WCD

White Cane Day

White canes were introduced in the 1930s as a way of assisting visually impaired pedestrians to travel independently. They also helped motorists identify and yield to people using the white cane, and their use has been protected by law in the United States since that time. White Cane Safety Day, October 15, was established in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson in an effort to raise awareness of people who carry a white cane.

What is the White Cane Law? “A totally or partially blind pedestrian who is carrying a predominately white cane (with or without a red tip), or using a guide dog, shall have the right-of-way. The driver of any vehicle approaching this pedestrian, who fails to yield the right-of-way, or to take all responsibility necessary precautions to avoid injury to this blind pedestrian, is guilty of a misdemeanor. Punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, or by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) no more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both. This section shall not preclude prosecution under any other applicable provision of law.” – Vehicle Code #21963

Safety Tips For People Who Are Sighted Stop your car at least 5ft. from a crosswalk. Pedestrians who are visually impaired or blind may use the sound of your engine to locate crosswalk boundaries. If any part of your car is in the crosswalk, they may misjudge the safe area. Avoid honking at individuals using a white cane. People who are blind or visually impaired have no idea why you are honking. It is okay to ask if assistance is needed. Ask the person who is blind or visually impaired for permission before trying to assist. If the person asks you to help guide them, offer your arm. They will hold your arm just above the elbow to follow your path.

https://brailleinstitute.org/white-cane-day

White Cane Day

 

Europe's Halloween

From Euronews:

“From Satan’s Bridge to the living dead: Europe’s spookiest Halloween adventures”

From Satan’s Bridge to the Headless Horseman, here's how to spend Halloween in Europe. Trick or treat, it’s that time of year again. But if tacky decorations and piles of sweets aren’t your thing, why not immerse yourself in some of Europe’s finest storytelling traditions for spooky thrills that get you closer to local culture? From Romania to Iceland, these are the best places in Europe to explore the myths, legends and local traditions that have inspired the season’s celebrations - and horror stories - throughout time.

Take part in the Ritual of the Killing of the Living Dead, Romania There are few places more synonymous with Halloween than Transylvania. But before Bran Stoker’s Dracula was even a whisper of a story, Romanians in Sighișoara have been easing their departed loved-ones’ journey into the afterlife through the Ritual of the Killing of the Living Dead.  “Romanians are a superstitious people,” explains Hertha Todea who runs Halloween tours to Sighișoara. “The undead (or strigoi in Romanian) are spirits of the dead, who do not reach the world 'beyond' after the funeral, or refuse to return 'there' after visiting their relatives. They are very dangerous for the living: they take the lives of close relatives, bring diseases and other suffering." “The Ritual of the Killing of the Living Dead is performed exactly as traditional old burial rites were to ensure the passing of strigoi. We want to introduce visitors to traditional Romanian folklore from before the legends of Dracula, and show them that many of the elements used in the ritual - candles, incense, garlic, holy water and basil - are things we still use today.” If you take part, expect to gather around a 'strigoi' in a coffin as if you were grieving friends or family. With a priest presiding, you’ll pass round the coffin three times - to symbolise the Father, Son and Holy Spirit - holding candles to guide the captive soul into the light.  A three-day tour with Transylvania Live, including the Ritual of the Killing of the Living Dead costs from £599pp (€715) and departs 1st November 2024.

Traditional Samhain celebrations. Over 2,000 years ago, the ancient Celts wore masks and lit bonfires to ward off evil spirits and demons at Samhain, the harvest festival that marked the beginning of winter. A time, according to Celtic folklore, that the boundaries between this world and the next become blurred and spirits (or Púca) and fairies walk the earth.  The traditions of Samhain reverberate as today’s Halloween - trick or treating started life as soul cakes baked and given to children and the poor, the carved pumpkins on our doorsteps trace their roots back to the hollowed-out turnips used to carry the burning embers home from Samhain bonfires.  At County Meath’s Púca Festival you can hear tales of shapeshifting creatures from Irish storytellers, learn about the traditions of the Celtic New Year, and experience the heady ritual of the lighting of the Samhain fire - with a few contemporary twists. Tickets can be booked via the festival website.

Party by Satan’s bridge, Italy The devil himself did a great job constructing the 11th Century Ponte della Maddalena in Borgo a Mozzano, Tuscany - it’s still standing today. Legend has it that St Julian, finding it too difficult to complete the construction, entered into a pact with Satan to finish the bridge in return for the soul of the first being to cross it.  You’ll meet the devil in all manner of guises at Borgo a Mozzano’s Halloween Festa held on 31st October each year. The highlight is a town-wide procession evoking the spirit of Lucida Mansi, a beautiful 17th Century Italian noblewoman who, the tales say, killed her lovers by throwing them into a pit full of spikes when she was done with them. Entry to the festa is free.

