Wednesday, July 31, 2024
News about Our Lives Now.
Kamala Harris making a campaign rally in Georgia is very important as Georgia remains in play to go for the Democrats again in 2024. Kamala Harris has to decide what his Vice-Presidential candidate will be. Before the rally, the hip hop artist Megan Thee Stallion performed music for the crowd. Kamala Harris gave a speech where she said that if Trump wants to talk about her, say it in front of her face. Kamala Harris promoted many policies like freedom, economic opportunity, and making sure that student loan debt is cut. The Project 2025 director steps down after backlash from progressives and anger from Donald Trump. Project 2025 is self-evident. It is a blueprint for a fascist America. Trump has denied knowing about it and supporting it. Yet, the views found in Project 2025 fully outline the MAGA agenda. Many people have shown red flags about the agenda of Project 2025 which deals with banning the Department of Education, eliminating DEI programs, making the executive branch near unitary (in contradiction of the separation of powers), and being blatantly xenophobic. Dr. Kevin Roberts is the President of the Heritage Foundation and part of Project 2025. Trump has said that he wants to be a dictator on Day One, desires to abolish the U.S. Constitution one time, and seeks retribution against his political opponents. J.D. Vance has blatantly promoted sexist views about "childless cat ladies" and shaming single people in his various rants.
For the Olympic results by July 29, 2024, the Team USA men's gymnasts won their first medal in the team event since 2008 with a bronze medal. Yuto Horigome from Japan won the men's street skateboarding with Americans Jagger Eaton and Nyjah Huston taking silver and bronze. The U.S. women's basketball team defeated Japan in its first group stage. The score was 102-76. A'ja Wilson scored 24 points, Breanna Stewart had 22, and Brittney Griner, Sabrina Ionescu, and Kelsey Plum each had 11 points as well. This was 56 consecutive Olympic wins for the USA women's national basketball team. Gold medalist Summer McIntosh of Canada won the women's 400m individual medley final at Paris La Defense Arena (in swimming). Katie Grimes won silver for America and Emma Weyant of America won bronze. The women's rugby team from America beat Great Britain in the score of 17-7 to go to the medal round.
There are a lot of updates on Day 4 of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics (on July 30, 2024). The United States' Bobby Finke won a silver medal in the men's 800m freestyle. Ireland's Daniel Wiffen won the gold, and Italy's Gregorio Paltrinieri won the bronze. Wiffen had a time of 38.19 seconds. Finke had 38.75 seconds. Australia's Kaylee McKeown won gold in the women's 100m backstroke on Tuesday (with a time of 57.33 seconds). The Americans Regan Smith and Katharine Berkoff won silver and bronze respectively with times of 57.66 seconds and 57.98 seconds. The USA's women's gymnastics team made gold in the team final. Italy had silver, and Brazil had bronze. That means that the USA women's gymnastics team victors of the team event are Simone Biles, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles, Sunisa Lee, and Hezly Rivera. Historically, Simone Biles has 8 Olympic gold medals, being the 7th most decorated woman Olympic gymnast. She has the most Olympic medals earned by a U.S. gymnast too. USA's Miles Partain and Andy Benesh defeated Morocco to move on to play against Brazil in beach volleyball. In women's rugby, New Zealand won gold, Canada won silver, and America won bronze. America's women's rugby team came back to win their first rugby medal for the U.S. since 1924.
President Biden was in Austin, Texas to go to the LBJ Presidential library. He made a speech about his proposed reforms to the Supreme Court. As we know, the Supreme Court has gone too far with ethics scandals, establishing reactionary decisions, and being low on popularity among the American populace. President Biden has criticized the Supreme Court's recent decision to give near immunity to the President. Biden is right to say that no one is above the law. Biden also said that one Justice has conflicts of interest with advocates of the January 6th insurrection in 2021. What is happening now is a contradiction of the legal precept of the separation of powers. President Joe Biden wants three bold reforms involving the Supreme Court. Biden wants a Constitutional Amendment called No One is Above the Law Amendment to give every President no unlimited immunity. Biden wants term limits for Supreme Court Justices as there are term limits for Senators and House members. Now, the Supreme Court has lifetime appointments. Biden wants an 18-year term limit for Supreme Court Justice to eliminate bias and to stop conflicts of interests. Biden condemned Project 2025. President Biden wants a bidding code of conduct for the Supreme Court as the current code of conduct is too weak. Biden wants the code of conduct (like the recusal of Justices on certain cases of a conflict of interests, releasing money records, etc.) to be enforceable.
Many MAGA extremists are trying to disenfranchise voters who are in Texas, Pennsylvania, California, and other places in America. Many thousands of voters have their right to cast a vote challenged by activists nearing the November 2024 election. Daniel Moss, a university administrator from Denton County Texas, has his voter registration challenged by one activist. Moss had been in the country and voted for two decades. Election officials have been harassed by evil people who made inaccurate complaints about voter rolls and tried to deny people the right to vote. One group doing this is the conservative Texas-based nonprofit group called True the Vote. It has promoted false theories about voter fraud. The group's founder, Catherine Engelbrecht, has called on followers to research voter data and try to challenge the eligibility of voters. This is Jim Crow 2.0. True the Vote claims to just want to stop fraud, but their challenges have been filled with errors and targeting vulnerable people like elderly human beings, homeless people, etc. This is why we say that voter suppression efforts are real.
By Timothy
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Monday, July 29, 2024
During Early Olympics Events.
I found out on July 28, 2024, that my 3rd cousin is Althea Lynette Malloy, who was born in Portsmouth, Virginia on December 18, 1967. She and I are descendants of my 4th great-grandparents of Morefield Hurst Turner (1827-1918) and Milly Woodson-Bozeman (1830-1910). Morefield Turner and Milly Woodson Bozeman had many children, and one was Josephine T. Hurst (1868-1929) during Reconstruction. Josephine T. Hurst married Kenneth Sykes (1865-1949) on December 5, 1888, in Southampton County, Virginia. One of their children was Minnie Eva Sykes (1906-1980). She married Harry Cecil McPherson Sr. (1903-1982) on June 21, 1923, in Norfolk, Virginia. One of their children was Ceceilia Elaine McPherson (1927-2016). Ceceilia Elaine McPherson married John Edward Williams (1924-1955) on March 16, 1948, in Norfolk, Virginia. She later married Joseph Edward Malloy Sr. (1912-1986) on January 25, 1963, at Norfolk, Virginia. Their daughter is my maternal 3rd cousin Althea Lynette Malloy. Althea Lynette Malloy married John Roland Allen III on June 1, 1991, in Norfolk, Virginia. The couple's children are my 4th cousins Christopher Allen (b. 1996), Jasmyn Jaliyah Allen (b. 2000), and another daughter. Ceceilia Elaine McPherson Malloy lived to be 89 years old and lived in Virginia Beach by the time of her transition on November 12, 2016. Cecelia Elaine McPherson these children with John Edward Williams (1924-1955). They are Paulette Delight Williams (1948-2018) and Janette Williams White. Ceceilia Elaine McPherson had these children with Joseph Edward Malloy Sr. (1912-1986) who are Mark Malloy (b. 1963) and Althea Lynette Malloy (b. 1967). My 3rd cousin Mark Malloy (b. 1963) married Stacey Michelle Blanding Malloy (b. 1968) on November 11, 2011. Paulette Delight Williams had many children and grandchildren.
There are more descendants of my late 2nd cousin Innie Moore (1922-1980) that I found out. She married Ollie Lee Allen (1923-1982) on September 11, 1954, at Dinwiddie, Virginia. Their children are Ollie Allen Jr. (1952-1978), Alveta M. Allen Corbett (b. 1954), Lerona Pulley Allen (1955-2013), Katherine Clara Allen (1957-2010), and Oretha Hope Allen Millage (b. 1959). Lerona Pulley Allen married Walter Henry Jones (b. 1922) on March 30, 1986, at Newport News, Virginia. Lerona Allen had a daughter named Monica Janneese Allen, who was born on June 19, 1970. Monica Janneese Allen had many children (who are my 4th cousins named Samouya Larein Allen (1987-2023), Nakiia Allen, Sydney Allen Yasmine Gates, Bre Fitzgerald, Bayshon Allen, Jonathan Allen, Darrick Allen, Najae Allen, and Jasmine Paul. Samouya Allen had these daughters with Tony Shumaker who are: Nhakiliyan Allen, Jaedyn Hopson, and Saniyah Shumaker of Newport News. She grew up in Newport News except for the brief period of time that she lived in Washington, DC. Samouya Larein Allen attended Newport News Public Schools. She enjoyed playing her saxophone in middle and high school and also being a part of the R.O.T.C. She graduated from Heritage High School in June of 2005. Following high school, she attended North Carolina Central University.
