Political Roundtable - Part VII

[dobrojim]

How silly of me to even consider that Republicans in a place like AL would for even a moment
try to diminish the ability of groups unlikely to support them to participate in elections.
I'll just have to remember to ignore the recent history beginning with the US attorney
firings back in the dubya admin and the plethora of new requirements on voting in many
Republican controlled states that clearly are designed to make voting more difficult.
I mean it's clear after Acorn that voter fraud is a threat to our republic. I'm sure
the Republicans never for a moment considered there might be a partisan advantage
in their remedy to this immense threat to the integrity of our elections. Now if we
could only get to the bottom of this Benghazi thing and this IRS thing we could be
a lot more certain that no one would be able to impose Sharia law in the US.

[montestewart]

And maybe the historic election and re-election of a country's first black president had an effect. Black turnout has been way lower than white in every election until the last two.

But by a considerably smaller margin than what one would expect based on age/education/income differences. The point is, blacks are the most organized and energetic voting base in the country. They vote. A lot. It's really hard to look at the numbers and conclude that the U.S. is systematically keeping the black vote down.

Let's review:

• Wizardspride posted an article implying that Alabama was intentionally suppressing the black vote by closing DMV offices in black counties.
• I posted that they weren't closing DMV offices in black counties, they were closing them in low-population counties in a manner which appears to have impacted rural blacks and rural whites at about the same rate. This was not racist by design nor by end result.
• dobrojim responds by saying the facts don't matter. We all know Alabama Republicans are racists so they must be doing something racist down there.
• I respond by pointing out that dobrojim had no facts to support his assertion and that until he had facts. I have no reason to believe his theory that Alabama Republicans are evil racists who want to suppress the black vote.
• TSW chimes in with a mild jab at my credibility on the issue and then goes on to point out the difficulty that minorities have in voting because of voter ID laws.
• I respond that things must not be so difficult because blacks actually vote considerably more than whites of the same age, income class and educational achievement. Evil Whitey's attempt to keep the black man down is either non-existent, highly ineffective, or actively counter-productive.
• Montestewart calls it a strawman argument.

Far from being full of strawman arguments, I think my presence in this debate provided some critical information to the issue. Did anybody else point out that the DMV closings were in low population counties? I think not. I'm sure you all nodded your head in silent agreement that those evil Alabama Republicans are at it again. Did anyone else here know the voting numbers? That blacks voted more than whites in the last election and just as much as whites in the prior election? And that blacks vote way more than whites when adjusted for age and income?

It looks like my job here is to continue to challenge the Narrative. I'm going to keep posting facts to counter many of the emotional and unsupported assertions on race that keep getting thrown out here. I hope, maybe someday, it'll force some of you to reconsider what you think you know about some of these issues. So far, it hasn't seemed to have worked. When the data and facts contradict the assertions of this board (like crime data, or police shooting data, or the Michael Wilson forensic evidence), everyone chooses to ignore the data and continue to believe their unsupported dogma. It's probably a futile effort, but at least it's entertaining.

Very entertaining "if A = B and C = D, than E must = F" explanations, nate.

PS: I was not responding to every position you've ever held as a white male Christian conservative Republican basketball fan. I was just responding to the post right above my response. I really can't account for what members of the Federalist Society, Grupo Rakosi, The Isle of Wight Knitting Club, etc. have to say.

[Induveca]

Jim read the stats, no one doubts the history of Alabama.....but it's 2015 and it's a poor state. Nate's stats clearly showed the areas impacted were poor areas with low populations.

It was a cost cutting move. I had to drive 20 miles to get a new license 10 years ago in an urban area of Florida. Big deal? Everyone in Alabama drives, there are no sidewalks outside of a few downtown areas of 3-4 cities.

[dobrojim]

Increasing the requirements to participate in elections when there was no demonstrable threat
to the integrity of the voting was certainly not a cost cutting move. I suspect the reverse is
more likely to be true.

I will grant that when they passed the voter ID law, they may not have known that they would soon
thereafter find it necessary to close DMV offices. So while they may not have planned it quite this
way, they're probably not losing sleep over it either. Unintended bonus.

[montestewart]

Increasing the requirements to participate in elections when there was no demonstrable threat
to the integrity of the voting was certainly not a cost cutting move. I suspect the reverse is
more likely to be true.

I will grant that when they passed the voter ID law, they may not have known that they would soon
thereafter find it necessary to close DMV offices. So while they may not have planned it quite this
way, they're probably not losing sleep over it either. Unintended bonus.

