aka Contrarian

I see where Gayle King and her fellow passengers on the space capsule are being greeted with jeers instead of cheers by social media haters, one of whom described the lip stick crew as nothing more than a “rich lady brunch in flight” Gail has been pushing back at such dismissals, seemingly very indignant that people aren't impressed with how much courage it took to make the trip. There are also rumors that CBS is looking into the deal Gail cut with the company that's in the business of making these flights available to the public. Seems like she got a hefty fee to lend her name to what amounted to nothing more than a publicity stunt although Gayle insists she is now entitled to be referred to as an "astronaut", - and her job might be in jeopardy because her deal could be considered "bribery". 😳 Elsewhere, The View crew has been on a week hiatus and replaced by reruns, leaving industry insiders to wonder whether their daily slamming of Trump and his minions and the libel suit this has generated might cause heads to roll. 🫨 Stay tuned. This is your pop culture vulture signing off for now. Ta-ta.👋

"why are you constantly PM'ing me talking about this or that?" @Pioneer1That above statement posted by you is based on a goddamned lie inasmuch as I have not been "constantly PMing you to talk about this and that". A few months ago I contacted you for the first time in about 15 years in order to ask you to delete something, yet you continue to perpetuate this lie. I have no reason to seek you out to talk because I'm not interested in anything you have to say. So bug off, Loser.

@Pioneer1 I repeat. You are a goddamned liar. And the figments of your warped imagination that spawn your wishful thinking exagerrated recollections just further contribute to my utter revulsion for you, and compound why you would be at the bottom of the totem pole were I to bestir my interest long enough to single out the real men on this site who have a lot going for themselves. Now that we settled your status as a wanna-be-but-never-was, Just refrain from injecting your uncalled for attention-seeking remarks into my conversations with other people and no future exchanges will be necessary.

On Tuesday pioneer said: ..."If you think I'm such a loser then why are you constantly PM'ing me talking about this or that? Why would a person seek conversation with a "natural born loser"??? You ain't fooling nobody but yourself." @pioneer. smh, you REALLY have convinced yourself that I feel something other than revulsion for you. I won't bother wasting a lot of words to discount your deluded conceit. Suffice to say that I don't like you and I find you annoying, and your inability to accept this is an example of how your twisted mind works. Unable to deal with rejection, you resort to making up lies to save face. This exchange between us would not be occurring if you hadn't injected your insulting remarks into a conversation between Chevdov and me, where you tried to portray me as a hustler hitching rides. Your further saying that I am constantly "PMing you talking about this or that" is a goddamned desperate lie, and you know it. I contacted you ONCE to request that you delete a statement I made that you quoted about a distant relative of mine, because I realized it could cause hard feelings if what I said about her interracial marriage should by chance get back to her. (I knew asking this favor of you would come back to haunt me!) And your misinterpreting this is an example of your approach to everything. That's why you're a loser because you exist in a made-up world where you write the script. This is evidenced by how you believe, as I have previously stated, that of all the guys on this board, ) would prefer a second-rate,cringe worthy jerk like you to latch on to. But - I know you'll remain in denial, unable to deal with the idea that what you imagine as being desire is actually disgust. (I'm also sure you'll conjure up a scenario in your numb skull that the reason I bad mouthed Gayle King was because I was jealous that you like her. That's how you roll; the distorted lens you view the world through. Be assured, however, that in my morning channel surfing, I've been scowling at the wigs Gayle sports on her CBS show for years.) But dream on, you pathetic Loser.

@TroyLOL It is typical soap opera fare from what I can gather.I have no idea what the plot is actually about. I check it out a couple of times a week just to look at the people and the high fashion and the glorification of the black bougie lifestyle.

@ProfDI was wonderlring if I was the only one who was distracted by those awful horsehair auburn wigs that Gayle plops on her head. LOL Her bff Oprah was present at the outer space lift-off to lend Gayle her moral support, even shedding a few tears over the implication of this auspicious occasion. One thing you can say about Oprah is that, like Chaka Khan, she's got a great head full of naturally long abundant hair And doesn't need a wig. And she's lookin great to be 70.. After taking that weight-lost pill, she's down to her fighting weght. Katt Williams cracked that Oprah swallowed so many of them that Gayle lost 20 lbs! Something she needed to do becauses she had really become a healthy specimen of the bovine breed. If you're looking for eye candy you should watch "Beyond the Gates," the new afternoon black soap opera on CBS. It's really a show case for the beautiful people - all dressed to the nines. I've never seen so many fine black men in one place in all my life! And, oh yeah the sistas are also gorgeous.

