by Reverend Herbert Daughtry We’re almost at the end of March highlighting women that were/are among the many great women that I have admired. Obviously there isn’t enough space to select all of the sisters that I held to the highest esteem. This week I will focus on women that are mostly known in the community. We have set before you six photos. These photos came from a 11x17 which was produced in 1980 by the Black United Front. All of these women were directly or indirectly associated with the National Black United Front (NBUF). Going from left to right the first photo is Linda Dejesus, which was her name at that time. She later became known as Rasheeda Johnson. She is the wife of Vincent Johnson, who himself was a long-time member of our church and NBUF. They both were a part of our church where the movement that gave birth to The BUF and many other organizations. She is the mother of five boys. The best known is Kefentse Johnson. Kefentse has traveled with me extensively, locally, nationally and abroad. He is an excellent filmmaker videoing all of our extensive travels and meetings, creating an almost endless library of film and videos. Sister Rasheeda is best known for her research and business acumen. She started our first book market and candy store. These were first located in the church and then were transported to the ubiquitous community meetings. Sister Mae Mallory, has a long history in the struggle of the Civil Rights Movement. She served in the Southern part of the movement. Coming home, she continued her involvement. She was a dependable, knowledgeable, experienced soldier. Her daughter Pat Oduba heads up our Climate Change committee. It is interesting how these Freedom fighters children become involved in some way continuing the Freedom struggle. Queen Mother Moore was respected all over the African diaspora world. In traveling abroad I was always amazed by how well known she was by leaders in high places. Perhaps, she was best remembered for her work in the reparations movement. She was one of the pioneers who argued for reparations. She was a tough uncompromising advocate for freedom and especially, as I stated, reparations. She would always say, “pay me what you owe me”. Sister Alma John, she was an excellent publications person and in well-known in radio, television and overall media field. Over her 25-year association with WWRL,she produced various syndicated series on household hints, like Alma John Shoppers' Guide, At Home With Alma John, Household Hints and Speak of Color, which featured advice on budgeting, credit, decorating, and nutrition.[33] She produced a wide variety of shows including The World at Your Doorstep, an interview show featuring talks with foreign visitors and a program geared to senior citizens called Golden Agers. Other programs included public service projects such as information on health and civil rights issues.. Dr. Karen Daughtry, obviously when I think of great women and who have made substantial contributions always my wife I include. In the early days of our marriage and commitment to the struggle we saw that formal education would be key to our struggle. So she devoted herself to receiving the formal education that ended with her receiving a bachelor’s from Adelphi, also a supervisor preparation which gave her the educational credential to become a principal. She received her doctorate at New York Theological Seminary in Pastoral counseling. She continued to avail herself of the various educational opportunities in conferences and international travels. She is co-founder of our daycare center, The Alonzo Daughtry Memorial which has been in existence for 60 years. In fact, we were there at the creation. Our daycare center has been nationally accredited. Perhaps her crowning work excluded the church with SASA, Sisters Against South African Apartheid through this foundation, inspired by Winnie Mandela. Material support was supplied to South Africa and innumerable marches and demonstrations were held supporting the freedom of Mandela and South Africa. Civil disobedience was among SASA’s strategic planning in support of the struggle. In fact, on the South Africa issue, not only my wife but all of my four children who at the time ranged from ages 12-16 went to jail. She along with Judy Belafonte, the wife of Harry Belafonte were co-chairs of the Women’s Committee and the welcoming committee of Nelson and Winnie Mandela and the African National Congress(ANC). In 1991, their visit to New York, upon the release of Nelson Mandela. Winnie Mandela made her first public speech at the House of the Lord Church. (I’d like to add Winnie Mandela to my list of some of the countless women strugglers. My wife and I were honored to attend her funeral.) I can go on and on highlighting the accomplishments of Dr. Karen, suffice it to say that whatever I’ve been involved in she was by my side. We have four children, three grands, and two great grands. The final one is Sis. Florence Miller, Ms. Miller was the wife of Arthur Miller who was choked to death June 14th, by New York policemen. I can truthfully say that first it was Randy Evans, 15-year old black youth who was shot