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The Border Wall is on Life Support

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Political reality is now affecting the Trump Administration.  He is facing challenges on a number of fronts.  Michael Cohen will be sentenced today for a number of crimes including campaign finance violations and tax evasion.  Paul Manafort is languishing in jail while facing additional charges for lying to the special counsel and sharing information with the Trump Administration.  A Democratic majority will take place in the House that is intent on governing as opposed to posturing for a base.  On live television yesterday, we see how Donald Trump has completely pivoted on how the wall will be funded. During his campaign, Mr. Trump made it clear that we would build the Wall and Mexico would pay for it.  The supporters of Trump who attended his numerous rallies soaked up this expected domination of our NAFTA partner by the big, bad USA.  President Enrique Nieto made it abundantly clear that Mexico would not pay for the wall.  His refusal to pay piqued Mr. Trump terribly.  There are t
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Leaving the Paris Accord was disregarding Facts!!

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Global warming, also referred to as climate change, is the observed century-scale rise in the average temperature of the Earth's climate system and its related effects.  Former U.S. Vice President produced a documentary called 'An Inconveient Truth'.  It was produced in 2006 and grossed almost $24 million dollars.  The movie was credited with raising international public awareness of global warming and energizing the environmental movement.  As we are in the middle of searing August temperatures on the east coast, I wonder how Scott Pruitt was even confirmed as the former leader of the Environmental Protection Agency. California now has 16 active fires going on.  The Mendocino complex fire currently consists of two fires - the Ranch Fire and the River Fire.  The fire has currently burned 75 residences.  The Carr Fire has claimed 7 lives farther north in the state.  In a state of emergency, President Trump has blamed the state for diverting water to the ocean.  This is a l
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President Trump is becoming Unhinged

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The roller coaster ride that is the Trump presidency is careening towards a startling turn.  It was announced yesterday that his administration is looking at ways to revoke the security clearances of former intelligence directors that have been critical of his policies or actions.  As Sarah Sanders put it during her press briefings, 'some former officials are monetizing their public service.'  Susan Rice, James Clapper and James Comey are two of the six officials on the target list.  James Comey no longer has a clearance because he was fired by the President.  When you are the Emperor though, the optics of crushing someone that is already down are what counts. There was also an all caps Twitter threat directed towards Iran that promised fire and fury that likes of which history has not seen.  He used that same incendiary language six months ago as a threat towards North Korea.  In his mind, a war will be over in two weeks after massive bombings and horror unspeakable.  Maybe
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The House Music Festival was Awesome!!

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It is Sunday morning and I am listening to gospel music on App Radio.  My granddaughter will be going back to Coatesville after a two week visit.  I finished up a great vacation week which included two days in Atlantic City, seeing The Incredibles, July 4th activities on the Parkway, a visit to Harrah's Casino, Cooper River Park and finishing three books.  It was a wonderful staycation.  One of the highlights of my week was the House Music Festival that was also in Atlantic City. I was excited about this event anyway because a couple of my good Friends were going to be in town for the event.  Michael Fielder, Darryl Hudson and Lance Chase had all decided to come in town at the behest of Troy Johnson.  I met these Brothers during my undergrad days at Howard University and we have remained Friends for life.  After attending a Homegoing service for Norman Myers this year I have made it a priority to get together with my Homeys to celebrate living. There were some moments of trepid
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Bill Cosby and Kim Jong Un go Great Together!!

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Thursday was a great day for breaking news across the country and world.  Bill Cosby was found guilty on all three counts of indecent and aggravated sexual assault against him.  He dodged the legal bullet last year when a jury was deadlocked on the charges.  Kim Jong Un became the first leader from North Korea to cross the DMZ in 65 years.  As recently as six months ago, Mr. Un was shooting missiles all over the place.  I hope the world can breathe a sigh of relief that nuclear war can be averted.  Finally, Joseph James DeAngelo Jr. was arrested and charged as the Golden State killer.  He terrorized that area of the country for years and at one time was a member of the police force. I guess comedian Hannibal Burruss can be credited for helping to finally bring Bill Cosby to justice. Amazingly, even with a net worth of almost $400 million, Bill Cosby was still performing.  I guess he had this insatiable need to be in front of audiences.  At seventy five years of age he could have bee
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The Starbucks Incident is Puzzling!!

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Philadelphia was in the news for some crazy reasons this past week.  A Southwest Airlines plane had to make an emergency landing yesterday due to a malfunction.  A woman from New Mexico, Jennifer Riordan, lost her life during the harrowing landing.  This plane was on its way to Dallas but was diverted because of this tragedy.  Many of the passengers were calling loved ones to give their last goodbyes.  On the positive side, the Flyers and Sixers are in the playoffs.  I rode the subway with the Flyers fans today.  Good luck against the Penguins.  The other news story became a national referendum on race. Two African American males were arrested in a Starbucks while sitting there waiting for a friend.  It was a Starbucks on 18th & Spruce Street in Center City.  I received a Starbucks gift card from my nieces Saba and KiKi this Christmas.  I am not considered a frequent visitor but I love the one located in the Barnes & Noble on 18th & Walnut Streets.  It is a great place to
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The Gun Debate will never gain traction under this Administration!!

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There are a number of people in the United States this weekend who will ponder what they could have done differently on Valentine's Day this year.  Maybe they should have kept their child home from school on a sick day.  Maybe they should have planned their trip during this week.  One Father wondered if he told his daughter that he loved her.  It is such a heart wrenching time to think about what one could have done to save or protect a loved one.  The scene has been repeated so often that people outside the U.S. must wonder if we really care about our citizens.  There is a movement called Rachel's challenge going on that remembers a young lady killed in the Columbine shooting in 1999. Oh how I wish that the tragedies could have ended with the tragic loss of her life. Nikolas Cruz did not care what the plans were for the future of the students and staff that he gunned down that day.  He didn't care that some of these students were scholars and volunteers.  He grabbed his
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