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Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James answers questions during the NBA basketball team media day, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Independence, Ohio. (Photo: AP)

Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James answers questions during the NBA basketball team media day, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017, in Independence, Ohio. (Photo: AP)

I know of no white person alive today in the United States who has ever legally owned a black slave, or any slave for that matter. Almost 700,000 mostly white men died 160 years ago to end slavery. Jim Crow ended generations ago. Yet black America, for the most part, is still locked in inner-city gang violence and economic hardship. Why?

Is it because America is racist? Is it because of some overhanging white supremacy? Is it because of the Illuminati?

No, unfortunately, it is because of black culture and the adoption of Democratic Party government dependency.

We have just had eight years of the first black president. Black athletes, and entertainers, routinely earn multi-million dollar incomes. I can easily name several black billionaires without even trying too hard. A large percentage of black America is very successful. But, it is not enough. Too many black youth are being left behind.

And it is no one but black America’s fault.

No one can solve this problem but black America. No one can throw enough money at it. We’ve tried that. Black America needs to look in the mirror and stop blaming others, especially white people.

I am obviously white and conservative, and I served in the military, which, during my time, was as color blind as you could be. I can also honestly say I don’t give a damn what color your skin is, neither do any of my friends. I do care about your actions.

Blacks are around 15 percent of the population. Depending on what study you look at, they commit around 40 percent to 50 percent of violent crime in America. Of course, there is going to be a problem with police. And, of course, there are some bad policemen. However, those bad apples do not kill black people statistically anymore than they kill white people.

Even Harvard said that recently.

If you were a cop, and you had to work in a neighborhood infested with crime and murder, wouldn’t you act differently than in a neighborhood where there was little crime? The most effective thing black America could do to improve its relationship with police is to significantly reduce violent crime where they live. Yes, that means change the culture of where you live and your community.

I for one am tired of being blamed. I am tired of dealing with people who only want something from others. I don’t oppress anyone. I don’t hold anyone down. I’m tired of getting on the D.C. metro and seeing white people being harassed by roaming gangs of black youth with their pants around their knees. Yes, you want a white person uncomfortable? That makes me uncomfortable. It’s our nation’s capital and it’s embarrassing.

Blacks have nothing but opportunity in America. Try finding the same opportunity anywhere else in the world. If you are born in America you’ve won life’s economic lottery. Take advantage of it.

The problem is this generation has been taught an agenda of cultural Marxism by our education system. They’ve been taught to be a victim, and it’s still going on. All you have to do is watch the young black, female student at Yale screaming at the college president to understand that. Blacks in America don’t even know how good they got it.

Don’t kneel when my anthem is played. Too many people died for that flag. You are free to protest but not then. I am free to not watch, or pay to watch you play if you do that. The NFL should make it a rule that you stand for the national anthem. There is no free speech to disobey a private employer on private property. This would solve the problem immediately.

The NFL has deeply offended most of America. They will pay an economic and reputational price, as they should.

We have a real cultural problem in this country, the result of the Leftist multicultural agenda. Multi-ethnicity is perfect and should be encouraged. Having more than one American culture is destroying the country. But then again, that is what the Left wants.

Black America, for the most part, is

A single family home is shown with a sale pending in Encinitas, California May 22, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

A single family home is shown with a sale pending in Encinitas, California May 22, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said Wednesday the Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) declined 2.6 to 106.3 in August. That’s down from 109.1 in July and below the -0.2 median forecast.

The PHSI has now declined during four of the last five months.

“August was another month of declining contract activity because of the one-two punch of limited listings and home prices rising far above incomes,” Lawrence Yun, chief economist at NAR said. “Demand continues to overwhelm supply in most of the country, and as a result, many would-be buyers from earlier in the year are still in the market for a home, while others have perhaps decided to temporarily postpone their search.”

In the Northeast, the PHSI declined 4.4% to 93.4 in August and is now 4.1% below a year ago. In the Midwest, the index fell slightly by 1.5% to 101.8 and is now 3.2% lower than August 2016.