The Olympics Opening Ceremony has started on Friday at 1:30 pm. EST. That time is 7:30 pm. Paris time, so Paris is 6 hours ahead of us who live in the Eastern Standard Time of the Americas. The movie director Steven Spielberg spoke the introduction to the 2024 Paris Olympics Games in a speech. It starts with a French soccer legend taking the torch. The people carrying the torch will first go around the city of Paris. The ceremony began with a commercial celebrating the diverse people of Paris from parks to the Paris subway. Then, French President Emmanuel Marcon and the President of the IOC met with each other and shook hands. They will sit in the stadium to enjoy the Olympics Opening Ceremony show. Later, kids on a boat with the Olympic flame travel across the river. The colors show the French flag. People in the audience wave the French flag. Tons of fans and athletes' families are in the crowd celebrating the arrival of the Olympic flame. Tons of people are watching outside of homes and apartments in Paris to see the ceremony too. It has been 100 years since the 1924 Paris Olympics too.
Each segment of the show has a theme. The 2nd theme is called Enchante. First, the Greek delegation of athletes travels on the Parade of Nations. The Greek delegation of athletes always go first involving the Parade of Nations. They ride on the boat for the ceremony in Paris. People wave the flag of Greece too. The Refugee Team show their support riding in a large boat too with many athletes. Nations come by the river in mostly alphabetical order. Lady Gaga performed a song in Paris France. Lady Gaga performed a dance routine with many dancers. In France, dance performance culture is very popular and historic. The Parade of Nation of Boats ceremony is part of the early part of the Olympic ceremony. Snoop was also in the ceremonies as a commentator along with Hoda Kotb and others like Kelly Clarkson and Peyton Manning. A segment of people is working to build up Notre Dame, which will be released to the public by December 2024. This comes after a fire nearly destroyed it. A masked person jumped into buildings in France to travel with the Olympic Flame. The person goes into a Louis Vuitton store. Their ceremony celebrates the Olympic and Paralympic medals. People carry a large box around Paris with dancers. The Concord bridge is lit and the Afro-French artist from Mali performs. Her name is Aya Nakamura.
Then, the French national anthem is sung by another singer, Axelle-Saint-Cirel. The French national anthem is called La Marseillaise from the roof of the Grand Palais. There has been a fashion show on the stage too. The American team came with LeBron James and Coco Gauff as the flag bearers. The last team was the French team. It was raining in Paris as the boats traveled on the Seine River. The 2024 Paris Olympics is about both previous Olympian champions continuing their legacies and the younger generation beginning their own great legacy involving a diversity of athletic sports. As athletes get off their boats, the Caldron lightning takes place. There was the Delegation of Athletes. These human beings displayed flags of all nations involved in the Paris Olympics near the Eiffel Tower. The masked person rides a horse and then goes on a Paris, France stadium stage. Then, the person gives the flag to people, and the Olympic anthem is shown. While this is occurring, the Olympic flag is raised. A massive light show existed on the Eiffel Tower too. The Olympic flame was on a boat with Serena Williams, Nadal, Carl Lewis, and another person. Later, Tony Parker carries the torch and sends it to other people (including members of the Paralympic athletes too). The Caldron is at 5:23 pm. EST or 11:23 pm. Paris time. The flame is lit in the Paris games. A balloon flies in the air. The purpose of this action was to commemorate a high-air balloon being established by French people back in 1792. The balloon flies around the Paris landscape. Celine Dion sends a song to celebrate the beginning of the Paris Summer Olympic Games in 2024. This Opening Ceremony here is one of the most unique, diverse ceremonies in Olympic history.
The Summer Olympics are here now. Events started as early as Wednesday, and Saturday is the first day of events after the Opening Ceremony in Paris. Nic Fink advances to the 100m breaststroke final for Team USA. America's Gauff and Pegula advance to round 2 of women's doubles. America won silver in the women's 4 X 100m freestyle relay, Australia won gold, and China won bronze. Team USA won gold in the men's 4 X 100m freestyle relay. This is the first gold medal won by America. Katie Ledecky won the bronze in the 400m relay freestyle, Australia's Ariarne Titmus took gold, and Canada's Summer McIntosh won silver.
By July 28, 2024, many things have happened during the early era of the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Lebron James and Kevin Durant lead the USA men's basketball team to defeat Serbia in a Group game. Also, Simone Biles fought through calf pain to make a great return to Olympic gymnastics. Simone Biles is the greatest gymnast in human history. French swimmer Leon Marchand set an Olympic record by winning gold in the 400m individual race. Also, Torri Huske and Gretchen Walsh finished first and second in the women's 100m butterfly final. A heat wave will come to Paris soon. By Tuesday and Wednesday, temperatures will reach 93 to 97 degrees, in Bordeaux, high temperatures can be 100 degrees by Monday, and other cities (like Lyons and Marseilles) may reach very high temperatures too. Australia's women's soccer team had a victory over Zambia with a score of 6-5. Zambia's Deborah Abiodun comforts teammate Jennifer Echegini after their loss. Great Britain's Andy Murray celebrates his doubles victory in the first round with Dan Evans. This is the first round of the men's doubles tournament. Regarding the 100m men's swimming breaststroke, Italy's Nicolo Martinenghi won gold, while U.S. UK swimmer tied for silver. The American Nic Fink and Great Britain's Adam Peaty of the UK tied for silver with a time of 59.05 seconds.
For the women's archery team, South Korea won gold, China won silver, and Mexico won bronze. For the K-1 canoeing, Australia's Jessica Fox won gold, Poland's Klaudia Zwolinkska won silver, and Kimberly Woods from Great Britain won bronze. As for Men's time trial, Belgium's Evenepoel won gold, Filippo Ganna won silver from Italy, and Wout van Aert from Belgium won bronze. As for women's time trial of cycling, Grace Brown of Australia won gold, Anna Henderson of Great Britain won silver, and Chloe Dyger of America won bronze. As for women's mountain biking, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot won gold, Haley Batten from America won silver, and Jenny Rissveds of Sweden won bronze. Involving individual foil of fencing, Lee Kiefer of America won gold, Lauren Scruggs of America (she grew up in Queens, New York City. She is one of the two black fencers from America to have won an individual world championship. She is part of the Harvard University class of 2025) won silver, and Eleanor Harvey from Canada won bronze.
Fashion culture from 1500 to 1900 represents a radical change in human history. By this time, we saw the growth of Empires globally that dealt with international trade, cultural diffusion, and the growth of economies. The modern capitalist system as we know it (as tons of people have criticized this system too) existed during this era of four centuries. Also, we can't omit an important event of this time too. This time saw the peak of the Maafa which was the worst form of slavery in human history. The Maafa was when millions of innocent black men, women, and children were kidnapped, raped, abused, and murdered. Many black people were kidnapped and forcibly sent to the Americas, other parts of Africa, Asia, etc. In the Americas and throughout the world, black people were stripped of culture, creed, family, and tribal affiliations. This event damaged families, and black people used strength and resiliency to fight back against slavery too. From 1500 to 1900, there were the ages of growth of Empires, the Renaissance period, the Age of Global Revolutions and Wars, and the existence of the start of the Modern Era of time. Fashion during this time became very advanced. Tunics weren't used so much. They were replaced with differentiation in clothing (that defines modern fashion in many ways). For example, people wore clothing with detachable sleeves, overskirts, jerkins, and baskets. More people wore caps and hats. Different colored dresses and shirts plus religious caps were commonplace in the world. Therefore, the fashion of the era of 1500-1900 set up a foundation where modern fashion flourishes today.
By the Renaissance period of time, we saw how women and men wore very different clothing. For women, they wore tight bodices, full skirts that could hang to the ankles, and intricate sleeves. Dresses that exposed the neckline were fashionable. Women wore berets, veils, garlands in their hair, and adorned their clothing with feathers and lace. During the Renaissance, men wore puffed sleeves, form-fitting waists, and codpieces worn over tights. Many men wore doublets, berets, and caps. Some used feathers on their hats. There was a linen shift in clothes, regardless of gender. Clothes had fibers like lenin, wool, and silk. There were many heavy clothes for upper-class members of society. By the 1500's more people wore headdresses. Women worn gown as shown in the portrait of Mona Lisa done by Leonardo da Vinci. Mona Lisa was actually Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo. Gothic clothing was shown in Northern Europe. In Africa by the 1500's, African people wore shirts, dresses, beads, and shoes. By the 1500's, there was the Little Ice Age where temperatures were cooler in the Northern Hemisphere especially.
By Timothy
Saturday, July 27, 2024
Friday, July 26, 2024
End of the Week News.
