New Developments.

 

The crisis continues in Ukraine. President Joe Biden met with Ukraine's Foreign Minister on Tuesday. Biden said that Russia's actions constitute an invasion of Ukraine. He announced new sanctions to punish Russia. Putin has ordered more troops into the separtist, pro-Russian regions of eastern Ukraine. Putin, in his recent speech, has demonized Ukraine as near not worthy of being an independent nation. The UK also planned to impose sanctions against Russia. Germany has stopped the progression of the controverisal Nord Stream 2 pipeline after Russia's actions in eastern Ukraine. Biden's sanctions are sent to 2 large Russian banks called the VEB and their military bank. This will target the rich oligarchs in Russia. He desires sanctions on Russian elites and family members and targeting Russian sovereign debt. Biden said that defending freedom has a cost, so America can expect increased oil prices. Biden has authorized additional U.S. forces and military equipment in Europe. These forces are sent to the Baltic allies of America in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Biden said that he doesn't want U.S. forces to fight Russia. Putin is overt in attacking Ukraine's right to exist in his xenophobic rant.

There is many breaking news today. Putin gave a speech where he wants to recognize parts of Eastern Ukraine as independent states. These states are called Donetsk and Luhansk. This action certainly has agitated the conflict more. Putin said that Ukraine was basically a made-up nation funded by America. Putin's words disrespect the sovereignty of Ukraine. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg condemned Russia's words as in violation of the Minsk Agreements (which Russia agreed to). Conflicts have occurred in Eastern Europe too. Russia accused Ukraine of firing into their borders, but Ukraine denies this allegation. President Biden plans to impose new restrictions on trade and financing in the 2 pro-Moscow territories via an executive order. Just giving 2 territories to Putin won't stop Putin. Putin's having almost 200,000 troops near the border of Ukraine is war mongering and provocative by Putin. The U.S. government believes that Putin has given the order to invade Ukraine. Putin is a cutthroat authoritarian who is far right. It is flabbergasting to see some "leftists" supporting Putin. Putin is an enemy of democracy just like Western imperialism is.

Some good news is that the jury found 3 men involved in the death of Ahmad Arbery guilty of federal hate crimes. The jury deliberated for less than four hours before reaching their verdict. This victory is real. The evidence was overwhelming that 3 racists intentionally wanted to harm and murder Arbery because of the color of his skin. The murderers are Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael, and William Bryant. The U.S. District Court panel of 8 white people, 3 black people, and one Hispanic human being. The family of Ahmaud Arbery and the attorney celebrated by holding their arms in a victory salute. Arbery's civil rights were violated. These males wanted to kidnap him. Travis McMichael and William Bryan, according to FBI intelligence analyst Amy Vaughan, used racist slurs in social media. They used the n word to describe black people. I am not shocked as these racist killers love to use slurs against my people. The trial shown all of the evidence in the world that these folks had a clear agenda of hatred against a man because he was black. Arbery's family has been heroic in their cause for justice. Vigilantism and police violence against black people are still serious issues that must be fully addressed. Therefore, we believe in justice and more work is to be done.

Yesterday was the Birthday of Brother Julius Erving (Dr. J), and he is 72 years old. People know him as one of the most influential basketball players of all time. He was one of the best, and he took dunking into the next level. He was a famous player who helped the NBA reach into new heights. Before Michael Jordan, before Magic, before Lebron James, and before Kobe Bryant, there was Dr. J showing showmanship in the court. He was born in East Meadow, New York and raised in Roosevelt, New York. He played basketball at Roosevelt High School. People called him Dr. J at Rucker Park. The Rucker Park is found in Harlem, NYC. Erving enrolled at the University of Massachusetts in 1968. In two varsity college basketball seasons, he averaged 26.3 points and 20.2 rebounds per game, becoming one of only six players to average more than 20 points and 20 rebounds per game in NCAA Men's Basketball. He then sought “hardship” entry into professional basketball in 1971. He fulfilled his promise to his mother to earn a Bachelor's degree in creative leadership and administration from the school via the University Without Walls program. He played in the ABA for the Virginia Squires in Norfolk, Virginia. The ABA competed against the NBA as the ABA allowed basketball players more freedom on the court. Later, Dr. J played in the NBA for the Sixers. He got his NBA Championship in 1983. He won 2 ABA Championships in 1974 and 1976. He was an 11 time NBA All Star. He also was on the NBA's 35th, 50th, and 75th anniversary teams. Dr. J is one of 7 players to record 1,300 steals and 1,300 blocked shots in their ABA/NBA career.  From the baseline move to the slam dunk competition, Dr. J had the style, strength, and skills to take basketball to the next level. Dr. J is a Christian who loves his faith in Jesus Christ. He loves his children and his wife. I wish Brother Dr. J the best. 

Yesterday was the Birthday of Sister Lenda Murray, and she is 60 years old. For decades, she has been a trailblazer of bodybuilding as the greatest woman bodybuilder of her generation. She teaches us the truth that femininity is diverse not monolithic. She was born in Detroit, Michigan. As a young child, she participated in organized sports from the age of 15 years old. She graduated from Henry Ford High School. In that location, Murray was a record holding sprinter and a varsity cheerleader. She earned her degree in political science from Western Michigan University. She wanted to be a lawyer. At the university, Lenda Muray cheerlead and was the 2nd African American to be chosen as the university's homecoming queen in 1982. Murray joined a gym to be in shape. Later, she became a professional fitness expert. She won many titles. Murray helped to expand human tolerance for women's fitness in our society. Murray has won eight overall Ms. Olympia titles and has two professional wins in her weight class. She is the second most successful woman bodybuilder ever, second only to Iris Kyle. Lenda Murray has earned the right to be a member of the National Fitness Hall of Fame in March of 2011. Her Wings of Strength program has helped many people, and she owns a nutritional products company Crystal Planet Nutrition. Lenda Murray has a Christian faith, and there is nothing wrong with having faith. I wish Sister Lenda Murray more blessings.

 

By Timothy