Mass Blackout.

Well, today starts the mass blackout experiment. It's going to last for one week, in which time it hopes to have some effect on the US economy. I have my doubts it will because there are not many or not enough people who are going to participate. I know it would take millions of people to make a real dent in the US economy. However, I still hope it is successful.

I received some sad news last night that an old friend of ours in the United States is not doing well, and his future does not look too bright. So, Joan and I have known him for over 40 years, although we haven't seen him in probably 35 years. His brother emailed me last night and told me the sad news. I waited until this morning, when Joan was awake, had breakfast, and was dressed, before I told her.

Yesterday we had a little snowfall, not a lot, probably not even 2 in. It did cover the ground and lasted until this morning. The world seems more peaceful when it snows. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

There was a report in the Financial Times that Ukraine has agreed to cap its military at 800,000 men. Originally, Russia wanted it to be 600,000. However, when the war started, Ukraine's Army was 900,000. So, the 800,000, even though it's 100,000 less, it would not be as bad as 600,000. So there is still no deal, there's no peace plan signed, and Trump is still demanding to have it done by Thursday, two days from now. Maybe it'll be the turkey that Trump has to eat if it doesn't get done by then.

Sunday

 It's supposed to be a day of rest. However, when you're a caregiver 24/7, even a day of rest isn't really a day of rest. There are always so many things you have to do during the day, including preparing your loved one for the day by getting them dressed, cleaned up, out of bed, and put in her recliner, where she stays most of the day. The only actual time off from caring for her for me is those two days when Gabriella comes to sit with her while I go out into the world and attend to things that need attention. And it may sound like a complaint, but it's not really a complaint because I have loved this woman for so many years, and it's unthinkable that I would not continue to care for her and love her just because she is ill.

Around 4:30 this afternoon, our friend, Marcin, came over and brought us two jars of honey, one is a spring honey, and the other is made from Linseed. I believe. It's a welcome addition to my pantry because I do use honey in our smoothies, and I try to use it as a substitute for sugar when I bake something.

He stayed for about half an hour and left just in time for me to talk to my friend in Spain, Carmelo.

Conversations with Carmelo are getting easier; some of the Spanish I retained from studies comes out a little more often now, almost spontaneously. I have to admit I haven't been spending enough time on my Spanish learning because I get so involved with this group I'm in to try to curtail the damage done by Donnie, also known by some as the president of the United States. Although I would hardly call him a president. 

Since I've been using this voice-to-conversation program on my computer, it's been much easier to write my blog and to carry out correspondence in emails. It doesn't put in punctuation, so I have to make sure that I look at what is written and put in the necessary punctuation. Nevertheless, it does make writing on this laptop much easier.

Our Loss.

 At 81, I'm old enough to remember the only great president in my lifetime. That President was named John Fitzgerald Kennedy. He was the president who gave hope to the country, prosperity to the country, and a good outlook for the future. I remember this day especially, because it was on this day that he was assassinated. Of course, no one can tell you who did it, the reasons for doing it, or the culprits brought to Justice. The Warren Report, many years ago, gave its opinion, which I do not believe. In my humble opinion, I believe it was a conspiracy involving the US government and other characters or figures.

Nevertheless, on this day, I find it strange that no one remembers the date of his assassination, so I thought I would put his picture up just to remind those of you who are old enough to remember him. Especially, in the times we live now, when what we have in the United States is called a President, but he is far from being a president. The poor man is only a wannabe dictator. Whether he becomes one or not, it's up to We the People.

Today I'm just grateful that I have known what a president could be.

Putin & Trump vs. Ukraine

 Honorable Senator Durbin,

I am writing to you today with a profound sense of urgency and alarm regarding the reported draft agreement, the so-called "28-Point Plan", that is being negotiated through private channels between U.S. and Russian envoys without the participation or consent of the sovereign government of Ukraine.

If the details of this leaked plan are accurate, this is not a path to peace; it is a thinly veiled blueprint for surrender and an egregious act of geopolitical betrayal. I urge you, in the strongest possible terms, to use every tool at your disposal to vehemently oppose this plan and prevent it from gaining any traction within the U.S. government or becoming official policy.

The reported demands of this draft are staggering and completely unacceptable:

Territorial Surrender: Forcing Ukraine to cede control over the eastern Donbas region is a clear violation of international law and rewards Russia’s aggression. It is an amputation of a sovereign state's territory.

