91: Julie Andrews

 

The Best

 (Konoba Vinica Monkovic Tavern outside of Dubrovnik. Croatia.)

The best Pizza I’ve ever had wasn’t when I was in Venice, Italy (it was actually the worst Pizza I’ve ever had) or even in New York City.

It was when I was at a place off the main road in a very small town near Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness in Scotland.

The best Cuban Sandwich I’ve ever had wasn’t when I was in Tampa or in Little Havana in Miami, Florida.

It was when I was at Boston’s Logan Airport waiting to fly to Iceland.

The best Shish-Kabab I’ve ever had wasn’t made by Turks when I was in Germany.

It was at a small Dacha outside of Yaroslavl, Russia in the dead of Winter.

The best Hamburger I’ve ever had wasn’t at a McDonald’s.

It was at a small Family-run Tavern outside of Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Sometimes, you have to go off-the-beaten-path to find the good things in life (food or otherwise.)

Maltese Siege

The Siege of Malta

(A heavily bomb-damaged Kingsway Street in Valletta, Malta. Service personnel and civilians are present clearing up the debris.)

Malta was a British Crown Colony from 1813 until 1964.

Malta is a group of Islands (the Islands of Malta, Comino and Gozo) that are 57 miles from Sicily and 309 miles from Tunisia in the Mediterranean Sea.

On September 3, 1939 Malta automatically declared War on Nazi Germany when the United Kingdom declared War.

In 1939 Malta had a Population of 270,000 People.

Malta was the only Allied Military Base between Gibraltar and Alexandria, Egypt (after the Fall of France in June 1940.)

Malta was an Important Radar Base for the British and the Americans during the War as it could cover all of Italy, all of French Vichy Africa and all of German-Occupied Balkans.

On June 10, 1940 Italy declared War on Malta (technically on the United Kingdom.)

That meant that from June 1940 Malta was sandwiched between Fascist Italy (57 miles away) and French Vichy Tunisia (309 miles away) both Collaborating with and supported by Nazi Germany.

On June 11, 1940 the first Air Raids started on Malta.

For the next 2 years, 5 months, 1 week and 2 days (until November 20, 1942 Malta was the most heavily bombed Territory of World War 2 with regard to size.

The Italians and the Germans regularly bombed Malta over that time period as well as any Allied Ships trying to bring fuel, military supplies and food to the Island.

The goal of the Axis Powers was to starve Malta into surrendering to them.

On April 15, 1942 British King George VI awarded the George Cross to the People of Malta for their Bravery under Attack.

The Malta Convoys were Allied Ships from the United Kingdom and, after December 1941, the United States to bring Military Equipment, Medical Supplies, Fuel and Food to Malta through the dangerous Axis-Controlled Mediterranean.

The Largest Malta Convoy was called Operation Pedestal in August 1942 in which the British and Americans used 4 Aircraft Carriers, 2 Battleships, 7 Light Cruisers, 32 Destroyers, 4 Corvettes, 4 Minesweepers, 11 Submarines, 7 Motor Launches, 14 Merchant Ships, 2 Fleet Oilers, 74 Fighter’s and 28 Torpedo Bombers to bring Essential Supplies and Military Equipment including Oil to the Island.

The Germans and Italians destroyed or sunk: 1 Aircraft Carrier sunk, 2 Light Cruisers sunk,1 Destroyer sunk,9 Merchant Ships sunk ,1 Aircraft Carrier damaged, 2 Light Cruisers damaged, 3 Merchant Ships damaged, 34 Aircraft destroyed and 550 Allied Soldiers and Airmen killed.

Despite the heavy loses Operation Pedestal was a Strategic Victory for the Allies as 29,000 tons of General Cargo, together with Gas, Oil, Kerosene and Diesel Fuel was delivered (and unloaded by Maltese Civilians during a German Air Raid) was enough to give Malta ten weeks' supply of Food and Military Equipment.

If Operation Pedestal had failed Malta would have had to surrender to the Germans and the Italians

There were a total of 3,343 Italian and German Air Raids on Malta during World War 2.

The Maltese spent a total of 2,357 hours (equivalent to 98 days) in Air Raid Shelters.

The Axis dropped 15,000 tons of Bombs on Malta.

The Germans and Italians created Operation Herkules (German: Unternehmen Herkules; Italian: Operazione C3) to invade and occupy Malta.

1,581 Maltese Civilians were killed.

3,780 Maltese Civilians were wounded.

50,000 Maltese Civilians were made homeless.

7,500 Allied (British, Maltese, South African, Canadian, Australian and New Zealander) Soldiers were killed defending Malta.

111 Churches and 50 Hospitals were destroyed.

The Siege of Malta was only lifted after the Germans lost the November 1942 the Second Battle of El Alamein in Egypt and the Allies (Americans and British) landed Forces in Vichy French Morocco and Vichy French Algeria in Operation Torch also in November 1942.

In 1943 the Americans and British planned the Invasion of Sicily from Malta.

Note 1: The George Cross, awarded by the British King George VI in 1942 remained on the Maltese Flag even when it became an Independent Country in 1964 (with Elizabeth II being the Queen of Malta from 1964-1974) and when Malta became a Republic in 1974.