Beware the Headless Horseman in the Black Forest, Germany Dare you venture into the deep dark woods? Follow in the footsteps of the Brothers Grimm and curate your own collection of myths and legends in the forests of Germany that inspired the dark original tales of Hansel and Gretel and Little Red Riding Hood.  Legends here tell of witches and werewolves and eerie encounters under the dense firs that will make your spine tingle as you explore. Use a local guide on hikes along the Black Forest’s myriad of trails so you can listen to spooky stories along the way and watch out for the headless horseman fated to ride among the trees for eternity, cursing any who cross his path. 

Commune with ghosts in Iceland Few places in Europe have a stronger tradition of folklore and storytelling than Iceland. Here, sagas passed down through time tell tales of a land inhabited by elves (the Huldufólk), trolls and ghosts. Listen to 24 of these traditional ghost stories at the Ghost Center in Stokkseyri on the south coast - a small immersive museum dedicated to sharing the most chilling portions of Iceland’s epic stories. Or, take in some of Iceland’s most spectacular rock formations which are said to be petrified trolls turned into stone in the sunlight.  Take a tour of southern Iceland and the black sand beaches near Vík í Mýrda and you can marvel at the Troll Rocks (Reynisdrangar) that jut out of sea just off the coast. Be careful as you explore though, while Icelandic trolls must hide during the day, they feast on human flesh and will lure unsuspecting people into their caves.

^ I didn’t know about these places. ^

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/10/13/from-satans-bridge-to-the-living-dead-europes-spookiest-halloween-adventures

Aid Can Wait

From the Hill:

“Johnson: Additional hurricane aid ‘can wait’ until Congress is back in session”

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Sunday said passing additional hurricane aid for states impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton “can wait” until Congress is back in session after the election. CBS “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan asked him why he thinks it’s fine to wait until November for Congress to pass more aid for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton victims. “Well, it can wait because, remember, the day before Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and then went up through the states and wound up in Senator Tillis’s state of North Carolina, Congress appropriated 20 billion additional dollars to FEMA so that they would have the necessary resources to address immediate needs,” Johnson said.

Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) was part of a bipartisan group of senators to sign a letter urging Senate leaders to think about bringing lawmakers back into session this month to enact disaster legislation before the end of the year. House lawmakers have also urged Johnson to bring the chamber back into session. A group of Democrats sent a letter last week asking him to do so, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) posted on the social media platform X, “If Congress goes into a special session we can get it passed immediately. This needs to happen. @SpeakerJohnson call us back.”

The continuing resolution Congress passed to avert a government shutdown last month allowed for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to use the fund’s fiscal 2025 resources faster for disaster response for the duration of the nearly three-month stopgap, allowing the agency access to a roughly $20 billion pot starting Oct. 1. But it notably excluded any additional FEMA funding. Johnson said that as of Sunday, less than 2 percent of the already passed funding has been distributed. He said FEMA needs to “do its job” and disperse the funds to the affected communities.

FEMA officials say they have sufficient resources to respond to the pair of hurricanes until Congress returns, but they also indicated nearly half that money is already spent. The Speaker said the affected states, including Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, need to assess the damage from the storm and calculate their needs before requesting more money from Congress. “As soon as that is done, Congress will meet and in a bipartisan fashion, we will address those needs, will provide the additional resources, but it would be premature to call everyone back now,” Johnson said.

^ In case you wanted to know what the Politicians (in this case the Republicans from the top down) thought about those who lost everything to the Hurricanes.

They don't care about you. Only about themselves and their Elections. ^

https://www.yahoo.com/news/johnson-additional-hurricane-aid-wait-133237390.html

Thanksgiving!

 

Columbus Day

 

Dog Pyramid

 

Where Tacos Live

 

Canadian Vs American

This Monday (October 14th) is Thanksgiving in Canada.

Unlike Thanksgiving in the US (which is on November 28th this year) where Americans can only celebrate with their Family on that Thursday in Canada you can celebrate with your Family Today, this Weekend, on Monday or throughout the whole weekend.

Be Included

 

Working Undercover

 

Northern Lights

Stunning Images of the Northern Lights: October 2024

(Saratoga, New York)

(Boston, Massachusetts)

(New York City, New York)

(USA)

(Canada)

(Alberta, Canada)

(USA)

Note: I do not take these pictures. 

