Pioneer1

I'm not gonna lie..... There have been MANY men that I've enjoyed the company of and loved talking to. If they were in the neighborhood or in town they were/are always welcomed by my home to sit down and chop it up. Some people you just like and vibe with. I don't know if I'd call it a "bromance" though.....lol. There is nothing sexual or even sensual about it. There are women I like talking to the same way, some are rather unattractive from a sexual point of view but I still love talking to them and consider them really good friends. With both the males and unattractive females I liked talking to....and could talk to them for hours upon hours...if for some silly reason they decided to get up and sit closer to me or put their hand on my knee and start staring me in the eyes I'm pretty sure my reaction will be quite physical and probably violent, lol. Even with homeboy, as much as he "jocked" me I didn't feel the slightest bit of gayness or sexual desire coming from him, it was all intellectual. I think it goes back to intuition and just "knowing" what people are about. And the older you get the sharper that skill gets. You talk about girls having crushes on the counselors....... Most of the White women I've really gotten to know pretty well tell me that they've experimented with kissing and smooching other girls when they were young. You talk about smoking and one of the games I've heard several different White women repeat was some sort of kissing game where they'd blow smoke into eachother's mouths. But I haven't met any Black girls who said this. Not saying it doesn't happen, but they didn't admit it to me....even during conversations about homosexuality. Many Black psychologist have asserted that homosexuality is part of the White psyche and that most Whites are homosexual atleast on some level. I found that hard to believe at first but the older I get and the more I observe society and here stories, the more seriously I begin to take that assertion.

Cynique BTW, Beyonce is not that petite. She's 5'6" and has 39" in hips Well that was the point of my previous post. She DOES have some curves about her, but you don't see that in THIS PARTICULAR photo. Her body is portrayed with that skinny legged "Kate Moss" look with the shrunken thighs and the zombied out appearance. You're right..... The Black power movement, feminist movement, and gay rights movement are apples oranges and bananas. It's hard to equate one with the other because they all have their peculiar similarities and differences. Mel Please name one black man who has done anything to help black women build their collective economic and social standing here in the U.S. Would Minister Farrakhan and what he's done with the MGT count? Or would you put him in the "preacher" catagory?

Troy Come on man, you know "white Freudian psychology" don't apply to brothers.....lol. From what I've observed.... If a White dude is always ranting and raving about homosexuality, chances are he IS a homosexual. If a Black man is doing it, he may have his reasons but being gay usually ain't one of them...lol. But at any rate...... I wasn't trying to bust on the gays or demonize them, just pointing out how fond he seemed to be of my company even though I didn't dectect any "sweetness" about him what so ever. This was the WestCoast and there were plenty of openly gay men frequenting that Starbucks but I never saw him talking to them....or any other man....or any woman! From the time I saw him and the years I was there, besides myself I can count on ONE HAND the number of people I've seen him really interact with on a social level. Your asking did we go out on a date reminded me of something else that was funny NOW but was very akward at the time..... I started kicking it with a young lady out there and I would bring HER to the Starbucks from time to time. He knew I often came there to meet women so if he happened to see me with a female he'd back off or sit in a corner somewhere and if by some chance the woman happened to leave before I did he'd catch me by myself and start running his mouth. For some reason....I'm still not sure why.....I told him it was OK to sit with us when he saw us because I "had her" already so he wouldn't be considered in the way....lol. What did I have to do THAT for??? Dude would come and just sit and watch us talk and after about a minute of silence....he'd talk ONLY TO ME! If she'd ask him a question, he'd answer casually.....but then got quiet again. No type of conversation with her what so ever.....lol....damn. She was a nice girl so for a few encounters she'd TRY to converse with him but he'd turn so red and funny faced that she'd get freaked out and leave him alone. ((shakes head)) This happened for nearly 2 weeks to the point that she insisted that we no longer go to that Starbucks because of that "creepy guy". I guess I didn't consider him creepy and liked talking to him because he was one of the few Asians who's willing to talk openly about race and politics with a Black man and he'd go all in about how Asians saw Black people and what his parents said ect... Delano It's true that some gay men do get married, but still......... You can kind of tell if a person (straight female or gay male) has some "feelings" for you, even if they don't say it. It's almost intuitive. Homeboy wasn't on me like that, he genuinely just liked to talk talk and talk some more. Now he may have been A-SEXUAL. I've met quite a few people who fit into that category where they didn't like either sex.

