TRUMP ABSOLUTELY WITHOUT QUESTION THE WORST PRESIDENT EVER

If Trump had been President when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, Japan would have been settled in on the west coast in January.

As irresponsible a job as he is doing with the coronavirus crisis, many people love him. A poll on the internet this morning shows Trump’s favorability rating with regard to his handling of the crisis in excess of 50 percent. Up from somewhere in the 40’s last week.

Would you believe!

I cannot understand!

He gets “better” by the day. Written facetiously, of course. Yesterday he attacked the Governors. Who in my opinion are doing one hell of a job.

Natural disasters are the responsibility of the federal government. States alone cannot handle them. And coronavirus may be the greatest natural disaster to ever have confronted our country.

Trump continues to pass the buck. He always does. It is never his fault. Yesterday’s comment in response to State requests for helping with medical supplies an example: “We’re not a shipping clerk.”

Local health systems are overwhelmed. Life saving supplies in great demand and low supply. The federal government the only entity that can help. Critical medical equipment is needed. Otherwise the epidemic will be worse. Can’t say out of control since I already believe it is.

The President is leader, savior and everything else when it comes to protecting the country. Trump should be a George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, or Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He is not. With no chance for redemption which scares the hell out of me.

This is the day!

I wrote yesterday of Jared Kushner’s entrepreneurial scheme with his brother Joshua, Joshua’s corporation Oscar, and Joshua’s father in law Dr. Kloss. Private drive through testing sites. For profit. Jared and family profit.

Jared said such would begin today at selected sites. Will it happen? Or will “the happening” be consistent with those of his father in law the President?

The Trump Presidency failed to prepare for the virus. True, he could not have know it would occur when first he took office. However, he failed to prepare for the inevitable. Within 2 yeas he cut back all federal budgets that would have been concerned with the problem. Also because of the budget cuts, experienced medical staff whose specialties were epidemics were let go.

No problem, Donald. Understood. You needed money for the wall.

I am not referring to a vaccine. I refer to the basics that we are now in short supply of. Swabs, testing solutions, test kits, N95 face masks, and ventilators.

The lack of sufficient ventilators strikingly exhibits what is to come. A Sophie’s Choice situation. Due to an insufficient number of ventilators, doctors will have to decide who will live or die.

Where are the testing kits? Weeks now. This was supposed to be a 4 million kit week.

Many, most, I don’t know…..However, it appears the government is unaware of what it has or certain departments are prohibited from releasing such information.

The need for ventilators and respirators is critical. In 2-3 weeks, the tipping point may be reached.

It was announced yesterday, the Pentagon has respirators and ventilators. It is making 5 million respirators and 2,000 ventilators available.

What else is there? Has to be some and more of everything. Seek and ye shall find!

The third piece of critical legislation was passed by the Senate yesterday. The biggest part. Initially thought would be $1 trillion. We are now told it will be closer to $2 trillion.

The Republican Senate passed it without consultation with the Democratic House. It now sits with the House for consideration.

This is the bill that will pay each person $1,200 twice and $500 per child twice. Then, no more.

This bill will also bailout the big corporations with billions of dollars. Small businesses will be given loans that will be forgivable (means maybe not have to be paid back).

I do not like the whole thing.

I favor giving working persons money. Someone has to pay their everyday bills, put food on the table, etc. Two payments will not be enough. The virus problem will be with us for at least several months more.

It is the big corporations I have a problem with. Those we bailed out following 2008 did not use the money to help workers. The corporate hierarchy and the business itself used the money to personally benefit the big officers and shareholders.

It has to be different this time around!

Perhaps not even provide the big corporations with a bailout. The Bankruptcy Law has built in safeguards where the businesses can reopen and not have to pay creditors for a number of years.

I believe the working force has to be kept alive and vital. When the dust settles and work is available, they can easily do so. Not having significantly suffered during the down turn.

Small businesses another story. They have to be helped. Not sure how at this point.

I finally heard from Anna!

She is alive and well. Confined to her home 24 hours a day. All of Italy is.

Anna has a large elegant apartment. Ten thousand square feet, 2 floors. For real. As a result of the crisis, she has taken one huge room and turned it into a gymnasium. At 83, she is still concerned with her figure. She admonished me not to get fat.

Anna wrote that no one is permitted on the streets with 3 exceptions. A statement from a government agency permitting the person to be out and about to go to work, buy groceries and go to the pharmacy.

Police vigilant. Everyone watched. Failure to have such a letter and being on the task identified results in automatic arrest. Anna says no sympathy or excuse. Jail 30 to 90 days. The law is being strictly enforced.

The numbers indicate that the virus will have a greater impact on Italy than it is having on China. More sick, more dead.

The bodies of the dead have become a problem. Forget the cemeteries. No room. Crematoriums in many cities are overwhelmed.

Army trucks are being used to transport the bodies to other cities to be cremated. Large convoys of trucks.

An example is Bergamo in northern Italy. Military trucks operating daily transporting bodies to several other cities.

Morgues are collapsing.

The obituary page clearly spells out the volume of dead persons. Obituaries taking up 10 pages. An average of 150 obituaries each day.

A 95 year old woman advised the number of dead was far worse than during World War II.

Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson not fully recovered. Out of the hospital and isolation. As far as it goes for the moment. They are now self quarantined.

Tom’s sister reported, they are “not great, but still ok.”

Tom says energy a problem: “Folding the laundry and doing the dishes leads to a nap on the couch.” Tom further reports the headaches are gone. However, the “blahs” continue.

The lights are out on Duval. Like Paris during World War II. Few people on the street day or night.

I have not seen it yet. I am into my 9th day of self-quarantine. Those that have describe the feeling as “eeri.”

I hope to drive down to Duval over the weekend to take a look. Remain in my car all the time. I am beginning to develop a need to get away from the house a bit.

Key West is the southernmost point in the U.S. Only one way in and out is U.S. 1. One hundred twenty miles.

Only one coronavirus case so far. Died. Announced yesterday. A visitor from another country. Assumed the virus was brought in with him.

The Monroe County Commission has voted to basically close the Keys to visitors beginning 6 pm sunday. At that time, all hotels and lodging facilities will be closed to everyone.

The exception will be monthly and multi-month rentals. Those persons will be permitted to stay.

Closing down the hotels, etc., provides an excellent opportunity to solve a soon to be coronavirus problem. A shortage of hospital beds.

California closed down hotels and motels a couple of weeks ago. Governor Newsom’s order provided the closed facilities could be used as hospitals. California has already begun doing so.

The Keys should do it. All of Florida, if necessary. We only have 2-3 hospitals in all the Keys.

This Navy hospital ship idea Trump has come up with does not provide immediate help. He wants one off the coast of California and the other New York. It has been reported it will take at least one month for the vessels to arrive.

I called a friend this morning to see how things were going. I was not aware the museums had been shut down. I caught him at the Unemployment Office. He was doing the necessary paper work.

No Hemingway House or Little White House for a while.

May Johnson. Key West’s 1896 19 year old school teacher. Her diary for this date found in bold letters at the end: NO LETTER DISAPPOINTED.