Military Disarmament: The demand to halve Ukraine’s Armed Forces and severely restrict its key weapons systems is a catastrophic security risk. It would deliberately gut the military that has successfully prevented a complete Russian takeover, leaving the nation permanently vulnerable to future, inevitable Russian attacks.

Internal Subversion: Mandating the official status of the Moscow-aligned Orthodox Church and Russian as a state language embeds Moscow's influence directly into Ukraine's most sensitive cultural and institutional structures. These are not peace terms; they are demands for political and cultural subordination.

Cutting Off Lifelines: A sharp reduction in U.S. military aid, coupled with a weakened Ukrainian military, is the definition of setting a former ally up for failure and future conquest.

Senator, this plan, negotiated in backrooms and absent of Ukrainian representation, does not serve U.S. interests in global stability or the rule of law. It sacrifices a brave, democratic ally and sends a chilling message to every nation that relies on American commitment: that their sovereignty is merely a bargaining chip to be traded away for political expediency.

To coerce President Zelensky into accepting terms that amputate his country, disarm its defense, and embed the aggressor's influence is morally indefensible. We must not allow Ukraine to be treated as a hostage whose life is negotiated by its captor and a third party.

I implore you, as a principled leader in the Senate, to:

 Publicly denounce this 28-Point Plan and the use of private, unauthorized back-channels to conduct   foreign policy.

 Actively investigate the source and motivation behind these negotiations, and ensure all U.S.               diplomacy is conducted transparently and directly with Kyiv.

Mobilize Senate opposition to any proposal that would coerce Ukraine into territorial concession, military disarmament, or political submission to the Kremlin.

The future of Ukraine’s freedom and the credibility of U.S. global leadership are at stake. Please do everything in your power to stop this plan.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this critical matter.

Respectfully,

David Piekarczyk

Shopping.

Yesterday was shopping day. I spent  160 PLN($44) for the week of food.

Today was a free day. That means nobody was coming for Joan. Gabriela will come tomorrow and Karolina on Friday.

For the last few months, I have been staying up until 2 or 2:30 in the morning. Mainly because of my work with resistance groups in the U.S. I know, it'seems a little crazy that I am involved in that, living where we live now. However, we do have adult children and grandkids there and are concerned for their welfare.

Poland is now following the U.S. in TV commercials. Already there are Christmas ads on TV and the  stores are filled with Christmas items for sale. 

You may be wondering why I am always adding news about the war in Ukraine to my blog. It is because there is so little of it now in the daily news outlets. EVERY day it's the same old shit, Trump, Trump, Trump. I am so tired of it.

Monster of War.

A Russian ballistic missile attack killed 17-year-old Ukrainian kickboxing champion Karina Bakhur. She lived in a town of Berestyn, Kharkiv region, which came under heavy shelling last night. Karina was at home and reportedly running toward the basement when the blast hit. She died in the hospital from her wounds.

 

Karina was both World and European medalist in kickboxing, Master of Sports of Ukraine and current champion of Ukraine in both Cossack duel and kickboxing. A life of talent, discipline, and dreams ended by a Russian missile.

Interesting?

An interesting story. When I was in third grade in a one-room schoolhouse of grades 1-6, every row was a higher grade. There was one teacher for all. Where we lived was so small it wasn't named a village, town, or city. It was Clark Station near Gary, Indiana, even though there was no bus or train service. 

One day, 3 men and a nurse came in and said they were going to tattoo our blood types on our bodies. They had what looked like a drill with a box full of different blood type medal markers. A desk was set up in the entrance way where the "nurse" sat. One man was in our room calling out a row number. 

The children would line up in front of the nurse, she would prick the index finger, determine the blood type, we would be separated by type, and each row would be added. When all was done, another man fixed a marker on the "drill" and drilled it into our side. I don't remember if it hurt or not. Just remember being scared. 

My mother was told it was the government's idea to protect the children in case of an atomic bomb attack. It was in the early 50s. 

So, since third grade, I knew my blood type, B+. The mark only faded away after 50+ years. The strange thing for me was that no other school had done it.

Yesterday, a reader sent me this:

https://www.amusingplanet.com/2020/04/operation-tat-type-why-some-american.html

Operation Tat-Type: Why Some American Kids Got Tattooed With Blood-Type

If you're curious.

