Digital Blackface: A Tool for Online Manipulation & Disinformation – NBCI Trust
Understanding the Division Between African Americans and Africans (ibw21.org)
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Nearing Summer.
The Biden and McCarthy debt ceiling deal is filled with compromise. Like I have mentioned earlier, it's a mixture of good and bad parts in it. There is no other way to explain the deal. Biden and McCarthy are unexpected allies in trying to get votes to pass the deal in the House and the Senate. This bipartisan deal embraces many conservative economic talking points. Missing from the deal is the fair taxation of the rich or even a Wall Street transaction tax that will get revenues that can handle the debt and deficit. Recently, the stock market has gains in the Dow, the Nasdaq, and the S&P 500. The deal has an increase in military spending and a cap on non-military discretionary spending. Billions of dollars in the deal will be gone from the unspent portion of COVID-19 relief funds. New work requirements are on SNAP programs that will harm many poor and unemployed human beings (even with certain exceptions). There are now cuts to Medicaid after the lifting of the national COVID emergency designation over the past few months. The deal rescinds billions of dollars to hir more IRS agents to rein in rampant tax evasions by some corporations and some of the rich. Still, the ultimate goal of many neoliberals and establishment leaders is to cut Medicare and Social Security (the deal doesn't do that, but editorials from The Washington Post desire to tackle Social Security and Medicare). Therefore, we have to see what these events evolve into.
Donald Trump and other far right extremists embracing the Shaman of the January 6th attack and other terrorists involved in the January 6th attack is anti-democratic. Many far-right GOP members are hypocritical in criticizing the debt deal, but they supported Trump's large tax cut that increased the U.S. deficit before. Chip Roy is so extreme in desiring even more massive cuts to social programs that his policies would trigger a world economic depression. Trump is also very extreme by desiring to ban the children of undocumented immigrants from having citizenship at birth. Birthright citizenship is legal and part of the 14th Amendment. That shows Trump's overt xenophobia. This xenophobia is promoted by agents all of the time.
We live in unique economic times. Taking aim at corporate profits is necessary to control inflation not harming the economic futures of working people. MAGA Republicans have used manufactured crises to divert the public's attention from real issues. While the super wealthy gain more income, wealth, and power into small hands, you have extremists like DeSantis who admitted that his Presidential campaign is about ending woke politics from the national stage. Being woke just means that every human on this Earth is equal and are entitled to basic human rights without oppression. That is why compassion, peace, the rule of law, and democracy are legitimate ideals being superior to bigotry, hatred of people, and political divisiveness. DeSantis wants to destroy leftism being against the freedom of speech. His autocratic policies and his authoritarianism are clear to witness. We don't want anyone telling us what to believe or face consequences like DeSantis has promoted. The Governor of Florida wants every state in America to embrace his authoritarianism. The good news is that evil will lose in the end.
Scottie Pippen is typical with his hating of Michael Jordan. He or Pippen is right to expose Phil Jackson's racism which is further confirmed with his statements about sports and politics. Pippen is wrong to say that Michael Jordan was a horrible player and a horrible teammate. The truth is that before Pippen was in the NBA, Michael Jordan was the Rookie of the Year, won the Olympic Gold Medal beating international teams and even legendary NBA players in 1984, and he was a scoring leader in the NBA. He led his Chicago Bulls Team to the playoffs for the first time. Was Michael Jordan the perfect teammate? No. Did he make mistakes? Yes. Yet, Michael Jordan gave all of the praise to Scottie Pippen as a person who helped him and his team win 6 Championships. Michael Jordan always respected Scottie Pippen as a key element of the Chicago Bulls. After the Chicago Bulls won the 1997 Championship, Michael Jordan gave a press conference where he said that he respected Scottie Pippen's talent. It's ironic that while Jordan has shown respect to Pippen, Pippen has disrespected Jordan's legacy because of overt jealousy. Michael Jordan has been a bigger man by not responding to the disrespect from Pippen.
Yesterday was the Birthday of Brother Ralph Carter, and he is 62 years old. He was born in New York City. He is famous for being an actor and a singer. he stared on Broadway in the musical That Me Body Knows when he was 9 years old. He was involved in various plays and had the breakout role as Travis Younger in Raisin. he won the 1973 Drama Desk Award for Most Promising Performer as well as the 1974 Theater World Award. Ralph Carter was nominated for the 1974 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He played James in the show of Good Times. Young and In Love was his 1975 album. He performed the song When You're Young and in Love on Soul Train. He played in the Theater for the Classical Theater of Harlem Company too. Ralph Carter loves his five children. I wish Brother Ralph Carter more Blessings.
By Timothy
Tuesday, May 30, 2023
Monday, May 29, 2023
News on this Memorial Day of 2023.
We live in a crossroads in our history as human beings. I think people underestimated the far-right wing backlash after Reaganism ended. Trumpism is still here with a vengeance in 2023. In 2023 alone, we witness thousands of regular books being banned unjustly, increased hate crimes, increased mass shootings, growth of economic inequality, harm done to the rights of women and social minorities, and a callous attitude against the oppressed. The extremists hide behind religion or culture to justify their hate, but no religion and no real culture condones suppressing basic human rights of fellow people. The Golden Rule says that we treat your neighbor as yourself. That's an universal law, and MAGA extremists violate that principle by passing voter suppression laws, limiting which books can be read, and threatening colleges with far right wing indoctrination policies. We ought to live in a true democracy without fascism and without authoritarianism. No one should underestimate Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida. We all know that polls show him struggling against Donald Trump in the Republican primaries, but there was a time in 2015 when many people thought that Trump wouldn't be elected. Those folks were wrong as a year from now is a very long time in political terms in America. It is certainly a disgrace that the federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. No one in America can survive with $7.25. Too many people want to measure the economy on the stock market alone instead of how many people are housed, clothed, fed, and filled with economic resources to survive in a day to day basis. We know that now since 2015, child labor violations have risen nearly 300%, and that is completely wrong. This proves once again that trickle-down economics has never worked. It was created by neoliberals and conservative economists to enrich the super wealthy.
There is the tentative deal between President Joe Biden and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy. The deal may be voted in the House by Wednesday. Then, it will be voted by the Senate, both chambers of Congress vote on it again, and the President will sign the bill into law if the bill will turn into law. The bill would increase the debt limit until 2025, there are caps on non-defense spending, it will protect veterans' medical care, and it will expand work requirements. The text of the bill has been released to the public. We have already work requirements now for SNAP. The deal will expand exemptions for veterans, people who are homeless, and others in the SNAP program. SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The deal will rescind unobligated funds from the COVID-19 package. The deal will cut IRS fund by $80 billion. The deal will require borrowers to pay back their student loans again. The deal will not make any changes to the Inflation Reduction Act's climate and clean energy provisions. The truth is that the deal is a mixture of good and bad parts in it. It was a compromise. Therefore, the GOP members scared Americans in believing in laissez faire capitalism so much that some still want extremism to be the order of the day. Some GOP extremists want to negotiate food for suffering people in order to promote an archaic political economic philosophy. President Biden wants the deal to be sent up to Congress for a vote.
During ancient times, Ukraine was part of the Pontic steepe in Eastern Europe. Eurasians and other groups of people lived in the region. There as the spread of the Chalcolithic and Bronze Ages, Indo-European migrations, and the domestication of the horse. During ancient times, Ukraine was part of Scythia, which was settled by the Greuthungi, Getae, and early Slavic expansion. It was the home of the medieval state of the Kievan Rus. Later, Ukraine was part of many powers like the Golden Hore, the Crimean Khanate, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, and the Crown of the Kingdom of Poland. Later, Russia ruled Ukraine for a time. The Ukrainian nationalist movement developed in the 19th century. Ukraine had its own civil war from 1917 to 1921. It was part of the Warsaw pact later on being with the U.S.S.R. as the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic on December 30, 1922. There was the brutal famine in Ukraine when millions of the people of Ukraine (mostly peasants) starved to death called the holodomor. About 6 to 8 million people died from hunger in the Soviet Union, including 4 to 5 million Ukrainians. Axis armies occupied Ukraine from 1941 to 1944. During World War II, many elements of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army fought for Ukrainian independence against Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Other elements immorally collaborated with the Nazis assisting them in carrying out the Holocaust in Ukraine and their oppression of Polish people. Ukraine became an independent nation again when the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991.
On December 1, 1991, voters approved a referendum formalizing independence from the Soviet Union. Over 90% of Ukrainian citizens voted for independence, with majorities in every region, including 56% in Crimea. The Soviet Union formally ceased to exist on December 26, 1991, when the presidents of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia (the founding members of the USSR) met in Białowieża Forest to formally dissolve the Union in accordance with the Soviet Constitution. With this, Ukraine's independence was formalized de jure and recognized by the international community. After Ukraine's independence in 1991, there was a transition to a market economy. Ukraine suffered an eight year recession. Later, the economic grew its GDP growth until it plunged during the Great Recession. Also on December 1, 1991, Ukrainian voters in their first presidential election elected Leonid Kravchuk. During his presidency, the Ukrainian economy shrank by more than 10% per year (in 1994 by more than 20%). The presidency (1994–2005) of the 2nd President of Ukraine, Leonid Kuchma, was surrounded by numerous corruption scandals and the lessening of media freedoms, including the Cassette Scandal. During Kuchma's presidency, the economy recovered, with GDP growth at around 10% a year in his last years in office.
In 2004, Kuchma announced that he wouldn't run for re-election. Two major candidates emerged in the 2004 presidential election. Viktor Yanukovych, the incumbent Prime Minister, supported by both Kuchma and by the Russian Federation, wanted closer ties with Russia. The main opposition candidate, Viktor Yushchenko, called for Ukraine to turn its attention westward and aim to eventually join the EU. In the runoff election, Yanukovych officially won by a narrow margin, but Yushchenko and his supporters alleged that vote rigging and intimidation cost him many votes, especially in eastern Ukraine. A political crisis erupted after the opposition started massive street protests in Kyiv and other cities ("Orange Revolution"), and the Supreme Court of Ukraine ordered the election results null and void. A second runoff found Viktor Yushchenko the winner. Five days later, Yanukovych resigned from office and his cabinet was dismissed on January 5, 2005.
During the Yushchenko term, relations between Russia and Ukraine often appeared strained as Yushchenko looked towards improved relations with the European Union and less toward Russia. In 2005, a highly publicized dispute over natural gas prices with Russia caused shortages in many European countries that were reliant on Ukraine as a transit country. A compromise was reached in January 2006.
By the time of the presidential election of 2010, Yushchenko and Yulia Tymoshenko — allies during the Orange Revolution — had become bitter enemies. Tymoshenko ran for president against both Yushchenko and Viktor Yanukovych, creating a three-way race. Yushchenko, whose popularity had plummeted, persisted in running, and many pro-Orange voters stayed home. In the second round of the election, Yanukovych won the run-off ballot with 48% to Tymoshenko's 45%.