Miguel out of town?

Enjoy your day!

WARP SPEED IN THE DARK…..IMPROPRIETIES FERMENTING

No question. Coronavirus moves at warp speed. Its cures lag behind. The drive for corrective measures create hints of and in some instances actual improprieties. There are those who seek gain from the suffering of others.

Want to be tested. Need a test like yesterday. Forget it. They are not available in sufficient numbers.

Yet persons of influence/wealth can be tested quickly in some instances.

A disgusting episode has come to  light in the past 24 hours. Involves professional basketball players.

The game that led to the NBA canceling the balance of its season occurred last week. The Utah Jazz involved. Its center Rudy Gobert had been tested. The result positive. While the game that evening was ongoing, it was stopped. Followed by total cancellation of the season the next day by the NBA.

Within a day or two, the entire team was tested. How many players on a pro basketball team? Ten, twelve, fifteen? Whatever, 58 “employees” of the team were tested.

Sounds fishy to me. Reeks of preferential treatment. I can see lay help, spouses and families in the testing mix.

The mass testing was kept quiet. Until yesterday.

At a Task Force briefing, the President was asked if non-symptomatic professional athletes were getting preferential treatment. Were the well connected going to the front of the line?

The President answered he did not know. Such things do happen in life. Some people do go to the front of the line.

Makes me wonder. who else is receiving preferential treatment? Regardless of what the President has said, he and his family? His children and their families? How about Congresspersons? Certain Senators and Congresspersons?

People have a right to know. Lets find out. Each should be media checked to determine if any have been moved to the front of the line. There are records. Everything is computerized. A few buttons pushed and voila answers.

The cry will go up it is against the law to reveal medical records. Not in  a crisis situation such as coronavirus. Everything should be open and subject to inspection.

It pisses me off that where life and death are involved, some can take advantage and get preferential treatment while others die.

The Trump family seems to always look for a way to make a buck. Using Dad’s position to acquire businesses. Businesses that Dad will benefit from when he is no longer President.

Jared Kushner seems to be involved in everything.

Testing for the virus an obvious problem. There has to be a better way. Kushner seeking it. Improperly, with conflict of interest hitting him squarely in the face.

The revelation of NBA players receiving preferential treatment is a mere 24 hours old. So too is the information regarding Jared.

Jared has formed what is described as a “shadow task force.” It operates out of the White House in a room above the Oval Office.

Jared and “his people” got serious about getting involved in the testing problem a week ago wednesday.

Jared’s task force people are different from the President’s Task Force people.

Jared believes private enterprise is capable of succeeding where the public sector cannot. His thought appears to have his group come up with a workable plan for drive by testing and certain medial products relevant to the virus. A privately owned corporation.

The corporation appears to be Oscar. Jared’s younger brother Joshua is principal of Oscar. Also involved is a Dr. Kloss. Kloss is Joshua’s father in law and an emergency room doctor.

It has been reported that Jared’s group is “causing confusion.” Some Task Force members do not even know the people on Jared’s task force.

Jared claims his “entrepreneurial approach” will be up and operating in select cities by friday. Friday is tomorrow.

Conflict of interest and personal gain do not appear to be of concern to Jared.

In January, German scientists developed what turned out to be a valid and quick test. The WHO thought it was. They offered it to everyone. No problem in delivery. The test became swiftly available and test results obtained without delay.

Sixty countries accepted WHO’s offer. The U.S. did not.

The U.S. has said recently WHO’s test results were not dependable, etc. The C.D.C. would come up with its own.

We are still waiting. This again is supposedly the week.

In the meantime, the test has proven reliable where used in Asia and Europe.

Trump and Republican figures have a disdain for international organizations, alliances of any kind, and foreigners in general. Results in help from overseas are considered more terrifying in many minds than viruses from overseas.

When Trump became President, he had holdings in V. F. Corp. and Thermo Fisher Scientific. The companies are involved in testing.

Did Trump dispose of his stock at any time? No one knows. It’s like his tax returns. Can’t tell unless you can see them and Trump refuses to provide them.

Testing for the virus has been a failure from day one. Has personal interest caused the problem?

Three situations having the appearance of impropriety. Sort of like if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck,  it has to be a duck.

Enjoy your day!

 

KEY WEST PARTY TOWN NO MORE…..ALL BARS AND NIGHT CLUBS CLOSED

As of 5 pm yesterday, all bars, night clubs, and restaurants in Key West were ordered closed.

Party time ended swiftly. On St. Patrick’s Day no less.

What was will return when the virus passes. The world will come alive again. In the meantime, we all have to be careful. Better safe than sorry.

The Governor closed all bars and nightclubs state wide. Restaurants will be permitted to remain open. No alcohol to be served. Restaurants must only operate at 50 percent capacity. People must be seated with a 6 foot separation.

A stupid move on the Governor’s part. Shut it all down! The idea is to keep people home and not out and about. Might not be a problem in the end. People will be out of work and have no money to spend. Even with government assistance money will be in short supply.

Information is generally swift on TV and the internet. So much going on that not everything is shared.

The Key West Citizen is useless. They only publish every other day. For more than a year now. Finances.

The best place for local news is KONK Life. I refer specifically to the KONK Life E-Blast which appears every day on the internet. Subscribe to it. It’s free.

Guy de Boer does a wonderful job!

Sometimes, I see what others do not.

I predicted sunday that the House bill would not be acted upon by the Republican Senate monday. Here it is wednesday and it still has not been acted upon.

The true problem is the Republicans want to favor corporate interests above those of the working class. The Republicans want to really make the working class second class citizens this time.

Another prediction. Better phrased as a concern.

I reported 4 weeks ago when all this started that ammunition sales had increased 400 percent in one week. This weekend it was reported that gun sales have surged.

Why? My sense is people are concerned about themselves and their families first. Properly so. They trust not the government. Blame Trump.

With everything closing down, they fear what may come. Food scarcity, thievery, etc. It will be each man for himself.

Don’t say no. An inevitability in the making.

A coronavirus update, some observations.

A world wide report. As of yesterday, the virus had doubled world wide in 2 weeks. Now more than 200,000 cases. Deaths reported at more than 8,000.

Some Republicans still do not believe coronavirus a significant danger. No big deal. They consider it a media generated frenzy.

Wait till they or a member of their family get sick. Even worse, die.

McConnell is the perfect two-face. His duplicity exceeds Trump’s.

The House bill from friday still has not been voted on by the Senate. The bill provides protections for the working class.

McConnell failed to keep the Senate in session friday night. He let them go home till 5:30 monday. Mnchin and Trump had approved the bill friday night. Over the weekend, certain Senate Republicans, the President, and McConnell came out of the woodwork saying more had to be done with the bill. A bill the nation is “desperate” for.

Nothing happened monday. Yesterday at noon, McConnell said many changes were required. By 5 pm, he was telling his dissident Republicans to “gag” and pass the bill, there were other bills ahead they could work to achieve the benefits they sought. Like more for corporate America and less for the working man.

