The left-wing media treats liberal Democrat candidates different from how it treats conservative Republican candidates, but the media are not the problem if one’s candidacy starts to resonate. The heat comes from the same-party campaign rivals.

When I decided to run for governor of California, I sought the advice of several experienced strategists, politicians, pundits and some professors. They all said the same thing, only worded differently: “Is there anything in your background that would be a problem?”

These questions, they advised, include but are not limited to: Skeletons in your closet? What about your friends, associates and family members? Taxes? Sexual harassment or misconduct or assaults? Any present or past behavior that could be deemed scandalous? Dating history, marriage or divorce? Outstanding warrants? Traffic tickets? Unpaid traffic tickets? DUIs? Automobile accidents you caused or were involved in? Arrests? Misdemeanors? Felonies? Unpaid bills? Credit card debt? Lawsuits filed by or lawsuits against you? Drug use and drug abuse? Alcoholism? Abuse of prescription drugs? Sketchy business dealings? Bankruptcy? Inappropriate internet activity, including adult sites, other illicit sites or sending “compromising pictures”? Social media posts that could come back to haunt you? 911 calls from your home? Your work history? To what church do you belong? Who is your pastor? Ever been fired? If so, why? Is your campaign biography accurate, with no exaggerations or embellishments? Do your neighbors like you?

And, for good measure, I was advised to hire a private detective to investigate myself. My experienced campaign manager took me on only after I addressed all those questions — and others — and obtained a report from a well-regarded private investigator. My campaign manager cautioned, “If you are accused of picking your feet in Poughkeepsie — especially if you DID pick your feet in Poughkeepsie — it will come out.”

This brings us to Swalwell, who, according to a University of California, Berkeley poll conducted in March, was the leading Democrat in the primary. He was endorsed by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who, like Swalwell, served as a prosecutor in an impeachment trial against President Donald Trump.

According to Reuters, “… a fifth woman came forward to accuse Swalwell of unwanted sexual contact, saying the Democratic lawmaker drugged and raped her during an encounter in 2018.” Swalwell first denied the accusations. He then dropped out of the race for governor, followed by his resignation from Congress.

Former House Speaker and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) claimed she knew nothing about the rumors against Swalwell. But Willie Brown, once a mentor to former Vice President Kamala Harris and a former mayor of San Francisco, and who for 15 years served as speaker of the California Assembly, said: “No, I’m not surprised frankly because there have been rumors after rumors after rumors, his colleagues in Washington pretty much said that. That’s what Adam Schiff said, that’s what Nancy Pelosi said.”

But Swalwell’s problems are just beginning. The sheriff of Los Angeles County has launched a criminal probe, as has the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Civil lawsuits may follow.

Then there are Swalwell’s financial issues. Despite a combined income with his wife of over $400,000, he is deeply in debt. He owes $100,000 in student loans, borrowed against his retirement account to help fund his campaign and deferred paying income taxes to conserve cash flow. This is not exactly a good look for someone vying to be the chief executive of a state with a budget deficit and massive unfunded pension liabilities.

On top of everything, these scandals could cost the father of three children his marriage. After all, Swalwell set the standard. During the confirmation hearing of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Swalwell considered Kavanaugh unfit due to allegations of sexual misconduct. Swalwell tweeted: “Support survivors. Believe survivors. We are with you.”

All of this raises a question. When Swalwell decided to run for governor, “What was he thinking?”

Columnist; Larry Elder

Official website; http://www.larryelder.com

Not quite. Wilmington, Ohio, is a very Republican region marked by modest incomes. Such demographics may have made the locals, and other rural Americans, look like an easy sale to the tech companies hunting for places to plop their massive data centers.

Amazon Web Services, which is proposing this nine-building data center on about 500 acres of a former farm, has its boosters hard at work. The project would create up to 100 full-time jobs, they say. It could also pay for up to $35 million in improving public infrastructure (much of which may not be needed in the absence of a massive data center).

The JobsOhio website crows that data centers “create positive economic momentum” by generating jobs and attracting talented people — people the locals may never have noticed were missing. Touting “100 jobs” could also be read as “only 100 jobs?”

The controversies in southwestern Ohio are being repeated in rural communities across the country. Their land is cheap, incomes are not great and their local officials seem not too picky about “economic development.” In addition, some states like Ohio are waving big tax incentives at Big Tech.

It seems that many rural Americans regard modest incomes as the “price” they willingly pay to live in “God’s country.” Some families have been there for generations, and many want to keep it peaceful for future generations.

No doubt artificial intelligence is taking over. Americans can’t stop it and shouldn’t want to. It will be essential for national security and economic survival. AI needs these data centers for power. But it does not follow that the human beings living in their path should have no say on how this all develops.

