Stefan

I was not an adult back in the days of Nixon. I was a teenager. Got bad news for you. Covid-19 may be with us for a while at least until mid 2021. I do not believe, as some do, that this virus was designed to take out a specific ethnic group. I believe it is naturally occurring. However, since the poor always suffer from a lack of adequate healthcare, this virus is affecting Blacks and Latinos the most. I am not content to sit back and keep silent. While I enjoy discussing political and world events, I am not going to waste my time with anyone who wants to attack Barack Obama or our other Black leaders. That to me is silly, off-putting and self-defeatist. As if their detractors could have done better. I've always advocated Education, Voting and Community Support. I simply do not believe we are on par militarily with those who would love to put us back in chains.

Some states will send a mail ballot out, even if it is not requested. Your information is important, daniellegfny. Thank you.

I am glad to know this. However, I remain perplexed and annoyed that so many Black men refuse to commit to voting to oust Trump.

I have never believed that most celebrities or Republicans luminaries who announced they've tested positive for Covid-19 are actually positive. Some just want attention or undeserved sympathy.

This quote says it all.

Troy, I do not believe that Sen. Kamala Harris thinks the exact same way as Candace Owens. Ms. Owens has aligned herself with White Supremacists. She labeled George Floyd a “violent criminal” and a “horrible human being” in a video she posted on Twitter. Ms. Owens also accused Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man allegedly murdered by two armed White men in Georgia in February, of breaking into homes before he was killed. That was the nonsense trotted out by most Black haters. But the videos showed Mr. Arbery merely looking into an unfinished home under construction. While Kamala Harris was a determined state prosecutor who declined to release DNA evidence requested by Kevin Cooper. This Black man was convicted of killing four people in 1985 and sentenced to death and claims he was set up. While much has been made of Harris’ refusal to do what Cooper asked, neither did anyone else, including Governor Jerry Brown. The case is now under review. While that case is troubling to criminal justice advocates, it is not unusual. Scores of convicted Black men have had appeals and pleas to release evidence rejected. That does not mean that what has happened to Cooper is right. But unlike Candace Owens, Harris does not agree with White racists whose fondest wish is the subjugation of all Black people. Kamala Harris is now a U.S. Senator. And like Joe Biden, she has evolved. Her thinking has changed. None of this excuses what happened in the past. I mean the bottom line is this: You can either opt to keep Trump in the White House, or choose to oust him. If you are non-committal, then you may be independently wealthy or are not at risk for suffering racial discrimination of police brutality. I was not a supporter of Joe Biden or Kamala Harris. But, I am a registered Democrat and have been since the days of Richard Nixon. I do not like Republicans one bit. I never thought I’d ever see the day this country would elect a Black man President. But it did. Twice. Do you really think the Republicans would ever get behind a Black nominee for President if that individual did not savage our forebears or those of us who have made missteps? Thousands of Blacks died to bring us The Vote. And to those who are going to grouse and whine: “Well, what did THAT do for us?” The answer is: Look what happens when we DON’T vote. Forty percent of all eligible Black voters sat on their butts in 2016 and we were rewarded with one of the most cunning, corrupt and racist White men in history.

Obama is Gay and a pedophile? LOL

Chevdove, my comments stand. You seem to have an inability to stay on point. You are obsessed with Europe and how it relates to the Obama administration. If you are this angry with Obama, you are free to join Diamond and Silk.

Obama is not to blame for the increasing wealth gap. The wealth gap began to narrow in his early years. It soon resumed widening, not because of Obama. But due to a low inheritance tax. And that particular levy continues to play a major factor in separating in wealth accumulation by Whites. The ACA is a bonafide accomplishment of the Obama administration. Oh, Europe did it? And you think this is nothing but a trick? Many would call it an attempt to bring about Universal Healthcare.

Yes, that is true. I do not know how many Blacks are languishing behind bars due to being nabbed for possession and sale of weed. But it did irk me that the folks who got the permissions and licenses to sell marijuana are White. There are several Black owned weed dispensaries now. https://www.theroot.com/go-green-but-buy-black-10-black-owned-cannabis-compani-1834189450

I despise trolls as well.

Pioneer, I never thought about it that way. But it sure makes sense.

Indeed, Troy. Indeed.

Kareem, Troy asked if I remembered Willis Reed and Walt Frazier. I also remember the Knicks in the '90's. In 1994, they were up 3-2 over the Rockets in the Finals, traveled to Houston for the last two games and promptly blew those contests.

Chevdove, you can believe as you wish. The ACA offered millions health insurance when they had none or had insufficient coverage. Many others have said the same. If one does not want to buy health insurance that is on them. Because anyone can opt out. Personally, I don't believe half the folks who claimed they suffered financially due to the ACA. Such ones tend to lie or exaggerate, absent any definitive proof. Millions of folks in this country have been bankrupted because they lacked health insurance or the ability to pay high medical bills. If Black people decide to forego health insurance, don’t blame me. The onus is on them. Do they think they’re really going to receive a great health insurance deal from Republicans? The bottom line is that Obama’s ACA gave health insurance to millions who never had it. If no one wanted to pay a fine, then they need to obtain insurance through other means, ya know, like a full time job? I am aware that medical costs are ridiculous. So are prices for homes. When I had no health insurance, I just hoped I would not get sick. But if you have children, that is a difficult proposition. Depending on what state and what health provider one goes to, there may be cheaper alternatives. But today, for those who do not have health coverage, they face an uncertain fate. Would you drive your own car without insurance? Do you have home owner’s insurance? Renter’s insurance? If you own a company, do you obtain insurance? What happens if you there’s an incident and you’re held liable? Or you can take a chance by not buying insurance.