During his presidency (2010–2014), Yanukovych and his Party of Regions were accused of trying to create a "controlled democracy" in Ukraine and of trying to destroy the main opposition party Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko, but both have denied these charges. One frequently cited example of Yanukovych's attempts to centralize power was the 2011 sentencing of Yulia Tymoshenko, which has been condemned by Western governments as potentially being politically motivated. In November 2013, President Yanukovych did not sign the Ukraine–European Union Association Agreement and instead pursued closer ties with Russia. This action caused protests in the streets of Kyiv and called the Revolution of Dignity. Protesters set up camps in Kyiv's Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Independence Square), and in December 2013 and January 2014 protesters started taking over various government buildings, first in Kyiv, and later in Western Ukraine. Battles between protesters and police resulted in about 80 deaths in February 2014. Following the violence, the Ukrainian parliament on February 22, 2014 voted to remove Yanukovych from power (on the grounds that his whereabouts were unknown, and he thus could not fulfil his duties), and to free Yulia Tymoshenko from prison. On the same day, Yanukovych supporter Volodymyr Rybak resigned as speaker of the Parliament, and was replaced by Tymoshenko loyalist Oleksandr Turchynov, who was subsequently installed as interim President. Yanukovych had fled Kyiv, and subsequently gave a press conference in the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don.
By January 1, 2016, Ukraine joined the DCFTA with the EU. Ukraine supported anti-Russian sanctions. On May 19, 2018, Poroshenko signed a Decree which put into effect the decision of the National Security and Defense Council on the final termination of Ukraine's participation in the statutory bodies of the Commonwealth of Independent States. As of February 2019, Ukraine minimized its participation in the Commonwealth of Independent States to a critical minimum and effectively completed its withdrawal. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine did not ratify the accession, i.e. Ukraine has never been a member of the CIS. On February 21, 2019, the Constitution of Ukraine was amended, with the norms on the strategic course of Ukraine for membership in the European Union and NATO being enshrined in the preamble of the Basic Law, three articles and transitional provisions.
On April 21, 2019, Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected president in the second round of the presidential election. Early parliamentary elections on July 21 allowed the newly formed pro-presidential Servant of the People party to win an absolute majority of seats for the first time in the history of independent Ukraine (248). Dmytro Razumkov, the party's chairman, was elected speaker of parliament. The majority was able to form a government on August 29 on its own, without forming coalitions, and approved Oleksii Honcharuk as prime minister. On March 4, 2020, due to a 1.5% drop in GDP (instead of a 4.5% increase at the time of the election), the Verkhovna Rada fired Honcharuk's government and Denys Shmyhal became the new Prime Minister. At the June 2021 Brussels Summit, NATO leaders reiterated the decision taken at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that Ukraine would become a member of the Alliance with the Membership Action Plan (MAP) as an integral part of the process and Ukraine's right to determine its own future and foreign policy without outside interference. Ukraine signed an application for membership in the EU in February of 2022. Since the start, the war existed over the conflict and debate among the West and Russia over the future of Ukraine. Ukraine was in the crossfire. Russia still illegally and immorally preempetively invaded Ukraine unjustly. Crimea was annexed by Russia by March of 2014.
The Crimean crisis was followed by pro-Russian unrest in east Ukraine and south Ukraine. In April 2014 Ukrainian separatists self-proclaimed the Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic and held referendums on May 11, 2014; the separatists claimed nearly 90% voted in favor of independence. Later in April 2014, fighting between the Ukrainian army and pro-Ukrainian volunteer battalions on one side, and forces supporting the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics on the other side, escalated into the war in Donbas. By December 2014, more than 6,400 people had died in this conflict, and according to United Nations figures it led to over half a million people becoming internally displaced within Ukraine and two hundred thousand refugees to flee to (mostly) Russia and other neighboring countries. The Kerch Strait incident occurred on November 25, 2018 when the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) coast guard fired upon and captured three Ukrainian Navy vessels attempting to pass from the Black Sea into the Sea of Azov through the Kerch Strait on their way to the port of Mariupol. Throughout 2021, Russian forces built up along the Russia-Ukraine Border, in occupied Crimea and Donbas, and in Belarus. On February 24, 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine. Far right people and fake leftists are wrong to blame the conflict solely on the U.S. and NATO (though NATO has a long history involved in militarism and other forms of horrendeous errors including its rampage of Libya years ago) when many of them refuse to support solidarity with Ukrainian people fighting for their lives. The Russian invasion of Ukraine crippled Ukarine's economy including its GDP. Ukraine had its right to experience its own independence.
One of the most influential rock bands of all time is the Irish rock band of U2. It was created in 1976 at Dublin, Ireland. The group of Bono, the guitarist the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. changed music. Their style changed for almost 50 years now, but their legacy remains as one of the best rock bands of all time. They had enormous success by the 1980's. The band talked about love, philosophy, life, and spirituality (especially since Bono is overt in singing about spiritual subject matter). Their style is post-punk. They have worked outside of the music booth to promote humanitarian and philanthropic causes. Their first album was Boy in 1980. Their first UK number one album was War in 1983 with singles like Sunday Bloody Sunday (to call for peace in Ireland among violence among Catholics and Protestants) and Pride (in the Name of Love). Pride was to honor the memory and legacy of the late Dr. Martin Luther King. U2 was always a political and socially conscious group. They made the Unforgettable Fire in 1984. Their best album was The Joshua Tree in 1987. That album made them superstars. Songs like With or Without You made them a household name. They did experimental albums like Rattle and Hum and Achtung Baby including Pop and Zooropa. Later, they made All That You Can't Leave Behind. Their comeback album was 2004's How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
In the 2010s, U2 released the companion albums Songs of Innocence (2014) and Songs of Experience (2017), the former of which received criticism for its pervasive, no-cost release through the iTunes Store. Their most recent album, Songs of Surrender (2023), consists of reimagined versions of 40 songs from their career.
U2 have released 15 studio albums and are one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold an estimated 150–170 million records worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and in 2005, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 on its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time." Throughout their career, as a band and as individuals, they have campaigned for human rights and social justice causes, working with organisations and coalitions that include Amnesty International, Jubilee 2000, DATA/the ONE Campaign, Product Red, War Child, and Music Rising. We know of them performing at the Live Aid concert at the United Kingdom during the 1980's. They were the first group to attain number-one albums in the US in the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s. U2's legacy is about consistency, bringing alternative rock into the next level, and having the essence of a serious rock band with universal appeal across the world.
By the mid to late 1980's, grunge was formed. It was a different genre of rock music. It was the complete opposite of metal or even soft rock. It came from the Pacific Northwest. Many people involved wore working class clothing, flannel shirts, and other clothing. Some were filled with beards and didn't like bourgeoisie mainstream culture. The themes of grunge were about social alienation, self-doubt, neglect, social isolation, and a desire for freedom. Grunge musicians were heavily Generation X. Back in the day, Generation X in some of their members felt that the benefits of society didn't come to them. Reaganomics increased economic inequality, jobs were lost, and there was a recession during the 1980's and from 1991-1992. Grunge merged metal and punk. Back in 1987, Mark Arm of Green River made the EP called Dry as a Bone. Seattle was the homebase of grunge culture including the city of Portland, Oregon. The Melvins were the most influential of the early grunge bands being formed in Washington, D.C. by 1983. Sub Pop producer Jack Endino described grunge as "seventies-influenced, slowed-down punk music." Grunge artists readily use the electric guitar. Some of the vocals used in grunge had a gritty sound. Pre-Gunge bands were Green River, Mudhoney, and Mother Love Bone. Soundgarden was created in 1984 along with Green River. Screaming Trees was made in 1985. By 1987, grunge music evolved to be firmer in their content. Kurt Cobain by the late 1980's was forming music, and during the 1990's, he became the icon of grunge music.
On this Memorial Day, I certainly know of 2 relatives who passed away in the battlefields of warfare. One person was my late 4th cousin Willie Lee James (1947-1968). He is from my paternal side of my family who passed away on November 1, 1968, at Tay Ninh, Vietnam. His parents were Hezzie James and Dora Lee Fisher (1923-2009). Dora Lee Fisher's parents are William Fisher (b. 1903) and Hallie B. Fishter (1906-1985). Hallie B. Fisher's parents are Ethel Kelly (b. 1885) and John Satchell (b. 1982). Ethel Kelly's parents are George Kelly (b. 1830) and Easter Perkins (1840-1910). Easter Perkins' parents are George Perkins I (b. 1815) and Esther Perkins (b. 1816). George and Esther Perkins were my 4th great grandparents.
Another paternal relative who died in Vietnam was my 3rd cousin Charles Jones Jr. who lived from 1948 to 1968. He passed away in Vietnam in 1948. His parents were Charlie C. Jones Sr. (b. 1905) and Elizabeth Stratton (1913-1995). Elizabeth Stratton's parents are Alfred Stratton (1884-1951) and Virginia Burton (1883-1968). Virginia Burton's parents are James Burton (1848-1931) and Ann Eliza Brickhouse (1857-1921). Ann Eliza Brickhouse's parents are Johnson Brickhouse (b. 1826) and Julia Perkins (b. 1835). Julia Perkins' parents are George Perkins I (b. 1815) and Esther Perkins (b. 1816).
By Timothy
Friday, May 26, 2023
End of the Week News in Late May of 2023.
The debt limit situation is a manufactured crisis. Veteran's benefits, Medicare, Social Security payments, and other federal resources are at risk as the GOP refuses to make a deal. The U.S. credit rating is at risk too. If no deal is made by June 1, 2023, seniors may have their Social Security payments (that they have earned with years and decades of work) threatened. Republicans want draconian cuts to necessary social programs. Republican hypocrites claim to be against debts but they refuse to allow the super wealthy top pay their fair share of taxation (allowing the super wealthy to pay their fair share of taxes will lower the deficit). The House adjourns for the holiday weekend without a debt deal. The GOP MAGA extremists are holding America's economic future in hostage. This situation will harm veterans' benefits from the federal government too. This will harm food resources and even Meals on Wheels plus Head Start (that has educated millions of American children for decades). Medicare and Social Security was signed by FDR and LBJ after the working class and the poor fought for these laws by protests, sacrifice, and other methods in the streets. These corporate greed by some large corporations relate to record bank bailouts, more tax breaks for the rich, and other corporate welfare. War mongering, greed, and corruption by the corporate elites contributed to the national debt and the debt limit crisis that we are dealing with.
A Florida school has banned Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem. That action is a disgrace. Gorman's poem was powerful, not offensive, and poignant. Gorman's words specifically talked about bringing the country of America together in forming a growing, progressive community. Her poem desires justice and the fact that we are all in this together in eloquent terms. This shows how radical far right people in Florida don't care about black people, kids, or any human beings who believes in liberty and justice. These hypocrites lecture us on free speech, but they show book bans being the antithesis of the freedom of speech. One racist parent complained about the poem, and it was banned in a Florida school. This is an example of racism and censorship completely. A genius black poet has every right to show her views. Books don't kill people, but guns do. The idolization of guns is more important for MAGA extremists than protecting the lives of children from gun violence. Gorman is a black woman, so racists hate her views because she is black and she is a woman. It is as clear as that. Over 16,000 books are banned in schools nationwide, not just in Florida. DeSantis running for President now shows his cruel, bigoted agenda. DeSantis considering to pardon January 6th terrorists if he is Presidents shows his extremism and anti-democratic attitudes. I find Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem to be one of the greatest items of literary prose of the 21st century period. She is an icon of our time period.