Cynique Who said I didn't want "likes"? I LOVE when posters give me "likes" ! I just don't GIVE them to other posters that much....lol. Not sure why. .....laziness? .....inconsiderate? I don't really know why I don't.....I just don't. I suppose like either Mel or Troy mentioned on another thread if you agree with something you usually don't say anything, it's when you DISAGREE that you tend to be animated and voice your opionion. Or perhaps my "likes" are like currency, the less it's used the more valuable it is. It just so happens that I AGREE with the vast majority of what most of the posters on here have to say so if I went around "liking" every post I agreed with.....pretty soon I recon my "likes" would lose their value and become meaningless. At any rate, you can "like" my posts all you want. Just don't expect me to "like" yours in return....lol. Not because I don't agree, but....I don't know.....just because.

My friend Milton has moved to CA, I'll miss running into him. Maybe that's why he moved to Cali. Trying to get away from you.....lol. When I first moved to this small town on the Westcoast there was a Starbucks I used to go to everyday just to sit down and read, meet people (especially women), and just chill. After a couple days I met this young Asian dude and we talked for 4 hours about politics, religion, race.....we really got along and jived. And he wasn't gay....lol....we just really vibed with eachother as men. Then I saw him the next day....and we talked....ok. Then the day after that....he's waiting on me....and we talked. Even on Sundays.....he'd come in just to sit down and talk. I mean, this cat would talk to me as long as I stayed there even if it were all day. He was young and I tried to point him at women...he'd glance at them but continue on whatever subject we were talking about. Asian women would come up TO HIM and give him the eye and he'd smile but keep on talking to me. If I saw him on the street he'd link up with me just to hang out and talk! I knew the dude wasn't gay because he constantly talked about going to Korea or China to find a bride......but still. Gay or not, you don't need to be around another dude for THAT DAMN LONG...lol. It was like he didn't have that social gauge that tells you when it's time to shut up and leave nor was he good at reading body language. I started to leave the city just to get away from him because the town was small and it only had one Starbucks, but finally he got some sort of job that took up his time and I only saw him every once in a while....lol. We still kept in touch for a few years after I left town because I actually did like talking to the dude....but only for a reasonable amount of time. Even when I'd talk to him on the phone he'd talk to me until his battery gave out or his minutes expired; then he'd run down to the 7-11 and buy more minutes just to come back and talk MORE shit....lol. All jokes aside, obviously my story doesn't equate to Troy's about my manz down in Florida....but reading it just brought back memories....lol.

Another thing I've noticed about Beyonce's image is the "thigh gap". I've always been aware of it but didn't know what it was called. That hollow muscular part of the inner thigh that seems to be more prominent in White and Asian women (especially when they're slim) than in Black and Latina women. One of the things I liked about Beyonce's body....like Eryka Badu's....is that she was slim but had a big curvy butt. You don't see that at all in this picture. She's essentiallly made like a White girl (or how White girls USED to be made because many of them have big butts today) in this photo shoot. Light skin, long blond wispy hair, and now skinny thighs with gaps in a black-n-white photo that takes her skin look even lighter..... We're basically looking at a White woman in this picture for all intents and purposes. Is she really the BEST choice to teach young Black girls how to be strong and beautiful? Cynique Come on, you and I both know that marriage....like most celebrity marriages....is a BUSINESS ARRANGEMENT, lol. Wealthy people synergistically combining their money for strategic and probably even legal reasons. MAYBE they actually love eachother. Lol, and as Delano would say: Or maybe they don't.

I'm not the best looking man in the world so trust me when I say you're not missing too much by me not showing my picture....lol. But more so than that, I like a certain amount of privacy and anonimity....that's one of the benefits of the internet. Ofcourse the government and spy agencies already know who you are, the biggest problems come from other regular people you interact with who you may fall out with over something silly and now they know all about you. That's why I don't waste time on facebook and other forms of social media outside of what is absolutely necessary for business or networking. How many people have been killed over conflicts that started on facebook or Instagram and spilled over into the real world? Although I for the most part keep my associates in the cyber world seperate from my associates in the real world, they do cross over from time to time. I remember a sister I met on a messageboard from Canada who was so compelling that we ended up sharing our information and MEETING eachother and she was even more wonderful in real life than online. Infact, I have to admit that I DO expect to eventually meet Troy one of these days and most likely at some political or social event....lol. It may sound kind of shallow to admit, but it often DOES make a difference in how you respond to people when you know how they look. I've met a few people I kicked it with for months or years THINKING they looked a particular type of way and thought I had it nailed down...only to see someone completely different when they posted their picture. And it completely changed the way I talked to them from then on.

