people may be women, men, or other? Some black people are christians with a big giant E in front of the "c". Some black people are buddhist and that's a huge undertaking in itself. I have a friend who is the most militant black man I've met but he almost had me thinking about following buddhism because he made it seem perfect for me ... You see where I'm going with this right? When I first wrote my book - I thought it was for every black woman in the world - but what I found out is Black men and women who were into STEM and men who read comic books loved my book. I would have never guessed but that's what my audience looked like. In an effort to narrow down your group to get honest reviews and cut down on your frustration - determine the characteristics of the group who is willing to listen and learn and that's where you start.

@Troy , Yes I agree! Getting books in front of readers was Amazon's specialty. Amazon actually trained us, the readers, to go to them first when looking to buy a book. I had to break the habit and search out books from authors, then publishers, then independent book shops then chain bricks and mortar to finally online retail. Other readers may not go through the hassle and ultimately, the writer loses. We've learned the amazon process discourages some writers from participating at all. So, yes I hope others will share their experiences. The bottom line in that case is when someone is printing off your book and selling to THEIR customers, you really can't be sure how many books you're actually selling. With that in mind, After my initial release in 2006, I also sold about 100 books on lulu.com, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. After 2008 through 2014, the numbers dwindle and averaged 3 per year - or at least that was what amazon was reporting. Lulu seemed to be more brisk in their reporting. I've since removed my title from all online retailers - and I buy my books so I can sell directly to others. This way, I can keep an eye on my inventory AND stay in contact with my customers. I've had the most success though Social Selling (social media) to my immediate network and their network. Social Selling led to promoters book me for their events where I found after a speaking engagement I was successful at direct selling.