HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

Happy Father’s Day!

Always nice to see the day come around again. Unfortunately, I do not think fathers are treated and revered as in days’ past. Something is different today. I hear it from every father/parent who has grown children.

I believe the cause is the way my generation raised our children. We gave them too much. We gave them everything. We wanted the better life for them we had not experienced.

We raised a generation who believe they are entitled to everything. The Age of Entitlement! Which means most care not as they should for their parents.

Another thought. Society is becoming fatherless. Many one parent families. When first one parent families came upon us, we cheered. Generally, it was the mother. What a great job the ladies were doing!

Not so great from my perspective. I admire them. I also feel sorry for them. And the children.

It has been said we live in a fatherless society today. True. Think about it.

I am old school. I believe there must be a return to old school. Two parent families. Whether straight or same sex. It does not take a village to raise a child. It takes two parents!

I am going to be bombed with comments tomorrow! No question. I have scraped the scab off a festering wound.

Lucky are we who live in Key West and the Florida keys. The weather generally great. Scenery always beautiful. Peaceful. Nothing like seeing water every day.

I am fortunate to live on the ocean. The slight blast of hot air that hit my face this morning as I stepped onto the deck irreplaceable. A great feeling. You just know it is going to be a great day.

Key West’s pace is invigorating. Invigorating a strange word to use. Everything is slow paced. Easy going.

Most happy, even those that have little reason to be.

All kumbaya!

I finally decided yesterday what this week’s KONK Life column will be. I spent yesterday researching. I have a bit more today and then the writing itself. Charleston motivated me. I intend to show the black problem from three perspectives. World War I, World War II and Charleston.

Anna has been my housekeeper for more than 10 years. A fancy description for cleaning lady. Whatever the title, I state it with the utmost respect.

Anna leaves me for two months every two years. She returns to Poland, her land of birth. The whole family goes. God bless them!

Anna and her husband work hard. They do not waste money. Ergo, they can afford the trip. They are received in Poland as rich Americans. Anna laughs when she tells me.

Key West is a conglomeration of those born in foreign lands. Some come and stay. Others have green card problems and move on. Most become citizens. Others save a few dollars and return from whence they came.

I have always had an interest in those who go back. It appears that if they have a few bucks in their pockets earned here, they can live better in the old country than here. They initially came for economic reasons. They return because the problem has been solved to some degree. They can now live cheaper back home.

I share the Anna and other immigrants story because most of us believe those from another country come to stay. Not necessarily so.

Another police shooting last night. Los Angeles. The neighborhood a safe one. The incident took place in broad daylight.

A man was standing by his car with a white cloth rapped around his hand. He was yelling…..Stop! Stop!…..to the police car as it approached. The police car stopped. They told him to “drop it” as he was raising his wrapped hand. He did not. There was nothing to drop. They shot him in the head.

The police claim they thought he had a gun. He did not.

The man is in critical condition. A resident videoed part of the happening. Sick to see!

The two officers are nonchalantly saying as the man lies on the ground something to the effect….Oh, how sickning…..his brains are coming out.

The man is lying on his stomach. While this discourse took place. At the same time, the video shows one of the officers handcuffing the unconscious brain oozing victim.

He is a victim!

Enjoy your Sunday/Father’s Day!

GENETICALLY MODIFIED MOTHS, NOT MOSQUITOES

Oxitec continues to push forward. Arrogantly.

The fight is ongoing in the Florida keys re Oxitec experimenting with genetically modified mosquitoes. A specific key has been targeted. My key. Key Haven.

The people are against it. Local government and Oxitec in support. One step left in the approval process. Ok from the federal government. I fear it will be forthcoming.

Mosquitoes are not the only problem Oxitec seeks to cure with genetically modified organisms. The most recent, a genetically modified moth. A diamond back moth. Sounds like a snake.

Oxitec with the moths in upstate New York last September. Oxitec without local approvals experimented in Geneva, NY. Oxitec did have federal approval. The U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Now several months later, Governor Cuomo and his staff have become aware. Cornell University President Skorton has become aware. The people in the Geneva area have become aware. All pissed off big time!