I agree, that Beyonce is a feminist when she WANTS to be. Her behavior is actually no different than Lady Gaga's or Katy Perry's or any other female celebrity who may be considered attractive by the mainstream. She uses her sexuality and body to make money on one hand and spouts out about women being objectified and sexualized on the other....sending mixed messages. But when you realize that most people (male and female) tend to do whatever they WANT to do and whatever they think will benefit them and then try to justify and rectify it later on....then you're no longer suprised or perplexed by hypocrisy. When people look good and they know it....they flaunt it....male OR female. Even most very religious women will show off their body if they know it's attractive or think it'll get the attention of a person they're interested in. Just like the humblest rich man in the world will draw attention to his wealth IF he thinks it will get him a much desired result. So I'm not suprised that so-called feminists use their sensuality to make money. My problems with Beyoncé's image in the media is actually not with her perceived feminism or lack of it but are more racial in nature. First of all I don't think she's Black...literally. She's an AfroAmerican, but not Black. But to understand this particular point I'm making you'd also have to understand my views and classification of race and ethnicity. And with her light skin and her wispy long blonde (I know it's dyed but it's still part of her image) bone straight hair, most people outside of the English speaking world DO NOT see her as a Black woman but as a typical blonde "American" woman. Thus she shouldn't represent "Black women". Secondly and very closely related...... I consider her an attractive woman, but not BECAUSE of her light skin and blonde hair....but because she just has an attractive looking face and well made body. Having said that, I don't like how so much of the media uses HER as an example of a beautiful "Black" woman. It's almost like saying the only time a Black woman can be beautiful is if she looks like or almost like a White woman. But those are my issues with her image. I actually don't have a problem with her as a person. I think she's using her talents to the max and doing her thing and I really don't blame her. (Well, she could actually lose the blonde hair). It's how the media is using her and portraying her that I have a problem with.

Troy Great minds think alike. I used to LOVE hanging out at Barnes and Noble as well as Border's Books (before they closed) to work on plans, have meetings with people, and just sit down and read or have a conversation with people. And like you, I liked being able to eat and drink...something you CAN'T do in most libraries. Plus, in the Detroit most of the libraries were full of either loud kids or homeless people looking for a place to warm up. They're starting to close most of the Barnes and Nobles now so my thing is Starbucks and other more local coffee shops where I can sit down with my lap top and do my thang. The only downside is you have to bring your own books....lol. You look like a dinosaur today sitting there with a book in your hand reading while everyone is reading off of tablets and lap tops but there's something about laying back (if you happen to be in a Starbucks that has a couch) holidng a book in one hand and keeping the other free from some coffee that's not only relaxing but therapudic.

No, it's Earl Graves Sr...founder of Black Enterprise magazine. Not exactly sure why I chose his picture as an avatar; I guess because it looks rather dignified and intellectual...lol. Why? Do you like the picture and think he's a good looking brother...lol. Were you going to stop disagreeing with me so much if you thought THAT'S how I looked?

Mel Yeah....I remember making that statement but I just couldn't figure out where. I THOUGHT it may have been in this thread....looked at the date....and went back to the page trying to find it about 4 or 5 times and just didn't see it for some reason. I was actually trying NOT to ask you and look silly....lol..but after so many attempts I finally decided to ask and when you confirmed it was from this thread for some reason I was able to go back to the very same page I read over 5 times before and see it. Perhaps your twin Del was working some sort of magic to keep it hidden for a few days.