Note 2: I learned all about Malta and its Role in World War 2 when I was researching to give a presentation to my Middle School Class in Darmstadt, Germany when I was 14 years old. We were deciding where to go for Spring Break and everyone liked my presentation and voted to go to Malta so we did.

86: Battle Of Britain

 

Today (September 15th) is the 86th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

It remembers how on September 15, 1940 the largest German Air Attack occurred over Great Britain during World War 2.

The Germans launched the Battle of Britain July 10-October 31, 1940 to try and weaken British Defenses before a possible German Invasion of the mainland of the UK could take place (the Germans already occupied the British Channel Islands in June 1940.)

On September 15, 1940 1,500 German planes bombed London with 630 British and Allied Aircraft defending against them.

The British won the day thanks to the Airmen in the air and the vast Air Defense System known as the Dowding System on the ground – with thousands of Men and Women.

The Germans moved away from the Battle of Britain and trying to invade the UK to the Blitz and just trying to kill as many British Men, Women and Children they could.

During the Battle of Britain 1,542 British, Free Poles, Free French, New Zealanders, Canadians, Free Czechoslovaks, Free Belgians, Australians, South Africans, and Americans were killed and another 422 were wounded.

During the Battle of Britain 23,002 British Men, Women and Children were killed and another 32,138 were wounded.

The Blitz lasted from September 7, 1940-May 11, 1941.

During the Blitz 43,000 British Men, Women and Children were killed and another 139,000 were injured.

Note: America was Neutral from September 1, 1939-December 7, 1941 so didn’t actively participate in the Battle of Britain or the Blitz (only American Volunteers did.)

The 1969 British Film “Battle of Britain” with Michael Caine, Laurence Oliver, Christopher Plummer Susannah York, Trevor Howard and more depicts the events of the Battle of Britain.

 

Nicholas Winton

Nicholas Winton

(Nicholas Winton and Hansi Neumann at the Prague Airport in Czechoslovakia in January 1939 before flying to London, England and Nicholas Winton later in life.)

Nicholas Winton was born Nicolas George Wertheim on May 19, 1909 in London, the United Kingdom.

His Parents. Rudolph Wertheim and Barbara (née Wertheimer) were Jews from Germany who moved to the United Kingdom in 1907, converted to Christianity and changed their Last Name to Winton in order to integrate better into British Society.

His Mother was the Sister of the Psychiatrists Fredric Wertham and Ida Macalpine.

Nicolas was the middle of three Children.

He volunteered at the Midland Bank while taking Night Courses.

He then went to Hamburg, where he worked at the Behrens Bank and then the Wasserman Bank in Berlin.

In 1931, he moved to France and worked for the Banque Nationale de Crédit in Paris.

He also earned a Banking Qualification in France.

Nicolas then went back to London and became a Broker at the London Stock Exchange.

Right before Christmas 1938 he had planned to go on a Ski Trip to Switzerland, but instead went to Prague, Czechoslovakia (Present day: Prague, the Czech Republic) to help a Friend, Martin Blake, at the British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia.

The British Committee for Refugees from Czechoslovakia was created in September 1938 to help Refugees fleeing Nazi Germany and the Areas it Occupied like Austria (in March 1938 and the Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia in October 1938.)

After Kristallnacht (the Night of Broken Glass) in November 1938 where the Germans murdered 2,000 Jews, arrested 30,000 Jewish Men and destroyed 1,400 Synogauges and 7,000 Jewish Businesses across Germany and Austria the British House of Commons approved a Measure to allow Refugees younger than 17 years old into the United Kingdom provided they each had a Warranty of £50 (equivalent to £2,910 in 2026) and a place to stay in the UK.

Nicholas spent three weeks in Prague helping the Refugees and left in January 1939.

In March 1939 the Germans occupied all of Czechoslovakia including Prague.

Nicholas and a Group of other Hard Working British, American, Canadian and Czechoslovakian Men and Women worked to help get Jewish Boys and Girls out of Nazi Germany and German-Occupied Austria and German-Occupied Czechoslovakia.

Nicolas worked back in London to raise the Funds needed for each Child, to get each Child a place to stay and to get the British Government’s Immigration Permission for each Child.

669 Jewish Boys and Girls were able to escape the Nazis thanks to Nicolas’ help.

A last train of Children were supposed to leave Prague for the UK on September 1, 1939 but it was stopped because of Germany’s Invasion of Poland and the British declaration of War on Germany.

Of the 250 Children that were supposed to be on that train only 2 survived the Holocaust.

After War was declared Nicolas registered as a Conscientious Objector working as an Air Raid Precautions Section Worker and at a British Red Cross Ambulance Unit.

In1940 he rescinded his Conscientious Objector Status and joined the Royal Air Force.

By February 1945 he was promoted to the War Substantive Rank of Flying Officer.

In May 1954 he left the Royal Air Force with the Honorary Rank of Flight Lieutenant.

Following World War 2, Nicolas worked for the International Refugee Organization and then the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Paris.

In Paris he met  Grete Gjelstrup, a Danish Secretary.

They married in her Hometown of Vejle, Denmark on October 31, 1948.

They had 2 Sons (Nicholas Jr. and Robin) and a Daughter Barbara.)