Pending home sales in the South fell 3.5% to 118.8 and are now 1.7% below last August. The index in the West ticked down 1.0% in August to 101.3 and is 2.4% below a year ago.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said

Workers assemble built-in appliances at the Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tennessee August 21, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

Workers assemble built-in appliances at the Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Cleveland, Tennessee August 21, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

The U.S. Census Bureau said new orders for manufactured durable goods increased $3.9 billion or 1.7% to $232.8 billion in August, higher than the 1.5% median forecast. This is the second straight month in which big gains in capital goods fueled what are unmistakably strong reports.

This increase followed a 6.8% July decrease. Civilian aircraft orders bounced back strong surging by 45% in August, which followed a 71% decline and another surge of 129% in the prior two months.

Excluding transportation, so-called core durable orders increased 0.2%. Excluding defense, new durable orders were up 2.2%. Transportation equipment, which has also been up two of the last three months, largely led and fueled the increase, gaining $3.6 billion or 4.9% to $77.4 billion.

Shipments

Shipments of manufactured durable goods in August, which have been up three of the last four months, gained $0.7 billion or 0.3% to $237.2 billion following a 0.1% increase in July. Machinery, which has been up nine of the last ten months, led the gain, rising $0.3 billion or 1.1% to $31.4 billion.

Unfilled Orders

Unfilled orders for manufactured durable goods in August, up two of the last three months, increased $0.1 billion or virtually unchanged to $1,132.3 billion. This followed a 0.3% July decrease. Fabricated metal products, up seven of the last eight months, drove the increase, $0.5 billion or 0.6% to $79.3 billion.

Manufactured durable goods are products such as household appliances, machinery, or sports equipment, which are not consumed or destroyed in use and last three or more years.

Inventories

Inventories of manufactured durable goods in August, up thirteen of the last fourteen months, increased $1.4 billion or 0.3% to $400.5 billion following an increase of 0.4% in July. Machinery, up nine of the last ten months, led the increase, $0.6 billion or 0.8 percent to $69.0 billion.

Capital Goods

Non-defense new orders for capital goods in August increased $3.2 billion or 4.7% to $71.0 billion. Shipments decreased $1.1 billion or 1.5% to $71.6 billion. Unfilled orders decreased $0.6 billion or 0.1% to $704.0 billion. Inventories increased $0.7 billion or 0.4% to $178.3 billion. Defense new orders for capital goods in August decreased $1.1 billion or 9.4% to $10.7 billion. Shipments increased $0.1 billion or 0.8% to $10.4 billion. Unfilled orders increased $0.3 billion or 0.2% to $142.6 billion. Inventories increased $0.3 billion or 1.1% to $23.5 billion.

July Revisions

Revised seasonally adjusted July figures for all manufacturing industries were: new orders, $465.9 billion (revised from $466.4 billion); shipments, $473.5 billion (revised from $474.3 billion); unfilled orders, $1,132.3 billion (revised from $1,131.9 billion) and total inventories, $652.0 billion (revised from $651.6 billion).

The U.S. Census Bureau said new orders for

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Senator Luther Strange in Huntsville, Alabama on September 22, 2017. (Photo: AP)

President Donald Trump, right, shakes hands with Senator Luther Strange in Huntsville, Alabama on September 22, 2017. (Photo: AP)

President Donald Trump tweeted congratulations to Judge Roy Moore for his resounding victory over incumbent Senator Luther Strange. The President backed the appointed incumbent as a matter of loyalty after he gave him his support on healthcare without asking for a favor in return.