Troy Conversely, Black men do not earn the respect of Black women for women to behave in a traditional manner. They also realize that we are essentially powerless to protect them. This is saying the same thing you said but from a different perspective. Perhaps that explains the huge jump I've been seeing lately of White male Black female relationships. Maybe many sisters have finally decided to just give up on the brothers and throw their lot in with White men who they feel can protect and provide for them. I used to argue it and stopped. Money talks....bullshit walks. I found out as a young man that most women didn't give a damn how that dope dealer got his money, she just knows he was buying her what she wanted and showing her a good time. I can argue with a Black woman all day long about White men this and White men that but at the end of the day if he has the money and power to protect her and provide for her and all I have to offer her is a hard dick and excuses......from a scientific biological point of view she's justified in getting with the man who can take care of her. When you say "traditional" do you mean where the man is the head of the household? Forget about that man; those days are gone, perhaps irretrievably so. Those traditional roles, especially in the Black community are essentially nonexistent with the exception of very Christain households when tend to be more socially conservative. Yes, that's what I meant by traditional....however that is NOT what I personally advocate. I was just explaining why the "traditional" marriages have such a high failure rate in Black America and that's just one reason, but I personally don't think that that patriarchal standard should be pushed or forced on our community. I believe in a more liberal approach of people finding what works for THEM. Sometimes the woman SHOULD be in charge. Some women have a strong dominating personality, and they go good with weak ass men...lol. They're happy together because the woman makes all the decisions and the weak man doesn't have to "man up" and can lay back and play the passive role that fits his personality. Others like the more traditonal "man is in charge" type of relationship. But I still think the group relationships are the most healthy and will be the most beneficial in the future. It will prove to be the most stable type of family structure is a liberated society. 　 many of Umar's statements reminded me of stuff I've been saying on these forums over the years. Most intelligent Black men have seen and are saying the same things in this society. All it takes is someone who actually has a brain and can THINK and comprehend to realize what's happening in the community. But not everyone can ARTICULATE the problems in a way that those who are not as perceptive can grasp....and that's one of the things he seems to be able to do. when you described Umar as one of "the greatest Black leaders in America today." I did not agree, but if I were to think about Black leadership today, I can see why you would make the statement. The bar is relatively low today isn't it? No Malcolm X, no Dr. King, no Kwame Toure, no Huey Newton. Exactly! That's why I was careful to say TODAY. Yeah we had more effective Black leaders in the past, but if you compare him to what we have today....besides Minister Farrakhan....I don't know who else is as articulate and effective in stirring up the Black community. But you're right, one of the traits of a TRULY great leader his his followers. If you have no followers or no people visibly on your team, how great of a "leader" can you really be. You can make speeches and rile people up all day long, but at the end of the day if they aren't lining up behind you following orders or carrying out your instructions like a M.L. King or even better a Marcus Garvey.....what good is it? No, I haven't seen any "followers" of his in the few times that I've met him so far. He gets a lot of love when he comes to the Detroit area and hundreds come out to hear him and he has connections tha accomodate him....but as far as a hard core group of people that surround him...I haven't seen it. I think one of the problems is he isn't preaching RELIGION. Most of our people tend to be religious minded and if you want to gain thier dedication and following you often have to come at them with a religion and make them think God wants them to follow you. That's one of the reasons the Nation of Islam was/is so successful with Black people, the Jehovah's Witnesses too.

Troy Speaking of growing up uptown....... I've been meaning to ask you for quite a while. Did you even know or meet the brother who used to star on the television show "Fame"? His name is Gene Anthony Ray, but on the show I believe his name was Leo. I ask because he was from Harlem too and was around your age.

So Miles Aldridge, the one who took the photo is a White man who loved to.....as they say in England...."take the piss". Figures....... This Yusef Williams fellow, I know he did her hair but did they say he did her make-up too? I don't know if I skipped over that part or what but I don't remember reading it. 　 Cynique What TIME should really be chided for is selecting Leslie Jones as an influential black woman when the only influence she wields is how she reinforces white people's view of black women as loud, brazen sexpots. Well It's "ABOUT TIME" (pun is definately intended) you said something I agreed with....lol. Troy You said a lot in your second from last post. But unless I was reading it wrong, it sounded a little like the ladies were actually beginning to see things OUR way just a little....lol.

Lol.... I'm not grossed out by it, not in the least. I've always loved "mature" or older women and found them attractive. Even when I was a teenager I was trying to "get up on" women in their 40s, and got angry if they didn't take me seriously......lol. Infact I met a 71 year old woman the other day I that I was trying to hook up with....lol.