Robin had Down’s Syndrome and instead of being sent to an Institution as was common at the time Nicholas and his Wife raised Robin at home.

Robin died of Meningitis the day before his 6^th Birthday.

In the 1983 Birthday Honours, Nicholas was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for "services to the community in Maidenhead, Berkshire,”

The World did not know about Nicholas’ work saving the 669 Children until February 1988 when he appeared on the British Television Show “That’s Life.”

He was awarded the Order of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, Fourth Class, by the Czech President Václav Havel in 1998.

In the 2003 New Year Honours, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for "services to humanity, in saving Jewish Children from Nazi-Occupied Czechoslovakia, 1938–39.”

In 2003, he also received the Pride of Britain Award for Lifetime Achievement.

In 2008 he was awarded the Cross of Merit of the Minister of Defense, Grade I by the Czech Government.

In 2009 a  statue of Nicholas was unveiled on Platform 1 of the Praha hlavní nádraží Railway Station in Prague.

In 2010, Nicholas was named a British Hero of the Holocaust by the British Government.

In 2013 he received the Wallenberg Medal.

In 2014, a book entitled “If it's Not Impossible... The Life of Sir Nicholas Winton’, written by his Daughter Barbara Winton, was published.

In October 2014, Nicholas was awarded the Order of the White Lion (Class I) by Czech President Miloš Zeman, the Czech Defense Ministry having sent a special Aircraft to bring him to Prague.

In February 2015 he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London.

Nicholas Winton died in his sleep from Cardiac Arrest on the morning of July 1, 2015 at the Wexham Park Hospital in Slough, England.

He was 106 years old.

On May 19, 2016, a Memorial Service for Nicholas was held at London's Guildhall, attended by 400 People, including 28 of those he saved, and Czech, Slovak and UK Government Representatives.

In 2024, the Movie “One Life” was made about Nicholas Winton’s saving the 669 Children.

Johnny Flynn played Young Nicholas and Anthony Hopkins played the Older Nicholas.

 

4: Queen Elizabeth

 

Queen Elizabeth 2 died 4 years ago today.

1982 Vs 2026

 

The Falklands War (Spanish: Guerra de las Malvinas) was a 10 week War fought between the United Kingdom and Argentina from April 2-June 14, 1982.

The Falkland Islands had been a British Territory for 149 years when Argentina decided to invade and occupy the Islands in 1982.

At the time Argentina was ruled by a brutal Military Junta (the National Reorganization Process) since 1976.

There were 60 British Soldiers on the Falkland Islands when the Argentinians invaded in 1982 with 10,000 Soldiers.

During the Argentinian Occupation of the Falkland Islands forced the 1,810 British Civilians living on the Falkland Islands to:

Use Spanish instead of English

Call their Capital Puerto Argentino instead of Port Stanley

Drive on the Right-Hand Side instead of the Left-Hand Side

Turn in their Radios and Cameras

Carry Argentinian Identification Papers in Spanish

Use the Argentine Peso instead of the Falkland Islands Pound

Be inside during the Curfew

After 74 days of Occupation the Falkland Islands were liberated by the British.

Casualties:

255 British Soldiers were killed and another 777 were injured.

3 Falkland Islander Civilians were killed.

649 Argentinian Soldiers were killed and another 1,188 were wounded.

Aftermath of the War:

The Military Junta in Argentina collapsed because of its defeat in the Falkland Islands War in 1983.

The Falkland Islanders received  full British Citizenship in 1983.

The Falkland Islands was made into “Fortress Falklands” (including a large Base RAF Mount Pleasant) with a huge British Military build-up so another Invasion and Occupation couldn’t happen again.

In September 2026 Argentinian President Javier Milei stated that he wants to retake the Falkland Islands

 

Britain vs Argentina: 2026 Military Power Comparison:

BRITAIN

• 2 Aircraft Carriers (HMS Queen Elizabeth & Prince of Wales)

• 9 Nuclear Submarines

• 120+ Typhoons & F-35B Stealth Fighters

• 52 Royal Navy Surface Vessels

• 500+ Fixed-Wing Aircraft & 240+ Helicopters

• 4,000+ Combat Vehicles

• Continuous At-Sea Nuclear Deterrent

• Full Global Logistics, Intelligence & Refueling Reach 

 

ARGENTINA

• 0 Aircraft Carriers

• 0 Nuclear Submarines

• 24 F-16s (currently being introduced from Denmark)

• Limited air-to-air refueling capability

• 0 Nuclear Weapon

 

It would be stupid for Argentina to try and invade and occupy the Falkland Islands now or in the future since the United Kingdom has a lot more Military Presence there now then they did in 1982,

Falklands Change

From Explore GB’s Facebook Post:

Argentina couldn’t retake the Falklands today if it tried.

Zero active subs, an aging fleet, and zero air-refueling capability to get their newly acquired F-16s to the islands and back.

Meanwhile, Britain has 1,500 troops, Sky Sabre air defence, and 4 Typhoons on Quick Reaction Alert at Mount Pleasant.

It’s not 1982 anymore, the UK built an unsinkable fortress, and Argentina lacks the power projection to even approach it.