Many descendants of my late 1st cousin Catherine Lee Peeples (1933-2006) live in South Carolina. I haven't really delved into the South Carolina connection to my relatives in an in-depth fashion until now. South Carolina is a Southern state whose history has been filled with tragedies and triumphs. A lot of great people live in the state of South Carolina indeed. Catherine Lee Peeples lived in Somerset, Maryland at Pocomoke (or in the Maryland area of the Eastern Shore). She married Aaron P. Nottingham Jr. (1932-1989). Their children are Deborah Lee Nottingham (b. 1953), Patricia Ann Nottingham (b. 1960. She married Alvin Purnell Robinson, who was born in 1953, on January 16, 1982, at Princess Anne, Virginia. Their child is Anthony Robinson), William Aaron Nottingham (b. 1961), Cynthia Nottingham (b. 1964), and Kimberly Michone Nottingham (b. 1968). My 2nd cousin Deborah Lee Nottingham married Arthur Wayne Onley (1953-2009) on March 16, 1974, in Northampton County, Virginia. Their children are my 3rd cousins Wayne Tiaz Onley (b. 1976) and Dimitra A. Onley (b. 1980. Her children are Dylahn and Marquis). Dimitra Onley lives in Irmo, South Carolina, and she is a Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) at South Carolina Internal Medicine. Wayne Tiaz Onley married Kimberly Candace Burnett, and their child is Nature Naphtali Onley (b. 2012).
Arthur Wayne Onley was a great man whose parents were Louis and Flossie Mapp Onley. Arthur Onley was born in Exmore, Virginia. He served in the United States Army for 21 years (as a Sergeant First Class, being part of the Persian Gulf and Vietnam wars). His siblings are Shirley, Phillip, and Lewis. Deborah Lee Nottingham and I share the same ancestors as Charles and Fannie Peeples, my 2nd great-grandparents. Charles and Fannie Peeples are Deborah Lee Nottingham's great-grandparents. For example, Deborah Lee Nottingham's parents were Catherine Lee Peeples (1933-2006) and Aaron P. Nottingham (1932-1989). Catherine Lee Peeples's parents were William Rouser Peeples Sr. (1898-1952) and Goldie Elizabeth Taylor (1902-1985). William Rouser Peeples Sr.'s parents were Charles Peeples (1855-1922) and Fannie Fronianna Susanna Virginia Brown (1857-1946). So, everything comes full circle.
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
The Late July 2024 News.
One of the most important stories of our time was the unjust murder of a black woman named Sonya Massey in Springfield, Illinois. There has been even more shock and outrage at the bodycam video that has been revealed to the public that showed the murder of Sonya Massey. Sonya was only 36 years old. She was younger than me and I'm an older Millennial. The deputies responded to a call by Massey about a prowler at her home at Hoover Avenue by 12:50 am. Later, the deputies shot her at 1:21 am. Grayson reportedly didn't activate his bodycam until after he shot Massey. The video came from the unnamed deputy's bodycam. Massey poured boiling water out in her kitchen sink and the officers made joking laughs. Massey said I rebuke you in the name of Jesus. Grayson became aggressive for no reason pulled out his firearms, and he cursed at her threatening to shoot her in her face. Massey apologized and pleaded to the officers for her life. Massey was shot, and Grayson said let her just bleed out. Grayson tried to convince the unnamed officer to not start first aid which is illegal. Two minutes later, first aid was used. Sonya Massey was unjustly murdered, and justice should come about. Police unjust violence and all forms of oppression should be opposed.
Vice President Kamala Harris recently gave a speech to outline her Presidential campaign in Delaware (on Monday), praising President Joe Biden, and making contrasts between her agenda and the agenda of Donald Trump. Kamala Harris wants to defend the American people. Vice President Kamala Harris said that she prosecuted financial criminals and other criminals. She said that the people she prosecuted were Trump's type. Kamala Harris wants to take the fight to Trump in opposition to the Project 2025 agenda. Trump denies having anything to do with the precepts found in Project 2025, but Trump's policies are very similar to Project 2025. This 2024 election is the most important election in American history. Kamala Harris came to the stage to express her ideals with the background of the Beyonce song of "Freedom." While Trump uses ad hominem attacks against Kamala Harris, Kamala Harris showed solution-based policies to defeat Trumpism. While Trump wants tax cuts for the super-wealthy, Kamala Harris desires the super-wealthy to pay their fair share of taxation (in opposition to the false doctrine of trickle-down economics). Kamala Harris has experience as a prosecutor and Senator who makes the case clear to defend human rights and have a sense of inspiration to seek more glorious progress in our society. While Trump wants vengeance and retribution against people who disagree with him politically, Kamala Harris is focused on the work to make America better than the past.
Kamala Harris finished a passionate speech in the battleground state of Wisconsin to start her 2024 Presidential campaign. This was her first campaign rally on July 23,2024. She wanted to contrast her record with Donald Trump's views. She wanted to defeat him by November 2024. Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer officially announced their support of Kamala Harris. The Democrats are more united now. She has enough delegates to earn the Democratic Presidential pick by August 7, 2024. Kamala Harris said that she is focused on the future. She believes that every person has the opportunity to not just get by but to get ahead. In her Wisconsin speech, she wants to grow the middle class, opposes the agenda found in Project 2025 (Trump denies having anything to do with it, but his views are found in it and Project 2025 was created by many former Trump administration officials), and said that her campaign raised millions of dollars in grassroots funding in the last 24 hours. Lauren Boebert and Tim Burchett made the racist comment that Kamala Harris is a DEI hire. Racism has no place in the Universe. To agree to disagree on political issues is fine but not bigotry or slurs. Donald Trump, Charleston White, and Judge Joe Brown calling Kamala Harris out of her name outlines their jealousy and desperation. Kamala Harris is a woman with intellect, courage, and power that they can't. Trump was legally liable for raping a woman, Charleston White made the ignorant comment that he won't vote for any black woman running for President, Joe Brown minimized Harriet Tubman (called himself a male chauvinist and acted drunk to women without his wife around). So, these 3 males are people that are just plain wrong.
The Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle has resigned. This comes after she gave her testimony to Congress about the Secret Service's response to the assassination attempt of Donald Trump. There has been a bipartisan group of people who desire her to resign. There have been documented security lapses during the event in Butler, Pennsylvania. Kimberly Cheatle said that her decision was difficult and didn't want to distract from the mission of the Secret Service (which is to protect the lives of Presidents and ex-President in a comprehensive fashion). Secret Service Deputy Director Ronald Rowe has been tapped to lead the agency; the Department of Homeland Security announced. President Biden gave a statement that he and First Lady Jill Biden were grateful for Cheatle's decades of public service. There will be multiple investigations of the events during the assassination attempt.
We are in a new time in our world history. We are nearly at the quarter-century mark in this new century filled with mobile phones and iPads. It is important to recognize the true value of black culture in the 21st century. From architecture (including scientific discovery) to the development of musical expression, black culture is ever real. In the 21st century, the diversity of black cultural power is self-evident when we see Internet-based television shows including films showing black actors and actresses (like Sanaa Lathan, John Boyega, Leslie Odom Jr., LaKeith Stanfield, John David Washington, Regina Hall, Teyonah Parris, Issa Rae, etc.), Sa'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles displaying confidence plus determination on the track field, and Ashanti Johnson being one of the greatest oceanographers of our generation. The great essence of black culture is that it is never monolithic and it's authentically inspirational. We are human beings with the subsequent right to aspire to excellence, and excellence is not about egoism. Excellence is about being content with oneself and growing into the next of being the best version of yourself for sincere motivations.
By Timothy
Monday, July 22, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris enters the 2024 Presidential race.
The breaking historic news is that President Biden has withdrawn from the 2024 race. This has been the goal of moderates, bitter people, and others all along. President Biden has been a very historic President. The good news is that Biden has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be nominated as the Presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket. Kamala Harris has all of the experience in the world from being California Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and Vice President of the United States (that's legislature, and executive experience for over 20 years). Her political qualifications exceed Donald Trump and Vance combined. President Biden has signed massive progressive legislation and created some of the greatest growth in American society in an epic way. For example, we have record black low unemployment rates, radically declined COVID-19 cases, millions of jobs being created, record growth of black-owned businesses, cut child poverty in half, a decrease in crime overall in America, and finally a reduction in some inflation. Now, the Democrats have no excuses. They must unite to support Kamala Harris in making sure that she is President. This process won't be easy, but Kamala Harris has the intellect, strength, and determination to go to the finish line. With this situation, the states of Georgia and North Carolina are in play. Senator Clyburn and other Democratic candidates have endorsed Kamala Harris. Governor of North Carolina Roy Cooper, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Jon Ossoff, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Summer Lee, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, and tons of other Democratic leaders have endorsed Vice President Harris. There have been donors giving $49.6 million sent to the Kamala Harris campaign in less than 24 hours (as reported by Act Blue, the leading Democratic online donation processor, and Harris campaign spokesperson Brian Fallon). Soon, the delegates are expected to vote for Kamala Harris to be the Democratic nominee. Kamala Harris has proven to be a person with great leadership and an excellent orator. Republican liars like Donald Trump (who brags about assaulting women, found legally liable of rape, is a convicted felon, and has been corrupt for decades) say that Biden is the worst President in history when Hoover, Andrew Johnson, and Andrew Jackson are much worse than Biden. Kamala Harris could be the first black and South Asian President in American history which is very historic. Kamala Harris has been an overt spokesperson for the people of America.