Recently, I found a lot of information about my family tree. First, my 4th great grandparents are Morefield Hurst Turner and Milly Woodson Bozeman. One of their children was named Cordelia (Candy) Turner (1860-1934). Cordelia Turner was my 3rd great grandaunt whose first husband was John Henry Wiggins (b. 1853. He was a descendant of the Nottoway people). Their children were William Wiggins (1878-1931), Annie Wiggins (1879-1958), Benjamin Wiggins (1896-1957), and Lula Wiggins (1899-1971). Cordelia Turner's 2nd husband was Marshall Darden (1863-1937). Their children are Caster Darden (b. 1912), Eunice Darden (b. 1916), William Darden (b. 1918), and Rose Darden. My 1st cousin William Wiggins married Annie L. Barnes (b. 1878). They had the following children of Lonie Wiggins (b. 1896), Eddie Quiney Wiggins (1897-1918), Nettie Wiggins (b. 1898), Willliam S. Wiggins (1901), Leroy Wiggins (1903-1937), Annie M. Wiggins (b. 1906). Otis Wiggins (b. 1908), Henry Wiggins (b. 1909), Alice Wiggins (b. 1913), Delia L. Wiggins (b. 1914), Willie Davis Wiggins (1916-1908), Bennie Wiggins (1918-1993), and Virgie Wiggins (1919-1991).
My 2nd cousin Virgie Wiggins married Gilbert B. Monger Sr. (1908-1961) and their children are Edward Monger (b. 1939), Gilbert B. Monger Jr. (1939-1993), Earl L. Monger (b. 1942), and Oliver Monger (b. 1946). My 3rd cousin Earl L. Monger married Elsie Doretha Steward (b. 1946), and they had the children of Derrick Lamont Monger (1977-2023), and Tisha D. Monger (b. 1994). These children are my 4th cousin. Virgie Wiggins had a child with Charlie J. Jefferson Sr. named Charlie Jasper Jefferson (1935-1976). Charlie Jasper Jefferson married Alma Romaine Daniel (b. 1933) and had the child of Darrin V. Jefferson (1961-2011). My 2nd cousin Leroy Wiggins (1903-1937) married Lucille Anderson (b. 1908) and had the following children of Emerson Lee Wiggins (1933-1995), Lillian Louise Wiggins (1935-2012), and Mythais Wiggins (1937-2007). My 3rd cousin Mythais Wiggins married Martha Ann Jordan at Greenville, Virginia on April 3, 1958. Their child is William Anthony Wiggins (b. 1969). William Anthony Wiggins married Leigh Ann Wiggins (1974-2021), and their child is Mythais Wiggins Jr. (b. 2006). My 3rd cousin Lillian Louise Wiggins (1935-2012) married George Ryland (b. 1927). They had many children who are Leroy McKinley Ryland (1955-2006), Lennice Harmon (1961-2020), Eric Green, Regina Michaels, LaVern Williams, Patricia Ryland, Jerome Ryland, and George Ryland. My 4th cousin Lenince Harmon married John Eric Harmon Sr., and their children are Justin Isaiah Harmon, Johsua Adair Harmon, and John Eric Harmon Jr.
The recent sad news of Tina Turner's passing represents many things. It shows how we must recognize the innovators of music and be inspired to achieve our best in our greatness. Greatness is purely part of Tina Turner's legacy. As the Queen of Rock and Roll, she broke down cultural, racial, and gender barriers. She also sparked up modern popular culture in many respects from dancing, fashion, and to singing. Tina Turner's powerful voice and energetic dancing style were unmistakable. Her overcoming the storm is an understatement. She thrived after overcoming a lot to further her legend across multiple generations with her talent, charisma, work ethic, compassion, and love of the art of music. You have to have a passion in life to be great. She exceled in expressing her dreams. Tina Turner was from the South (in Tennessee) filled with vigor and energy. She looked decades younger than her actual age. When we see her perform with her gorgeous legs and her audacious agility (including her resiliency during her longevity), we are reminded about the glorious presence of a black woman. She lived in America, Switzerland, and all over the world, but her zeal for life was paramount. She honored the present icons like Beyonce, and Tina Turner loved all of her children unconditionally. Her songs are anthems of human life like Proud Mary, River Deep - Mountain High, Nutbush City Limits, What's Love Got to Do with It, The Best, etc. We know about her accomplishments from selling over 100 million records globally, earning 12 Grammy Awards, being a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee in 2021, and being the first black woman artist to be on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine. Along with her achievements, she expressed a down to Earth humbleness that was so glorious. Tina Turner praised the actors and actresses involved in a recent play about her life. Today, she with the ancestors in the afterlife. For 83 years, Tina Turner has prominently shown her light, her truth, and her great form of transcendent expression worldwide. Now, we give a great deal of gratitude for her courage, her heroic walk, and her presence.
Rest in Power Sister Tina Turner.
By Timothy
Thursday, May 25, 2023
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
New Developments.
Ted Cruz of Texas said that the NAACP lost its way because he agrees with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in his policies. The NAACP recently gave a travel advisory because of DeSantis signing laws to sugarcoating the history of black Americans and suppressing the rights of fellow human beings. Ted Cruz even invoked Dr. King in saying that Dr. King wouldn't endorse what the NAACP did in Florida. The truth is that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is a lot more revolutionary than many people think that he is. As Dr. King's daughter, Bernice King has mentioned, the situation is that Dr. King wouldn't supported DeSantis's xenophobic, racist, voter suppression, and discriminatory legislation. DeSantis hides behind religion when the universal part of religion is the Golden Rule. You have to love your neighbor as yourself. The best way to promote the Golden Rule is to show human dignity to all of your neighbor beyond just some. DeSantis using strict guidelines to ban books has nothing to do with Dr. King's call for justice. Dr. King not only promoted boycotts against racist institutions overtly. He also heroically made cogent arguments against the Vietnam War, participated in anti-war rallies, and stood up in favor of reparations for black Americans. He believed in economic growth via a radical redistribution of political and economic power (because many large corporations for centuries have used their influence to damage the lives of poor and working-class people worldwide). Our ancestors defeated Confederates by 1865, our ancestors defeated Nazi terrorists by 1945, and we will be victorious in the end (against the fascist philosophy of MAGA).
South Carolina Senator Tim Scott publicly announced his candidacy for President of the United States. Senator Scott talked about his run in a South Carolina rally. He wants to distance himself from Donald Trump, but he has supported Trump on many issues. He spoke about inspiring Americans to have change. One of his great errors is to say that America is not a racist nation. Even he admitted that the police stopped him multiple times as a Congressman because of racial profiling. Just because many righteous people live in America doesn't mean that America isn't a racist country. Senator Scott has an uphill battle with many GOP candidates existing like Nikki Haley, and Trump having a huge lead in the primaries. Tim Scott wants to promote an optimistic tone. He told the public audience about his story about being from poverty to being a candidate for President. The irony about Tim Scott is that he supports policies that won't radically increase the federal minimum wage, invest in expanding Medicaid and Medicare, that has real gun regulations, and will make sure that the wealthy pay their fair share of taxes. He just demonizes those legitimate aims as "far left." These policies are commonsense actions that will help all Americans, not just the super-wealthy. Tim Scott supported Trump in 2016, he voted to acquit Trump in both impeachment trials, he supported Trump in 2020, and he refused to overtly criticize Trump on any policy position. So, Tim Scott may have a nicer demeanor than Trump, Senator Scott is part of the same agenda seeking to strip rights away from the people. We shall see what the future holds.
The judge warned Trump against discussing evidence presented in the hush money case. A New York judge set the trial date of March 25, 2024. Judge Juan Merchan has set the parameters of the trial. Trump can't say anything publicly about the case. Now, his legal team will get evidence from prosecutors to prepare for the trial. Trump has pleaded not guilty last month to 23 felony counts of falsifying business records with the intent to conceal illegal conduct connected to his 2016 Presidential campaign. Donald Trump participated in a virtual hearing about the hush money trial. If Trump violates the order from the judge, he can face criminal contempt.
There are massive new developments in the Ukrainian war. Ukraine says that it's still holding on to part of Bakhmut after the Russian private military group Wagner and Moscow officials claimed that the seized the eastern city. Americans are about to train Ukrainians to fly the F-16 fighters. President Joe Biden wants Ukraine to not fly the aircraft into Russia which can possibly escalate the war. A Ukrainian "sabotage" group attacked a town in Russia causing at least 8 people to be injured. A Ukrainian official said that the group was made up of Russian nationals acting independently. The Freedom for Russian Legion (a Russian group of anti-Putin people) posted a video flying the flag of free Russia over Moscow State University. The blue and white flag has been used by many anti-Putin Russian opposition groups. The city of Bakhmut continues to be an epicenter of the war.
The war criminal and liar Vladimir Putin has sanctioned key Trump ideological opponents. This has nothing to do with the Ukrainian war. It has to do with Putin being a far right-wing authoritarian fascist who is allied with Donald Trump. Putin doesn't care about democracy, equality, justice, and freedom. Some of the people that he sanctioned are Letitia James, Jack Smith, and Brad Raffensperger. Putin wants Trump to be re-elected because Trump admires Putin and lacks support for Ukrainian sovereignty. Putin sanctioned even people who stopped Trump's 2020 coup plot back in January 6, 2021. Therefore, Moscow has banned about 500 Americans from Russia including CNN journalists. Russian imperialism has no place in the world. Putin said that the insurrectionists at the Capitol just wanted political demands. He's a liar. These terrorists destroyed property, threatened to hang Mike Pence, and vulgarly disrespected the U.S. Capitol grounds. National Guard forces had to stop them and Trump's delayed response showed Trump's treason. Putin has banned President Barack Obama from coming into Russia too. Putin and Trump are overt threats to democracy, and anyone supporting Putin or Trump is completely wrong period.
By Timothy
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Monday, May 22, 2023
Late May 2023 Updates.