Despite suggesting the US might withhold support, the UK requires zero American assistance to defend the Falkland Islands

V-J Day

 

85: Star of David

85 years ago today (September 1, 1941) the Germans required Jews in Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia  to wear a Yellow Star of David with the German Word “Jude” for “Jew.”

(A Jewish Girl in German-Occupied Croatia forced to wear a Star of David with the Ž for “Židov”, English: “Jew” on it.)

Every Man, Woman and Child over the age of 6 had to buy these Badges (using their own Clothing Ration Coupons) and have them clearly visible on their outer clothing (including a coat) so that they could easily be identified and discriminated against for being Jewish.

When Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939 they required Jews there to wear a White Armband with a Blue Star of David for the same purpose.

(Jewish People in German-Occupied Belgium forced to wear the Star of David with the J (for "Jude" in German, "Juif" in French and "Jood" in Dutch.)

Parts of Poland had different Badges. In German-Occupied Warsaw Jews had to wear the Armband and in German-Occupied Lodz Jews had to wear the Yellow Star (because that part of Poland was illegally annexed into Germany.)

(A Jewish Man in German-Occupied Poland forced to wear the Star of David Armband.)

In every European and North African Country/Territory that Germany occupied during World War 2 the Jews there had to wear similar Identifying Badges with the local name for “Jew” on it (French: “Juif”, Dutch: “Jood”, Croatian: Ž for “Židov”, English: “Jew” for the British Channel Islands which Germany occupied, etc.)

Failure to not wear the Armband or the Star or to “hide it” and not have it clearly visible resulted in instant death.

This requirement was on top of every Jewish Man, Woman and Child having to carry an Identity Card with a large “J” on it – since 1938 in Germany and every German Jewish Man, Woman and Child having to add either “Israel” for Men or “Sara” for Women to their Names to be “more easily recognizable as Jews” – since 1936.

The Germans wanted to first identity the Jews and then to murder them.

Tim Curry

From the BBC:

“Rocky Horror star Tim Curry dies at 80”

English actor Tim Curry, best known for playing the outlandish Frank-N-Furter in film musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show, has died at the age of 80. Curry first played the role on stage before the film version, which was released in 1975 and has remained a cult favourite. The actor also played fearsome clown Pennywise in the 1990 TV version of Stephen King's It, and was Long John Silver in 1996's Muppet Treasure Island. His other films included Annie, The Hunt for Red October and Home Alone 2, and he was nominated for three Tony Awards on Broadway.

Born in Cheshire in 1946, Curry's first acting job after university was in the original London production of groundbreaking rock musical Hair in 1968. In 1973, a fellow cast member, Richard O'Brien, asked Curry to audition for his new musical, and cast him in the role of the flamboyant lingerie-clad "sweet transvestite" Dr Frank-N-Furter. Curry first put his stamp on the character of the riotous scientist on stage in the upstairs theatre at London's Royal Court in 1973. The show's popularity snowballed and resulted in a big-screen adaptation, which also starred Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick and O'Brien. It was not an immediate hit at cinemas but became a fan favourite and holds the record for the longest-running theatrical release in film history.

Curry's varied career also saw him appear on screen in 1982 musical film Annie as Miss Hannigan's con-artist brother, 1985 murder mystery Clue, fantasy Legend alongside Tom Cruise also in 1985, and 1995 gorilla thriller Congo. In 2012, Curry had a major stroke and had to use a wheelchair. He concentrated on voice acting and continued to appear at film conventions. He published his memoir, titled Vagabond, last year. Grand Central Publishing said: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tim Curry, a singular talent whose extraordinary career left an indelible mark on generations of audiences. "We are honored to have published his work and grateful for the stories, imagination, and joy he shared with readers. "Our hearts are with his loved ones and countless fans around the world."

The Los Angeles Police Department told BBC News officers had responded to a death investigation for an 80-year-old man at 23:23 local time on Tuesday.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yd92gkk7vo

82: Auschwitz Photo

 

82 years ago today (August 25, 1944) an American Air Reconnaissance Plane flew over the Auschwitz Death Camp in German-Occupied Poland.

It took pictures of the Camp from 30,000 feet.

29 Photographs were taken in total.

This one shows Auschwitz 2 (Auschwitz Birkenau) the Death Camp.

This Picture shows the Women’s Camp; the Guard Towers; the Main Camp Gate; a Cattle Car with 33 Wagons; Four of the Gas Chambers with the Crematoria as well as a burning pit behind Gas Chamber 5 where bodies were burned; a Group of newly arrived Prisoners are also seen going to the Admission Building to be shaved, showered and tattooed with a Camp Number.

At the bottom of the picture you can also see Men, Women and Children who just arrived and are walking to their death at the Gas Chamber.

The US didn’t bomb the Auschwitz Death Camp or even the Train Tracks (or any Death Camps.)

The US, British and Soviet Governments knew about the Death Camps – especially by August 1944 when this Photograph was taken – but chose not to do anything to help the Victims.

1.1 Million Men, Women and Children were murdered at Auschwitz alone.

35: World

The World honors Ukraine's fight over Russia on Ukraine's 35th Independence Day today!

Pet Massacre

The British Pet Massacre

(British Pet Owners waiting in line to euthanize their healthy Pets between September 1939 and September 1940.)

