ProfD

Love the typo...ProdD.🤣 I'm fully aware of how and why Black folks flock to the Democratic party. It's similar to the reason poor white folks are Republican. Right. Mainly because I see both political parties as two sides of the same coin especially when it comes to Black folks. Reparations is a debt America owes to Black folks. From emancipation to present, like a trust fund, white privilege still benefits from the compound imterest generated by slave labor. You're right. Both political parties are working towards that end state ultimately to evaporate the idea of reparations and further marginalize Black folks. I can exercise my right to vote without being delusional when it comes to the game being played by the political parties. Sure. I'm fortunate enough to have options regardless of which way America goes. Having survived growing up in the hood, I'm not one to flee anywhere. Now, if I decided to take a vacation, I'd go to Africa to chilll among Black folks. Too many white folks in Canada.😁 Being retired and living on a pension, you won't get sprayed if sh8t starts flying and/or hits the fan.🤣😎

Surely, there are many non-open carry states with lower murder rates than Texas. I can think of several reason for it too. Here's an interesting breakdown: 1) 36 states all open carry without a permit or license 2) 9 states require a permit to open carry 3) 4 states and Washington, DC prohibit open carry entirely Considering the number of states that allow open carry, the data doesn't suggest it. A mass shooting is defined as an event where 2 or more people are shot. Several months ago, there was a mass shooting in Maine (upper-most NE corner of the US). I don't believe any country should have nukes. I do find it interesting that the United States gets to decide which countries can and cannot have them. 😎

Exactly. Which makes the point that guns aren't the whole problem. It goes back to the mentality and/or circumstances of the person with the gun. People are less like to rob, steal or kill an armed individual. Criminals and mass shooters usually look for soft targets i.e. unarmed people and unsecured places. They don't want the smoke.😎

Every election, Black folks have been told to vote against the opposition and expect nothing in return. The only thing Black folks have received in return is a few crumbs, symbolism and tokenism. The Democratic leadership has proven to be weak and spineless. Fear-mongering is the latest ploy for getting Black folks to vote against the Orange Jackazz. Black folks already know what to expect if he returns to the White House....nothing. Life won't get any better or worse for us. Holding pattern. That's been an ongoing problem for decades now. Those demands need to be codified in order to realize tangible benefits. Scaring Black folks into voting for a do nothing political party in opposition to the Boogeyman isn't going to work this time. White folks will ultimately decide if America maintains the facade of a democracy or flirts with neo-fascism. If America goes in that direction, the 4 years will go by faster than a fart in a tornado. Regardless, the situation for Black folks in America will remain unchanged. We'll be all right.😎

Understood. Interesting. As I mentioned in the other thread, Black folks really don't have any expectations or demands of politicians. That's been our real problem. 😎

The same thing she's going to promise Black men...nothing. It will do nothing for any Blacks folks. The current administration flopped on Roe v Wade. They aren't doing much to stop the GOP majority Congess and conservative SCOTUS from flipping the script on other freedoms. Reparations should be the #1 priority of AfroAmericans regardless of gender. That issue alone would bring out the true colors of every politician. Par for the course. The Democrats aren't offering Black folks anything either. Still, the question remains ...what's the point of voting for either party without expectations. What do Black men stand to gain in voting for either party? Politicians are bought by special interest groups for one reason only...what they can do for them. Black folks aren't the primary donors to either political party. Just a monolithic voting block favoring the lesser of two evils. Black folks haven't used their political power correctly in 50 years and counting. Both political parties are aware of it. However, there is hope for the younger generation of Black folks. They aren't shackled by memories of the Civil Rights movement. Younger Black folks won't be guilted into voting just because "somebody died for their right to vote". They're asking the right question...what is the benefit to them. The Black Boomer and prior generation voting block doesn't have too many elections left. Whichever way this country is headed won't affect them. Not to worry...the kids will be all right.😎

https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-says-he-will-meet-with-netanyahu-wednesday-2024-07-23/ The Israeli Prime Minister is here in the US to address Congress regarding the conflict in Gaza. It seems on Friday, former POTUS Orange Julius will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Mar-A-Lago. POTUS PJB will meet with PM Netanyahu tomorrow. I don't recall any other former POTUS meeting with world leaders when they come to visit. Since he left the White House, they've been treating former POTUS OJ as if he is shadowing current POTUS PJB.😎

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/joe-biden-drops-out-oval-office-address/ POTUS PJB officially bowed out of running for re-election. Highlighted his record of governance. Tepidly endorsed VP Harris as nominee. POTUS PJB says that democracy is on the ballot. He seems to believe the country will be less great if Dems don't win again. POTUS PJB vows to continue doing his job until it's time to leave office. Remains to be seen how much he'll support VP Harris as his successor.😎

A shotgun is the best for home defense because the sound of cocking it is an alarm before firing a shot. A small caliber handgun is fine for personal protection. Again, showing it is usually a deterrent. Really knowing how to use it is important. An illegal firearm leads to other issues especially one has to use it. Despite the gun violence in America, most folks never have to use their weapons. Texas is an open carry state. There is a reason they don't have the highest murder rate in the country. It's because so many folks are strapped.😎

POTUS Roosevelt also died in office which led to a constitutional amendment. America is not and will not be at war if former POTUS OJ gets re-elected. He won't be a wartime POTUS.😎

Don't vote for anyone until they can give tangible benefits. Not just an alternative to the other person.😎

The question remains why do we have to vote for these folks who clearly do nothing specifically for AfroAmericans but help other groups of people.😎

Supreme Court cannot make that call. it would take an act of Congress to overturn the 22nd amendment of the Constitution. Difficult but not totally impossible especially if the GOP becomes a stronger majority. However, I believe American voters would step up to prevent a POTUS from more than 2 terms.😎