The only fan of genetically modified mosquitoes and moths is the U.S. government. They treat Oxitec as they have treated Monsanto. An open door!

The mosquito experimentation an example of government secrecy. Similar to the Iran pact being negotiated and the Asian pact. Keep the people unaware. Secrecy the order of the day.

My yesterday began with the anti-gravity treadmill. Then to the Cuban Coffee Queen for a Cuban buttered toast and Cuban coffee. Read the newspapers. Stayed a couple of hours. Cuban Coffee Queen is outside. Pleasant surroundings.

Last night, Jenna time! Does my heart good to be with her. I a few days from 80. She recently 28. And lovely!

Drinks first at the Square 1 bar. Then across the way to Origami for sushi. A good night.

It had been a while since I was last at Square 1. Mandy still manager. Very personable. A hug and kiss for me. David bartending.

Jenna is host of a TV talk show. She also manages the local television station. A talent. I fear her talent is outgrowing Key West and she will have to move on to further her career.

After dinner, I walked Jenna home. She now lives at the corner of Duval and Truman. The walk short.

Forty years ago today, the movie Jaws debuted. The book came first. A big seller. The movie which followed, also.

I had read the book, was anxious to see the movie. My family and I were vacationing in Hyannis on Cape Cod. My former wife and one of my daughters joined me in seeing the movie. My other three were not interested.

The movie was scary! No question about it! When the big fish opened its mouth and came at a victim, chills did run up and down my spine.

Went to our beach front rental after the movie and to bed. In the middle of the night, the shark had me by the throat! I woke with a yell and start! A nightmare. Scared the hell out of me!

Jaws bothers me. The rerun advertising describes the movie as having come out 40 years ago. My recollection is yesterday. How time flies!

I feel compelled to comment further re the nine blacks killed while in church in Charleston. An act of white supremacy. Slavery was banned via the Civil War more than a 150 years ago. The Confederacy died with it. Confederate ideology not, however.

Things have gotten worse in the six years Obama has been President. Not his fault. The fault of those whites who cannot stand the thought of a black man in power.

The same people are aware that the United States is tanning. Even now, more than half our population is of color. A number of years down the road, people of color will be running the country. Establishment whites cannot accept the thought.

Black people have been treated poorly for so long in the United States. I have been suggesting for several months that a future conflict will not be police against black. It will be black against white. At some point, the oppressed say stop! Enough! Their opposition will be forceful.

Shakespeare’s Henry VI mentions the worm turns. I fear it applies to Black America.

Enjoy your day!

MIDSUMMER’S EVE CELEBRATION

Dancing and frivolity of old will exist once again tomorrow evening in Key West. At East Martello. Midsummer’s Night Dream & Spectacle. In its ninth year.

The show, though proper in every respect, is a throwback to pagan days when the beginning of summer was celebrated with  big time partying. Way before Shakespeare’s time.

The show is Michael Shield’s baby. The originator nine years ago, he has continued to produce the event every year. Co-producer is the Key West Art & Historical Society.

My dear friend Jenna Stauffer is the emcee. I can visualize her in days of old. Prancing around in her fairy wings, tip toeing through the tulips. Orchestration by Skipper Kripitz. Perhaps the most honorable man in Key West. Singers include Larry Smith and Kathleen Peace. I love Kathleen! I love her singing! The walls of the East Martello Fort will shake during her performance.

My day yesterday began with a noon walk along the Atlantic Ocean. In the heat of the day. Not the best time. However, I did it. Then to the Cuban Coffee Queen for Cuban cheese toast and Cuban coffee.

Steve Braddock is a care giving Key Wester. He is a Catholic priest. He is active in assisting the homeless. A Saint Francis.

He is pissed off. The Lower Keys Medical Center claims he owes a balance for a hospital stay. $1,975. The hospital has sued in Small Claims Court. Before suit and since, Braddock has asked for an itemized bill. No itemized bill has been forthcoming.