The British Pet Massacre took place in the first days of September 1939, after the United Kingdom declared War on Nazi Germany and again during the first days of the Germans bombing British Cities in September 1940.

A Quarter of all the Cats and Dogs in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) were euthanized by their Owners for fear that they couldn’t feed them during Wartime or that they would be hurt or killed by a German Bomb.

400,000 Healthy Cats and Dogs were euthanized across the United Kingdom from September 3-7, 1939.

It was caused by War Panic.

A British Government Pamphlet was later created (after the fact) advising Pet Owners on Wartime Animal Care provided some encouragement for the killing, noting euthanasia an option for People unable to take their Pets with them when evacuating.

The National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee (NARPAC) was formed to decide what to do with Pets during Wartime.

The Committee was worried that when People evacuated, they might leave their Pets behind. In response to that fear, NARPAC published a Pamphlet titled "Advice to Animal Owners."

NARPAC's messaging was primarily focused on evacuation, suggesting moving Pets from the big Cities and into the Countryside; but a line at the end noted that "if you cannot place them in the care of Neighbours, it really is kindest to have them destroyed."

Many Veterinarian Groups such as the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) were against these drastic measures, but their Hospitals were still flooded with Pet Owners in the first few days of the War.

PDSA founder Maria Dickin reported: "Our technical officers called upon to perform this unhappy duty will never forget the tragedy of those days."

Hilda Kean wrote that lines for London Clinics stretched a half mile.

The event triggered a shortage of Chloroform and a waste management challenge.

(British Pamphlet about how to euthanize your Pets)

A Book about the British Pet Massacre was published in 2017.

It’s called “The Great Cat and Dog Massacre” and goes through the Initial War Panic that led Pet Owners to euthanize their healthy Cats and Dogs and the Grief of their decision after the fact.

When the Germans started to bomb London and other British Cities  - The Blitz - a year after the War began (in September 1940) more Pet Owners decided to euthanize their Dogs and Cats.

300,000 Cats and Dogs were euthanized at this time.

The Blitz lasted 8 months (September 7, 1940-May 16, 1941) and saw 43,000 British Civilians killed, 139,000 British Civilians wounded and 2 Million Houses destroyed.

Battersea Dogs Home, against the trend to euthanize healthy Cats and Dogs , managed to feed and care for 145,000 Dogs during the course of the War and provided a field in Ilford as a Pet Cemetery, where about 500,000 Animals were buried, many from the first week of the War.

In total 750,000 healthy Cats and Dogs were euthanized across the United Kingdom in September 1939 and September 1940.

The Number is much higher and doesn’t include the Pet Owners who euthanized their own Pets themselves.

After 1945 the British Pet Massacre was all but forgotten until the 2017 Book about it was published.

Black Ribbon

Black Ribbon Day

Today (August 23rd) is Black Ribbon Day. It is the day the European Union, Georgia, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States remembers the Men, Women and Children murdered by both the Nazis and the Communists. The date was chosen because it was when the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between the German Nazis and the Soviet Communists was signed in 1939.

The Nazis murdered 24,826,424 Men, Women and Children (Non-Military Civilians) from 1933-1945.

That number also includes those in Targeted Groups that the Nazis specifically went after:

 Jews:   6 Million Men, Women and Children;

Non-Jewish Polish Civilians: 3 Million Men, Women and Children

People with Disabilities: 270,000 Men, Women and Children (doesn’t include the 375,000 Disabled who were Forcibly Sterilized)

Roma and Sinti (Gypsies): 500,000- 1.5 Million Men, Women and Children

Jehovah's Witnesses:  5,000 Men, Women and Children

Homosexuals:  9,000 Men and Women in Concentration Camps (Doesn’t include the 50,000 Men and Women held in Regular Prisons)

 

 The Communists murdered 149,469,610 Men, Women and Children (Non-Military Civilians)  Worldwide since 1917 and the Communists in China, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos and North Korea continue murdering Innocent People.

We should also remember the Ukrainian Men, Women and Children being murdered by the Russian Nazi Zs since 2022.

I Swear

 

I just watched a British Movie on Netflix called “I Swear.”

It’s the true story of John Davidson who has Severe Tourette’s Syndrome.

John Davidson was born on June 1, 1971 in Galashiels, Selkirkshire, Scotland.

He started experiencing tics and other issues when he was 12 years old.

He regularly had issues in School including being whipped on his hand by a belt by the Headmaster for “acting out.”

John left School at 16 years old without any Qualifications.

Distraught and feeling abandoned by his School his Friends and his Family John tried to commit Suicide by walking into a river, but is saved.

He then worked as a Caretaker at Langlee Community Centre in Galashiels.

His Tourette’s causes him to have tics, Coprolalia, Echolalia, sudden and violent body movements, along with severe Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD.)

When he was 15 years old in 1989  a BBC Television Documentary was made about him, “John's Not Mad.”

The Documentary followed John around in his daily life and how his Family, his Friends, and Strangers interacted with him and his Tourette’s (which many had never experienced before.)

“John’s Not Here” was ranked one of the 50^th Best Documentaries in 2005.

After “Jonh’s Not Here” aired John became nationally known across the United Kingdom as “Ambassador for the condition - a Spokesman for this previously hidden Neurological Disorder, campaigning to educate people about it."