Will the Senate pass the bill today? The one we felt confident would be passed monday night. Or, more bullshit?

Blame for the condition the U.S. is in is being placed at the feet of Trump. He waited too long. Too long to acknowledge the problem, too long to act.

I have mentioned more than once in recent days Italy’s move in staying all mortgage payments. One way way to help people get ahead of the crisis.

I suggested it should be done here. Even going one step further. All tenant rent payments should be stayed. Renters need help also. If the landlord does not have to make a mortgage payment, the tenant should not be required to pay the landlord.

It will all balance out in the end. The banks will survive. They always do. The government right now is dumping trillions into their pockets and want to provide more.

Give the working class a break!

Which now brings me to the U.K. My thought re not having tenants pay rent for a while is being pushed in Britain. Johnson wants rent payments to be stayed.

The matter is under serious discussion. All facets being reviewed. No mention of Italy’s suspending mortgage payment plan yet. I suspect the U.K. might adopt both parts of the plan.

At 10 this morning, the stock market was down 850 points. Another 1,000 day drop in the making? God forbid, 2,000!

The market is no different than the people. Each can take a beating only so long.

Note, it is only beginning. The worse is yet to come.

The hotel industry is getting hit big time. The Trump family may lose a dollar or two.

The occupancy rate in New York City dropped to 74 percent following 9/11. Dropped to 79 percent following the Lehman Brothers collapse in 2009. This past week found some New York City hotels with occupancy running 5 percent.

The writing is on the wall. Major hotel chains see it. They are furloughing employees by the tens of thousands. Many are closing on a scale en masse.

Italy keeps moving ahead. PornHub is providing free porn to Italians. Something to do/watch while at home.

Kentucky Fried Chicken has suspended its “Finger Lickin’ Good” slogan.

Enjoy your day!

How?

 

 

MORNING STEW #37

So much news out there. Especially re coronavirus. Makes it impossible to organize. So it is another Morning Stew day. I go as far as my notes will take me.

A problem. I am into my sixth day of self-quarantine. Isolation. Spend a lot of time on my cell phone and computer.

Since yesterday both are moving slow. Takes forever to go from one thing to another on the computer.

A few weeks ago, I began a podcast on Facebook. A day time thing. Several minutes, one issue. I rant and rave.

Do the show off my cell phone. The last step is “connect.” Not connecting. I have been unable to do the podcast for 3 days.

Means a visit to Verizon. Do not want to leave the house. I am Pruell equipped. N95 masks and gloves not yet received. Expect delivery this week. When received, I will be off to Verizon to correct the cell phone problem. Face mask, gloves, and all.

In the meantime, my What Bugs Me Today podcast will be off the air.

I am having my groceries delivered from Publix. Second delivery yesterday.

I enjoy salmon. Never would buy it in a store to prepare at home. Always enjoyed it out. Stuck now. So I had 4 filets delivered. Looked up on the computer various ways to prepare. Followed the frying instructions. A little olive oil, salt and pepper. Voila! Chef Louis did it!

Delicious!

I may learn some things during my home confinement.

I will be doing Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou tonight at 9 my time. A quick half hour. Definitely ranting and raving! Coronavirus provides the opportunity. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Key West is a prime real estate town. Many buying and renting.

The coronavirus is affecting the manner of selling/renting. The virus has affected the way 1 in 4 properties are sold or rented nationally.

Open houses have been stopped. Potential buyers or renters are required to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. They must also remove shoes or wear footsies.

The percentage of change is higher in Washington and California. Washington 47 percent and California 34 percent.

It will become modus operandi for Key West in short order.

The world is slowing down. The U.S. included. With all the closings and everything else happening, America is at a standstill.

China hit the worse. Millions of Chinese affected by the virus.

In every picture I saw of China, the people were wearing masks. The reports were the Chinese people were also being tested.

I appreciate the Chinese can make anything and swiftly. However the numbers affected were overwhelming in China.

Now comes Jack Ma. He is China’s richest man. He announced friday he was shipping 1 million masks and 500,000 testing kits to the U.S. They were ready to fly out of Shanghai friday.

He did not say where or to whom the masks and kits were going.

Ma previously pledged $14.5 million towards development of a vaccine.

Italy is in total lock down. The number afflicted and death toll continues to rise.

I still cannot find Anna.

Death has become additionally sad for family and friends of a deceased.

Mourners face death alone. Mourners grieve in isolation. No traditional funeral services. Gatherings of any kind prohibited and funerals fall into the situation.

An 85 year old man died last week. His 70 year old wife of 50 years wanted to give him a traditional funeral service. Church and cemetery.

She was refused. Traditional funeral services are illegal throughout Italy. They are part of Italy’s “national restrictions against gatherings.”

Italy is thinking outside the box re its problems. What is the saying…..Necessity becomes the mother of invention.

Businesses are closed. People not working. In effect, the nation is in total lock down.

Italy has suspended all mortgage payments.

A terrific idea! Banks normally get helped out first. Not by this procedure. The banks are best able to handle the no pay problem for a while.

Something for the U.S. to consider.

I would go a step further. If a landlord does not have to make a mortgage payment, a tenant should not have to pay rent. The landlord not hurt because he is not obligated to pay the bank. Unjust enrichment not right.

Another beauty aspect of this arrangement is that there will be less reason to bail banks out with American tax dollars.

The stock market closed 3,000 points down friday. Wow!

Not so bad this morning. It is 10 am and the market is only down 10 points today.

My blog sunday was “I Am Concerned.”

The House had passed an emergency aid bill friday night. Mnuchin acting on behalf of the President approved. The President later said he was ok with it.

What remained was for the Republican Senate to approve the bill. The indication again was the President was with it. Repetition for purpose of being clear on the President’s support.

The Republicans went home friday knowing the bill would be coming to them that evening. Which meant this “emergency” measure would have to wait till monday for a vote.

I wrote of my concern. Trump would change his mind on some things. Certain Republican members also.

The unexpected came from left field first. Rep. Louie Gohmert is a Texas Republican. A die hard Trump supporter. A far right winger. Every time I have seen him on TV, I thought the guy was a nut.

Some “minor technical changes” were made by the House over the weekend. Why, I do not know. The way these things are normally handled is for any technical problems to be corrected as an add on in a subsequent bill of any kind.

Gohmert suddenly became holier than thou. He said he could not vote to approve the bill without going over the “minor technical changes.”.

Monday morning, he did. Said everything was ok. Note that under House rules, one member can hold up a bill as Gohmert did.

The emergency bill still awaits passage. I doubt this very important bill will pass the Senate today. The word is it will go before the Senate in 3-4 days.

Trump said he has some changes he wants to make. Event though he said friday night everything was ok.

I had reason to be concerned. My gut was correct. Neither Trump, McConnell or the Republican Senate are to be trusted.

Key West announced over the weekend the closing of 3 landmarks. Smathers Beach, Southernmost Point buoy, and Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.

Corporate McDonald’s announced it was closing all seating and play areas in its facilities. Franchise owners are not part of the arrangement. Corporate McDonald’s believes they will follow corporate’s move in this regard.