The judge will go on to face Democrat and former U.S. attorney Doug Jones in the general election on December 12 for the seat vacated by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

President Donald Trump tweeted congratulations to Judge

Former Alabama Chief Justice and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore speaks to supporters, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, in Montgomery, Ala. Moore, who took losing stands for the public display of the Ten Commandments and against gay marriage, forced a Senate primary runoff with Sen. Luther Strange, an appointed incumbent backed by both President Donald Trump and heavy investment from establishment Republican forces. (Photo: AP)

Former Alabama Chief Justice and U.S. Senate candidate Roy Moore speaks to supporters, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2017, in Montgomery, Ala. Moore, who took losing stands for the public display of the Ten Commandments and against gay marriage, forced a Senate primary runoff with Sen. Luther Strange, an appointed incumbent backed by both President Donald Trump and heavy investment from establishment Republican forces. (Photo: AP)

Judge Roy Moore has defeated incumbent Senator Luther Strange in the runoff Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Alabama. Moore will go on to face Democrat and former U.S. attorney Doug Jones in the general election on December 12 for the seat vacated by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Sen. Strange released the following concession statement:

From the beginning of this campaign, my priority has been serving the people of Alabama. Tomorrow I will go back to work with President Trump and do all I can to advance his agenda over the next few weeks. Melissa and I appreciate the many devoted friends and family who have supported us over the past months, the many Alabamians who have given us a warm welcome in every corner of the state, and the brigade of volunteers who left it all out on the field in this campaign. I am especially grateful for the support of President Trump and Vice President Pence, as well as the strong example set by my friends Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions. I congratulate Roy Moore on the result this evening. May God be with him and may God continue to bless Alabama and the United States of America.

The race is rated Likely Republican on the PPD Senate Election Projection Model. The latest Emerson College poll finds Judge Moore crushing Mr. Jones 52% to 30%, a commanding lead of more than 20 points.

The race pitted President Donald Trump against Trumpland, which backed Judge Moore. Even Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson released a statement endorsing Judge Moore.

The President, who is wildly popular in Alabama, held rally for Sen. Strange in Huntsville on Friday, which is located in Madison County. The incumbent carried Madison by roughly 4 points, despite it being the home to Rep. Mo Brooks, who endorsed Judge Moore.

Mr. Trump said at the rally that he would be “campaigning like hell” in Alabama for Judge Moore if he defeated Sen. Strange.

UPDATE: He took to Twitter late Tuesday night to congratulate the new likely senator from Alabama.

Judge Roy Moore has defeated incumbent Senator

Roy Moore, a former state Supreme Court justice, and incumbent Senator Luther Strange, who was appointed earlier this year, advanced to the runoff in the 2017 Republican primary for U.S. Senate.

The winner will face Democrat and former U.S. attorney Doug Jones in the general election on December 12 for the seat vacated by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions.

Live Alabama Senate Election Results

Round One Result

Live election results for the 2017 Republican

Nathan Rogers works on the jet assembly line at Cessna, at their manufacturing plant in Wichita, Kansas March 12, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

Nathan Rogers works on the jet assembly line at Cessna, at their manufacturing plant in Wichita, Kansas March 12, 2013. (Photo: Reuters)

The Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index, a gauge of factory activity in the Fifth District, surged from 14 to 19 in September and blew past the forecast. The gain was fueled by a sizable increase in the index for shipments — which, at a reading of 22, is the highest it has been since December 2010 — and a smaller rise in the index for new orders.

The third component of the composite index, the employment index, fell slightly. However, even though the index for wages declined very slightly, there was a notable increase in the average workweek indicator.

Manufacturing expectations were stable across most measures this month, and continued to indicate overall optimism. The only notable changes in expectations were in the index for expected average workweek, which rose from 16 to 25, and the index for expected capital expenditures, which fell from 30 to 18.

The Richmond Fed Manufacturing Index, a gauge

Consumer Confidence graphic reporting the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.

Consumer Confidence graphic reporting the Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index declined slightly in September to 119.8, down from 120.4 in August just below the 120.2 median forecast. Still, despite two devastating hurricanes in states that are the nation’s two top economic contributors, consumer confidence is till unusually strong.

The Present Situation Index ticked down from 148.4 to 146.1, while the Expectations Index still rose marginally from 101.7 last month to 102.2. The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey, which is based on a probability-design random sample, was conducted for the Conference Board by Nielsen with a September 18 cutoff date for the preliminary results.