I've met a LOT of White people who've helped me and I'm working with some right now. But that doesn't justify me being naïve and letting my guard down. I think most of our people really subconsciously LOVE White people and don't want to accept that they don't love them back, which is why they repeatedly give them the benefit of the doubt and let their guard down and wait UNTIL they are fucked before putting up a defense. The question you should ask yourself is do most White people give US the same benefit of a doubt that so many of us give them? Look at the clenched purses and locked car doors. We have more of a reason to be mistrustful and apprehensive of Whites than they do of us, yet many of them STILL don't trust you even without knowing you. I can't count how many times I've been on an elevator and if I'm standing infront I can feel the eyes staring at me from the Whites on that elevator. It's the same when I go to the men's room. I can wash my hands and an Asian man will wash his and go. A Mexican will wash his and go. Another Black man will wash his and go. A White man will wash his hands and most of the time take a quick glance over at me or another Black man. All of us are born and raised in the same nation at the same time but it's almost as if they're STILL not "used to" Black people....especially Black males. My point is they notice US even when we don't seem to notice THEM. Which should tell you something. Too often Black people toddle along in society smiling...trusting everyone...and thinking everything is everything, all the while not aware that other people watching and studying them and are actually suspicious and mistrustful of them. We were the same way in Africa, and look where it got us. I'm just saying given that climate or atmosphere of racial awareness, it would be wise to stay on guard. Troy I worked with a guy who both I and my Asian co-worker thought was racist. But he liked me. There was a racist guy at the bar, that used to juy me drinks and talk with me. I enjoy expanding minds. i have a few white acquaintances who i consider racists because they voted for Trump and are pro-police, but we have similar interests in other areas that bind us. Incidentally, i think any white person who voted for Trump is a racist who hides behind their rationale for having done so. Reading this reminds me..... The weird thing is that I've always been political....even on the various jobs that I've held. And despite my being political and even racial, many White racist feel that they can "confide" certain feelings in me that apparently they don't say to other Black co-workers....despite the fact that many of those Black workers could care less. I've had so many long discussions with right wingers and conservatives and a few open racist and a few of them I'd consider......not friends....but "dialog buddies" for lack of a more accurate term because although our views are different we enjoy debating and discussing with eachother and many of us tend to notice the same things about society. So often the political Black people and political White people could get along better with EACHOTHER even if our politics were totally opposite....than we got along with other members of our own race who just wanted to talk about sports or something silly or foolish. I think being political minded is a personality trait. You have to be "wired" that way and if you are...you jive with others who are wired similarly even if they don't agree with your particular politics or even share the same race.

Troy Pioneer since you believe in ESP, can you describe someone that has demonstrated this ability to your satisfaction? Hmmm..... To be honest I can't really think of one right now. I've had a few....just a few....BONIFIED cases of ESP that I've known so far but they were so rare that I they didn't register very high on my memory. I've met a a few extraordinary people who were good at business, math, relationships, and other particular fields but much of that was due to gifts like high intelligence more so than ESP. Some people are so smart, so clever, and understand psychology and human behavior so well that they can figure things out about people and you'd THINK they were psychic or using magic when they were just using advanced psychology. So I'm careful in calling things ESP or psychic phenomena unless.....like you suggest...I actually test it myself against my own standards. I mean, there were cases where I believe I PERSONALY experienced ESP but they are so numerous and so vague that it would be difficult to recollect exactly how I knew what I knew or accomplished what I accomplished at that time. The problem with this Troy, as you stated before is it's hard to get it in a laboratory to repeatedly test it over and over again. Most incidents of ESP are sporadic and infrequent for most people. It'll happen at a time you don't really expect it, and often at a time when you need it so badly that when you're able to use it you're so grateful that it got you through the situation that you won't dare "question" it's reality or see if it's real. Mel time exist in your mind where all concepts exist. Hallucinations exist in ones mind....lol. But time is a SHARED concept. Society in general are synchronized on the same "standard time" in each given time zone. Del I can help you write your biography, if you like!

Mel Well if you like that quote so much, I think I'll use it as my signature ! I actually intended to do so a long time ago but forgot about it. So you were just being contrary then...because this is what I said about perceiving racism" - Sometimes I think there are several people occupying Pioneer1! Whaaaa.....huh?? Mel that quote is over 4 years old and I don't even know where you go it or what context it was said in. I briefly looked back in this thread but couldn't find it, which thread did it come from? Maybe if I see it in context I can explain it.....or reject it.....because I have changed much of my thinking since that period of time. BTW, your "twin" said: "I am mostly interested in predicting the future and describing the past." How does that work out when YOU don't seem to accept that there's a past OR a future?

