-- ALEKSANDRA DULKIEWICZ ON A POTENTIAL SHOWDOWN IN GDAŃSK, BIELAN ON THE ABSURDITY OF POLEXIT - 300LIVE: https://300polityka.pl/live/2019/01/17

-- AFTER THE ATTACK, THE OPPOSITION TOOK THE RIGHT PATH, THEY SHOULDN'T DEVIATE FROM IT - DOMINIKA WIELOWIEYSKA: “I appreciate the restraint shown by the opposition leaders who are not escalating emotions and are refraining from accusations and sharp attacks on PiS. A great challenge lies before the opposition politicians. Will they be able to abandon the rhetoric that Jarosław Kaczyński exploited in similar situations? So far, they are succeeding. But I fear what will start to happen after the funeral of the murdered mayor Paweł Adamowicz. I would not want the opposition to follow PiS's path.”

-- I HOPE THE OPPOSITION POLITICIANS WON'T STOP TAKING THEIR "PILLS" - WIELOWIEYSKA'S CONCLUSION: "I believe that the style the opposition has chosen immediately after the tragedy will not change, just as it happened in 2010. Back then, Jarosław Kaczyński, during the presidential campaign, adopted the mask of a forgiving, conciliatory leader, only to announce after the elections that he had merely been on tranquilizers. I hope the opposition politicians will not stop taking these 'pills' immediately after Mayor Adamowicz's funeral." http://wyborcza.pl/7,75968,24370893,po-zamachu-na-pawla-adamowicza-opozycja-poszla-dobra-droga.html

-- MICHAŁ SZUŁDRZYŃSKI IN RZ ON PiS PAYING FOR TVP AND THE CHAIRMAN'S TARDINESS: “However, at least two moves dealt a blow to this strategy. The first was Monday's 'Wiadomości' on TVP, which in its usual style transformed into a 20-minute hate-mongering session against the opposition. The second was Jarosław Kaczyński's absence at the beginning of the Sejm session, when a minute of silence was observed in memory of Paweł Adamowicz, and he was bid farewell in a short speech by the Civic Platform leader Grzegorz Schetyna. And although PiS assures that the tardiness was pure coincidence, the image impact of this absence was catastrophic. It is easy to accuse the PiS leader of pettiness, disregard, or even disrespect for the memory of the deceased. It is also difficult to find an explanation for this behavior. There are moments when you simply cannot be late.” https://www.rp.pl/Komentarze/301169889-Szuldrzynski-Ile-PiS-zaplaci-za-decyzje-prezesa.html

-- WIADOMOŚCI CAUSED A CRISIS AROUND THE TVP CHAIRMAN, NAMES ARE BEING CONSIDERED, BUT RESIGNATION IS FAR OFF - JACEK GĄDEK IN GAZETA.PL: “The quieter it is around TVP Chairman Jacek Kurski, the greater the chance of his dismissal – this is the guiding principle for the faction within PiS that is pushing for 'Kura's' resignation. After the aggressive report in 'Wiadomości' concerning hate speech directed at Jarosław Kaczyński, a pilgrimage of individuals began, arguing that PiS will eventually pay for Kurski's overzealousness. (...) According to what we hear from PiS ranks, Kurski has a constant narrative about how the high poll ratings for PiS are the work of TVP, and he has ensured media pluralism. His critics, on the other hand, argue that Kurski's television is crude in its news and commentary sections, and its entertainment is shoddy. The slightly more subtle narrative from TVP in the last two days suggests that, for now, the mission of softening the public television has been entrusted to a 'bully'.” http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/7,114884,24369956,wiadomosci-wywolaly-kryzys-wokol-prezesa-tvp-gielda-nazwisk.html