Apparently things are different from place to place. The store I go to was called "Deals" before Dollar Tree bought and up graded it I'm with Chevdove in regard to price increase. The store I patronize didn't up its price to $1.25 until a little over a year ago. And I was surprised to hear about Troy's experience because alcoholic beverages aren't sold at my location. Sounds like Dollar Tree just bought up a lot of independent dollar stores, and although the name changed and prices increased , when it came to goods and services it was business as usual. @Pioneer1your lame attempts at humor always fall flat because true wit is a play on reality. You and your generic ass, over-the-hill self continue to project your ghetto lifestyle on me because of your ongoing need to bring me down to your level. Stick to spying on white dudes and deriving vicarious thrills from seeing other guys do what you are too much of a loser to succeed at.

When the neighborhood crack heads came around offering to do yard work to make money, my husband was quick to hire them. My sons had no problem deferring to the addicts and losing a chance to earn money. This is not privilege, it's called laziness. Did I complain? No. It wasn't my money being spent. And I'm lazy myself. I read how you guys wete rhapsodizing about black music but I've never gotten the impression that you are fans of Jazz or big band swing music or the Blues, all originated by black folks. (And incidentally Mariah Carey is half black. just like Alicia Keys - and Halle Berry. ) Country music also has black roots but y'all yappin' about Rap and new jack artists, negating tɓhe recordings that have preserved the artistry of the masters who sound even better with the passage of time. Then the Imagining that white guys aren't suave, and want to be black so they can impress black girls. Is you Krazy? Can you say KAMALA?? No Americans seriously envy black folk. As Chris Rock once said, "no white person wants to trade places with me, and I'm a millionaire!" zzzzzzz

Yes, that baton has to be something solid that the runners can get a good grip on. As we know, passing that baton successfully is the hardest part of a relay race. The American 4×100 men's team of brothas missed out on an Olympic gold medal because they screwed up passing the baton. Female athletics lend themselves very well to aggressiveness because women are naturally catty in their rivalry. There's a lot of bad blood among the professional women's basketball.players.

Yes, the Dollar Tree in the mall that I frequent is now a dollar twenty-five tree. And a house wares section has been added where nothing is under $3.99. And since mostly everything sold there is made in China, prices are only going to soar higher, thanks to tariffs and the trade war Trump has instigated with China. > sigh< Another nail in the economy's coffin.

I found what Facebook poster Timothy Elliott had to say about America's dictator incisive and succinct. "Trump was once a Democrat, then he switched. Wouldn’t even call him a Republican (the traditional party of “free trade”), however. He’s something altogether different. The Grievance Party (MAGA). Whining, complaining, self-pitying, feeling hard done by. In Trump’s world there is no such thing as mutual benefit. It’s always a zero-sum game. He has to be the winner (or be seen as a winner) and the other party has to be a loser. He took over the world’s strongest economy (on Jan.20), and the world’s strongest currency, and in less than three months he has both heading south fast, resurrecting an economic policy (tariffs) from the 19th century. Ten of the past 11 recessions in the U.S. (since 1953) have occurred with a Republican in the White House. Trump seems intent in making it 11-of-12." Political pundit Bill Maher who I'm usually on the same page with because he's a moderate Liberal had some controversial things to say about Trump after he was invited for a visit to the white house recently. Maher said that, much to his surprise, Trump was different from his public persona; nonconfrontational, laid back and civil - but unapologetic. Bill, who has been a regular critic of Trump, went on to remark that he found himself more comfortable around Trump than he was with a detached Obama, who himself, engaged in small talk with Trump at Jimmy Carter's funeral. What is it about Trump that makes other men lose their balls?? That smug, arrogsnt SOB Steve Bannon was among the guests on Maher' weekly TV show and he announced that there was no question that Trump would run and win another term in 2029. I don't even care anymore. Obviously Donald Trump siphons off too much of my concern. He and America deserve each other.