There was the late great matriarch who is my distant maternal cousin. Her name is Constance Lorress Thomas Harrell who lived from August 27, 1949, to October 31, 2021. She worked hard to bring joy to her family and friends. Her parents were Clarence Carter and my late 3rd cousin Doretha Branch Thomas (1924-2011). Constance Harrell (whose nickname was "Connie") was born up North in New York City. She later lived in Patterson, New Jersey in the 4th Ward. She attended Patterson Public School Number 6 and graduated from Eastside High School in the Class of 1967. Constance Harrell earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree and teaching certificate from William Patterson University. She earned her Master's Degree and had many certifications too. She believed in God attending the Second Baptist Church as a child. She also attended Calvary Baptist and Gilmore Memorial Tabernacle and later on, she found reverence in St. Luke Baptist Church where she used her gift of teaching literacy amongst others. Reading, crocheting, cooking, baking and going to the movies were her favorite hobbies. Connie used her hobbies to help others. Constance Harrell would cook food for anyone who needed assistance. Boston Crème pie, pound cake, carrot cake, soups, carrot muffins, and other items of food were created by her. Connie was a phenomenal educator, Learning Disability Teacher Consultant, and Reading Specialist. She worked in the Paterson School District for 38 years. Teaching at P.S.#25, Child Study Teams, and Eastside High School amongst others. She was a District Reading Supervisor for the Paterson School District. While and after her retirement, Connie was instrumental in starting reading programs for children and adults. Literacy was most important to her. Connie tutored hundreds of students. She received many awards and plaques for outstanding community service.
Constance Harrell met and married Robert Harrell Sr. (1936-2018) after they met at William Patterson University. They wed in 1969. They loved to go to the movies and the Garden State Plaza. The couple had three children who are Robert Harrell Jr. (b. 1970), Terrance Harrell (b. 1974), and Justin Harrell. Constance Harrell has 6 grandchildren: Asia, Ania, D'Nali, Victoria, Valentina, and Vanessa, 3 great granddaughters: Aulani, McKayla, and McKinley, 1 sister-in love Jeannette Wallace, nieces: Robnette Romero and Elizabeth Rozier, grand nieces: Naphia and Margaret Clark, and a host of other relatives and friends. Constance Harrell and I share the same ancestor of Zilphy Claud (1820-1892) or my 5th great grandmother. Constance Harrell's parents were Clarence Carter and Doretha Branch Thomas (1924-2011). Doretha Branch Thomas's parents were Marvin George Branch (1895-1982) and Junie D. Copeland (B. 1905). Marvin George Branch's parents were George Washington Branch (1864-1963) and Mattie Sue Sykes (1874-1942). Mattie Sue Sykes's parents were Willie Sykes (b. 1832) and my late 4th great-grandaunt Lydia Claud (b. 1842). Lydia Claud's mother was Zilphy Claud. Doretha Branch Thomas lived in Paterson, New Jersey for over 50 years. She loved crocheting like her daughter Constance Harrell. Dorethea Thomas graduated from Hackensack High School. She was employed by the Bendix Corporation and White Metal Manufacturing Company, before retiring in 1991. Dorethea was a member of Gilmore Memorial Tabernacle in Paterson, where she served as an usher and various organizations within the church. Dorethea often provided readings for various programs at Gilmore. Doretha Branch Thomas's sisters are Eleanor L. Branch (1925-2013) of New York City and Mary Ruth Branch.
My late cousin Mayr Lizzie Claud lived from 1936 to 2007. She married Samuel Junior Ridley (b. 1931) on October 29, 1953, at Southampton County, Virginia. The couple had a daughter named Mary Ellen Ridley (b. 1956). Mary Ellen Ridley married Donald Eric Pugh (b. 1958) on February 28, 1979, at Newport News, Virginia. Later, she had a child with Richard Morgan (1959-2002) named Michael Morgan. The other children of Mary Lizzie Claud and Samuel Junior Ridley are Virginia Pearl Ridley (b. 1954), Dennis Lee Ridley Sr. (b. 1960), and Johnnie Lloyd Ridley. Dennis Lee Ridley Sr. married Angeleca Queveda Fenner (b. 1965) on May 21, 195 in Newport News, Virginia. Their children are my 5th cousins whose names are Latoya Denise Ridley (b. 1989), Shaunda Nicole Ridley (b. 1991), and Dennis Lee Ridley Jr. (b. 1994). Dennis Lee Ridley Sr. and I are descendants of Zilphy Claud. Dennis Lee Ridley's parents were Mary Lizze Claud and Samuel Junior Ridley (b. 1931). Mary Lizzie Claud's parents were Ralph Elijah Claud (1912-1965) and Gussie Estell Claud (1914-1985). Ralph Elijah Claud's parents were Richard Washington Claud (1874-1945) and Ann Elizabeth Claud (1876-1960). Richard Washington Claud's parents were George Washington Claud (1849-1923) and Martha Velvin-Ferguson (b. 1830). George Washington Claud's mother was my 5th great grandmother Zilphy Claud (1820-1893).
There is new information that I found out about my 3rd cousin Lina Mae Claud Tann (b. 1934) as she is a descendant of Zilphy Claud via Frank Thomas Claud. She was born in March 1934 in Southampton County, Virginia. She married James Reuben Jenkins (1929-1965) on July 21, 1951, at Emporia, Virginia. The couple had 2 sons named Roger Lee Jenkins (1953-2023) and Charade Jenkins (1964-2017). Roger Lee Jenkins was my 4th cousin who worked hard in New Jersey to be a mentor, help people get back on their feet after serving time in prison, and being a role model for the state of New Jersey in general. He married Katherine S. Cromwell (b. 1954) on January 29, 1998, at Las Vegas. The couple's daughter is Kisa Cromwell (b. 1971). Kisa Cromwell's children are Niyah Cromwell (b. 1992) and Davion Cromwell. My 4th cousin Charade Jenkins had a child with Richard Williams named Shalonda Charade Jenkins (b. 1984). Shalonda Charade Jenkins married Jonathan Napoleon Smith on June 16, 2015 at Montclair Township, Essex, New Jersey. Their daughter is Zaniyah Smith.
There is an important point about the Statue of Liberty that must be known. We know about the elephant in the room. The Statue of Liberty has been a symbol of America for a long time. To many people it represented freedom, and it was one major image that new immigrants saw when they came into Ellis Island. Those of Ellis Island came from Europe, the Caribbean, and other places of the world to seek opportunity, justice, and a better way of life. Today, we have a rise in xenophobic attitudes based on xenophobia, lies, racism, and ignorance. Some of these xenophobes act like English was the first language spoken in America. The reality is that America originally was not inhabited by Europeans, and the first Americans never spoke English. Originally, Native Americans were in the Americas, and they spoke a diversity of languages spanning centuries and thousands of years. The Golden Rule remains true, and it means that you treat your neighbor as yourself. On many occasions, immigrants are our neighbors. Therefore, immigrants should not be treated better than us, but they shouldn't be treated less than us either. That point is what the white racists, the xenophobes, many Hoteps, and other people fail to comprehend. There is no solution involving mass deportation. There can only be a fair, comprehensive solution to rectify immigration issues. Those solutions are about enacting fair treatment under the law and expressing human compassion simultaneously. All people are created equal (that includes immigrants too) and are entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In our time, we have to defend democracy. Democracy is about our human rights, our right to live on this Earth, and the destruction of fascism in society. That is why we must use grassroots efforts to make sure that democracy is preserved forevermore.
The Statue of Liberty has been in existence since October 28, 1886. Millions of people who are tourists now have visited the location which stands over 151 feet tall. From using elevators to seeing the view of the downtown of New York City, its imagery is breathtaking. It has been more than a cultural image of New York City. It has been a major part of American culture. Its symbolism is very diverse in dealing with the image of Liberty, the tablet with the date of 1776, and the flame. The statue itself is a figure of Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty. It shows a classical contrapposto pose. She holds a torch above her head with her right hand, and in her left-hand carries the tabula ansata inscribed JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (or July 4, 1776, in Roman numerals. That is the date of the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence). The sculptor of the image was Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. The image shows the image of the woman with her left foot stepping on a broken chain and shackle to commemorate the national abolition of slavery following the American Civil War. The seven spiked crowns on her head. Those crowns represent the seven continents and seas of the world. The Statue of Liberty was proposed in 1865 by French historian and abolitionist Edouard de Laboulaye. After almost 140 years, the Statue of Liberty remains. We live in a crossroads in our history. There is a constant battle between those who want democratic freedom and those who desire an authoritarian society to reign wherefore basic human rights are restricted among the people. Therefore, we have to not only support democracy. We have to continue to live by the principles of human equality and justice in our daily lives. We believe that human rights are meant for all people, regardless of color or background.