Wisconsin voters have been presented with four local ballot measures designed to rein in data center projects. One that already passed gives the public more control over incentives officials may offer developers. Maine is the first state to pass a law halting big data-center construction for over a year.

I’m not a fan of class warfare. BUT, there is something unfair about the superrich dumping things they don’t want to be near on economically struggling communities without giving a lot back.

Amazon zillionaire Jeff Bezos keeps his main mansion on Indian Creek Island, near Miami Beach. This exclusive paradise limits building heights to two stories, lot coverage to 25%. Residents may have only two accessory buildings for those essential cabanas, boat houses and such. A little bridge connects Indian Creek Island to Miami’s barrier island. People using that bridge are screened.

Bezos cleverly threw out a distraction from Amazon’s building plans by suggesting that data centers be put in outer space. That is in a far and, perhaps, never-gonna-happen future. For now, Ohio farm country is the plan.

As for Donald Trump, he’s all for building “colossal data centers” and fast. His administration has moved to speed permits for the centers themselves and the infrastructure they need.

As for quality-of-life concerns, Trump limits them to within his own environment. In pre-presidential days, Trump called for moving the Palm Beach airport because he didn’t like the jet noise over Mar-a-Lago.

Some data center foes make cost-of-living arguments against them. The centers’ ravenous energy needs could raise local electricity rates. However, that could be countered by the tax revenues the centers would generate. Decisions on placing them should be based on more than the locals’ cost of living. There are other values.

The layoffs are part of a broader AI driven economic shift that is already reshaping who works, who advances, and who is left behind. And by every measurable indicator, African American workers are among the most exposed.

Bureau of Labor Statistics data show Black workers account for nearly 20% of clerical and administrative support roles despite being just 13% of the workforce. This matters because African Americans remain overrepresented in the exact job categories AI is replacing. Amazon diversity reports show Black employees make up a large share of fulfillment and support roles but less than 8% of technical positions.

Across many of Amazon’s core business units including warehousing, logistics, and transportation, Black workers are overrepresented by as much as 30–40% in certain metro areas, while remaining significantly underrepresented in software, data science, and AI engineering roles.

The economic consequences of such disparities are severe. The median Black household has $44,900 in wealth, compared to $285,000 for white households, according to the Federal Reserve’s latest Survey of Consumer Finances. And Black workers who experience layoffs take longer to find new jobs and face larger post-layoff wage penalties than white workers with similar credentials.

AI-driven displacement threatens to widen these gaps. A 2024 report from the National Bureau of Economic Research found workers displaced by automation experience earnings losses of 20–30% lasting more than a decade, with the steepest losses concentrated among Black workers without access to retraining or internal mobility.

Meanwhile, corporate investment in reskilling lags far behind automation spending. The World Economic Forum reports that while 60% of companies expect AI to eliminate roles, fewer than 25% have retraining pipelines tied to guaranteed job placement. Amazon’s own upskilling programs reach only a fraction of the workers most at risk.

Lawmakers should respond aggressively to reduce harm to Black workers. Maryland Governor Wes Moore, currently the nation’s only Black governor understands the threats AI can pose for African American workers.

In his recent State of the State address, Governor Moore pointed directly to artificial intelligence as one of the defining forces reshaping the economy, arguing that AI will determine who has access to opportunity in the next generation and who is left behind. Moore framed AI not simply as a technological breakthrough, but as a workforce challenge that demands intentional public investment, emphasizing that states must prepare workers for AI-driven change rather than react after jobs disappear. He stressed that innovation without inclusion will deepen inequality, and that the government has a responsibility to ensure emerging technologies expand opportunity rather than concentrate it.

Moore’s remarks underscore the stakes for Black America. If AI policy focuses only on productivity gains while ignoring who occupies the jobs being automated, displacement will fall hardest on Black communities already facing structural barriers to wealth and mobility. His call to align education, workforce development, and economic growth around emerging technologies underscores the need for targeted investment in institutions that serve Black workers at scale, particularly HBCUs.

HBCUs produce nearly 25% of Black STEM graduates despite receiving a fraction of the funding of predominantly white institutions, and they already serve as trusted on-ramps for first-generation and working-class students into high-demand fields. With targeted investment, HBCUs can rapidly expand programs in data analytics, machine learning, cybersecurity, cloud engineering, and applied AI.

HBCU partnerships can build paid apprenticeships, AI co-ops, and credential pathways that move Black workers from declining roles into growing ones, rather than leaving them to compete in an unequal labor market after displacement.

Every dollar invested in AI labs, faculty, research partnerships, and employer-linked training at HBCUs reduces the risk that Black workers will be permanently locked out of the next economy.

And we must remember that Black representation matters in AI. Currently, less than 5% of American AI professionals are Black. This lack of representation shapes which jobs are automated and which are protected. If African Americans are excluded from AI design, they will be disproportionately left out of its benefits.

