Stefan

Trump is a comedian when he talks. His streams of consciousness which take him off topic are legendary. https://www.salon.com/2016/04/28/illogical_illegal_and_astounding_partner/

Black people are not fearful, Pioneer1. Because everything we have done to win our freedom and rights has always ticked White people off. We sat, they beat us with batons. We marched, they shot at us. We tried to go to schools and colleges, they barred the doors. They threatened our families. And still do. Black people are not fearful. The ones who are fearful are those who side with folks who oppose our Progress. They are ones who are careful with their words and their actions and their thoughts. That is why some of them are quick to denounce the majority of Blacks or protect those who do. Because these ones stick to the White Supremacist script that Black people are unworthy, our history and herstory and accomplishments mean little and should be ignored. Or worse, these truths bring mental pain to poor little White boys and girls. Sure. Which is why Germany had to stop teaching about the Nazis in World War II. Because German children were running to rooftops and jumping off when they learned the leaders of the Third Reich were (gasp!) White! Could you imagine their horror? They might never want to book a flight on Lufthansa, attend an Oktoberfest or buy a Mercedes Benz. At this point in Black History, we are horribly disjointed and disunited. And in answer to a rhetorical question you asked, I read Cynique and I pay attention to her views. I admire people who are intelligent and caring and above all calm.

Biden made it impossible to live in this country? Joe Biden is actually putting people back to work.

@Pioneer1 Former SecState Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in the 2016 election. But not the Electoral Vote. And in this country, that's what counts. She was not cheated out of her victory. She just experienced a spiteful Bernie Sanders whose followers helped her lose by voting for Trump and third party candidates who had no chance of winning.

@ProfD Let's establish the job training programs first. I'm not willing to write anyone off yet. That's what was done to our people for generations. I know we can get this done. There definitely is mental fatigue, so I agree with you. But we just can't stand around and let folks shuffle off to their doom either.

One of the goals behind legalizing marijuana was to stop needless arrests and imprisonments. Street sales of marijuana vary from state to state. Marijuana dispensaries also serve caregivers of cancer patients. They are not trap offs. They are legitimate businesses. What stands out to me are demands for stringent record keeping on applications. And upfront financial costs. But so few license applications are being accepted and processed in states that have legalized weed it seems beyond the average individual. What gets many young Black men arrested is a growing lack of respect for life and limb. This is why in the NYC area, you are treated to endless surveillance videos on the news of Black men smashing innocents in the head with whatever is handy, slashing them or shoving folks down to the sidewalk. Let's not even begin to talk about those who pull guns and just shoot folks in momentary fits of rage. If states and the federal government offered job training programs (which I have been pushing for) then maybe we could open some legitimate businesses in the inner cities. Instead, some folks want everyone to own a gun. There is a huge necessity for jobs and skills training because stuff like the following is unacceptable: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/girl-6-punched-in-scooter-robbery-by-teens-in-brooklyn-nypd/ar-AA10nUo1?cvid=1d98f9cf564349898398779608a8e866

Latinos and Hispanics may seem to be the same, but the terms are not interchangeable. I found this out from years of being a weekend photographer in which the majority of my customers were Latino. During the Elian Gonzalez mess, many light skinned Cubans were fond of writing letters to the Miami Herald or to El Herald and claiming Blacks are only good enough to empty trash out from their restaurants. But I was stunned when so many younger Cubans said they would not continue their grandparents' colorism and voted for Obama, allowing him to carry Florida. But Florida is firmly a Trump State now. https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/the-case-of-the-white-cubans https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/choosing-the-right-word-hispanic-latino-and-latinx

I am hoping Donald Trump will not run in 2024. Even though he is an out and out racist, I believe Ron DeSantis can be beaten. Whether Joe Biden runs or not in 2024, Democrats have to lower the boom on the desperate-for-attention fools who keep spouting off about his intentions. Never count out angry Women voters. They showed Kansas, didn't they? Trump may be a buffoon and pure dumbass, but too many in the GOP still fear him. Others want this donor list. We will see what revelations Alex Jones' text and email data show.

Senator Krysten Sinema is now on board. It took some give and take, but Chuck Schumer and Joe Manchin got it done. And without AOC or Bernie Sanders mucking it up. The details are here: Kyrsten Sinema now supports Dem funding bill

Just stay safe, please. We may differ politically, but I like seeing you contribute.

Dick Cheney rarely speaks out publicly. This is why so many people are aghast at the former Vice President's statement. What you don't get is that the elder Cheney said his daughter is doing something spectacular by trying to prevent Lord Dampnut from getting back into the White House. There is no rivalry between Bush and Cheney and Trump. That was Jeb Bush. Cheney had nothing to do with that. You are grasping at straws.

