Cynique

Even your reviews are beautifully poetic.

Cynique, have you any guesses as to why Toni Morrison chose to write about that particular era in this so-called "post-racial" error (oops) era?

Oops I missed your question, Waterstar. I'd guess Toni decided to write about her era. She is, after all, a "Depression baby" who came of age during the 1950s. She chose to focus on a more seamier side of life back then as opposed to the propriety that is usually associated with this "prim" period in American history - as usual. Morrison never wants her readers to be too comfortable. She wants to stimulate and challenge them with her prose and her cryptic messsages.

Troy, I'd be interested in your impression of this book. I think a man might take a different view of it.

Gee, Waterstar, did you stay up all night composing your essay? And if what the poem is crowing about is true, then what are we struggling for now? The same ol same ol because - "that's just the way it is". C'est la Vie.

Plus it's not like making this a better place for the children is a goal that distinguishes you. That's everybody's aim. The children are our future and preparing them to be equipped to cope and survive in the world as it exists should be our priority.

And just what is it you think would've happened differently had the situation with Trevon Martin had been reversed? That white people would've stormed the police station and pulled the black perpetrator out and strung him u on a lamp post???

As for Nat Turner, he was a brave and passionate man who became a martyr. Was he crazy? I don't know. Do you? Considering that his rampage was doomed for failure, he was rash. Did his impulsive action benefit the cause? Did any slave uprisings he inspired ever reap successful results? How did the slaves end up being liberated? The North outlasted the South in the civil war. I know none of this sounds dramatic and tear-jerking but I don't roll like that.

How do you suggest we pay homage to ol Nat? Start a new revolution - launch terrorist attacks to bring down this country and then preside over the chaos while sharing the spoils with all the nations of Africa? Just askin. 

People who reprimand Blacks by using Whites as an example of unity are presenting examples laced with half-truths, and need go no further back than 1914 when England and France waged war against Germany during World War I, wiping out a whole generation of young white men in the process. This scenario repeated itself during WWII. In a quest for power these white nations did not stand together. They fought each other. During WWII Germany and yellow Japan were allies. During the cold war, Russia wanted to bring down America and America wanted to defeat them. During the Korea war, Russia and China were allies. White nations don't stick together any more than those of Africa do. Even today France hates America. Each nation does what is in their best interest. Or has Pan Africanism has ever forged a strong front. Talk is cheap.

And it behooves today's generation to stop killing each other long enough to mount a united front against their oppressors before they start pointing their fingers at their " punk progenitors" who fought the good fight in the civil rights movement only to witness an erosion of the progress they made.

How about it has something to do with being a new breed, a cross section species descended from slaves and whites and Native Americans? Our history lies in this country and is one rich in its own unique traditions. White peole are in the minoirty in this world, and their day will soon be over. Africa had its chance and blew it. All we can do now is roll with the punches and learn Chinese.

Overcoming your slave mentality doesn't mean you go crazy. Revolution has been tried and it doesn't work. It just fizzles. Just ask Nat Turner and what's left of the Black Panther Party.

And I kinda shun dramatic rhetoric. If a black man had shot down a suspicious looking white boy wearing J Crew gear, there wouldn't have been upheaval. Whites would've done the same thing we did; angrily insist that the shooter be arrested. Where is Zimmerman? He's in jail. Who put him there? White people. Why? Because those in power never pass up a chance to try to make the world think they are noble and fair - and up for re-election.

What we have here, Waterstar, "is a failure to communicate". Or a generation gap. You are young with fire in your belly and I am old and jaded, mostly because I've been there, done that.

Che Guevara is a much romanticized hero who was idolized by the counter culture movement in this country, but he's from Argentina. Great humanitarian that he may have had the potential to be, Castro did not have any problem consenting to allow Russia to erect missile launcing sites trained on this country so in case America got too frisky, the Soviets could blow this country to kingdom come. Luckily Krushev had second thoughts and changed his mind avoiding what could've turned into a nuclear war.

I don't know what else Castro could be called if he's not a dictator except maybe a king. As for comparing him to the leadership in this country, at least the Republicans and Democrates play musical chairs and take turns running things. Did anybody ever dare to oppose Fidel who ruled with an iron fist? Has he ever shared his power with anyone except his relatives???