The issue is how the cost cutting measure impacts minorities. Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. I'm guessing a court case would go a little further than the "look at these stats" vs. "look at Alabama's history" debate above. If it can be shown that the measure's impact falls disproportionately on minorities, that could be a winning case under Federal law, regardless of intent, as courts aren't very sympathetic to racially discriminatory outcomes compelled by financial savings.

Nate's Alabama maps argue the possibility that there will be no significant racially disparate outcome, in which case there would probably be no case without proving discriminatory intent (which would require evidence that likely doesn't exist) or making the much more complicated argument that Alabama's history supports the presumption of racially discriminatory intent. All three of these arguments could be offered together, but without the first, there won't be much traction.

[AFM]

Guys, enough of this palaver.
\Monte, how deep would you go in future First Daughter Ivanka Trump?


CCJ, you're free to answer as well.

[montestewart]

Guys, enough of this palaver.
\Monte, how deep would you go in future First Daughter Ivanka Trump?


CCJ, you're free to answer as well.

She'll have to up her fashion game to make apprentice here at Del Monte. That gown looks like 70s era suburban living room drapes. But with an opening line like, "My dad's really, really rich," maybe I shouldn't be too hasty.

[TheSecretWeapon]

I can't recall any case where nate has seen even a possibility of discrimination or racism

I'm just providing the facts and actual evidence to respond to the never-ending (and rarely factually supported) complaints that racism is around every corner and behind every tree. Call me an anti-anti-racist.

You probably really do believe that you're "providing facts and actual evidence," but I don't agree that's what you're actually doing. What you end up posting here is your interpretation of the set of facts you've decided is correct, while excluding other facts. Your facts, evidence and reasoning is riddle with cognitive fallacies, including cherrypicking, arbitrary cutoffs, and plain old biased reasoning. Not picking on you particularly, because we all do it. But I don't buy for a second that you're some kind of unbiased cipher who's merely correcting the record. You've got YOUR narrative, so you interpret events through that lens.

For example, see your post about voting behavior. There are facts present, but you didn't acknowledge that there was something unique in 2008 and 2012. The midterm elections saw black/white voter turnout more in keeping with historical patterns with black turnout significantly lower than white. (That's NOT an allegation of suppression.) We don't know whether the turnout in 2008 and 2012 were Obama voters are a new turnout level for black voters. You didn't acknowledge the nation's history of preventing blacks from voting. And, you seem to be arguing some strawman with regard to voter suppression. The concern being expressed by critics of voter ID laws is not about suppressing votes in past elections, but about the likely effect on citizens in FUTURE elections.

Please continue to challenge the Narrative. It's a good thing to do. But don't expect me (and others) to merely accept your presentation and interpretation of The Facts as Correct. You're as full of **** as the rest of us.

[AFM]

Guys, enough of this palaver.
\Monte, how deep would you go in future First Daughter Ivanka Trump?


CCJ, you're free to answer as well.

She'll have to up her fashion game to make apprentice here at Del Monte. That gown looks like 70s era suburban living room drapes. But with an opening line like, "My dad's really, really rich," maybe I shouldn't be too hasty.

That's the whole point you goober. She's wearing, essentially, a motel 8 bed sheet. And looks great.
Look back at your fraternity toga party photos. How did you look? I should be put you on ignore you blockhead.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I can't recall any case where nate has seen even a possibility of discrimination or racism, but the Official explanation of what's going on in Alabama is at least plausible. Alabama is a poor state, and it doesn't seem egregious to close DMV offices in less populated areas to reduce spending.

That said, the voter ID laws are much more of a pain in the ass for poor people than they are for those even a little more affluent. According to an NYU study, about 25% of blacks and 16% of Hispanics don't have photo ID, compared to 9% of whites. Wild guess, but this probably tracks pretty well with income differential. Why don't blacks and Hispanics and poor whites have photo ID? Well, if you can't afford a car, maybe you don't get a license. If you're going to travel abroad, odds are you're not going to the trouble of getting a passport.

Sure, these folks without photo ID could gather up the necessary documentation and trek down to the DMV (or wherever) and get an ID. It's difficult to imagine folks going to all that effort strictly for the sake of voting, however.

It's interesting that the laws are being implemented where Republicans control state legislatures. It's interesting that the Pennsylvania majority leader said that the state's new voting laws would have allowed Romney to win the state, and that Phyllis Schlafly wrote that new voting laws are intended to reduce the Democrat vote. It's interesting that these laws are being passed to fix a problem which hasn't been proven to even exist. It's interesting that few of the states with ID requirements at the polls have a similar requirement for absentee voters, who are usually older and white.