In 2002 another Documentary “The Boy Can't Help It” shows John at 30 years old.

In 2009, a third Documentary “Tourette’s: I Swear I Can't Help It” was made about the 27 year old John.

John has visited Schools, given talks and helped Police Officers and Others to learn how to support people with Tourette’s.

 In 2019, he was a Board Member of Tourette Scotland.

In the 2019 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to People with Tourette's Syndrome, in recognition of "his efforts to increase understanding of the condition and helping families deal with it across the country."

While being presented with the Award at Holyrood Palace, John unexpectedly swore at Queen Elizabeth II.

He said that the Queen, aware of his condition, responded with patience and understanding.

In 2025 the Movie “I Swear” came out about John’s life and his struggles with Tourette’s.

VJ Day

 

5: Fall

It has been Five Years since the Fall of Kabul (August 15, 2021.)

Here is a look at key dates since the Taliban returned to power four years ago, as United States and NATO forces withdrew from the country:

February 29, 2020  - President Trump negotatied and signed the United States–Taliban Deal which reduced America’s Influence in Afghanistan and allowed the Taliban to retake the country (when the US ended Economic Sancations against the Taliban.)

Aug. 15, 2021 — The Taliban march into Kabul as internationally backed President Ashraf Ghani flees the country.

Aug. 26, 2021 — Islamic State group suicide bombers and gunmen kill over 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. troops in an attack on the crowds trying to be evacuated at Kabul’s airport.

March 23, 2022 — On the day high schools are opening, the Taliban abruptly reverse a promise to allow girls above the sixth grade to attend school.

May 7, 2022 — The Taliban Virtue and Vice Ministry says Women in public must wear all-encompassing robes and cover their faces except for their eyes. It advises them to stay home unless they have important work outside the house.

June 22, 2022 — A powerful earthquake hits a remote region of eastern Afghanistan, killing more than 1,100 people. The Taliban struggle with rescue efforts, underscoring a lack of resources and a reliance on aid groups.

July 31, 2022 — The U.S. kills al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri in a drone strike on a safe house in Kabul. American officials accuse the Taliban of sheltering him.

Sept. 30, 2022 — A suicide bomber strikes an education center in a Shiite area of the capital, killing dozens of people, including teenagers taking university entrance exams.

Nov. 10, 2022 — A nationwide ban on Women using gyms and parks comes into force. The Taliban say they imposed the ban because women allegedly disobeyed gender segregation rules or didn’t cover themselves properly.

Nov. 20, 2022 — The Taliban lash 19 people, including alleged adulterers, in the first public flogging since their return to rule.

Dec. 8, 2022 — The Taliban execute a convicted killer before hundreds of spectators in the first public execution since the takeover.

Dec. 21, 2022 — The Taliban bar female students from attending university. Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bans female education.

Dec. 24, 2022 — The Taliban bar Afghan women from working with national and international nongovernmental groups.

July 4, 2023 — The Taliban order beauty salons to shut down for offering allegedly un-Islamic services like eyebrow shaping. The decision affects as many as 60,000 female entrepreneurs.

Sept. 13, 2023 — The Taliban hail China’s new ambassador with fanfare. Months later, the Taliban officially send their new ambassador to Beijing.

Oct. 4, 2023 — Pakistan announces a major crackdown on foreigners living in the country illegally, including 1.7 million Afghans. The Taliban, the U.N. and rights groups condemn the policy.

Oct. 7, 2023 — A 6.3 magnitude earthquake in western Herat province kills thousands of people. More quakes follow, bringing further devastation to the area.

Nov. 15, 2023 - FlyDubai becomes the first international carrier to resume flights to Kabul after a two-year hiatus. AirArabia and Turkish Airlines follow suit.

Jan. 4, 2024 — The Taliban arrest Women in Kabul for wearing “bad hijab,” the first official dress code crackdown since they returned to power.

Feb. 22, 2024 — The Taliban hold a double execution at a stadium in the country’s southeast while thousands of people watch.

March 2024 – The Taliban reinstate flogging and death by stoning for Women.

May 11, 2024 — Flash floods in Afghanistan’s north from unusually heavy seasonal rains kill more than 300 people.

May 17, 2024 — Shooters open fire in central Bamiyan province killing six people, including three Spanish holidaymakers. It’s a blow to the Taliban’s plans to woo tourists. IS claims the attack.

June 4, 2024 — The Taliban publicly flog at least 60 people, including more than a dozen women, accused of crimes such as sodomy, theft and immoral relations.

June 4, 2024 — The leader of the United Arab Emirates meets a Taliban official with a U.S. bounty on his head over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults. It highlights the growing divide on how to deal with the Taliban.

June 30, 2024 — The Taliban attend a U.N.-sponsored meeting in Qatar. Although it’s the third such gathering, it’s the first time the Taliban are attending. There’s backlash after Afghan women and civil society representatives are excluded.

July 30, 2024 — The Taliban say they no longer recognize Afghan diplomatic missions staffed by diplomats from the former Western-backed government.

August 2024 - New law barring women from raising voices in public

In December 2024 -  the Taliban's Health Ministry banned women from being trained in Nursing and Midwifery.

