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BBPC Events supports and celebrates Black Authors by launching BLK Author Expo Woodbridge. WASHINGTON, DC METRO AREA – The BLK Author Expo offers authors of our culture a platform to sell their work and discuss their craft while exposing readers of all ages to the great variety of African American authors in the area. Our goal is to educate, entertain, and impact diverse communities through African American literature, by shining light on the stories told in their books. The Expo which is free, open to the public, and suitable for all ages will kick off in the Woodbridge, VA area on April 15, 2023, at Clearbrook Center of the Arts. Expo attendees will be able to meet and engage with more than 20 regional authors of color, as well as participate in discussion sessions, book signings, networking, and giveaways. The event will also attract publishers, book clubs, libraries, illustrators, and individual readers. This Expo is free, open to the public, and suitable for all ages. For more info visit the event site at: www.thebookbutler.com/events or email: info@thebookbutler.com BLK Author Expo Woodbridge Saturday, April 15, 2023 Clearbrook Center of the Arts 2230B Tackett’s Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 ---------------------------------------------- For more information about the Expo visit: TheBookButler.com/events BBPC Events, a division of, BookButler Publishing Company 9801 Apollo Drive, #6060, Upper Marlboro, MD 20792 Media Contact: Aaron C. Butler Info@TheBookButler.Com BBPC EVENTS creates relevant family-friendly events to connect the reading community by adding dimension to the reading experience through diverse author panels and dynamic discussions in a fun environment.

[10] And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a short space. REVELATION 17:10. Good point. @Stefan And the very next two verses is even more important, imo: [11] And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. REVELATION 17:11. [12] And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one hour with the beast. REVELATION 17:12. These scriptures written by John the Revelator at the time of the Roman Empire was written about four hundred years later after the prophet Daniel wrote his book and they both agree. Without an understanding of world powers, the 7-head-government seems ridiculous, but these prophets knew exactly what they were writing about and for me, it is amazing. all of the other KINGDOMS and governments stem from the 7-headed government. And the 8-government that comes from the 7th becomes the most powerful. Daniel's description of the 10 horns too, deserves a book all on its own. But now, BACK TO MY OBSESSION WITH THIS GREEN COMET!!! **************************************************************** In the recent news, *An earthquake has ocurred in the Dominican Republic *Another major earthquake has just occurred in Turkey Anatolia on a huge scale! *And now, America is alarmed due to an earthquake that has just occurred in NEW YORK! This earthquake is NOT a big one though, but it is alarming the government. Canada reports it as a 4.2 on th scale, but America reports it as a 3.8. If it is a 4.2, that, I remember feeling when I lived in California. Likewise, I could feel a 3 but, not that much. Nevertheless, these recent natural phenomena will probably NOT be connected to this Green Comet, but I think otherwise. About 2,000 people have died in Turkey, and the numbers may climb. It is a huge catastrophe. Whenever I hear anything in Turkey, I am interested because the ancient history is central to this country and I believe it connects to modern issues of today.

Thank you for your observations! @Rodney campbell. Yes, I love to study! I have studied a discipline with depth but I am still on the road and not completely sure of my research and, I am constantly looking for confirmations through touching basis with other brilliant minds.

Then there are the issues of having a job someplace else and needing a car, otherwise, there probably would be a mad rush. People fortunate enough to have an apartment in the projects are somewhat trapped. When I was a kid it was realistic to save some money and buy a house in "Blacklandia." For those of you familiar with NY City Blacklandia is what I call the "two-fare zone" bounded by the Van Wyck, Grand Central, Belt Parkway, and the Cross Island. It includes St. Albans, Jamaica, Cambria Heights, Springfield Gardens, etc). It was whitelanida originally but as soon as negros started moving in it quickly became Blacklandia. Today, housing is so expensive in NYC that it is much harder for people to leave the projects in Harlem and move even to Blacklandia, let alone Atlanta, Charlotte, or Florida. There are opportunities to move to places like Tulsa (where I lived for 18 months), Bentonville AK, The Shoals in Ll, and other cities where they will pay you to move there. Still, many people can't imagine NYC -- despite the crime, noise, dirt, hyper-policing of Black people, and high cost of living -- they love NYC. NYC does still have some appeal, but I'd rather visit than live there -- and I was born raised, and lived most of my adult life there. This is perfectly reasonable as prior to the hyper-partisanship of today most people held views that were supported by different parties.

The US has the most powerful military on the planet. At their disposal is no shortage of ways of taking that balloon down without putting Americans in harms way. The US could have taken that balloon down a week ago well before it entered US airspace. China is not the world's bully. They are the most powerful nation consisting of people of color. Creating adversaries justifies reinforcing military strength. The US is making China a Boogeyman. At first, it was North Korea. Looks like a pattern. If China was a real threat to the US, they would not be allowed to manufacture a large percentage of US products. Also, Chinese people would not have such a huge presence within the United States. Geopolitics is a dirty game running the world. A relatively handful of people controlling how billions of people live. The media is used to spin all types of narratives in order to maintain the bottom line...system of racism white supremacy.

You're correct in that I do not live in New York City. However, I'm astutely aware of the 1) power of the media and 2) how governments and money works. Again, NYC is spending more $150k taking care of immigrants who were bussed there from Florida and Texas. It is not a lack of funding issue to NYC government. That community center and those other initiatives are not high priorities.

The prophecies in Revelation are NOT to be taken literally. Whoever heard of a seven headed dragon with ten horns and ten diadems? That dragon represents seven Biblical world powers or world dominating political powers. Just read Revelation 17:10.