in the head for no reason in November 1976. A year later almost to the day, the jury pretty much acquitted the officer or gave him a slap on the wrist. This infuriated the community and we, Jitu Weusi, Assemblyman Al Vann, Sam Pinn called for Black Christmas 77’. The four of us had been meeting for months, analyzing, planning, waiting for the opportune moment to mobilize the community. First it was Randy Evans, then the following year 1978 it was Arthur Miller. We were on the street boycotting the downtown Brooklyn stores when we got word that Arthur Miller was killed by the police. Mrs. Miller til her death were among these gallant, courageous, tough, self-giving, committed women who while experiencing indescribable pain of losing loved ones to police violence and to street violence. Nonetheless, became a part of the continuing struggle of freedom, not only for themselves but for our people and for others. She was in the marches, demonstrations, negotiations,etc. She was always there. In the photo, she was speaking and as the day had turned colder I saw her shivering at the mic. I took my coat and put it on her shoulders as she continued to speak and be in the movement. Her daughter Lolisa who was about 12 years old at the time continues the struggle in her father’s and mothers memory. She has formed the organization, A Daughter Never Forgets Foundation (ADNFF). Let me emphasize, I have mentioned just a few women who I have known and have struggled with me and others side by side and sometimes ahead of us. May God bless you all those who are yet alive and those who have made their transition and upon whose shoulders we stand. Whatever progress we have made could not have been made without your involvement. I salute you all.

By Reverend Herbert Daughtry This week I celebrate the following women: Harriet Tubman, Dorchester, MD Her great contribution was to succeed in freeing some have said. The fact that she, a free woman, would go back into the bowels of slavery risking her life to lead enslaved persons to freedom. She said, “I could’ve freed more if they knew they were slaves.” Ida B. Wells, Holly Springs, MS This courageous woman fought against lynching. It was during a time when lynching was prevalent across America. She was threatened but she continued her crusade against this horrendous crime. Lynching had become the great American pastime. In many cities lynching was like a picnic. Families would gather bringing food and drink. Even churches were let out early to enjoy the horrendous acts. Sometimes, mutilation would occur and parts of the body would be sold as souvenirs. Ida B Wells was a gallant courageous fighter who risked everything. Fannie Lou Hamer, Montgomery, MS Fannie fought for voting rights. She was jailed, she was beaten but it didn’t deter her from continuing to fight for the right to vote. She registered Democratic voters into and to be the legitimate Democratic party to be seated at the Democratic Convention. Corretta Scott King, Heirberger, AL Once her husband the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, she picked up the mantle of leadership and continued the fight for freedom. Like her husband hers was a global mission. She was a part of the peace movement and advocated for the least of the world. Two memories come to mind, one was at the death of her husband. I was in Atlanta for the funeral, we had a viewing at the church and then an open-air ceremony, in which the legendary Dr. Benjamin E. Mays was the eulogist. I was standing on the steps of Morehouse College outside and she passed by. I was mesmerized as I looked into her eyes, there was deep pain but also deep determination to endure the loss of her husband and to fight on. The second memory is June 12, 1982, we had organized over a million people to demand nuclear disarmament. I passed her by in Central Park where we gathered after the rally in front of the UN. She sat beside Ruby Dee. She had that same look of deep sadness and deep determination. Dr. Betty Shabazz, Detroit, MI Dr. Shabazz and I were great friends. I had the highest admiration for her, in some sense she was similar to Mrs. King in that she had to raise up fatherless children and neither one was known to be an out-front leader but when their husbands were assassinated, they raised their families and continued the struggle. Dr. Betty was a frequent visitor to our church, she was always present for any major event. When my wife along with Julie Belafonte co-chaired the Women’s committee welcoming Nelson and Winnie Mandela to New York upon his release from prison. Winnie Mandela was celebrated in Brooklyn as well as elsewhere. But her first public speaking was at our church. My wife had also organized Sisters Against South African Apartheid (SASA) for the freedom of South Africa and Nelson Mandela. Dr. Shabazz was a part of the celebration. She went back to school to earn a doctorate degree. And I could go on and on about women who have made great contributions. I could say whatever promise we’ve made could not be achieved without our women of African ancestry. Indeed one could argue there would not be a United States of America without our women.