July 4, 2025 - Russia becomes the first Country to officially recognize the Taliban.

September 2025 - The Taliban bans books written by Women from Afghan universities.

May 2026 - The Taliban publishes Decree No.18, which writes into law rules that imply legal approval of child marriage, and in which a girl's silence is allowed to be interpreted as consent to marriage.

 

Five years on and life in Afghanistan remains horrible.

The Taliban continues to force Women out of Public Life.

Half of Afghan Women only leave the house once or twice a month due to the Taliban’s strict Laws on movement.

The Taliban forces Girls as young as 8 to marry Taliban Soldiers.

The Taliban kills Homosexuals.

The Taliban continues to hunt down and kill the thousands of Afghans who worked with the US, the UK and any other Western Country from 2001-2021.

The US and other Countries continues to little to nothing to help those Afghans who helped the Americans and other Westerners.

The Taliban hunts down non-Muslims (mostly Christians) and forces them to convert to Islam or be killed.

The Taliban hunts down Muslims of other Sects and forces them to convert to their Sect of Islam or be killed.

212,000 Afghan Men and Women who worked for the US Government in Afghanistan from 2001-2021 remain inside Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan still waiting for the United States to keep its promise to help them

They remain hidden under the threat of arrest and being murdered for working for us.

60,000 Afghan Men and Women who worked for the US Government in Afghanistan from 2001-2021 are in 90 different Countries still waiting for the United States to keept its promise to help them.

In November 2025 President Trump ended all Visa Processing and Admittance of Afghans into the US (including those that worked for the US Government) with no timeline to restart.

In 2025 Trump’s Govenrment has deported 402 Afghans back to Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan.

So far in 2026 Trump’s Govenrment has deported 104 Afghans back to Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan .

Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall

(Berlin Wall in 1986)

The Berlin Wall (German: Berliner Mauer and Russian: Берлинская стена) was created 65 years ago today (August 13, 1961.)

After the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 Germany was split into 4 Occupation Zones: the British, the French, the American and the Soviet.

Berlin, laying 100 miles inside the Soviet Occupation Zone, was also split between the British, the French, the Americans and the Soviets.

(East Berlin and West Berlin and East Germany and West Germany)

In 1948 the British, the French and the American Occupation Zones of Germany became the Federal Republic of Germany (German: Bundesrepublik Deutschland) also called West Germany (German: West Deutschland.)

In 1948 the British, the French and the American of Berlin became West Berlin (German: West Berlin.)

In 1949 the Soviet Occupation Zone of Germany became the German Democratic Republic (German: Deutsche Demokratische Republik) also called East Germany (German: Ost Deutschland.)

In 1949 the Soviet Occupation Zone of Berlin became East Berlin (German: Ost Berlin.)

In 1949 the Inner-German Border (German: innerdeutsche Grenze) separating West Germany with East Germany was closed.

858 Miles of Border Fortifications were built by the East German and Soviet Communists to stop East Germans from fleeing to the West and Freedom.

The Inner-German Border was a continuous line of high metal fences and walls, barbed wire, alarms, anti-vehicle ditches, watchtowers, automatic booby traps and minefields.

The Communists moved People away from the Border Zone and even destroyed whole Villages to make a Buffer Zone (it was 6% of East Germany’s total area.)

50,000 East German Border Guards along with hundreds of Soviet Troops guarded the Inner-German Border and had orders to shoot and kill any person fleeing East Germany (German: Republikflucht or Republic Flight.)

20,000 West German Border Guards and hundreds of British and American Troops guarded the Inner-German Border to make sure the East Germans and the Soviets didn’t try to invade.

40,000 Men, Women and Children successfully fled East Germany into West Germany through the Inner-German Border from 1949-1989.

371 Men and Women were murdered by the Communists trying to flee East Germany into West Germany through the Inner-German Border from 1949-1989.

Thousands more were arrested and imprisoned by the Communists.

From 1949-1961 Berlin was a Loop-Hole between Communism/Dictatorship and Capitalism/Freedom.

East Germans could go to East Berlin and then just walk across into West Berlin.

3.5 Million East Germans did just that from 1945-1961.

From August 1-11, 1961 16,000 East Germans fled into West Berlin.

On August 12, 1961 2,400 East Germans fled into West Berlin.

These Men, Women and Children were: Doctors, Teachers, Engineers, etc. and caused a major Brain Drain and costing East Germany $9 Billion US Dollars.

(Building the Berlin Wall in 1961)

On August 13, 1961 the East German and Soviet Communists decided to close the Berlin Loop-Hole and built the Berlin Wall.

Without any warning and done overnight on a Sunday the Communists closed the Border between East Berlin and West Berlin.

The initial Barbed Wire Barrier was built up into the Wall proper, the first concrete elements and large blocks being put in place on August 17, 1961.

Immediate effects of the Wall included the separation of Families (some never seeing their Relatives ever again) and the loss of jobs by East Berliners who worked in West Berlin.

While publicly the British, the French and the Americans acted surprised by the building of the Berlin Wall in private they were glad that there would no longer be any more Military Confrontations with the Soviets.

US President John F. Kennedy replied: "A wall is damn better than a War."