Friday-Saturday

Yesterday, I had a little break time while Karolina was here, so I went to Solacki Park, and I sat down to listen to my book, Big Sir, written by Jack Kerouac. I've been reading and listening to Jack Kerouac since I was 16. My brother Walter, or Wally as we called him, turned me on to Jack many, many years ago. I still find comfort in the words that he wrote. Of course, the first book I read by him was On the Road, probably his most famous book. His style was so unusual back in the 1950s, and I think that's what brought him a lot of interest.

After I was done in the park, I went to the Apteka, because it was time to buy another vitamin for Joan.

Back at home, Karolina was just finishing up giving Joanh a shower, and when she was done, we talked for about 20 minutes.

Last night. I stayed up until about 2:00 in the morning answering emails and doing some postings to various resistance groups I belong to. Today I didn't wake up until 11:00. That's 9 hours, a lot of time for me to sleep.

In the afternoon, John and I listened to various classical guitar players on YouTube.

When it was time to make dinner, I chose the easy way out and defrosted some frozen chili I still had left over.

Ukraine.

Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) forces overnight Sunday to Monday launched amphibious and airborne kamikaze drone strikes against targets in southwest Russia, with the main effort concentrating on a Black Sea oil tanker loading terminal critical to the Kremlin for export.

Sea-launched robot boats hit the Russian port city of Tuapse, one of Russia’s two main terminals for oil export via the Black Sea. Initial reports of an attack in progress reached local news platforms shortly after 1 AM on Monday. Video uploaded from viewpoints inside the city documented two explosions in the central port area, and fires.

With a capacity to trans-ship around 17 million metric tons of oil products/year, Tuapse is Russia’s second-biggest oil products export transshipment facility on the Black Sea.

Ukrainian robot boats had previously attacked Tuapse on Sept. 24 and overnight on Nov. 1-2. The latter raid damaged two tankers, halted fuel exports and refinery operations for days, caused an oil spill and forced tankers to abandon the port.

[UPDATED: Nov. 11, 12:37 pm , Kyiv time. Updated with reports from the General Staff of Ukraine and the Forces of Unmanned Systems confirming their involvement in the attack.]

A series of explosions rocked the Russian cities of Saratov and Engels early on Tuesday, Nov. 11, with social media reporting a fire at the Saratov oil refinery.

According to Russian Telegram channels, air defenses were on high alert in both cities amid the threat of drone attacks. Local residents reported hearing between five and seven loud explosions after 1 AM.

Independence?

The annual march organized in Warsaw by nationalist groups to celebrate Polish Independence Day passed peacefully through the city.

Among the participants, whose number is estimated at around 150,000, was recently elected right-wing President Karol Nawrocki, whose conservative predecessor, Andrzej Duda, had avoided attending the event.

However, members of Poland’s more liberal government stayed away from the march. Prime Minister Donald Tusk, attending a separate Independence Day celebration in his hometown of Gdańsk, declared that “no one has a monopoly on patriotism” and called “diversity a source of our strength”.

Joan and I stayed at home and celebrated the day by eating four of the famous Rogala pastries.

It seemed odd that Poland is celebrating its independence while in the United States there is a struggle to keep its independence from becoming a dictatorship, and Ukraine is fighting a war to save its country.

NOV. 25 to DEC. 2.

What exactly am I supposed to stop doing? 

 

During the Mass Blackout (Nov. 25–Dec. 2), we’re asking participants to:

– Stop working (see below)

– Stop spending at corporations

– Cancel streaming/digital subscriptions

– Avoid travel, restaurants, and normal consumer behavior

– Stay off ad-driven platforms unless organizing

If you must spend, use cash at small local businesses. Small Business Saturday is exempted.

 

What if I can’t take off work?

Not everyone can. You can still:

– Cancel subscriptions

– Halt spending

– Log off entertainment platforms

– Share the campaign

– Donate to Feeding America to support those walking out

Choose the form of resistance that’s possible for you — and do it proudly.

 

Should I support small businesses during the blackout?

Yes. This action exempts small businesses. If you need to spend, use cash at locally owned or worker-led shops. Avoid corporate chains and mega-platforms.

 

Does this mean I shouldn’t use social media?

