Troy

Seriously @Pioneer1, you wrote that a Republic was "just ONE FORM of an oligarchy." If you would just name two other forms, I think I can help you think about what the terms mean and why saying something like, "A nation can be an Oligarchy, Plutocracy, AND a Republic all at the same time" is like saying a fruit can be an apple, pomegranate, and a kiwi all at the same time. Just because you can string the words together does not mean that they will make sense. This has nothing to do with college, it is just English. As an aside, it would also be interesting to read some of the other reasons you are "GLAD" you did not go to college, I'd like to hear other reasons why you are happy to have not gotten an education. Do you feel the same way about a high school education too?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ryan H. Stewart Stewart Publiques LLC ryan@stewartpubliques.com THE TERRIE WILLIAMS AGENCY, LONG-KNOWN AS THE PREMIERE BLACK-OWNED PUBLIC RELATIONS FIRM IN THE COUNTRY, IS CLOSING Terrie M.Williams New York, NY (September 5, 2018) - Terrie M. Williams, one of the country's premiere public relations professionals, whose firm has represented some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports and business, has announced that the company that bears her name will be closing in September 2018. After 40 years of being in the public eye, Williams said she is retiring to focus on personal wellness, family and travel, and the next chapter of her extraordinary life. "I'm so proud of what we have done over the last four decades, and I want to thank all those who have been so supportive of me through my successful journey," Williams said. "There are countless individuals who have inspired me, guided me, and helped me throughout my career. I owe so much to so many people, and to all of them I offer my heartfelt thanks. "Unfortunately, the time has come to bring this chapter of my life to a close." The phenomenal and inspirational success story of Terrie M.Williams began as the tale of a caring and shy young woman who "wanted to save the world." The early chapters of her life will chronicle that she was a social worker by training who earned a Masters in Social Work from Columbia University. But it was her venture into the entrepreneurial world - as the founder of The Terrie Williams Agency, one of the country's most successful public relations and communications firms - that made an enduring mark in the archives of business history. Since the Agency's launch in 1988 - superstar Eddie Murphy and jazz legend Miles Davis were her first clients - the firm handled some of the biggest names in entertainment, sports, business and politics. Those who retained the agency services over the years included Prince, Janet Jackson, Russell Simmons, Sean "P Diddy" Combs, Johnnie L. Cochran, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Sally Jessy Raphael, Time Warner, HBO, AT&T, NBA and Essence Communications Partners. As an author Williams has written four successful books. Her first, The Personal Touch: What You Really Need to Succeed in Today's Fast-paced Business World (1994, Warner Books), is a perennial business bestseller. Her second book, Stay Strong: Simple Life Lessons for Teens (Scholastic, Inc., 2001), has been utilized in school curricula and was the catalyst to launch The Stay Strong Foundation, a national non-profit for youth. A Plentiful Harvest: Creating Balance and Harmony Through The Seven Living Virtues (Warner Books, 2002), was Terrie's undertaking to help others achieve balance in their daily lives, reconnect with their heritage, and identify the needs of their souls. Her last book, entitled Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting, (Scribner 2008) detailed the untold story of depression among African-Americans. This powerful account helped break the silence in Black communities about the debilitating impacts of the disease when it was unacknowledged and untreated. Terrie's bravery and openness about depression and mental illness led to a national mental-health advocacy campaign called "Sharing Ourselves...Healing Starts With Us," a collaboration with the Ad Council's and SAMHSA's Campaign of Mental Health Recovery." The campaign garnered $2.5 million in donated national advertising space and 11 million media impressions. Williams has also been one of the country's most highly sought-after speakers, and has shared her unique brand of success and personal development strategies with numerous Fortune 500 companies and countless organizations, including the New York University Continuing Education Program, The New School for Social Research, The National Football League, The National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League. Her success story has been featured in dozens of publications including The Washington Post, The Boston Globe, Crain's New York Business, The New York Daily News and People, Adweek, Essence and Savoy magazines. The Agency's accomplishments have been used as the basis for public relations seminars and college classes, and Williams has been quoted and featured in college textbooks, industry newsletters and even novels. A sampling includes: Public Relations: A Values-Driven Approach (by David Guth and Charles Marsch); Basic Media Writing (a college text by Melvin Mencher that has featured Williams in every edition since 1989); Rogers' Rules for Businesswomen (by Henry C. Rogers); Any Way The Wind Blows (by E. Lynn Harris); Keys to Positive Thinking (by Napoleon Hill of Think & Grown Rich fame); and Show & Tell (by Nelson George). The hundreds of honors and awards Williams has received over the years include Woman's Day magazine's "50 Women On A Mission To Change The World," Ebony magazine's "Power 150" for Activism, and a Black History Makers honoree on the 2013 theGrio 100 list. Also, Terrie received The Blanton-Peale Institute and Counseling Center's Norman Vincent Peale Award for Positive Thinking, The New York Women in Communications Matrix Award in Public Relations (she was the first and only woman of color to be so honored in the 30-year history of the award); the PRSA New York Chapter's Phillip Dorf Mentoring Award; and The Citizen's Committee for the New York Marietta Tree Award for Public Service. In 1996 Williams was the first person of color honored with the Vernon C. Schranz Distinguished Lectureship at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Established in 1979, the Lectureship is recognized as one of the most preeminent honors in the public relations field. In 1998, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of The Terrie Williams Agency, Williams donated her collection of business and personal papers to Howard University's Moorland-Spingarn Research Center. The donation was the center's first gift of material specific to the public relations field. The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center is the world's largest, most comprehensive repository of information and materials about and by people of African descent, housing works by such legendary figures as Phillis Wheatley, Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, Alice Walker, James Baldwin and Toni Morrison. Terrie's success story has been built on a foundation of the countless contacts, friends, mentors and business associates that helped her rise to the pinnacle of her profession. "I have been blessed," she has said. "And I know that the best way to say thank you to all those who have done so much for me is to give something back and pass it on to those who will follow us. I always wanted to save the world," she has said with a laugh. "I couldn't do that, of course. But I hope I have my done my part and I hope I've encouraged others to do the same." ###