Northern Lights

 

Entry/Exit Delayed

From EuroNews:

“EU delays (again) new electronic system for border checks, floats phased-in approach”

The Entry/Exit System is a comprehensive reform to modernise checks at the EU's external borders and promote information-sharing. The European Commission has decided to delay the introduction of the Entry/Exit System (EES), the bloc's automated registry for short-stay travellers that was expected to come into force on 10 November. The announcement was made by Ylva Johansson, the Commissioner for Home Affairs, at the end of a meeting of EU interior ministers on Thursday where the issue was discussed. "10th of November is no longer on the table," Johansson told reporters, noting that Germany, France and the Netherlands had declared their unreadiness. "I hope we can start as soon as possible but there's no new timeline so far. This also depends on the legal assessment that we will do and we're working on it right now." Johannson spoke of "some concerns when it comes to the resilience of the system."

As an alternative, she said, the EU could introduce the EES in a phased-in manner "with a little step by step going into the system, not a Big Bang of all border crossing points at the same time." However, that approach is not foreseen under the current regulation and "targeted amendments" to the legal text would be required to make it happen. At any rate, she stressed, the gradual introduction would not start on 10 November.

What is the Entry/Exit System? The EES is a comprehensive reform that dates back to 2016 and had been repeatedly delayed. Its main purpose is to modernise checks at the EU's external borders and replace the traditional physical stamping of passports. It will apply to non-EU citizens who come to the bloc for visits, holidays or business trips and stay for a total duration of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Once the system goes live, visitors will have to provide their passports on arrival, alongside having a photo of their face taken and their fingerprints scanned electronically. All entries and exits from the passport-free Schengen Area will be recorded. The collection of biometric data and the sharing of information in real time are meant to help authorities crack down on those who overstay their short-term visas and commit identity fraud.

All member states, except Cyprus and Ireland, and four Schengen-associate countries – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – will take part in the scheme. Passports in Cyprus and Ireland will continue to be stamped manually.

^ I'm glad the EU (well the Schengen Area of the EU) is not going to start using the Entry/Exit System on November 10th as planned since I will be going to Spain and Germany (both in the Schengen Area) on November 19th.

I won't have to have my Picture Taken, my Fingerprints Taken and more importantly I will get the Immigration Stamp in my Passport (my American Passport is from 2019 and is empty of Stamps - so is my Canadian Passport by the way, but I'm not bringing that one with me.) ^

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2024/10/10/eu-delays-again-its-new-entryexit-system-for-short-stay-travellers2

This Is The Way

 

Yom Kippur

 

Hurricane Milton

From AOL/AccuWeather:

“Deadly and destructive: Hurricane Milton by the numbers”

Hurricane Milton made landfall near Siesta Key, Florida, at 8:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday. The storm has knocked out power to millions of people in Florida and has caused at least 10 deaths. As residents pick up the pieces, these are some of the astounding numbers associated with the destructive storm. AccuWeather preliminarily estimates the total damage and economic loss from historic Hurricane Milton will be between $160 billion and $180 billion. After making landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, a major hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane wind scale, Milton will go down as one of the most damaging and impactful storms in Florida history, along with Hurricane Helene's estimated total damage and economic loss of $225-250 billion just two weeks ago, which resulted in significant damage from the Gulf Coast of Florida to the southern Appalachians, where a catastrophic flooding disaster occurred.

Hurricane Milton is the fifth hurricane to make landfall on the Gulf Coast this season, after Beryl, Debby, Francine and Helene. The 2005 and 2020 hurricane seasons also had five. Only the year 1886 had more, with six hurricanes making landfall in the Gulf that season. Milton is the third hurricane to hit the state of Florida this year. No other year on record has more than three. After an early pause, the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season is now above normal by all measures.

Although most customers in Florida who lost power from Helene were restored before Milton approached, 100,000 customers had lost power in Florida because of the new storm by Wednesday morning. As Hurricane Milton got closer to the coast, numbers spiked, and 2.5 million had lost power by midnight. Outages were still going up Thursday morning, eclipsing 3.5 million. Hardee and Highlands counties reported that nearly 100% of customers were in the dark. In the wake of Hurricane Milton, the death toll has risen to at least 10 people. St. Lucie County on Florida's Atlantic coast has confirmed five deaths, attributed to tornadoes that touched down during the storm, WPBF News reported. In St. Petersburg, police confirmed two storm-related deaths. Volusia County has also reported fatalities, with Sheriff Michael J. Chitwood confirming that three people died in his jurisdiction.