By Reverend Herbert Daughtry During the month of March, as we celebrate Women’s month, I would like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for all women, particularly women of African Ancestry who have endured unimaginable abuse, including slavery, discrimination, and all forms of violence. Despite these challenges, they have somehow found the strength to maintain their sanity, hold themselves and their families together, and make tremendous progress while also supporting and uplifting their male counterparts. I am proud to share that our church, The House Of The Lord Churches, founded by my father, Bishop Daughtry, has been a strong advocate for women's empowerment. Before his passing, he used his influence to ensure that a woman would succeed him as the presiding Bishop in 1952, making it the first time a female Presiding Bishop succeeded a male Presiding Bishop. And today a female Presiding Bishop is the head of our Churches, the the Reverend Leah Daughtry, she succeeded another male Presiding Bishop, yours truly! As we celebrate women's contributions, I would like to recognize the exceptional women in the Daughtry family who have made significant contributions in their own right, while also supporting the men in their family. Also, some of the women I admire the most starting with my family and the women of history. Below are of some of the women who I admire the most in the fight for freedom and equality: From left to right: my daughters, Ms. Sharon Daughtry, Dr. Dawnique Daughtry, Rev. Leah Daughtry and my wife Dr. Karen Daughtry in the center. My daughter-in-law, Danielle Cooper Daughtry Sarah Daughtry-Chambers and Lauren Joy, granddaughter-in-law and my great grand. Mrs. Winnie Mandela, Nelson Mandela looking on and myself. From left to right: myself, my daughter Sharon Daughtry, Ms. Rosa Parks, my wife Dr. Karen Daughtry, and my other daughter Leah Daughtry, Bishop Huie Rogers

Daily News New York, Monday, June 30, 1980 His dream of a Black United Front is now a reality ___________________________________________________________________ He dreamed about it. Nobody knows just how long it had been in his mind but it was his idea. He nursed it. He worked at it. And finally it happened and in the morning yesterday when he came into his church on Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn, the Rev. Herbert Daughtry knew that the dream was real. "I’m excited,” he said. " I'm grateful and humbled and honored to have had some in the process." “What was most important?" he was asked. “Just the conference," he said. "The conference itself." Not much was about it in the newspapers. No television crews dashed about in the big hall. But quietly, through and Friday and Saturday, out in Brooklyn at the old Sumner Ave. Armory, the Rev. Daughtry's dream of building a national organization became real. THE SUMNER AVE. ARMORY IS a huge, fortress-like building of red brick that covers most of the block along Sumner between Jefferson and Putnam Aves. It sits in the heart of Brooklyn's black belt. In the morning on Thursday the armory was alive. The red, black and green flag of black liberation flew from the roof. And out front crowds gathered on the sidewalk. It was the kind of coming together that was a part of the 60s, like the black power conference of Newark in 1967. People came wearing dashikis, in jeans and t-shirts, in sports jackets and business suits. They came from Brooklyn, Mississippi and Chicago, from St. Louis, and Ohio and from as far away as Portland. On Thursday, when the founding convention for a National Black United Front began, 500 people registered. Except for a few Asians, all of them were black. On Friday the number swelled and by Saturday, when the meeting began at 8am(it did not end until 3a.m. Sunday) more than 1,000 delegates had been registered. THE OFFICIAL PAPERS said that there was to put together a broad-based organization. In the armory in Brooklyn, there was a bit of everything. “Glad to see you all,” Amiri Baraka (formerly Leroi Jones) said in his address to the convention. "Haven't seen some of you since the last time we tried this." Baraka, now with a Marxist-Leninist group called the League of Revolutionary Struggle, was in Newark in 1967 when the effort was made to build a national grass-roots organization to deal with the problems facing blacks. He was in Atlanta in 1970 when the Congress of African People attempted to build on that effort. And in Gary, Indiana, when yet another effort was made in 1972 to create a National Black United Front. “Meeting here to form a National Black United Front is a historical event of great significance,” Baraka said. “Black people