Admiralty Law allows any nation to sail where it pleases with certain restrictions. It also allowed Liberia to offer its ship registry to other countries - for a price. Mostly to avoid paying taxes, hiring cheap labor, skirting stringent requirements of western nations and to use less than ideal vessels. Centuries ago, even decades ago, things were different. I am only concerned with what goes on today. Barack Obama strongly supported the rights of free passage in international waters when he visited Vietnam in 2016. "As we go forward, the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows, and we will support the right of all countries to do the same." And as far as your statement that China does not want a tussle with the U.S. - this goes against the predictions of many. Beijing may not want a full scale nuclear exchange, but they definitely want Taiwan. This goal is now is encoded in their DNA. China won't nuke Taiwan. It wants the island prize intact. I believe that most who discuss the China-Taiwan issue fail to factor in in the pride of Beijing's leaders. And why would the U.S. want a land war with China? China is not going to invade the U.S. And the cost of transporting and sustaining a modern army in Asia these days would be enormous. We're just in for ceaseless warnings and threats. After the 2024 elections, the situation will have evolved once more. But right now, it's statements, press releases and close encounters on the seas and in the air.

@daniellegfny I am actually happy to see your name on posts. To me, you seemed to have disappeared for a few months and that got me worried. We may differ politically, but I admire your consistency.

You did say a U.S.-China war would be bad for business. No, it would be bad for about 10,000 really rich folks. Between 70% to 80% of the products sold in Walmart stores are made in China. Apple Inc. would not be able to survive without its 350 Chinese suppliers. A bevy of global manufacturers would oppose any increasing friction with China. But the world would still turn if there was a war. Because China will increase its bellicose bullcrap to demand that no nation sail its ships in the Pacific unless it agrees. When are we going to finally understand that appeasement rarely works.

@ProfD Thank you. Many Black people are blaming Brittney Griner for her own imprisonment. But she is not blame. It is the Russians, not Brittney! They needed a bargaining chip to keep the U.S. agitated and at bay while they ravaged Ukraine. Keeping a famous and well liked woman athlete as a hostage did the trick. After I joined this Discussion Group many years ago, Troy Johnson and I enjoyed a discussion on how nutty China's rulers are. It was a few years ago. But I remember this because it dovetails what is going with Ms. Griner. When the U.S. said it would put Chinese spies on trial for espionage, Beijing responded with a threat to immediately imprison U.S. citizens. Because he's busy and travels a lot, I am not sure if Troy remember this. But we both agreed this move on the part of China was insane. But that is how some countries react to pressure. I am not blaming Brittney Griner one bit. What was in her suitcase was not a nuke, nor kilos of cocaine. She is not a sex trafficker and certainly not an intelligence agent. Just a young former Olympian and now professional basketball player who stayed on the yacht of rich Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich. There is only thing about this case that intrigues me: The video of that airport security dude removing the supposed cannabis oil from Brittney's suitcase. When was it taken? When she first entered the country earlier this year or when she was fixing to leave? Because if it was taken when she first arrived, then the Kremlin knew about this and waited for the best time to use it. Par for the course when it come to bullies.

Some wide-eyed, but truly misguided folks really thought economic treaties would be enough to prevent a Pacific war. I read this a lot from folks who honestly believed a unique era of global cooperation had come. Corporations would engage in friendly competition, sometimes it would be cut throat. But it would stop at selling out one's country. There is no "we" when it comes to global corporations. Those who smugly believe the disruption to finance would stop China invading from Taiwan and the U.S. from trying to defend the island are really missing the point. China has been humiliated for centuries. Those who disagree should spend a lot of time in China and talk to a whole lot of folks. Those who have conclude there's going to be a war between the U.S. and China. Because standing up to and defeating the U.S. Navy is the dream of most Chinese ship and submarine captains. Dubbed "Little Emperors" by their adoring families, they make no secret of their desire for a fight. Many heads of companies and corporations do not care about allegiances, birth lands or morality. They care only about spreadsheets, stock prices and money. And this is the real Trickle Down. This is how we got to this point: Thousands of Chinese nationals ensconced in critical industries, joyously stealing technology by any means necessary to develop software and hardware that could defeat law enforcement, defense radar, civilian aircraft and U.S. submarines. It many of its satellites were designed not so much for global surveillance, but to attack and destroy U.S. and British satellites. Those microwave radiation attacks that caused brain trauma for many of some of our diplomats in Cuba and elsewhere? Some immediately thought that had to be the work of Russia. But it could be China. Multinational economic agreements provide no guarantee for a pause in erratic or bullying behavior. If they did, Kim Jong Un and his sister would have visited a few Koreatowns in the U.S. already. There is no pause with China. It seeks to dominate the planet and the Asian giant uses divisiveness, threats and money as its main tools. So does Russia. Because both know this works. China and Russia know many Whites and Latinos in the U.S. don't care for Black people. So it devised a plan to obtain the tons of precious metals and other mineral ores it would need to accomplish this. Then, it made careful inroads into Africa, lending billions under the guise of helping out with development loans. But forcing the recipient nations to sign one sided agreements to fork over their main assets such as ports and mines in the event of defaults. Because Beijing recognized its presence would be welcomed by a few desperate African leaders. It had so many agents in the U.S. and learned quickly that dismissal of Black brain power and lingering resentment of Black achievement would help its global thrust immensely. Because generally, Western investment bankers and financial risk takers eschew taking a chance in most of Africa. Many of the people China sent to Africa regularly insulted Blacks as they built infrastructure. But few demanded the Chinese leave. It's probably a good thing Ethiopia obtained World Bank financing for its Grand Renaissance Dam. Once it opens, the dam will provide badly needed hydroelectric power for Africa. Meanwhile, we pay slavish devotion to celebrities and attack each other without let-up. We're a country ripe for brutal hit and run racist attacks and some of us foolishly turn our backs on defending our own legacy. We seem to worry more about who had Black skin in the distant past than being concerned about those with Black skin today who don't have enough to eat or a decent place to live. China could win the arms race? At the moment, China is winning every race.