I found out that I have a distant cousin related to me named Clifton Nutter. He is my paternal cousin, as he is also related genetically (as proven by Ancestry.com) to my other paternal cousins like Guiseppe Burton, Joette Rhodes, Carlous Showell, Shawkeen Johnson Sr., etc. My 5th cousin Clifton Nutter is a descendant of my 4th great-grandmother Esther Perkins (b. 1816) and George Perkins. Their child was Easter Perkins. She married George Kelly and had a child named Ethel Kelly (b. 1885). Ethel Kelly married 2 times. Her first husband was John Satchell (b. 1882), and they married on February 1, 1903, in Virginia. Their children were Hallie B. Fisher (1906-1985), Rosa Lee Satchell (1907-1928), and Carrie Bernice Satchell (1910-1979). Ethel Kelly's second husband was Custis Trower. Their children are Spencer McKinley Trower (1914-1961), Elder Walter Trower (1916-1988), Clarence Custis Trower (1918-1930), Estelle Trower (1924-2008), Howard Trower(1926-1926), Roosevelt Trower (b. 1927), Dorothy Mae Trower (1929-2015), and Flossie Trower. Dorothy Mae Trower married Daniel Livingston JusticeSr. (1927-2014), and their children are: Robert L. Justice (b. 1952), Edward Lee Justice (b. 1952), Lawrence Anthony Justice (1956-1984), Margaret Justice Vinnie, Gloria A. Justice, Shirley Justice, Diane Justice, Jerome justice, Daniel Justice Jr., Eugene Justice, Mable Justice, and Louise Justice Bright.
Hallie B. Fisher married William Fisher on September 6, 1922, at Northampton County, Virginia. Their children are Dora Lee Fisher (1923-2009), Roosevelt Fisher (b. 1928), and Aline Virginia Kellam (1929-1994). My 3rd cousin Dora Lee Fisher married Hezzie James, and their child is Walter Lee James (b. 1948). My 3rd cousin Aline Virginia Kellam married Charles Severn Kellam on September 30, 1947, at Worwick, Virginia. Their child was Charles Kellam Jr. (1954-2001). Charles Kellam and Cassandra Elaine McGahee (b. 1954) had the child of Kenyetta C. Kellam (b. 1977). He married Aquanet Canada (b. 1953). Charles Kellam Jr. and Linda Glenell Lankford White had the child of Clifton Lemar Nutter (b. 1985). Clifton Lemar Nutter is married to Krista Nutter.
In 1986, music further developed. The synthpop duo of the Pet Shop Boys made the song of West End Girls. There was the 1986 first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class. It recognized ten rock pioneers. Their names were Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, The Everly Brothers, Sam Cooke, James Brown, Fats Domino, and Buddy Holly. Sam Phillips and Alan Freed are also inducted. My Hometown was a famous song from Bruce Springsteen (who is from Asbury, New Jersey). This song is from his album Born in the USA. Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight team up to support AIDS research with the single "That's What Friends Are For". Written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, the single hits #1 US, #16 UK and is the best-selling song of 1986 in the US. Conga was a song made by the Latin music group of Miami Sound Machine. It is from their 2nd English language album overall called Primitive Love. The Los Angeles based rock band Metallica album of Master of Puppets came out in March 1986. It had more layered production and political lyrics. Dream Academy has the song of Life in Northern Town. James Brown's Living in America has his first Top Ten hit since 1968. The song was featured in the movie Rocky IV. Mike and the Mechanics, Sly Fox, and INXS had music. INXS is from Australia. Prince has the single of Kiss with a falsetto voice. The song came from his 8th album of Parade, and it became Prince's sixth platinum album in America. Why Can't This Be Love by Van Halen and Falco Rock Me Amadeus were 1980's anthems. The Monkees made a reunion tour by May of 1986. By May 1986, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee weds television actress Heather Locklear (Dynasty, Melrose Place). The marriage lasts until 1993, with both remarrying within two years, Lee to actress Pamela Anderson and Locklear to Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora. Addicted to Love was done by UK rock singer and songwriter Robert Palmer. OMD had the song of If you Leave. Doctor and the Medics had the son Spirit in the Sky. Madonna's popularity increased with the album True Blue by June of 1986 with songs like Live to Tell, Papa Don't Preach, and Open Your Heart. The album goes 7 times platinum in America. On My Own was the song with Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald. Simply Red was the UK band with the song of Holding Back the Years. Genesis had the song Invisible Touch and the singer Peter Gabriel had the single of Sledgehammer. Lady in Red was a song by Chris de Burgh and Your Wildest Dreams by The Moody Blues existed.
Janet Jackson's Control album was number one in America by July 1986. Independence, controlling her womanhood, love, and authenticity are the themes of the groundbreaking album of Control. Control was precursor to the new jack swing song that would take over. Belinda Carlisle, Steve Winwood's Higher Love, Skinny Puppy, and Berlin had music. By September of 1986, Walk This Way was very strong. It was a song made by pioneering hip hop group Run DMC and Aerosmith (which had the song in 1976). The music helped to bridge the gap among hip hop and rock fans. It helped to revive Aerosmith's career, and it was shown heavily on MTV. True Colors was a song made by Cyndi Lauper and Human League had the song Human. Eddie Money had the song Take Me Home Tonight, and the New York funk band Cameo had the song Word Up. New Jersey rock band Bon Jovi hit #1 US with their third album Slippery When Wet #6 UK. The album produces to #1 US singles "You Give Love A Bad Name" and "Livin' On A Prayer" making the band a top-tier arena act in the US. The album sells over 12 million copies. Williamsburg, Virginia singer songwriter Bruce Hornsby and his band The Range score a #1 US hit with the single "The Way It Is" #15 UK. The song is the title track from the group's debut album #3 US which also contains the #4 US single "Mandolin Rain". The Lost Angeles band of The Bangles had the song of Walk Like An Egyptian. Groups like Europe and Samantha Fox had music released too.
1987 had some of the best music of the 1980's. Many songs existed like Steve Hurley's Jack Your Body (which is the first house song to top the pop charts. House music was invented in Chicago) and Paul Simon had the album Graceland (which wanted to join musicians to fight apartheid in South Africa). Hurley would be a producer and remixer for Madonna, Michael Jackson, and other artists. Keep Your Hands to Yourself is a popular song from the Atlanta rock band Georgia Satellites. By February 1987, the Long Island New York hip hop group Public Enemy had their debut album of Yo! Brumrush the Show. It had political lyrics in a style that was innovative. The album went gold in 1989 in America. Boy George had the song Everything I Own and the Beastie Boys had the song You Gotta Fight For Your Right to Party. Back then, the Beastie Boys were more into hedonism in their music, and they were from New York City. The song is from their debut album of Licensed To Ill. Latin freestyle music was shown by Expose (which had songs like Come Go With Me. The group is based in Miami). More groups existed like Psychedelic Furs, Starship, and Crowded House. The title track from Prince's ninth album "Sign O' The Times" hits #3 US, #1 US R&B, #10 UK. The song is written and produced by Prince and features sparse electronic instrumentation with downbeat lyrics about political and social issues. The album goes Platinum and charts at #6 US, #4 UK. U2 had With or Without You being a huge hit song. Cutting Crew had sons like I Just Died in Your Arms. The former Shalamar singer and Soul Train dancer Jody Watley had the song of Looking For a New Love. Jody Watley worked with Rakim in helping bridge the gap between R&B and hip-hop music too. Jody Watley is from Chicago and worked with Andre Symone (a former bass player for Prince. He is a great songwriter too). The group Poison had music and La Isla Bonita is a song from Madonna's True Blue album. The album sold over 25 million copies. Atlantic Starr, Kim Wilde, LL Cool J, and Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam had music. Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam promote Latin freestyle music. LL Cool J had the Bigger and Deffer album from June 1987. Gun N' Roses debuted their album from July 1987. Newark, New Jersey singer Whitney Houston scores her fourth US #1 single in a row with "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" #1 UK. The song is the first single from her second album Whitney #1 US and UK which produces three US #1 singles including "So Emotional." Ice had his debut album by July 1987 called Rhyme Pays on Sire Records. He promoted West Coast gangsta rap to the next level. Eric B. and Rakim's debut album Paid in Full is one of the best hip-hop albums of all time. Eric B Is President sampled James Brown and Rakim's music is always influential. Heart, Pet Shop Boys, and The Fat Boys expressed their talent too. Suzanne Vega had the song Luka, Los Lobos promoted the song La Bamba, and the meme-inspired song of Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley were popular in August of 1987.
Rock and pop music from The Grateful Dead, Whitesnake, and Tiffany were popular. Michael Jackson had his October 1987 album of Bad. It was number one, and it had hit singles like Bad, Dirty Diana, Man in the Mirror, and The Way You Make Me Feel. By the end of 1987, we saw Billy Idol, the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, and George Michael's Faith being shown. George Michael was a genius in music. R.E.M. being an alternative rock band shown the song The One I Love by December of 1987. Long Island singer Debbie Gibson had the single Shake Your Love. New York female rappers Salt-n-Pepa release the single Pus. The group's music becomes the hit, reaching #19 US and #2 in the UK. After slowly becoming a hit, the song is added to their debut album Hot, Cool, and Vicious. The album eventually went platinum in 1988.
By Timothy
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Friday, May 19, 2023
Late May of 2023 News.
New evidence in the special counsel probe may undercut Trump's claim that the documents he took were automatically declassified. National Archives told former President Donald Trump that it is set to hand over to special counsel Jack Smith 16 records showing that Trump and his top advisers knew of the correct declassification process while he was President. This is proven by multiple sources. There is a May 16th letter showing Archivist Debra Steidel Wall telling Trump the 16 records in question all prove communication with Presidential advisers. These 16 Presidential records were subpoenaed earlier this year. This may have evidence establishing how Trump knew of the declassification process. Trump falsely said at the CNN town hall last week that he was allowed to take documents when he left office. The Presidential Records Act said that as soon as a President leaves office, the National Archives becomes the legal custodian of the President's records, which belong to the public.
Gov. Desantis signed more restrictive bills ahead of his expected Presidential campaign launch. His actions have nothing to do with equality or justice. It has to do with cruelty against marginalized communities. DeSantis justifies his action by saying that he is anti-woke. Being woke has been distorted by many far-right people. People should never underestimate Ron DeSantis. One lesson in life is never to underestimate people, because any human being has the capacity to achieve good or evil, given certain circumstances. There was a time when people thought Trump would never be President, but Trump had one term. Trump's term was one of the worst Presidents in American history.
There have been recent election results in the late May era of 2023. Democrats have their majority in the Pennsylvania state legislature. In Jacksonville, Florida, Democrats won a mayoral seat in the city of Jacksonville. Donna Deegan (former Democratic journalist) is now the first woman mayor of Jacksonville. Former city council member Cherelle Parker emerged from the large field of Democratic candidates to be the party's mayoral candidate. Heather Boyd's victory maintained the Democrats' narrow control of the Pennsylvania state legislature. Cameron is a Republican running against Beshear for the Governor race in Kentucky. Cameron is the person who refused to allow law enforcement involved in the death of Breonna Taylor to have real accountability. He was the Attorney General. Many far-right conservatives will support Cameron when he is known for promoting the status quo. The Kentucky Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams won against an election-denying challenger on Tuesday. We know that the GOP leadership has advanced regressive policies for years, and we have to make sure that the following truth is very important.
Recently, Vice President Kamala Harris met with black men entrepreneurs to promote solutions. A few months ago, she convened young black men leaders on the issue of mental health. Vice President Kamala Harris gave a speech where she supported the growth of small businesses making America stronger. This is why representation matters. Black women and Black men should be supported and given great credit for building up communities for a long time.