Amazon’s layoffs are already history. The question now is whether our policy response moves as fast as the technology did or whether Black workers are still waiting for help when the next round of cuts comes.

Written by Kevin Harris & Richard McDaniel

Official website; https://x.com/MrRichMcDaniel

One began as a joke currency featuring a Shiba Inu meme. The other transformed the idea of digital art ownership into a multibillion-dollar phenomenon. And now, the worlds of Dogecoin and NFTs are slowly colliding—with some fascinating possibilities for meme lovers, collectors, and crypto enthusiasts.

Dogecoin was never created with NFTs in mind. Back in 2013, there was no ERC-721 standard, no Bored Apes, and certainly no multimillion-dollar JPEG sales. Dogecoin’s purpose was to be a fun, light-hearted currency for tipping and micro-transactions. But over the years, the crypto space evolved, and NFTs emerged as a powerful tool for creators to monetize art and memes, often embracing the same playful, internet-native humor that made DOGE famous in the first place.

The meme culture that fuels Dogecoin is the same energy that gave rise to meme NFTs. In fact, one of the most iconic NFT sales of all time was none other than the original Doge meme image, which sold for a jaw-dropping $4 million in 2021. That sale alone proved that the DOGE community and the NFT world share not just interests but roots. Both celebrate internet culture, viral content, and decentralization in their own quirky ways.

Technically speaking, Dogecoin and NFTs exist on different blockchains, which has historically created a gap between them. Most NFTs live on Ethereum or other smart contract platforms, while Dogecoin runs on its own proof-of-work blockchain. That said, the crypto community loves a challenge—and a growing number of developers are building bridges to make DOGE-compatible NFTs possible.

Projects like DogeLabs and DogeNFT are experimenting with wrapping Dogecoin so it can be used in smart contracts or even minting NFTs that are directly related to DOGE culture. These early experiments open the door to a future where owning a piece of Dogecoin history—like rare memes, gifs, or community moments—could be tokenized, traded, and stored as NFTs.

One exciting trend is the merging of DOGE-based tipping with NFT rewards. Imagine tipping your favorite meme creator in Dogecoin and receiving a limited-edition NFT as a thank-you. Or attending a Dogecoin-themed virtual event and collecting commemorative NFTs that mark your attendance. These are more than gimmicks—they’re ways to build loyalty and identity within the Dogecoin ecosystem.

There’s also potential for meme-based NFT games and virtual worlds to incorporate Dogecoin as a native currency. In these gamified spaces, users could earn DOGE through gameplay and spend it on in-game NFT assets, blending financial utility with digital collectibles. It’s a vision that aligns perfectly with the playful spirit of both communities.

From a market perspective, Dogecoin’s low transaction fees make it an appealing option for small NFT transactions. While Ethereum users often complain about high gas costs when minting or transferring NFTs, DOGE offers a lightweight alternative that could support a more casual, everyday NFT market. This kind of ecosystem could be perfect for digital sticker packs, badges, or community art drops.

Still, challenges remain. Without native smart contract support, Dogecoin relies on wrapped tokens and external platforms to connect with the NFT world. These solutions are still in development and haven’t reached mass adoption. For Dogecoin NFTs to truly take off, the community would need to embrace more DeFi and dApp innovation—something Dogecoin’s core developers have historically approached cautiously.

In the end, though, Dogecoin and NFTs share more than just internet fame. They represent new ways for people to interact with value, humor, and ownership online. Whether through art, memes, or experimental token models, DOGE has a natural place in the NFT space. It’s not just about speculation—it’s about culture, community, and creativity.

So is this a match made in meme heaven? The answer might not be written in the stars, but it’s certainly scribbled across Reddit threads, Discord channels, and the hearts of crypto users who believe that fun and finance can coexist. If Dogecoin and NFTs continue down this path, the result could be one of the most entertaining—and unexpectedly powerful—collaborations in the digital economy.

Staff Writer; Mark Brown

Over the years, there has been an increase in the demand for skilled airline personnel. Many current pilots are reaching retirement age, so replacements are in high demand. Tuskegee has an opportunity to meet the need. The new aviation program prepares students for high-demand, high-paying careers in commercial, airline transport, and military aviation. Tuskegee graduates enter the workforce with both technical skills and a legacy of excellence, positioning them for success and upward mobility in the field. With the aviation industry facing pilot shortages and rising demand, pilots from Tuskegee are well-prepared to seize these and other career opportunities and achieve their professional goals across different aviation sectors.