The good priest is aware from prior assistance to the homeless that hospitals have a tendency to overcharge. Dramatically. He is defending himself in court. I would not want to have him as an opponent under the circumstances.

We have genocide in the United States. I refer to it as American genocide. The killing of blacks by whites. It has been going on since the earliest days of our country. It has to stop. Will it ever? I do not know.

The last 48 hours have brought the story of nine blacks in a church bible class shot by a white 21 year old. The place, Charleston, South Carolina. The 21 year old, Dylan Storm Roof. The killings in cold blood.

During the shootings, he said…..I have to do it…..you rape our women and you’ve taken over our country, and you have to go.

Roof has a history evidencing a drug problem. His father gave him a gun for his 21st birthday.

Roof was obviously misinformed as to the black conduct he described during the shootings. Probably heard it at the dinner table from his father.

These shootings are what they are. Racial hatred expressed with a gun. It must end! Otherwise as I have been saying on my blog talk radio show, the battle will not be between police and blacks. It will be blacks against whites. A people will take abuse only so long. There is a new generation of blacks and they will not be as patient and forbearing as their forefathers.

Anna is in Camogli. She has a beach front apartment. Camogli is part of the Italian Riviera. Next door is Portofino. Home of the renown Silvio Berlusconi. His close friend Putin has built a home nearby.

Tomorrow night’s emcee Jenna Stauffer is my date tonight. We are going to dinner. Love Jenna!

Enjoy your day!

NAPOLEON, HEMORRHOIDS, OPIUM AND WATERLOO

On this day in 1815, the Battle of Waterloo was fought. Napoleon was defeated. His prominence ended.

Most historians credit the English and allied forces under the Duke Wellington for having defeated him. Others give credit to the Prussian army which entered the fray later in the day when the winner was yet to be decided.

Napoleon was a military genius. Not at Waterloo, however. Why? Why did he lose?  Did something other than the battle itself contribute to his defeat?

Napoleon suffered from hemorrhoids. They were bothering him big time the night before the battle. He was also suffering that evening from a bladder infection. He took a dose of opium to relieve the pain and help him sleep.

Napoleon slept well. He woke late. He had difficulty mounting his horse. He had to be helped. He did not arrive at the battlefield till around one o’clock in the afternoon. By that time the forces against him had made strategic moves and were in a better place to counter Napoleon’s moves.

Napoleon had the habit of riding around a battlefield while the fighting was going on. Personal reconnaissance. He could not that day. The hemorrhoids.

The pain/discomfort was intense. Napoleon took more opium.

The battle was a close one till late in the day. Whether the English or Prussians, the battle was won by the allied forces late in the day.

Historians rarely comment on Napoleon’s physical condition and medication on  the day of the battle. Nor the effect the pain and opium had on him.

In his incapacitated condition, Napoleon was defeated later in the day. I suspect he would have not lost were it not for the hemorrhoids and opium.

My yesterday began at Body Owners on Stock Island. The anti-gravity treadmill.

Then to my heart doctor, Dr. McIvor. To get the results of all the tests I had taken the past few days. A relief! Everything is ok. Nothing has changed. I have two aortic valve problems and was concerned there might be a problem with one of them.

While there, he complimented me on how thin I was. Was I still dieting? No, I was exercising. I explained the anti-gravity treadmill to him. I was singing to the choir. He has purchased one for his expanded offices. Soon his patients with bad hearts will be able to exercise without stress.

I am turned on by the treadmill. It made me feel better that he was going to use it with certain of his patients. Those who needed to exercise.  Starting slowly. I do not go slow, however. I move!

Last night, the Chart Room. Sheila and Emily holding court. And Liverpool Mike. I refer to him as Liverpool Mike because that is from whence he comes. Liverpool, England.

Mike recalled me from last year. Embarrassingly, I did not recall him.

Mike vacations once a year in Key West. This trip for two weeks.

He is a hospitality consultant. Arranges new restaurants and bars.