There are many treatments and prevention measures in dealing with COVID1-9. The FDA has authorized and approved many antiviral medications used to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick. There is antiviral medications that target specific parts of the virus to stop it from multiplying in the body once someone is infected. These medications help to prevent severe illness and death. Many doctors have helped people with the virus to have diverse medications and treatments too. Many doctors have recommended people take Nirmaterelvir (with Ritonavir (Paxlovid), Remdesivir, and Molnupiravir (Lagevrio) depending on age and symptoms. Some treatments are taken orally, and some are taken via IV or intravenous infusions. There are many ways to reduce the chances of catching COVID-19. People can use the distance between people, eat healthily, use hygiene in a great way, avoid people who are sick or have symptoms, wash your hands using soap and water for at least 20 seconds, and clean and disinfect surfaces that are often touched, including doorknobs. COVID vaccines can reduce people with COVID from having death. Wearing masks in many places can reduce the chance of getting the virus too.
By Timothy
Friday, July 19, 2024
The End of the 2024 Republican National Convention.
After the notorious sellout, Hulk Hogan, spoke in favor of Trump at the RNC, Donald Trump gave his nomination speech in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Many people questioned whether Trump would go forward and give a conciliatory speech or a more divisive one. Well, the latter is true. Trump at first gave an account of the assassination attempt against him in somber terms. He at first gave a message of unity, and then he was giving the same old divisive, hateful, and habitually lying speech. Trump claimed to want to be President for all of America, not half of America. Yet, he has called his opponents vermin, promised mass detention camps, and claimed that undocumented immigrants and migrants are "poisoning the blood of our country." Trump claimed in his speech that he will not criminalize dissent or demonize disagreement, but he said that he will prosecute his political opponents in a June 2024 interview with Sean Hannity. Trump said that he is the one saving democracy, but he has promised to be a dictator on day one. Trump was indicted by many grand juries, all made up of regular Americans. Trump attacked Pelosi, Biden, and the UAW President. Trump claims that massive crime is in America when crime rates have declined in the past 2 years. Trump claimed that Biden wants to raise your taxes four times. The truth is that the President Joe Biden has no plans to raise taxes on Americans earning less than $400,000. Trump has spoken for 90 minutes being the longest Republican National Convention speech in American history. Trump claimed to want to lower prices, but Trump has proposed blanket tariffs on goods that will cost families an estimated $2,500 extra per year. At the end of the day, the Republican National Convention is not about promoting a softer, more moderate tone. It is about bashing immigrants, scapegoating progressives, declaring political opponents the enemies of the state, and denigrating other minorities.
J.D. Vance claims to ally with the interests of the poor and working-class people, but he grew up in a 4-bedroom suburban home in Ohio. His family earned almost $200,000 a year in today's dollars and the family paid for his golf lessons. J.D. Vance's book of Hillbilly Elegy represents his views. The book showed that Vance grew up in Jackson, Kentucky, and Middletown, Ohio. By the end of the book, Vance shows hostility to the working class and the poor. In his book, he blames those in poverty for spending giant TVs, IPads, nice clothes for kids, and other loans that leave people in poverty. He believes that hard work can cure laziness and poverty. We know that doesn't work all of the time, because poverty is systematic, and the poor are amongst many of the hardest working people in the world.
The 2024 RNC guests include many 2020 election deniers. The Republican Party is now not the Party of Lincoln. It is the Party of Trump filled with extremists and being unapologetically xenophobic. Fascist movements always hated socialism, promotes extreme nationalism, advances the subordination of the will of the people to one person, and expresses a hatred of a separation of church and state. Campaign signs in the RNC have the message of "Mass Deportations Now" which means they want 10-20 million people to be rounded out and leave America by force (sending them into camps and splitting up tons of families in a vindictive fashion). These actions don't represent true unity but hating one's neighbor. Such an act would be impossible to accomplish unless an authoritarian state existed. Back decades ago, the Nazis and Hitler promoted Jewish people being vilified. In our time, the modern-day neo-fascists demonize black people, Jewish people, immigrants (especially undocumented immigrants, many of whom qualify for legal asylum), women, and other minorities. The GOP promotes a perversion of Christianity that view Trump as a Messianic figure who can save the soul of America (Many Evangelicals have been deceived to unconditionally support him when he has been found legally liable of rape, convicted of many felonies, sells Bible for tons of money, and advances hatred against those who disagree with his repugnant views). Tax cuts for the super-wealthy are the agenda of the RNC that refutes the claim that the Republican Party is a populist party. Senator Ted Cruz, Senator Marco Rubio, and former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis all align with the Trump agenda. Hulk Hogan joining Trump in the RNC Convention is not shocking. Hogan is something else.
We will always oppose fascism and injustice. Republican Governor Jim Justice of West Virginia said that wild comment that they will become unhinged if Trump loses the 2024 election by November. One important point is to see how Robert Kennedy Jr. is talking and collaborating verbally with Donald Trump. This can't be understated. Both of these people are extremists, expressed skepticism about vaccines, and are dangerous to our way of life. Trump wanted RFK Jr. to support him when Robert Kennedy Sr. was the opposite of both men. Robert Kennedy Sr. back in the 1960's opposed apartheid, supported civil rights, wanted gun control, endorsed international cooperation to solve complicated foreign policy issues, and believed in ending the Vietnam War. President Joe Biden wants major Supreme Court reforms. It could include term limits for Justice and an enforceable code of ethics. Ex-Trump aide Peter Navarro spoke at the Republican National Convention hours after leaving jail for refusing to submit to a legal subpoena.
There were many events at the Republican National Convention on its third day. This time saw Donald Trump's running mate J.D. Vance giving his speech to the general public. Vance introduced himself showing a right-wing populist message. The Republicans in the convention criticized Biden's foreign policy from his handling of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal (with Gold Star families and kidnapping victims of Hamas). Trump's 17-year-old granddaughter gave remarks. Vance criticized Biden saying that a rural area in Ohio is a place that is forgotten by America's ruling class in Washington. Vance forgets that he is part of the Silicon Valley wealthy crew and funded by them. Vance criticized Biden for supporting the Iraq War. The Iraq War was an unjust war obviously for a litany of reasons, but Ukrainians gave the God given right to defend their lands from Russian military invasion. Vance is blatantly isolationist. His wife Usha gave words too on the stage. Vance blamed Biden for giving China a few passes when tariffs against China could cause a trade war increasing prices of American goods and harming the American economy directly. Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn shouted at Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle accusing her of not giving real answers to the public about what took place involving the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum gave his speech that the war on energy hurts people, but massive pollution hurts all people from increased diseases, increased community destruction, and lead pipes. We should have energy, but it must be developed in the right fashion, and clean energy is energy too especially in the rise of climate change in our world. What we see here is that the agenda of fascism is alive in America, and the corporate media (from CNN, FOX, and even some in MSNBC) care more to criticize Biden than to criticize the real threat of Trumpism is a profound double standard (like they or some in the corporate media did to Bernie Sanders years ago).
By Timothy
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Events of the Republican National Convention.
The first day of the Republican nomination is happening in Milwaukee. Protesters are out there, and massive security is enacted, especially after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. This event comes 60 years after the 1964 Republican National Convention when the Republicans nominated the far-right candidate Barry Goldwater for the GOP ticket. Today in 2024, the Republicans Party and many even Democratic moderates are heavily funded by reactionary, big wealthy corporate interests. In these events, the Republican nominee officially named Donald Trump as the 2024 Republican nominee after all of the state delegates voted for him. J.D. Vance is chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate for the Republican ticket too. J.D. Vance has been officially chosen as the running mate of Donald Trump. This ticket is not surprising. Donald Trump was not going to picket a moderate candidate. J.D. Vance once called Trump an idiot and changed his mind. He has been an Ohio Senator for years. Vance has publicly said that he wouldn't accept electors to make Biden President in 2020. Vance is part of the more isolationist younger generation of Republicans who would rather see Ukraine to be a vassal of Russia than an independent nation, who supports the CPAC agenda than the agenda of truth, and who believes widespread voter fraud caused Trump to lose the 2020 Presidential election which is a lie. J.D. Vance made millions as a venture capitalist in the Silicon Valley firm Mithrill Capital Management, founded by former PayPal CEO and Trump supporter Peter Thiel. His book of Hillbilly Elegy promotes individualism and free enterprise. He believes that poverty is not caused by governments and corporations which is not true. Vance held fundraisers for the fascists who were arrested for the January 6, 2021, insurrection. Charlie Kirk, Tucker Carlson, and Steven Bannon (all Trump supporting far right people) support Vance as a Vice Presidential GOP candidate.