At the St. Petersburg Albert Whitted Airport, 18.87 inches of rain fell during Hurricane Milton. In just one hour, the rain gauge recorded 5.09 inches, an extremely rare rainfall rate. As Milton moved across Florida, an AccuWeather/Ambient Weather rain gauge recorded 16.67 inches at Lakeland, 32 miles northeast of Tampa. The storm surge at Naples, Florida, reached 5.78 feet above normal tide, nearly a foot higher than Hurricane Helene on Sept. 26 and almost 3 feet above Hurricane Debby on Aug. 4. At Fort Myers, the gauge rose to 5.26 feet, slightly above the crest reached during Hurricane Helene at 5.12, but short of the 50-year record set by Hurricane Ian of 7.26 feet on Sept. 28, 2022. Instead of the water rising in Tampa Bay, a tidal gauge downtown, just north of the storm's landfall where winds were from the land, experienced a "blowout tide" or anti-storm surge. This happens when high winds from a tropical storm or hurricane blow from the land instead of the ocean, temporarily pushing water in bays out to sea. The water level fell to nearly 5 feet below normal as winds blew water in the bay out into the Atlantic Ocean. The strongest wind gust reported during the storm was 105 mph at a WeatherFlow weather station in the Egmont Channel, southwest of St. Petersburg. The Bradenton and St. Petersburg airports also gusted to 102 and 101 mph, respectively.

National Weather Service offices in Florida issued 126 tornado warnings as Hurricane Milton approached. There were 45 tornadoes reported to the Storm Prediction Center. One tornado killed several people in St. Lucie on the east coast of Florida. The record-holder for tornadoes spawned by a hurricane is 120 with Hurricane Ivan in 2004. In 2023, Hurricane Beryl spawned 68 twisters Hurricane Milton's central pressure fell to 26.64 inches of mercury (902 mb) on Oct. 8, making it the fifth-strongest hurricane ever observed in the Atlantic Basin and the second-lowest for this late in the year. Milton's sustained winds were estimated at 180 mph, and only five Atlantic hurricanes have had estimated winds higher than Milton's.

^ Hopefully the people affected will get the help they need now and in the future. ^

https://www.aol.com/deadly-destructive-hurricane-milton-numbers-200706149.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNlYXJjaC55YWhvby5jb20v&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAALXC6sEE2FNqEUru20xenNH7QAmtVv0tLSb5TSRuSOrTEt3zX7FjxpmUu0qLq70zWt9kT0AHuDNAoZ2cU-snSqZdgVkLYqC3yrNcrC-FgSXbnDBuuVQF454T-x95M9DCnXNA7GUnzvwNNWI9wAJYiPRGKa-PuS6HCXu_qjxKHSWc

Milton Pictures

Hurricane Milton In Pictures

Ethel Kennedy

 

Ethel Kennedy, Widow of Robert F. Kennedy and Sister-In-Law of President John F. Kennedy, has died. She was 96 years old.

Ethel Kennedy was born Ethel Shakel on April 11, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois and was the 6^th of 7 Children.

Ethel was raised in Greenwich, Connecticut and attended the All-Girls Greenwich Academy, and graduated from the Convent of the Sacred Heart in the Bronx in 1945.

In September 1945, Ethel began her College Education at Manhattanville College, where she was a Classmate of her future Sister-in-Law Jean Kennedy.

Ethel first met Jean's Brother, Robert F. Kennedy, during a ski trip to Mont Tremblant Resort in Quebec in December 1945.

She received a Bachelor's Degree from Manhattanville in 1949.

Robert and Ethel were married in February 1950.

After Robert graduated from Law School, the Family settled in the Washington, D.C. area and Robert went to work for the Justice Department.

In 1956, the Kennedys purchased Hickory Hill from Robert's brother John and his Wife Jacqueline.

The 13-bedroom Estate was situated on 6 Acres in McLean, Virginia (west of Washington, D.C.).

 Ethel sold Hickory Hill in December 2009.

In 1960, Ethel's Brother-in-Law John F. Kennedy won the Presidential Election, at which time he appointed Robert to the post of Attorney General.

On November 22, 1963, Ethel learned of her Brother-in-Law’s assassination from her Husband after the FBI Director, J. Edgar Hoover, called their home.

In 1964, Ethel supported her Husband while he campaigned for and won a seat in the United States Senate representing New York.

She urged her Husband to enter the Democratic Primary for the 1968 Presidential Election.

She was with her Husband on June 5, 1968 when he was assassinated, by Palestinian Sirhan Sirhan, at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles.

Robert Kennedy was buried close to his Brother John at Arlington National Cemetery.

Robert and Ethel Kennedy had 11 Children over nearly 18 years of Marriage: Kathleen, Joseph, Robert Jr., David, Courtney, Michael, Kerry, Christopher, Maxwell, Douglas, and Rory (who was born 6 months after Robert was assassinated.)

Kahleen served as the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland from 1995 to 2003.

Joseph served as a Member of the United States House of Representatives from the 8th Congressional District of Massachusetts from 1987 to 1999.

Robert Jr. ran for President in the 2024 until dropping out.

David died in 1984.

Michael died in 1997.

Kerry is the President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Center.

Ethel Kennedy founded the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights (now known as Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights) in 1968.

Since the 1968 she not only raised her 11 Children by herself, but also worked on different Social Causes.

In 2014, Ethel was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

On October 8, 2024, Kennedy was hospitalized after suffering a Stroke.