I don't know about you, but if I had a choice between living in Cuba or America, I'd take this country because I like my amenities.

So, are comic books featuring super heroes considered a type of speculative fiction?? Also the "Swept Away" series that deal with biblical prophecies? I'm familiar with all of these genres but I was never sure how to castegorize them.

A while back I also reviewed a book entitled "The Lazurus Parable by John C. Bonner. I don't consider myself a serious reviewer but I did it as a favor because the book was so long nobody else wanted to take it on. I think now that it was speculative fiction but I didn't know this at the time. The best I could describe it was that it was the type of story that required you to suspend your belief system. Is this forgivable?

Heck though. Your own people are quicker to say you crazy for that than others. "Don't you go round talkin dat liberation FOOLISHNESS! We's FREE now. Talkin bout equal rights and justice. Don't you know was a time when we had tah drank outa CULLID fountains!! You should just be tellin Jeezus dank-yah fo allowin yo no good darkie self to eat at DENNY'S!! Now get from round hyeah wit all dat FOOLISHNESS!"

In my opinion, black folks have overcome their slave mentality when it comes to reacting to injustice. They know it may not do any good but they do vent and they do so unanimously because that's the only way they can relieve their frustration. Think the Trevon Martin case.

At some point you have to deal with reality and understand that it's to your advantage to masquerade as a member of the majority in order to manipulate its members. Pragmatism is a tool that reaps more results than idealism which assumes that you can expect people to relinquish their advantage over others; wishful thinking.

I got the impression that poster TL Curtis was saying that he wasn't aware, as was suggested by the anecdote related by Kofi Annan, that in America, Africans were not subjected to as much racism as Black Americans are. It hadn't occurred to him that this was the case and he was enlightened to find this out. Incidentally this is the case. Back in the day, it was a standing joke in my generation that if you could pass yourself off as an African you could go check into hotels or be admitted to restaurants that would turn away "Negroes". There was even a little scenario attesting to this in one of Eddie Murphy's "Beverly Hills Cop" movies.

I also understand where Milton is coming from. As we know, African like Europe is a large continent so to just randomly claiming an African heritage would be like a person from France adopting the culture and heritage of Spain because both of these countries are a part of the same continent.

BTW, Waterstar, I appreciate all your postings because they do lend themselves to debate, and that's what this forum is all about. I don't mean to harass you but you should know by now that I am very argumentive.

Well, when it comes to Cuba, anytime a socialistic society is run by a dictator, it can hardly be considered a success, especially when there is so little wealth to share that the people all live in various degrees of poverty, except of course for the ruling class.

You don't see any Americans trying to escape this country to go and live in Cuba, but Cuba has a lot of refugees who have sought a better life in America.

All these special interest groups disappointed in Obama’s unfulfilled promises need to get a grip. This is their wake up call for being so naïve as to invest their hopes in a mere mortal. If God couldn’t, or wouldn’t see fit to alleviate the terrible conditions in Haiti, how the hell do they think Obama could do anything?? Yes, a vote for Obama was a vote for change and hope, well you got it. Obama is president instead of Dubya. As for hope, it has been kept alive by not being fulfilled. What more can you ask for? Jeeze.

Black folks and their point men Cornel and Tavis are also stewing in their collard green juices because Obama hasn’t thrown them any corn bread crumbs. They’ve overlooked how their savior is being crucified by Republicans for the sin of being black, nailed there on the cross, taking one for the team. If he dies at the polls, Blacks will be forgiven for wanting their grievances addressed. Amen.

Yes, Obama did at least toss the gay community a bone, a voting bloc which incidentally has lots of money to fatten his re-election coffers. Notice how god also didn’t intervene on this issue, probably because he doesn’t give a damn about a male gay bride marching down the aisle to marry his groom. Guess he figures they’ll get theirs in the end.

Of course, women aren’t bitching too much, because they were perfectly capable of waging their own battle against those chauvinistic Republicans who want to keep them barefooted and pregnant. Michelle has certainly been an inspiration to them, what with her planting a vegetable garden and writing a book about. Awesome!

Surprisingly, the Hispanics got a Supreme Court justice out of the deal. Not that it matters because while Blacks were leveraging for position, the Amigos humped up on more babies and have now become the majority. So it’ll just be a matter of time before they take down the gringo conquistadors and replace Cinco de Mayo with a new holiday!