Key West Regal Cinema is closed till further notice beginning today.

Trump not looking favorably on his son in law Jared Kushner these days. Bad advice re how to handle the coronavisus crisis.

Especially, the Oval Office speech a week ago.

The word emanating from the White House is Trump “is pissed at Jared.”

Jared convinced the President to treat coronavirus as a PR problem, rather than a national emergency.

Trump’s attitude change was evident in his coronavirus update yesterday. He now views the problem as a national emergency.

New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo is at the forefront of the virus fight in New York. Trump should follow his lead. Cuomo is being active rather than reacting.

He and Trump are at a cross roads. Not agreeing on one of the things that should be done.

Cuomo wants the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to be used to build hospitals to handle the gigantic flow of patients expected. As early as 2 weeks from now, the word is hospitals will be overwhelmed.

The Corps is trained to erect hospitals and to do so immediately.

No one knows why Trump opposes the idea. Could be because it was not his originally.

Bailouts being discussed already. Typical of the way bailouts have been approached in the past.

I do not approve.

The bailouts are being directed at the corporations/big guys rather than the people. Similar to 2008. The banks were bailed out and millions of Americans lost their homes.

The airlines and hotels are already crying for bailout relief. Both can wait. Provisions of the Bankruptcy Law will keep them operable till they can resolve their financial problems.

A hotel industry bailout! Absolutely no way! The Trump family are in the hotel business. They will gouge the program every which way.

This time Main Street should be taken care of. Not the airline and hotel industries.

America’s most favored movie couple have been released from the hospital. Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson were discharged yesterday They are now in self quarantine at a private home in Australia.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

MORNING STEW #36

Wow! Another day with a ton of things to discuss. Too many. Coronavirus is overwhelming even blog reporting.

Here we go! As the material shows up in my notes. No specific order.

Biden/Trump debate last night. Biden decidedly the winner.

I felt sorry for Sanders. He looked beat up, tired. Hunched over more than usual. Slouched even more as the evening went on.

He was tired. It showed. Tired so much that some of his comments made no sense.

I feared on occasion he was going to pass out.

If tomorrow is decidedly for Biden, Sanders should walk away. His time came and passed. No disrespect intended.

I sometimes think the media gives up when it comes to Trump.

Early last week at one of his Rose Gardens coronavirus updates, Trump or one of his “experts” said we would have 1.4 million tests available by sunday night.

Sunday night came and went with no testing units. The new word was 1.9 million would be available in 3-4 days.

This is the same bullshit we have been getting for 4 weeks. The only difference the number of tests units that would be available.

No one has called Trump on this.

Notice I did not use the word “kits.” The reason is each kit is capable of providing 5-7 tests.

Trump and his people never mention this distinction either.

Ventilators. We are told not enough. A real problem. Doctors will be deciding who will live or die. Not everyone will have one if needed.

We know the need is coming and will be dramatic! Plan for it! Require those plants that make them to work extra hours and extra shifts. Discover immediately a quicker method to produce them.

It can be done. Where there is a will, there is a way.

Rick Pitino will be leaving his coaching duties in Greece at the end of the season. He will become coach at Iona.

Amazing! Iona is one of the smallest colleges in the nation. When I attended Manhattan College in New York City, Iona was north of the campus either in the City or Yonkers.

Pitino is one of the greatest basketball coaches ever. He has had a checkered career. Like inducing recruits with prostitutes while at Louisville.

Yeas ago, he took over coaching duties at little Providence. In 2 years, he brought the team to the Final Four.

Pitino and Boeheim are close. Interestingly, Providence lost to Syracuse in the 1987 Final Four semi-finals.

Pitino is a horseman. Buys and races horses. I know him through Saratoga and his basketball coaching days. A New York Broadway type. A good guy, with a few shortcomings.

He will make a great coach at Iona. Don’t be surprised if Iona becomes a major college basketball team within 5 years.

Sunday afternoon, Key West’s Mayor declared a State of Local Emergency. As did the Mayor of Monroe County, also.

No coronavirus cases have been discovered yet in Key West or the County. Does not mean they are not here. Test kits a rare commodity. Next to none.

Key West is a tourist town. Its business tourism. Cruise ships, hotels, bars, restaurants, and beaches.

The cruise ship lines self closed for 30 days. Key West is burgeoning with tourists who drove or flew in. Spring break time on top of the usual tourist load.

Key West bars, small and large alike, packed day and night this time of the year. As are the beaches and restaurants.

New York City a tourist town. Closed Broadway last week. This past weekend closed all bars and restaurants. I would not be surprised to see it happen in Key West in the near future.

I feel sorry for the bar and restaurant workers who bust their asses accommodating tourists. They will be out of work. No way around it, however.

If the coronavirus crisis is not effectively dealt with, the situation will become as it was in 1918 with the world wide Spanish Flu Epidemic. Many will die. Key West will be a ghost town for several years. There will be no jobs then, also.

Better we deal with the problem up front. Not the way Trump is doing it.

Trump announced he had the coronavirus test and passed. Negative for the virus.

He may be. I don’t know. I would not believe him and his cohorts around him on  a stack of bibles.

Recall when Obama was early on running for the Presidency. Trump insisted Obama was not a citizen. Insisted Obama provide a birth certificate. Obama provided a copy. Trump insisted on the original

The same thing should occur here. Trump should be required by the media and his Democratic opposition to provide his negative virus report. The original, of course.

My primary care physician is Dr. Jack Norris. He also serves as Chief of Staff for the Lower Keys Medical Center. He reported yesterday that so far no confirmed cases had been reported in Key West or the Keys. He pointed out however there were few testing kits available.

Dr. Norris also reported that the hospital has been advised it will receive 5 new test kits. Sounds like the toilet paper shortage.

Harry Truman loved Key West. Key West loves Harry Truman. On this day in 1950, Truman arrived in Key West for a 3 week vacation at the Little White House.

The stock market is anticipated to open on the down side again. One thousand two hundred points. The down slide was predicted to continue throughout the day. This could be another 2,000 point day. At the best, a mere 1,000.

Whatever, our financial situation is not getting any better.

Italy has 3,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus. Three hundred sixty dead.

One reason Italy’s numbers are so bad is that Italy did not “get ready” for the virus till later. Much like the U.S. Some medical experts believe the U.S. path will be similar to Italy’s because of our failure to recognize and move swiftly re the problem.

Thank you, Donald!

Trump is a mental freak. My apologies, however he is. He has a compatriot. British Prime Minister Johnson. Friends who are birds of a feather.

Trump has a tendency to listen to world leaders who he admires. All persons of danger in one fashion or another.

The U.K. is afflicted with the coronavirus problem.

Johnson recognizes the elderly are the most vulnerable. He is thinking of putting all over 70 in camps. He claims to better care for them. His real reason to protect the younger. They have a better chance of surviving and their care costs little in comparison to the elderly.

Many in Britain are opposed. His idea is considered a “wartime attack” on the elderly. Culling the expendables. Fascism.