While the decision to close specific DMV locations in Alabama may not have been primarily racial in intent, it's pretty clear to me that the Republican-backed voter laws are designed to make it more difficult for students, blacks, Hispanics and poor people to vote. Maybe that could be the GOP's new slogan: If you can't persuade 'em, exclude 'em.

(I will edit my grammatical and spelling errors later. Using Realgm IPhone app with sickening autocorrect below...)

I worked as a paraprofessional teachers assistant one year in Phenix City, Alabama. Six second grade teachers each had my services one hour. I did everything from grading papers to decorating bulletin boards to reading to kids. Once I intervened when a black female parent wanted to beat up one white female teacher. The parent actually worked at a day care where two of my kids attended. I defused that. The funny thing is I even met the Tactical Assault Policeman responding at the front door of the school. Dressed in "full battle rattle" he looked like he was hunting for bear. I asked him if it's possible that I handed that off to the principal and he didn't really have a hot situation. But guess what? This SWAT guy actually came to the wrong school! At the very same time at the middle school another teacher was assaulted. He left immediately (15 seconds maybe) after I told him which school I heard on the radio that he should be at. He burned rubber. End of that story...

The next year I was promoted to full time teaching. I have a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics, and as a former AF officer I was given provisional certification. Middle school. Eighth grade algebra. I got no paraprofessional help. My principal was a brother who noticed my military DD214 was figuratively bigger than his, in time. I liked that he hired me. I trusted that he would have my back. Not exactly. My family situation took a turn right around when President George Bush was posing on the aircraft carrier as he declared Iraq over. My E5 female spouse was deployed the first time, leaving me as effectively a single parent. My stepson was supposedly mildly autistic. I had to be at work at my school before the bus or short bus even picked up. My two younger boys were then in diapers and training pants. Had to drop them off in between Georgia and where I worked in Alabama. If you important smart guys haven't had to do this, you can't leave a kid who decides to crap his diaper as you pull into the day care. No. You have to change him before drop off. Also, you have to leave plenty diapers, formula, and change of clothes at the day care or head start. And...if your kid gets ringworm or head lice or they have green mucous; you must pick them up immediately.

Tough titty if you have no friends or family nearby. Deal with it, full time first year teacher.

Turns out that principal had a banking background after his military background. Yet, he insisted all teachers have lesson plans prepared two weeks ahead. He was IMO an ignorant Negro. Had to have lockstep stuff written on the board by something like 0625 hours. When he was supposed to evaluate my class one time he was sleepy. I don't bore folks. I'm not even going to tell you the gossip.

But that above wasn't too bad. I was the wrong guy. I had already been a highly successful substitute teacher in Hawaii. I was even a facilitator for Hawaii Pacific University prior to 9/11. My problem was cultural. Polynesian, Filipino, Japanese, and military dependent kids in Hawaii are culturally WAY different than black and the few white kids I taught. I went from Barney singing I LOve You kids to kids we scanned for weapons as we herding them through the metal detector before classes. Oh, they had a Rotweiler dope dog that scared the hell out of the kids. One psycho kid ran up on me. 6 foot plus about 15 but in middle school. Ontarius. I could have handled it better if I knew how to deal with his distracting and subversive tactics. But I had 108 kids, seven periods to teach, white teacher that seemed friendly but I think he really hated on me. Exhausted yet?

Oh, I got suspended for a while. See, my wife's unit was taking mortar rounds back in 2004 and I was not great at multitasking. I was also tired from having to take weekend certification coursework at Auburn. I also had to work the school football games. But the one thing I truly resented was the principal wouldn't let me teach. I eventually resigned days after cracking my kids up by writing STFU on the white board. Had a really great boy girl fight after I had my two youngest kids in the classroom. Too much to explain and I doubt any of you smarter richer guys care to read what I say...

The GREAT news is from April after I resigned (didn't want to get fired) I did get to parent my own kids better. My own second grader couldn't print legibly. I felt like crap because I was too spent to give my best to my boys. Luckily, we had great fun at Golden Corral dinner buffets. Balloons for birthdays. Hey, that principal thought I was weak doing woman's work as nursemaid. He didn't fathom that I either couldn't afford a nanny or had no help. Didn't seem compassionate about my wife being in Iraq. Some how folks were scared of me. Guess it was my body language, build, or stress they perceived. End the end I was friends with the same cop who escorted me off. Told him I was actually flattered that he thought he needed backup but I'm no THAT KIND of crazy. I loved those kids. My class tested the highest in math after I left. Everybody won in a way. They had their status quo and my happy arse got to sit down at home and watch some tv.