Days ago was the Birthday of Sister Cynda Williams, and she is 57 years old. She is a famous actress and producer who was involved in movies and television shows for decades now. She was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her husband was a police officer, and her mother was a medical lab technician. She was raised in the Pullman neighborhood on Chicago's south side. She lived in Indiana where she sang in her grandfather's church. Williams attended Bennett Elementary School before living in Muncie, Indiana as a teenager. She attended Northside High School in Indiana and graduated in 1984. She graduated from Ball State University in 1989, and she was crowned Ms. Ball State in 1987. She studied theater at the university. Synda Williams acted in films like Mo' Better Blues in 1990 (directed by Spike Lee), One False Move, Tales of the City, Caught Up, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, New York Undercover, and Finding Dawn. She loves her child. I wish Sister Cynda Williams more Blessings.
By Timothy
Wednesday, May 17, 2023
Showing What is Real.
GOP members like DeSantis and others like Kid Rock defending Daniel Penny (or the murderer of Jordan Neely) are sick plain and simple. GOP extremists believe in extremist and wicked views of jingoistic nationalism, an evil form of toxic masculinity, xenophobia, racism, and white racist terrorism in society. These evil people know that they don't have the support of a majority of Americans, so they use slick tactics in promoting anti-democratic policies. Texas Governor Abbott said that he wants to pardon a murderer of a BLM protester. This murderer is also found being accused of trying to do sick things to underaged girls. Therefore, hypocrisy is part of the far-right movement.
Some breaking news is that hundreds of white racists have marched on the Capitol again. The white racists prove that we won the Civil War, but we didn't win the peace after the American Civil War. The same philosophical views of racism, xenophobia, and bigotry are still present unfortunately today. This comes after President Joe Biden's powerful speech at Howard University where he condemned racism and bigotry of any sort. Joe Biden said that the biggest domestic threat in America is white racist terrorists. We have to express our vigilance. We have to use our voices to condemn traitors and racists who seek to ruin American democracy and freedom in general. The white racist group called Patriot Front marched on the Capitol days ago with shields and battle drums. This is a time unlike any other time in human history, and we have to solve this problem beyond just the government alone. Although, the government must be part of the solution too. The alleged Pentagon leaker was fixated on guns and promoted a race war. That is why it is important for all to be righteous, defend the oppressed, believe in truth, follow the Golden Rule, and champion justice for all.
There are mysteries revealed constantly. One of my distant cousins that I recently knew was Misha Lightner, who is my 5th cousin. She made many contributions to the world. Both of us are descendants of my 5th grandmother Zilphy Claud. Misha lives in the Los Angeles, California area being a professional. She is the Director of a company called THE MRKT. She has been a manager, account manager, account executive, and public relations associate, and had other forms of occupations. She earned her bachelor's degree in communications from California State University-Dominguez Hills. Misha Lightner expressed an outstanding work ethic with great character, and she was born in 1986. Her parents are Michael Riddick and Hazel Debra Noble (b. 1960). Michael Riddick's parents are Lewis Riddick (1935-1993) and Lilouise Anthony Riddick (b. 1940). Lewis Riddick's parents are Soloman Riddick (1892-1969) and Rosa M. Claud (1909-1985). Rosa M. Claud's parents are 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-Furgeson (b. 1830). George Washington Claud married Martha Velvin-Furgeson on August 14, 1873, and Joseph Gregory was the human being who performed the ceremony. George Washington Claud's mother is Zilphy Claud (1820-1893).
Umar Johnson is at it again with his old lies about religion. Umar Johnson recently said that he is not against people believing in a certain religion, but he claims that religious black people don't care if a black person dies (if that black person is of another faith). He is a stone-cold liar. When many black people were murdered in the streets of America, religious people stood up to defend their lives. Also, social activists spoke in religious buildings to outline their political views. Umar Johnson hypocritically condemns the black church, but he speaks in black churches to promote his political views. The truth is that in the past five decades, many of these New Age gurus and Hoteps have been talking really greasy and slick about monotheists.
Umar Johnson is a New Age adherent as he views black ancestors as gods and believes that he can create his own religion. See, I have a lot of discernment. Obviously, the old lie of New Age thought is that man is God or man is his own god. That's a lie as no human is perfect, omnipotent, or omnipresent. Umar says that he wants the black church to organize banks, supermarkets, and a sociopolitical agenda geared toward black liberation. His problem is that he conflates the false prosperity gospel teachers like Creflo Dollar with sincere believers in God putting in the work before Umar was born. Umar also said that many religious black people now don't want people to know about our black origin, but that is false. Tons of religious black people are in Pan-African organizations now. So, Umar Johnson tells some of the truth about growing black institutions and rejecting white racism, but he is slick to mix that with his New Age philosophies (ironically promoted by white racists like Madame HP Blavatsky and Aleister Crowley). This liar Umar Johnson said that the black church mostly only has vacations and Bible study. The reality is that black churches have charities, educational programs, stop-the-violence efforts, and other avenues to save lives. So, this is the latter days where false leaders are rising up to promote poisonous views (like Umar saying that monogamy is not natural to black people). The Golden Rule dictates that I care about people regardless of religious affiliation so that alone refutes Umar's lie that religious black people don't care about people who don't believe in my religious faith.
By Timothy
Monday, May 15, 2023
Mid May 2023 News.
By January of 1985, New Edition (from Boston, Massachusetts) had their first U.S. Top Ten single with the song of Cool It Now. Their 2nd self-titled album was very popular after their debut single of Candy Girl in 1983. New Edition has grown its fans over the years, not just among younger people. Madonna was from Bay City, Michigan. Like a Virgin was her first number-one single in America and in the UK. Her other single was Material Girl which was very popular in January of 1985 too. This was the beginning of Madonna. As time went onward, we know that she grew more controversial and bolder in her music and videos. The Cable channel of VH1 was released in January 1985, as a sister channel to MTV. It shows music videos and the series of Behind the Music, I Love the 80s, 90s, 2000s, etc. Vh1 is known for establishing groundbreaking documentaries. The channel has shown mostly movies and reality television in recent years. US/UK rock band Foreigner has their biggest career hit with the power ballad "I Want To Know What Love Is" which reaches #1 in both the US and UK. The song is written by band founder Mick Jones and is from the band's fifth album Agent Provocateur which hits #1 UK and #4 US (by February of 1985). The singer of Don Henley (from the Eagles) and the group Anthrax showed their music. David Lee Roth (from Valen Halen) had his hit of California Girls, a cover of the 1965 Beach Boys hit. Dead or Alive had the hit of You Spin Me Round (Like a Record), John Fogerty had the song of Old Man Down the Road, and REO Speedwagon had the famous song of Can't Fight the Feeling (they were from Champaign, Illinois). Jacksonville, Florida band Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers have their highest charting single to date with "Don't Come Around Here No More" #13 US, #50 UK. The song is co-written by Petty and The Eurythmics Dave Stewart. The album Southern Accents hits the US Top Ten. Inspired by the UK's Band-Aid concert, Harry Belafonte organized USA For Africa with a star-studded group of American artists to record the single "We Are The World" for charity. Written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and produced by Quincy Jones, the song hits #1 in both the US and UK. This took place in April of 1985. These movements saved human lives literally. Simple Minds had songs like Don't You Forget About Me, and Power Station had the son of Some Like It Hot. Spin Magazine debuted in May of 1985. It was launched by Bob Guccione Jr. as an alternative to Rolling Stone.
The UK-based Nigerian singer Sade showed the song of Smooth Operator in May 1985. Sade and her music changed everything in music. I haven't heard of a bad Sade song in my life. This came from her debut album called Diamond Life which hits Number 2 in the UK and Number 5 in America. The album sold over 6 million copies. The album's first single of Your Love is King reached Number 6 in the UK. Grand Rapids, Michigan family band Debarge make it big with their fourth album Rhythm Of The Night #19 US, #3 US R&B. The album's title track reaches #3 US, #1 US R&B and #4 UK. The second single "Who's Donna Holding Now" hits #6 US and #2 US R&B. The Debarge family has been through massive abuse (by their own father who is sick) and drug addiction among some of their family members. Yet, the DeBarge family is strong and overcame so much to be a great part of our musical heritage. Former Metallica lead guitarist Dave Mustaine forms his own thrash metal band Megadeth and vows to be faster and heavier (than Metallica) in 1985. Howard Jones made the song Things Can Only Get Better, and Tears for Fears (both groups are from the UK) made the 1980's anthem of the song Everybody Wants to Rule the World. By July 1985, there was the charity concert Live Aid, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, is held in both London, Philadelphia, and other cities to raise funds for Ethiopian famine relief. The concert is broadcast via satellite reaching 1.9 billion people worldwide. Artists include Queen, Bowie, Led Zeppelin, U2, and more. The Boston new wave band 'Til Tuesday, Paul Young, and Huey Lewis made much rock music. Sting made his solo album of The Dream of the Blue Turtles in August 1985 with singles like If You Love Somebody Set Them Free. Heart made the song of What About Love? UK reggae band UB40 and UK-based American singer Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders team up for a cover of Sonny & Cher's 1965 hit "I Got You Babe." The single reaches #1 UK and #28 US. The album is included on UB40's sixth album Baggariddim #14 UK, #40 US. The veteran soul singer Aretha Franklin had the hit of Freeway of Love in 1985. It was part of her thirtieth album of Who' Zoomin' Who? on Arista Records. It was Franklin's first album to go platinum in America with a younger sound. The first Annual Farm Aid Concert took place on September 1985. It took place in Champaign, Illinois. It was organized by Neil Young, Willie Nelson, and John Mellencamp. This concert wanted to help American farmers who were facing debt, foreclosure, and other issues. The annual concert continues to this very day.
Many musicians didn't like the following event. By September 1985, the Parent Music Resource Council (PMRC) was created by Tipper Gore, Susan Baker, and others in Washington, D.C. The PMRC wanted to take action against music content that was filled with sex, drug use, and violence. A senate hearing resulted in the RIAA-Recording Industry Association of America agreeing to apply Parental Advisory Stickers to albums, cassettes, and CD's. This situation was just the beginning of the issue of music, content, and censorship. Debates about these issues only intensified as time went on, and these debates continue to this very day (with the debate about lyrics in music and criminal prosecution). The UK rock band Dire Straits made their song of Money for Nothing part of their fifth album of Brothers in Arms. The singer/songwriter from Indiana John Mellencamp had the song of Lonely Ol' Night with a more roots rock sound. Emergency was Kool and the Gangs' best-selling album in 1985 with singles like Cherish. Groups like The Hooters, The Fall, and The Cult expressed themselves too. Whitney Houston had her great song of Saving All My Love for You back in 1985. Her debut self-titled album was number one in the country with songs like How Will I Know and The Greatest Love of All. Whitney Houston was raised in Newark, New Jersey in the church. The church was part of her foundation in musical expression. Immediately since the 1980's, we knew that Whitney Houston was The Voice for real. She was the greatest vocalist of our generation. The Norwegian synthpop band of A-Ha had the song of Take on Me. The historic Krush Groove film and soundtrack were released in October 1985. The movie and the soundtrack had Run-DMC, Sheila E, the Fatboys Kurtis Blow, and New Edition. The film was a fictionalized account of the start of Def Jam Records. For those of Generation X and the younger Baby Boomers, Krush Groove was like a monumental story about the embrace of hip-hop culture. Back in those days, many people didn't even think that hip-hop was an authentic musical genre. That would change, especially with the advent of the Golden Age of Hip Hop. Starship made the song of We Built This City. Feargal Sharkey made music along with Mr. Mister in their song of Broken Wings. Queens, NYC rapper LL Cool released his debut album Radio in November of 1985. I Can't Live Without My Radio, Rock the Bells, and I Need A Beat were part of his album (being platinum selling over 1.5 million copies). LL Cool J has the gifts to be lyrical, to battle rap, to act, to write music, and to make love songs about loving a woman. The group Simple Minds a Scottish new wave group made the song of Alive and Kicking in December 1985. The Brooklyn, NYC comedian and actor had the song Party All The Time by December 1985. It was produced by Rick James. The song was Murphy's first musical album of How Could It Be. Eddie Murphy, by this time, was a superstar actor and comedian.
