JM Baleja

A Midwest transplant at home in Southern California. The ocean, music, art, and Cuban coffee make me happy. Be kind to each other. Please no DMs

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@SarahSevans2000 Yes. Do you?

[Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @rshereme]

Why so many Ukrainians speak russian? Let me explain.

But first, let me ask you a question: Why do Irish and Scotts speak English, Catalans and Basques speak Spanish, Bretons speak French, etc. You probably know the short answer. But let me put a longer one. Ukrainian language was banned by russia 134 times! Here are most notable events:

1720: A decree by Tsar Peter I banned the printing of books in Ukraine.
1753: A decree by Catherine II prohibited teaching in the Ukrainian language.
1768: A decree from the Synod of the russian Orthodox Church called for the confiscation of Ukrainian primers from the population.
1775: Closure of Ukrainian schools after russian troops destroyed the Zaporizhian Sich.
1830-1840s: russification of Ukraine intensified. Even the very name "Ukraine" was prohibited to be used.
1889: At an archaeological congress in Kyiv, it was permitted to read papers "in all languages except Ukrainian."
1895: A ban on Ukrainian children's literature.
1914: A ban on the Ukrainian press.
1938: Mandatory study of the russian language was introduced throughout Ukraine. At the same time, there was a mass closure of national schools, and the prestige of the Ukrainian language declined.
1926-1939: Physical deportations of Ukrainian activists accused of nationalism. Four family members on my mother’s side were deported.
1929: Newly printed dictionary of Ukrainian was prohibited.
1960s: Arrests and extermination of the young generation of Ukrainian intelligentsia.

130 years ago, Ukrainian-speaking area was not limited by Ukraine, but also some parts of russia and Belarus spoke it (see the red area, that's the result of russian Empire census in 1897, when people identified themselves by the language). So, when someone says that some region of Ukraine is “russian speaking”, read the above list again. It’s a miracle that Ukrainian language even survived, and many people sacrificed their lives for it.

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@atrupar Huh

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@SarahSevans2000

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@mysteriouskat I wonder where we’d be if reality TV and social media had never happened. The first iPhone was introduced in 2007. I barely remember what life was in 2006 but my recollection is was it was quieter and more friendly.

[Kate from Kharkiv @BohuslavskaKate]

KELLOGG: Ukrainians are doing great job right now. They're isolating Crimea, striking deep into Russia, and putting Russians on their back foot. People kind of said, "Wow, you know, it's Ukraine, they can't go against Russia." Well, yes they can, and they've proven it right now.

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@20th_Centurygal Bob Seger. I was very fortunate to be in a band that opened for Bob Seger early in his career.

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@Patbrdh I feel this

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@Gitana1369877 😵‍💫😂

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@lippyent @tboneator6404 Danger something 😂

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

Sure 😵‍💫

[QUANTUM GUARD ™️ @QuantumGuard17]

🚨 BREAKING: President Trump just dropped a BRUTAL reality check on our "allies," telling them FIGHT FOR YOURSELF, America is done holding your hand

"All of those countries that can’t get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT."

"You’ll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won’t be there to help you anymore, just like you weren’t there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!"

🔥🔥🔥

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@SarahSevans2000 😂

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@JoJoFromJerz I have no words. I saw a post this week where living in this time period was compared to being tied in a chair where a toddler in the room was playing with a loaded gun.

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@NAFOvoyager 💔🇺🇦💙💛

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@SarahSevans2000 No

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@Patbrdh That’s what I experienced. I had been mourning the death of my wife for months then I gradually started to live again.

[LongTime🤓FirstTime👨‍💻 @LongTimeHistory]

Police brutally arrest church going grandma—for helping the homeless.

6 officers surround her car—break window & drag her out for no reason.

Despite visible injuries—she's left handcuffed for hours with no medical attention.

Injuries include—cervical contusion, sprained knee, right shoulder injury, 2 sprained wrists, and multiple bruises & scratches.

She told officers she had a previous injury in her right shoulder and had limited range of motion—they responded by grabbing this shoulder and twisting it further.

Kim Edmond & Magdalene DuPree had just finished dropping off supplies at Virgil’s Village—a private property homeless camp.

Police later claimed that they needed to search her car for "drug paraphernalia"—after she allegedly stopped car with its front tires past the white line at an intersection.

Incident occurred in Polk County, Florida.

They do not have an account on this platform—so posting credited video here first to help raise awareness.

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@angelshalagina 🇺🇦💙💛❤️

[JM Baleja @mapsca]

@PChevrin Glad it’s a cooler morning.