Just recently as yesterday, ABC's "Good Morning, America" devoted about 10 minutes to a video showing 2 boys from opposing all-white hockey teams getting into a brawl that disrupted the game, with parents also getting involved. The discussion focused on how parents are the biggest culprits in these kind of disputes and portrayed them as the villains because they think the coaching is lax or biased. I really don't believe the media intentionally allows race to be a factor in what goes viral. Whether or not the videos are bizarre seems to be the determining factor. The local newscasts in Chicago frustrate me because they seem to be very reluctant to show pictures of perpetrators when reporting crimes. The only way i can tell if they're black or not is by the names or the neighborhood where the offenses occur. Recently, swarms of youngsters have been roaming the streets of Chicago's down town "Loop" area, harassing people, vandalizing stores and damaging cars. The media won't film them close up but they appear to be black or Hispanic kids. Since I've divorced the black race, and only associate myself with my "tribe", I don't blindly defend niggas anymore. They is beyond hope. So, shoot me. My tribe consists of slave descendants who, when it comes to Blacks, think like me and at this point there are only about 10 people left in it. Nor do we have much use for white people, especially the MAGA Retrumpicans! Hispanics, Asians, and NIGERIANS are also disposable. We only claim those who represent our philosophical approach, and our discriminating rationales. Not to worry. We will soon become extinct. 😞 Shout out to Senator CORY BOOKER! 👍

You remember what? What does "Dear Abby" have to do with me addressing racism on the Opinion-Editorial pages of the local newspapers?? @ProfDin his book, did MLK mention the importance of ACCOUNTING when discussing the role economics played in black advancement? Huh?Huh? 😳

@umbrarchist MLk never said anything about global warning. His sole focus was on race. Blacks, of course, learned later that he was misguided about integration being a panacea. @Pioneer. As usual, you figured wrong. I switched my focus to the Op Ed pages of Chicago newspapers and the pen became my weapon against bigotry.

@ProfD &Pioneer1: I know you 2 are not serioudly asking me why my generation didn't break the bonds of white supremacy and form our own political party! Not seriously suggesting that we were too dumb to organize and rebel against the most powerful country in the world with the goal of abolishing white supremacy. I could remind you about the existence of the Black Wall Street settlement in Tulsa, Okalahoma, and what happened in 1921 to this paragon of black achievement when it simply dared to defend itself from resentful white racists. I think the most obvious answer to your absurd question about why my generation didn't form our own political party, is that we wanted to become a part of the mainstream , not independent of it. MLK convinced us that integration was the answer to racism; the gateway to equality. If Blacks could just be judged by "the content of their character rather than the color of their skin", he assured us we'd all be one big happy family sitting at the same table. And in spite of what you 2 continue to downplay, Blacks did weave themselves into the fabric of the Democratic party, gaining power and control at local levels in urban areas as well as representation in the State and national Congresses. Even rewarded with a black Supreme Court Justice in the person of Thurgood Marshall. This was also the era of acquiring voting rights and Equal Opportunity Employment. We were still "Negroes" during this period and through passive resistance, boycotts and demonstrations we did make progress with the rise of a viable black middleclass, paving the way all along for those who we passed the torch to. And what did the ensuing Black Power/Afro-centric, BLM Wokeness phases of the struggle get us? A black president who became fodder for the crabs in a barrel syndrome and a soundly-rejected woman of color presidential candidate. And what is the immediate state of the Black America union? Dazed znd confused. Don't ask me anything else about what Blacks need to do. to neutralize the white power structure. I'll be damned if I know, and I'm too busy hating what white Retrumpicans are doing to the entire country as they prime America for a take over by the MAGA Klan.

@Mel HopkinsI was stunned to learn about the loss of your daughter and find myself at a loss for words to express how sorry I am. just know that, as a parent, I empathize with what you must be experiencing and I sympathize with and admire how you are handling this tragedy. Why I am still here, doing nothing but taking up space, and a young vital woman with so much to offer the world is taken, is something I have trouble resigning myself to. and I'm weary from trying to sort it all out. And although certainly not to the extent that you are going through I, too, am having issues with the medical community after having recently had a cataract removed from my left eye. My complaint has to do with ageism, and feelings that I am being exploited because I have Medicare and medical insurance and am looked upon as a cash cow, being scheduled for unnecessary duplicating procedures, and pressured into having follow-ups, and additional surgery which at my age is a waste of time and money and more trouble than it's worth! Anyhow, - glad you checked in with us. Stay strong. 🫶

Well, Neely Fuller is dead and his trite advice unheeded. What rivals are dealing with in the present, is what Steve Bannon, one of Donald Trump's devious cohorts actually admitted. It has nothing to do with traditional platitudes about being inspired to do better after a defeat. It has to do with acquiring the power to declare yourself the winner no matter what the outcome is; to repeat a lie often enough to make others believe its actuality. A tactic at the core of Trumpism. False assertions are currently called "factoids" and are assertions that distort the truth. (Not surprising, teenage girls aren't above being in denial about things.) Lying, of course, is nothing new. but aided and abetted by Artificial Intelligence, "it is won't be what it is" in the future. If they don't become extinct themselves, Black men, who rarely deal with actuality because so many of them are too busy shuckin and jivin and objectifying women, - will be right at home amidst the phony dystophic world of tomorrow. zzzzzz

