Do we trust him?

I don’t think he originated it, but one of Dan Rather’s famous “Ratherisms” is: “Trust your mother, but cut the cards yourself.”

That’s what popped into my head when the alert came across my phone.

From the Washington Post: “Putin tells troops not to storm Mariupol steel plant, but ensure no one escapes.”

Putin does not seem the type to trust in a card game.

That said, it appears Russian President Putin has ordered his forces in Ukraine to not storm the last holdout of Ukrainian fighters at that steel plant. He also told his troops to “block the industrial zone so that even a fly could not get through.”

Ukrainian fighters have refused to surrender in Mariupol. They are said to be down to their last few days and hours.

Fox News reports that they will try again today to conduct mass evacuations in Mariupol. They tried yesterday, but Russian troops would not allow them to leave.

Fox News has video of a long line of busses waiting along the evacuation route with no one on board. Hundreds of civilians are believed to be trapped and hiding with the soldiers in that steel factory.

The United Nations Secretary General wants face-to-face meetings with both Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. He wants a plan to end the war.

President Biden will give an update on the war later today. He’s expected to announce more military aid to Ukraine. More sanctions against people and groups tied to Russia.

The New York Times and other sources report that Russia test launched a new intercontinental missile that it said could carry several nuclear warheads. Apparently, a warning to the U.S. and Europe.

Here’s a staggering number. The U.N. says five million people have now fled Ukraine. Seven million are displaced inside the country.

Here at home, the Justice Department plans to appeal the ruling ending mask mandates. That means masks may be back on aboard trains, planes and other public transportation.

I’m getting on a plane later today. I’m interested in seeing how many are wearing masks and how many are not.

I’m thinking I’m going to mask up. I’m vaxxed and boosted, but just not taking any chances. Seeing some old family friends in Texas that just can’t afford to get sick.

I’ll let you know how all this goes. Kinda nervous about going home. It’s been over two years. Wish me luck.