The mission of the latest program at Tuskegee University’s Aviation Science Program is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of aviation professionals through innovative education, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to excellence.  Rooted in the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, the program strives to foster diversity, leadership, and integrity within the aviation industry. The mission is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation necessary to excel in all facets of aviation, while empowering them to be pioneers in an ever-evolving global aerospace landscape. The program is committed to preparing graduates who will succeed professionally.  It will also inspire positive changes in their communities and beyond.  The goal is to become a leader in producing the next generation of aerospace professionals guiding innovation in our community and nation.

There was a time young Black people were extremely limited in the kinds of work they could expect to be involved. We then went through a period when new opportunities opened to them.  Each time I look at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) offerings, I am amazed by all the new subjects.  Students began having opportunities which my generation had never heard!  However, with a return to a lot of the racism we faced in the past under the current Administration, it’s important for our Historically Black Colleges and Universities to expand and provide offerings such as the one Tuskegee is offering.  Once trained, their students will be ready to meet new opportunities they can use not just in the United States but around the world.

Aviation is a field that allows them to open their own business not only as a pilot, but in other aspects of aviation.  They can be aircraft electrical mechanics or technicians. They can be aircraft engineers and much more. This would include design, maintenance and operation of aircraft. All of this is necessary to ensure safety and efficiency.  It includes applying scientific and technological principles to research, develop, and design aircraft and their components, as well as overseeing their maintenance and performance testing.  They don’t all have to be pilots once they go through aviation training.

In summary, there is potential to be involved in aircraft design, aircraft maintenance and avionics dealing with the electronic system of the aircraft. This training opens many new opportunities for those who are trained to open their own businesses not only as a pilot, but as a flight instructor, mechanic, aircraft designer, air traffic controller, aviation safety inspector, airport manager and more.  There are many benefits for participating in the Tuskegee Aviation Science program. For more information, call 334/727-8011.

Written by Julianne Malveaux

Official website; https://www.juliannemalveaux.com

Some brothers look at crypto and see liberation. Others look at it and see another hustle waiting to take advantage of us. The truth is sitting in the tension between those two views. Crypto is neither salvation nor automatic destruction. It is a tool. Like any powerful tool, it can build or it can break depending on who is holding it and how prepared they are.

Black men have historically been locked out of wealth building systems. That is not emotional language. That is documented history. From redlining to discriminatory lending, from wage gaps to inherited debt, the financial starting line has never been equal. When a new financial system appears that claims to operate outside traditional gatekeepers, it naturally catches attention. Crypto feels like a door that was not guarded by the same old security. That feeling is part of why so many Black men are curious about it.

But curiosity alone does not protect money. Knowledge does.

The promise of crypto is real. Early investors in major cryptocurrencies saw returns that traditional markets rarely produce in such a short time. Some families turned modest investments into life changing security. That kind of growth is what people mean when they talk about generational wealth. They are talking about breaking cycles where each generation starts from scratch. They are talking about giving children options instead of pressure. They are talking about assets that create breathing room.

For Black men especially, the idea of generational wealth carries emotional weight. Many of us are first generation earners trying to stabilize entire family trees. We are supporting parents, siblings, children, and sometimes extended relatives all at once. We are not just investing for ourselves. We are trying to rewrite a financial story that was written long before we were born. Crypto enters that picture as a high risk, high reward vehicle that seems to offer acceleration.

Acceleration is attractive when you feel behind. But acceleration without steering leads to crashes.

Crypto markets move fast. Prices can double or collapse in weeks. That speed creates opportunity, but it also exposes every emotional weakness an investor has. Fear and greed become louder in crypto than in almost any other market. When prices rise, people feel invincible. When prices fall, people panic. The market feeds on that emotional energy. Those who move without discipline often become examples instead of success stories.

There are brothers who made money in crypto and changed their lives. There are also brothers who lost savings chasing hype coins that had no real foundation. Social media highlights the winners and buries the casualties. That creates a distorted picture where crypto looks like a parade of overnight millionaires instead of a battlefield of risk.

The most dangerous misunderstanding is treating crypto like a lottery ticket. When investing turns into gambling, the odds shift hard against you. Gambling is driven by impulse. Investing is driven by research and patience. A man who throws money into a coin because someone promised quick riches is not investing. He is donating to someone else’s exit strategy.

Real investing is slower and less glamorous. It involves reading whitepapers, understanding technology at a basic level, evaluating whether a project solves a real problem, and deciding if it can survive long term. It involves putting in money you can afford to leave untouched without threatening your rent, food, or family stability. It involves accepting that losses are possible and planning around that reality instead of pretending it cannot happen.

Crypto does not reward desperation. It punishes it.

There is also a psychological element that deserves honesty. Many Black men carry a history of financial trauma, whether personal or inherited. We have seen relatives lose homes. We have watched families struggle under debt. We have grown up hearing that money is fragile and fleeting. That background can create two dangerous extremes. One extreme is fear that prevents investing entirely. The other extreme is reckless risk taking in an attempt to leap out of struggle in one move.