have done it before, and if we fail they will have to do it again. But it will be done. Either we do it, or our children will have to take care of it. But it must be done and it will be done.” Baraka Asked The question, why? Then he answered it himself. “Because a Black United Front, composed of all those horses in the black nation and oppressed nationality willing to fight against black oppression, and fight for it black self-determination, such a front is the key instrument necessary for Black Liberation." Through the weekend in Brooklyn, the pieces for a National Black United Front – time a constitution was drafted. Priorities were established. Temporary officers were installed. And by yesterday, when the closing session was taking place at the house of the Lord Church on Atlantic Avenue, nobody talked about an idea. The organization was real. The coming together on a national scale in Brooklyn was reminiscent of the 60’s in so many ways. The black power conferences came out of crises. In 1967, it was the riots that swept the country that prompted thousands of blacks to flock to Newark. The meeting this weekend in Brooklyn had Miami as a backdrop, along with the growing discontent in black communities across the country. The issues discussed over the weekend involved unemployment, housing, police brutality, education, electoral politics, community organizing and down the line. They are old issues but the idea now was to put new thought, new strategies and new energies into finding solutions. The founding convention of the National Black United Front was filled with promise. It was a rallying of the troops. It was saying to one another, let's put aside our old differences, the ones that separated us the last time and let's try again. And through most of three days, in the old armory in Brooklyn, that is what happened. Just before 2 o’clock in the morning on Sunday, the Reverend Daughtry was elected chairman of the national organization that was established and has the ambitious idea of placing chapters in every state in the nation. “What does it mean?" the Reverend Daughtry was asked. When he replied, he began to talk about the 60s, about the wide range of black organizations that existed then. He mentioned CORE and SNCC and SCLC, and he took off the names of several others. "They kept the oppressor off balance,” he said, "but those groups, many of them, they've been captured and now there is only the NAACP and the Urban League. We needed something else. There was a vacuum. We went into the “70s limping from the many sided attacks against us. But now we are ready to enter the 80s with people surfacing, charging and reasserting under a progressive umbrella." The Reverend Daughtry said that the creation of the National Black United Front makes it possible for serious efforts to be aimed at what he called "a radical rearrangement of the social order." He called the front "a link that has been missing for a long time." And he added: "Now we have another black organization, one that is pan-African in scope, mass based in depth and totally and completely committed to liberation in its thrust." The rap against the Reverend Daughtry is that he tries to do too much. And ambulance chaser, that's what he is, a critic said. But the Reverend Daughtry is determined and he has victories. A year ago, in the summer of 1979, the idea of building a National Black United Front was an idea. Yesterday it was real and now the Reverend Daughtry is on the national scene.

Ecumenical Prayer Service For Peace I attended the Prayer Service For Peace at Cathedral Of Saint Patrick Saturday, February 18, 2023. Hosted by His Eminence, Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and His Grace, Metropolitan Borys Gudziak, Ukrainian Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia . The huge Cathedral was filled to capacity. After Cardinal Dolan made welcoming remarks, four pages of prayers commenced with the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York singing Lord have mercy three times. The solemnity of the ceremony was enhanced by the presence of four Ukrainian soldiers from the battlefield. Their presence brought the horrors war closer to home How young they looked! It is true in every war. Old men talk war and send their young men and women off to die in wars while they are safe, comfortable even enjoying the luxury their countries, mouthing the glory of the battlefield. Let us all join together and pray for Peace! And let us add to our prayers a commitment to work for Peace! Iet us demand: A Ceasefire: Negotiations: Peace ( with an agreement mutually beneficial) Care for human need! Save The Planet! Save The People!

