Delano

@Cynique I'll respond in the reverse order of your statements. I didn't see my response as a change in position. For me it was a clarification. However based on your response, it was temporarily ineffective. If i can effectively communicate the nuances and implications it wil be effective retroactively. Yet ipso facto it is less connotation and more denotation. Entertainment choices are the concrete display of existential preferences. Unless it's a forced choice in which case it demonstrates . effective manipulation. Or it shows what is so important to you, that it can be used to manipulate you. Ability doesn't always mean talent it also opportunity. Since able is the root of ability. So the misunderstanding is that we had (have) a different understanding of the word and its meanings. Origin Late Middle English: from Old French ablete, from Latin habilitas, from habilis ‘able’. ADJECTIVEablest,abler 1with infinitive Having the power, skill, means, or opportunity to do something. No but perhaps you have changed your mind about what I was saying. I also made the conscious decision (as opposed to a choice), to use less accessible words and structures. Not in attempt to obfuscate but rather illustrate.

@Mel Hopkins it also worked in reverse. I woukd go back and read articles on magazines by authors i liked.

Freedom is not an ability. Some people can choose freely. Some people are more appreciative. But i have no knowledge about the the inherent potential of people. Some people are better decision makers. While some people are not ordering from the menu. Knowing that you have a choice is enabling. Creating choices is inventive. All of the above are the opinions currently residing on my mind.

Freedom is the ability to choose your entertainment.

Thanks

I don't want to have anyone define me.

My neighborhood the kids were mostly black. I told my mother we lived in a chocolate city. She said the majority of people were white although the kids were majority black. From second grade through high school the kids were mostly white. Growing up my parents exposed us to culture and art . We saw Alvin Ailey and the Negro ensemble company. I have had drinks dinners and conversations with racists. Which on hindsight is interesting. Because I didn't fit the stereotype of an urban youth or an Oreo. There are different expressions of racism. From the KKK liberals conservatives media and culture. I just like challenging Blacks and Whites. Blacker than thou Black is what Black does. I don't want anyone to define me.

Seems paradoxical What blacks really need is to be liberated from the freedom to be manipulated.

Perhaps but based on the reactions here, it isn't easy.

I have read this twice but the freedom to be manipulated has me stuck.

Do you see the irony in telling me not to think that way. And I could do what you do? I understand that your not telling me what to do. It's a suggestion but the implication is that its better. Since most people dont offer a worse solution to an issue.

@Troy I have to disagree. If you cant accept someone's opinion it is impossible to have an open mind. I don't want any prejudices . Otherwise i am a bigot/racist/misogynist/ etc. And while some may think prefermce is not the same. Does anyone say bigots ate open minded. Toe there is a small leap between not accepted different ideas or opinions. and different people.

Are there parallels to Watergate?

It is still difficult for me to accept some opinions. And i have started to ask myself why.

@Mel Hopkins it was probably in my 30's. Troy its a list without the bullet points. There are a few ways I find books. I read about Dorothy Parker because of the Prince track. I read the autobiography of Malcolm X because of the Spike Lee movie. Found a few through The New York Press newspaper. A couple of book clubs. Recommendations from people or celebrities. Anthologies. I would also puvk authors because i felt i should have read them . I was interested in the following topics or genre. Mythology Jungian Psychology Numbers Astrology The Occult. Sone books happened to be in a section when i was looking for something else. A few people gave me books. Sometimes it ess a friend or someone i didn't know well. Lastly by accident.

I am an avid reader. I don't generally join groups. I will list some of the jobs i have done. Cashier Messenger Tax Collector Tutor Bookkeeper Nude Model Statistician Psychic Bartender and Security Guard.

Freedom of thought is a choice that you have to make. Most people aren't aware they have that option. In one of my marketing classes I heard the following: Comsumers will often buy the same brand their parents bought. Its clear that Mel and Cynique are writers. Althoug we each have our own worldview , that doesn't make it the world's view. Nor does that mean our view or the world's view is correct.

Therapy was good for him.

I like discussing topics and ideas. Since it is the opportunity to learn. Discussing a topic with someone more knowledgeable means learning more. Everyone has a particular style of communicating. Which may be related to their personality or rather their personsa. Why are people posting, what do they expect abd what are they trying to do. Also there is objectivity flexibility experience combative. Cynique you're the top dog. The pecking order if regulars is: Cynique Mel Troy Pioneer. Although Troy can change is position more quickly. And appears less wedded to ideas than anyone else I mentioned. Mel is really informed. There are three groups of people I find very interesting Writers Rappers and Comics. Thank you. The real vs the abstract. Time vs belief. It's one of my favorite quotes. Thank you @Cynique. The real vs the abstract. Time vs belief. It's one of my favorite quotes. Thank you. The real vs the abstract. Time vs belief. It's one of my favorite quotes.

We are sentenced by our convictions.

your question is more psychological

I think and i decided not to have emotional reactions to disagreement.

Its publicity which even when it's bad its good.

Astrology. Its not the impeachment which has no teeth. Nor the sex scandals. All Robert Mueller needs to show is payments from the Russian government. His team is so good Trump's lawyers are suggesting that he answer the questions in writing not in person. They are worried he will perjure himself. I could be wrong ... again. We will see.