British Prime Minister Harold Macmillian said: "The East Germans are holding up the flow of refugees and entrenching themselves behind an even tighter Iron Curtain. There is nothing illegal about this in itself."

On August 19, 1961, the Kennedy sent1,500 American Troops from the 8^th US Infantry Division in Mannheim through the Transit Route in East Germany and to West Berlin to show America’s commitment to protect the West Berliners (but not to help the East Berliners.)

The Communists officially called the Berlin Wall the Anti-Fascist Protection Rampart (German: Antifaschistischer Schutzwall.)

The Berlin Wall was 96 miles long and included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, accompanied by a wide area (later known as the "Death Strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, beds of nails and other defenses.

From 1961-1989 100,000 Men, Women and Children tried to flee over, through or under the Berlin Wall.

5,000 succeeded in fleeing to West Berlin.

239 were murdered by the Communists while trying to flee.

Ida Siekmann, 58 was the first person who died trying to flee her apartment in East Berlin on August 22, 1961  when she jumped out of her window and died on the way to the Hospital in West Berlin.

(Peter Fechter)

On August 17, 1962 Peter Fechter, 18, was shot by the East German Border Guards while trying to flee into West Berlin.

His murder was witnessed by hundreds of West Berliners who saw him shot, fall back to the East German Death Strip where he cried out for help for an hour before he bled to death.

Winfried Freudenberg, 32, was the last person who died while trying to fly a Hot Air Balloon over the Berlin Wall on March 8, 1989.

94,761 People were arrested by the Communists and sent to Prison for trying to flee.

(Checkpoints between East Berlin and West Berlin)

From 1961 until 1964 no West German or West Berliner was allowed to visit East Germany or East Berlin.

From 1961 until 1964 no East German or East Berliner was allowed to leave East Berling or East Germany to go to West Berlin or West Germany.

In November 1964 the East German Government allowed East German Pensioners to visit West Berlin and West Germany.

Starting in 1972 the East German Government officially allowed the rest of the East Germans to apply for permission to leave East Germany to visit West Berlin and West Germany.

Very few East Germans were given official permission to travel to West Berlin and West Germany from 1972-1989.

Those who were allowed were Members of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (German: Sozialistische Einheitspartei Deutschlands) the Communist Party that ran East Germany and they had to have an Immediate Member of their Family stay behind as a Hostage.

An average of 100,000 applications to temporary leave East Germany to visit West Berlin and West Germany were submitted every year from 1972-1989 with 1% of the applications being approved by the Communists.

Those East Germans who were allowed by the East German Government to visit West Germany or West Berlin could not bring out any Non-East German Marks so the West German Government created the Begrüßungsgeld (Welcome Money) Program  in which from 1970 until December 1989.

Initially every East German was given 30 West German Marks twice a year.

In 1988 it was changed to 100 West German Marks a year.

From 1970-1988 260 Million West German Marks were paid to visiting East Germans.

From November to December 1989 4 Billion West German Marks were paid to visiting East Germans.

West Germans entering East Germany had to exchange a Minimum of 25 West German Marks into the worthless East German Marks per day they stayed.

They weren’t allowed to exchange the East German Marks back into West German Marks when they left East Germany.

There were 9 Border Crossings between East and West Berlin.

These allowed visits by West Berliners, other West Germans, Western Foreigners and Allied Personnel into East Berlin, as well as visits by East German Citizens and Citizens of other Communist Countries into West Berlin, provided that they held the necessary permits.

(Checkpoint Charlie in 1963)

The most famous was Checkpoint Charlie), which was restricted to Allied Personnel and Foreigners.

Another way to officially leave East Germany was to be “bought” by the West German Government.

This was called the Freikauf (literally the Buying of Freedom.)

Between 1964 and 1989, 33,755 East German Political Prisoners were ransomed.

 A further 2,087 East German Prisoners were released to the West under an amnesty in 1972.

Another 215,000 East Germans including 2,000 Children cut off from their Parents, were allowed to leave East Germany to rejoin their Families.

 In exchange, West Germany paid over 3.4 Billion DM – nearly $2.3 billion at 1990 prices – in goods and Hard Currency to the broke East German Communist Government.

West Germany paid 1,875 DM for an East German Worker and  11,250 DM for an East German Doctor.

(November 1989)

On November 9, 1989 an unplanned announcement at an East Berlin Conference live on East German Television said that East Germans could immediately travel freely into West Berlin with no restrictions.

Thousands of East Berliners went to the Border Checkpoints where the East German Border Guards had not received any orders (except to shot to kill.)

Eventually, the East German Border Guards opened the Borders and the East Berliners fled into West Berlin.

East Germans started going into West Germany through the Inner-German Border in November 1989 too.

1 Million East Germans went into West Berlin or West Germany in the first few days after November 9, 1989

On December 24, 1989 West Berliners and West Germans were officially allowed, by the East German Government, to visit East Germany without needing a Visa first.

On July 1, 1990 East Germany officially stopped using the East German Mark and started using the West German Mark.

(Memorial of where the Berlin Wall used to be)

All Border Controls between East Berlin and West Berlin and East Germany and West Germany ended that day too.

East Berlin and East Germany ceased to exist on October 3, 1990 when they became part of West Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany.)