The Soft Invasion: Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he’s recognizing pro-Russian breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine and sending in troops as “peacekeepers.” Troops are already reported to be over the borders.

  It’s a way of invading while calling it something else.

  Putin signed decrees recognizing the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, which were created after Russia spurred a separatist war in in 2014.

  In a fiery speech of twisted logic, Putin said Ukraine has never really existed as a real country. “Modern-day Ukraine was in full and in whole created by Russia, Bolshevik, Communist Russia to be precise,” he said. 

  While his own army is massed for invasion, Putin said, “As for those who captured and are holding on to power in Kyev: We demand that they immediately cease military action.” He said, “If not, the complete responsibility for the possibility of a continuation of bloodshed will be fully and wholly on the conscience of the regime ruling the territory of Ukraine.”

  At a meeting of the Russian Security Council, Putin is reported to have actually accused the US and its allies of using Ukraine “as an instrument of confrontation” with Russia that poses “a serious, very big threat to us.”

  The White House quickly announced that it will impose sanctions on the two regions but not on Russia itself. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki in a statement said, “These measures are separate from and would be in addition to the swift and severe economic measures we have been preparing in coordination with allies and partners should Russia further invade Ukraine.”

  Also n response, Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany said his country would certification of the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline that would link his country with Russia.

A Question of Prejudice: The jury has begun deliberations in the federal hate crimes trial of three Georgia men already convicted of murder in the 2020 killing of black jogger Ahmaud Arbery. They are charged in this trial with chasing down and killing Arbery because he was black.

  The lawyer for Travis McMichael, who killed Arbery with a shotgun, said in her closing statement that her client had acted in self-defense because he believed Arbery was going to harm him. Arbery was unarmed when McMichael chased him down the street.

  Testimony in the trial clearly showed the three defendants had demonstrated racist beliefs.

Dead Last: The 2021 Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has had its title revoked for failing a drug test at the finish of the race. The horse’s trainer Bob Baffert will be fined  $7,500 and suspended from racing. In addition, the $141.86 million  winner’s purse must be returned.

  Medina Spirit collapsed and died in December at the end of a workout at Santa Anita in California.

  Organizers say they now recognize the horse Mandaloun as the winner of the 147^th Kentucky Derby.

Viral News: Just as Queen Elizabeth came down with a case of Covid, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced an end to his country’s remaining health restrictions and free virus testing.

  Speaking to Parliament, Johnson said, “Let us learn to live with this virus.” He said, “It is time that we got our confidence back, we don’t need laws to compel people to be considerate to others, we can rely on that sense of responsibility toward one another.” 

  Here in the US, Fox News host Neil Cavuto has returned to the airwaves after a second bout with Covid-19 that landed him in the intensive care unit. He said, “It really was touch-and-go. Some of you who’ve wanted to put me out of my misery darn near got what you wished for, so, sorry to disappoint you.” 

  Cavuto says he’s fully vaccinated but, “Because I’ve had cancer and right now I have multiple sclerosis, I’m among the vulnerable three percenters or so of the population that cannot sustain the full benefits of a vaccine.” 

The Spin Rack: So-called “stand-your-ground laws” have led to an 11 percent increase in monthly firearm killings, according to a new study. That amounts to about 700 additional homicides each year, with a noticeable rise especially in Southern states. — A 500-pound bear named Hank the Tank has been credited with breaking into at least 28 homes in South Lake Tahoe, California. He evidently likes what’s in the refrigerators. 

Trump World: Investigative reporter, author, and Donald Trump biographer David Cay Johnston has written for the NY Daily News that the legal and financial worlds are closing in on former President Donald Trump. 

  “Ahead lie indictments in New York and Georgia, contesting 20 civil lawsuits, massive legal bills, and keeping up payments on $1.3 billion of debt as his businesses struggle,” Johnston wrote. “His three golf resorts in Scotland and Ireland have lost more than $100 million. In just seven months, he must refinance his $100 million Trump Tower loan.” 

  Johnston wrote, “The stark reality is that for a man who says he loves money most of all, Trump faces the prospect of a future in which he may well be unable to hold onto his Trump Tower triplex, his Mar-a-Lago mansion, his recently repaired Boeing 757 jet or much of anything else.”

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