Do I believe Trump might consider or even try such. Absolutely! Anyone who would snatch babies for mothers’ arms and treat children at the border as he has would.

Of course, Donald is well over 70. He might have to set the age at 80 in the U.S.

In the past 2 weeks, I have written and talked about a run on the banks. Could happen. Will happen if economy keeps going kaput.

Many have discussed this personally with me. Most angrily…..Take my money? No way!

I share with you what occurred at 2 New York City banks. One on thursday, the other friday.

The market dropped 2,300 points thursday. Bank of America has a branch in midtown Manhattan. In the heart of the financial district.

People lined up to take cash out of their accounts. Some tens of thousands of dollars. All wanted cash.

The Bank was able to meet the demand. It ran out of $100 bills and had to pay out in smaller denominations as the day wore on.

JP Morgan Chase has a branch across the street. On friday, it had the same experience Bank of America had the day before.

Most people are hoarding groceries. Depositors are stockpiling their cash.

The worry factor is developing.

Note both banks had sufficient funds each day.

No Dueling Bartenders and Antonia’s tonight. I am in self-imposed isolation.

Enjoy your day!

 

 

I AM CONCERNED

I am concerned. Not about coronavirus directly. Rather whether the Republican Senate will do the right thing tomorrow night when it votes on the Emergency Relief Aid package the House passed Friday night.

I trust neither Trump nor McConnell.

Notice Trump stayed out of any direct negation with Pelosi. He worked through Mnuchin. I am confident Mnuchin communicated with Trump along the way. I do not trust Mnuchin either, however.

My gut tells me there will not be a Senate vote Monday night. Certain Republicans will find fault with certain portions.

Also, if the Republicans considered the vote important (as it definitely was), they would have remained in Washington Friday night to vote.

I fear it is part of a game plan involving Trump and the Republican Senate. By keeping himself out of direct negotiations, Trump can claim he is lily white. He agreed to what the House passed through Mnuchin. His claim will be he cannot control everyone. The Republicans bucking the bill did what they did on their own.

I hope I am wrong. We need the emergency aid like yesterday.

Why are people hoarding bottled water? Little mention of the hoarding. I caught a brief few seconds about it on one of the news shows last night. Something about the virus could end up contaminating the water supply.

If so, the American people should be clearly told. Amazing how little is shared with us.

At one of the Rose Garden “shows” last week, my recollection is we were told testing for 1 million would be available by Sunday evening.

If my recollection is correct, the White House has remained silent since that announcement.

Today is Sunday.

It would be horrible if the government failed to meet its most recent deadline.

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson remain in quarantine in Australia.

An interesting couple. They are communicating their present existence. Turns out Rita has a huge sense of humor.

Two days ago she said she only “wanted Corona from Mexico in the future and then only to drink!” Yesterday, she came up with “Quarantunes.” Songs she put together that reflect an isolation existence. Thirty two of them. Like All By Myself, I’m So Tired, and Survivor.

Interestingly, Tom and Rita have been married 31 years. Obviously a good marriage, especially for Hollywood.

When ebola was the international health scare in 2014, ministers on the religious right blamed Obama because God was unhappy with the way he was treating Israel.

Now comes coronavirus. The same minsters are telling us to worry not. It will pass. God will not punish us. The reason being Trump’s position on Israel and abortions.

Politics and religion should never be joined.

Dr. Fauci said yesterday that as many as 1.7 Americans possibly could die because of the virus. He added however that such was “unlikely.”

Tino back!

Tino e-mailed me. Movie and TV productions in Chicago where he lives and play acts are shut down till further notice. Coronavirus responsible. So his pics will be few, if any, for a while.

Tino sent me a photo from a show he did earlier in the year. It is from the Amazon PRIME TV series Fargo. A hoodlum/mafiosi series.

The photo has 5 men sitting around a table. The time the 1930’s. They are Chicago gangsters planning the overthrow of a group of Kansas City mobsters.

The 5 around the table are playing Italians. Tino is of Mexican origin. Four the the 5 are of Mexican origin.

Key West is beginning to lose cruise line business. It is anticipated to increase. Many cruise lines have suspended operations for the next 30 days.

Publix is reacting to the virus by cutting hours. Two hours a day. Will close at 8 in the evening. The reason advised is to give employees time to restock produce and sanitize shelves.

I joined the Publix home delivery service a month ago. Shopped in store yesterday. Forgot to get several items.

Since I have opted to go into some form of quarantine, I used the service this morning. Delivery expected between 1-2. Will let you know how it worked.

My “form of quarantine” is motivated by my age 84 and various maladies I have. Better safe than sorry. Not sure how stringent “my quarantine” will be. I see it as a day to day thing.

Hispanics have become a large voting block in the U.S. Most are Catholics. Hispanics make up 40 percent of all U.S. Catholics.

If the Democrats wish to win elections in years to come, the party better begin working to change the Republican Hispanics to Democrats.

One more political bit. The Biden/Sanders Democratic Primary Debate is this evening. No audience. The debate will take place in a studio. The candidates going at it face to face.

Sponsored by CNN. Eight this evening.

Enjoy your Sunday!

CORONAVIRUS NEEDS AND PROTECTIONS A NEW WAY OF LIFE

I would have to guess yesterday was my first day in a true coronavirus lifestyle. It will take a little getting used to.

My day involved banking, shirt laundry stop, Publix, receiving 5 boxes from Comcast, keeping groceries and Comcast delivery, exhausted, took a 3 hour much needed nap, missed TV sports, TV otherwise sucked last night.

I worried about everything I touched. Pruell delivery had not arrived yet.

Publix a disaster.

No carts. Had to wait a few minutes for one. Used Publix’s Pruell to wipe the hand portion down.

It could have been a few days before thanksgiving or Christmas. Publix packed. Aisles crowded. Jammed. Took forever to go up and down. I even ran into a woman pushing her cart. Her ankle. My apologies humbling. She thought the whole thing funny.

More shelves empty. Toilet paper not replenished. Clorox still gone. Tissues scarce. Bottled water less than half the usual supply.

I bought for tomorrow. Spent over $150. Never spend even $100. My freezer is filling up.

When I arrived home, 5 boxes from Walmart waiting on porch.

Unloading the car and bringing in the boxes an effort in itself. I’m too old for all that lifting.

Unpacked and kept everything.

My first Pruell arrived. I Pruelled everything. It came in an 8 inch tall and 5 inch wide container. One for the house and one for the car. Terrific! I smell antiseptic constantly!

I was exhausted. The shopping and keeping things too much. Hit the bed. Slept for 3 hours.

Normally, I do not mind being home evenings. Always some good sports. No more, however. Everything cancelled for the season.

I can live with movies. Especially the old ones. Not one last night any good.

Not the best of evenings! A drink or 2 would have helped.

I e-mailed Sloan yesterday to stop over. I need Sloan to set up the computer for my next Irma and Me. This one to be titled Coronavirus and Me.

Sloan always worries about me. She e-mailed this morning. Not coming. For fear of coronavirus. Not to affect her. Me.