I mentioned to him last week’s KONK Life article re Portugal and drugs. I told him my research indicated that Great Britain was considering legalizing all drugs as Portugal had done. No way, he said. The big fight at the moment is reducing marijuana use from a felony to a misdemeanor. There is no talk of legalization.

I am sure Mike and I will share a drink or two together again during his visit.

Peter, aka Captain Peter, aka British Peter, is visiting from his present home in Oregon. Good to see him! Peter is special.

Che is under the weather. Peter is considering extending his visit to help Che get back on his feet.

One human family!

Word on the street is that Backspace closed. I mentioned Backspace several blogs ago. I went for dinner. Was not impressed. It appears I was correct.

There is a new Starbucks on the corner of Front and Duval. I love coffee houses! I went to give it a look.

The coffee aroma hits you as you walk in the door. Pleasantly. Adds to your desire to have a cup. The place is beautifully done. One negative. No table and chairs. It’s a buy and carry out.

It will succeed never the less. The new Starbucks will be patronized primarily by tourists. It’s location in the middle of heavy tourist activity.

Dinner at Hot Tin Roof. Quiet. Off season obvious. Had dinner at the bar. Diana normally a table waitress. Last night behind the bar. A lovely and charming person.

Jenna telephoned me yesterday. Let’s go out friday night. I said yes, of course.

Enjoy your day!

 

THE PETTICOAT AFFAIR

The women won. The power of the marital bed succeeded. Women ruled the roost.

 

The Petticoat Affair an interesting time in Presidential politics. Equal to the Clinton fiasco.

 

The lady in question Margaret O’Neal. Nicknamed Peggy. A beauty.

 

Her father owned the Franklin House in Washington, DC. A popular boarding house and bar. Primarily for politicians. At some point, the Franklin House limited its guests to members of Congress.

 

Peggy’s Dad educated  her well. This at a time when education was not considered a woman’s thing. She was intelligent. Quick witted.

 

Peggy went to work in her father’s boarding house. Her education had not made her a lady. She frequented the beds of many guests. Openly and notoriously.

 

At the age of 17, she married her first husband. John Timberlake. He was 39 at the time. A businessman. He became a drunk and failure. His financial difficulties overwhelming. He was convinced that because of his failures, his wife no longer respected him.

 

The couple were friends with Tennessee Senator John Henry Eaton, a widower. Eaton was newly elected to the Senate and was a close friend of the soon to be President Andrew Jackson.

 

Eaton coveted Timberlake’s wife Peggy. He paid all of Timberlake’s debts. Following which he procured a lucrative post as purser for him in the U.S. Mediterranean Squadron.

 

While the cat was away, the mice played.

 

Timberlake died at sea in 1828. It is thought Timberlake’s death was a suicide. Committed following discovery of his wife’s infidelity with Eaton.

 

Peggy and Eaton were obvious lovers. At the boarding house. Overnight trips to other Washington area boarding houses where they registered as man and wife.  Eaton openly escorted Peggy to Washington parties and balls. They were known to take frequent walks in a wooded area where they engaged in sexual activity.

 

Peggy and Eaton married.

 

President Jackson appointed Eaton to his Cabinet as Secretary of War.

 

People talked. Washington insiders were indignant. They said Eaton had just married his mistress and the mistress of eleven dozen others. Peggy and Eaton were the talk of the Capital.

 

The scandal was ripping at the roots of government. Jackson’s cabinet was broken. It could not be fixed. The wives of Cabinet members, with one exception, would neither socialize not attend any function that Peggy attended. The Cabinet wives prohibited their husbands attending these affairs also. The good husbands toed the mark regarding not attending Washington events. The women controlled.

 

A schism had developed in Washington society. One which was adversely affecting Jackson’s ability to govern.

 

The Cabinet wives further justified their position by claiming Peggy had not grieved properly upon her husband’s death and had failed to wait a proper time before marrying Eaton.

 

Leading the pack of vultures was Floride Calhoun. Wife of Vice President John Calhoun. Politics was involved. Calhoun wanted to be President. He was hoping to prevent Jackson from running for a second term.