Crypto magnifies whichever mindset you bring into it. A fearful investor sells at the worst moments. A reckless investor overexposes himself and collapses when volatility hits. The market is not just testing your wallet. It is testing your emotional discipline.

One of the most revolutionary aspects of cryptocurrency is the concept of self custody. When you control your private keys, you control your assets without a bank acting as middleman. For communities that have experienced financial exclusion, that level of autonomy feels powerful. It feels like reclaiming control. But autonomy comes with responsibility that many people underestimate.

If you lose access to your private keys, your funds are gone permanently. There is no hotline to call. There is no fraud department reversing the mistake. Self custody is financial adulthood in its purest form. It demands organization, security awareness, and long term thinking. Hardware wallets, secure backups, and safe storage practices are not optional details. They are survival rules.

This is where crypto separates the prepared from the careless. Freedom is available, but it is not babysat.

Another reason crypto attracts Black investors is cultural alignment. Blockchain technology intersects with music, art, gaming, and digital entrepreneurship in ways that traditional finance never did. Black creators are exploring ways to monetize directly without exploitative middle layers. Artists can sell digital ownership. Musicians can build community driven economies. Entrepreneurs can launch projects that are not immediately controlled by legacy institutions.

This cultural crossover makes crypto feel less like a foreign stock exchange and more like an extension of existing digital life. Younger generations, especially, do not see crypto as strange. They see it as native to the world they already inhabit. That familiarity can be empowering, but it can also create overconfidence. Comfort with technology does not automatically translate into financial literacy.

And financial literacy is the real foundation here. Crypto without literacy is just volatility with branding.

There is also the uncomfortable truth that scams target communities searching for opportunity. Black communities have historically been hit hard by financial schemes that disguise themselves as empowerment. Crypto unfortunately provides new costumes for old tricks. Fake investment clubs, pump and dump groups, and guaranteed return promises circulate heavily in spaces where financial education gaps exist.

A simple rule protects against most traps. If someone guarantees profits, they are lying. Markets do not guarantee. Only scammers do.

Investing in crypto requires a shift from emotional urgency to strategic patience. It requires understanding that wealth building is not about hitting one lucky trade. It is about consistent behavior over time. Small disciplined investments compound. Emotional swings destroy portfolios. The market rewards those who treat it like a long conversation instead of a shouting match.

For Black men thinking about crypto, the real question is not whether it will make you rich. The real question is whether you are willing to approach it with respect. Respect for risk. Respect for education. Respect for the fact that opportunity and danger live in the same space.

Crypto can become a tool for generational wealth. It can also become an expensive lesson. The difference is rarely luck. The difference is preparation.

Staff Writer; Jamar Jackson

This brother has a passion for fitness, poetry and music. One may contact him at; JJackson@ThyBlackMan.com.

Street scams are more common than most riders expect. Fake cashier’s checks still circulate. So do pressure tactics and last minute price drops. Some buyers show up with friends to intimidate you. Others ask for a ride and never return. It is stressful. You should not have to trust strangers in parking lots to make a fair deal.

When you sell your motorcycle online, you flip the power dynamic. You choose the platform. You control the listing. You decide who gets your time.  It is a safer approach that gives you tools to verify buyers and document every step. That matters when money and safety are on the line.

Choose The Right Platform

Not all websites are equal. Some are built for speed. Others for protection. Look for platforms that offer user profiles, messaging history, and basic identity checks. Avoid places where buyers can only text or call with no record.

A few things to look for:

• Clear rules against scams

Moderation or reporting tools

Options to limit who can contact you

If a platform feels chaotic, it probably is.

Create A Listing That Filters Buyers

Your listing should do some of the work for you. Be honest. Be detailed. Clear photos from multiple angles help serious buyers feel confident. They also scare off scammers who rely on vague posts.

Include:

• Year, make, model, and mileage

Recent maintenance and upgrades

Known issues, even small ones

A firm price or clear range

Short sentences help. Clarity helps more.

Communicate Smart From The Start

Keep all communication on the platform until you are confident. This creates a record. It also limits exposure to spam and phishing. Ask simple questions early. Serious buyers answer clearly. Scammers often dodge.

You can say no. You do not owe anyone a reply. Trust your gut.

Handle Payments The Safe Way

Payment is where many deals go wrong. Avoid checks and money orders. Cash is fine if you meet at a bank. Better yet, use a verified digital payment method with instant confirmation.

Before you hand over keys or title:

• Confirm funds are cleared

Verify the buyer’s identity

Complete a bill of sale

Take your time. There is no rush.