Hasta la vista, y’all.

I think science fiction and fantasy are essential for our people. Expanding our imagination means expanding our possibilities. Thinking outside the box is what produces the Bill Gates and Steve Jobs of the world.

Black people do think outside the box and expand their imagination; only they restrict this mindset to religion. They'll believe anything outlandish as long as it's preached in the pulpit by a bible-quoting wizard.

When it comes to younger Blacks, if those 2 spaced-out aliens, Kanye and Lil Wayne, ain't outside the box, I don't know who is.

Seriously, black folks do need to ditch their herd mentality and become more innovative. Instead of being visionaries, they are consumers who are creatures of habit. It's the job of parents to encourage curiosity in their children, but too many of them are fostering the materialism that is almost as detrimental to Blacks, as racism.

I just recently completed Toni Morrison’s latest book “Home”, a novel I have been looking forward to reading because its advance notices promoted it as being set in the 1950s, an era I could relate to. Since many of Morrison’s novels take place way back in the day, I was glad she had chosen to write about what was, to me, a more recent period in history.

I was curious about how Ms Morrison would portray the 1950s which have been referred to as not only a bland and innocent time populated by the “silent generation“, but also the decade that was ripe for the civil rights movement it spawned. I anticipated she would write about a passive race of people, done with being patient, spurred into protest by dynamic leaders like Martin Luther King, and inspirational ones like Rosa Parks, and martyrs like Emmet Till, all played out against a backdrop of doo-wop music and Amos ‘N Andy TV and Dorothy Dandridge celebrity. The ‘50s I knew. Silly me.

I should’ve realized that Toni Morrison would never stoop to such mundane predictability. With Toni it’s never easy. And “Home” is vintage Morrison. So, before long, through the vividness of her prose fraught with its extraordinary metaphors, and the wretched poignancy of her characters, I was beyond reading this book; I was experiencing it. In my imagination I was there, immersed in a version of life in the 50s that was diametrically opposed to the one I led back then as a young black woman residing in a small integrated suburb of Chicago.

Crouched in the unforgiving frozen terrain of Korea, killing to keep from being killed while dodging bullets, I was there with the book's protagonist, Frank Money, as he witnessed the horrible deaths of the homeboys with whom he had enlisted in the Army, hoping to escape the dead-end drudgery that was their fate as black youth bogged down in the dusty little rural town of Lotus, Georgia. There, following Frank through the post traumatic stress that plagues him as a shell-shocked war veteran, wandering the dangerous streets of northern cities, working his way through despair with whiskey and the fleeting love of Lilly, a comely, ambitious woman not content to be his ongoing caregiver. There, listening to the frenetic be-bop music in a smoky little night club, visited between trains on his way back to rescue his gullible younger sister, “Cee”, who has been victimized and sterilized by a mad professor of eugenics.

And, in the end, there, back in the confines of a hapless little town that modernization forgot, and slavery remembered. Yet a place that is also a welcoming haven not lacking in the homespun warmth and time-worn wisdom embodied by its black inhabitants, common folk of varying degrees of good and evil who, through the worst of conditions have endured, blissful in their ignorance, secure in their belief that “be it ever so humble, there’s no place like home”.

As the book draws to its close I was also there, witnessing a reappearing zoot-suited phantom who like the style he sported, comes and finally goes with a smile on his face, signalling that "all's well, that ends well".

At 145 pages, “Home” is a short intense novel, something which always earns points with me, and a satisfactory read for those who are up to the challenge of spinning straw into gold. Finally, because it is what it is, I have no choice but to give this good thing that came in a small package, 4 stars. * * * *

And I thought the Willie Lynch letter was bad. This dissertation leaves me almost speechless. And is just another glaring example of how the bible is used to justify injustices.

It's like Caucasians have never forgiven the tribes of Mother Africa for making them outcasts because they were mutants with white skin.They can't help their feelings of contempt; it's in their DNA and is subconsciously manisfested in their sense of entitlement.

You also have to wonder if there is such a thing as a curse, because black people have to be the most long suffering race on this earth, victimized not only by others but by each other.

