Word today from Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, Colin Kaepernick did not blow anyone away in his tryout with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he did do well enough to remain under consideration. And, with owner Mark Davis being a fan of Kaepernick, who knows but what the Raiders will sign him.
A Sporting News story a few days ago reported that the San Francisco 49ers, The Seattle Seahawks, the Carolina Panthers, and the Atlanta Falcons also are possible destinations.
Confusing, it is. Now, President Biden is saying he will send a missile system to Ukraine. Just yesterday, word was the U.S. was not going to do so. I might be a matter of some White House officials ruling against sending the missile system even though Biden is saying we will.
Russia attacked a humanitarian convoy Monday. A journalist was killed in the attack. Perhaps Russia believes humanitarian efforts aid the Ukrainian war effort. Still, I think it was wrong. You should go out of your way to not kill civilians, which we know the Russians are not doing. You should not attack hospitials, which we know Israel is doing. You should not attack an orphanage and kindergarten.
President Biden has decided against sending to Ukraine missiles that could reach into Russia? I was of the impression we were ramping up in providing arms to Ukraine, including missile systems.
I found no explanation for Biden's decision in the article I read.
I do not condemn today's march of some Israelis that celebrates the takeover of East Jerusalem. But the chants of "Death to Arabs," were wrong. And, while Israel should govern East Jerusalem, it should not kick Arabs out. They should be allowed to live there.
And, efforts should be made to reconcile the Arabs and Israilis living in East Jerusalem. I do not think peace between them is possible, but perhaps.
Lyman -- that sounds like a city in Texas, not in Ukraine -- has fallen to the Russians. Russia's forces have combined with separatist units that have fought for years to overthrow the current Ukrainian goverment. Thus, Russia continues to make progress in taking over the Donbas area.
That news comes along with other news that heralds Russia's progress in the war. The nation has successfully tested the Zircon hypersonic cruise missles, a weapon that Vladimir Putin calls part of a new generation of unrivaled weapons.
And, in a move that will draw more soldiers to its ranks, Russia has dropped the age limit for its soldiers. .
Ninety percent of Americans want background checks yet Congress refuses to allow their wishes. There might be other polls. If polls were taken now, following the Uvalde shooting, Perhaps more Americans than ever would say they favor gun-control measures. The never-ending string of mass shootings simply has the nation fed up.
Since 2012, Colin Kaepernick has the 15th-best passer rating in the NFL. How, then, do his enemies suggest he is a weak passer?
Las Vegas Raiders Coach Jared McDaniels Kaepernick reported things went well for Kaepernick as they provided him with the first work out he has had since being black-balled out of the league in 2016. His political stands got him kicked out of the league.
With the Raiders breaking the pariahness of Kaepernick, other teams are also interested in the Kaep. No word on whether the NFL office is grieving that someone is consider him.
And no word as to whether he will kneel if he does return.
Ukraine is one of the world's largest grain producers. Russia, however, is blocking the grain from being exported by loading it on ships in the Black Sea and shipping them to the Mediterranian where they can then have a global reach. With Russia preventing shipment of the grain, there is the fear of a global food shortage that could increase prices in some places and starvation in others.
President Biden made a mistake. The U.S. announced it would target the Russian cruise missiles it was using to block the grain shipments. Biden should not have made his desires public, as Russia then simply moved the missiles to another site.
"Speak to us more politely," is the warning from Dmitry Rogozin, head of Russia's space agency. Rogozin said Russia will soon have 50 more nuclear warheads that will be capable of annilating its enemies.
"Either this ends badly for all humanity, or we win. There is no third option," said Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Russia Today.
A nuclear war is "more likely to happen than not," says Donald Trump.
Former Secretary of State Henry Kissenger says Ukrainian territory should be ceded to Russia to end the war.
The New York Times is reporting that Haiti paid millions of dollars to France to gain its independence in 1804 and never has recovered from the poverty that was set off at that time. This, the Times said, explains why tens of thousands flee to the U.S. seeking refuge.
One wonders what the U.S. is doing to help the economy in Haiti. The U.S. is the single largest humanitarian contributor to Haiti, but what of help for the economy. A private charity, Hope for Haiti, offers grants of up to $30,000 to start businesses. Hope for Haiti also offers loans of up to $50,000 for startups. Are these grants and loans being properly used? It would be good to see a list of which businesses have used the loans and if their businesses have impacted the economy. It appears they haven't.
What of the working class? Are the grants and loans establishing businesses that need workforces? If they are going to endeavors that do that create jobs, they are worthless.
It's a catch-22 when you face Russia. If you win the war, a maddened Putin will probably unleash nuclear weapons. And, if you don't win, well, Ukraine is lost. Utah Senator Mitt Romney says if Russia does resort to nuclear weapons, NATO would then be legal to step into the war and could obliterate Putin's war force.
Both NATO and the UN should be looking at the gravity of the situation and seeking to determine if Russia has already committed offenses that would allow them to enter the war. You don't wait until the nuclear weapons are unleashed before stepping in. If they cannot find anything in their existing charters to warrant entry in the war, NATO and and the UN should consider suspending their charters.
Or, maybe even disregarding them. If you go through the process of amending your charter, Russia will be watching and will unleash the nukes before you can get around to entering the war.