Use social media intentionally. Don’t scroll for entertainment — organize, agitate, spread the message. Use hashtags. Share visuals. Mobilize your people.

 

How can I help spread the word?

– Use campaign hashtags:

#MBO #MB #BlockParty #MassBlackout #BlackoutForDemocracy

– Send this campaign to 5 people

– Organize your network — online or off

Independence Day.

Poland will mark Independence Day today with wreath-layings, a state mass, presidential honors and an Independence March in Warsaw, with parliament buildings open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

President Karol Nawrocki and his wife will lead the main ceremony at Piłsudski Square, where the president will also present state decorations and deliver remarks.

Earlier, top officials will lay wreaths at Warsaw monuments to Wincenty Witos, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Ignacy Daszyński, Roman Dmowski, Wojciech Korfanty, and Józef Piłsudski, all key figures in the country’s struggle for independence.

Nawrocki and First Lady Marta Nawrocka, joined by Defense Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, will attend a mass for the homeland at the Temple of Divine Providence. At noon, senior officials will take part in a ceremonial changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Piłsudski Square.

Later in the day, wreaths are planned at monuments to the victims of the 2010 Smolensk tragedy, President Lech Kaczyński and Marshal Józef Piłsudski, near Piłsudski Square.

On Monday evening, the eve of the holiday, a Capstrzyk Niepodległości (“Independence Tattoo”) ceremony took place at the Józef Piłsudski monument, with Kosiniak-Kamysz and military commanders laying wreaths at memorials to the Fathers of Independence.

The Sejm and Senate will open to visitors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering access to normally restricted areas such as the Sejm chamber and corridors. Around 10:50 a.m., visitors can meet Senate Speaker Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska on the Senate’s first floor.

Why?

 If you've been a reader of my blog for some time, maybe wondering why I've had so many one-day or two-day breaks, I'll tell you. Due to the situation in the United States with the current president and his bogus Administration, I've been involved with a movement in the United States promoting a general strike. The organization has the idea that if 3.5% of the population goes on strike, it will severely affect the economy and therefore affect the administration and its oligarchs who support it.

Much of my evening now is spent communicating with them because, being far away as I am, it's the only form of resistance that I can offer. I know this blog started out as a research blog, and for many years, I've been telling our tales of living in Poland.

However, I feel it's important for me to at least try to do what I can to help stop some of the damage that is being done to democracy in the country where I was born. So, after Joan goes to bed in the evenings, I spend much of my time communicating with them and doing what I can to support and help them progress.

I feel the goal of 3.5% while it may be effective in small countries, in the United States, it is going to take a long time to accomplish that, and I don't feel we have that much time before the dictatorship is complete.

So that's what's been happening at these times when I don't write anything or say anything about life in Poland, because I'm busy trying to do whatever I can to help recover the United States from this catastrophe of a presidency.

Because I have a deadline on this blog of midnight to publish by the day and I don't always see it because I'm too busy talking with someone, writing to someone, emailing to someone, writing to a Senator or House Representatives for various things that I think may help somewhat and that's the reason I've been absent on those days when I don't write.

Break day.

Gabriel arrived at 1:30 today. So, after she got here, I picked up my bags, got the keys to the car, and drove off on my way to the Apteka. I needed to buy some vitamin D and vitamin C for Joan. Fortunately, we have an Apteca very close to the house, about three blocks away, actually, so it doesn't take long to get there.

After I left yet I drove to care for because I needed to pick up some bacon for the potato and baking soup that I was going to make for dinner. It's a good, tasty soup. 

Meanwhile in Ukraine:

Ukraine is targeted brush and oil strikes throughout the war but it has sharply intensified attacks in the recent months driving up fuel prices. 

Ukraine has carried out nearly 160 strikes on rational facilities at the start of 2025 significantly, cutting into the kremlin's energy revenues used for. 

The head of the security service of Ukraine also known as SBU, told Zielinsky that drone and missile operations had successfully targeted refineries, depots and pumping stations deep inside of Russia.

The Kremlin seems to be visibly panicking because of Ukraine's Precision drone strikes as they are overwhelmed. 

Russian insiders report evacuation plans are forming is fear spreads through the Russian President Putin's Inner circle. 