Do any of you understand how big that antennae array on the balloon was? It was the length of three buses. Picture three Greyhound interstate cruisers end to end. That's about 39 and a half feet times three. At times, that balloon was 70,000 feet in the air, according to several military and intelligence analysts. If the balloon had been shot down over land and had that array struck homes or people, the damage could have been deadly. Biden was right to shoot it down over the ocean. Balloons are not normally used to cannot carry nuclear warheads. These days, it's a good bet in any all-out war, nukes will be fired via MIRVs, or Multiple Independent Re-entry Vehicles. What this means is that a missile can carry multiple warheads which can be fired at different targets independently. All at different speeds and trajectories. And these can be fired from ground missile bases, aircraft or submarines. The U.S. pioneered these type of missiles in the 1970's. Why is China doing this? Because it can. It floated balloons over the U.S. three times when Trump was in the White House, Pentagon sources said. But the flight durations were much shorter. China's leadership is full of dumbasses who love to provoke. They are trying to intimidate the U.S. from defending Taiwan. China also has a balloon over South America. So, since China is being the world's bully... what do you guy suggest? Remember anything you write must be sensible, logical and workable.

@Dee Miller Dee Miller Not sure why that poster up there is being so obnoxious and insulting but...... I too thank you for your input in this otherwise civil discussion!!

@Pioneer1What's the difference between "not absolutely" and "various degrees of"? You really think no post is complete unless you make some insipid remark.

I would say there is no free will, since we can not choose freely. Our choices are subjected to our genetics, environment, culture the language we speak et cetera. The only people who are free are inventors to some extent and sociopaths

Wow, this is a heavy topic. If you toss in the motto, 'Go with the flow', does our interpretation of 'the flow' offer us an opportunity to control the outcome? Randomness can include subconscious habit and/or conscious choice. Do we need to save ourselves from randomness, and put ourselves at a disadvantage by craving logic, NO! As ChatGPT questions, 'IS anything random or are things so complex that the order isn't apparent?' Some things are so complex that if you, then, mix in the phrase, 'Freedom of Choice', that leads to an entirely new topic, Freedom - do we have it and Choice - are there limitations based on subconscious habit and/or conscious choice, or as ChatGPT questions '...are things to complex that the order isnt apparent?' Bruh, this topic is too heavy for my shoulders to carry, and for my brain to resolve. As you can see, I have some randomness thoughts that can go on forever. I'm going to gracefully bow out. (wink)

Nels and Coggins are clearly Republican Stefan and maybe Cynique are clearly Democrat. Everybody else seems to either be double dipping from both sides depending on the issue or like Rodney totally anti-politics period.

The cavalier response to these Chinese balloons had me looking sideways: The US didn't want to shoot them down to avoid starting a war. Yeah right. These people play too many games.

Sista @Chevdove, accept that you saw the comet. Makes no sense to break your negro-noculars or beat yourself for the next 50k years waiting for a funky comet to come back.

I'm in Michigan. That ship sailed a week ago...lol. Every winter we get windchills that low...for DAYS at a time. Not sure why the media is making such a big fuss out of it now. Hell, remember the polar vortex of 2013-2014? The national media is something else. Something can be going on in the MIdwest or down South or the Rocky Mountains area and it'll barely get headlines, but if it threatens to affect the East or West Coasts....they start telling "Americans" to brace themselves.

@Chevdove Greetings. It is nice to make your acquaintance. Thank you. I appreciate your acceptance of my method of writing. As well as your measure of my ability. I very much and deeply appreciate your recognition of my mother. ... I cannot thank her enough. Anything that I have developed myself into is a result of her parenting. I cannot take credit for what I am. Which is why I have to always mention her. However brilliant I am. Whatever my lumen is. I can assure you that it is only a consequence of me adhering to the rules of The Creator. What I am saying is, that, absolutely anyone's lumen can match or surpass my own. Since it is all Study to be approved. Therefore. I am grateful that I have studied and been approved enough that my temple is capable of holding The Creator's works enough to make it known through my actions. The honor of knowing the works of The Creator means that YOU are also aligned with The Creator. Meaning that I can say for certain that you have studied a discipline of reality to its micro. Which one is it?

So, I've seen some video of that situation. I don't know why the double amputee stabbed the other guy. But, by swinging that knife around at them, he clearly committed suicide by cops. While I still believe the police could have handled that situation differently, that's not how they are trained especially when it comes to Black and Brown people. If that had been a white man, he might be sitting behind bars for the assault but he would definitely still be alive today.

The direct answer to your question is that a part of AfroAmerican culture should be encouraging and promoting healthy relationships which extend from family to community. There was a time when a man was forced to marry a woman he knocked up. Out-of-wedlock births weren't cool or normalized. The entire village had a hand in raising children and insuring the well-being of the community. It was a relationship. The lack of solid relationships eventually leads to the breakdown of families and communities. It's the root cause of disunity.

You'll get no disagreements from me. My question is WHY aren't most Black folks in the United States building solid relationships with eachother in their youth, like many other demographics? It's kind of like...... We KNOW not eating right will often lead to sickness and poor health, but WHY aren't folks eating right? We KNOW that joining a street gang will often lead to death or incarceration, but WHY do folks join street gangs? In other words, I'm trying to get at the ROOT CAUSES of why so many of our people aren't in solid well functioning relationships to begin with.

I'm wondering if the media has a major role in the lack of FUNCTIONAL Black relationships....especially in old age. You look on television or in the movies how often to you see two Black people....man and woman....actually loving and getting along with eachother in a sexual relationship? It's been said that there are more Black people in interracial and homosexual relationships than straight Black relationships on television now, although I haven't really investigated this claim to see if it was true. They got rid of The Cosby Show and Family Matters back in the 90s. We been missed George Jefferson coming home calling for his wife after a long day at his business............ "Better leave my Weezy alone!" So you have an entire generation or two who grew up without even SEEING a positive Black couple in a relationship on television or anywhere else.