As we gathered near 770 Eastern Parkway across the street from the Hasidic Headquarters there were many speeches including my speech. Then we marched from Eastern Parkway down Utica to Empire Blvd approximately 10 blocks. We made a turn for a block to New York Avenue not far from the 71st Precinct. The Community Patrol joining their hands together encircled us. We were an impressive and intimidating group of marchers. When we arrived there were more speeches. I made another controversial statement. I said, “the next time the Hasid’s touch one of our youth, we’re going to tear this community up.” It was a headline making statement. There was pervasive press coverage. I knew that it would be controversial but I had two reasons in mind: 1. I wanted to deliver a message to the community, to the nation and to the world. We were not an organization that initiated violence. However, I do not believe that serious social change can happen without violence. Either done by the enemies of non violence wherein non violence advocates accept it without returning violence. The so-called non violent movement was very violent. Think of all the people who were murdered, homes bombed, hospitalized, even the prince of peace Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. I do not believe that you should telegraph to your enemies what you plan to do unless it is a tactic which you have devised intentionally. So if it is violence, or non violence or non response to violence, if it is announced it is because of your own reasons. I do not believe anyone is absolutely non violent. It is how much or when or to what are the circumstances one becomes violent. If someone attacked your spouse, or children any self respecting person is going to what he/she can do to protect them. The second reason why I made the statement was, paradoxically, to keep from being violent. With all the emphasis I can command the community was extremely angry and about to explode. There were those who were ready to do just what I said. My statement was to buy time and express what our people felt and wanted to do. By verbalizing I postponed the day from actualizing. And it worked! To the eternal credit of our people, they were content with my verbalization and New Yorkers and maybe the whole nation should’ve been grateful that our people were satisfied for a moment with my words. If our people had actualized the rage they felt it would have sent Brooklyn up in smoke. The violent actions would have initiated another nationwide rebellion comparable to or surpassing the rebellion in 1967-68. There was no violence, no one was hurt, and no buildings or properties were damaged, not even a window pane was broken. The verbal tactic worked throughout my leadership. No one can ever accuse me of leading or initiating violence. My language, most of the time was heated, angry, threatening, and intimidating. And it was deliberate! What was happening to us, people of African Ancestry at the time was infuriating. Someone has said, “even a worm will turn if you step on it.” While there were those who wanted to treat us like we were worms, but with every breath of our bodies were determined to demonstrate, we were no worms. We were self respecting human beings and prepared to retaliate. How we would retaliate remained our secret. Unless we wanted it revealed for tactical or strategic reasons. Our motto or slogan, “We’re fired up and ain’t gonna take no more!”. It was a promise of response to violence. When and how we would respond was a secret we kept to ourselves, but when we would act or our non action would be according to our tactical strategic advantage. To repeat, these were violent times and we were the recipients of violence in many different forms. And here was I, a Pentecostal minister deeply believing in the teachings and traditions of Pentecostalism. Constant prayer and fasting, observance of holidays, frequent church attendance, moral and ethical disciplined lifestyles , believing in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and his teaching among which was this statement, “Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.” In fact, our family tradition is, “Love God, put God first; love the family, one for all and all for one; love the people and work with and for the people and God will bless every generation.” The times in which we were living in New York required an angry, and when necessary a message of possible retaliation. I and those who were leaders, if we were going to be effective, had to relate in a special way who knows brother and sisters were angriest. We had to relate culturally, historically, empathetically and pedagogically. Because I had come up in the “mean streets” of Brooklyn, New York and Jersey City, NJ and had had my criminal experiences; at the same time I was born into a family of religious leaders as far back as we can go. There have always been religious leaders. I am the fourth generation of Pastors, two of my daughters are the fifth generation, and my grandson is a minister. So I am a synthesis of spiritual/religious and street rebellion - a synthesis of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X). In 1957, God gave me a vision of what to do and to write it down. I wrote a 10-page document spelling out the vision that I keep on my bedside table. That is day and night and times in between. I am perpetually reminded abou my purpose in life. The introduction in my book, My Beloved Community, published by Africa World Press I describe out the Biblical, theological, philosophical, eschatological, revolutionary approach to life.