The Only One

Chapter 20

No, he hadn’t seen Debbie Marlowe lately, Troy Briggs ruminated as he made his way through a crowded hall in City Wide’s main office, on his way to a conference room on the other side of the building. But, then, there were a lot of people he hadn’t seen lately, including Carole Everly who had just asked him about Debbie during their conversation in the employee lounge, - an inquiry that was now inspiring a flashback…

…Yeah, everything between him and his Barbie Doll had been great at first, what with how each one was trying to make a good impression. But because they were who they were, it was not natural for either of them to be false. So it wasn’t long before their true selves surfaced. And because they had little in common, they were not always in the same key…

“I’m from the hood, baby” he’d explained when Debbie had made plans for them to go see her favorite group, Lady Antebellum, in concert. “Country Western music just ain’t my cup of tea.”

“Why do we always have to turn to ‘Friends’,” he’d wondered out loud, lying in bed one night, watching a rerun of one of Debbie’s favorite TV shows, thinking he’d just as soon be looking at an old episode of “Martin”.

“I’ve never really gotten into hockey,” he’d shrugged , as he laced up his Jordans, showing little interest in the new Black Hawks jersey Debbie had just bought to celebrate her team making the second-round play-offs.

“I can do without seeing Adam Sandler play his twin sister in drag,” he’d mumbled after Debbie announced what movie she wanted to check out that Saturday night. “If I wanted to waste my money on low-brow comedy I’d go see Tyler Perry as Madea.”

But those were minor differences that could be attributed to the “opposites attract” dynamic, - or regarded as an opportunity to embrace diversity, something he’d decided to do.

What turned out to be a major source of contention, was his finding out that an ongoing concern with animal welfare was a priority that permeated every aspect of Debbie Marlowe’s lifestyle! Even the “sex appeal” she liked to rave about him having so much of, was soon being referred to as his “animal magnetism”, and just rolling these words off her tongue would excite her enough to turn an affectionate coo into a full-blown fuck.

Of course, he was against animal cruelty and random slaughter, but when it came to an overwhelming concern about mistreatment, as a black man, he preferred to focus on human suffering. So it eventually became a question of whether hot sex was enough to melt him into a glob that Debbie could mold into an advocate for her cause. Time would tell.

Becoming a Vegan certainly wasn’t one of the things on his plate, and Debbie’s relentless nagging couldn’t change this. Comparing himself to the carnivores in the animal kingdom, he made it known that he wasn’t giving up meat, - wasn’t going on a diet of rabbit food, passing up his mother’s good ol home cooking. Making things worse was how the high chirping voice he’d once found so sweet began to strike him as shrill and nasal, never more so than when Debbie was reacting to his scarfing down a double-cheeseburger with bacon and a large fry. Unlike him, she didn’t think regular work-outs at the gym made up for his eating habits.

And, although he had nothing against dogs, had even owned one as a boy, he refused to join Debbie in her fanatical devotion to a dysfunctional mongrel rescued from an animal shelter. So he’d balked at the suggestion that they take turns walking Marty, a duty which entailed a pooper scooper! No way was he going to pick up the shit of a hostile mutt who disliked him, undoubtedly considering him a rival for the affection of his doting mistress.

Things got testier: Debbie not concealing how appalled she was by the mink coat his mother was wearing when they were introduced, lecturing about the number of pelts it had taken to make the cherished gift his late father had given his wife on their silver wedding anniversary. Equally visible was Debbie’s disapproval of the leather designer purses slung over the shoulders of his two sisters. Giving him further pause, was the satisfaction she got from slashing a seldom-worn suede jacket his ex-wife had bought for him. How could he blame his family for scowling when comparing Debbie to her predecessors.

“That dizzy blond is a bigger ‘trip’ than Coreen!”

“Ashley Drake had more goin for her than this ‘Becky’ bitch!”

“Hope you’re not going to make the mistake of another bad marriage, honey.”

And gradually, as her happy-go-lucky persona started to recede, Debbie’s inner shrew began to emerge. Developing an affinity for the authority that came with the territory at the temp agency where she worked as a supervisor, she became increasingly domineering, scolding him for being indifferent when “Newt”, the white rat he’d given her to “honor your love of all critters,” was found belly-up in his cage one morning.