Ukrainian soldiers confirmed that drones are now giving Kyiv an undeniable strategic edge and fundamentally changing the way wars are fought. The Kyiv Post reports exclusive first-hand evidence that Putin's regime is in a deep crisis. They are failing to defend Moscow's airspace against Ukrainian strategic strikes, and despite waves of Russian counter-attacks, they are unable to slow down Ukraine's offensive capability.

Shopping day.

Okay, today was shopping day, so I got up at 6:30 this morning, dressed, took my list, and then I was off to the store at Carrefour. I needed to buy enough food for the next week, and I had my list with me. It only takes 15 minutes to get to the store.

I didn't have a lot to buy because I planned on having soup during the week, so that takes care of two days, and then there's always Pizza as a backup in case I don't feel like cooking. The total cost was $39. However, the vegetables at care for are not the best because it's so early in the morning because it is so early in the morning they don't have time. So, I had to make another stop on the way home at Lidl. That is the supermarket closest to our flat. There, I had to pick up four different vegetables and some baking soda. I needed the soda because I was going to make blueberry pancakes today for breakfast. So, adding the cost at both stores, my total was $45 for food next week.

I got back home by 8:30, put everything away, and then it was time to get Joan out of bed. Today, being Tuesday, Gabriella was scheduled to come over at 11:30 and sit with Joan while I took a 3-hour break.

I was back at home by 2:30, Gabrielle stayed until about 3:00, and then she left.

For dinner, I prepared chicken with rice, red peppers, onions, tomatoes, salt, and pepper. I have used this recipe before and assumed dinner was going to be good. However, neither Joan nor I liked the taste, and it wasn't that good. We were both disappointed. Oh well, what are you going to do?

The weekend is over?

For some unknown reason, this was the longest two-day weekend ever. Finally, it's Monday, not that it matters.

I made strawberry pancakes for breakfast, and Joan was happy. Actually, I made too much batter, so tomorrow I will buy blueberries and have those for breakfast. 

We watched the NFL highlights and returned to the series, Lincoln Lawyer, that we started watching yesterday.

It was a lazy day for us.

Lately, I have been having trouble with Grammarly connecting to websites for corrections. A human could correct whatever the problem is, but a Bot cannot. I'm now using another program, LT, to check for mistakes. I'm also considering using a Voice to Text program, Wsprflow AI.

 Okay, I typed in WhisperFlo AI, downloaded it, but then after trying it out, it doesn't work in Blogger, so the only thing I can do is try another program. I went to Google Docs Voice-in. It seems to be working fairly well, but it doesn't have any punctuation or grammar checking. Still, now I see my Google application for Grammarly is working, so at least I can get my punctuation and grammar checked, and I can do this all while I'm just speaking what I want to write about. It's much easier that way for me.

 

Sunday?

The last two days have seemed like Sunday and now, Sunday seems like Monday. How crazy is that?

I had a problem with Joan earlier, but now she is fine.

Meanwhile: Ukraine

The Pentagon has approved the potential delivery of long-range Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine, determining that the move would not harm U.S. defense readiness.

According to CNN, the final decision now rests with President Donald Trump.Sources told the network that the Joint Chiefs of Staff informed the White House in early October that a limited transfer of Tomahawks would not weaken America’s military capabilities.

The assessment was presented just before Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington.While Trump initially supported the idea, officials say his sudden hesitation surprised both American and European partners.

Nonetheless, the Tomahawk transfer remains under active consideration.Administration officials have already prepared plans for rapid delivery to Ukraine should President Trump authorize the move, marking a potential escalation in U.S. military assistance to Kyiv.

Oct.31 & Nov. 1st.

Compared to the Divided States of America, Poland has more Holidays. No doubt, Christmas and Easter are the most important. However, for me, the most beautiful one is tomorrow

All Saint's Day is an annual national holiday in Poland to celebrate the saints on November 1. It is also known as the Day of the Dead, as many people remember dead family and friends on this day. It is normal for families to travel back to the village, town, or city of their families history. 

The preparation for this day begins several days before it. Cleaning materials are brought to clean the headstones, and rakes to take away the leaves. Each family member brings beautiful flowers, and candles to illuminate the graves at night. The cemeteries everywhere are a beautiful scene of a myriad of color.

Usually, it is a time for families to meet again with other relatives they may not have seen in months, or even years. When the visitation at the cemetery is over, it is also a good time to gather in a relatives house to continue conversations.