 

The one man in Jackson’s Cabinet who did not dance to the tune of the wives was Martin Van Buren. He was a bachelor. He also was a close friend of Jackson’s.

 

Van Buren arrived at a solution. Eaton should resign from the Cabinet. Following which Jackson should ask for the resignations of all other Cabinet members. This Jackson did. With one exception. The Postmaster General.

 

He appointed a new Cabinet. The business of government once again moved forward.

 

Jackson was at all times supportive of Peggy and Eaton. His wife Rachel had been subjected to similar Washington abuse. He and Rachel had married before her divorce was final. Jackson had no sympathy for the ladies.

 

Jackson thought the Cabinet wives were wielding political power. They were. Improperly so. He called Peggy a victim. A virtuous and much injured female.

 

Jackson was blinded by his Rachel’s experience and his friendship with Eaton.

 

Calhoun ended up getting screwed. Jackson did not have him as his Vice Presidential running mate in the next election. Instead, he offered the position to Van Buren. The term thereafter, Van Buren was the Democratic Party’s candidate for President. He was elected. It would have been Calhoun had he not been a fomentor of the Cabinet wives’ attacks.

 

Following the resignation of his first Cabinet, Jackson commented to the effect that he wanted his new Cabinet to be made up of all bachelors or ones who left their women at home.

 

Eaton died at some point. Peggy  married again. Her third husband. She married Antonio Gabriele Buchignani, an Italian music teacher and dancing master. Peggy was 59 at the time. He, 19.

 

Peggy and Antonio were married seven years. At the end of that time, Antonio ran off to Europe with the bulk of Peggy’s fortune and her 17 year old granddaughter Emily Randolph.

 

Peggy never recovered her fortune and died penniless.

 

Even in today’s society, sexual escapades cannot be openly flaunted.
There is a line that should not be crossed. Peggy stepped over that line her entire life. From her young days working in the boarding house to her third marriage to a man 40 years her junior.

 

I feel sorry for Peggy in that her final years were spent penniless and she suffered the trauma of a granddaughter running off with her husband. On the other hand, what goes around comes around. Maybe it was her just due.

THE BEST TEAM WON

The NBA Finals were exciting. As expected. It went six games. The Warriors won last night. They are the champions having won 4 games to 2. The Warriors were the best team on  the floor last night.

The Cavs went far with an injury ridden team. Two players did not even suit up for the series because of injuries. The Cavs played only 8 men. Lebron James was required and tried to carry the Cavs on his back. Even Lebron James has so much to give. He kept up the fight. However, it was easy to see his ass was dragging.

There is always next year.

I got to watch the last three quarters. Missed the first quarter. I was doing my blog talk radio show.

I spent a part of yesterday fine tuning the show. Thought the show went well. Covered five interesting topics. No critical e-mails as yet this morning.

Yesterday was difficult. Had a heart CAT scan in the morning. No big deal. Part of my annual heart check up. I see my heart doctor today to receive the report re the various tests I have been taking since thursday.

The reason yesterday was difficult was because I have an allergy to intravenous dye. Ergo, I am loaded up with benadryl. The night before and the morning before By the time of the test, I was a walking zombie.

The sleepy feeling stayed with me all day and into the late night. The show was difficult to do. I was worried I would go blank at some point. Perhaps the fear kept me awake. I fell asleep several times watching the Cavs/Warrior game.

Mosquito season is upon us. It gets worse the next several months. Fortunately, we have a Mosquito Control Board. The planes will be spraying shortly. The Mosquito Board has acquired two drones to discover mosquito beds in hard to get at places. We are at the cutting edge!

An interesting tid bit in this morning’s Key West Citizen History Section. The Panama Hotel opened in 1914 at the corner of Elizabeth and Eaton Streets. Rooms were $1, $1.50 and $2. Including running water in the rooms!

I wonder if each room had indoor plumbing. Or was it one toilet per floor? Or still the outhouse?

Whatever, we have come a long way.