Ethel Kennedy died October 10, 2024 at the age of 96.

Ethel In Pictures

 

Hot Chocolate Power

 

Lily Ebert

 

 Lily Ebert (Holocaust Survivor who turned 100 years old last year) has died.

She was born Lívia Engelman on December 29, 1923 in Bonyhád, Hungary and was the eldest Daughter of 6 Children.

Her Father, Aron Engelman, was a Textile Merchant, but died of Pneumonia in 1942.

The Nazis invaded Hungary in March 1944 and, in July 1944, when Ebert was 20 years old, she along with her Mother, younger Brother and three Sisters were deported from the Bonyhád Ghetto to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Death Camp in German-Occupied Poland.

Ebert's Mother Nina, younger Brother Bela, and younger Sister Berta were immediately sent to the Gas Chambers, while Ebert and her two other Sisters, Renee and Piri, were selected for work in the Camp.

Four months after arriving in Auschwitz, Ebert and her two Sisters were transferred to a Munitions Factory near Leipzig, Germany where they worked until being liberated by Allied Forces in 1945.

After she was liberated, Ebert travelled with her surviving Sisters to Switzerland in order to start rebuilding their life. In 1953 Ebert was reunited with her other Brother, who had also survived the Nazi Camps.

The Family emigrated to Israel where she married and had three Children, before settling in London in 1967. 

Ebert had 10 Grandchildren and 36 Great-Grandchildren.

In 2021 wrote a Memoir called “Lilly’s Promise” with a Forward from King Charles III (then Prince Charles.)

With over 2 million followers on TikTok, Ebert used the Platform for Holocaust Education and sharing her experience, with the help of her Great-Grandson Dov Forman (@dovforman.)

In April 2022, Ebert was awarded the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Merit of Hungary, one of Hungary's highest National Honors, by Ambassador Ferenc Kumin of Hungary to the United Kingdom, on behalf of the President and the Hungarian Government.

In 2023, Ebert was awarded her MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, which is given for outstanding achievement or service to the community that is exceptional and has a long-term impact, serving as an example to others.

Lily Ebert died on October 9, 2024 in London, England.

Christmas Markets Dates

 European Christmas Markets Dates 2024

Vienna, Austria - Nov 16 to Dec 24

Strasbourg, France - Nov 27 to Dec 30

Prague, Czech Republic - 30 Nov to Jan 6

Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt), Germany - Nov 25 to Dec 31

Cologne, Germany - Nov 18 to Dec 23

Copenhagen, Denmark (Tivoli Gardens) - Nov 17 to Jan 1

Brussels, Belgium (Winter Wonders) - Nov 29 to Jan 5

Budapest, Hungary - Nov 17 to Jan 1

Munich, Germany - Nov 27 to Dec 24

Tallinn, Estonia - Nov 21 to Dec 26

Krakow, Poland - Nov 29 to Dec 26

Dresden, Germany (Striezelmarkt) - Nov 27 to Dec 24

Stockholm, Sweden (Skansen) - Nov 30 to Dec 23

London, UK (Hyde Park) - Nov 21 to Jan 5

Edinburgh, Scotland - Nov 17 to Jan 5

Zurich, Switzerland - Nov 23 to Dec 24

Gothenburg, Sweden (Liseberg) - Nov 17 to Dec 23

Helsinki, Finland - Dec 1 to Dec 22

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - Nov 23 to Dec 24

Bruges, Belgium - Nov 24 to Jan 1

Riga, Latvia - Dec 1 to Jan 6

Amsterdam - Nov 15 - 5th Jan. 5

^ I will be going to the Christmas Markets in Dortmund and possibly Cologne, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt this year. ^

Trump-Putin Ties

From the Moscow Times:

“Trump Secretly Sent Putin Rare Covid Tests at Pandemic's Height, Book Reveals – WP”

Ex-U.S. President Donald Trump secretly sent Covid-19 tests to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid a domestic shortage at the height of the pandemic in 2020, The Washington Post reported Tuesday, citing its associate editor Bob Woodward’s upcoming book. Putin, a known germophobe who was widely said to have taken extra precautionary measures including extended self-isolation during the pandemic, reportedly accepted Trump’s tests but urged him to avoid going public about them.  “I don’t want you to tell anybody because people will get mad at you, not me,” Putin was quoted as saying to Trump at the time.

Woodward’s “War,” an account of the Biden administration’s management of the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars which comes out next Tuesday, does not cite the source for the story.

The Kremlin has not commented on the report in the book, while Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign spokesman said “None of these made-up stories by Bob Woodward are true” and argued his book should be “used as toilet tissue.” “War” cites an unnamed Trump aide saying that he may have spoken to Putin as many as seven times since leaving the presidency in 2021.