I think the biggest challenge to traditional marriage among AfroAmericans is the plain and simple fact that most Black women don't respect Black men enough to be "traditional" wives to them. The reasons for this are many. ....some justified and others unjustified. But there's a LEARNED disrespect that a lot of Black women have towards Black men. Much of it is taught by THEIR mothers. Much of it is taught by other women. Much of it is taught by the U.S. media which both overtly and subliminally demonizes and minimalizes Black males. And much of it.....quite frankly....comes from LIFE EXPERIENCES many Black women have had dealing with Black males. I believe many Black women subconsciously feel "unprotected" and vunerable in this society. They feel that they aren't being protected or provided for (key factors that most women look for in men) like White women and they have a resentment towards Black men for this. But the bottom line is until Black women AS A WHOLE (because although millions still do I still believe they are in the minority) begin to gain a healthy respect for Black men again, the relationships whether they are marriage, common-law or just dating will continue to be dysfunctional and pocked with friction. And the only way Black men are going to GET that respect is to earn it through changing the way we behave and the way we think that allows us to secure enough wealth and powers in this society AND USE THAT WEALTH AND POWER TO TAKE CARE OF BLACK WOMEN (as opposed to using it for other reckless purposes). Troy I hear you @Pioneer I have never seen Umar speak in person. I actually I have never been able to get through any of his videos. Can you direct me to a video that you like I'll listen to him with fresh ears. I seem to remember him being really hard on homosexuals. His stance on homosexuality has been one of the reasons that despite how much I praise his work, it makes me have to take a step back from him. Maybe 5 years ago I would be right on stage with him backing him up 100%, but over time my beliefs about the nature of homosexuality has changed so much that I doubt we'd see eye to eye on the issue. I believe I said on another thread that I judge people by how much of their good out weighs their bad.....or much their assets outweigh their liabilities. There so few intelligent, charismatic, professional Black males who are willing to stand up and be unapologetically pro-Black and especially pro-Black masculinity that I can't let 2 or 3 disagreements stop me from supporting my brother. As far as getting through his lectures....lol...the brother IS long winded. There are so many videos of him speaking that are powerful where do I start...... I think these 2 interviews are good primer introductions to his beliefs and objectives:

I've noticed that one of the reasons so many Black people don't see racism in society is because they aren't looking for it. Since WE don't practice it on a regular basis, we don't think anyone else is. In other words...... If we own or operate a television show, website, or magazine our purpose is to entertain, diseminate information, or advertise......not necessarily to promote prejudice or Black Supremacy. Since racism and deception isn't on OUR MINDS and not apart of OUR AGENDA it's often unthinkable that OTHER people could or would do it. And this one of the reasons Black people are constantly caught up and caught off guard. Perhaps we as a people should have a rule of thumb....... Until proven otherwise, EVERY TIME Whites and Blacks interact with eachother we should be aware of any racism....subtle, blatant or otherwise. When you stay in a "preparedness" mindset, then these things don't get pass you.

I believe ESP works in a way comparable to how the wireless internet works. Signals are transmitted to and from the mind from great distances whether those signals are visual, olfactory, or auditory. For centuries if not millenia many people doubted the existence of this type of ability. In my opinion, the wireless internet and even radio and television proves the fact that people can indeed receive information over great distances without the aid of a physical connection. The question is how does one TAP IN to those abilities............. This reminds me. I read about the great kings and sages of ancient history and how they would often go into temples to receive information. I often wondered did they secretely have some sort of radio or televison that they received informatoin from while the masses were kept in a state of ignorance.....lol.

Perhaps that is why so many Black people voted for Trump, they do not see him as a racist. Either that or it was strategic in the sense that they figured having a more overt racist in the Whitehouse would mobilize Black America and force us to unite and organize in a way that we ordinarily wouldn't have. When I lived out on the West Coast, I met Black people who actually voted for Ronald Reagan for President. They lived up under him as Governor of Califnornia where he cut welfare and other social programs that disproportionately affected Black and poor people. It was weird but they said it was the best thing that could have happened because it forced more Black people to become independant, stop relying on government, and build their own economic base. Whether that type of "shock therapy" actually works, I'm not sure. But I do believe that although she's defininitely the more qualified of the two, under Clinton.....like under Obama....Black people would have been lulled into a sense of satisfaction and optimism that would most likely have been detrimental to to our development and progress.