Yes, in answer to the question posed, "repression is required for the preservation of white institutions". That's what MAGA and Project 2025 are all about. Keeping America a white, Christian, Patriarchal nation. In order to do this, you have to keep those who threatened this goal in check. The idea of sharing their power is an anathema to those in power. Minorities have to be controlled and- repressed. 🤪

I rarely watched the Reidout and I really don't think the average African American did either because, to us, TV is a form of escapist entertainment and the Reidout didn't fit that description.. After hours of doing whatever our daily routines call for, finished with fixing and eating dinner, we are looking to chill out and take in the prime time television shows that appear on our local outlets or streaming services. Watching cable TV news panels featurimg a bunch of talking heads arguing and airing their grievances, is not something we are keen to do. We are content with the half hour evening news reports that the anchors of the major networks deliver to keep us abreast of world affairs, so soon-to- be -gone, apathetic, black commentator Lester Holt will be missed more than the animated, angry black woman, Joy Reid. Viewing sit-coms and cop and true crime shows, and hospital dramas and reality and talent and game shows, etc. are what captivate niggazz before we turn off the lights and fall asleep. So much for being "woke". zzzzz And spare me the head shakin' and hand wringing over how discouraging this behavior pattern Is. it's no sin to want to enjoy what you see. In reality, everybody is stressed out over the ongoing never-ending problems of the world. Blacks, in partucular, need a time-out from the struggle, - from being frustrated overthe lack of progress made against the perceived racism that is woven into the fabric of their lives. Boo-Hoo. Ho-Hum. Change the channel. Sorry, Joy, you just didn't ignite enough interest within your base, and your antagonists have acquired more influence. With the election of tRump, black lives don't matter much any more. MSNBC is off the hook. Hopefully, sorrow will be dispersed and joy will return with the finding of a new and improved venue. Meanwhile. black-oriented shows like "Abbott Elementary" and "The Equalizer" score high ratings and win coveted Emmys. And so it goes...

@TroyI don't feel inclined to change anything in the original essay. You can do whatever you want to do with it. I don't care. I don't really care much about anything any more. I'm tired. My oldest great grandson is 21 years old and still chasing his tail. My youngest great granddaughtet is about to begin kindergarten and is very smart but reclusive. In between, are 2 others boys and 2 other girls, all uniquely different from each other. Just like their parents. What do I know ? 😳

Well, I think the incident falls in the category of "man-bites-dog" news and I have no problem with it going viral. If it hadn't, I would've never known that this type of behavior was not unusual. There are even humorous aspects to this cautionary tale. The girl who was hit claims to have been diagnosed with a brain concussion, incidentally. And GMA is not exactly desperate for ratings since its the #1 morning talk show. So, did you have a problem with reports of athletic coaches molesting their female trainees making headlines?

Well, this place is a tad intimidating. You have to be a somewhat opinionated person to want to participate in or initiate a conversation. an undertaking that could require more effort than people feel like putting forth. In addition to being reasonably well informed, you also need to be articulate enough to make your point. A lot of folks would rather just check out what others say because they are not passionate enough about their convictions to express them. Over time, the format here has evolved into a cast of characters performing for an audience of lurkers whose status never gets past the curiosity stage. These onlookers may also not feel like wading through and getting lost in the marathon dialogs between regulars, when they simply drop by to see what's new. The "way we were" back in the day, will never be duplicated. It was a special moment in time before, as Troy noted, social media sucked the air out of the room. (Still wondering whatever happened to Chris Hayden, Troy) Maybe things would pick up if Troy posed a provocative question of the week and invited viewers to log in and give their responses. Even encourage lurkers to submit their own questions. 😵‍💫

I'll be watching out for this event with my new and improved vision! 🫨

It all could've been avoided if the accused girl hadn't done what she was accused of. And I doubt if there has ever been a case before where one runner In a relay race hit another runner on an opposing team with a baton during the final stretch. So it is a newsworthy, human interest story imo, and a sign of the times along with the everybody-gets-a-trophy-custom and winning at any cost attitude that overshadows good spormanship and now passes for acceptable behavior,- thanks to Donald Trump. It certainly bespeaks of childishness and poor home training.