The War Zone: As the war in Ukraine wears on, the Pentagon confirmed that the US is sending over its latest mobile rocket launch system, capable of hitting targets from a range of 50 miles.

  The full weapons package includes air surveillance radars, Javelin anti-tank weapons, anti-armor weapons, artillery rounds, helicopters, tactical vehicles, and spare parts. 

  One of the regional governors in the Donbas region of Ukraine tells the BBC that the shelling and bombardment of the industrial center of  Severodonetsk is so intense that they have given up counting the casualties.

  Quentin Sommerville writes for BBC News that, “Shells were landing every minute on its length and breath. Severodonetsk was burning.” Sommerville writes, “The air carried on the summer breeze is gritty with dust from smoke and pulverised buildings.” He says “Here, Russia isn’t fighting a campaign of attrition, it’s waging a war of oblivion. And, for the moment on this front, it is winning.”

  Writing on the NY Times Op-Ed page, President Biden says of this country’s support for Ukraine that,  “America’s goal is straightforward: We want to see a democratic, independent, sovereign and prosperous Ukraine with the means to deter and defend itself against further aggression.” But, he says, “So long as the United States or our allies are not attacked, we will not be directly engaged in this conflict, either by sending American troops to fight in Ukraine or by attacking Russian forces.”

  Biden says he will not try to put Vladimir Putin out of office but, 

“If Russia does not pay a heavy price for its actions, it will send a message to other would-be aggressors that they too can seize territory and subjugate other countries. It will put the survival of other peaceful democracies at risk.” 

The Shooting Gallery: The funeral for Irma Garcia, 48, and Joe Garcia, 50, the parents of three children are set for today in Uvalde, Texas. Irma was a teacher killed in the Robb elementary school massacre and her grief stricken husband died of a heart attack.

  Theirs will be the third and fourth of 22 funerals. Amerie Jo Garza, and Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, both 10, were buried yesterday. The funeral for Jose Manuel Flores Jr., also 10, is set for this afternoon.

  The funerals will continue until the middle of the month.

  Uvalde’s chief of school police Pete Arredondo was sworn in last night as a member of city council in a private ceremony. Arrendondo is under question for his decision to hold back for an hour while the shooter controlled two classrooms. He has not spoken in public since the massacre. Mayor Don McLaughlin said in a statement, “Out of respect for the families who buried their children today, and who are planning to bury their children in the next few days, no ceremony was held.”

Supreme Leak: CNN reports that Supreme Court clerks are growing nervous about the internal investigation into who leaked the draft of the abortion decision. The network says law clerks are being required to provide cell phone records and sign affidavits. Some clerks are apparently so alarmed over the they are thinking about hiring lawyers.

  It’s not clear what authority the Court has to examine private telephones and the leak, while it may have been a breach of Court rules, probably was not a crime.

  By the way, the Marquette Law School just issued a poll saying 54 percent of Americans disapprove of the Supreme Court following the leak of the draft abortion ruling.

 Holy Christ: The congregation at St. Francis Xavier Church in Brooklyn

is reeling after the holiday weekend theft of an ornate gold tabernacle box estimated to be worth $2 million. The tabernacle held the wine and consecrated wafers that Catholics believe embody Jesus Christ. It disappeared sometime between last Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. 

  The tabernacle  was cut from its 19th-century foundation with a power saw, leaving a hole in the center. Security cameras were not working at the time, but the thieves even thought to grab the digital video recorder. 

 The Spin Rack: The Supreme Court yesterday shot down a Texas law that would ban large social media companies from removing posts because of the views and opinions they express. The 5 – 4 vote was not followed by a written opinion and the court may still delve into the issue later. — Michael Sussmann, a cybersecurity lawyer with connections to Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, was acquitted yesterday on charges that he lied in 2016 about a tip he shared with the FBI about possible connections between then President Trump and Russia. The verdict was a big setback to special counsel John Durham, who was appointed by the Trump administration to dig for wrongdoing in the Trump-Russia investigation and uncover a “deep state” conspiracy against the former president. —  A recent CNN poll found that 59% of Americans disapprove of President Biden, while only 41% approve. 

Jetwash:  “Top Gun: Maverick” the sequel to the 1986 Tom Cruise hit, made an estimated $156 million domestically for its four-day opening weekend. That’s the record for biggest opening over the Memorial Day weekend, beating  “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End,” which made $153 million in 2007.