Fascinating. What other forms of oligarchy are there?

Yes, because I remember quite clearly how Dyson bashed Cornel West when West spoke out against Obama. Dyson did not start poppin' shit about Obama until Obmana was out of office -- when it was too late to make difference. I'm not impressed.

Good for Colin. It does not sound like it will make up for the loss revenue from his football contract but it is far more than any of us will make. Leave up to Nike to slickly capitalize on the "moment." Imagine what it would be like if NIKE were around in the 60's and co-opted the images of the civil rights leadership during the civil right movement just to sell grotesquely over priced footwear targeting people who can ill afford the buy the stuff... "Sacrificing everything" -- gimme a freaking break! We don't even know what sacrifice means today; Brother and Sisters actually risked their lives fighting injustice little more than a generation ago. We won't even get off social media for 5 minutes.

@Delano the artful dodger of direct questions. OK, let me help you bruh, the site you referenced is a bullshit site probably created by a Russian troll farm. You won't vouch for it because you have not vetted it in you desperation to find anything that contradicts the reality of man made climate change. Obviously one can find anything to support any hair brained idea they have, I just did not expect this from you -- no insult intended just profound disappointment, no so much that you tried pass this site off as some authoritative source-- when it is not, but that you simply won't admit that you did. No one is perfect man.

@Pioneer1 Man, this is a ridiculous statement. I know the masses are easily manipulated, but no one will forget the the Catholic Church's offenses because "bishop" grabbed him some grande tittie. We can remember more than one thing at the same time. I listed to video of Dyson's speech. Again I still not not feel like I missed anything. Sounded more like lines from his standup routine and a eulogy for Aretha. The rant against 45, the dig against Obama absence were uncalled for inappropriate -- That kind of rhetoric was apropo for the old Tavis Smiley State of Black America Conference . But this was clearly not a "normal" funeral.

No @Delano climate change is not simple (see how easily I answered your question). Sono while climate change is not simple, my questions are: @Delano What do you know about the website procon.org? Who is behind it, where does it get it's funding? Can you say with certainty that it is a legitimate site? Indeed legitimate enough for you to dismiss the findings of Nasa: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ If so why?

@Pioneer1 you misunderstand the definition of the word oligarchs are not elected. Our government is actually a republic. However our country is arguably essentially an oligarchy, run by plutocrats who have paid off our elected officlas.

@Pioneer1, it is not ALL the time man, but done in jest or to make stronger point -- never intended to be taken personally ;-) At the risk of being called a homo by Pioneer, I love @Delano.

Sorry man, I'm not interested. Go argue with the vast majority of the Earth's climatologist.

Damn, @Delano, you wont (perhaps can't) answer a simple question.

In all seriousness @Delano, I'm really interested in reading your reply to this question.

@Delano what do you know about the website procon.org? Who is behind it, where does it get it's funding? Can you say with certainty that it is a legitimate site? In deed legitimate enough for you to dismiss the findings of Nasa: https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/ If so why? This is way I generally don't consumer news, that I really care about, on sites that rebroadcast news from other sites, like social media, blog, etc. I go to the original source if s study is reference I look at the study. @Delano, if Trump does not make it to the end of the year I'll give you and K2 $50. What would there be for me to say other than, "I was wrong, and you and K2 were right?"

