Putin's War Day 8

• One day before the Opening Ceremonies, the IPC has bowed to the rest of the world -- Russia and Belarus have been COMPLETELY THROWN OUT of the 2022 Beijing Paralympics.  Andrew Parsons has said it was the only way to prevent the Games themselves from dissolving into war.
• Threats of boycotts and an implied threat of violence in the Paralympic Village have forced the hand.
• Parsons directly addressed the athletes themselves, holding them blameless and recognizing not only that the IPC will certainly face a legal challenge at some point, but that the athletes are the victims of their governments' actions.
• The termination of the Russian Grand Prix by Formula 1 will be permanent.  The contracts have been voided for the holding of the race.
• These are the right things to do -- sadly, I think they will also ensure a World War.
• It appears the Russian trolls have gotten #IStandWithRussia trending on Twitter this morning.
• On the battlefield, it appears the tide is turning to Russia.  They finally captured the third-largest Ukranian city, Kherson, last night.
• Attention has now turned to the seaports to try to get the Ukranians cut off by the water.  Russia is beginning to occupy more and more land on the borders in the eastern half of the country.
• There is now belief by some on the ground in Kazakhstan that their country may join the way on Putin's side.