Plan A Safe Handoff

Choose a public place with cameras or meet at your bank or local DMV. Bring a friend if it helps you feel grounded. Do not allow test rides without proof of license and insurance. Hold the cash or payment confirmation first.

Selling should feel boring. Boring is safe.

Selling your motorcycle does not have to be risky or awkward, and it definitely does not have to feel like a gamble. When you take a thoughtful, online-first approach, you protect more than just your wallet. You protect your time, your safety, and your peace of mind. The right platform, clear communication, and smart payment choices work together to remove most of the common headaches. You stay in control from the first message to the final handoff. No pressure. No shady surprises. Just a clean, documented transaction with a buyer who knows what they want. Slow down, follow the process, and trust the tools available to you

Staff Writer; Larry P. Brown

Adopted in 1807, the Insurrection Act is a federal law that allows the president to deploy the U.S. military, or to federalize the National Guard, to put down an insurrection, armed rebellion, or other violent civilian action against the government. The act is an exception to Posse Comitatus, which prohibits the military from acting as law enforcement in the U.S.

Given the obvious risk of abuse, presidents have used the act sparingly. Occasions include Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy invoking it to counter violent mobs who resisted civil rights laws. The most recent instance came when George H.W. Bush invoked it in response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots.

Donald Trump mulled using the Insurrection Act during his first term to suppress protests regarding George Floyd’s murder. During his second term, in addition to Minneapolis, he has considered invoking it in response to anti-deportation protests in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland, Oregon. (It is profoundly disturbing that Trump strongly supports anti-government protests in Iran, but not in America.)

I believe that Mr. Trump will ultimately invoke the Insurrection Act, but not for his purported reason. Emboldened by the Supreme Court, empowered by the Congress and encouraged by his supporters, Donald Trump is living out his goal of becoming an autocrat, mimicking men whom he openly admires.

Of course, his actions could be curtailed if Republicans lose the U.S. House in this year’s mid-terms, which seems likely at this point. In anticipation of that outcome, Trump could invoke the act to delay the election overall, or perhaps in Democrat-led cities and states. But deploying National Guard troops for that purpose might be tenuous given the vociferous opposition of governors and mayors in states where Trump has done so.

However, Trump has at his disposal a large — and growing — paramilitary force that has been bolstered by $170 billion from the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill.” For the record, that amount is higher than the entire military budgets of several nations. The bulk of the money goes to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with $11 billion earmarked for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

As we have seen, these departments are primed to do President Trump’s bidding, which has led to increasingly hostile confrontations between them and civilians. It should surprise no one if he decided to use his mini-army to implement his multiple threats regarding U.S. elections. And one can imagine a nightmare scenario in which local police ended up in a pitched battle with ICE and/or CBP.

Setting aside voting delays, there are other ways for Trump to disrupt elections. For example, he told the New York Times that he should have sent the National Guard to retrieve voting machines after the 2020 election. Who would stand in his way if he decided to do so this year?

While my allegation might seem outrageous, the evidence is clear. This president has repeatedly demonstrated that he is bound neither by tradition, government precedent, nor even the law. In fact, Trump recently stated that “his own morality,” not international law, is the only limiting factor vis-à-vis his global ambitions. Why would it be different domestically?

Trump was even more explicit in responding to Ukrainian President Zelensky during a White House visit last September. When Zelensky said that he had suspended elections due to the war with Russia, Trump said:

“So, you say during the war, you can’t have elections? So, let me just say, three and a half years from now — so you mean, if we happen to be in a war with somebody, no more elections? Oh, that’s good.”

To be sure, the U.S. has never canceled elections because of war. Not in 1812. Not in 1864. Not in 1918. And not in 1944. But, again, who would stand in Trump’s way if he decided to do so? According to Miles Taylor, who served as DHS Chief of Staff during Trump’s first term, the president has called the Insurrection Act his “magical authority”.

Setting aside canceling an election, Trump has placed other substantial impediments to our voting system. For example, he diminished the role of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which helps states ward off cyberattacks on electronic voting.

Also, Kristi Noem, head of Homeland Security, zeroed out funding for the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center. The center helps states identify and combat hacking attacks. Finally, Trump’s FBI dismantled its task force that was created to investigate foreign influence on U.S. elections. None of these bodes well for our democracy.

The mere fact that any of this is plausible — and it is — should be very sobering. Many people reject this notion, not necessarily because they would support such actions (though, sadly, millions likely would). Rather, they reject it because it seems unthinkable that a U.S. president would do any of this. But this is a president who pardoned nearly 1,600 people who attempted to overthrow our government. We dismiss the unthinkable at our peril.

Written by Larry Smith

Heart disease kills more Black men than any other cause—and we develop it earlier, with worse outcomes than other demographics. By age 55, Black men have twice the rate of heart failure as white men. We’re 30% more likely to die from heart disease. These aren’t just statistics—they’re brothers, fathers, uncles, and friends dying too young.

