Friday, April 12, 2019

Friday Updates



Many news are coming on. Julian Assange is being accused of trying to hack a U.S. government website in a conspiracy. Julian Assange maintains his innocence. He and his lawyers believe that this arrest is a politically motivated attempt to crush journalistic dissent. They are adamant to use all of their resources to prevent Assange from being sent into the United States, where he could face more charges. We didn't need Wikileaks to know about how the U.S. government was using nefarious tactics during the war on terror and beyond. Books, interviews, videos, and other documents prove this reality (i.e. torture, torture sites, illegal spying, secret military actions, etc.). Now, the future is that we have to promote judicial prudence and due process involving Assange. We have to wait and see what will happen. Extradition to America can be long ,and experts believe that it would take months for the U.S. to extradite Julian Assange from London to America.

Also, it is important to note that incrementalism doesn't work to cause wide ranging change. Back during the days of the Roman Empire, many Christians were persecuted. Diocletian was one Roman Emperor who was one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Some Christians came into the Roman Coliseum to be feed by lions, and some suffered crucifixion unjustly because of their faith. That evil ended not by incrementalism but by efforts by dedicated souls who opposed that brutal injustice. During the antebellum period of America, slavery didn't end by incrementalism. It ended by revolts, protests, activism, and ultimately the Civil War. Therefore, we live in a new generation. We have new technologies, sometimes new issues, and a growing younger generation. Likewise, the same principles of honor for elders, the separation of church and state, the freedom of the press, labor rights, and other democratic rights are embraced by us thoroughly.

Whistleblowers said that Trump pushed a plan to release migrants into sanctuary cities in order to punish Democrats. This is not surprising since Trump is a notorious xenophobe. Also, the suspect in the burning of many black churches in Louisiana have been caught. He is the son of a sheriff down in Louisiana. Back during the mid to late 1990's, there was the epidemic of the burning of black churches. I remember this when I was a teen during the 1990's. The important point is that religious bigotry, racial hatred, and arson of innocent property have no place anywhere in the world. The arsonists ought to experience justice via a very lengthy prison sentence. These stories make us know that in 2019, the fight for justice remains.

One major discovery was more information about my 6th great grandfather (on my mother's side) named Solomon Hurst. He lived from 1781 to 1877. He was from Southampton County, Virginia. On the Internet, what caught my eye was that Solomon was born free. He was a freeman. Back in the day, a lot of black people were slaves. He stood up 6 feet 1, which was remarkable since that is precisely how tall I am. Solomon Hurst married Milly Mundy on the date of April 7, 1804. Solomon's mother was Faithy Hurst, and she was born at ca. 1757. Solomon's son was Moore Hurst. Moore Hurst had a son named Morefield Hurst Turner. Morefield Hurst Turner's daughter was Susanna Field Hurst-Turner Claud (1862 - 1949).

Susanna is my 3rd great grandmother. Susanna married James Thompson Claud and they had the child named Arthur Boss Claud. My mother saw Arthur Boss Claud when she was young many decades ago. I am related to many of the Clauds in Virginia and other places of America. Arthur Boss Claud (1891-1974) had a child named Ella Mae Claud-Turner (1913-1991) or my great-grandmother. She gave birth to my grandfather named Robert, and then I came into the picture later on with my birth in the year of 1983. Yes, my maternal relatives are related to the Artis family, the Scott family, the Hill family, and other families in Southampton County, Virginia too. With DNA testing and historical documents, we are blessed to live in a time where folks can trace their ancestors so far back.

By Timothy


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