Joan and I would make a trip each Nov.1st for that event. Unfortunately, since her stroke in 2025, we haven't made a return.

For us, it was also a time to visit with dear cousin Kazia, and her son Andrzej. I miss seeing and talking with them in person. 

All Saint's Day>> I waited until late in the day until I went to the cemetery. I wanted to make sure the lighting was dark enough to see the candles bit light enough to see the sky in the background. I only stayed 30 minutes because Joan was home alone and that worried me. The pictures turned out good.

Solacki Park at night.

Karolina came late today, but it allowed me the time to something I have wanted to do, tale pictures of Solacki Park at nightfall. The park is only 15 minutes from our flat.

Very  few people were in the park so I was able to mainly take pictures with no people. I didn't need 20-30 pictures, so I took about ten and then selected the best ones to post. The building you see see is the church in the round.

My dear friend, Joanna has/had a house on the left side of the street. It will be three year next month since she departed this world. I really miss her. 

Break Time

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Uu12zY01ts   Use stereo headphones if you have them.

What day is it?

Another typical day of chilly weather with off and on showers of rain. Not a good day to be outside, so we went nowhere. It seemed like Sunday. Especially since we watched highlights of yesterday's football games and Sunday back in the states was normally football day for us.

Tomorrow is shopping day, so it's off to bed before midnight in order to woke up at 06:30. Gabriela won't be here until 2:30, and then I go to Radek's for another English/Spanish meeting. He will be gone for two weeks to Spain, lucky guy, so I will miss two weeks without his help.

I made a nice potato soup for dinner with a salad and some good bread from the bakery. Breakfast was lemon-rricotta pancake with blueberry syrup. Yummy.

Ukraine

The past two days has been cloudy with rain, and in general, rather boring. 

I did take Joan out today for a little while just for coffee. 

Meanwhile in Ukraine,

Russian soldiers executed five civilians in the village of Zvanivka, Donetsk region, the Regional Prosecutor’s Office reported Thursday, referencing a Gestapo-like family massacre by Moscow’s occupiers on Oct. 20.

A married couple and their elder son were hiding in the basement of a private house, state-media Ukrinform elaborated, while their younger son had gone to a neighbor’s house to fetch water. Russian soldiers stormed the home and found where the family was hiding and then began interrogating them about the whereabouts of Ukrainian defenders in the village.

After receiving no information, they left, prosecutors described.

Later, one of the occupiers returned to the home and opened fire on the family with an automatic weapon. Believing all three to be dead, he left the scene.

In fact, one person – the mother – survived with a gunshot wound to the jaw.

Worried about her younger son, the official account continued, the wounded mother went to a neighboring basement, where she found his body alongside those of their neighbors – a 62-year-old woman and her 30-year-old son.

The injured woman managed to reach Ukrainian-controlled territory, where she was hospitalized and provided testimony about the war crime committed by Russian forces. Source Kyiv Post

Autumn in the Botanical Gardens

 Karolina

Poland warns Russia.

 

Ok, today, was shopping day. Gabriela was coming to sit with Joan at 2:30 so I didn't have to wake up at 06:30 to do the shopping. That was good for me. Total cost for next weeks for was $36. NO, the prices haven't come down, I'm just making 2 of my dinners that will be good for 2 days each. Joan doesn't mind because she can't remember what she had for dinner yesterday/ Sad, but true.

Radek came at 11:00, bring a cheesecake with him. The English conversation was about his time spent in Warsaw and what is happening now in the U.S. 

After that, we spent another hour going over a Spanish lesson.

There is this news about Poland.

Poland Cannot Guarantee It Won’t Ground Putin’s Plane for ICC Arrest — Sikorski

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski, in an interview with Radio Rodzina, commented on whether Warsaw should allow a plane carrying Vladimir Putin to fly to Budapest for a potential summit with Donald Trump:

 

“We cannot guarantee that an independent Polish court would not order the landing of a hypothetical plane carrying Putin in order to hand the suspect over to The Hague.”

Sikorski added that “the fact that an EU member bound by the International Criminal Court invites Putin is disgusting. It also shows that Hungary positions itself not as part of the West, but somewhere between the West and Russia.”

 

“There are those who would like Ukraine to surrender. Ukraine has no reason to do so,” he emphasized.

