….. “One year ago, a violent attack on our Capitol made it clear just how fragile the American experiment in democracy really is. And while the broken windows have been repaired and many of the rioters have been brought to justice, the truth is that our democracy is at greater risk than it was back then. Although initially rejected by the Republicans, the claims that fanned the flames of violence on January 6th have since been embraced by a sizable portion of voters and elected officials – many of whom know better. State legislatures across the country have not only made it harder to vote, but some have tried to assert power over core election processes including the ability to certify election results. And those remaining Republican officials and thought leaders who have courageously stood their ground and rejected such anti-democratic efforts have been ostracized, primaried, and driven from the party. Historically, Americans have been defenders of democracy and freedom around the world – especially when it’s under attack. But we can’t serve that role when leading figures in one of our two major political parties are actively undermining democracy at home. We can’t set an example when our own leaders are willing to fabricate lies and cast doubt on the results of free and fair elections. Our system of government has never been automatic. If we want our children to grow up in a true democracy – not just one with elections, but one where every voice matters and every vote counts – we need to nurture and protect it. Today, that responsibility falls to all of us. And on this anniversary, nothing is more important.”…. President Barack Obama (January 6th 2022)
SIDNEY POITIER, FIRST BLACK ACADEMY AWARD WINNER, DIES AT THE AGE OF 94…..Definitely lost a great one….he made history when he slapped the shit out of a Southern “privileged” racist good ‘ol boy white guy In the Heat of the Night…..…..sang to a bunch of nuns…dealt with interracial worlds in To Sir With Love….and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner……and still has me puzzled as to how he was going to survive….once he arrived in New York..…and finally found Bess….thank you for sharing you….with us.
A COUPLE STUCK ON I-95 IN VIRGINIA SAW A BAKERY TRUCK AND HAD A GREAT IDEA…..And it was a good one….since everyone was stuck on the highway….in an unexpected snowstorm.….and people were tired, hungry and pissed TF off…..Casey Holihan and her husband….John Noe came up with this….they saw a bakery truck stuck….along with them…..and decided to call the company….explain their situation….and ask if they could pass the bread sitting in the truck….with nowhere to go….to the people who are hungry….and dealing with the same situation….the truck is dealing with….so they called Schmidt Baking Company….and let them know what they were thinking….since most of the stuck people hadn’t eaten in about….37 hours…..Casey didn’t think this was gonna work….20 minutes later….the couple received a call from the owner of the company…..and Chuck Paterakis….one of the owners….called the driver and let him know it was cool….feed everyone….with the help of kind people….they passed out food to more 50 cars….I agree with Casey…. “This was one of the kindest moments I have ever witnessed.”
NOVAK DJOKOVIC…..Was stopped by Australian boarder officials on arrival to play in the Australian Open….his visa was cancelled for failing to meet COVID vaccine requirements….he faces deportation but has started a court challenge to stay and play in the tournament….I agree with Rafael Nadal…. “The only for me clear thing is if you are vaccinated, you can play in the Australian Open and everywhere, and the world in my opinion has been suffering enough to not follow the rules. He made his own decision, and everybody is free to take their own decisions, but then there are some consequences……But at the same time, he knew the conditions since a lot of months ago, so he made his decision. The only thing that I can say is I believe in what the people who know about medicine says, and if those people say that we need to get vaccinated, we need to get vaccinated.”…and if many of you thing countries are not taking vaccinating seriously…..
EUROPE: UNVACCINATED ARE UNWELCOMED JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE…..And it’s getting there….France president Emmanuel Macron laid it straight out….the non-vaccinated are pissing me off…..Germany’s governing coalition says it will decide by the end of March whether to try to push through a universal vaccination mandate….Austria plans to enhance enforcement of existing measures banning the unvaccinated from many public venues….the British Prime Minister wants to keep it voluntary…..Italy declared a vaccination mandate for people over 50…..and stricter rule are being laid out in other countries.