Debbie’s adoption of a stray cat that Marty had bonded with, probably because the hissing tabby was as ill-tempered as he was, was the beginning of the end. Troy had almost choked on his burrito when she’d declared that Marty-the-dog’s acceptance of Missy-the-cat, was in keeping with the tolerance advocated by his namesake Martin Luther King.

“I named Marty after this great leader because Dr. King was against racial prejudice, and dogs don’t discriminate when it comes to skin color,”- a virtue not shared by Missy-the- gray cat who had jumped up and gulped down Jack and Jill, the 2 black tropical fish he’d bought for Debbie as a peace offering after Newt’s untimely demise.

When Debbie went even further, comparing PETA to the NAACP “because black people and animals are victims who society needs to treat more humanely,” he’d seethed in silence, deciding that ignoring this clueless screwball was preferable to going upside her head.

Informing who Missy was named after was the last straw, and Debbie’s explanation had really gotten his goat that fateful night in bed.

“Being married to a black cat symbolically makes Michele Obama ‘the first lady of pussies’,” she’d laughed. “Who better to name my little kitty after?”

“Yeah, and after a asinine remark like that, you need to change your name to - Sarah Palin!” he’d growled, his animal magnetism bristling with the pheromones that sent Debbie into heat.

Eager to do damage control, she’d pawed her way on top of him, lapping up his mouth. But looking up at the panting silhouette desperately humping his semi-hard organ, all that came to his mind, was that he was being violated by a scruffy poodle yelping for a bone, and smelling like wet fur! Ugh.

After a bewildered Debbie and her pets left the following morning for their appointments with the vet, he’d sat alone in the apartment, staring at the wall for 2 straight hours, mulling things over. Then he’d proceeded to pack his belongings and head for the door, and the ease with which he was able to “hat up and split” assured him that the studio apartment he’d still maintained, was where he needed to be. He may not have been a pain in Debbie’s ass but - she had become one in his!

The fever had dissipated, and no amount of her whimpering over the phone would rekindle the infatuation that reality had extinguished. Gone, too, was his fantasy. Replacing the wind-blown fair-haired damsel running through a sea of wildflowers was a wilted Debbie, sidestepping animal droppings, trudging through a daisy field that had gone to seed.

Providing him with total closure, had been the vengeful parting shot his indignant lover had delivered, shocking him with the taunt that she had been screwing her boss at the temp agency the whole time she and Troy were together!

“And this week-end Lenny is taking me along to help him pick out a pit-bull puppy!” she’d barked before he’d hung up on her. “Crazy bitch”, he’d vented, glad he’d resisted her pleas to desecrate his body with a tattoo of her name!

Reaching his destination at the same time the recall-reel ran out, a new image bloomed on the screen in his skull. A vision of who he had feasted his eyes on earlier, - so cool and calm, - yet so warm and inviting, resonating there in her sexy outfit, smelling all fragrant, reading her Kindle, looking like some kind of an Egyptian queen perusing a stone tablet etched with hieroglyphics, arousing him so much that to tame his rising erection, he’d had to make an exit.

And what this brief encounter had literally brought to a head was that, where Carole Everly was concerned, he had been in denial; simple as that. He liked her. A lot. Always had, which was why he could never get her out of his mind, why he could never stop ogling her. And seeing her again was all it had taken to convince him that he wanted her.

“Snow White with her goldilocks” had just served to clear a path for this unique sista who, from the very beginning, had disarmed him so much that he’d feared her. Now it was time to step up.

Forget rolling his eyes into a penis. He was finally going to show some balls…

• only 2 more chapters to go -
  

Just goes to show how image and speech can change perception. An African with a tongue twisting name, wearing robes and headdress speaking in either a clipped British accent or an African one comes across as exotic and impressive. Whereas a black American with a ghetto sounding name, speaking Ebonics and sporting hip-hop attire or pimped out in hustler garb is viewed as a clown by a racist society, - altho it's conceivable that these contrasting personas are different manifestations of a common root.

It is ironic that if you put an African man and an African-American one in a suit and tie and have them both speak standard English that they will be treated the same. This is a step down for the African and a step up for the African American, and the lesson that young black males can learn from this is that how you speak and dress does have an effect on your progress. This is how its works in the country of your birth which is suffering from a slavery hang-over.

Actually, our president Barack Hussein Obama is not an authentic black American because he is not descended from slaves. Yes, he did fall heir to all that accrues to a member of the black middle class but his ancestors did not pay their dues. Maybe that's why he's having such a hard time...