This Rachel Dolezal thing has me confused. A white woman living as a black one. She wanted to. The only instances where I have seen color change attempted has been with a handful of blacks who passed themselves off as white. Rachel is the reverse.

Donald Trump announced yesterday! He seeks the Republican nomination for President. He immediately changes the tone of the Republican race. He will bring humor to the group running, who are otherwise boring.

Though Trump may have made billions, I think he is off his rocker a bit. I do not see him having any chance at success. Again however, he will trip up his competitors with his comments. A fun time ahead.

This week’s KONK Life hits the stands at 5:00 o’clock today. My column this week is The Petticoat Affair. A step back in history. A little Andrew Jackson, some Martin Van Buren, Washington ladies, and Margaret “Peggy” O’Neil.

Peggy is the main character. Her sexual prowess controlled events. The article has some David and Bathsheba.

The column clearly reflects the dominance of women in marriage. The husbands danced to the tune played by their wives.

Read the column. You will find it interesting.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

HOUSEBOAT ROW

I am late getting started this morning. Had to be at the hospital early. Heart CAT scan. Part of annual check up.

The Keys History Section  in this morning’s Key West Citizen made mention of houseboat row. A part of yesterday’s Key West. A series of houseboats were tied off South Roosevelt Boulevard. In the area now fronted by an expensive condo complex.

The boats were of all sizes and shapes. Young and old. Some tied in a line. Others, helter skelter. A beautiful sight! A slice of the real Key West.

The houseboats were parked illegally. The State told them to get out. It took more than 25 years before the State succeeded. Most of the houseboats moved to Garrison Bight.

I loved the houseboat scene! I was disappointed when they were finally forced to move. A real Key West site forever lost.

I like the condos. The pristine water view where the houseboats once stood. However, it is Naples to me. I did not move to Key West to live in a Naples environment. I wanted to live in Key West time as my friend Howard Livingston would say.

Watched Jeb Bush yesterday. His Presidential announcement great show. Well orchestrated. One of the best I can recall.

I do not think Jeb Jush has it to win. The Bush family argument does fly. His comments from another time. He is out of today’s loop.

Bush lacks charisma. A necessary ingredient in a national and TV campaign. John Kennedy would not have won without it. Bush does not have it.

Judy Blume still on the road. She is touring introducing her latest book In the Unlikely Event. She is presently on the west coast. Every where she speaks, she is well received. a respected woman. a woman with a talent.

We await Judy’s return to her Key West home.

I started yesterday on the anti-gravity treadmill. I took it slow because of my recent sciatica problems.

Drove over to the Cuban Coffee Queen afterwards for Cuban cheese toast and coffee. I parked behind the new fire station on Simonton.

Key West has crazy parking machines. One gets a ticket out of the machine which is then placed on the dashboard of the car. There are two machines in the parking lot. Next to each other.

Both were broke. A City employee was trying to fix them. Success was not coming easy.

I stood around five minutes so I could get a ticket. No ticket on the dashboard and I would get a ticket! The gentleman from the City saw me standing there. He asked how much time I needed. I told him 1.5 hours. He said, ok. Be back by 1:30. I am calling in so no tickets will be given out till 1:30.

I asked…..Are you sure? No problem he retorted.

When I returned at the specified time, he was still working on the machines. I gave him a thumbs up and smile. He returned the same with a wave and smile.

A nice guy.

Big basketball tonight! Cavs and Warriors. Cavs have to win. Otherwise, it is all over for them.

My blog talk radio show tonight, also. Nine my time. Join me for some interesting comment. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Topics tonight include getting drunk on the front steps of your home not public intoxication, another police assault involving a 13 year old boy, why big company and government computers are being hacked, banks involved with FIFA scandal being investigated for failing to report money laundering activities, some Jeb Bush, an Austrian brothel owner who is protesting high taxes on his business by offering free sex in the afternoons, a Greece update, and more.

Enjoy your day!

INSANITY

Insanity continues to prevail in Key West. As regards the actions of the Key West City Commission.

I am beginning to think the City Commission considers itself omnipotent. That every issue is one for their consideration. No limits exist.