Ten years later she left me years ago, got the house and kids, and even convinced a Hawaii Principal and two or three women in the office to lie on me. In 2014 I went to criminal, civil, and family court. I know most will say it's my fault or I must be bipolar. I say the kids are in a house in Georgia. They have moved on. My ex told me, "Ken, I don't care what happens to you". Family court here was so female biased that I'm still wondering. My oldest sister says it's my fault for not making my ex wife pay.

Honestly, my dad and I got closer in the worst of this. I was on probation when he died. But luckily by the time he was buried I could fly to DC. I just took a misdemeanor harassment charge. Dad said "Choose your battles". I never should have said MF at one school. That female principal begged me to teach there more often,but ... Nah I will say my actions must have started a snowball rolling. It all worked out for them.

My sons call me when their mom doesn't provide. One had a bully he thought might be gang related. Another had a teacher calling him names in class. Routine stuff.

God is good because it's not about me. I have met people in low places and high places. Life is good. I do not want to say more because most do not care.

Mods you can remove this. I read education system and Alabama. Kevin is really smart and at times this forum is over my depth. Mahalo. I'm good and surprisingly well adjusted!

I don't miss being Mr. Mom. Not at all. I never want to work for this particular Hawaii DOE district even if I were exonerated. I don't miss a couple military installations. I am not mad about what happened to me.

I hope other military and special needs families are not neglected the way my sons temporarily were, but I can't change the world. All I can do is try and learn how to look before I leap.

[nate33]

You're as full of **** as the rest of us.

Fair enough. Just as long as it's acknowledged that we're ALL full of ****.

[nate33]

CCJ, I'm not sure why you felt the need to lace your post with attacks on us "important smart guys" and to say things like "I doubt any of you smarter richer guys care to read what I say". I'm always interested in what you say. You bring a different perspective to this board.

I am very fortunate to have married a wife with whom I get along with very well in nearly all facets of life. We don't have any serious disagreements on money or child-raising philosophies, so, for the most part, things run smoothly. But at the same time, I really do sympathize with your comment about family court being so female-biased. I've had some friends and acquaintances go through the divorce process and it really is female-biased. I have concerns with the way our society as a whole is becoming way too female biased. Boys are radically underperforming in schools these days, for example. You also see it in pop culture. How many modern male heroes are there? Particularly ones that demonstrate actual masculinity?

[penbeast0]

C'mon Nate, with the superhero movie now being a blockbuster staple, there's Captain America, Iron Man, Thor . . . them's manly men (in tights).

Agree that we may have overcompensated a bit for centuries of society being male biased but the main problem for boys in school (other than the greater tendency for boys not to be able to sit still) is being fed by this board among other things. It's the overemphasis on sports (and entertainment but entertainment is at least reasonably gender neutral) in our society.

[penbeast0]

(I will edit my grammatical and spelling errors later. Using Realgm IPhone app with sickening autocorrect below...)

I worked as a paraprofessional teachers assistant one year in Phenix City, Alabama. Six second grade teachers each had my services one hour. I did everything from grading papers to decorating bulletin boards to reading to kids. Once I intervened when a black female parent wanted to beat up one white female teacher. The parent actually worked at a day care where two of my kids attended. I diffused that. The funny thing is I even met the Tactical Assualt Policeman responding at the door. Full battle rattle he looked like he was hunting for bear. Some how I asked him if it's possible that I handed that off to the principal and he didn't really have a hot situation. But guess what? This SWAT guy actually came to the wrong school! At the very same time at the middle school another teacher was assaulted. He left after I told him which school I heard on the radio that he should be at. He burned rubber. End of that story.

The next year I was promoted to full time teaching. I have a Batchelor's Degree in Mathematics, and as a former AF officer I was given provisional certification. Middle school. Eighth grade algebra. I got no paraprofessional help. My principal was a brother who noticed my military DD214 was figuratively bigger than his, in time. I liked that he hired me. I trusted that he would have my back. Not exactly. My family situation took a turn right around when President George Bush was posing on the aircraft carrier as he declared Iraq over. My E5 female spouse was deployed the first time, leaving me as effectively a single parent. My stepson was supposedly mildly autistic. I had to be at work at my school before the bus or short bus even picked up. My two younger boys were then in diapers and training pants. Had to drop them off in between Georgia and where I worked in Alabama. If you important smart guys haven't had to do this, you can't leave a kid who decides to crap his diaper as you pull into the day care. No. You have to change him before drop off. Also, you have to leave plenty diapers, formula, and change of clothes at the day care or head start. And...if your kid gets ringworm or head lice or they have green mucous; you must pick them up immediately.