"Inner redneck"? Come on, Waterstar, HiIlary Clinton was born in Park Ridge, Illinois, to a white protestant middleclass Republican family. Her politics became more liberal during her college years.

The Clintons did hold a special place in the affections of black people but I question whether they wielded any influence over Blacks when it came to their voting for Obama. Blacks weren't that gullible. The only white couple who figured into the decision of reluctant Blacks to support Obama were - John McCain and Sarah Palin!

And there are political pundits who think replacing Joe Biden with Hillary Clinton would improve Obama's chances of winning this time around because she has done a good job as secretary of state and she would appeal to Independent women voters who are pissed off with the Republican "war on women".

I wasn't defending FDR or capitalism. FDR was an aristocrat, and didn't even attempt to portray himself as a man of the people or a champion of racial equality. His wife Eleanor was the great liberal voice in that family and spoke out on her own. FDR, in fact, courted the southern segregationists in order to keep being re-elected. He was the consummate politician. However, the programs he put into place under the National Recovery Act did work, did help, and his masterstroke of looking the other way in order to bring this country into WWII certainly did what he intended this to do, which was to rev up the economy.

Huey Long was also first and foremost a politician, a glib snake-oil salesman who history has never really taken seriously, instead choosing to portray him as a demagogue. He promised pie-in-the-sky in order to appeal to the have-nots. Whether he could've delivered or even wanted to deliver on his promises once he gained the power of the presidency remained to be seen.

Capitalism is what it is, a dog-eat-dog opportunistic system that favors the strong and deprives the weak. Morality or altruism have no place in its tenets. Yes, America was built on the backs of its immigrants and slaves but it still rewarded those who were ingenuous enough to rise from the ranks. Capitalism did spawn industries and industry is what made America prosper. Socialism, as preached by Huey Long and others, has never worked. Large Russia and tiny Cuba are prime examples of how share-the-wealth governments morphed into failure. Socialized medicine is the only program that seems to work.

I agree that things go in cyles, as do many economists who predict that in the course of time, the gnarled situation in America will work itself out on its own. Obama was unlucky enough to enter the presidency on a "down" phase and good luck is the only thing that will rescue his presidency. He will either rise with a high tide or wash out with the ebb. In the meantime his inept advisors continue to stumble and bumble and make him look like a grinning optimist instead of a hard-nosed realist.

The author of the article makes a statement I don't understand,

"African Americans have always been socially conservative and politically progressive."

It is not clear to me how one can be socially conservative and politically progressive. If one is politically progressive, they would support for marriage equality for same sex couples while a social conservative would fight again it.

Well, Troy, the black church has always been in the vanguard of the civil rights movement which was politically progressive but focused primarily on breaking down racial barriers. When it comes to society at large, however, the broad black religious community is very connected to the dogma of Baptist and Pentacostal and Evangelical denominations all which are bible thumpers, who take much of the scriptures literally and this includes the verse referring to homosexuality as an "abomination". So black folks as usual are shackled by their double identity.

I've always found it ironic how Black people with their history of slavery have been so faithful and dedicated to religions predicated on commandments that never condemned slavery, or rape. For 400 years they waited for sweet Jesus to free them from their bondage, attributing all of their woes to God's will. Even today these descendants of Ham are looking for a savior to deliver them. But heaven help him if he turned out to approve same sex marriage..

Most Powerful, Raw, Compelling and Uncut Novel on Heroin Addiction in the 21^st Century……..Guarantee!!!!!!!!!!!

FOR 75 DAYS ONLY!!!! Pre-Order your autograph copy today for $9.99 (Paperback)

Available on KINDLE E-BOOK….September 1^st 2012

Every addict, recovering addict, parent, grandparent, spouse, college/HS student and professional in the field of substance abuse should not be without this soon to be a best-seller novel.

For complete information and details visit us at www.vernejohnson.com

What does heroin addiction have to do with black readers and science fiction? Why didn't you plug your book in the new release forum on this site? Or is it that if you're high when you're reading science fiction, you'll appreciate it more...