Troy I suggest that you assess Dr. Umar with the same critical lens that you use to assess Del's psychic ability I have.....and unlike Delano.....Dr Johnson has actually PASSED the exam....lol. Really, with me....everyone who makes a claim starts off as NEUTRAL meaning I don't believe them nor do I consider them a liar. I simply wait and see by observation whether or not their claims can be backed by facts and action. In Umar Johnson's case, he claims to be a Pan African psychologist, organizor and motivator of Black people, and a defender of Black boys who are unfairly diagnosed with ADD and other disorders. He has more than backed up all of those claims with facts and actions.

Cynique I would think that one would have to believe in time travel in order to consider that the future already exists and is known by a Supreme Being, or by someone who has psychic ability. Either that or atleast SOME of the future is being designed or planned by a Grand Designer who knows what the future is going to be because They have the power to make it. However..... Even if all events are completely free and a matter of decision and chance, I still believe it is POSSIBLE for One to know the future even without influencing it. People frequently accuse me of being negative and urge me to be positive. Positive thinking as a powerful force is a dynamic that rarely works for me, on a personal basis. It's like I am being presumptuous to beileve i can influence a desired result by thinking it will materialize. When i doubt, I get better results because i have put it into the hands of randomness which gives me a 50/50 chance of it happening. I somewhat know what you mean. I have a slightly different take on being a bit pessimistic though..... Things tend to work out better when I plan for a WORSE (not worst) case scenario as opposed to planning as if everything will work perfectly. That way I'm more prepared if things don't go exactly as I'd like. I've always been cautious of being TOO optimistic, especially when it came to plans that involved other people whom you have little control over. Troy Pioneer, I gave you a personal example of my ability to know what my mom was cooking for dinner, because I sensed it in a manner that was extrasensory. For me, that is sufficient proof, but it is obviously insufficient proof for you. Unless I misunderstood what you said, you said that you could smell what your mother was PREPARING from a great distance away. You didn't smell it BEFORE she prepared it. Nor did you say you KNEW she was going to prepare that particular meal days before she actually fixed it. What you described was a TRUE ESP or extra-sensory perception in that you could smell WHAT WAS ALREADY HAPPENING well beyond the normal range of typical human perception. But alas....it wasn't knowing the future....because you only smelled it at a great distance while it was happening. You are willing to accept, without proof, the existence of an omnipotent being, why are you so steadfast in rejecting the existence of extrasensory perceptions? ??? Who said I didn't? I most DEFINITELY believe in ESP ! 　 Mel I can't conceive of a location for the past or future... That's because they aren't locations.....but concepts. Periods of time which is just a measurement. However they DO exist. Anyway, to answer your question - yes. I have met people who knew the future and prepared for it in their past ... My father was one such person. His foresight made sure his family would be taken care of economically and financially long after his untimely death. Did he KNOW the future, or did he PREDICT and PREPARE for it? There's a difference. We can PREPARE for things that we PREDICT will occur...doesn't mean we KNOW it will happen. In other words, a person can PREDICT that he will become an elderly and begin saving up and PREPARING for it....however they may be killed before they reach that stage of life. With respect..... You said your father's death was "untimely" which meant that it wasn't expected at the particular time...by his family atleast. Now unless HE expected it and didn't tell any of his loved ones, then it wasn't known by him either. I only bring this up as an example of his knowledge of the future being in question. I'll do some research on Larry Silerstein 　 Ohhhhh, and WHAT do we have down here.....lol. Yet another "attempt" at reading? Delano said: "Cynique....You are an idealist whi can't stand disappointment " But Cynique said: "I think I'm more of a perfectionist than an idealist, because i am hyper-critical. I am also a pragmatic existentialist who deals with reality." Whachout now champ...that's 0 for 2 today !

Delano said: "Its like your soul is male and your body is female" ((shakes head)) I believe she mentioned something similar to this about herself in another thread, and as expected YOU took it and saved it to be used later on in one of your "readings" that even according to HER wasn't very accurate. ((sigh)) Yet ANOTHER failed attempt...............