Stefan

Police were held back on orders of the Pentagon. National Guardsmen were ordered to deploy without bullets. Because the fearless one lied and told the domestic terrorists that he would march with them to the Capitol. But cowards always lead from the rear. Not wanting the boy genius to be shot accidentally, the police and guardsmen had to comply. They had orders from higher-ups. That would be the clowns who Trump named to replace SecDef Mark Esper. The Fix was in days before.

It did not pay for one football coach to make fun of Stacey Abrams. A football coach at the University of Tennessee has been fired after he made an insulting Twitter post about Georgia voting rights activist and former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, according to Alabama dot com. Chris Malone, the now former offensive line coach at Chattanooga, posted to his personal Twitter account after Georgia had elected two Democrats to the U.S. Senate. He made multiple unflattering references to Abrams’ weight and accused her of “cheating in an election,” the website said. Abrams is so talented and politically astute, insecure folks will always try to demean her. Old adage: Trying to blow another's candle out does not make yours shine brighter.

Stacey Abrams is no quitter. She is an accomplished winner and more than half of the people in the U.S. are cheering her awesome achievements. I can only imagine how many are lionizing Stacey Abrams around the world. Jealous much?

A person who is a real quitter does not rise again to triumph. Stacey Abrams singlehandedly delivered Georgia into the Democratic Party's column. And then she engineered the unthinkable: A resounding U.S. Senate victory for a Black man from her state. And the election of a White Jewish man from her state. This gives the Senate to the Democrats. Stacey Abrams was cheated out of the Governorship by a White man who denuded thousands of legitimate Black voters from the state rolls. She did not blow it. If you think she's a quitter, then Black people will take that kind of quitting everyday.

Trump knew what he was asking for. He knows he's lost but he wanted to cause as much mayhem and upheaval as possible on his way out the door.

Troy, I am sorry I missed that post. Glorious old building. I remember racing down the stairs after the dismissal and running to the subway at Dekalb Avenue. Fun times.

Garland, If you're only concerned with college or high school honors students, then your research results will be skewered. You have to get past Apathy and the never ending pursuit of Entertainment. Thinking is hard. Patience and Understanding are even harder. Most people in this country have no idea who their local congressional representative is. They cannot name more than five state capitals if asked on the spot. Ask them to name the Presidents of the country backwards. Most will stop at four or five. This is on the spot asking. And those folks include high school honors and college students. You have to be curious to seek out knowledge and history. Most put up an attitude and look only for information that pertains to their own group. Any adult U.S. citizen can register to vote. But some of the most intelligent are barred from voting because polling sites are too distant, they're ex-offenders, owe fines or they lack needed I.D. And not all adults are smart, approachable or even aware of what's really going on. College may not be for everyone. Learning a trade or tech or industrial pursuits will do it for many. I've met honor students who confessed that teachers gave them higher grades because of gifts, personal relationships or pressure from parents. Critical thinking is rare these days. Log on to any news forum and you will read ad hominen personal attacks directed at members whose viewpoints anger the simple-minded. Or those who live for drama. The same is true of political debates between candidates or their surrogates. There are two major obstacles frustrating our march to full equality and a fair economic system: Ignorance and Selfishness.

Garland, Just what classrooms are you talking about? National elections usually fall under the umbrella of discussing current events in junior, Intermediate and high schools. Most teachers in public schools usually have wide discretion in how to approach current events.

Scotland's Sunday Post and a couple of U.K. newspapers have published a news story that reported that Prestwick airport, near Trump’s Turnberry golf course resort, has been told to expect a U.S. military Boeing 757 on January 19th. The aircraft has occasionally been used by Trump, the paper reported. There are two Boeing VC-5 aircraft that are used as Air Force One. But Trump will not be using them for this Scotland trip. The trip will allow Trump to avoid being in D.C. for the presidential inauguration of Joe Biden.

This piece was far too long and my interest waned quickly. I guess the gist was the young pastor spread himself too thin and didn't take note of his weakening body. While this is a cautionary tale, I doubt it's germane for most young Black men. If anything, this type of scenario probably reflects the situation of many Black grandmothers and single moms.

Troy, I had no idea you had left Florida. All my best to you. And I am happy to learn that the victims of the Tulsa Race Riot are being officially memorialized. I hope Tulsa figures out its place as part of the Sooner State awarded to Native Americans.

Joan, The ancient city of Ephesus was in the western portion of what is now Turkey. The city's most prominent feature was the temple of Artemis. The rebuilt structure stood in the first century when the Apostle Paul visited the city. According to some historians, the original temple had been set on fire by Herostratus in 356 B.C. I hope you join the Discussion board. Note to editors: The map is from Pinterest.

Troy, First, thank you for your compliment. They do not just let anyone into Stuyvesant. You have to be the best of the best. So, kudos to you as well. I don't believe sticking it out in a neighborhood with a high rate of shootings and gang violence is the right move. Especially if one has children. When I taught, it was for extra money at first. Then when I saw I was making a difference, I threw myself into it even though I had a steady day job as a Senior Editor. Eventually, I realized that was the profession I should have chosen instead of Journalism.

Chevdove, Most Bible scholars do agree that Simeon of Cyrene and Simeon of Niger are the same individual.

Most of the teachers I knew from Junior High to High School were not so much racist as indifferent to the plight of Black students. I taught Writing for five years as well as a few other subjects. You have to really love teaching because it is a difficult career that will not make one rich.

Pioneer1, You would not be wrong. But Troy is much younger than I. While Brooklyn Tech seemed safe to me, a couple of the teachers were intractably racist. That is part of the reason why I and my best friend, an incredible math and science genius, left. (He's White and is still a math genius). Not everyone who went to Brooklyn Tech came from impoverished backgrounds. Some came from families that owned profitable businesses and these kids lived in big homes.