Photo Bio Series: History of the National Black United Front On January 25-26 1980, we had a unity meeting in Chicago, IL. It was the gathering of the Veterans of the Nationalist/Pan-Africanist Black Liberation Movement some of whom are listed in the photo. The primary issue to be resolved was the role of the Veterans of the Movement in what we had started with younger or non-veterans which has created legitimate tension. We organized the local Black United Front in July 1978. We were so successful. We, primarily Jitu Weusi, Sam Pinn, Assemblyman Al Vann, but the major players were Jitu and I. On December 11, 1978, at the rally we identified four persons and asked them to join us at the church and consider organizing a National Black United Front. We met in the chapel of the House of the Lord Church. The four persons were Skipp Robinson who was organizing in Tupelo, MS; Charles Koin who was organizing in Cairo, IL; Florence Walker who was organizing in Philadelphia, PA; Ron Hernon who was organizing in Portland, OR. I had visited Ron who was doing the same kind of organizing we were doing in New York. Jitu and I went over the plans for organizing a National Black United Front module on what we had successfully done in New York and other states starting in Brooklyn. We agreed that we would be an organizing committee for a National Black United Front. Throughout the year we began a tedious hard work of traveling and organizing. As we were gaining members to the idea of a NBUF which would be held in Brooklyn. Tension erupted between some veterans of the movement. However as the word spread and We considered that we could never organize with veterans because of the wounds felt among the veterans as they disagreed with each other. Plus, Edgar Hoover, then Director of the FBI had put together what was called the Counterintelligence Program(COINTELPRO), whose objective was to disrupt, neutralize and destroy primarily the Black Liberation Movement and all protest activism. All night long we met, and finally came up with a solution.The veterans would be advisors to the organizing committee for a National Black United Front. We then had their endorsement to move ahead with the organizing. The Central Committee in Kansas MO 1984 To my right is Oba T'Shaka, also to my right, directly behind me is Michael Amon-Ra aka Seed, further to my right is Jitu Weusi. Still to the right next to Jitu is Dr. Conrad Worrill who succeeded me as Chairman, next to him with glasses is Ajama, Kansas City Chair.

Thursday, February 9th, 2023 I posted to Facebook: Turkey, Syria, Ukraine and the World My prayers, heart and mind turned toward the people of Turkey and Syria in particular and Ukraine and the world in general. It’s melancholy consideration that one part of the world, massive death and destruction by the forces of nature; another part of the world, the same thing is happening as human war against each other in Ukraine and other places, while across the world hunger, homelessness, disease are pervasive and men and women of science have done and is doing wonders in technology even to colonizing the moon by 2024, and yet, they can’t discover and implement ways to peace, prosperity and the "pursuit of happiness". I propose that the war in Ukraine cease, if not for ever, than an agreed upon period of time, and give all money, resources and technology that would have been spent on death and destruction of war to Turkey and Syria and other places of desperate need! Is there a second? Who knows , we might start a world changing movement! Moreover, let continue to demand: Ceasefire Negotiations Peace (a mutually beneficial agreement) Human need prioritized! Save The Planet, Save The People! Friday, February 10th, 2023 As we near the Super Bowl increasingly interviews, past plays by various teams and excerpts from the great players of yesteryear. I was impressed with the presence of Lamar Hamlin, the young Buffalo Bills player. Remember, he was injured, near death in a football game. Only quick action by the medical team that accompanied all the ambulance that took him off the field to the hospital. He was seen and interviewed in a number of television appearances. In one of his appearances he made a statement that I wrote down and reviewed my own life to see if the statement fit my attitude also. He said, “All my life I wanted to play football in the NFL, but God had a bigger plan.” I looked back over my life and I could see that my plans had been disrupted and God had a bigger plan. I wondered how many people have that approach towards disrupted plans. If in fact there are those who have lost faith or trust in God because of disrupted plans. Let Hamlin's statement inspire to reconsider your position and trust that God has a bigger plan. Saturday, February 11th, 2023 My wife, Dr. Karen and I went out and had our Saturday morning breakfast at our favorite restaurant. I returned home and still on my mind was Hamlin’s statement, "God had a bigger plan." I counted at least two important developments in my life where disappointment and despondency were disrupting my life.

