Biden's first State of the Union address amid Covid, wars, and rumors of war
The Monday Musings!
Ukraine Update
Like many observers, I find it very interesting that the supposedly powerful Russian military has yet to take control of Ukraine!
Last Friday, I had the privilege of attending a lecture given by retired Army Lt. General Ben Hodges, a former Commander of Armed Forces Europe and adviser to Ukraine, who was a guest of the Tallahassee Community College History Department.
Gen. Hodges gave a compelling hour long lecture about the geo-political history of the region—and its current strategic importance. While stressing how very serious the latest Russian invasion is and the potential escalation to a nuclear conflict, Hodges also noted that the small number of American troops in the region, which is fewer than 40,000, was sufficient to thwart a Russian attack on NATO due to the fact that from a conventional warfare standpoint, the American military is far better equipped and trained than their Russian counterparts.
The general's remarks echoed in my mind all weekend as I watched reports of the Russian Army taking major losses to a supposedly inferior Army, a factor that likely led to Dictator Vladimir Putin's placing his nuclear forces on alert (despite his false claim that the maneuver was to address "aggressive statements" from the West).
Would Putin end the world as we know it just because his regular forces have underwhelmed thus far? Who knows, but here's hoping that peace talks that are on tap today in Belarus between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations will yield a cessation of this wholly unnecessary conflict.
Sanctions, Sanctions, and more Sanctions
Will the recently announced U.S. economic sanctions damage Putin's ability to wage war? That remains to be seen, but it is important to note that just this morning, President Joe Biden's Treasury Department went a step further by banning all American transactions with the Central Bank of Russia.
Amid reports that Russian business interests took a huge dive last week by all objective measures, the declining value of Russia's currency will only frustrate Putin more as access to his own personal fortune is lessened and, once his Russian oligarch cronies tire of seeing their wealth diminished, too, perhaps regime change in Russia could be in the offing?
Stay tuned...
American Perspective Part I
Skeptics: "Why should Black people give a damn about what's going on in Eastern Europe?"
Hobbs: "Because nuclear missiles 'dont see color,’ and definitely don't give a damn whether it's white, Black, yellow, or red Americans that they vaporize upon touching down..."
American Perspective Part II
As we move deeper into the 2022 mid-term election season, President Biden's State of the Union address tomorrow night will be the most important speech of the year, and I write this without the slightest hint of histrionics or hyperbole!!!
With food and household supply shortages and gas prices already causing angst for ordinary Americans, Putin's foolish war stands to make inflation go higher. History has always shown that the party in Federal control when economic uncertainty hits usually takes huge losses in the next election cycle; lest we forget that 2007's Great Recession under then President George W. Bush led to Republicans being trounced by Democrats across America—and Barack Obama's historic victory over John McCain in 2008.
Thus, it will be interesting to see whether Biden's speech writers can dial up a message that can alleviate the foreign policy and domestic fears of the American people, and one that Biden can deliver in convincing fashion.
***Speaking of elections, the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (C-PAC) took place last week and if there was any doubt as to who is still the biggest influencer in the Republican Party, it remains former President Donald Trump.
In its 2024 presidential straw poll, Trump was the preferred candidate for 59% of attendees; Florida Gov. Ron Desantis came in a distant second at 28%, and no other potential candidate polled higher than 2 %!
Black History: "Conversations with our Sons"
I was blessed this morning to participate in the "Conversations with our Sons" virtual event at Crossroads Academy Charter School in Quincy, Florida. I was joined on the panel by Nupe Tony Bunion, Jr., Author, “Breakin Cycles;” Nupe Marvin Claude, Creator & Chief Flyist, Fix Your Fly, LLC; Nupe Rev. Anton G. Elwood , Pastor, New Mt. Zion AME Church; Antione Gavin, R. Travel Nurse; Erik Jenkins, Head Coach, University of South Florida Track & Field!
We each answered the call of Nupe Dr. Kevin Forehand, a brilliant and committed educator whose leadership is evident among the highly focused young Black males that we conversed with this morning. From racial profiling, stereotypes, education, career aspirations, and surviving police encounters, to Black mental health, fatherhood, relationships, and the need to express emotions other than anger, the event was time well spent as we elders poured wisdom into the next generation of strong Black men!
Black History Hobbservations: Tom Bradley, LA Mayor
Tom Bradley was born in Calvert, Texas on 1917 to Lee and Crenner Bradley, sharecroppers who later moved to Arizona to pick cotton before settling in Los Angeles, California, where they worked as a railroad porter and domestic, respectively.