A very historic time existed during the Birmingham black freedom movement. It was a time that was a turning point in the overall Civil Rights Movement. Many leaders of the freedom movement wanted more victories, especially after the failure to have Albany, Georgia to have real change for black Americans. Birmingham, back then, was the most segregated city of the South. It had an overt, vicious, and intricate system of Jim Crow apartheid where the fundamental human rights of black people were violated in a vicious fashion from employment to basic buying of resources. The 1963 Birmingham movement was a hard battle. Many men, women, and children were jailed for just peacefully protesting for human rights. Also, children were assaulted by crooked Birmingham police officers in a vindictive fashion (using dogs and water hoses). That cowardly action enraged people worldwide, not just Americans. The Birmingham campaign was headed by many organizations like SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference), Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth's ACMHR organization, and other human beings. Dr. King, Dorothy Cotton, James Bevel, Wyatt Tee Walker, and other leaders contributed a lot in their sacrifice in making the Birmingham campaign a victory. Bull Connor lost in his defense of oppression. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. used the Birmingham Letter to refute the lie of moderates who wanted to wait for freedom and to end demonstrations. Freedom is meant to be given to all by birth, not restricted based on time. The Birmingham campaign ended with self-defense, nonviolent resistance, and it paved the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to be signed into law. The Civil Rights Act bans racial discrimination in hiring practices and public services all over the United States of America. Therefore, we should always remember the famous and unsung heroes who stood up for justice in the Birmingham campaign (especially now with book bans in Florida, voter suppression laws nationwide, and more laws violating the human rights of Americans being widespread in 2023). In our time, we have a very long way to go in seeking that human justice that we all seek. That is why we have to use our influence, our power, and our voice to rectify injustice conclusively and establish liberty across the globe.
It has been over a year since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The myth is that Russia was provoked to invade Ukraine. The truth is that Russia invaded Ukraine illegally and unjustly. Even before the invasion of Ukraine, Putin's military were massively building up on the Ukrainian border. Putin is clear by his own words that he invaded Ukraine to try to create Russian dominance over Ukraine like the Tsars and the counterrevolutionary Stalin once did. Ukraine's heroic resistance to imperialists has been inspirational in the world. We express solidarity with the Ukrainian people in seeking their land free from invasion. Russia promoted imperialism which is about the domination and exploitation of other countries by capitalist states. We also realize that NATO is not perfect too. Western imperialists in America and in Europe are complicit in coups, unjust invasions, and other actions that contradict the ideals of liberty, humane treatment, and democracy. We know about the history of Nuland and various issues. NATO's imperfections are no justification for the Russian attacks on civilian locations in Ukraine, for Russia executing policies violating Russian people's free speech including free press rights, and for the outright terrorism in Ukraine. The pro-Putin fake liberals are wrong to support Putin and blame the conflict only on the U.S. and NATO. This conflict is nuanced and complicated. Ukraine's citizens have every right to use self-defense to stop an invasion from taking place. The war should end, but it must end when Russian military forces must leave Ukraine, a peaceful agreement is created, and Ukraine is firmly established to be an independent nation.
Agriculture is the lifeblood of civilization. From the early stages of human history to the modern era of 2023, we know that agricultural services have developed the cultural aspects of the world. Advancing in farming, seed development, and distribution of resources have been massive in the course of thousands of years. We still have to fight racism involving farming. There are stories in Colorado, and in other places in America where African American farmers and ranchers are being harassed and harmed by racists. Recently, a black couple named Courtney and Nicole Mallery were freed of all charges after they accused their white neighbors of racism and harassment. The Rocky Mountain NAACP investigated how the El Paso County Sheriff's Office handled the case and the arrests. The couple said that people harmed their Freedom Acres Ranch via acts of Vandalism and mutilation of their livestock. The couple also said that the El Paso County Sheriff's Office did racism and dismissed their claims. The Rocky Mountain NAACP said that it was pushing state lawmakers to pass a version of the CAREN Act in Colorado. CAREN stands for Caution Against Racially Exploitative Non-Emergencies. We have a problem here. Black U.S. farmers lost 90 percent of their land in the last century. There were 949,889 black farmers and now only 45,508 black farmers exist now. People in general want happiness and peace. We have a situation where monopoly corporations own a disproportionate amount of the agricultural resources of the world from seeds to water supplies. That is why people globally are using activism to make change. Change is not just about words though words are important. It's about forming institutions, fighting to change laws, and going about to be about the work to improve the conditions of society thoroughly.
In our lives, we always advocate for solutions. There are many men and women struggling in life, and here is great advice to help people reach their highest potential. One mode of advice is that there is no shame in getting help or advice. Therapy is one great method to help men and women to improve their emotional intelligence (i.e. how to deal with communication, how to handle emotions, and how to develop self-expression in diverse, mature ways). There is absolutely nothing wrong with applying for resources if a person has financial struggles. I don't believe in poor shaming or scapegoating working-class men and women for the complex issues of the modern world. Also, achieving great things will take time on many occasions, so people should feel no shame starting at a certain place. Many of the most inspirational people in history started as homeless without any resources. Faith and action matter. Being a great, decent human will also go a long way in life. Going to college or other forms of educational services can lower income inequality, build confidence, and develop stable careers. Forming friendships and relationships among people work wonders in developing human connections. Studies document that excessive loneliness can contribute to mental decline and other health issues. Building up human connections contributes to establishing the longevity of longer life (along with exercise, reducing stress, healthy eating, and reading literature and writing information). Adapting to changing times, mentoring men and women (especially the youth), and making platonic friendships among the opposite sex does wonders in understanding the human condition better. One great piece of advice is to stand up against bigotry and unjust hatred spreading out in the world (we reject false, hateful ideologies). People who stand up for justice and are sincerely motivated to it gain respect among truly honorable people.
By Timothy
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Friday, May 12, 2023
Friday Updates in Early May of 2023.
CNN hosted a New Hampshire town hall meeting with the liar Donald Trump. He said that the potential debt default was a minor inconvenience, which isn't the case as millions could potentially lose their jobs if the debt would default. Trump blamed other people for the January 6, 2021, terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol. That event was a watershed moment in world history where criminals wanted to overthrow the U.S. government in a pernicious fashion. Even during the Civil War, invading terrorists didn't invade the U.S. Capitol before. He criticized Vice President Mike Pence for not trying to overturn the election results. Trump wants to massively cut social spending (part of discretionary spending. This will make it more dangerous to go on a plane or a train. It will make food have fewer regulations being more dangerous, etc. Discretionary spending deals with vital services like education, health, transportation, etc.), showing his austerity agenda. He continued to disrespect former columnist E. Jean Carroll in offensive terminology. When the debt almost defaulted in 2011, the stock market dropped 17 percent and the U.S. lost its AAA rating for the first time in history. We know that the GOP MAGA budget default will cause a depression with 8 million jobs lost and a 45% dive in the stock market. This insolvency can ruin achievements gained from the Civil War to the modern era of the 21st century. The Trump-friendly crowd laughed at his disrespected Carroll in a sick fashion.
CNN airing a Trump town hall is strange as Trump has been convicted in a civil suit of raping a woman. Trump recorded a birthday video for the insurrection Ashli Babbit. Trump is known as a habitual liar. CNN reporters suffered being trapped and almost killed by the insurrectionists. The terrorist insurrections had gallows trying to hang former Vice President Mike Pence. Trump is not some quaint political leader. He is a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe, and a terrorist sympathizer. Trump is a GOP frontrunner now. There is no other GOP Republican candidate opposing Trump for real, except Asa Hutchinson. There is no defense of Trump's corruption, incitement of violence, habitual lying, and he is a convicted rapist. He makes a mockery of legal subpoenas and the rule of law in general too. By 2024, we will have the end of the 2024 Presidential election. The media has debates on how to cover Donald Trump.
There is the White House meeting with GOP members in trying to have talks on the debt limit. The GOP wants draconian social spending cuts that will harm millions of Americans. President Joe Biden recently met with top Congressional leaders in a closed-door White House meeting. There is the $31.4 trillion national debt. The debt ceiling must exist. If a deal won't happen by early June of 2023, we can expect over 6 million jobs could be lost, no spending of Social Security checks to retirees and others, and federal government jobs to be in threat of a complete shutdown. This is no game. This is very real. Republican House Speaker Kevin McCarthy wants a deal in massive cuts in social spending as a means to raise the debt limit before the government runs out of funds to pay its creditors. McCarthy wants a 22 percent cut to Medicaid, veterans' benefits, student loan debt relief, IRS modernization, and the Social Security/Medicare administration. One editorial in The Wall Street Journal said the myth that the rich aren't making money. The super-rich have record economic bailouts making tons of money. Many GOP members won't even support a small tax on Wall Street transactions. Therefore, we shall see what the future is for financial issues.
Senator Tommy Tuberville has said offensive nonsense for a while now. Recently, he said that white nationalists should be allowed to serve in the military. White nationalists are terrorists involved in the lynching of black people, involved in the terrorist attack on the U.S. Capitol, and involved in other heinous actions for centuries in America alone. Tuberville later said that Trump Republicans in the military are unfairly characterized as white nationalists. He is a bold-faced liar. Many white nationalists are Trump Republicans. Also, his racist language is completely revolting. White nationalism is antithetical to democracy, human equality, and justice period. Tons of MAGA Republicans are not only racist but terrorists. For example, many of the Oath Keepers and 1%ers including the Proud Boys involved in the U.S. Capitol insurrection were MAGA Republicans. White nationalists should never be allowed to join the military as their views are against integrity, trust, inclusion, and justice for all. Many of our relatives and ancestors fought wars to oppose the views of white racists. Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said that Tuberville must denounce white nationalism as un-American and stop his hold on military nominations.