Tough titty if you have no friends or family nearby. Deal with it, full time first year teacher.

Turns out that principal had a banking background after his military background. Yet, he insisted all teachers have lesson plans prepared two weeks ahead. He was IMO an ignorant Negro. Had to have lockstep stuff written on the board by something like 0625 hours. When he was supposed to evaluate my class one time he was sleepy. I don't bore folks. I'm not even going to tell you the gossip.

But that above wasn't too bad. I was the wrong guy. I had already been a highly successful substitute teacher in Hawaii. I was even a facilitator for Hawaii Pacific University prior to 9/11. My problem was cultural. Polynesian, Filipino, Japanese, and military dependent kids in Hawaii are culturally WAY different than black and the few white kids I taught. I went from Barney singing I LOve You kids to kids we scanned for weapons as we herding them through the metal detector before classes. Oh, they had a Rotweiler dope dog that scared the hell out of the kids. One psycho kid ran up on me. 6 foot plus about 15 but in middle school. Ontarius. I could have handled it better if I knew how to deal with his distracting and subversive tactics. But I had 108 kids, seven periods to teach, white teacher that seemed friendly but I think he really hated on me. Exhausted yet?

Oh, I got suspended for a while. See, my wife's unit was taking mortar rounds back in 2004 and I was not great at multitasking. I was also tired from having to take weekend certification coursework at Auburn. I also had to work the school football games. But the one thing I truly resented was the principal wouldn't let me teach. I eventually resigned days after cracking my kids up by writing STFU on the white board. Had a really great boy girl fight after I had my two youngest kids in the classroom. Too much to explain and I doubt any of you smarter richer guys care to read what I say...

The GREAT news is from April after I resigned (didn't want to get fired) I did get to parent my own kids better. My own second grader couldn't print legibly. I felt like crap because I was too spent to give my best to my boys. Luckily, we had great fun at Golden Corral dinner buffets. Balloons for birthdays. Hey, that principal thought I was weak doing woman's work as nursemaid. He didn't fathom that I either couldn't afford a nanny or had no help. Didn't seem compassionate about my wife being in Iraq. Some how folks were scared of me. Guess it was my body language, build, or stress they perceived. End the end I was friends with the same cop who escorted me off. Told him I was actually flattered that he thought he needed backup but I'm no THAT KIND of crazy. I loved those kids. My class tested the highest in math after I left. Everybody won in a way. They had their status quo and my happy arse got to sit down at home and watch some tv.

Ten years later she left me years ago, got the house and kids, and even convinced a Hawaii Principal and two or three women in the office to lie on me. In 2014 I went to criminal, civil, and family court. I know most will say it's my fault or I must be bipolar. I say the kids are in a house in Georgia. They have moved on. My ex told me, "Ken, I don't care what happens to you". Family court here was so female biased that I'm still wondering. My oldest sister says it's my fault for not making my ex wife pay.

Honestly, my dad and I got closer in the worst of this. I was on probation when he died. But luckily by the time he was buried I could fly to DC. I just took a misdemeanor harassment charge. Dad said "Choose your battles". I never should have said MF at one school. That female principal begged me to teach there more often,but ... Nah I will say my actions must have started a snowball rolling. It all worked out for them.

My sons call me when their mom doesn't provide. One had a bully he thought might be gang related. Another had a teacher calling him names in class. Routine stuff.

God is good because it's not about me. I have met people in low places and high places. Life is good. I do not want to say more because most do not care.

Mods you can remove this. I read education system and Alabama. Kevin is really smart and at times this forum is over my depth. Mahalo. I'm good and surprisingly well adjusted!

I don't miss being Mr. Mom. Not at all. I never want to work for this particular Hawaii DOE district even if I were exonerated. I don't miss a couple military installations. I am not mad about what happened to me.

I hope other military and special needs families are not neglected the way my sons temporarily were, but I can't change the world. All I can do is try and learn how to look before I leap.