Bradley attended high school in Los Angeles, where he distinguished himself academically as well as in football and track. After graduating from high school, Bradley enrolled at UCLA and soon thereafter became one of the first 400 blacks inducted into the city's police force.
While serving as an officer, Bradley attended the Southwestern University Law School at night and upon graduating, worked in private practice before launching his political career. In 1963, Bradley, spurred by a strong coalition of progressive Jewish and Latino voters, became the city's first black councilman. Bradley challenged longtime mayor Sam Yorty for his position in 1969—but was narrowly defeated. Four years later, Bradley won the mayoral race, becoming only the second Black to lead a major city at that time.
Bradley would serve as mayor for 20 years and is noted for improving the city's business districts, its airport, and for helping to lure the 1984 Olympics to Los Angeles. Bradley also twice ran for Governor of California, in 1982 and 1986, and lost both races to Republican George Deukmejian. Bradley's narrow 1982 loss gave rise to the pejorative political term known as the "Bradley Effect," one that was based upon the fact that entry and exit polls suggested that white California voters indicated support for Bradley—but actually pulled the lever for his white opponent once the voting booth was closed.
Bradley's 20 years were the longest by any Los Angeles mayor, and he decided not to seek reelection in 1993 in the wake of the previous year's Rodney King Riots that led to death, destruction and mayhem after four Simi Valley Police officers were acquitted for brutally beating King following a routine traffic stop.
Brother Bradley, a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, entered eternal rest in 1998 at the age of 81.
Black College Feature
Each day this Black History Month, I will feature one of America's leading HBCUs.
Next up: Bethune Cookman University
History: On October 3, 1904, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls "with $1.50, faith in God and five little girls: Lena, Lucille, and Ruth Warren, Anna Geiger and Celest Jackson."
On May 24, 1919, the Daytona Educational and Industrial Institute was changed to Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute. In 1923 the school merged with Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida, which was founded in 1872. The new co-ed college was affiliated with the United Methodist Church.
In 1931, the school, then called the Daytona-Cookman Institute, became accredited by the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States. On April 27, 1931, the school’s name was officially changed to Bethune-Cookman College to reflect the leadership of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, it's President who would serve until becoming an adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor.
In 2007, Bethune Cookman was granted University status during the administration of Dr. Trudie K. Reed.
Academics: Ranked 29th among HBCUs by U.S. News & World Report, Bethune–Cookman University offers 39 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees through or within its Colleges or Departments of Nursing, Business & Entrepreneurship, Education, Graduate Studies, Health Sciences, Hospitality Management, Liberal Arts, Online & Professional Studies, Performing Arts & Communication; Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Undergraduate Studies, and Religion.
Motto: "Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve"
Mascot: Wildcats
Colors: Maroon and Gold
Athletics: Bethune Cookman is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletics Conference (MEAC), a NCAA Division 1 league of fellow HBCUs. Each November, the University faces its rival, Florida A&M University, in the nationally televised Florida Classic.
Famous Alumni/Figures: Civil Rights legend A. Phillip Randolph, Florida Civil Rights martyrs Harry and Harriet Moore; educator Dr. Oswald Bronson; Hall of Fame former Temple Basketball Coach John Chaney, NFL Hall of Fame lineman Larry Little, former NFL stars Charles Riggins, Nick Collins, Rashean Mathis, and Cy Mclairen; former Arena Football League star T.T. Tolliver; entrepreneur Marjorie Joyner; FIU Baseball Coach Mervyl Melendez, former MLB star Mark Woodyard, former College Football Coach Alvin Wyatt; the late Mixed Martial Artist Kimbo Slice; Minor League Baseball Manager Sebastian Boucher, actor Rodney Chester.
Thank you for subscribing to the Hobbservation Point—have a wonderful Monday!
Look at you highlighting your rival. 🙂
“Each November, the University faces its rival, Florida A&M University, in the nationally televised Florida Classic.”
I’ll definitely be watching the State of the Union address. I’m curious to know what our leader has to say, scripted and unscripted.
I’m hopeful/prayerful for the Ukrainian people. Perhaps one day, the U.S. can have some sort cohesion despite someone’s affiliation.
Perhaps I should pen my words on paper (electronically) as well. Who knows, I might publish something worthwhile reading.
Keep pushing the content. It’s definitely worth reading, even if it hurt a toe or two.