My Brotha!

I do not believe it is a trick. Israel desperately wants new friends. This is not an alliance. It's merely an establishment of full diplomatic relations. I do not trust Netanyahu as far as I can toss a 100 pound sack of potatoes.

Troy, those were glorious days for the Knicks! Yes, we lionized Reed and Frazier. … “we have 25 seconds to the championship. ……. Red Holzman has to hold back some of his players….. ....And now the crowd starts a combination of “It’s all over now” and “We’re Number One!” (Marv Albert) It’s all on this wonderful album which I played so much it became hopelessly scratched. I love the Knicks. New York Rangers, too. Are you kidding? Don't you remember that firestorm following Janet Jackson's breast stunt at the 2004 Super Bowl? I thought the reaction was completely overblown.

I’ve debated some strident, but intelligent, racists on a couple of news forums. This was in 2002 when I was debating the legitimacy of the coming Iraq War. It took a while, but eventually I made quite a few friends on there. It was not all about fighting and trying to get the best of each other. Even these Conservatives back then acknowledged facts from legitimate sources. In fact, it was a requirement on that forum to provide support for your assertions. Now, not all liked my responses. But no one ever claimed I made stuff up. Most Black reporters get fired if we are caught faking news. So, I learned to do my work.

I get you, my brother. If it's a problem, I will post such stuff elsewhere.

Troy, I wrote this a couple of years qago and posted iit n a Black forum on FB. I write my own material. A lot of people enjoy my work so they copy it. Are you the only person who did not realize they are a joke? I should tell you that I am a retired Senior News Editor with 26 years in the news industry. I also taught Writing and Literature in business colleges for five years. Every once in a while, I come up with a funny.

FAS, I already offered a link that stated 40% of Black voters sat home in 2016. I will offer a graphic this time. Blacks by far, bear the brunt of the blame for not voting in 2016. Forty percent is a huge number. Go ahead and find another community with such a poor turnout. Too many want to ignore the massive turnouts Blacks gifted Obama with. Not once, but twice. Black voters failed to deliver in key states that Obama won. I understand wanting to put the onus for failing to vote on other peoples and on other factors. But the bottom line is this: We did not come out to vote in 2016. If anyone has alternative evidence from a legitimate and viable source, then furnish it. When members of your own group collectively decide to surrender when they have a chance to fight on, that’s illogical. Refusing to vote is not a legitimate protest. It is surrender. Voters in the U.S. traditionally have a low turnout, particularly during non-presidential election years. Does anyone really think Blacks are not going to have a harder time surviving under Trump 2.0? Trump won chiefly because of Black voter apathy, third party voters and women on all sides who did not care for a female Commander-in-Chief. At least, that is what some pundits think. FAS, I applaud your defense of our people on the voting issue. But the truth must be out. We as a people just need to do better. We have before. And we can do it again. Our votes can make a difference. Troy, actually Blacks DO vote as a block when it comes to national elections. I posted a second graph that proves this. I know some Black people claim the electoral process is completely rigged. So, how exactly did Obama win twice? I guess the GOP ran out of rope for their rigging. One thing that is true is that Republicans have long used Voter Suppression to win elections. I also believe if votes are compiled by computer systems, that hackers can either add or take away ballots. We definitely have challenges. This is no time to throw in the towel and proclaim: "Gee, we just can't win."

No matter what happens in the Middle East, Black military personnel will invariably lose their lives in hot conflicts. I have always played close attention to world affairs because I’m interested in history and this region is the source of the most reported trouble on Earth. It also sucks up trillions of U.S. tax dollars every year. I want that some of that cash used to rebuild our cities, bridges, roads and water systems. Which brings me to a development that is being widely celebrated in Israel. I read about this first on Al Jazeera's website, but waited until I had more confirmation before writing about it. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is bragging about arranging a deal for full diplomatic relations with Sudan. It is no secret Israel is always on the hunt for new friends. And this appears a major coup for the indicted leader. Why Sudan? Politics. Appearance. Sudan has oil, but its people rely mostly on agriculture to eke out a living. The country is one of the poorest in Africa. The Sudanese civil war prevented the oil from being extracted. It now lies in South Sudan, which was created in the aftermath of the civil war. https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/why-did-sudanese-general-burhan-agree-meet-netanyahu https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Oman-Chad-and-now-Sudan-Israel-and-the-wider-MidEast-puzzle-616411

I believe trying to explain why White men and women i n Washington decide to do the things they do is pointless. The U.S. may be the richest nation on earth depending upon several yardsticks. However, the country operates at a deficit and has for many years. The one word that keeps rolling around in my head is this: "Greed." I cannot change it. Millions hope Senator Sanders can.