At this point in the pandemic, perhaps the only thing that we know for sure is that we don’t really know when the end will finally arrive.  The virus has continued to power through unpredictable waves, each with their own distinct set of warnings from the powers that be.

And so, not knowing when any of this will be considered “over”, (at least in the federal government’s eyes), overreaching vaccine mandates continue to be enforced.

The latest threat to the unvaccinated takes aim at the US military, hitting service members directly in the wallet.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered that all members of the National Guard and Reserve must receive Covid vaccines or face loss of pay and being marked absent without cause from drills and training, according to a copy of a memo obtained by NBC News.

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On Aug. 24, Austin made the Covid vaccine mandatory for all service members and directing the secretaries of the military services to issue their own implementation guidance and timelines. The mandate extended to all service members on active duty or in the Ready Reserve, including the National Guard.

On Nov. 2, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma wrote a letter to Austin, asking him to rescind the vaccine mandate for members of the Oklahoma National Guard. Days later, Stitt appointed a new adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard who said he would not enforce the vaccine mandate.

But the DOD wasn’t having it.

On Monday, Austin responded to Stitt, denying his request to rescind the mandate for the Oklahoma National Guard. What remained unclear, however, was how the Pentagon planned to enforce the mandate for members of the National Guard while they are on state duty. Most of the time, including when they are training, members are on state duty and answer to their governor.

Further, those who are unable to participate in their duties due to their vaccination status will be accusing no time served during their absences.

At this point in the pandemic, perhaps the only thing that we know for sure is that we don’t really know when the end will finally arrive.  The virus has continued to power through unpredictable waves, each with their own distinct set of warnings from the powers that be. And so, not knowing when any of this will be considered “over”, (at least in the federal government’s eyes), overreaching vaccine mandates continue to be enforced. The latest threat to the unvaccinated takes aim at the US military, hitting service members directly in the wallet. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered that all members of the National Guard and Reserve must receive Covid vaccines or face loss of pay and being marked absent without cause from drills and training, according to a copy of a memo obtained by NBC News. On Aug. 24, Austin made the Covid vaccine mandatory for all service members and directing the secretaries of the military services to issue their own implementation guidance and timelines. The mandate extended to all service members on active duty or in the Ready Reserve, including the National Guard. On Nov. 2, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma wrote a letter to Austin, asking him to rescind the vaccine mandate for members of the Oklahoma National Guard. Days later, Stitt appointed a new adjutant general of the Oklahoma National Guard who said he would not enforce the vaccine mandate. But the DOD wasn’t having it. On Monday, Austin responded to Stitt, denying his request to rescind the mandate for the Oklahoma National Guard. What remained unclear, however, was how the Pentagon planned to enforce the mandate for members of the National Guard while they are on state duty. Most of the time, including when they are training, members are on state duty and…

There are few villains more readily apparent in this world of ours than Vladimir Putin.

The Russian leader, (who’s bent and rewritten the rules to remain in power for decades), has dropped his mask.  He’s no longer trying to hide his intentions, or even claim that he’s not being a bully.  Instead, the former KGB man has simply decided that he’s going to do what he wants, and there’s nothing that anyone can do about it.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sternly warned NATO against deploying its troops and weapons to Ukraine, saying it represents a red line for Russia and would trigger a strong response.

Commenting on Western concerns about Russia’s alleged intention to invade Ukraine, he said that Moscow is equally worried about NATO drills near its borders.

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Speaking to participants of an online investment forum. Putin said that NATO’s eastward expansion has threatened Russia’s core security interests. He expressed concern that NATO could eventually use the Ukrainian territory to deploy missiles capable of reaching Moscow in just five minutes.

“The emergence of such threats represents a ‘red line’ for us,” Putin said. “I hope that it will not get to that and common sense and responsibility for their own countries and the global community will eventually prevail.”

Then, not so subtly…

He added that Russia has been forced to counter the growing threats by developing new hypersonic weapons.

“What should we do?” Putin said. “We would need to develop something similar to target those who threaten us. And we can do that even now.”

He said a new hypersonic missile that is set to enter service with the Russian navy early next year would be capable of reaching targets in comparable time.

“It would also need just five minutes to reach those who issue orders,” Putin said.

This certainly isn’t the first time that Putin felt the urge to proclaim his bravado to the world, but it may be one of the last times that he gets to do so without retaliation.

There are few villains more readily apparent in this world of ours than Vladimir Putin. The Russian leader, (who’s bent and rewritten the rules to remain in power for decades), has dropped his mask.  He’s no longer trying to hide his intentions, or even claim that he’s not being a bully.  Instead, the former KGB man has simply decided that he’s going to do what he wants, and there’s nothing that anyone can do about it. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sternly warned NATO against deploying its troops and weapons to Ukraine, saying it represents a red line for Russia and would trigger a strong response. Commenting on Western concerns about Russia’s alleged intention to invade Ukraine, he said that Moscow is equally worried about NATO drills near its borders. Speaking to participants of an online investment forum. Putin said that NATO’s eastward expansion has threatened Russia’s core security interests. He expressed concern that NATO could eventually use the Ukrainian territory to deploy missiles capable of reaching Moscow in just five minutes. “The emergence of such threats represents a ‘red line’ for us,” Putin said. “I hope that it will not get to that and common sense and responsibility for their own countries and the global community will eventually prevail.” Then, not so subtly… He added that Russia has been forced to counter the growing threats by developing new hypersonic weapons. “What should we do?” Putin said. “We would need to develop something similar to target those who threaten us. And we can do that even now.” He said a new hypersonic missile that is set to enter service with the Russian navy early next year would be capable of reaching targets in comparable time. “It would also need just five minutes to reach those who issue orders,” Putin said.…