One of the latest Trump-Putin talks may have taken place at his Mar-a-Lago residence in early 2024, suggesting the personal relationship between the two men appears to have persisted long after Trump left office. Trump’s continuing influence on the Republican Party had also slowed legislative votes on sending U.S. military aid packages to Ukraine, the book reportedly said. Senior Republicans were able to convince Trump that softening his stance would help the party win seats and him the presidency in November.

Elsewhere in the book, Woodward reports that a “human source inside the Kremlin” alongside other American spies had helped U.S. intelligence gain “remarkable insight” into Russia’s plans to invade Ukraine in 2022.

^ I do not know if this actually happened, but it sounds plausible. Trump has repeatedly shown he is influenced by Putin and he (Trump) clearly didn't care that hundreds of Americans were dying of Covid every day. ^

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/10/08/trump-secretly-sent-putin-rare-covid-tests-at-pandemics-height-book-reveals-wp-a86615

81: Chevy Chase

 

Russia's Crimes

This is what Russia does to Ukrainian Cities.

Military Holiday Shipping

From the USPS:

“2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Military Mail”

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs™ 090-092

USPS Ground Advantage® Service: Nov. 4

First-Class Mail® Service: Dec. 9

Priority Mail® Service:    Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS):  Dec. 16

               

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 093         

USPS Ground Advantage® Service:     Nov. 4

First-Class Mail® Service:  Dec. 9

Priority Mail® Service:    Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS):  N/A

 

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 094-099

USPS Ground Advantage® Service:  Nov. 4

First-Class Mail® Service:   Dec. 9

Priority Mail® Service:    Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS):  Dec. 9

 

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 340

USPS Ground Advantage® Service:   Nov. 4

First-Class Mail® Service:  Dec. 9

Priority Mail® Service:    Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS):  Dec. 16

 

APO/FPO/DPO AE ZIPs 962-966

USPS Ground Advantage® Service:  Nov. 4

First-Class Mail® Service:  Dec. 9

Priority Mail® Service:    Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express Military® Service (PMEMS):  Dec. 16

https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm?os=app&ref=app

Holiday Shipping

From the USPS:

“Holiday Shipping Deadlines”

If you're shipping holiday cards and gifts for Hanukkah (Dec. 25–Jan. 2), Christmas (Dec. 25), Kwanzaa (Dec. 26–Jan. 1), or other holiday traditions, find the USPS® recommended domestic, international, and military deadlines in these tables. The earlier you send, the better: Don’t delay, mail and ship today! Check recommended shipping dates below.

 

2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Contiguous U.S. (Lower 48 States)

 

Domestic Mail Class/Product  (excluding Alaska & Hawaii)

USPS Ground Advantage® Service:  Dec. 18

First-Class Mail® Service:                Dec. 18

Priority Mail® Service:    Dec. 19

Priority Mail Express® Service 2:                Dec. 21

 

2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii

 

 USPS Ground Advantage® Service:       Dec. 18

First-Class Mail® Service   Dec. 18

Priority Mail® Service:   Dec. 19

Priority Mail Express® Service:          Dec. 21

 

2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for Alaska & Hawaii

 

Alaska

USPS Ground Advantage® Service:           Dec 16

First-Class Mail® Service :      Dec. 18

Priority Mail® Service:    Dec. 19

Priority Mail Express® Service:   Dec. 20

 

Hawaii

USPS Ground Advantage® Service:           Dec. 16

First-Class Mail® Service :        Dec. 18

Priority Mail® Service:      Dec. 19

Priority Mail Express® Service:   Dec. 20

 

2024 Holiday Shipping Dates for International Mail

 

Africa   

First-Class Package International Service®:   Dec. 2            

Priority Mail International® Service: Dec 2

Priority Mail Express International® Service: Dec. 9

 

Asia/Pacific Rim

First-Class Package International Service®:  Dec. 9

Priority Mail International® Service:         Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express International® Service:  Dec. 16

 

Australia/New Zealand

First-Class Package International Service®:   Dec. 9            

Priority Mail International® Service:  Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express International® Service:   Dec. 16

 

Canada

First-Class Package International Service®:  Dec. 9             

Priority Mail International® Service:         Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express International® Service:  Dec. 16

 

Caribbean          

First-Class Package International Service®:  Dec. 9

Priority Mail International® Service:         Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express International® Service:   Dec. 9

 

Central & South America             

First-Class Package International Service®:  Dec. 2

Priority Mail International® Service:         Dec. 2

Priority Mail Express International® Service:  Dec. 9

 

Europe

First-Class Package International Service®:    Dec. 9

Priority Mail International® Service:         Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express International® Service:   Dec. 16

 

Mexico

First-Class Package International Service®:  Dec. 9

Priority Mail International® Service:  Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express International® Service:   Dec. 16