Isreal has announced it will send 2,000 helmets and 500 flak jackets to Ukraine. Israel has been trying to stay neutral in hopes of negotiating peace. This signals a change from that policy. One can only hope Russia continues to help the Ukrainian cause.
An Olympic champion shooting champion has joined the Ukrainian forces, and warned the Russians, "I shoot well." Kristina Dminetiko will undoubledly take out a number of Russian soldiers. "I have no fear of the enemy," she said. "I shoot so well the invaders will not have a chance." "Whatever weapon I have in my hands, whether I am in competition or in the military, I will stand until the end," she said. "Victory will definitely be ours."
Putin, it is said, has cancer. And, according to reports, he will be ousted, not because he has cancer, but for other reasons. Who's behind the ouster effort? Like usual, it's the military.
It is also said that if Putin were to retire, or whatever, he would be replaced by someone even more diabolical. And, it is said that Russia will disintergrade, cease to exist. One wonders what means, as another government would simply come to power and Russia would still be there.
When You Get Back to Heaven
When you get back to heaven
When you get back to home
Don't suppose you are perfect
Just because you have grown
They will greet you
And seat you
And give you a place
But the time you were mortal
Is not gone without a trace
Because all that you are
And all that you've been
You carry with you
At the setting of the sun
(Poems)
More than 10,000 U.S. troops will be returning from Ukraine, their tour of duty there being completed. They will be replaced by new troops.
The significance of this to me is that I did not know were had any fighting troops in Ukraine. Are they not fighting?
Former President Donald Trump believes the money the U.S. is spending on the Ukraine war would be better spent here at home to end the shortage of baby formula.
"The Democrats are spending another $40 billion in Ukraine, yet American parents are struggling to even feed their children," he said, referring to the baby formula shortage.
He suggested Europe, not the U.S., should be footing the bill in Ukraine, noting Europe is more impacted.
One wonders if Trump hopes Russia should be allowed to annex Ukraine, and should win the war.
President Biden is shifting his focus from the Ukrainian war to China's internal affairs. Biden alledges -- probably correctly -- for it's inhumane treatment of the Uyghur population. Biden's efforts to help the Uyghurs is to be praised.
It's just a social media rumor, but China President Xi could step down over public outrage over how he has handled the coronavirus epidemic. We have to assume it is just a rumor and Xi is not going to let go of the presidency.
But, who knows?
Though war autocacies might temp the United Nations Human Rights Council to evict Russia, they should not do so. Instead, the Council should be used to entice Russia to the table to discuss the autocracies. As a member of the Council, Russia has an obligation to attend meeting. Since the war crimes are an issue the Council should be discussing, Russia would be asked to respond to the charges. Russia would be asked to stop committing the crimes. And, as a result of this pressure, Russia might be persuaded to quit committing the crime.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly driven Russian forces back into Russia in northeast Ukraine. The Ukrainians already had pushed the Russians back into their own country in northern Ukraine. The news increases the chances that Ukraine is winning the war.
Russia's Victory Day was as grand as expected. About 65,000 people and 1,100 soldiers participated. President Vladimir Putin participated in the Victory march and spoke Putin said Russia was was fighting for the motherland in Ukraine.
Russia is being defeated by the second-largest country in Eastern Europe, in terms of land mass. Only Russia itself is larger. And it is in part because Ukraine is so large that Russia cannot defeat it. To attack so many cities so far from each other, you have to scatter your forces. Russia simply does not have enought forces to take over the swath of land it must occupy. The resiliancy of the Ukrainians, and the weapone they have received from from NATO are also mighty factors.
Eyes will be on Russia Monday, as it holds its military parades. We wait to see if it will be grander than in past years. And, what will Putin say? How will he spin a war that he is far from winning? Many would say he is losing. Will he announce new offensives?
Utah Democrats made a mistake when they opted to not nominate a candidate of their own and to support Independent Evan McMullin, instead. No, it's not that it was a mistake to endorse McMullin, but they should have nominated him, instead. His chances of being elected would significantly jump if he showed on the ballot as a Democrat.
Ukraine has reportedly repelled eleven attacks in the Donbas region.. And, Ukraine has retaken villages near Kharkiv. Both support the notion that Russia is not winning in that part of the country. One can only wonder if Putin, in his desparation, will turn to nuclear weapons to win the war.
"Russian Forces storm Mariupal steel plant," "Pentagon says Russian gains 'uneven . . . slow' ", Etc.The headlines on the Russia-Ukraine ware contiue to roll out. As we follow the unfortunate drama, we wonder what could be done to persuade to drop the attack. We wonder if there is anyone among all the world's leaders who could convine him to stop.
Are we taking into account Russia's strong relationship with Russia? North Korea is in total support of the invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin is getting desperate to come away with some kind of victory. Would he turn to Kim Jong Un, asking North Korea to enter the war?
Remember, North Korea has nuclear weapons. It might be, though, that Kim wants to hold on to all his nuclear weapons.
Russia is winning. Russian flags keep rising over Ukrainian cities. The Russians have turned the war around and they are on top. While the Soviet domination is only in the east and south and it is not like all of Ukraine is falling, the Russian victories surely bring sadness to those who believe Russia wrong.
Regardless the outcome of this war, we must wonder what will come later. What Russia has done portents to it doing more in the future.