Facts. She ticks the boxes in terms of credentials. VP Harris is far more qualified than both former FLOTUS Obama and the Orange Jackazz on the other side. I know there's nothing she can do about that nasally voice of hers. I just wish the words that came out of her mouth were more intelligible.🤣 The sad reality is that even she gets elected POTUS, VP Harris won't be overly interested in doing much to help AfroAmericans.😎

I think she's partially ours. Only because whenever they mention her race, half the emphasis is placed on the fact that she's Asian.🤣😎

They are very wise to do so. Staying ready means one doesn't have to get ready. Unfortunately, America's original sin and the lingering effects of it has put us into this position. Until the original sin is properly redressed...it is what it is. Absolutely not. A clean record and cash allows one to get right in the mix.😎

True. Guns are the most effective weapon in causing a lot a damage especially at a distance. It doesn't take much to point and squeeze. Any punk can do it. However, the proliferation of guns in America especially military style weaponry has been authorized and provided to white folks to protect themselves in the event of a [insert here] war. That is something Black folks refuse to understand and/or accept. White folks in America are armed beyond belief to protect themselves from us. White folks use hunting as an excuse for 1) target practice and 2) indiscriminate killing. As I've mentioned before, a great place to hang out is the gun range. The gun range is an eye-opener because it allows one to see 1) what kind of weapons white folks own and 2) the age at which they start training their offspring and 3) their proficiency at hitting targets. Of course, the rural areas and backwoods of America provide plenty open space for free target practice. Again, the munitions these people have is mind-boggling. Firearms is just a part of it. The downside to having more guns per person here in America than any other part of the world is that folks with mental health issues and other forms of grievance can get their hands on guns too. 😎

I think we can agree that easier access to guns enables folks to use them to settle their differences and/or grievances. However, I believe if it wasn't guns the same folks would use any weapon available to achieve their end. Again, guns do nothing until somwone pulls the trigger. Same goes for any weapon. There's a mentality behind it.😎

Black folks were already in America before the slave trade and before Columbus sailed to it. The Brits did not practice slavery in the same way as America. Mental health issues and grievance fuel violence.😎

VP Kamala Harris unsuccessfully ran for POTUS in 2020. That's how we ended up with POTUS PJB. I don't know what VP Kamala Harris can do if anything to boost her reputation among undecided voters. That's right. Anything less will a match and a can of gasoline to her aspirations. VP Harris will only win the election if there is another referendum on former POTUS OJ. She will need every Democratic voter to show up. More importantly, it will take undecided voters pulling to the Left to keep the Orange Jackazz out of the White House. Exactly. Many of those undecided voters are white men who don't want female POTUS. Their wives will ride along. This election will be interesting. If OJ gets re-elected, he only has 4 years to run the country aground. He cannot run again..supposedly.😁😎

Brotha Troy, you already know history. 😁 The transatlantic slave trade lasted from the 15th - 19th century. Gun violence in the black community is by-product of racism white supremacy. Drugs, guns, poverty and despair is a mean gumbo.😎

British slavery predates America but it wasn't nearly as barbaric and brutal nor did it last 400 years. I believe there is less gun violence in the UK and other countries that are more homogeneous. Those countries have their own brand of racism but its different from the US. The Brits raped and pillaged weaker countries through colonization moreso than by slavery. The after effects of colonization is what we still see to this day. Black azz folks speaking Queen's English and French.🤣😎

This has been the contrast between the two political parties for for almost 2 decades now. The GOP pushes through legislation to satisfy their conservative agenda while in office. The Dems sit back and complain about what the obstructionists won't allow them to do. Case in point...Dems are still talking about reinstating Roe v Wade. Didn't bother to codify it under Clinton or Obama. Again, there's a reason that Dems appear to be in opposition to the GOP. The 1st time around, POTUS PJB won the election as a referendum on former POTUS Orange Julius. Unfortunately, POTUS PJB didn't do enough in catering to those swing voters to secure their votes again. Then, his mental and physical abilities started betraying him. The Dems should have held POTUS PJB to being a one-term solution. They should have started grooming his heir apparent 4 or more years ago. instead, I believe Dems put too much stock in trying to weaken former POTUS OJ enough to keep him from getting re-elected. Looks like Dems plan A backfired and they never even bothered to develop a plan B.😎

The Brits don't need as many guns As Americans because white folks there don't threatened by non-whites. British slavery was not as brutal as America nor did it last as long. The British population is 83% white. Their institutional racism is very different from the Unites States of America. They don't owe non-white folks anything. British racism didn't lead to t lead to Black Codes, Jim Crow, sun down towns, lynchings, church bombings, marches and protests, Black freedom fighters and activists, Civil Rights movement, Affirmative Action, Reparations, etc. Black folks and non-whites in general cannot stake a claim in building Great Britain or any other predominantly white country. Otherwise, AfroAmericans shed blood, sweat and tears for 400+ years building the United State of America. 😎

IMO, the country thrives on its diversity and *freedoms*. None of our differences has reached a boiling point where any group or faction is going to start a civil war. Look no further than AfroAmericans who have been grieving and grumbling for over 100 years. Other than a few protests and marches, we still have not become violent over those grievances or in demanding reparations for America's original sin. A few rowdy folks stormed the Capitol on January 6th. Every week there is a mass shooting. Otherwise, America is a relatively peaceful country. Maybe I'll think differently if/when I see a mass exodus out of here. Too much *free* time on one's hands allows for a certain amount of consternation about one thing or another.😉 In other thread, you mentioned having grandkids. Rest assured that they really aren't much different from the previous generations. They too will figure out a way forward.😎