ProfD

These murderers pleaded to serve their sentence in federal prison for safety fearing they will be killed in state prison (back door death penalty).

I'm glad the judge rejected that foolishness. They were bold enough to do the crime.  Now they have to man up and do that time in the lion\'s den.

In reality, once they check in with the Aryan Brotherhood, they will be fine and survive in prison.  

45 minutes ago, Stefan said:

The GOP is heartless. But ... as we've known for a long time, Cruelty is what motivates many of them. 

Rhetorically, I'm still wondering what makes folks support and vote for a cruel and heartless group of people..

The vote was 57-43 which included 7 GOPers.  They were 3 votes short of the measure passing.

43 GOP senators voted against reducing the cost of insulin.  Surely, some of their constituents could use the cost reduction. 

Only GOP voters affected by diabetes in one form or another can answer the question of why they vote for people uninterested in lowering their prescription costs.

Redistribution of wealth and power is the only way for us to move forward.

Reparations to ADOS would provide AfroAmericans with the resources to build better communities with everything to include housing, schools, medical facilities, banks, grocery stores and other businesses.

Politicians on both sides of the aisle want no parts of such a discussion or plan of action. It's a non-starter. 

Instead of dealing with the byproduct of America's origin sin, white folks would much rather obfuscate the real issues and jump down rabbit holes that don't have anything to do with the elephant in the room.

The whole alphabet movement (LGBTQIA+) has been another great distraction. Back in the 1960s it was white women's rights. 

Anything to avoid dealing with AfroAmericans has been the modus operandi of white supremacists for many decades and counting. 

I understand the dysfunction that plagues Black folks but I'm still disappointed that we aren't doing any better in our own countries 

52 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

I'm more inclined to believe that many of our people were naturally less intelligent..

Well, you were right about it...I disagree.

Black folks are not less intelligent than anyone else. We don't use it to build weapons of mass destruction. It's not because we cannot. It's not our nature. We use our intelligence for good not evil.

We have to keep in mind that there are a lot of Americans of average and lower intelligence. Winning them over doesn't take a scholar.

That's why so many  mocked and ridiculed POTUS Obama when he spoke:

Just like in school, some folks are jealous of amd resent those who are smart.

They'd vote for stupid just because it makes them feel better about themselves. 

1 hour ago, Pioneer1 said:

The question I would have is why haven't WE developed a defense system even more powerful?

I think I know the answer, although you probably wont accept it..lol.

 

Try me.

Contrary to sista @Cynique's opinion, I'm open-minded. At least when it comes to certain things. 

But, my answer to your question is fear.  Black folks are afraid to do anything that will p8ss the white man off. 

Also, contrary to public perception, most Black folks are peaceful. We aren't natural born killers. We work and play. We'd much rather sit around eating, drinking, talking laughing, listening to music and making love. 

@Pioneer1, I can understand how Kam's lyrics on tracks like "Down Fa Mine" could be taken negatively.

But, artistic license does allow one to flip the script. It still displays the dopeness of Kam's lyricism.

Hollywood does it all the time. My favorite actor Denzel Washington played in "Glory", "Malcolm X", "Training Day", "American Gangster" and many other movies showcasing his range and versatility.

The *problem* I have with artists is when their content is like McDonald's food...lacking nutritional value.

2 hours ago, Pioneer1 said:

....the biggest problem with the Democrats as a party is a lack of back-bone or fighting spirit.

This has been my complaint about them for decades. They don't go hard in the paint for anything. If it's not handed to them on a silver platter, they'll shrug their shoulders and say I tried and slink away. 

Meanwhile, the GOP will let proverbial nuts hang when they're steering thr ship. They are like a bull in a China shop when it comes to pushing their agenda. They routinely punk the Dems regardless or who's in charge.

That's why I'll continue to beat my drum that these parties are two sides of the same coin.

Maintaining white supremacy is the primary objective of both political parties. They've gotten n8gglets to buy into and fight over it. 

Raises hand. My parents have always been my *heroes*. That's why I've never idolized anyone else. 

Great thread. Real parents never get enough credit for what they do. 

59 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

"The word of a nerd ain't no good because OGs run the pen and BGs run the hood"  Kam (Pull Ya Ho' Card)

D8mn bro...what you know about that.

Kam is one of my favorite lyricists.

There were plenty cats like him who delivered the message with no confusion.

Unfortunately , record companies run by white folks weren't going to promote those messages over the stuff that *sells*.

Of course, music od substance like any other form of entertainment has to be sought out like books in a library. 

2 hours ago, Stefan said:

If states and the federal government offered job training programs...

The availability of job training programs would help some folks. But, there has to be a stronger desire to work.

Mental and physcal laziness are very real conditions. It's evident early when folks don’t work hard enough to get an education.

In addition to state and federal government, private investors could establish job training programs too. 

Genius is having exceptional intellectual ability, creative productivity, imagination and originality to the extent of being able to achieve new discoveries or advance knowledge.

A part of genius is having the ability to recognize or envision patterns, shapes and concepts in order to produce tangible results. 

1 hour ago, Delano said:

I don't know if it is still true, but more money is spent on the military than infrastructure in the US.

Still true.

