Wednesday, November 01, 2023

News on November 1, 2023.

 


DHS Secretary defends his record against a GOP attack. We know that security in communities, colleges, etc. is a complex issue, and the DHS Secretary shouldn't be blamed for all issues involving massive anti-Semitic and Islamophobic attacks at epidemic levels in America. There has been an anti-Semitic threat against a Congresswoman and against Cornell University. Senate Democrats plan to subpoena many Republican people to find out about ethics issues among some Supreme Court Justices (as some GOP people have some Justice's gifts). Trump has sued the Michigan official in a bid to keep his name on the state's ballots in 2024. 


We live in a new time in foreign policy matters. The UN General Assembly wants an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce passed by a large majority. Hamas is a terrorist organization that I don't respect. Likewise, a massive response by Benjamin Netanyahu could put into jeopardy the lives of innocent Israeli hostages. Hamas claims that 50 hostages have already been killed by the bombings. Israel has the right to self-defense against Hamas, but using wisdom in a response is better than vengeance. Many places in Gaza have no phones, no Internet, and a humanitarian crisis. Over 1,300 innocent Israelis have been killed by Hamas and over 8,000 Palestinians have died. Mike Johnson is a far-right MAGA fanatic who desires to promote austerity and extremism. The Biden economy has a 4.9 percent rise in GDP which is great news. We have the strike-causing concessions made by the UAW. You can criticize Israeli policy without being anti-Semitic, but we have seen a rise in anti-Semitic attacks in America and overseas. We know that Palestinians are not the same as Hamas, but we see a rise in Islamophobic attacks too. So, the lesson here is having to embrace facts, progressive attitudes, and justice without bigotry. There should be a humanitarian ceasefire immediately in my view.


The conflict continues between Israel and Hamas. You have one set of extremists who are anti-Semites who try to justify Hamas, say anti-Semitic slurs in rallies at universities in America, and lie and claim that Jewish people collectively should be blamed for the events in Gaza. Then, you have another set of extremists who are blatantly Islamophobic, conflate Palestinians with Hamas (which is a lie as Hamas is a terrorist organization whose goal is to eliminate Israel as we know it), and express no empathy for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. So, this crisis is complex, and we embrace a nuanced position. Two things can be true. It is true that Hamas murdered innocent Israeli civilians and made many of them hostages (as those hostages should be free ASAP). It is also true that Palestinians have suffered massive oppression and occupation that must end ASAP too. Therefore, we must be progressive, fair-minded, and open-minded to embrace a ceasefire and peace. There is no long-term military solution to this crisis. Only a political and economic solution is needed for both Jewish and Arabic peoples to have peace in the Middle Eastern region indeed.


The judge reinstated the Trump gag order involving the January 6th federal case. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed the restrictions on Trump 2 weeks ago. She temporarily paused the restrictions. She did this to allow both sides to brief her on their additional arguments. The judge said that the First Amendment rights of people in a criminal proceeding must yield to the administration of justice. Judge Chutkan said that Trump asserting his innocence is permitted under the First Amendment but not his statements about Mark Meadows as they single out a witness. If a Democrat wins the White House in 2024, there is a high percentage chance of Donald Trump being convicted and going to prison. Trump attacks Biden's age, but Trump recently misstated the city where he held a recent campaign rally.



Days ago, was the Birthday of Sister Vonetta Flowers, and she is now 50 years old. She made history as the first African American and first black athlete from any country to win a gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2002 in the two women's bobsleigh event. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She was a star sprinter and long jumper at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She wanted to make the U.S. Summer Olympics. Later, she turned to bobsledding. She won gold with Jill Bakken at the 2002 Winter Olympics. After the Salt Lake City Games, Flowers gave birth to twins and took some time off from the sport. In 2003, she played in the sport again with teammate Jean Prahm. They competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. They won Bronze in the 2004 Winter World Championships at Konigsee. By December of 2010, she was elected to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. She was inducted as a member of the Class of 2011 in May. Flowers has lived in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband, Johnny, and their three sons. I wish Sister Vonetta Flowers more blessings.


By Timothy



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