President Zelensky visits Britain for the first time, wants jet planes. President Zelensky of Ukraine was in Britain yesterday, February 7, 2023, to ask for more military help. According to the American Press he received “thunderous applause” from the Britain Parliament as well as the general public, as he entered the building where the Parliament sits. In his address to the Parliament, he said, “Freedom will win. Russia will lose. We have the freedom, give us the wings to protect it.” During his speech he asked for jet fighters. He was assured that there would be training to fly standard NATO jets but at this time no jet planes. However, it is believed that the jet planes will be forthcoming. He was promised more highly sophisticated weapons. I have raised the question before where will it end? Will he ask for nuclear weapons? Will President Biden and the NATO nations give him whatever he asks, as they have done with other requests. Remember when he asks for more advanced weapons and then it was missiles, air shelter missiles against Russian missiles and drones. Then it was the most advanced tanks in the American and German arsenal. At first the Germans refused and called on the Americans to provide their tanks. American leaders said their most advanced tanks are unsuitable for Ukraine’s territory; they are complicated to operate and repair and too expensive. But America agreed to build a new tank specifically fitted for Ukraine. The Germans, who had been reluctant to be the first to provide advance tanks as they did not want to be accused of escalating the war, are now willing to provide the tanks. So, it seems that step by step we are moving closer to nuclear war. Russia has indicated that they will not lose the war and have threatened to use nuclear weapons if they have to. Keep in mind that every time President Zelensky’s demands are met, Russia increases its bombardment of Ukraine. Again I believe that the people of the world need to demand that the leaders in this war should ceasefire, negotiate, and work for a peace that is mutually beneficial and prioritizes human needs. Saturday February 18th there will be a Prayer for Peace sponsored by the Committee of Religious Leaders (CORAL) at Saint Patrick's Cathedral, 50th Street and 5th Avenue, New York, at 2 pm Sharp. This rally is hosted by His Eminence Timothy Cardinal Dolan and His Grace Metropolitan Boyrs Gudziak. For more information regarding involvement in the peace movement call: 833-236-7555 SAVE THE PLANET – SAVE THE PEOPLE I posted the following on Facebook: President Zelensky visited England with his usual shopping cart, this time hoping to acquire fighter jets. While his request was met with thunderous applause in the parlor, England declined to provide them at this time. However, they did promise to offer more highly sophisticated weapons to Ukraine." After leaving England, President Zelensky arrived in Paris again he was given wide support. It was interesting the news reports as usual you have to read between the lines to try arriving at the truth. For an example, the press the old generals admit that Ukraine has been under heavy sustained bombardment by the Russians, large parts of the countries infrastructure has been destroyed. And as observed Russia is preparing for a major offensive in the spring or sooner. Ukrainians are leaving their country by the millions and are refugees in other countries. 1.5 million are refugees in Poland alone. Hence from the statements and from the images of destruction shown on the friendly tv, you would think that Ukraine is being terribly destroyed and the Ukrainian people are losing the battle and incl fact leaving the country. So what does the press do? Well only a slight reference to the courage of the Ukrainian people who are winning the war of wills or determination. They are determined to fight on. They are intersecting Russia’s drones missiles. One city of the seven drones that were fired, they were able to knock out 60. The other trick of the trade when you are not winning you then shoe that your opponent is losing or is becoming discouraged of their horrible people. In other words the press informed us that: Russian tanks are running over their own soldiers. Of course there was an image of a tank running over a soldier whether it was Russian or an accident. The interpretation of Russia soldiers affecting even Russian soldiers changing sides and Russian soldiers denouncing their country. Russians have been using prisoners . 50,000 are ex convicts. However 80% of prisoners no longer want to fight in the war. There were quotes from disgruntled former Russian soldiers. The Ukrainian people, particularly elderly people and children are shown suffering from the absence of infrastructure. No heat, lights, etc. this demonstrating how cruel President Putin is just Putin and always the supreme devil. There is internal power struggle. Russia is undergoing and intense power struggle. A Russian priest was shown preaching a sermon on dying for Russia. He is quoted the saying “the best way to die is in a war“ he’s quoted by the media. To sum up your left with the idea while these wicked people headed by wicked Putin is inflicting all kinds of unspeakable cruelty upon the Ukrainians and even upon their own people. Ukraine is winning the war of wills and if we give them what they want it will defeat the Russians.