Days ago, was the Birthday of Sister Alyson Wiliams, and she is 61 years old. She is an R&B singer who was born in New York City. She is the daughter of bandleader and trumpeter Bobby Booker. She started her career by singing background vocals for many artists like Curtis Hairston, Melba Moore, Bobby Brown, Barbara Mitchell, etc. Later, she joined the group High Fashion. The group featured the R&B legend Meli'sa Morgan. Alyson sang with the group of the Affair before having her solo career. Her first single Yes We Can Can was released on Profile Records in 1986. Raw was her album in 1989. It had singles like My Love is So Raw fearing rapper Nikki and Sleep Talk. Alyson acted before too. In 1986, she portrayed her friend Phyllis Hyman in a musical play called "Thank God, The Beat Goes On," joining the Whispers to tell the story of Hyman's career. She played the role of Marvin Gayes' Mother Alberta in a play called My Brother, Marvin that was produced by Marvin's sister Zeola. I wish Sister Alyson Williams more blessings.
By Timothy
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Very Important News.
Some breaking news is that a jury found Donald Trump abused and defamed E. Jean Carroll. On a deposition tape, Trump admitted that he desired to do things to women that no human should do. This verdict is a victory for democracy and to the rule of law. The Golden Rule remains true. No human should be stripped of their dignity and rights. The verdict mentions that Trump must pay $5 million. The verdict made E. Jean Carroll to say on ABC's Good Morning America that this is the greatest moment of her life. No one is above the law and that includes the former President of the United States of America. Rape traumatized innocent human beings constantly. Donald Trump plans to appeal the decision which experts mention won't be successful.
More breaking news is that George Santos (a member of the GOP) has been criminally charged by the DOJ (the Department of Justice). Santos has been involved in numerous scandals. This means that the federal government has charged him. Usually, when the federal government charges a person, the previous investigation took a long time to exist previously. There has been a federal probe about him. We know that the Republican lawmaker of New York state Santos has been involved in a pattern with lies and fabrications. A federal charge is very serious. The indictment right now is sealed, so we don't know exactly what he has been charged with. The federal government reviewed all evidence before the charge was enacted. Santos is expected to go to federal court in New York's eastern district on Wednesday. Santos may have no other choice but to negotiation a plea deal. If that doesn't happen, Santos has a tough case to defend. He may be in prison for a long time along with a fine if he is convicted. Many Democrats and even some Republicans want Santos to resign over allegations like criminal behavior on the campaign trail and overt personal dishonesty about his life. The only way how George Santos can be placed out of the House is by a 2/3s vote in the House of Representatives.
The story of Jordan Neely was a sad one. He was a subway performer who was choked to death by a person on the subway in New York City. The family of Jordan Neely told the truth that the person who restrained Neely showed indifference. Far-right media organs cite Neely's imperfections. Those imperfections never justify or merit his death. Neely never deserved to be murdered by a chokehold period. Protests have existed in New York City and all over the nation in favor of uncompromising justice. Prosecutors are investigating the case. The murderer is a former Marine named Daniel Perry. The medical examiner's office ruled Neely's death as a homicide, but the prosecutors have not brought criminal charges against Perry. Neely was a dancer who dressed like Michael Jackson. He had mental health issues for years. Penny prevented a person from putting water on Neely's head in trying to save his life. It is no secret that homeless people are demonized and dehumanized by evil individuals. That should end and real solutions should exist to help homeless human beings in a progressive fashion.
Governor Greg Abbott is a liar to blame the federal government for the Allen outlet shooting. This liar is a disgrace to the state of Texas. This shooting is caused by a society placing more value on guns than human lives. That shooting is caused by lax gun laws that now cause almost anyone under the sun to own a gun in Texas. This situation is a product of years of apathy, a lack of courage among many politicians to do the right things, and the gun cult that worship guns as an idol beyond any consideration for common sense regulations plus human compassion. There are over 400 million guns in America now. No one is taking away innocent people's gun regardless of what the liar says. We want justice and real policies to save human lives. The vast majority of Americans want federal universal background checks, commonsense regulations on guns, and other actions to solve this epidemic of gun violence in America.
If you are a fan of R&B music, you probably know about this woman. Her voice is incredible, and her legacy is set in stone as one of the best singers of our generation. She is Sister Tamia, and it's her Birthday today. She is now 48 years old, and she was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. She has three younger brothers of Tiras, Tajhee, and Tarjan. Her mother raised her. Tamia sang music at the church, as the church is one cornerstone literally of exceptional musical talent. When she was six years old. Tamia sang at the local church. When she was 12 years old, she was in musicals to develop her musical skills. She attended high school at Walkerville. She won Canada's prestigious YTV Vocal Achievement Award in 1993. She performed at a multiple sclerosis benefit in Aspen, Colorado in 1994. Tamira worked hard and performed in front of Luther Vandross and other people like producer Quincy Jones. That is why Quincy Jones allowed her to be on his album Q's Jook Joint in 1995. In that year, he covered Mica Paris' song of You Put a Move on My Heart. Tamira was in the song of Slow James with Babyface, Portrait, and Barry White. The song Missing Your featured legends like Tamia, Brandy, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan (for the soundtrack of the 1996 motion picture Set It Off). Tamia was in the movie Speed 2: Cruise Control in 1997. Later, Tamira worked with Eric Benet on the song Spend My Life with You. Her first album was Tamia in 1998 with songs like Imagination and So Into You. Some of her famous songs were Stranger in My House, Officially Missing You, and Beautiful Suprise. Passion Like Fire was her 7th album which came out in 2018. Leave It Smokin was a recent song with old school flavor and great vocals (which is grown folk music). By 2019, Tamia was awarded the Soul Music Icon Award at the fourth annual Black Music Honors. She is married to former American basketball player Grant Hill. They married on July 24, 1999, at Battle Creek, Michigan. They have 2 children together. Tamia is a living legend whose contributions to music and culture will always be remembered forever and ever. I wish Sister Tamia more Blessings.
By Timothy
Monday, May 08, 2023
Information on the war in Ukraine.
A lot of time has passed since the time when the unjust Russian invasion of Ukraine happened. As early as November 10, 2021, the United States reported an unusual movement of Russian troops near Ukraine's border. By November 28, 2021, the Ukrainian border has a reported buildup of 92,000 Russian troops. Putin lied and said that Russia has no intention of invading Ukraine. American President Joe Biden warned President of Russia Vladimir Putin of "strong economic and other measures" if Russia attacks Ukraine on December 7, 2021. Putin proposed a prohibition on Ukraine joining NATO which Ukraine rejected by December 17, 2021. By January 17, 2022, Russian troops start to go to Belarus (its ally) for "military exercises." America gives Ukraine $200 million in security aid on January 19, 2022. President Biden on January 19, 2022, stated in a press conference that, "Russia will be held accountable if it invades. And it depends on what it does." NATO puts troops on standby on January 24, 2022. On January 25, 2022, Russian exercises involving 6,000 troops and 60 jets take place in Russia near Ukraine and Crimea. Russia and Belarus started the 10 days of military maneuvers on February 10, 2022. There is the fighting escalating in separatist regions of eastern Ukraine on February 17, 2022. By February 21, 2022, Vladimir Putin ordered Russian forces to enter the separatist republics in eastern Ukraine. He also announced Russian recognition of the two pro-Russian breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine (the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic). This announcement led to the first round of economic sanctions from NATO countries the following day. February 24, 2022, was when the Russian invasion of Ukraine took place. Putin lied and said that there were no plans to occupy Ukrainian territory and he supported the right of the people of Ukraine to have self-determination. Putin wanted Russia to demilitarize and denazification of Ukraine when the Ukrainian President is a Jewish human being. The Russian Ministry of Defense asked air traffic control units of Ukraine to stop flights, and the airspace over Ukraine was restricted to non-civilian air traffic, and the whole area was deemed an active conflict zone by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency. Minutes after Putin's announcement, explosions were reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odessa, and the Donas.
By February 25, 20223, Kyiv was rocked by 2 explosions from cruise and ballistic missiles. The Ukrainian government said that it shot down an enemy aircraft over the city, which crashed into a residential building, setting it on fire. Russian units attempted to encircle Kyiv and advance into Kharkiv. They were bogged down in heavy fighting. Some social media images suggested that some Russian armored columns were ambushed. At first, Russian operations in the east and south were more effective. Russian units advanced from Crimea and tried to attack Donbas. Zelenskyy accused Russia of targeting civilian sites. He is right. Dozens of civilian sites were hit in the previous 24 hours. The mayor of Horlivka in the Russian-backed Donetsk People's Republic said that the Ukrainian military had hit a local school building, killing two teachers.
As Russian troops approached Kyiv, Zelenskyy asked residents to prepare Molotov cocktails to "neutralize" the enemy. Putin meanwhile called on the Ukrainian military to overthrow the government. Ukraine distributed 18,000 guns to Kyiv residents who expressed a willingness to fight and deployed the Territorial Defense Forces, the reserves of the Ukrainian military, to defend Kyiv. The Defense Ministry also announced that all Ukrainian civilians were eligible to volunteer for military service regardless of their age. Ukraine uses its air defense capabilities to stop Russian threats. On the same day, President Putin indicated to Xi Jinping, the Chinese paramount leader and general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, that "Russia is willing to conduct high-level negotiations with Ukraine." Bombs blow up in Ukraine on February 26, 2022. More than 48 explosions in 30 minutes were reported around Kyiv, as the Ukrainian military was reported to be fighting near the CHP-6 power station in the northern neighborhood of Troieshchyna. BBC News reported that the attack might have been an attempt to cut off electricity to the city. Heavy fighting was reported near the Kyiv Zoo and the Shuliavka neighborhood. The Ukrainian military said it repelled a Russian attack on an army base on Peremohy Avenue, a main road in Kyiv; it also said it repelled a Russian assault on Mykolaiv on the Black Sea. American officials said a Russian Il-76 transport plane was shot down by Ukrainian forces near Bila Tserkva, about 80 kilometers (50 mi) south of Kyiv. US officials stated that American intelligence data, shared with Ukrainian forces in real-time, helped to down the Il-76. Zelenskyy, remaining in Kyiv, refused US offers of evacuation, instead requesting more ammunition for Ukrainian troops. A Russian attack caused a gas pipeline to explode outside of Kharkiv by February 27, 2022. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Kharkiv rescued 80 people from a nine-story residential building hit by Russian artillery, extensively damaging it and killing a woman. Russian forces destroy cities and settlements.