But here’s what often gets missed in these grim statistics: cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. The same lifestyle factors that create heart disease risk—poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress, inadequate sleep—are modifiable. You have more control over your heart health than genetics, access to healthcare, or any other factor.

This isn’t about blame. Systemic factors—food deserts, lack of safe spaces for exercise, healthcare disparities, chronic stress from discrimination—create real barriers. But within those constraints, there are concrete actions that significantly reduce your cardiovascular risk.

Here’s what every Black man needs to know about protecting his heart—and the practical steps that actually work.

Understanding Your Heart Disease Risk

Black men face unique cardiovascular risk factors beyond genetics:

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure): Affects 42% of Black men versus 30% of white men. Often develops earlier and is more severe. Many don’t know they have it—earning hypertension its nickname as “silent killer.”

Diabetes: Black men are 60% more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, which dramatically increases heart disease risk through blood vessel damage and increased inflammation.

Obesity: Higher rates of obesity, particularly visceral fat around organs, increase cardiovascular strain and metabolic disease risk.

Chronic Stress: Systemic racism creates chronic stress that elevates cortisol, increases inflammation, and damages cardiovascular health over time. This isn’t abstract—it’s measurable biological impact.

Healthcare Access: Lower rates of health insurance, preventive care, and trust in medical system mean conditions go undiagnosed and untreated longer.

Understanding these risks isn’t about accepting doom—it’s about recognizing what you’re up against so you can take targeted action.

The Heart Rate Connection

Your heart rate tells you what’s happening cardiovascularly. Learning to monitor and optimize it provides objective feedback on heart health and fitness improvements.

Resting Heart Rate: Measure first thing in morning before getting up. Lower resting heart rate (55-65 bpm for trained individuals, 60-75 for general population) indicates better cardiovascular efficiency. Higher resting heart rate (85+) suggests poor conditioning or potential health issues requiring medical evaluation.

Target Heart Rate During Exercise: The Target Heart Rate Calculator helps determine optimal exercise intensity for cardiovascular benefit. For heart health, you want moderate intensity (60-70% of max heart rate) sustained for 30+ minutes, 5 days weekly.

Heart Rate Recovery: How quickly your heart rate drops after exercise. Good recovery (20+ bpm drop within 2 minutes) indicates healthy autonomic nervous system. Poor recovery suggests cardiovascular risk.

Tracking these metrics provides objective evidence that your lifestyle changes are working—powerful motivation when you don’t yet see physical changes.

The Exercise That Actually Protects Your Heart

You don’t need expensive gym membership or hours of training. You need consistent, moderate-intensity movement.

What Works for Heart Health:

Walking: The most accessible, sustainable cardiovascular exercise. Thirty minutes of brisk walking daily reduces heart disease risk by 35-40%. Start wherever you are—even 10 minutes daily—and build progressively.

Strength Training: Resistance training 2-3 times weekly improves metabolic health, reduces diabetes risk, and lowers blood pressure. Bodyweight exercises (push-ups, squats, lunges) work if you don’t have equipment access.

High-Intensity Intervals: Short bursts of intense activity followed by recovery. Even 10 minutes of interval training provides cardiovascular benefits. Sprint 30 seconds, walk 90 seconds, repeat.

Any Consistent Activity: Basketball, boxing, cycling, swimming, yard work—whatever you’ll actually do consistently matters more than optimal programming you won’t maintain.

The Minimum Effective Dose: 150 minutes weekly of moderate activity (brisk walking) OR 75 minutes of vigorous activity (running, sports). That’s 30 minutes five days weekly—achievable for most people when prioritized.

Nutrition for Heart Protection

You don’t need perfect diet—you need strategic improvements addressing the biggest risk factors.

Reduce Sodium: High sodium intake worsens hypertension. Processed foods, fast food, and restaurant meals are primary sources. Cooking more meals at home with fresh ingredients dramatically reduces sodium.

Increase Potassium: Potassium counters sodium’s blood pressure effects. Found in bananas, sweet potatoes, beans, leafy greens, and fish.

Prioritize Fiber: Fiber from vegetables, fruits, and whole grains improves blood sugar control, reduces cholesterol, and supports healthy weight. Aim for 25-35g daily.

Limit Added Sugars: Excess sugar drives diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Reduce sodas, juices, desserts, and processed foods with hidden sugars.

Healthy Fats: Focus on fish (omega-3s), nuts, avocados, and olive oil rather than saturated fats from fried foods and fatty meats.

Quality Fitness Ebooks often include meal planning guidance specific to heart health and diabetes prevention—practical resources for learning to eat for cardiovascular protection.