Every time the City Commission steps out of the box, time, energy and cost is wasted on an issue that is none of their business.

Road construction, trees, parking, contracts, the Police Department…..examples of what should be on their plate.

Not their most recent trip into never never land. I refer to the resolution that will be voted on regarding smoking in public places and parks. The resolution is scheduled for a vote tomorrow night.

As I understand the situation, the City Commission watched a movie regarding the dangers of second hand smoke. They were appalled. Decided a local law was required to prohibit smoking in public places and parks. Then found out they did not have the authority to do so. Smoking bans are the exclusive province of the State.

Not to be dismayed, the City Commission decided to pass a resolution instead. You can wipe your behind with a resolution. It has neither power nor effect.

The resolution asks the people of Key West to please not smoke in public places and parks…..to have consideration for others. Simultaneously, the City Commission is seeking a way to get the State to permit municipalities to rule on the issue. Not the State.

The City Commission is not elected to tell me or anyone else that smoking is prohibited in public places. It is a step too far as regards the smoking issue. Especially by a City Commission that assumes more power than it has.

Drums tonight! Not Drums Along the Mohawk as was written a few miles outside Utica. Near La Te Da Christopher’s home town also.

Tonight, it is Drums for Peace in Key West. At the corner of Truman and Duval. From 6-10. People can participate or listen. Whatever their pleasure. Drums will be provided.

I spent the better part of yesterday writing this week’s KONK Life column. It took a while for me to decide on a topic. I zeroed in on a political fray. As Tom Cruz stopped the government, so too did Washington ladies during Andrew Jackson’s Presidency. An interesting story. Shades of David and Bathsheba. Titled The Petticoat Affair.

KONK Life and the column hit the stands wednesday.

Michelle Obama is not going to the World’s Fair in Milan alone. Daughters Malia and Sasha are accompanying her. Together with grandmother Marian Robinson. The two day trip includes in addition to Milan, stops in London and Venice.

Michelle has responsibilities at each stop. Speaking in support of women’s education, health issues, and visiting American troops. A full plate for a 48 hour visit.

The Greece situation is reaching the boiling point. Perhaps one from which there is no turning back. Discussions sunday ended in 45 minutes. Nothing decided. Both sides adamant.

The unknown awaits. A European recession? A world wide one?

All interesting. Proving to the world that global activity is not necessarily in the best interests of those involved. The proposed Asian pact being another.

Today is the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. No man above the law. Not even a king. The right to justice and a fair trial spelled out.

A freedom recognition document.

These freedoms are being trampled upon in the United States today. By Congressional decisions and Supreme Court opinions.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

MICHELLE OBAMA THRILLS MILANESE

It was announced yesterday that Michelle Obama would be in Milan two days this week. She will be visiting the World’s Fair.

Before I was aware of the First Lady’s visit via the news, I received a series of e-mails from friends and blog readers in the Milan area. All thrilled that Michelle would be visiting. Appears she is extremely popular in the area.

Michelle is heading an American delegation. The message she hopes to convey is the need for a healthy world. The way to reach the goal wise eating.

The delegation is referred to as a Presidential Delegation. One of the group will be Alonzo Mourning. One of the truly great NBA basketball stars of years gone by.

I was fortunate in my other life to have attended many pro golf tournaments. Rare was the occasion when Alonzo Mourning was not there. He always followed players with the masses. Walked hole to hole. No special seating or attention for him. I admired his humility, his simplicity.

Last night was the big Bocce Party. The league party. Not to be confused with the one at Don’s Place last week. All 54 teams in attendance. Roughly 300 people.

A good time. Always a good time.

The event was held at the new Waterfront Restaurant. Not officially opened yet. Given a peek by our group last night. What a place! Huge! Three stories. Several bars. One long long.

The place is still under construction. In its final phase.

I am not sure what it is going to be. The size overwhelming. The cost of running the place equally overwhelming. I would hate to have to pay the rent cost alone.

The food was excellent. Catered by Mango’s.