 

Middle East       

First-Class Package International Service®:            Dec. 9

Priority Mail International® Service:         Dec. 9

Priority Mail Express International® Service:   Dec. 16

https://www.usps.com/holiday/holiday-shipping-dates.htm?os=app&ref=app

1: Bring Them Home

 

Fake Storm Stories

From the BBC:

“Misinformation swirls around hurricane response effort”

In the week since Hurricane Helene caused devastation in parts of the US - in the middle of the election campaign - misinformation about the government’s response has been spreading on social media. Many of the hurricane victims are in swing states, including North Carolina and Georgia, and Republican Donald Trump has been highly critical of how the Biden-Harris administration has handled the disaster. But the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) has disputed a number of his claims. As Fema prepares for Hurricane Milton, it has described misinformation about its response as "extremely damaging" and believes this has discouraged some survivors from seeking help. BBC Verify has been looking at the claims made by Trump and other senior Republicans.

Has government money for hurricane victims been spent on migrants? At multiple campaign events since the hurricane struck, Trump and his allies have claimed that government money earmarked for disaster victims has been spent on migrants who crossed illegally into the US. “Kamala spent all her Fema money—billions of dollars—on housing for illegal migrants", Trump said in Michigan last week. Trump's claim that Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, has spent “all her Fema money” on housing these people is false. Fema, a US government agency, has a Disaster Relief Fund (worth more than $20bn for the last financial year) which is ring-fenced to spend on responding to hurricanes and other natural disasters. Fema also has a dedicated budget from Congress to be spent on food, shelter, transportation, and other support services for immigrants released from Department of Homeland Security (DHS) custody. This budget amounts to around one billion dollars over the last two financial years - not the “billions” Trump claims. So, these are two separate pots of money - administered by the agency - which Trump appears to be conflating. Fema, which has now set up a fact-checking page on its website, called Trump's claim "false" saying, "no money is being diverted from disaster response needs". In 2019, while Trump was President, money was diverted from Fema's Disaster Relief Fund - around $38m - to give to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The focus on Fema's current funding comes after the Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas - who oversees the agency - warned that it was running low on funds for the rest of the hurricane season. But Fema says it has “enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs”.

Are hurricane victims only getting $750? Donald Trump and JD Vance have repeatedly highlighted a $750 payment from Fema to hurricane victims, often contrasting it with the money the US government spends on Ukraine or on illegal migrants. “They promised $750 to American citizens who have lost everything,” Vance said at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday. It is true that the victims are getting $750 but some context is needed. This is just one type of assistance provided by Fema. The $750 is what people can get as an upfront payment to help cover the costs of food, water, medication, and other emergency supplies. Following this initial payment, disaster victims may receive additional funds following a Fema assessment. This can go towards repairing damage to homes and personal property, and to help find a temporary place to stay. So far, Fema has said that more than $45m has been given to communities affected by Hurricane Helene - this includes upfront payments and money to support housing needs.

Did Biden call the Governor of Georgia? When the hurricane first hit, Trump claimed that the governor of Georgia hadn’t spoken to President Biden following the state being badly affected. “He has been calling the president, hasn't been able to get him,” Trump said at a news conference in Georgia on the afternoon of 30 September. But earlier that day, Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp - a Republican - said in an interview: “The president just called me yesterday afternoon, I missed him and called him right back, and he just said ‘hey what do you need?’ and I told him we’ve got what we need, we’re working through the federal process.” “He offered if there’s other things we need to call him directly, which I appreciate,” he added.

Were any helicopters sent to help victims? Trump said at the Butler rally that “Kamala wined and dined in San Francisco, and all of the people in North Carolina — no helicopters, no rescue — it’s just — what’s happened there is very bad.” This is false. By the time Trump made this remark on 5 October, the North Carolina National Guard, which is under the dual command of federal and state governments, had already posted on X that its “air assets have completed 146 flight missions, resulting in the rescue of 538 people and 150 pets”. The post, published on 3 October, featured a video of a National Guard helicopter. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety's website says that President Biden approved the state governor’s request for military personnel and equipment to support rescue operations in North Carolina. The National Guard and military personnel “are operating 50 helicopters” as part of search and rescue missions, and are also helping to deliver critical supplies in the state, the Department said.

^ Anyone with basic Common Sense can see (through actions, video clips, etc.) that 99% of what comes out of the Orange Hair Man's Mouth is not true.

Even when caught in his own lies with videos of him speaking he denies it and his Supporters blindly follow him - after drinking years of his Kool-Aid.

He can't act as though he cares about FEMA or helping people affected by Hurricanes.

We all saw how he personally and poorly handled Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017 or how he moved $38 Million Dollars from FEMA in 2019 and gave it to ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement.)