Ukrainian forces struck the Russian-occupied airport at Chornobaivka, inflicting losses on the Russian army. By early afternoon, Kharkiv Oblast governor Oleh Synyehubov stated that Ukrainian forces had regained full control of Kharkiv, and Ukrainian authorities said that dozens of Russian troops had surrendered. Hennadiy Matsegora, the mayor of Kupiansk, agreed to hand over control of the city to Russian forces. Battles continued. There was the Russian occupation of Kerson by March 2, 2022. During a second round of talks, Russia and Ukraine agreed to open humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians on March 3, 2022. The United States said that about 90% of the Russian forces that had amassed around Ukraine before the invasion had entered the country. Zelenskyy also announced that the first international volunteers had arrived in Ukraine to fight against Russian forces. He added that Ukraine was regularly receiving weapons from Western countries. Russian forces attacked a Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg rejected Ukraine's request for a no-fly zone over the country, stating that this would lead to a full-fledged war with Russia. The United States said that Russia had fired more than 500 missiles at Ukraine and the Russian Kyiv convoy north of Kyiv was 15 miles (24 km) away from the capital. By March 11, Putin approved the deployment of up to 16,000 volunteers from the Middle East to Ukraine during the day, with the Wagner Group already reported to have recruited more than 4,000 Syrians. In 2022, Russian military forces expand their offensive to Western Ukraine. A residential building in Kyiv was shelled by a Russian attack on March 15, 2022. Around 11 p.m., the Kyiv shopping center Retroville, in Podilskyi district, was hit by a Russian Kalibr missile. The shopping center was storing equipment for Ukrainian forces. The attack resulted in at least 8 deaths on March 20. By April 4, 2022, Zelenskyy accused Russia of genocide and said that sanctions from the west were not "enough" to respond to Russia's actions. The United States began pushing to suspend Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council. Putin signed a decree restricting visas for nationals of countries deemed "unfriendly" to Russia. By 7 April, Russian troops deployed to the northern front by the Russian Eastern Military District pulled back from the Kyiv offensive, apparently to resupply and then redeploy to the Donbas region to reinforce the renewed invasion of southeastern Ukraine.
From April to August of 2022, there was more war in Ukraine. Russian President Putin appointed Russian Army General Aleksandr Dvornikov, commander of Russia's Southern Military District, and commander of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Dvornikov was known for his command of the Russian forces during the Russian military intervention in Syria. That was on April 9, 2022. Some Ukrainian forces surrender at Mariupol (a port city) by April 13, 2022. Russian and Ukrainian military forces battle at oil plants and other strategic locations. Kherson was occupied by this time. By May, Russia bombing Western supplies, and a school is bombed in Bilohorivka. A shopping mall near Odesa was bombed by Russia too. The United States agreed to send the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (M142 HIMARS) to Ukraine on the assurance from the leaders of Ukraine that it would not be used against targets in Russia on June 1, 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that this move was "pouring fuel on the fire." The United States Cyber Command confirmed that it was conducting cyber operations on behalf of Ukraine. General Paul Nakasone, the commander of USCYBERCOM, said, "We've conducted a series of operations across the full spectrum: offensive, defensive, [and] information operations." Tjos was om Kime 2. 2022. The Chief Rabbi of Moscow, Pinchas Goldschmidt, fled Russia after declining to publicly support the war in Ukraine. Apartments complexes and shopping centers continued to be attacked in Ukraine. Russia launched missiles at a shopping center in Kremenchuk with more than 1,000 people inside, killing at least 20 people. Russia reportedly denied hitting the shopping mall. President Zelenskyy said: "A peaceful city, an ordinary shopping mall with women inside, children, ordinary civilians inside. Only totally insane terrorists, who should have no place on Earth, can strike missiles at such an object. And this is not an off-target missile strike, this is a calculated Russian strike – exactly at this shopping mall."
By June 29, 2022, Russian troops withdrew from Snake Island overnight, allowing the Ukrainian army to recapture it in the morning. Syria recognized the independence of the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic. The lower house of the State Duma passed new laws allowing the Russian prosecutor-general to shut down foreign media from countries that have banned Russian media, due to bans on Russian media over the war in Ukraine (on June 30, 2022). July 1st was when the American government gave Ukraine the 14th aid package for Ukraine, worth $820 million. The first vessel with grain has left Odesa under the U.N.- and Turkey-brokered deal between Ukraine and Russia for the export of food from Ukraine. According to Turkey, the ship will be headed for Lebanon on August 1, 2022. By August, more weapons come to Ukraine from 1,000 Javelines to 50 armored medical vehicles. A residential building in Kharkiv was hit by the missile strike. The head of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, Igor Osipov, was replaced by Viktor Sokolov following heavy losses in personnel and shipping for the Black Sea Fleet over the last six months on August 17, 2022. Ukraine's Kherson counteroffensive started on August 29, 2022. This plan occurs in the south. The battle was fierce. Russia stopped gas supplies to Germany via Nord Stream 1 for three days to perform repairs. As part of a major counteroffensive, Ukrainian forces recaptured Kupiansk and Izium; according to the UK Ministry of Defense, Russian defenses in the Kharkiv region were "likely taken by surprise." By late afternoon, Ukrainian troops were reported to have reached Lysychansk in Luhansk Oblast (on September 10, 2022). The Russian State Duma introduced laws prohibiting voluntary surrender and looting, with aggravating circumstances including committing the crime "during mobilization or martial law". Under those circumstances, refusing to obey a superior's order or participate in military action was also made illegal. Penalties for not reporting for military duty, or leaving it without permission, were increased.
The Russian-appointed officials of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics announced referendums to approve their annexation by Russia on 23–27 September. Similar referendums were announced by the occupying Russian officials in Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. By September 21, Putin promoted for drafts of Russian soldiers. Russian propaganda accounts were taken down by Facebook. Also, there were Nord Stream pipeline leaks suspected of being done by Russian sabotage. The Ukrainian police have recorded at least 582 war crimes committed by Russia in the formerly occupied territories of the Kharkiv Oblast. America sent 1.1 billion dollars in an aid package to Ukraine by September 28, 2022. Russian people leave Russia because of the war. Some fled to Finland until Finland close its borders to Russian citizens at midnight, on September 29. Ukraine liberated Lyman by October 1, 2022. The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution ES-11/4 by a large majority, calling on countries not to recognize the four regions of Ukraine which Russia has claimed, following so-called referendums held late last month, and demanding that Moscow reverse course on its "attempted illegal annexation". 143 member states voted in favor and 35 abstained, notably China and India. Only Belarus, North Korea, Nicaragua, Russia, and Syria voted against the resolution. This was on October 12, 2022. Vitali Klitschko defends his city in Ukraine. The city of Kherson is finally liberated by November 9, 2022. After the liberation of Kherson, Russia strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure and the war continues. The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution that held Russia responsible for all damage caused to Ukraine by the invasion and demanded reparations on November 14, 2022.
Russia launched about 85 to 100 missiles at a number of Ukrainian cities. The strategic bombing campaign caused severe shortages of electricity and water in multiple cities. According to the Ukrainian Air Force some 77 of 96 Russian missiles were shot down. A Pentagon official claimed the Russian plan was to exhaust the Ukrainian air defenses. At one stage some 50 missiles were in combat "within minutes" near the Polish border. This was on November 15, 2022. Explosions were reported at two Russian airbases: the one at Engels-2 reportedly damaged two Tu-95s; the other at the Dyagilevo military airbase near Ryazan, destroyed a fuel truck and killed three, injuring five. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated Ukraine attempted to strike Russia's long-range aviation bombers with Soviet-made jet drones, and that the drones were subsequently shot down at low altitudes when approaching the air bases. The attack involved the use of Tu-141 drones that were taken out of storage and appeared to have been fitted with improvised explosives. This was on December 5, 2022. By this time, Russia and Iran work together in attacking Ukraine. Robert Magowan, a British lieutenant general and former commander of the Royal Marines, revealed that the Royal Marines were involved several times in "secret operations" in Ukraine, in an "extremely sensitive context", involving "a high level of political and military risk." In December of 2022, Russian forces constantly attack infrastructure in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rih, etc. Many people lack water and power in locations. President Zelenskyy met United States President Joe Biden during his visit and addressed a joint session of the US Congress after Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi invited Zelensky (on December 21, 2022).
The Wagner Group had thousands of convicts and mercenaries attacking Ukraine. The head of Ukraine's armed forces, Valerii Zaluzhnyi, claimed that air defenses had shot down 12 of 20 Russian cruise missiles. Vitali Klitschko, the Mayor of Kyiv, stated that a series of explosions directed at infrastructure killed at least one person and wounded twenty, including a Japanese journalist. A drone strike on Khmelnytskyi injured two people on December 31, 2022. By January 1, 2023, Ukraine continues to be the victim of kamikaze drone strikes. Russian Orthodox Church Primate Patriarch Kirill called for a Christmas ceasefire so that people could attend Orthodox Christmas services on 6–7 January. Turkish President Erdogan also called for a "unilateral cease-fire"; afterward, President Putin ordered Russian armed forces to hold a 36-hour cease-fire for the Russian Orthodox Christmas. Ukraine rejected Russia's cease-fire proposal. The UK MoD said that fighting had "continued at a routine level into the Orthodox Christmas period." On February 4, 2023, Ukrainian officials claim to have done another prisoner swap with Russia. They claim 116 Ukrainian POWs have been returned, including Ukrainian soldiers and guerrillas from occupied territories. It also includes the bodies of the two deceased British aid workers killed near Soledar. Chris Parry, aged 28, and Andrew Bagshaw, aged 47. Russian officials claim some 63 soldiers were returned. The deal was in part organized by the United Arab Emirates. Russian forces start their next major offensive on the west of eastern Lukhansk (which is mostly Russian-occupied areas).
Dmitry Medvedev, the member of Russia's security council, visited the Omsk Transport Engineering Plant (a tank factory) and made a statement, promising to "modernize thousands of tanks" and "increase production of modern tanks" in response to Ukraine receiving western tanks. Medvedev is more hawkish than in previous years. China wants a peace plan involving a peace plan which involves a ceasefire and multiple other steps that would result in direct negotiations. China holds the stance about "countries' sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity be effectively guaranteed" and that the "cold war mentality" should end. U.S. officials such as Biden and Blinken have expressed doubts about the plan because China does not seem to be neutral because they have yet to condemn the invasion. Zelenskyy stated that it was good that China is talking about Ukraine, but that he would cautiously await details on the plan. It was also speculated by some experts that depending on how this turns out, China could also turn around and start supplying Russia with military equipment. Ukrainian forced withdrawal from Bakhmut. NATO nations send Ukraine more weapons. Russian leader Dmitry Medvedev threatened hypersonic missiles on the International Criminal Court if officials try to arrest Putin on the ICC warrant, during a future state visit. On April 2, 2023, Russian military blogger Vladlen Tatarsky was killed by an explosion in a cafe in St Petersburg. The explosion injured around 24 people of which 6 were in critical condition. The cafe where the explosion occurred belongs to Yevgeny Prigozhin. Classified documents of US–NATO counter-offensive plan details were leaked from the Pentagon via social media sites. According to experts, the plans have been edited prior to publication to decrease estimates of Russian losses and increase estimates of Ukrainian losses. Some experts have questioned the authenticity of the documents and suggested that the leak could be part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Ukraine for the first time intercepted a Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile, following reports from Kyiv of a powerful explosion overnight. The Ukrainian Air Force said they shot it down using the Patriot missile system protecting the capital on May 4, 2023. The war continues.
By Timothy
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