The Stress Factor Nobody Wants to Talk About

Chronic stress from systemic racism, economic pressure, family responsibilities, and daily microaggressions literally damages your heart through:

Elevated Cortisol: Chronic stress hormone elevation increases blood pressure, blood sugar, and inflammation—all cardiovascular risk factors.

Poor Coping Mechanisms: Stress drives smoking, excessive alcohol use, poor food choices, and reduced physical activity—compounding heart disease risk.

Sleep Disruption: Stress-related insomnia prevents the cardiovascular recovery that happens during quality sleep.

Addressing Stress Strategically:

Physical Activity: Exercise is proven stress management tool, reducing cortisol and improving stress resilience.

Sleep Priority: Seven to eight hours nightly is non-negotiable for heart health. Treat sleep like any other health behavior requiring protection.

Community Connection: Strong social connections buffer stress effects. Brotherhood, faith communities, family connections provide stress protection.

Professional Support: Therapy, counseling, or support groups address chronic stress more effectively than trying to tough it out alone.

The Healthcare Navigation Challenge

Healthcare system distrust isn’t paranoia—it’s based on real history and ongoing disparities. But avoiding healthcare entirely increases risk. Strategic navigation:

Find Providers You Trust: Seek Black physicians or providers with strong records serving Black communities. Don’t settle for providers dismissing your concerns.

Know Your Numbers: Get blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight checked regularly. You need baseline data to track improvements.

Advocate for Yourself: If symptoms are dismissed, insist on thorough evaluation. Bring written lists of concerns to appointments. Don’t leave without clear answers.

Preventive Care: Annual physicals catch problems early when they’re easier to treat. Waiting until crisis makes everything harder and more expensive.

The Bottom Line

Heart disease is killing Black men at rates that should be national emergency. But individual action—exercise, nutrition, stress management, sleep, and strategic healthcare engagement—dramatically reduces your personal risk.

You can’t control systemic factors creating disproportionate burden. You can control daily choices protecting your cardiovascular health. Every workout, every meal, every hour of sleep is investment in being here for your family, community, and future.

The statistics are grim, but they’re not destiny. Black men prioritizing heart health, supporting each other in wellness journeys, and making consistent lifestyle improvements are rewriting those outcomes.

Your heart health matters. Your family needs you. Your community needs you. Take the steps—literally and figuratively—to protect yourself. Start today, not tomorrow. Your future depends on it.

Staff Writer; Terry Jacobs

“You can’t simply upload words or thought experiments into an algorithm and receive something that is divinely inspired in return — even if those words originate from the most widely read book in history. It is an ill-advised proposition to expect soulless technology to deliver spiritual sustenance. Likewise, you can’t download the Holy Spirit from a ‘machine ’… Attempting to do so is consonant with the highly disturbing trend of supplanting worship with entertainment.”

I had the same reaction when I read that scientists at Japan’s Kyoto University have developed a so-called “Protestant Catechism-Bot.” According to The Japan Times, the scientists view the bot as “a starting point for future Christian AI creation.”

In addition to the New Testament, the researchers employed theologian Martin Luther’s “Small Catechism” and the “Westminster Shorter Catechism” as learning data for the bot. They are considering more sources for future data, including the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” and the “Augsburg Confession.”

The project continues collaborations between Professor Seiji Kumagai of the Institute for the Future of Human Society and Toshikazu Furuya, CEO of a company called Teraverse. Professor Kumagai is project leader for the Christian bot. Teraverse has previously worked on Buddhist AI chatbots and Augmented Reality.

When a user poses a question to the Protestant bot, it reviews text from its source materials and decides which passages are most relevant. The bot then offers an answer or an explanation using OpenAI’s LLMs. In addition to religious queries, the bot offers answers to general questions of life.

Of course, this technology raises serious concerns. For example, it appears that the researchers have not consulted pastors or theologians, who could provide nuance, context and spiritual guidance. Also, the phrase “future Christian AI creation” is problematic. Does it mean that the bot could generate new “scriptures”?

Further, AI’s well-known tendency to “hallucinate” (i.e., create false answers) is especially troublesome. This is something that Professor Kumagai himself addresses in the Japan Times article: “There is a risk that AI could generate incorrect teachings — i.e., a hallucination, leading to misunderstandings among users. This also carries the risk of undermining religious faith. Individuals with low Christian literacy using it alone may be unable to prevent such risks, so it is better to use it under the guidance of experts such as pastors or priests,” he said.

It is instructive to point out that the scientists’ first bot was designed to address questions regarding Buddhism. This is understandable given that the technology is based in Japan, whose population is roughly 47% Buddhist.

However, Buddhism is not a religion in the way that, say, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism are. For example, there is no creator god in Buddhism, and certainly no concept that approaches the notion of God as described in the Bible, the Koran or the Vedas.