Secretary Blinken is absolutely correct in warning other countries about Russian occupation.

January 8, 2021

Moscow - Russia responded angrily (click here) on Saturday to a comment by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Kazakhstan might have a hard time getting rid of Russian troops, saying he should reflect instead on U.S. military meddling around the world.

Blinken on Friday challenged Russia's justification for sending forces into Kazakhstan after days of violent unrest in the Central Asian country....

To begin, the USA does not meddle in other countries' affairs, we OFFER friendship, trade and alliance. That is not meddling. On the other hand, Russia does not offer anything except control over citizens through threats of death knowing full well, in the future Russia will seek conscription of soldiers in countries it occupies to enter a war with Ukraine.

The last we heard about the great Peng Shuai was three weeks ago.

December 20, 2021
By Bindu Bansinath

On the courts, (click here) 35-year-old Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai is a tour de force. She’s a three-time Olympian who has won 25 tour titles over the course of her career, and her trailblazing success has helped to propel women’s tennis to new heights in China. Then, this November, she disappeared....

I think everyone who cares about citizens from communist countries needs to take a step back from promoting activism with them. The West is getting it's feet wet with "Me, Too." That movement has been very successful even in places like India. But, this episode with Peng Shuai should remind Western activists dynamics that permit Western women to speak out and demand their respect and rights to their own bodies without mutilation of any kind, sincerely is asking for trouble when it pertains to countries such as China and Russia that silence their opposition with prison or worse.

I sincerely hope Peng Shuai is doing well and enjoying the sport of tennis within any hometown she may be living right now.

I am worried that taking the spot light off her will result in her complete disappearance or worse.

Is it better to remain silent or should we be asking to see her in public again?

I doubt she will ever be allowed to compete internationally again because China doesn't want to risk the potential of her receiving asylum and playing tennis for a democracy.

The first order of COVID test kits for home was issued in September.

The government did it's part, so where are the distributions of the kits to provide some understanding to the DOD as to where the National Guard may be needed first?

September 17, 2021

This week, the Department of Defense (DOD),(click here) in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), awarded four contracts totaling $647 million to purchase over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits.

DOD’s Defense Logistics Agency and Defense Assisted Acquisition Cell led these efforts. The procurements were funded through the American Rescue Plan Act to supply critical medical resources to the nation.

DOD Awards $205.2 Million Contract to OraSure Technologies, Inc. to Purchase Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Test Kits

DOD awarded a $205.2 million contract to OraSure Technologies, Inc., to purchase over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits. Deliveries of the 20.6 million test kits will commence October 2021 and ordering capability will continue until September 2022.

DOD Awards $284.2 Million Contract to Quidel Corp. to Purchase Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Test Kits

DOD awarded a $284.2 million contract to Quidel Corp. to purchase over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits. Deliveries of the 25.6 million test kits will commence October 2021 and ordering capability will continue until September 2022.

DOD Awards $47.8 Million Contract to Abbott Rapid DX North America LLC to Purchase Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Test Kits

DOD awarded a $47.8 million contract to Abbott Rapid DX North America LLC to purchase over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits. Deliveries of the 3.8 million test kits will commence October 2021 and ordering capability will continue until September 2022.

DOD Awards $109.8 Million Contract to Intrivo Holdings Corp. to Purchase Over-the-Counter COVID-19 Test Kits

DOD awarded a $109.8 million contract to Intrivo Holdings Corp. to purchase over-the-counter COVID-19 test kits. Deliveries of the 10 million test kits will commence October 2021 and ordering capability will continue until September 2022.

Home, Sweet, Home

Machin was never going to vote for the BBB. He used it for his politics. Now, he will say he was home and the news is that he is supposed to hold the line on spending. That is lie, but, with $557,066 in his war chest as a beginning bribe, he will never give up his position. If the Republicans are going to recruit him, they will have to provide more cronies with plenty of money than he already has.

December 19, 2021
By Danielle Diaz

Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia (click here) said he's a no on the Build Back Better Act, effectively ending negotiations on this version of legislation that would expand the nation's social safety net.

Manchin has always been a key holdout for the legislation, sharing concerns over certain provisions of the massive tax and spending bill and how it may exacerbate soaring inflation in the country....