@Delano is Cynique incorrect about you attacking my character (calling me insulting, elitist, etc) rather than my argument valid? Also, what you consider an "insult" others might consider an innocent ribbing. How can @Cynique answer a question based upon such a subjective assessment? I recently apologized to you for a insult you perceived where none was intended. Still, do you think I "insult" you more than I insult anyone else here? I've used language with @Pioneer1 that could justifiably be considered insulting. I communicate with Pioneer differently than I do with you because he is not nearly as sensitive and does not take perceived slights so personally, at least not enough to continue making an issue of it. Further, you have insulted (objectively) @Kalexander2 on a number of occasions -- often without apparent provocation. In all fairness, you must be able to take insults just as easily as you dispense them. I trust you don't consider anything I just wrote insulting. 😉

OK. Aside from the fondling which caught my attention and made me think of Harry Brown (which is why I made the post). I was not really interested in the funeral. I found the wardrobe change you mentioned interested and I was curious whose idea that might have been, but I was not that curious. I was skeptical that Aretha would make the request, but that is about it. As afar as the other stuff like Grande's choice of attire I can see why some would say it is inappropriate, but given the spectacle of the entire event it seemed like an odd reason to raise an eyebrow -- but again I did not see the event so what do I know...

.. and Feynmann regretted use of the bomb. Sure scientist say things that are wrong and do so knowingly -- typically for personal gain. Infotainment is a major problem in our society, and it started long before the '80s. Today it is 24/7. Unless you go completely off the grid you can't escape it today.

@Delano we've gone through the climate change debate. Neither of us will change our positions. Let's not waste each others time. Did you have your kids vaccinated or do you also buy into the conspiracy theory vaccinine are bad for us too?

@Cynique you are ascribing much more concern to this issue than I actually have. I really don't care very much, I thought the sexual assault of Grande was obscene and the idea that Franklin may have requested different outfits at her funeral seems weird to me, but to each his own.

Yes your age at this particular time must give you a very interesting perspective @Cynique. I guess living for the day is not in my nature.

Sure we have to think for ourselves, but unfortunately most of us will never have the data to actually make informationed decisions and arrive a factually based conclusions. The is why we must rely on journalists and the scientific community to properly inform us -- individuals simply can not do this on our own. Now I have access to data about books published by Black people by mainstream publishers but this is a very small dataset and easy to understand. The information needed to understand climate, for example, is another beast altogether. No individual can make this determination independently and even if they could they don't have the platform to make it known or the power to get people to do anything about it. Social media is not a news source -- facebook has no journalist or writers, they refuse to fact check the stuff people put on their platform, complaining that would constrain free speech when the reality it will constrain their revenue stream. Many news sources are becoming social media amplifiers reporting on and commentating of study they've found on social media -- like 45's tweets. GIven these trends we increasing have to think for ourselves @Kalexander2 but given the complexity of the world this is an impossible task.

I don't buy into a plan to a plan to control just Black people. I do however buy into a plan to control all people. The control being executed by the plutocracy to increase their wealth and power. Whether is is perverting religion and science hundreds of years ago to justify the enslavement of Black people or taking advantage of social media today it is all the same thing. The there is no indication that the new generation will do into about it, because they all-in when it comes to the very tools used to manipulate them! Whether it is the Arab Spring or Black Lives Matter -- any movement dependent upon social media has and will fail. If by some miracle our progeny pulls themselves together and does something, the planet will be too hot for humans to habitate. The fire next time.

Clearly I've missed the point. I've seen her perform live and there were no wardrobe changes. So yes the whole Diva thing was lost on me. If you discover that Aretha did in fact want her corpse to go through all that during the funeral, let me know, I would find that interesting. Seems like a lot of planning by someone who did not leave a will...

Here are the top 10 bestselling book on AALBC.com for the period ending August 2018. It seems readers have decided to stop purchasing poetry titles from AALBC. I'm not sure if this is part of a larger trend or not. Historically, poetry has done well on AALBC, but the old refrain “Poetry does not sell” seems to be true for AALBC today. There have not been enough poetry book sales to create a bestsellers list since the period ending February 2017 — and that was probably due, in part, Black history month. If anyone has any ideas as to why poetry sales are down; I'm all ears (eyes).

I'm sure you've been to more funerals that I have. But I have never seen, or even heard of, a homegoing service replete with wardrobe changes. I took a second look at Grande's attire and her dress was really short, and I can see why folks would say it was inappropriate -- even for this spectacle. I enjoyed the Queen of Soul's music, but I'm not sorry I missed the funeral.