Huey Long, nicknamed "The King Fish", was a very controversial figure in U. S. History, who, incidentally was assassinated in 1935. As a southerner he never vigorously opposed segregation. As a populist he dismissed the NRA the brainchild of FDR who got this country back on its feet during the depression with a lot of government funded social programs, the most notable one being Social Security. Huey Long intended to run against Roosevelt at the time of his murder. "All the Kings Men" is the name of a movie which was based on a book about a fictional character who was based on Huey Long.

What's really interesting is that those who advocate spreading the wealth around, are hawking socialism in a country which owes its success to Capitalism, - as in free enterprise. America is, after all, the land of opportunity which has spawned legendary rags-to-riches success stories. Democracy is also the cornerstone of this great nation. But capitalism and democracy are why the USA is now in deep shit. It's all very ambiguous. Captialism has florished and democracy has become a vague concept. There is a great gap between the rich and the poor Institutionalized racism is alive and well in a nation where a black man was elected President.The constitution provides freedom from religion but America is considered a christian nation, and if many powerful groups had their way, they would turn it into a theocracy. Marathon wars are waged to maintain peace.

Everything looks good in writing and sounds great in words but once implementation in the hands of people becomes involved, then all the noble intent and grand ideas become corrupt and distorted. Utopia will never be achieved. The problem is, that although all men are created equal, some men grow to be smarter and more ruthless than others. They are driven by greed and a lust for power while nice guys finish last.

Huey Long is, in a way, echoing the ideas of Karl Marx. And President Obama's contentions coincide with those of Huey Long. Unfortunately, the chaos of "every-man-for-himself" is an easier and more natural way of life than the order and cooperation required to provide everybody with their fair share

Honesty is the best policy and doing unto others as you would have them do unto you is what would make this a better world. It's so simple, yet so complicated. IMO.

The Only One

Chapter 19

Chicago's summers were always slow in coming, mainly because its cold winters were so reluctant to defer to the tentative little episodes that passed for spring. But somehow the luke warm Junes showed up, hinting at better days ahead when July caught fire and August waited in the wings.

Weather aside, the passing months had been a productive time for Carole Everly, a period of growth and change. And the first thing change involved, was realizing that she needed to stop making book covers the parameters of her world, needed to cease relying on fiction to escape reality. So, getting up off her ass and becoming a more active participant in life was what had topped her to-do list.

Motivated by the promotion she had earned on her job, with visions of other opportunities to advance, she had finally gone back to school, enrolling as a part-time student at the city college near her apartment, once again pursuing the degree that would enhance her resume. Spiritual renewal was also among her goals and she was deep into the practice of Yoga, embracing the disciplines that put her mind and body in sync. For 2 hours every Saturday morning she volunteered as a reading tutor at an inner-city youth center, fulfilling what she felt was her duty to try and uplift her race. With that in mind, she’d also become a patron of black community theater, thoroughly enjoying the productions of talented unknowns. And as a seeker of wisdom, she figured she could broaden her perspective by joining a Bible study group, which she did. She had even decided to learn Chess, courtesy of her brother, Bobby, the family backslider who also happened to be a whiz at the game. “Go ‘head on, girl,” Bobby had laughed after being checkmated during one of their matches.“You gettin them queen moves down pat!”

Of course, she and Wanda still hung out from time to time at the clubs, and they still got together for bid-whist games with Andre and Roderick, still gossiped every night, though not about Troy Briggs, or Debbie Marlowe, either, since Debbie had quit her job at City Wide and was presumed to be somewhere spreading her cheer in private industry, or at least in the privates of Troy Briggs - if rumors were to be believed. But, those were the breaks, Carole told herself as she attempted to get on with her life, occasionally going out on dates that went nowhere for all the familiar reasons. And how she missed Philip Atkins who had left the police force and relocated in Atlanta, pursuing his luck by going into partnership with an investment group that had purchased a fried chicken franchise. She’d never heard from Albert again, and her enthusiasm for jazz had receded. Not to be denied however was, that between it all, books still had their say.

So, seated there in the busy employee lounge of City Wide Utility’s main headquarters, was the evolved Carole Everly, doing great justice to a coral-colored wrap dress that was set off by a chunky beaded choker and small gold ear loops.

In her capacity as one of her district's representatives, she was there to take part in the big rally being held to announce that the company was “going green” and had a brand new logo.