Sloan is manager of the big sport clothing and equipment store that is part of the Margaritaville complex. She wrote she did not want to endanger me in the event she had picked up the virus.

She is going to set it up through her computer. She has access to  mine. Then she will walk me through what to do.

Key West lost a giant tuesday. One of international fame.

Seward Johnson died. Eighty nine years old. At his winter home in Key West. Johnson’s home is near the Southernmost Point on South Street.

Johnson’s forte was sculpturing.

Marilyn Monroe in front of the Topic. Johnson’s. Two of the tall sculptures in front of the Custom House in years gone by, also. A couple ballroom dancing in full formal attire. The work based on Renoir’s A Dance at Bougival. Recall Unadulterated Surrender. A bronze version of the famous D-Day newspaper photo of a kiss between a sailor and a nurse.

His works will long be remembered.

May he rest in peace.

Typical Key West weather the next week. In the low 80’s each day.

Simonton Street is finally under repair. From Truman to Front. About time. Long overdue. Sidewalks to be repaired also.

Work started last week or this week. Began at Truman and will work its way toward Front.

The City responsible for the work. Selected the contractors.

I recall when the State repaired North Roosevelt Boulevard. Took forever! The reason being the construction crews did not work every day.

I sense the same thing occurring already with the Simonton Street repairs.

Saw no one working yesterday.

Everyone getting ready for coronavirus in one fashion or another. The question arises as to whether wisdom will prevail in each instance.

It was announced thursday the Lower Keys Medical Center was ready and waiting. Seven rooms had been made ready to serve as isolation rooms.

A problem from my perspective. Enough rooms? Seven a mere pittance. If isolation rooms are needed, it will without doubt be more than 7. Then what do we do?

Key West and the State’s Monroe County Director for Health have not thought the problem out sufficiently. They must think outside the box.

California’s Governor Newscom issued an Executive Order thursday. The State is authorized to take over hotels and motels to use as hospitals if so required during the crisis. Already one motel has been appropriated. The San Carlos. It is being used to care for  and isolate passengers from the Grand Princess cruise ship.

One thing Key West has a lot of are hotels and motels. It would not be a bad idea to plan for their usage if necessary.

Insanity! Insanity! Insanity! Man is frequently crazy!

Pedophilia in the Catholic Church bad. No question about it.

How about a government encouraging pedophilia. It happened. In Germany from 1969-2003. The sickening and bizarre sexual experiment about to be described reflects shades of Dr. Mengele.

Lawsuits have been initiated on behalf of the children now adults who were legally placed in pedophile situations.

Specifically involved is the Berlin Senate.

The activity is described as the Kentler Experiment. Helmut Kentler convinced the Berlin Senate that pedophilia could have “positive” consequences on children who were unruly or “feeble minded.” They would benefit from “adult sexual education.”

He convinced the powers to be that children would be “head over heels in love” with their new father figures.

It cannot be ascertained whether the Berlin Senate formally agreed to the situation or approved it behind closed doors.

Whatever, the Berlin Senate has acknowledged its responsibility in these cases. All that remains is for settlements to be negotiated.

An amazing story!

I discussed yesterday the Federal Reserve Repo of $1.5 trillion. The money directed to Wall Street to insure certain banks and other financial institutions would not go under.

Appreciate that $1.5 trillion is an amount equal to the total amount of the student debt, more than twice as much as the original TARP bailout during the 2008 financial crisis, and nearly 30 times the net worth of Michael Bloomberg.

Where does the money come from? The $1.5 trillion? Simple: From thin air. The Fed simply adds some numbers onto a balance sheet and the money is created.

Scary!

The stock market went up 1,980 points yesterday. Based on Trump declaring a national emergency and $50 billion in funding.

It will go down again next week.

No matter what is done, we are heading for a world wide recession.

Many schools have been closed through out the country. New York City has declared an emergency situation. However, its schools remain open.

Mayor de Blasio has an additional problem if he closes the schools. One hundred thousand children are homeless. The only meal most get each day is the one the school system provides free. How do these kids get fed if the school system closes down?

De Blasio smart. He’ll work it out.

Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson have tested positive for coronavirus and are in isolation in Australia. Hanks appears to want to keep people advised as to how he and his wife are handling the problem. I sense to make people aware as to what will confront them if they are similarly diagnosed.

Hanks and wife issued separate statements yesterday. Hanks’ second in the past few days.

Hanks reported, “There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one day at a time. There are things we all can do to get through this by following the advice of experts and taking care of ourselves and each other, no?”

Hanks also wrote, “Not much more to it than a one day at a time approach.”

Hanks’s wife Rita exposed her sense of humor: “From here on out, the only Corona I want is from Mexico and you drink it!”

Enjoy your day!

MORNING STEW #35

Information overwhelming. Coronavirus motivated directly and indirectly. Impossible to provide any semblance of order. Ergo, a Morning Stew!

I have made the decision to remain in as much as possible. The virus concerns me. Eighty four makes me susceptible, especially when tied in with my maladies.

My day yesterday would have been ok because of the Syracuse/Louisville game in the evening. The game was cancelled. The balance of the season cancelled.

Watched TV, read, and dozzed on and off all day.

Media and White House at odds as to what should be done re the virus. Better to rely on TV and the experts rather than the White House. Ineptness leads us in Washington.

Spent a bit of time reading my friend Dot Downs’ Her Soldier of the Queen. Interesting. A U.K./Ireland war tale. Much romance. I can’t wait to see Dot again. She is my age. I want to know where in her early life experiences (if correct) she picked up the love/sex scenes.

What goes around, comes around. Trump screwed China with the trade war. China reciprocated. China’s impact nowhere as harsh as Trump’s hit.

Prior to coronavirus, the U.S. imported most of the raw materials to make pharmaceuticals, especially vaccines, from China. It was reported in yesterday’s Party newspaper that China may cut or reduce their supply of raw meds to the U.S.

Are school administrators losing it?

Last friday, State Police were called to the Union School District in Rimersburg, Pennsylvania, after a “known” juvenile allegedly robbed the school cafeteria of a juice box valued at 80 cents.

Paid leave during the virus crisis under consideration. A good idea!

Problem is where the money is to come from.

Trump proposes a “payroll tax holiday.” He is wrong again. Such a holiday would hurt Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries. It would also inure to the benefit of the rich. It would provide them with more disposable income than the poor.

How long will it take to make up for the recent market losses. History the best indication.

The 1987 Black Monday crash was 508 points. Market lower back then. The 508 points was equal to 22 percent of the market.

Took 2 years to recover.

The Great Depression of 1929 took 20 years to recover. And then only because of World War II which created employment for everyone.

It will take a long time for this market to return.

The American people are afraid. Properly so. Especially when our leader does not seem to know what he is doing.

Our world is closing down around us. Sport seasons and big time frames have been instituted. Some extremely quick. The Big East Tournament an example. The League called an end to the season at the half time of the St. John/Creighton game yesterday.

Sport stadiums, Broadway, political rallies, etc. The lights have gone dark.