Drinks cheap. Surprisingly so. A Beefeater and one Bud light beer $7. Better than Don’s prices! I doubt they will be able to keep the prices at that level when the place opens.

I wish the proprietors good luck! They have engaged in a major undertaking. Hopefully, a big hit in the making.

Met many friends. One was Nancy Weiner and her husband Bob. They have a home in Key West.

Nancy is a loyal blog follower. Thank you, Nancy. We talked of many things. An interesting lady. I hope I run into Nancy and her husband again.

Manicure yesterday with Tammy. Tammy cut her hair! A big deal. Asians generally wear their hair long. Tammy agreed that was the case. However, she wanted to try something new. Typical woman. Her hair now shoulder length.

She looked fantastic! She did with long hair, also. It is Tammy’s smile that makes her the beauty she is, regardless of her hair length.

I have to write this week’s KONK Life column today. I am in a quandary. I have not decided on a subject yet. Nothing considered so far thrilled me. I have two hours to decide the subject matter of the column.

I love Putin! The G7 ignored him. He was not invited. No big deal. He met with the Pope instead. Putin is an expert at one up manship.

It is thought he met with Silvio Berlusconi afterwards. They are close friends. For real friends. Putin built a place in Portofino near Berlusconi’s home. I wonder if Berlusconi threw one of his famous parties for Putin. I would not be surprised. The two are birds of a feather.

The Citizen’s Voice in today’s Key West Citizen has a Thomas Jefferson quote. It is one I have written about in the past and referred to on my TV and radio shows.

Jefferson was a great writer. A molder of words. However as to finances, he was a failure. The banks were on his ass his whole life. He died broke. His daughter had to sell his beloved Monticello to pay the debts.

The quote…..I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.

Banks and money lenders, nothing ever changes.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

MS13

I wish to return briefly to the Milan train attack of 48 hours ago. The one where the conductor almost had his arm totally severed with a machete. Police reports yesterday suggested the people involved were from Central America. Did not make sense to me. I thought it was connected to Italy’s immigrant problem

It has been established not to be immigrant caused. The two assailants were from Central America. One from Ecuador and the other San Salvador. Both 20 years old.

They are part of a gang. An international gang known as MS13. Short for Mara Salvatrucka. A transnational gang.

MS13 got its start in the l980s in Central America. Immigrated to other parts of the world, including the U.S. Originally in Los Angeles. Today other parts of the U.S. Places like Washington. DC, Fairfax and Prince George Counties, Maryland, Long Island, Boston, Houston and Charlotte.

It is estimated MS13’s numbers are 8,000-10,000 in the U.S. Thirty thousand to 50,000 world wide.

The group is described as merciless. They distinguish themselves with violence, revenge and cruel retribution. Their cause is partially financed by child prostitution. They have a prostitution ring composed of runaway young girls. They search them out for the purpose.

MS13 sounds like a small time ISIS. Equally violent. The distinction between the two is that MS13 has not grown as swiftly as ISIS. MS13 is not connected to ISIS nor was it to Al-Qaeda.

I make mention of MS13 because I had never heard of it till yesterday. Even though it has been a problem in several parts of the U.S. over the years. I doubt many of you have heard of MS13. Why have we not? Is it another example of the media being selective in not sharing MS13 activity with us?

I wrote by day yesterday. Last night, I stopped at the Galleon’s Sunset
Tiki Bar for a drink. Tourists galore. Then to Pepe’s bar for dinner. I like Pepe’s. I especially like Pepe’s food. Good healthy stick to your bones food.

Big party tonight! In the hundreds. The bocce league’s party. All 56 teams attending. Always a good time. The party is at the new Waterfront Restaurant. The building where the Waterfront Market was located for years. This will be my first time there. I am anxious to see the layout and taste the food.

I woke with a bang this morning! The kind from the sky. With it came a bolt of lightning. Lit up my bedroom. Announced a rainy day ahead.

I was so engrossed with my writing yesterday that I forgot my noon manicure appointment with Tammy. Rescheduled for today at noon.

Enjoy your day!.