I am hoping prosecutors can nail them all.

Years ago, scientists expressed serious concern about Global Warming melting permafrost. They were worried that various pathogens, viruses and dormant maladies which had been trapped under ice for thousands of years, would escape into the atmosphere and infect billions. Since we would have no warning of what these are at first, millions could die in a matter of months. But my money's on China's nukes.

I agree. But the really sad thing is that on news forums all during 2016, I kept warning Left Wing folks about the danger of voting for third party candidates who had no chance of winning or sitting home in protest because their Socialist hero didn't win the Dem nomination. I said their actions would deprive Hillary of badly needed votes and likely elect Trump. And this guy would worsen the arena of partisan politics for a long time. I enjoyed being cursed at.

@Pioneer1 I am not dealing with any Allegory. You are. The theme of Song of Solomon is about Shulammite girl's undying love for a shepherd boy and Solomon's attempt to win her heart. Are you saying a leopard's spots are not Black? I prefaced my post by intoning that I would use ONLY information from the Bible. So I pay no attention to outside sources. If you do not believe it, then don't. But it does not negate what I said about the Bible. The scriptures rarely mention skin color. And those Scriptures I cited can be looked up by anyone. What was Jeremiah's skin hue? Do you think the people who lived in that region of Earth hundreds of years before the birth of Christ had lily White skin? Do you think their skin was Brown? I am simply answering myriads of folks online who had asked those questions over the years. I compiled my research into a post and simply shared it. In the Apocalypse, or Revelation, there is mention of a seven headed dragon with ten horns. And a great beast coming out of the sea with the number 666. I haven't seen one of those lately, have you? That does not bother me. This is simply an academic exercise.

It would really be something if Trump, DeSantis and Abbott got to heaven to meet The Almighty and Gary Coleman is doing duty and shoos them away at the Pearly Gates because Peter is on break. And The Almighty herself is a Black woman.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney, who does not say much publicly, just ripped Donald Trump as he should be ripped ... as a clueless cut and runner. We have not heard much from Mr. Cheney about how he feels about the noxious going-ons around Trump. But he unloaded on Lord Dampnut today ( Aug. 4, 2022 ) The elder Cheney said what his fearless daughter Liz Cheney is doing these days is immensely crucial - making dang sure Trump never ever becomes POTUS again. Dick Cheney defends daughter Liz, calls Trump a coward

Unfortunately, she did not beat the rap. Her guilty plea and apology makes her appear to be some damned big time drug dealer atoning for a huge seizure. But it's what Putin wanted. Will she be traded for that arms dealer? And whomever else the Kremlin wants freed? I hope so. I ain't gonna rag on her. She does not deserve it. She had a prescription for the cannabis oil, probably as a stress reliever. When Brittney was in Russia, she apparently stayed aboard the yacht of super rich oligarch Roman Abramovich. Maybe he assured her that his connection to Putin would mean she would have no problem. Then Russia invaded Ukraine and everything changed. We may never know. She's an American whom many in the U.S., including LeBron James, have spoken up for. Putin knows this. She's a bargaining chip.

You think I am trying to make money by mentioning Trump? I've been a thorn in the side of the Right Wing since Nixon. I'm retired. I still do a bit of photography which is immensely enjoyable. But posting on various news groups is more "Use it or Lose it" when it comes to keeping my aging brain active. And it's fun. I love to read and keep a handle on global affairs.

@Pioneer1 Actually, Trump had not yet committed high crimes and misdemeanors while Barack Obama was in the White House. Trump has always been jealous of Obama ... and why not? Obama is an impeccable public speaker, a gifted writer and his personality and manner compels billions flock to him. There is no penalty for spouting nonsensical venom in the U.S. Unless one directly threatens someone. Unless of course, your name is Alex Jones. The Jan. 6th Committee is tasked with investigating Trump's alleged crimes.