Waiting for her office mates to rejoin her, she was in a familiar mode. Trying to get into Toni Morrison’s latest, she wondered why her mind kept wandering, and then she knew.

“Still hooked on books?” were the words that rang familiar in her ears, and she was helpless to do anything but slowly lift her head and greet the coochie-coaxing personification of virility who smoldered there, rockin a navy blue pin striped suit, gray button down shirt, and a red paisley-print tie. Six months had not dulled his sheen. He was as fine as ever.

“Yes, Troy Briggs, I’m still addicted to the printed word,” she responded, thinking that she was apparently still addicted to him, too, considering how her heart had just stuttered.

“What is that? A Nook or a Kindle?” he asked.

“A Kindle, but I haven’t abandoned hard copy books. I alternate, depending on the situation.”

“I can dig it,” he said and proceeded to change the subject. “I thought I might see you at this kick-off session after spotting your name on the promotion list in last quarter’s newsletter. Congratulations, and welcome to management.”

“Thank you,” she nodded.

“You got a new ‘do’,” he said, casting a look of approval at the sleek style achieved by her hair being tucked behind her ear on one side and curved around her chin on the other, framing her face in such a way as to create a very flattering effect. “I almost didn’t recognize you.”

“I finally realized that I diluted my strength when I cut off my mane,” she smirked.

“So now it’s longer and you’re stronger, and - I’m in trouble,” he said.

“Meaning?”

“My chances of conning you into an invitation to a home-cooked meal just tanked.”

“The Bulls season is over. But, - I guess the bull shit game is never ending.”

“Ouch.”

“Sorry.”

“So am I.”

“For what?”

“Nevermind. Are you a White Sox fan?”

“Kinda. My Dad likes ‘em. Why do you ask?”

He shrugged. “Just a thought.”

“Am I supposed to read your mind?”

“If you can.”

Puzzled, she shifted her focus to the gold bracelet that was coiled around her wrist, and his eyes immediately mounted her, stirring all the old feelings, almost as if she had bent over and he had entered her from the rear. Electrifying the atmosphere even more was how when she faced him again, instead of quickly looking away, his gaze remained steady, leaving her unsteady.

“Seen Debbie Marlowe lately?” she blurted, thinking his answer would jolt them back to reality.

“No,” he snapped and turned to leave. “I’m late for a briefing,” he said over his shoulder as he walked off, leaving her to invoke the Yoga techniques that would allow her to relax and try to sort things out.

What were Troy’s reference to the White Sox all about, she wondered, taking a deep breath. Was he actually hinting for a dinner invitation if they lost their next game? Or won it? Maybe so, since he claimed to not have seen Debbie Marlowe lately. What was that all about? What was going on? Would he approach her later? Shit. Just when she thought it was safe to go back into the water, “Jaws” had reappeared, flicking his fins, and baring his fangs, and fuckin her susceptibility.

But she had to get a grip. She could not let Troy Briggs play her again! Fool me once, shame on him. Fool me twice, shame on me, she repeated to herself, trying to ignore how the possibility of seeing him at this meeting, had been in the back of her mind all week long.

Putting her Kindle aside, she dug out her cell phone and began to text Wanda.

• to be continued as the final 3 chapters unfold -
  

Yes, Milton, I would agree that the 2 black male characters in "Game of Thrones" are like time travelers who were transported from the present, and the author paints them with a stereotypical brush. The first one is a shady dealer who, in striking a bargain with one of the wanna-be king-pins, includes in his demands a chance to "get with" a (white) queen. In another story line, the second black character has weathered poverty and discrimination to ascend to a position of power and he, too, wants to "get with" a {white} queen... tsk-tsk

A similar incident occurred in Rosewood, Florida, during the 1920s.

http://youtu.be/ZoroUDTSY70

Jesus! After citing everyone who will not inherit the kingdom of god, who will be left???? The description contained in the verse fits priests and preachers as much as anybody.

Religion has lost its relevancy. But the golden rule has never been tarnished. Following it is all that can be expected of mere mortals. Being absolved of your sins through acceptance of a savior has never been a deterrent to doing wrong. It's just an enabler.

The world is in bad shape. And religion has done as much to exacerbate the situation as it has to improve it The spirit of god dwells within us and we can look to our higher selves to do what we think is right, and what is "right" can be relative.

IMO.