-- ANDRZEJ GAJCY ON PiS POLITICIANS URGING FOR KURSKI'S RESIGNATION AND SURVEYS COMMISSIONED BY PiS: “According to our sources, Prime Minister Morawiecki, Jarosław Gowin, and even one of PiS leader's closest associates, Joachim Brudziński, were most insistent in urging Kaczyński towards such a move. Our informants claim that Kaczyński did not share their criticism and decided to postpone any decisions for at least a few days. Our source admits that dismissing Kurski now would be perceived as a political concession to the opposition's demands. Furthermore – according to this influential PiS politician – the party has commissioned internal surveys to gauge how the tragedy in Gdańsk has affected PiS's support. If it turns out that TVP under Jacek Kurski is dragging the party down, then any decision is possible, including his dismissal.” https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/tylko-w-onecie/prezes-tvp-jacek-kurski-zagrozony-burza-w-pis/34ldqzn

-- JACEK KARNOWSKI ON PiS'S SITUATION AFTER ADAMOWICZ'S MURDER: “PiS finds itself in a kind of trap, because entering into a bidding war under the slogan 'whose fault is greater' or 'who started this war' cannot end well for the ruling party. Simply put, Kaczyński's party has too few diverse resources to win such a fight. Therefore, it avoids confrontation. Today, and for some time to come, it has no other choice, because Poles have been deeply affected by the unprecedented murder in Gdańsk, and regardless of the political assessment of Mayor Adamowicz, they sympathize, rightly seeing in these terrible events primarily a great human tragedy for him and his family.”

-- BALANCE THE OTHER SIDE'S AGENDA TO GET OUT OF DEFENSE - KARNOWSKI'S CONCLUSION: “This narrative does not have to be linked to the tragedy in Gdańsk, and perhaps it shouldn't be linked at all. But it must exist. Recent weeks show that achieving a state of peace and quiet is simply impossible in our conditions. The Third Polish Republic will always find a pretext for attack (Andruszkiewicz, wild animals, salaries). There is only one solution: one must speak in their own voice, clearly and distinctly, calmly but attractively. One must propose issues and topics that will at least balance the other side's agenda. Without this, it will be impossible to get out of defense.” https://wpolityce.pl/m/polityka/429858-celem-opozycji-jest-dzis-uniewaznienie-calej-opowiesci-pis

-- SŁAWOMIR SIERAKOWSKI ON KACZYŃSKI NOT BEING A PRAGMATIC POLITICIAN, BUT AN IMPULSIVE ONE: “The combination that was built in TVP's most important news program: Jerzy Owsiak with the Civic Platform, which is behaving in a very subdued manner these days, is a recipe for losing elections. Does PiS not realize this? And did the journalists of 'Wiadomości' not realize it when they were preparing these reports? PiS and its army may be fully aware of everything, but they will go in this direction anyway. Jarosław Kaczyński has repeatedly proven that he is not a pragmatic politician, but an impulsive one, driven by the pursuit of power without regard for consequences. If he attacks Owsiak, he will lose.” https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/opinie/sierakowski-jesli-wladza-uderzy-w-owsiaka-przegra-opinia/nbzc3sp

-- MIKOŁAJ WÓJCIK DOESN'T BELIEVE IN THE LASTING NATURE OF THE CHANGE IN WIADOMOŚCI - AS HE WRITES IN FAKT: “It is easier for me to believe in a change of approach by law enforcement agencies towards hate speech than in the lasting nature of the change in TVP's 'Wiadomości,' which occurred in Tuesday's broadcast. On Monday, 'Wiadomości' were looking for the culprits of the murder of the Gdańsk mayor. And they found them in a random madman and the hateful words of politicians, but – unfortunately – only from the Civic Platform. What Stefan W. shouted about being tortured by PO was not important. What was important was the reminder that Ryszard Cyba, who murdered Marek Rosiak in Łódź in 2010, shouted that he wanted to kill Jarosław Kaczyński. Why don't I believe in this change? Firstly, Adamowicz was a target of 'Wiadomości' throughout the local election campaign. He was accused of being anti-Polish, of promoting Nazism, of promoting Communism, and was called a 'cancer of Polish democracy'! And secondly – the management of 'Wiadomości' sees nothing wrong with this and continues to defend it.” https://www.fakt.pl/wydarzenia/polityka/mikolaj-wojcik-szef-dzialu-polityka-nie-wierze-w-trwala-zmiane/56j2evy?utm_source=www.fakt.pl_viasg_fakt&utm_medium=referal&utm_campaign=leo_automatic&srcc=ucs&utm_v=2

-- JAN ŚPIEWAK - THIS IS A SIGNAL THAT THERE WILL BE NO ACCOUNTING FOR THE REPRIVATIZATION SCAM; I MARCHED IN DEFENSE OF THE COURTS, BUT NOW I SEE THEY ARE APPROACHING BELARUSIAN STANDARDS: “This decision is an evident signal sent by the Warsaw judiciary, which indicates that there will be no reckoning for the reprivatization scandal. I defended the courts, I marched myself, I organized demonstrations in the summer of 2017. But now I see that the Polish judiciary is approaching Belarusian standards.”