Many people spoke at the convention rally On Monday. South Dakota Governor Kristi Noe wanted to have no business restrictions during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin wanted to talk about Virginia to be the number one state to do business, but he omits that the Virginia state legislature is dominated by Virginian Democrats. Majorie Taylor Greene gave a rant against immigrants and globalists. Charlie Kirk made antisemitic and racist comments for years and talked about how the separation of church and state is a fabrication. Florida Rep. Byron Donalds talked about how his single other got him into a private school. Senator Tim Scott gave a religious speech to say that God still saves and Trump being an American lion who got back on his feet and roared. Amber Rose defended Trump and lied and said that Trump is not a racist. Trump wanted the Central Park Five to be executed even after they were proven to be innocent, he said that a Mexican judge can't judge an immigration case fairly because of his Mexican heritage, he called any Jewish people who oppose him as "disloyal," he called mostly black countries a slur, and he made misogynistic comments too.
Amber Rose said that under Trump American families were safer, wealthier, and stronger. That's a lie as under Biden, unemployment is lower, the crime rates in America are going down, black businesses have grown at record levels, and jobs have increased in the millions. Amber Rose once was in close proximity to Blackness but ran away from it for political reasons. Rose isn't black (and uses the n word and demonized black people of Philadelphia years ago) but multiracial, but her tactics represent how she uses hip-hop culture for profit but supports Trump whose anti-democratic views are against the culture for real. There were many Black Republicans at the RNC who gave remarks like Byron Donalds, John James, Wesley Hunt, and other people. Van Jones believes that Van Jones is a threat to Democrat showing Van Jones's extremism. Rep. John James made the ignorant comment that if you don't vote for Donald Trump, you are not black. Republicans hypocritically claim to oppose identity politics (which is nothing more than BIPOC people and other minorities to have freedom and justice), but they brag about having some black supporters. Sean O'Brien, the International Brotherhood of Teaster President supported Trump when the Republicans have had an anti-labor record for generations. Ron Johnson said that the Democratic policies are a clear and present danger to the country which is offensive and provocative. Donald Trump came to the RNC Convention being emotional along with his son, because Trump survived an evil assassination attempt by a murdering coward. This is the first time I have seen Trump in public being emotional on television. The Trump campaign strategy to get to the voters of the Democratic coalition (of black people, Latino people, independents, etc.) in order to try to win the 2024 election.
Kari Lake's speech is not a unifying message. Steve Scalise talked about the economy and the other issues but omit that America is now a major energy export with the strongest economy on Earth presently. Thousands of protesters are in Milwaukee, Wisconsin right now. On the 2nd day of the Republican National Convention, Re. Tom Emmer talked about standing with the people and the people, but Donald Trump has promised to pardon the criminals and rioters (or insurrectionist traitors) who viciously assaulted 140 men and women who were police officers on January 6, 2021. One police officer in the U.S. Capitol was called the n word, and another officer was almost crushed to death in a door. Many folks want people to forget the evils committed on that day, but I won't. Nikki Haley gave her speech to defend Donald Trump along with Governor Ron DeSantis. DeSantis's ignorant self-use the ageist comment that Biden is similar to a Weekends at Bernie's movie when Biden has enacted some of the greatest legislation in American history since the days of LBJ and FDR. Marco Rubio gave a speech in the convention too which represents a total capitulation to the agenda of MAGA. What the Republicans forget is that with President Biden, we have lower crime, lower inflation, border crossings are even down, record high market results, and record low black unemployment rates.
FBI and Homeland Security have warned that extremists could commit retaliation attacks after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump. Many people in the online community have threatened violence. The bulletin cites that the threat includes small cells. One of the most important news of this time is the heat wave and the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl causing as high as 1.5 million Texans to lose electrical power, including in the Houston area. This causes a lack of air conditioning which has increased human suffering. Some areas might not have power for the next two weeks. Some people in Houston have resorted to sleep in cars to get some relief as cars can turn on their air conditioning with the ignition. Tons of people from Tomball, Texas have slept in their cars to escape the heat. There is a lot of news today. The Secret Service has increased security after receiving intel of an Iranian plot to assassinate Trump. This has no connection to the previous shooting. Iranian leaders sought revenge against America for the U.S. military's killing of Qasem Soleimani, the commander of the Iranian military's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps back in January 2020. John Bolton and Mike Pompeo have been targeted of an Iranian assassination plot. Also, we know that J.D. Vance has been recorded making the sexist remark that women like AOC oppose them because they are "cat ladies" who don't desire to have children. Also, we have Trump talking to Robert Kennedy Jr. saying that vaccinations to children will cause radical changes to babies. The Biden and Harris campaign has criticized Trump criticisms of vaccines to Robert Kennedy Jr. Robert Kennedy Jr. is a person who is known for being skeptical of many vaccines. At the end of the day, we have to be in favor of modern medicine and real health care solutions to save human lives. Robert Kennedy Jr. calling Trump President when he is not the President now is very interesting.
By Timothy
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Monday, July 15, 2024
The Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump (and Other News).
This time represents an unprecedented time in American history and world history. We live in a crossroads wherefore 2025 will be a new era of our time. This is truly the most dangerous time in our democracy since the American Civil War as I have mentioned for some time now. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump was evil, wicked, and unjust. You always express dissent with peaceful, constructive action, not murder or violence. An innocent man was murdered by a coward named Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. He was a registered Republican and gave $15 to a progressive cause. The tragic events started on July 13, 2024. Former President Donald Trump was at a campaign rally near Butler, Pennsylvania. This comes just before the start of the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The rally had a large audience. Secret Service snipers were in the area. Witnesses warned authorities that a man was climbing in the roof of a building holding a weapon. Minutes into the start of Trump's speech, multiple people were shot, and Trump was glazed by a bullet next to his ear. His ear started to bleed, and he fell down to the ground. The Secret Service did a great job to immediately run on stage to hold Trump down. The Secret Service sacrificed their lives to save many lives. Trump wanted to get his shoe, and the Secret Service grabbed him up to the van. Trump yelled Fight, Fight, Fight to the crowd with blood on his ear. The crowd yelled USA, USA. Trump was taken to the hospital. Thomas Crooks was killed by a Secret Service sniper. Armed police authorities, with automatic weapons, guarded the area too. The FBI is investigating this act as domestic terrorism. This is the first attempted assassination of either a former President or President since 1981 when Ronald Reagan was shot. Two other victims are in critical condition. The murderer Crooks is a coward. People said that he was bullied. Millions of people throughout human history have been bullied. That is no excuse for murder and political violence at all period. Crooks had a high-power semiautomatic rifle that could shoot ammo in the range of hundreds of yards, and the Secret Service Counter Assault Team sniper killed Crooks. Many questions remain on safety protocol especially when Crooks climbed on top of the roof of the building to shoot a dangerous weapon. Investigations will occur by the President, Congress, and other authorities. Political polarization has increased in the past over five decades now. Like always, we don't support the action of murder and harming innocent human life. We wish for Trump to have a full recovery (including the other victims), and people have legitimately sent prayers to Trump and the other victims. That is right.
Likewise, we will not apologize for the truth. We will show the truth in season and out of season. Let's not forget about Project 2025, of the fascists in Charlottesville in 2017 causing mayhem in the streets unjustly, of the epidemic of mass shootings in America (where some people make an idol out of a gun instead of promoting virtue, legitimate gun regulations, and ethics), the threats against political leaders daily, and the insurrection in the U.S. Congress which was a product of violence, racism, anti-Semitism, and hatred. Trump made fun of a disabled person, talked down on military people, and said that he wants to be a dictator on Day One. Trump has spoken violent rhetoric for years. Many Trump supporters have called for violence and demonized progressives with derogatory invective for years. So, I have the same energy to expose their evil. Right now, far-right extremists are exploiting the tragedy of the unjust shooting to promote lies like J.D. Vance of Vance blaming Democrats for the shooting, Nick Adams blaming Biden for the shooting, Erick Erickson showing out, and Clay Travis cursing people out who disagree with him. Yes, I haven't forgotten, and yes Trump is still wrong on many political issues. That is the truth. We should be cautious with our words, but we will not compromise our core convictions. We advocate a clean environment, justice for all, the separation of church and state, and civil rights without injustice. Two things can be true. It is true that the actions of Crooks have no justification for being evil plus wrong, and people have the God-given right to peacefully disagree with the agenda of Donald Trump too.