Right now, they are trying to pass a bill that will put more money into infrastructure improvements.

The bill has been carved up from what POTUS originally had in mind.

I guess they'll take whatever they can get at this point considering the political gridlock. 

4 minutes ago, Stefan said:

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. 

The arrogance of the US is that it can sail anywhere it d8mn well pleases and if China wants to get their emperor-wannabe filled Navy wiped off the map, that's on them. 

I do not advocate violence unless it's for self-defense. The US will not act without provocation.  But, once aggravated, all h8ll will break loose. 

Trust and believe...China does not really want any parts of what the US can give it land, sea and air.  I know this factually. 

@Stefan, the US doesn't *need* China for anything.  It's a relationship built on greed.

There was a point in time that Made in the USA meant something.  There is no shortage of labor, skill and talent stateside. 

American companies left factories high and dry.  Plenty of well-paying blue collar jobs flushed down the drain.

Greed is the only reason the US is sticking its proverbial hand in a lion's mouth that is now China. 

It's cheaper and more profitable to have goods made in China.  Same goes for getting oil from the Middle East. 

A handful of wealthy white folks are using the US military as a security force. 

Don't get me started on Africans allowing foreigners to pillage the land and take  natural resources.

@Delano, you're absolutely right on both accounts. 

The biggest nations in the world have been doing this 2 step dance for a half century and counting.

Still, I believe all of the posturing, saber rattling and displays of strength is really to keep other countries in check. 

The US and China and Russia and the rest all know that a world war would be bad for business.

Here we are over 50 years later and the conditions that bred cats like the late Claude Brown remain unchanged.  Voices like his are still necessary.

It takes black folks who've lived both sides of the struggle to reach the younger generation and save them from becoming wayward and/or put them on a different path. A social worker on a salary doesn't have it.

A message is better received when the listener either feels and/or believes the messenger shares a similar background and experience.  In other words, knuckleheads rarely listen to squares and nerds.

That's why Hip-Hop music is so powerful.  Where folks might not be inclined to pick up a book, they will listen to music.  Too bad not enough of those artists use their voices to teach and uplift the younger generation either.

16 hours ago, Cynique said:

Her's is a cautionary tale. I hope others learn a lesson from her wreckless behavior.

Hey Greg...we want Cynique back immediately.

I'm curious to know what the cautionary tale is and how her behavior was reckless. 

None of this happens under difference circumstances i.e. no dust up between Russia and Ukraine and the US providing support. 

Otherwise, sista Brittney has no issues traveling back and forth to  Russia with her cannabis oil weighing less than a stick of gum and hooping to make extra bread in order to feed her family.  Besides, it's not like she was smuggling nuclear material into their country and/or stealing secrets from them.

In the grand scheme of things, the crime is totally ridiculous.  The punishment based on man-made *laws* and in this case political pressure, is a complete miscarriage of justice.

If I were to consider this a cautionary tale especially for athletes and entertainers...petition American employers to pay enough money for your talent that there is no incentive to leave the country in order to make money elsewhere. 

The WNBA should be paying its players enough money so that they don't have play overseas to make ends meet.  That's the fight sista Griner should take up when she gets back home.

10 hours ago, Cynique said:

He is still the de facto leader of the Republican party. 

8 hours ago, Delano said:

He raised a lot of money quickly. And Senators want access to his fundraising ability.

He is the current personification and face of white supremacy.  That's why there is is milquetoast opposition to him among white folks. 

He's the very loud and obnoxious relative who shows up at family gatherings and embarrasses everyone but they still love him. 

Interesting article. Amazing to *know* so much about the defense capability of another country.

From the 1960s through 1990s, the main *adversary* to the US was the former Soviet Union.  

Nowadays, the US is keeping its eyes on Russia, China, North Korea and Iran.

I realize being the sole Super Power country in the world carries a lot of weight. 

China is the US labor force.  We trust a threat to  produce a great deal of the goods Americans consume.  Seems like a toxic relationship.

One doesn't have to constantly watch its back unless enemies have been made and/or there a stronger desire to maintain power and dominance by any means necessary.

Globally, there is enough defense capability to wipe out all of humanity.  That doesn't make good sense at all.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has arrested and charged former police officers who were responsible for the raid and firing shots that led to Breonna Taylor's death. 

It took  almost 2. 5 years to bring these killers to justice but better later than never. I hope AG Merrick Garland brings a solid case against them. 

Breonna Taylor's family has already won a civil suit. Putting these murderers behind bars would bring justice full circle. 

1 hour ago, Stefan said:

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.

No. I certainly understand your vitriol for the right wing as well.

I'm saying (writing) that we keep the clown relevant by mentioning him. But, he's going to crash and burn soon enough. His followers are getting weary. 

It's probably a good idea to start sharpening that sword against that clown in training Ron DeSantis. 

15 minutes ago, Pioneer1 said:

Part of me hopes that the United States will threaten to and ACTUALLY take military action against Russia for this, but.....we know how likely that is.

The situation definitely does not warrant such an extreme.  It takes a lot more than a bogus cannabis oil charge and a prison sentence to go to war. 

The wheels of diplomacy are still spinning and will prevail.  Don't sweat it.  Our sista will be home before the holidays.