Only In America: It's Not About The Ebola Virus. It's About The Shareholders:

Surely, it's no mere coincidence that a leading researcher on the Ebola Virus, having been infected by the virus, in a land rife with it, would be given a fast-track back to the United States, along with his colleague, just for better treatment; then to walk into a hospital; and now, on the road to recovery the next day? That means a cure was already in existence; and if so, why was he Not treated in Africa? Would being cured of his disease in Africa mean the availability of the cure to Africans, in a poor country, with no healthcare, no money, and no profit? Here's a rogue thought: "How about withholding this promising cure, for a day, until we can get the good doctor and his colleague, back safely into America, where the drug's effects could be studied, tested, refined, and made into a 'product', put on the market, and sold back to the people, who need it most, make a ton of money, and make our shareholders happy? This is the Win/Lose opportunity we've been waiting for!" proclaimed the CEO of one of America's leading pharmaceutical companies, as his mouth began salivating with salacious greed. THINK ABOUT IT!!!

Hungry In New York City

"It was amazing to me how actors like Denzel Washington could reach out and affect people, even in The Gambia where I lived. So I decided I had to be an actor. My father prayed for me for 5 minutes on the runway. He was holding onto my hand and praying over and over, and I could see everyone watching from the windows of the plane. It was a little embarrassing but he would not let go. Finally he told me: 'Now go to America. But do not forget where you came from.' I first flew to Oklahoma, because I knew other Gambians there, but I was running out of money, and I was eating nothing but noodles, and one day it got so bad that my nose started bleeding. And I said to myself: 'How am I going to be an actor in Oklahoma? If I'm going to be hungry, I'm going to be hungry in New York.' So I borrowed money for a Greyhound bus, and I rode for two days on that bus. And for the whole ride, I had nothing but water."

Which Is Your Favorite Sci-fi Movie?

There are only 18 days left to contribute to my poll  "Which Is Your Favorite Sci-Fi Movies?" (See right column, and scroll down.)
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While you're here, feel free to browse, and leave a comment or two. Thanks. : )

"Diana Ross"

"Diana Ross"

"New Kid On The Block 2"

'New Kid On The Block 2"

"New Kid On The Block 1"

New Work! "Mandala Samplers"

Mandala Sampler 8-1-4

Mandala Sampler 7-1-4

To Be, Or Not To Be, Literate

Today, 'social media' is making us more aware of things about people--such as their level of education, and attendant writing skills (penmanship), of which, we were blissfully unaware, in the past. The question then becomes, "Should I continue being 'friends' with this person, even though they write at a fourth grade level? As much as I take the time to write a thoughtful reply to their posts, diligent in employing the correct spelling of words, enrapturing my sentences in proper syntax, and avoiding those perverse, breath-choking dangling participles, am I entitled to expect the same in return? Would it be better if I DELETE these linguistic offenders out of my existence, or should I inform them that it takes less of an ounce of muscle force to raise one's index finger, and push it down on the right click mouse button to 'spell check' a word, then it does to reach for, or walk to, a dictionary? After all, Respect is Respect! They say "success" is surrounding yourself with successful people who wish for your success! Should I apply this 'rule of thumb' to my discourse on social media, or do you think it's the 'hallmark' of being a snob for merely thinking it? Do you feel more comfortable texting with someone who has the utmost respect for the English language, or with someone who considers it a foreign language? Do you think social media is becoming a 'filter' and 'determiner' of 'Social Class'? Or, do you agree with me that it WAS better to live in blissful ignorance--as it was in the analog days when we interfaced in person, over the phone, and/or through letter writing? But again, the literate beast raises its beak again. It was, often, the 'literate' who engaged in letter writing--save for the questionable 'others'--whose idea of writing a letter, seldom exceeded the signing of their name on a pre-messaged greeting card! Should we forgive this literate shortcoming, and be democratic in our reception of all levels of linguistic expressions--no matter how bad--seeing ourselves as out-of-date, aging, literate dinosaurs, grazing on Keats, and waxing on Wadsworth, as an asteroid, named 'Mediocrity', races across the sky to mark the beginning our demise? But then, it is this: social media's revolution lies in its 'Singular' provision as a tool of Democracy, where it allows 'Everyman' or 'Everywoman' to make his or her views known on a global scale. That, in itself, is Amazing! So, I would say to all my fellow literate 'snobs', that as much as we wish that our 'linguistic brilliance' be reflected back to us, we are only accountable to ourselves; and, for the good of 'Democracy' and global communication, that is good enough; that the message is more important than its word 'Smithing'; and that we must "Keep the faith", that through our devotion to proper use of the English language, it will become more universally infectious, in spite of holding of our collective noses.

Relive The Epic “Same Love” Grammy Performance + Photos Of Terry & Sims and Gossett & LeNear | The G-List Society

Relive The Epic “Same Love” Grammy Performance + Photos Of Terry & Sims and Gossett & LeNear | The G-List Society

"I can't change; even if I wanted to."

"Stand By Me" -- Dedicated To The Memory And Life Of Trayvon Martin.

Post by Nilo Diver.

New Piece!

"The Silo"

"Chocolate Angel"

"Chocolate Angel"