I found out that my 5th cousin Dabrisha Yolanda Dillard (b. 1990). She was born on October 6, 1990, at Rockingham, North Carolina. Her sister is Satori Lanisha Dillard (b. 1988). She married Moussa Balla on May 3, 2011, in Danville, Virginia. They have six children together, including Nazair Moussa (b. 2011), Nouhou Moussa, Naima Moussa, and other children. The parents of Dabrisha Yolanda Dillard are James Nathaniel Dillard (1957-2019) and Serena Lynette Hampton. James Nathaniel Dillard's parents were George Melvin Dillard (1930-2000) and Ophelia Moyer (1935-1993). The parents of Ophelia Moyer were Berkley Moyer (1913-1973) and Ollie May Broadnax (1910-1990). My 3rd cousin Ollie May Broadnax's parents were Dennis Broadnax (1881-1975) and Cynthia Broadnax (1885-1931). Cynthia Broadnax's parents were Dennis Harris (1860-1928) and Gundroa (Geneva) Perkins (1868-1927). Gundroa Perkins's parents were George Perkins II (1847-1932) and Fannie Lou Blackstock (1848-1949). My 3rd great-granduncle George Perkins II's parents were George Perkins I (b. 1815) and Esther Perkins (b. 1816). Dabrisha's mother was my 5th cousin James Nathaniel Dillard who lived from August 31, 1957, to October 2, 2019. She believed in God with help from the late Bishop W. H. Giles in the Only Way Church of Christ. James Dillard attended the local public schools of Eden City System. He worked in brick masonry. James Nathaniel Dillard's brother was Annette Dillard, who lived from August 11, 1959, to July 18, 2022. Annette Dillard was a native and lifelong resident of Rockingham County, North Carolina. She was educated at Rockingham Community College, earning an Associate Degree. She worshipped at the Only Way Church of Christ, with Pastor David Caibness. She loved to draw, cook, write poems, and spoil her grandchildren. Her twin is Anthony Dillard (1959-1979). She married Johnny Ray Hopper on June 24, 1983, in Rockingham, North Carolina. Their child is my 5th cousin Antonio Hooper. Annette Dillard had children with Alvin Bridges whose names are Kristin Marie Bridges (b. 1988) and Breionna Bridges. The grandchildren of Annette Dillard are Amari, Kristopher, Kendirck, Ka'Niyah, and Kamron. My 5th cousin Diamond Kimauri Irving Leake was born on February 14, 2000, in Rockingham, North Carolina. Diamond Leake is an expert nail specialist. Her parents are Gary Thomas Leake Jr. (1981-2000) and Ophelia Bernice Irving (b. 1974). My 5th cousin Ophelia Bernice Irving's parents are Robert Lee Irving Jr. (b. 1953) and Joanne Dillard Irving (1953-2016). My 5th cousin Joanne Dillard Irving's parents were George Melvin Dillard (1930-2000) and Ophelia Moyer (1935-1993). Ophelia Moyer is the descendant of George Esther (b. 1815) and Esther Perkins (b. 1816) of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
There is the ceremony of dedication of the United States Statue of Liberty was held on the afternoon of October 28, 1886. President Grover Cleveland, the former New York governor, presided over the event. On the morning of the dedication, a parade was held in New York City; estimates of the number of people who watched it ranged from several hundred thousand to a million. President Cleveland headed the procession, then stood in the reviewing stand to see bands and marchers from across America. General Stone was the grand marshal of the parade. The route began at Madison Square, once the venue for the arm, and proceeded to the Battery at the southern tip of Manhattan by way of Fifth Avenue and Broadway, with a slight detour so the parade could pass in front of the World Building on Park Row. As the parade passed the New York Stock Exchange, traders threw ticker tape from the windows, beginning the New York tradition of the ticker-tape parade.
A nautical parade began at 12:45 p.m., and President Cleveland embarked on a yacht that took him across the harbor to Bedloe's Island for the dedication. Lesseps made the first speech, on behalf of the French committee, followed by the chairman of the New York committee, Senator William M. Evarts. A French flag draped across the statue's face was to be lowered to unveil the statue at the close of Evarts's speech, but Bartholdi mistook a pause as the conclusion and let the flag fall prematurely. The ensuing cheers put an end to Evarts's address. President Cleveland spoke next, stating that the statue's "stream of light shall pierce the darkness of ignorance and man's oppression until Liberty enlightens the world." Bartholdi, observed near the dais, was called upon to speak, but he declined. Orator Chauncey M. Depew concluded the speechmaking with a lengthy address. No members of the general public were permitted on the island during the ceremonies, which were reserved entirely for dignitaries. The only women granted access were Bartholdi's wife and Lesseps's granddaughter; officials stated that they feared women might be injured in the crush of people. The restriction offended area suffragists, who chartered a boat and got as close as they could to the island. The group's leaders made speeches applauding the embodiment of Liberty as a woman and advocating women's right to vote. A scheduled fireworks display was postponed until November 1 because of poor weather.
Shortly after the dedication, The Cleveland Gazette, an African American newspaper, suggested that the statue's torch not be lit until the United States became a free nation "in reality" as found in this quote: "...Liberty enlightening the world," indeed! The expression makes us sick. This government is a howling farce. It can not or rather does not protect its citizens within its own borders. Shove the Bartholdi statue, torch and all, into the ocean until the "liberty" of this country is such as to make it possible for an inoffensive and industrious colored man to earn a respectable living for himself and family, without being ku-kluxed, perhaps murdered, his daughter and wife outraged, and his property destroyed. The idea of the "liberty" of this country "enlightening the world," or even Patagonia, is ridiculous in the extreme..."
COVID-19 had a long history since the end of 2019. COVID-19 was born in 2019, and so far, the evidence showed that the virus evolved from Nature. As early as December 2019, Symptoms of the index case, or patient zero, began on 1 December. The man had not been to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market. By December 12, 2019, there was a cluster of patients in China’s Hubei Province, in the city of Wuhan, began to experience the symptoms of an atypical pneumonia-like illness that does not respond well to standard treatments. The World Health Organization (WHO) Country Office in China is informed of several cases of pneumonia of unknown etiology (cause) with symptoms including shortness of breath and fever occurring in Wuhan, China. All initial cases seem connected to the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market by December 31, 2019. By early 2020, COVID-19 had spread rapidly globally. The Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan is closed amid worries in China of a reprise of the 2002–2004 SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus or SARS-CoV-1) outbreak. This was on January 1, 2020. The virus spreads rapidly across China in January of 2020. By January 5th, 2020, CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) activated a center-level response to investigate this novel pneumonia of unknown etiology. The genetic sequence for the atypical pneumonia virus, Wuhan-Hu-1, is submitted to the Department of Zoonoses, National Institute of Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, in Beijing, China by Yong-Zhen Zhang of Fudan University, Shanghai. The complete genetic sequence of the virus remains unavailable to the rest of the world as the virus spreads. The Thailand Ministry of Public Health confirms the first laboratory-confirmed case of the SARS-CoV-2 virus outside of China by January 13, 2020. By January 19, 2020, the virus spreads into Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. By January 17, 2020, CDC begins screening passengers for symptoms of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus on direct and connecting flights from Wuhan, China to San Francisco, California, New York City, New York, and Los Angeles, California and plans to expand screenings to other major airports in the U.S. On January 20, 2020, CDC reports the first laboratory-confirmed case of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in the U.S. from samples taken on January 18 in Washington state and on the same day activates its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to respond to the emerging outbreak. The first American case with COVID-19 was on January 21, 2020. The COVID-19 virus has spread across the globe. In January 26, 2020, the virus spread into California, Arizona, and other locations like Macau, Hong Kong. The WHO issued situation reports about the virus. By late January, the virus goes into Europe, South America, and other places. The UAE have victims of the virus. Over 100 people have died from the virus in China alone by early February 2020.
COVID spread into India and the Philippines in February too. On February 9, 2020, the virus killed 811 people with total cases being above 40,000 people. The virus grows constantly. By late February 2020, the President issues travel restrictions ot Iran. There was the DOD COVID-19 Task Force too. Debbie Birtx was the White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator. March 2020 changed everything in the world. This was when the President signed the COVID-19 bill, passing 8.3 billion dollars for crisis response for relief that's non-DOD. Italy created its country-wide lockdown on March 8, 2020. This was the new era of COVID-19 where lockdowns started to happen globally by March of 2020 including in America. In mid-March 2020, tons of sports arenas, schools, restaurants, and businesses were closed because of the spread of COVID-19. The government promoted labs and N9 respirators nationwide. Travel restrictions happen in Europe for 30 days starting on March 13, 2020. The President addressed the nation. On March 11, 2020, the WHO called COVID-19 a pandemic. The President called COVID-19 a national emergency. Zoom and telecommunications have increased to allow people to talk and work without contracting the virus. Statewide stay-at-home existed in California on March 19, 2020. By this time, debates exist about health safety and human liberties. We should have civil and human liberties, but in a healthcare emergency, selfishness is not an option. People should follow legitimate safety guidelines not risking death out of making liberty a fetish. By late March 2020, hospitals nationwide and worldwide are overwhelmed to capacity. It has gotten so bad that the U.S. government had to use Navy ships to house patients. Clinical trials exist. The CARES Act was passed to help Americans with payments on March 27, 2020. Vaccines develop and deaths pass the 100,000 mark by May 28, 2020. Over 2 million American cases existed by June 10, 2020. Anthony Fauci on June 30, 2020, told the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that new COVID-19 cases could hit 100,000 people per day. By July 2, 2020, California and Indiana postpone or reverse plans to reopen their economies. By July 7, 2020, more than 3 million infections exist in America. Masks mandates exist and the race was on to finish vaccines in dealing with COVID-19. By September 2020, we know that COVID-19 can be airborne, and it can spread in reinfection. Trump had COVID-19 by October 2020. The cases of COVID spike by October 15, 2020. October saw global cases increase to more than 40 million people.