Some do not want to recognize the reality of the virus nor the ineptness of Trump. One of the comments to my blog recently read, “Why is everybody trying to hurt him when all he is trying to do is what’s best for the country, not for himself…..The more they try, the more ‘we real people’ can see what a Hoax it really is.”

Signed “Anonymous, ” of course.

Is Steve Bannon or his thinking still involved in U.S. governing? He has been out of the White House for at least 2 years. I recall back in 2017 when he was part of Trump’s staff saying the deconstruction of America was “a daily fight.”

Everytime Trump or one of his cohorts speak of “testing,” the American people are assured “soon.” We are still waiting. When? We will never get a handle on the problem in the U.S. till we know what the numbers are and where.

As the virus becomes more acute, the number needing medical attention rises. We do not have enough hospital beds nor ventilators. Few plans are being made as to what to do. A few areas are making plans to go to tents.

While all this nothing is going on, Trump this morning was attacking Obama via tweeting.

We are still sitting on our asses re testing. Not my fault or yours. Donald’s.

Tell me why New York’s Governor Cuomo has drive through testing going on in New Rochelle. Trump has not implemented the procedure anywhere in the U.S. Where did Cuomo get the test kits? He seems to know more than the President.

Yesterday, Tom Hanks and his wife tested positive for coronavirus. Today, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s wife Sophie.

Why is Donald not testing? We know he has had 2-3 contacts.

Perhaps he does not want to know. And, doesn’t care if he infects anyone.

Trump lied several times in his Oval Office report to the nation. The 2 most egregious included testing.

One his statement that all people coming in from Europe were being tested “Heavily tested.” In fact, there was and is no system set up to so test.

The other is that the testing is “going very smoothly.” Of course it is. There is no testing! How can there be any screw-ups?

Dr. Fauci reported yesterday that the system is “a failing…..admit it!”

Another Governor taking the bull by the horns is California’s Newscom. He signed an order to take over California hotels for use of coronavirus patients. Solves the anticipated shortage of hospital beds problem.

New York’s Mayor de Blasio declared a state of emergency for the City yesterday.

Many universities are closing down. Going off line. Beside class room lectures, all activities canceled till April 6.

California finally finished its count. As anticipated, Sanders won. He took in 34 percent of the vote as opposed to Biden’s 27 percent.

Room was found this week for a bit of news re global warming.

Polar ice caps are melting 6 times faster than in the 1990’s. The loss in Greenland and Antarctica is accelerating.

Your cell phone is “dirty.” Possible carrier of the virus. A wipe with a product having 70 percent isopropyl alcohol recommended. Clorox suggested. Wipe easy.

I have been suggesting for 2 years another recession was going to hit. Thought it would last year. I was wrong.

My motivation was two-fold. The banks were playing the same games they did in 2008 and the banks were losing funds.

The Fed saw this happening. They began playing the Repo game. I first reported on Repos 2 months ago.

Banks sometimes do not have enough money. If all depositors wanted their money back at the same time, banks doors would close. There would not be sufficient funds.

The problem especially concerning smaller banks.

To avoid bank defaults, the Fed would lend money today to a bank and the bank would pay the money back tomorrow. Simple. Then the monies were probably reborrowed for another day on the tomorrow.

The amounts were relatively insignificant. In the millions. Then billions.

Beginning to day, in the trillions!

Bigger banks involved. Money needed for longer periods. Twenty four hour rule out the window. Now banks can “borrow” for up to a 3 month period before repaying.

What is happening is no less than a bank bailout. A bailout to Wall Street.

Who bails us out?

South Carolina’s James Clyburn turned the Democratic primary in Biden’s direction. He is an elderly black man. He was there with Martin Luther King Jr. Majority Leader today of the House of Representatives. One of the most respected men in Washington.

An Axios HBO show will be run this sunday at 6 pm.

In a portion of the show already released, Clyburn said, The U.S. “could very well go the way of Germany in the 1930’s.”

I have been saying it for 2 years.

Ian Welsh is a Canadian blogger who I frequently read. In a blog published 3/12 titled Coronavirus Bungling Is What We Voted For, Welsh wrote, “Donald Trump is a blittering idiot and incompetent at the actual mechanics of running a government. This is not to deny his other competencies at bullying and running a campaign, but he’s seriously mentally deficient. He is bungling the Coronavirus response. That’s going to lead to a lot of dead people, including a lot of old people who, forgive me, voted for him.”

Zeroing in on Keys coronavirus cases.  It must safely be assumed they are on the rise. However, not all the sick are being tested.  Actually few.

Bob Eadie is the Director of the Florida Keys Chapter of the Florida Health Department. A full time job. He has held it since 2007. One problem. He is not a doctor. He’s a lawyer.

The past few weeks he has been the politician…..Speaking as Washington and Tallahassee do. Not as a Dr. Fauci.

For example, he claims tests are available. All one has to do is go to a doctor. Then be directed to the Health Department for a test.

The Health Department cannot test everyone. Would result in an
“overload.” It would be a “wasting of resources.”

So some tests are being done. How many, we do not know.

The reason we do not know is Eadie cannot tell us till Tallahassee gives him permission.

So much for transparency.

Dana Milbank is the much respected Washington Post columnist. His most recent column was titled: “Got A Medical Question? Ask Dr. Trump!”

Cartoons were big time in my youth…..1930’s and 1940’s. Especially Walt Disney ones.

The Disney ones generally closed with Porky Pig saying: That’s all folks!

I sign off in a similar fashion today…..That’s all folks!

Enjoy your day!

 

 

 

 

CORONAVIRUS ENVELOPING US…..BLACKER BY THE DAY

Never have I seen anything move as swiftly as coronavirus. Dr. Fauci warned yesterday it would get even worse over the next 10 days. I believe him.

The virus is affecting every phase of our lives.

An example is a dear lady friend who resides in another State. She had called me. “I’m afraid,” she said. She is a widow. Has some money and stocks. Cash in the bank a little over $200,000. Value of stocks, who knows anymore.

What do I do, Louis?

I suggested she take all her money out of the bank. Not to hoard it. Buy gold. The stocks I had no judgment on. She said her husband said never sell when the market goes down because it always comes back.

My thought was she should not follow her husband’s advice. We are heading for a 1929 market. She would be dead before the stocks bounced back. Sell and buy gold.

I pressed her to get her money out of the bank swiftly. People are going to begin runs on their banks. The banks will not have sufficient monies to pay off everyone.

She called me later yesterday. She called her bank and asked to have her money ready in cash. She was coming down to close out her accounts. She was told the earliest the bank could have her money available was next wednesday. A major bank.

Those of you reading, do not follow my thoughts. I am not an economist. My only claim to some minimal knowledge is I am 84 and have experienced many things in my life.

Which now brings me to the stock market.

The market was down 1,400 points at close yesterday. Opened this morning already 1,600 points down. At 11:30 this morning, the market was down more than 2,000 points.

With everything closing down, it ain’t going to come back fast!

My yesterday. Blog in the morning. Reworked a part of Growing Up Italian early afternoon. Napped 3 hours later in afternoon.