 

Background: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has expressed readiness to host a Putin–Trump meeting in Budapest, despite Hungary’s obligations under the Rome Statute to arrest the Russian dictator under an ICC warrant.

Protest or party?

This protest against the Trump Administration was not confined to the United States. It also took place in London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Tokyo, Melbourne, Copenhagen, Brussels, and in cities in Sweden, Ireland, and South Korea. They all marched to show their solidarity with anti-Trump Americans.

  

The No Kings 2.0 march drew an enormous turnout last Saturday, with nearly seven million Americans taking part across the country. That is about two million more than the first one, a clear signal that the momentum is building as people are getting fed up with Trump’s draconian deportation program, and sending our own military into our cities to police American citizens. And this movement will grow every day that this sniveling loser of a man tries to anoint himself America’s new king. 

Speaker Mike Johnson tried to dismiss the event, calling it a “hate America rally,” but he couldn’t be more wrong. The crowds were filled with regular people who work hard, pay taxes, and genuinely love their country as much as they hate what Trump is doing to our country. 

 

In Washington, DC alone, the turnout was a staggering 200,000 people. That’s twice as many people as attended Trump’s second inauguration if anyone happens to be keeping score. The day remained entirely peaceful, despite Republicans spending all week painting it as a hotbed for “pro-Hamas and radical left violent extremism,” but there was no violence today. There was no unrest. Just actual American citizens exercising their First Amendment rights, but I guess that is something today’s MAGA movement can’t understand. Today was empowering, and hopefully this will build to something bigger! Keep on. You are not alone. There are millions of us.

 

For me, the biggest surprise came during the speech of Chicago's Mayor, Brandon Johnson. Close to the end of it, he called upon Chicagoans to participate in a General Strike. 

 

As a member of The General Strike US, that is exactly why we have gained 386,426 committed members.

Be on Guard!

 

Oct 18th--BE SAFE

Tomorrow is OUR D(Dissent) Day. 2,500+protests against Donnie Trump and his band of thugs, cowards, traitors to the Constitution, and ALL Americans, including the majority of Trump voters.

Be safe out there, and above all, non-violent!

Only politics.

The Trump administration has a plan to disrupt the protests this Saturday in California involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. It is to shut down the major transportation highway in southern California and shoot missiles from the ships into Camp Pendleton, a major Marine base.

It is to demonstrate to Americans the power of our own military. Like we don't know already! Only dictators like Putin from Russia or Kim Jung Un from North Korea does that. Even loyal trump supporters know that. Its main reason is to instill even more fear in us, the anti-Trumpers. Maybe it will work. It will if you let it, but then they will have won.

His own private army, ICE and Homeland Security, no doubt will be at different protests around the country to abduct any “domestic terrorists” as protestors are now being called. Will it stop you from participating this Saturday and let them crush the opposition to having a dictator?

This major No Kings Day-2 should have 20-30 million people showing the world we are vehemently opposed to Trump and his gang of thugs, Republican congressmen, unqualified cabinet members, and followers. There are 2,500 registered protests planned so far. We need every village, town, and city this time. It won't stop the carnage or change their direction.

We told you about their plan last year, Project 2025. Far too many ignored it, didn't read it, or said, “Oh, that can't happen in America”. Well, my friends, it has happened in only 8 months. There isn't much time left before the takeover is completed and our great country no longer exists as a Republic. Now, there is only a 3-fold way to stop it. Protest, boycott, and strike all at the same time. Take away the money going into the administration, Trump, and the oligarchs. They will pay attention to that.

If you have read this far and you agree, take a real action to stop it. Just protesting won't do it. Either join a boycott group or a strike organization. I think you know I am with the General Strike US(GSUS) organization. So far, we have 383,860 committed members. It is not nearly enough to be a success. You can be a member of this org. without having to stay home from work if you can't. That is your option

We are organized, have a plan, a list of demands to be met, and partner with 27+ other groups. If you want to know more, type https://generalstrikeus.com. 

Thank you.

Joan's day.

Karolina was coming today at 12:00, so I had to get Joan prepared for her. She didn't remember meeting her last week or why she was coming. I had to explain that Karolina was coming to help her shower, wash her hair, and cut her finger and toe nails. I said it was just a test to see if she liked Karolina and was happy when it was all done. I told Joan it was her final decision whether or not Karolina would return.