He just likes to say and do things that make no sense and most often harm Ordinary Americans all so he can scare them into getting their vote and sadly they do.

I am not Anti-Republican. I voted for my State’s Republican Governor in 2016, 2018, 2020 and 2022 and would again if he was running.

Before that I voted for my State’s Democratic Governor in 2009. So, I’m not Anti-Democrat either.

I am Anti-Politicians (of any Party) who do and say anything – even knowing what they are saying is not true – just to get a soundbite or to scare People into a Mob Mentality.

People (Politician or Ordinary Person) who continue to spread these fake stories are just as guilty for the harm caused by them as the one who started them.

In times of a Natural Disaster Politicians should be focused on helping the Victims survive and recover rather than continuing to push their fake stories to simply scare people.”

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czd1q9q9gl9o

Koda's Mission: Winter

From Koda’s Mission:

“Winter Preparations”

Winter is coming...

...we left our old shelter when the last winter was over, since then we achieved a lot with your support! And now we need it again for one last time this year, we have about 75 dogs and 8 goats right now, the numbers will most likely increase. They had a beautiful hot summer here at our new shelter in Oleksandrija. Sadly there is not enough time to build them big kennels, made out of bricks and concete but thats a big point on our To Do-List for the next year! This year we will have to build them houses made out of wood, they will be isolated and last for years. We count with 25 at the moment each will be about 1m x2m big and will cost about 100€. The other 2000€ will be used to build a little stable for the goats, if there is money left we will have to buy a lot of straw to keep the dogs and the goats warm.

Thank you for your support and please share this fundraiser to help us achieve the goal before the winter will start!

Furry greetings from Ukraine!

^ They work so hard to help animals in war-torn Ukraine.

Please donate and share the following link:

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?campaign_id=CZS9GXYVS9X2Q&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAab4mZT6cnTaymVXxaD7tYJoPJtBWZfnpfo624zGb93zWQ5mdWEhUDqVIUE_aem_kgDRbzrilesAIUHovKZtEA

^

Broom Texting

 

Popular Guest

 

Birthday Defeat

Today (October 7th) is Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 72^nd  Birthday. The best thing I can wish him and his country today is a defeat in Ukraine.

1: Attacks

Today (October 7, 2024) is the 1 year Anniversary of the Hamas Terrorist Attack on Israel and Israel’s War in Gaza.

On October 7, 2023 3,000 Hamas and other Palestinian Terrorists entered Israel (the first invasion of Israelis Territory since the 1948 War for Independence.)

During the October 7^th Attack the Hamas Terrorists killed 1,139 people in their homes, at a Concert, etc. 695 Israeli Civilians (including 36 Children), 71 Foreign Nationals, and 373 members of the Israeli Security Forces were murdered.

The Hamas Terrorists raped many of the Victims (alive and dead) in Israel.

The Hamas Terrorists took 250 Israeli and Foreign – including Americans - Civilians and Soldiers hostage to the Gaza Strip, including 30 Children.

The Hamas Terrorists raped many of the Hostages held in Gaza and kept/is keeping them in crowded, dirty conditions where they aren’t allowed to speak, have no electricity, get little food, are branded in case they try to escape, etc.

In response to the Hamas Terrorist Attacks Israel invaded Gaza fighting the Terrorists street-by-street, house-by-house, tunnel-by-tunnel. Beforehand Israel told the Palestinian Civilians to evacuate to certain areas.

Casualties:

802 Israeli Soldiers have been killed in the War.

1,706 Israeli Civilians have been killed in the War.

13,572 Israelis have been wounded in the War.

41,431 Palestinians (Terrorists and Civilians) in Gaza have been killed in the War.

2,023 Lebanese (Terrorists and Civilians) in Lebanon have been killed in the War.

361 Syrian (Terrorists and Civilians) in Syria have been killed in the War.

500,000 Israeli Civilians have been displaced because of the War.

101 Hostages (Israeli, American, etc.) are still being held Hostage in Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023 Israel has been attacked from the north, the south, the east and the west  - from the air, the sea and the land - by over 20,000 Missiles from Hamas, Iran, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, Hezbollah, the Houthis, etc.

Hamas is designated as a Terrorist Organization by a number of States and Regional Blocs, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia and the European Union.

Russia officially supports Hamas as does Iran and many other States, Regional Blocs and other Terrorist Groups.

Attacks on Jews (not just Israelis) have risen 350% around the World especially in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, China, Cyprus, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Spain, Poland and Russia because of Anti-Semitic People being allowed to spread their hate and violence.

The death and violence will only stop when Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthi, Iran, Russia and all the Terrorist Groups and Countries stop their killing and violence against Israel and the Jewish People.

I stood with Israel on October 7, 2023 and I stand with Israel now!

I stood with the Jews on October 7, 2023 and I stand with the Jews now!