-- THE COURT WAS AFRAID OF THE JUSTIFICATION, WHICH IS WHY IT KEPT IT SECRET - ŚPIEWAK FURTHER ON THE RULING: “One can send questions to the spokesperson of the District Court. Let them explain. In my opinion, there was no other reason than Ms. Ćwiąkalska's wish for this to happen. This is very suspicious, and in my opinion, it shows that the court was afraid of the justification. Because the factual basis was proven by me. I have repeatedly posted on Twitter the protocol of transferring the property to Ms. Ćwiąkalska, as the curator of this gentleman who had been dead for 50 years. The facts were on my side, yet in Poland, it is possible to convict a person who has facts on their side.” https://polskatimes.pl/jan-spiewak-bronilem-sadow-ale-widze-ze-polski-wymiar-sprawiedliwosci-zbliza-sie-do-bialoruskiego/ar/13813424

-- MARCIN FIJOŁEK, COMMENTING ON THE VERDICT FOR ŚPIEWAK, WRITES THAT IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT SUCH A JUDICIARY NEEDS TO BE DEFENDED: “Which of these 65 percent of voters will die for such courts? For situations where the defendant – and it must be acknowledged that he was one of the first to raise the issue of the reprivatization scandal – not only cannot share the justification for the verdict, but is not even fully heard? When the media are thrown out of the courtroom at the request of Mr. Ćwiąkalski's daughter? What public interest guided the judge to conceal the trial? Or perhaps the female judge who 'desires revenge' on PiS will be a good representative of this profession? Can anyone soberly believe that a common list under the name 'Constitution' is enough, and with a snap of the fingers, they will take power from Kaczyński? And yet, the judiciary is just the tip of the iceberg of multi-layered pathologies that have gripped (and in part still grip) our Republic?” https://wpolityce.pl/m/polityka/429807-pis-na-widelcu-pewnosc-polityki-versus-wyrok-spiewaka

-- THEY TURNED A BLIND EYE TO HATE - FAKT FEATURES LARGE PHOTOS OF PROSECUTORS DISMISSING INVESTIGATIONS: “For many months, perhaps years, Polish law enforcement agencies have developed a peculiar kind of inertia in cases of hate speech and animosity. Often, significant media pressure was required to convict someone for spreading hatred. Successive waves of insults, threats, and anger flowed across the internet from both sides. One could say and write virtually anything about politicians. Not just about politicians – but also about immigrants, people of different sexual orientations, or political views.” https://www.fakt.pl/wydarzenia/polityka/prokuratorzy-badaja-sprawe-pawla-adamowicza-a-wczesniej-nie-reagowali/15dppke

-- THE MURDERER'S MOTHER WARNED THE POLICE - JEDYNKA GW: “- On the same day, police officers sent a letter to the director of the prison where the inmate was held, informing them of the information obtained – confirms asp. Karina Kamińska from KMP in Gdańsk to 'Wyborcza'. - In this letter, they requested the facility to take all possible available actions.” http://trojmiasto.wyborcza.pl/trojmiasto/7,35612,24371285,matka-zabojcy-ostrzegala-policje.html

-- THE POLICE HAVE FINALLY TAKEN ACTION AGAINST INTERNET HATERS - in a Gazeta Wyborcza article about online hate. http://sonar.wyborcza.pl/sonar/7,156422,24370986,polityka-w-internecie-hejt-nie-wyhamowal.html

-- BIRTHDAYS: Rafał Trzaskowski, Jan Filip Libicki, Michał Witkowski.