muleFunk said:

Well, I grew up in the 70s. I grew up in the projects in Duluth, MN. Even then were little gang wars. Even there. It was not like it is now, of course.

Even if you think it was something un-natural, that's only speculation. CIA introduction of crack into black neighborhoods is a different story than Iran Contra, which has much more evidence.

And far be it from to defend cointelpro, but to play devil's advocate, if Dr. King did change ideology he WOULD have been pretty dangerous. Malcom X and Elijah Muhammed were dangerous, and when he broke with Muhammed, Muhammed (most likely in cahoots w/ the CIA) had him executed. Symbionese Liberation Army actually killed people, and banks and army recruit centers were getting bombed on a weekly basis. When they were saying 'Messiah' they meant charismatic leaders with power. You can't really say that other movements of that time had leaders like that. The closest I can think of is Bobby Kennedy, and they executed him like they did Martin and Malcolm. I don't think there's too much reason to make of the Messiah thing. It's meaning is obvious, not hidden.

The CIA/Contra crack situation is connected to Iran Contra.

If you grew up in the 70's you know what I am talking about. The "hood" or ghetto was not glorified like it is now and even then shootings and killings were unheard of. You heard about people getting ass beatings and cut every now and then.I know plenty of people from the projects that got out and became doctors,teachers,bankers,etc.

I am sorry but I believe that there has been and will continue to be a grand conspiracy to "prevent the rise of a messiah",good or bad. I just have a problem with MLK and Bobby Kennedy being lumped into a category with the Symbionese Liberation Army and the Five Percenters.

I don't know if you have heard of these books but they are very informative. One is called Racial Matters: The FBI's Secret File On Black America.This book details how Dr.King's family (maternal grandfather and father) had files on them from around WWI.The FBI started a file on MLK in 1947 and on his brother in 1953.

People do not know to this day that MLK's brother died in a drained swimming pool and the death was ruled suicide in 1970. MLK's mother was assassinated playing the organ at the Ebenzer Church in 1974. The Atlanta Child Murders from the late 70's have a sinister subplot as well. Then in the 1980's the crack and gangs appear.

I just don't believe in coincidence with this subject.
I hope you read on and if you need more info p.m. me.

I used to live on Humboldt Ave & Olson highway over North Minneapolis and that area is alot better than it used to be. When we first moved up here in the early 90's there were alot more run down projects where now stand new townhomes built in. They tore almost every single project down on the other side of the street. That says almost nothing to what they did on Broadway and Penn however...they really need to stop building stadiums and start creating jobs over North too by fixing it up. Thats why kids are still out there killing kids to this day right on Emerson and Penn.

muleFunk said:

No, I don't need more info. My mind is pretty much made up. There is evidence for Iran/Contra, but there is not really evidence for CIA putting crack into neighborhoods. The proponents of the latter theory may want to make the connection, but as of yet it doesn't hold up. I think the responsibility for crack dealing rests on sociopathic crack dealers. I'm not about to get all "9-11 truther" about the government trying to bring black people down. I just can't go there. I don't see the point. We don't need to exaggerate the effects of racism/white-supremacy to understand how awful black people have had it. I believe that everything we need to know is plainly visible, and we can take action from there.

We have a centrist African American president at the highest level of power. I think that in and of itself disproves alot of conspiracy theories floating around.

Also, y'know the same government agencies that were going after MLK and RFK were the same folks who were going after the SLA and the Black Panthers and the Anti-Vietnam New Left. That's all I was saying.

Sir , what I say is not any exaggeration.

Peace !

muleFunk said:

thanks...I'm going to order that book.

Prince was 19 and two months from being 20, when For You came out, april 7 1978. He hasn't been an millionaire since 18.

therat said:

No he wasn't a millionare until about...1999?