CCJ, I'm a military brat and teacher at a special ed oriented school. Being a teacher isn't easy even with the best support and between money and people being people, there's rarely anywhere near the best support. Been divorced twice though no kids. But just want to say that although I love Kevin and Nate's posts here and both are candidates for the top 5 posters I've seen in almost a decade here on RealGM, you are the poster I look for first. Over a lot of years, you've been right so damn often about the Wiz and player stuff that when we disagree, I check myself a second time before ever challenging you (and I tend to be a shoot from the hip type almost everywhere else). Keep it up.

[montestewart]

You're as full of **** as the rest of us.

Fair enough. Just as long as it's acknowledged that we're ALL full of ****.

Yeah, all y'all MFers, swimming pool full, 'cept CCJ

[bsilver]

Looks like "racism in Alabama" has been beaten to death here, so will resist my 2 cents.

So to take another road, and at the risk of being called cynical, which is actually a complement:
1) The job of political parties is to increase their chances of gaining power or staying in power
2) All actions taken by political parties should be seen as achieving these goals
3) Any response to these actions by the other party are taken to blunt the effectiveness of these actions, not because the actions were "right" or "wrong".
4) Each party has lots of money and staff, to justify these actions and to counter attack. These people are very smart and can create a good justification for any action.
5) The truth of the justification and counter attack is irrelevant. The true believers in each party will believe in the arguments of their party.
6) Party regulars, maybe not true believers, make be sceptical of the rationale for the actions, but will support the action anyway because they know power is the primary objective, not truth.

Forgetting Alabama for the moment, which would certainly apply, these ideas apply to party actions regarding the response to the Oregon shootings.
President Obama spoke out strongly for the need for gun control. IMO this was not done with the idea there is a snowballs chance in hell that there will be gun control in the next 5 or 10 years. The speech was aimed at democratic women, and maybe independents who feel strongly about the issue to fire them up for upcoming elections. The Republican response of "hell no" to gun control was aimed to keep NRAers in the fold and reassure them the GOP has their backs.

Not saying that the parties don't have some core values, but they're certainly not voter id laws or gun control.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Autocorrect can be subversive. Totally mistranslated meanings. You have to search too hard to shut it off. If you're in a hurry and just want to shoot from the hip, the darned autocorrect can make your crazy crazier! I hate it.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Double post.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Guys, enough of this palaver.
\Monte, how deep would you go in future First Daughter Ivanka Trump?


CCJ, you're free to answer as well.

She'll have to up her fashion game to make apprentice here at Del Monte. That gown looks like 70s era suburban living room drapes. But with an opening line like, "My dad's really, really rich," maybe I shouldn't be too hasty.

That's the whole point you goober. She's wearing, essentially, a motel 8 bed sheet. And looks great.
Look back at your fraternity toga party photos. How did you look? I should be put you on ignore you blockhead.

Suddenly I'm feeling happy like nothing bad ever happened to me. Lovely dress.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

CCJ, you're free to answer as well.

Lawd forgive me ... but I'd want to hit that. I know what the Word says. But come on, God, you made that and you ALREADY KNOW exactly what type hormonal and brain connection type sexual highlight material is swimming around in my head. I haven't had any "attention" in so long I woke up the other day and my male member had a gun pointed at my head ready to blow my brains out. I need a shot but man I want to be pure and celibate and NOT HAVE ANY MORE STUPID DRAMA. I got enough kids and I am real high maintenance.

Alone is not that bad ... if you can endure the suffering well.

My step mom of darn near 40 years is white. Her daughter and grandaughter are what most would consider HAWT! I took a picture with my arms around all three and the caption might as well have read, Jack Johnson and his white women; or "Welcome to Blacks and Blonds Mustang Ranch." I'm Big Daddy Chocolate City and Dem ma family!

Real life is kinda embarrassingly complicated or funny as hell, depending on how you see it. That picture, my big cousin from St. Louis took, AT MY DAD'S FUNERAL was so awkward I had to make jokes. "Hey, I'm in my element now!"

AFM, what's even funnier is that I got to be an extra in a movie and for a few scenes, YOU GUESSED IT, I'm with this SMOKING HOT, awesomely nice blonde actress. She's a part time regular on Hawaii Five O. All I have to say is she's nice. Just another human being.

Don't even let me tell you ANY more.

The moral of the story is life is a trip. Donald Trump ... I was thinking would Ivanka vote for him?

(LAST THING: Non-union extra is short money but a WONDERFUL, EXCITING, FANTASTIC experience IMO.)