Monday, February 6, 2023 I spent the day in the medical center. One of the members of my family had an eye operation. I am happy to report that all went well. In the evening was Timbuktu Learning Center. This is the sixth week, practice Self Mastery, taken from my book 52 Weeks for the Mastery of Life. This week I will be dealing with Week 6, we should master our behavior. It requires discipline and practice to be in charge of yourself. My Scripture reading was Romans 8:35-59. Monday is also Current events night, our discussion focused on the balloon that China had put in the air. The balloon crossed over at least two strategic states. Most Americans were infuriated, there were calls for President Biden to “shoot it down”. I had questions about the intent of China sending a balloon across America at this time. It had been said that they had launched at least three balloons during the Trump years. I say at this time because there was a thawing of relationships in fact meetings had been arranged for China’s leaders to meet American leaders. We were informed that China and America have conversion interests economic, social, and technology. So the question becomes, why would China deliberately send a spying balloon if in fact, that’s what it was at this time. So, I began to think of various reasons: 1. It is not a spy balloon, but as China said it’s a weather gathering balloon, which is hard to believe. 2. Internal developments in China between the military and the administration. Whether it was innocently the military who sent the balloon without informing their government or it was deliberately done for some tension. So these are questions I pondered, but in any event the meeting was postponed and even then that says that the two countries want to meet, but not at this time. I am old enough to remember in 1960, that President Eisenhower and Kushjef the Russian leader had scheduled a meeting and a spy plane flew over Russia by Gary Powers, an American pilot, he was captured. When this happened, Kushjef immediately postponed the meeting with Eisenhower. Tuesday, February 7, 2023 In the morning we went back for a post checkup, everything is working as it should be. We are profoundly grateful. I did not return in time for the Englewood Council meeting. *An interesting note was that Secretary of Defense General Austin, reached out to the counterparts in China about a meeting, but was rejected. China was still angry at how the U.S. treated the balloon. You would think it would be the other way around, that China would be eager to re-establish talks of a meeting. State of the Union Address President Biden delivered his 2nd State of the Union before Congress. There were two points in his speech that are worth noting, one was that he identified with the parents whose children/loved ones have been killed by the police. In his speech he identified with Black parents, he said, paraphrasing, white parents do not have to train, teach their loved ones should they encounter or have words with the police. The second significant point, the President mentioned that the Republicans wanted to cut social security and medicaid. This evoked years of heckling and cries you’re a liar. Observers believe that the President deliberately made the statement to get the Republicans on record that they will not cut out social security and medicaid. His statement and the Republicans reaction for the next several days was top news. The leading Republican, in fact, the majority of Republicans came out to say they would not cut Social Security and that the statement made by the President was from a pamphlet by a lone Republican who had said, the above items were in the sunset. All of the Republicans had to go on record saying they would not cut Social Security and Medicaid. We held our nightly session in the Timbuktu Learning Center at 7 PM, where we briefly discussed the recent earthquake in Syria.