Gilead's Remdesivir was the first COVID-19 drug approved by the FDA. 100,000 cases of COVID per day happened by November 4, 2020. By November 9, 2020, Joe Biden was elected President. By the end of December 2020, the FDA starts to approve the Pfizer vaccine and the Moderna vaccine. From 2021 to the present, there have been massive COVID-19 historical developments. The Johnson and Johnson vaccine was in order too. By 2021, fierce debate occurred about not only about mandates but mandatory vaccinations to have jobs. The vast majority of Americans by 2024 have at least one vaccination shot, but tons of people oppose COVID-19 vaccinations. By March 11, 2021, Biden signed the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan into law, which includes funding for COVID-19 vaccinations, expanded unemployment benefits, rental assistance, extending the child tax credits, and giving people direct cash payments of up to $1,400. These actions helped to save millions of lives literally. The CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky extended the eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021, to try to stop the spread of COVID-19. By the end of 2021, schools start to re-open. Also, by this time, many people have booster shots. By early 2022, there is a growth of new COVID-19 variants like Delta and Omicron. New York state had its highest number of new COVID-19 cases in a single day since the pandemic began with 114,082 cases. 2021 and 2022 saw the most massive increases of the COVID-19 virus statistically. By the end of 2022, policies of mask mandates, vaccinations, booster shots, and the growth of Omicron existed. From 2023 to 2024, COVID 19 has declined in many places of the world. Death has lowered, but COVID-19 is still a very serious virus. A high number of cases still exist in many places like Malaysia and New Zealand. According to Dr. Dan Barouch, director of the Center of Virology and Vaccine Research at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston said that the severity of COVID-19 is lower than years ago not because of the variants being less robust but because the immune responses are higher. Most people hospitalized now are people ages 75 and up and babies. The symptoms have milder, less severe issues.
After the dedication ceremony, the Statue of Liberty was controlled by the United States Lighthouse Board in 1887. Bartholdi came to America in 1893 to make more suggestions but his suggestions failed. He did succeed in improving lighting within the statue, allowing visitors to better appreciate Eiffel's design. From 1933 to 1982, the Statue of Liberty was controlled by the NPS or the National Park Service, starting during the days of President Franklin Roosevelt. The Statue of Liberty had an Army building and the eleven-pointed walls of Fort Wood, which still form the statue's base. During World War II, the Statue of Liberty was opened to the public. In 1972, the immigration museum in the statue's base was finally opened in a ceremony led by President Richard Nixon. The museum's backers never provided it with an endowment to secure its future and it closed in 1991 after the opening of an immigration museum on Ellis Island.
In 1970, Ivy Bottini led a demonstration at the statue where she and others from the National Organization for Women's New York chapter draped an enormous banner over a railing which read "WOMEN OF THE WORLD UNITE!" Beginning December 26, 1971, 15 anti-Vietnam War veterans occupied the statue, flying a US flag upside down from her crown. They left on December 28 following a federal court order. The statue was also several times taken over briefly by demonstrators who were publicizing causes such as Puerto Rican independence, opposition to abortion, and opposition to US intervention in Grenada. Demonstrations with the permission of the Park Service included a Gay Pride Parade rally and the annual Captive Baltic Nations rally. A powerful new lighting system was installed in advance of the American Bicentennial in 1976. The statue was the focal point for Operation Sail, a regatta of tall ships from all over the world that entered New York Harbor on July 4, 1976, and sailed around Liberty Island. The day concluded with a spectacular display of fireworks near the statue. From 1982 to 2000, it was a time when the Statue of Liberty had renovations and rededication. American and French engineers helped to renovate the statue. The original torch was removed and replaced in 1986 with the current one, whose flame is covered in 24-karat gold. July 3–6, 1986, was designated "Liberty Weekend", marking the centennial of the statue and its reopening. President Reagan presided over the rededication, with French President François Mitterrand in attendance. July 4 saw a reprise of Operation Sail, and the statue was reopened to the public on July 5. In Reagan's dedication speech, he stated, "We are the keepers of the flame of liberty; we hold it high for the world to see." From 2001 to the present, the Statue of Liberty had many closures and reopenings. After 9/11, the Statue of Liberty was closed to the public. It reopened by the end of 2001.
The statue, including the pedestal and base, closed on October 29, 2011, for the installation of new elevators and staircases and to bring other facilities, such as restrooms, up to code. The statue was reopened on October 28, 2012, but then closed again a day later in advance of Hurricane Sandy. Although the storm did not harm the statue, it destroyed some of the infrastructure on both Liberty and Ellis Islands, including the dock used by the ferries that ran to Liberty and Ellis Islands. On November 8, 2012, a Park Service spokesperson announced that both islands would remain closed for an indefinite period for repairs to be done.
Since Liberty Island had no electricity, a generator was installed to power temporary floodlights to illuminate the statue at night. The superintendent of Statue of Liberty National Monument, David Luchsinger—whose home on the island was severely damaged—stated that it would be "optimistically ... months" before the island was reopened to the public. The statue and Liberty Island reopened to the public on July 4, 2013. Ellis Island remained closed for repairs for several more months but reopened in late October 2013. On October 7, 2016, construction started on the new Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island. The new $70 million, 26,000-square-foot (2,400 m2) museum may be visited by all who come to the island, as opposed to the museum in the pedestal, which only 20% of the island's visitors had access to. The new museum, designed by FXFOWLE Architects, is integrated with the surrounding parkland. Diane von Fürstenberg headed the fundraising for the museum, and the project received over $40 million in fundraising by groundbreaking. The museum opened on May 16, 2019. The statue is situated in Upper New York Bay on Liberty Island south of Ellis Island, which together comprise the Statue of Liberty National Monument. Both islands were ceded by New York to the federal government in 1800. Visitors to the Statue of Liberty use ferries. All ferry riders have to do security screening, similar to airport procedures, before boarding.
Visitors intending to enter the statue's base and pedestal must obtain pedestal access for a nominal fee when purchasing their ferry ticket. Those wishing to climb the staircase within the statue to the crown must purchase a special ticket, which may be reserved up to a year in advance. A total of 240 people per day can ascend: ten per group, three groups per hour. Climbers may bring only medication and cameras—lockers are provided for other items—and must undergo a second security screening. The balcony around the torch was closed to the public following the munitions explosion on Black Tom Island in 1916. The balcony can however be seen live via webcam.
In our generation, it is important to promote unity in the black community in America and worldwide. That is why I will forever believe in black Pan-African unity, because we may be born in America, Cuba, Brazil, Barbados, Jamaica, France, the UK, etc. (with different cultures). Still, we have a common origin from Africa as human beings of black African heritage. We can both acknowledge our cultural differences while respecting our common ties (like love of family, love of community, a belief in justice plus virtue, and a determination to fight for freedom without apology) as human beings. For many years, the FBA and ADOS movements have done a lot of division in the black African Diaspora. As a black American, I know people of Afro-Caribbean heritage or other people of the Diaspora being hurt by their xenophobic rhetoric from numerous members of the ADOS and FBA cliques. The ADOS movement was created in 2016 by Yvette Carnell and Antonio Moore. The FBA movement was created by Tariq Nasheed in 2019. The demonization of black immigrants, Afro-Caribbeans, Africans, and other people (who are not African Americans) by some in the ADOS and FBA movements has no justification. This demonization has nothing to do with promoting reparations for black Americans or economic justice. It has to do with bigotry and xenophobia. The ADOS and FBA movements (which ignore American imperialism, voter suppression laws, the climate crisis, health care disparities, and other evils in our world. These movements make America a near idol to be worshiped) promote the lie that Pan-Africanism is dead when it is still strong. Pan-African groups function internationally to this very day. Tariq Nasheed lied and called people who usually wave the red, black, and green flags as agents. This is ironic when Tariq admitted that white far-right racists approached him to attempt to pay him money to attack black immigrants. That seems very interesting. Now, Tariq uses slurs to call black immigrants the t word and other slurs. Tariq is a hypocrite to demonize Caribbeans, but he used to make a documentary about the Haitian Revolution called 1804, and his wife has Haitian heritage according to many sources (his wife is biracial). Pan-African leaders who believed in reparations too include people like Queen Mother Moore. Our African identity is with us forever. Anyone who tries to disrespect black African identity, attacks black immigrants, attacks black American history (Tariq recently excludes Malcolm X as being part of African American history. Back in August 4, 2022, Tariq Nasheed expressed a sick Twitter rant against Yvette Carnell. He called Yvette Carnell the h word and used other misogynistic comments. I disagree with Yvette Carnell on some issues, but she never deserves to be called out of her name), and attacks Pan-African unity is a traitor. Pan-Africanism just means that people of black African descent have cultural diversity (our diverse cultures are beautiful and should be respected), but we have common interests, and we should be unified economically, politically, and socially to free all black people globally. There is nothing wrong with that. Justice for all is a legitimate aim to advocate too.