Chevdove, Super Research! Everyone Else, The Bible relates that the so-called Christmas star that led the three Magi didn't guide them initially to baby Jesus. Instead, it took them to King Herod, who apparently wanted to harm the young child. When the Magi went to Herod and told him of their plans, Herod responded that he, too, wanted to pay his respects to the baby boy. By the time the three Magi saw Jesus, the baby was no longer in the manger. Instead, he was living in a house with his mother, Mary. And since the Magi had been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they bypassed him on their way back to the "eastern parts" where they came from. It took some time for Herod to realize he had been fooled. If you're curious, you can read this at Matthew 2:1-12

Troy, You mentioned that the media reports on racial crimes because it makes money. I disagree. Blacks are not as numerous as White people and by and large, the majority ethnic groups in the United States exhibit scant sympathy when it comes the victims of racist murderers. It seems to be changing. but we will see. We remain the most blamed ethnic group that's condemned due to collective guilt by association. So, these news reports of Blacks horribly victimized in racist attacks are more likely to be disputed and in the main, dismissed. If a news organization cannot sell ads, they ain't gonna be business long. And many advertisers do not want their commercials running amid news reports of racist violence. The mental and emotional connections are too hard to miss. The most immediate reaction to such news reports is Anger. From Blacks because it has happened too many times and from Whites who will complain that they're in for more protests and negative press. Which is why there's almost always a quick a proclamation that the victim just HAD to be a criminal. Look at the most recent heavily discussed racial murders: Trayvon Martin (long time juvenile delinguent), Breonna Taylor (boyfriend was drug dealer) and George Floyd (previous criminal record). Now when it came to the evening local TV news in the evening, there was a long held axiom: "If it bleeds, it leads." This referred to crime stories where violence or the victim's identity guaranteed viewership and follow-up stories. Reporters always hoped to be assigned to or to break a story that had "legs," a potential for follow-ups.

Troy, is right and nailed the biggest fear of NYC project residents. Because Crain's Business reported on Feb. 13, 2020, that the New York City Public Housing Authority signed an agreement that will turn 5,902 units over to private developers and raise over $1.5 billion for much-needed repairs. In 2018, NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced plans to convert 62,000 apartments by 2028 and has so far converted over 7,000 units. Included in the deal are five complexes: Linden Houses and Boulevard Houses in East New York, Williamsburg Houses in East Williamsburg and Audubon Houses and Harlem River Houses 1 and 2 in Harlem. The long list of selected developers includes major builders like L+M Development and Hudson Cos. and some smaller players. A lot of folks may be unaware that HUD has sold many foreclosed homes and repossessed buildings to NYCHA. The agency now has a program to sell single family homes to folks. I am just hoping no family gets evicted during this Pandemic. Troy, you went to Stuyvesant High School? Congratulations! That was THEE hardest school to get into for decades and probably still is. I went to Brooklyn Tech. But I hated it and switched to one closer to me (and which has girls) in my second year.

No response. Typical. Weed would give her more enjoyment.

Many Prophets and Bible Writers had visions (which are simply dreams and not real), but this woman believes what she is reading is actually true in the physical sense. Daniel is having a vision because he "sees" the Ancient of Days in the 7th Chapter of Daniel. The Apostle John also had visions, unless of course, one really believes there is such a thing as a seven-headed dragon with ten horns as is mentioned in Rev. 13:1. Seen one of those, lately? Daniel also had a vision of an immense statue at Dan. 2:44. But it's a vision, it's not real. Leprosy is a disease that often turns the skin White. But it is not a normal skin condition. Now, what else from this comedian? Let me go back to completely ignoring this one.

Delamo. No, I have not read "Faces at the Bottom of The Well." Being an oldster, retired curmudgeon and all, I try to spend my pennies on items that bring me lasting joy. But if you read the book, why does Derek Bell ask Blacks to abandon a misplaced faith in eventual progress? Because there is evidence of this all around. In Obama, in Kamala Harris and MLB owning up to Negro League greatness in a successful, but now faltering Black Business empires. Trump was an easily avoidable setback. If Blacks had not been deceived into believing Hillary was a die-heard racist, this country would have never experienced Trump. And the Black Race could have avoided a serious resurgence of White Supremacist ideals and support.

Chevdove, Please continue posting. And again, my sincerest wishes on the health of your Father.

Oh, the nonsense one can glimpse on online discussion boards. Someone claimed ancient Israelites were Black because of one Scripture in the Book of Lamentations, which was written by Jeremiah. The Prophet had survived the siege of Jerusalem, was taken captive to Babylon and then free along with the rest of the Israelites by Cyrus the Great, who was Persian. The Medes and the Persians had conquered the Babylonian kingdom. But let's get back to the Book of Lamentations. "Our forefathers who sinned are no more, but we must bear their errors. Servants now rule over us; there is no one to snatch us from their hand. We bring in our bread at the risk of our life, because of the sword of the wilderness. Our skin has become as hot as a furnace, because of the pangs of hunger." (Lamentations 5: 7-10) Hot skin does not mean it is Black. One person is badly misreading these scriptures. Because Verse 10 is referring to the heat of famine, not skin color. This is all the result of the Israelites suffering because they had sinned and their God, Yahweh, allowed them to be conquered by the Babylonians. They had to serve the Babylonians for 70 years and then Cyrus freed them. People who are desperate for validation of their skin color by looking to the ancient world are the saddest people on Earth. Because there's rarely any definitive proof. And they erupt in a rage when someone points this out. I guess when White people get sunburned at the beach and their skin is hot to the touch, Presto! They're Black. Dosen't the Bible say this?