Interstate highway 45 is submerged from the effects of Hurricane Harvey seen during widespread flooding in Houston, Texas, U.S. August 27, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

Interstate highway 45 is submerged from the effects of Hurricane Harvey seen during widespread flooding in Houston, Texas, U.S. August 27, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

“Consumer confidence decreased slightly in September after a marginal improvement in August,” said Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board. “Confidence in Texas and Florida, however, decreased considerably, as these two states were the most severely impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Despite the slight downtick in confidence, consumers’ assessment of current conditions remains quite favorable and their expectations for the short-term suggest the economy will continue expanding at its current pace.”

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions only moderated slightly in September, as those saying business conditions are “good” inched down from 34.5% to 33.9%. Those saying business conditions are “bad” ticked up from 13.2% to 13.8%. Consumers’ views of the labor market was also down but still very upbeat. Those stating jobs are “plentiful” fell from 34.4% to 32.6%. However, those claiming jobs are “hard to get” actually fell from 18.4% to 18.1%.

Governor Rick Scott surveys the damage done by Hurricane Irma in Bonita Springs, Florida on Tuesday September 12, 2017.

Governor Rick Scott surveys the damage done by Hurricane Irma in Bonita Springs, Florida on Tuesday September 12, 2017.

Consumers’ optimism about the short-term outlook was marginally more positive in September. The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months rose slightly from 19.8% to 20.2%, while those expecting business conditions to worsen did tick up from 8.0% to 9.9%.

Consumers’ outlook for the labor market was more favorable than in August, with those expecting more jobs in the months ahead surging from 16.8% to 19.5%. Those anticipating fewer jobs rose only marginally from 13.2% to 13.5%. As it relates to short-term income prospects, the percentage of consumers expecting an improvement gained moderately from 19.9% to 20.5%, while the proportion expecting a decline was virtually unchanged at 8.3%.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index declined

A real estate sign advertising a new home for sale is pictured in Vienna, Virginia, outside of Washington, October 20, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

A real estate sign advertising a new home for sale is pictured in Vienna, Virginia, outside of Washington, October 20, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

The U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday new residential home sales fell sharply in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 560,000, missing the 583,000 forecast. That’s 3.4% (±13.0%)* below the revised July rate of 580,000 and 1.2% (±18.5%)* below the August 2016 estimate of 567,000.

The median sales price of new houses sold in August 2017 was $300,200, while the average sales price was $368,100.

The seasonally-adjusted estimate of new houses for sale at the end of August was 284,000. This represents a supply of 6.1 months at the current sales rate.

The U.S. Census Bureau said Tuesday new

A U.S. flag decorates a for-sale sign at a home in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, August 21, 2012. (Photo: Reuters)

A U.S. flag decorates a for-sale sign at a home in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, August 21, 2012. (Photo: Reuters)

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index (HPI) covering all 9 U.S. census divisions continued to rise in July, gaining 0.3% to 5.9% and meeting the median economic forecast. The 10-City Composite showed a year-over-year increase of 5.2%, up from 4.9% the previous month. The 20-City Composite posted a 5.8% year-over-year gain, up from 5.6% the previous month.

Weakness in the Northeast were offset by strength in western and southern cities. Seattle (13.5%), Portland (7.6%), and Las Vegas (7.4%) reported the highest year-over-year gains among the 20 cities.

“Home prices over the past year rose at a 5.9% annual rate,” says David M. Blitzer, Managing Director and Chairman of the Index Committee at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “Consumers, through home buying and other spending, are the driving force in the current economic expansion.”

The August and September reports will include data on cities hit by Hurricane Harvey in Texas and Hurricane Irma in Florida, the former showing strength in Dallas (7.3%) and the latter in Miami (5.1%) and Tampa (7.0%). Regardless, judging by the tapering off of existing and new home sales, housing indicators may be leveling off even though home prices continue to rise.

“The housing market will face two contradicting challenges during the rest of2017 and into 2018,” Mr. Blitzer added. “First, rebuilding following hurricanes across Texas, Florida and other parts of the south will lead to further supply pressures. Second, the Fed’s recent move to shrink its balance sheet could push mortgage rates upward.”

The S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price Index

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