Karolina arrived and I showed her how I got Joan into and out during a shower. Two of those handles were still holding on to the walls and were helpful for Joan. However, during the shower, one just fell down again. Out of the four I purchased, only one still worked. I knew I would be returning all four back to the seller for refund.

After the shower and her hair was washed, I showed Karolina how I get Joan onto he bed to apply her diaper and put on a pair of pants. 

Karolina was not aware that Joan could raise her body up so she proceeded to apply the diaper by rolling on her right side, push half of the diaper under neath her, rolling her to the left side and drawing it up to close. I told her there was a better to put on the diaper and showed her how.

After Joan was dressed, Karolina took Joan into the living room proceeded to cut her finger and toe nails.  

When all was finished, I asked Joan how she felt about the experience, not knowing her answer, She said she felt great, clean, and very happy about it.

The question her then was, do you want Karolina to come back? Absolutely, yes, was her answer, and so it will be now on Wednesdays. 

Wednesday shower+

The picture above is one of my favorites. We went back to the United States many years ago, and one night we had dinner with two friends. As we were walking away, one of them took the picture.

Tomorrow is a big test day for Joan. Karolina will come for the first time to shower, wash her hair, and cut her nails. She will be here for two hours starting at 12:00. To make it easier for Joan, I installed two handlebars on the walls of the show for her stability getting to and from the seat there. Karolina said I could leave when she arrives, but since it will be the first time with Joan, I want to make sure everything goes well in the shower. If it does, maybe in the time left I will go locally for a coffee and return by 2:00. I hope it does.

Today was an early morning food shopping day. I went to Carrefour and spent 200 PLN($54), but it wasn't everything I needed. I had to make a second stop at Lidl for mushrooms, 4 potatoes, fresh spinach, and garlic. They have much bigger selections of fruits and vegetables. Cost 20 PLN($5). So, in total, I spent 220 PLN($59)

I was back home by 8:30, put all the groceries away, and washed the dishes from last night.

I checked my emails; I had four to answer, so I did. I was tempted to lie back down, but it was 10:00 and I thought Joan would be awake soon, so I did a preparation for breakfast. Joan didn't wake up until 13:00(1 PM)

After breakfast, we watched highlights of 3 football games, and then Joan said she wanted to go outside. Even though it was a damp day outside, I took her to our favorite cafe, indoors. We had coffee and she had a cherry tart.

Back at home, I had a nice conversation with our friend from Bydgoscz and then prepared dinner, Spaghetti with a side dish of bread and cottage cheese.

Quiet & Ukraine/Europe

 A quiet day at home. We watched vie.a documetary on Diane Keaton, listened to some music, and then watched an old movie of hers, Annie Hall. It was a Woody Allen movie. I have never been a big fan of his older movies, this one included. I wanted to see if we still didn't care for it much after 48 years. The answer was we still didn't.

Meanwhile: Ukraine/Europe.

Perhaps the biggest risk to Europe’s security comes from the United States, where President Donald Trump’s administration is adopting a foreign-policy posture that combines insularity and confrontation.

The Trump administration has made no secret of its disdain for America’s security commitments, including those to its NATO allies.

While the Trump administration claims that it is merely demanding that NATO countries uphold their own commitments, particularly concerning defense spending, it would be foolhardy for Europe to count on the US to uphold its end of any bargain.

But it is not actually “America” that comes first; it is Trump and his inner circle, who have raked in staggering riches since his return to the White House.

Trump’s new executive order providing a full security guarantee to Qatar – which recently gave the US a $400 million jet that Trump is now modifying to serve as a new Air Force One – underscores just how erratic and opportunistic US foreign policy has become.

Nonetheless, recent US moves herald a harsher world, in which skies and sea lanes are contested, supply chains are increasingly fragile, alliances are in flux, forceful power projection eclipses diplomacy, and the country that long underwrote global stability is nowhere to be found.

Even if major withdrawals of US forces from Europe are avoided, a troop realignment is all but inevitable.

So, if a security crisis does erupt – not a farfetched scenario, given Russia’s hybrid warfare – the EU must be prepared to meet it.

But while Poland, the Baltics, and the Nordic countries are racing ahead with rearmament, other countries are lagging.