Also interesting there are no longer movies about gangsters like those with James Cagney, EGRobinson

Binge watching utube videos on mafia bosses. Where are today's bosses?

These were guys dominating the news when I was young - Lansky, Luciano, Siegel, Gotti, etc. And the group known as Murder Incorporated.

Where are their counterparts today?

When reports claim Trump (because he was engaged in construction and real estate in NYC) inevitably had dealings with 'the mob,' just what is meant?

If there is a shutdown, will SS checks be mailed? Medicare payments made?

Could be quite bad for many.

Lawrence and Rachel - Haiti (Papa Doc) and Kazikstan funneled $$ to Trump

End result?? America is now deeply vulnerable to its enemise because Trump is a conscienceless, greedy SOB

Anyone else think this? I find Trump in pics 30plus yrs ago very effeminate looking.

NE OK - About 8am this morn temp 52F, 3.30pm temp 25F

What is the role, function, purpose of music?? To inspire or console?

Thinking about this since I recently discovered the music of Les Miserables on youtube. Esp Do You Hear the People singing and Bring Him Home.

Then thinking about my long-time favorites Memory, Try to Remember, and The Sound of Silence. (I still remember the first time I heard that song, in a FL drugstore in 65. And then I remember the 1st time I heard 16 Tons in the 50s in hs.)

I have a problem with listening to music or reading poetry - if it's good, it hits the heart and makes one think and feel deeply about life and the pain so many suffer.

I discovered Do You Hear the People Singing when reading Eric Flint's alternative history novella Devil's Opera, part of his 1632 series. Do read at least the 1st book in the series '1632'. Free online

Just heard about jollof-rice and jollof-rice wars at VSB column at the root

Looked the 2 up. The rice recipes look good.
Anyone here try them? Do you have a recipe you like?

Are the 'wars' really a thing?

3 events that led to Trump's win

1) Ferguson - everything leading up to, during, and after. It showed that blacks are no longer willing to 'stay in their place.'

2) Keystone pipe demonstrations and the outpouring of support. It showed that Native Americans are no longer willing to 'stay in their place.'

3) HRC becomes a woman candidate for US president of a major political party. It showed that women are no longer willing to 'stay in their place.'

White males - and some of those supported by them - began to realize there were 3 groups of people who are no longer willing to acknowledge them as their superiors. This state of affairs was simply unacceptable and had to be stopped cold.

Anyone remember using stilts? We used them on the school playground in the 40s.

Would schools even be allowed to use them now?

Also much of the playground was gravel, even in Tulsa. Guess that would be a major no-no now.