It was supposed to be Shana Key for dinner last night with Susan. she begged off. Monday was supposed to be dinner with another charming lady who also backed off.

I’m doing good!

I’m beginning to wonder if my age has anything to do with it. None are in their 80’s. They are in less danger than I to acquire the virus. Whatever.

My evening turned out to be a good one. Watched Syracuse play North Carolina in the ACC Tournament. Syracuse destroyed North Carolina 81-53. It was a no competition game for Syracuse.

The amusing part of this tale is that North Carolina demolished Syracuse 2 weeks ago 92-79.

It’s Syracuse/Louisville tonight. I will remain home to watch.

The ACC announced after last night’s game that fans will not be permitted to any further games. A “limited fan policy” has been instituted. A mere handful of visitors will come through the doors. Family and friends.

Coronavirus being felt again.

Trump sits in the hot seat these days. He has heavy decisions to make. All with far reaching consequences.

Is he capable? I do not believe he is.

He did an Oval Office presentation to the nation last night. I assumed to reveal how he was going to handle the crisis from this point forward.

He was totally unimpressive. Totally depressed me.

A couple of solutions suggested which would, per his usual custom, aid the wealthy and screw the poor.

Paid leave. Trump would fund it with a “payroll tax holiday.” Intended to put a “pay check” in a worker’s pocket while he/she remains home because of he virus, to care for someone with the virus, etc.

The payroll tax is 12.4 percent. Sole purpose to pay Social Security benefits. One half paid by the employer, the other half by the employee.

If the employee is self employed, the employee pays the full 12.4 percent.

The reasoning behind eliminating the payroll tax is that it leaves more “disposable income” in people’s hands. They will spend more money, thereby stimulating the economy.

Two negatives involved.

First, the rich will benefit more. They earn more. They will have significantly more disposable income than ordinary persons.

An example of more for the rich and less for the poor.

The second reason even worse. Money will not go into the Social Security account for a long period. Such threatens future retiree benefits. They will be much less than anticipated. Could also affect present retirees. Many need that check, no matter how small. At some point, check amounts will of necessity have to drop.

Washington always wants to cut Social Security. Trump included. It was a mere 2 weeks ago he said at a rally he would not cut Social Security and Medicare. He would protect those benefits for the American people.

Certain businesses are struggling. No question about it. More will be also. Just as the American people themselves will be.

Trump wants to “bailout” certain businesses. Just like we bailed out the auto industry and banks.

The man is a pig, however. One of the industries he wants to bail out are the hotels. Is he mad! He who may still have a financial interest in some or all of his hotel empire. His children own the Trump hotel industry with or without him.

Then there is the oil industry.

Coronasvirus has nothing to do with oil and gas producers. Zip!

The industry is in trouble because of a Russia/Saudi Arabia oil war. Trump’s “friend” Putin behind the war. He hopes it will ultimately adverse the U.S. shale oil industry.

It already is doing so. America’s shale oil industry is and has been heavily debted. A bailout is need. Trump wants to use the virus as an excuse to bail out the shale oil people.

One of he hardest hit companies is Continental Resources. Owned by Harold Hamm. A Trump supporter and also an adviser to Trump on energy issues.

Some additional coronavirus irems.

American movie star Tom Hanks and his wife Rita Wilson tested positive.

They are in Australia. They went for pre-production work for the movie Elvis Presley. Hanks will play Presley’s long time manager Colonel Tom Parker.

Hanks said he and Rita “felt a bit tired, like we had colds, and some body aches. Rita…..chills…..came and went. Slight fevers too……tested for coronavirus, and were found to be positive.”

Hanks said they would follow protocol, be tested, observed, and isolated for as long as public health and safety requires. “We’ll keep the world posted and updated.”

The last sentence may be one of the greatest practical help to all. Hearing first hand from a person we all respect and admire he and his wife’s experiences with the virus.

Google has sent its staff home. All 120,000 of them. They are to work from home.

Princess Cruises announced it has ceased sailing for 60 days.

Dr. Anthony Fauci a medical great. An infectious disease expert. Respected by all. Perhaps not Trump.

He is Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

He reported yesterday before a Congressional Committee that coronavirus is 10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.

I was a professional. I expected my clients to listen to me.

My life experience as a lawyer has trained me to listen to doctors. I do to the letter what I am told.

I sense based on their advice that this 84 year old man should spend more time in house rather than out on the town. I will. I have already begun storing food and other necessities. I expect a huge supply of Pruell any day. Even ordered plastic gloves.

N95 face masks difficult to obtain. A 1-2 month wait. Supposedly a friend was going to get me some. I am still waiting.

What I am trying to say is I will be spending more time in the house rather than out.

Must entertain myself in some fashion.

Recall Irma and Me. Well, there is going to be a Coronavirus and Me. Beginning with yesterday. Diary fashion. Not my blog reprinted.

Eventually to be published. Assuming the virus does not kill me.

Enjoy your day!

THE WORM TURNS / THE BOSTON TEA PARTY

I always considered the worm turning a less than tasteful phrase.  Till I learned its actual meaning.

The short phrase is derived from a 1546 proverb. The actual line: “Even a worm will turn.” Its meaning surprising. A person pushed too far will retaliate.

That is why the Boston Tea Party is part of the title. The colonists were pushed too far by the Crown’s abusive taxing and dumped the tea into the sea.

I take the phrase and tea dumping to introduce Federal District Court Judge Lynn Adelman of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Judge Adelman has had it with the conservative Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court. He is striking out. He has written an article for the prestigious Harvard Law Review which will be published soon. The article condemns the Robert Court’s assault on democracy.

Judge Adelman’s observations include the Supreme Court privileges the wealthy and corporate interests at the expense of the public. He states the Court has greatly contributed to income inequality, health care inequality, and the hollowing out of the American middle class.

Judge Adelman wrote, “We are in a new and arguably dangerous phase in American history. Democracy is inherently fragile…..We desperately need public officials who will work to revitalize our democratic republic. Unfortunately, the conservative justices on the Roberts Court are not among them.”

Lower court federal judges do not criticize the Chief Justice or the members of the Supreme Court themselves in such a public fashion. Judge Adelman’s words reflect the boiling cauldron that is tipping.

He is not the only one to recently so criticize. Associate Justice Sotomayor in a recent dissent was critical of Gorsuch and Kavanaugh. She asserted they had their thumb on the scale in certain type decisions.

Trump continues to believe Putin is his good friend. There is a saying the blind cannot see. Trump is blind in this regard.

World oil problems reveal once again that Trump’s friendship with Putin is “bogus.”

Putin has initiated an oil war with Saudi Arabia. His intent was not to get at Saudi Arabia. Rather, to go through such a scenario in order to get at the United States. Putin’s goal is to drown U.S. shale oil companies that rely on higher prices in a sea of cheap crude.

The U.S. oil industry is fragile. Built on a mountain of debt. Putin wants to cripple the U.S. shale industry.

There is a reason. Up to 2018, Russia was the world’s largest oil provider. In 2018, the U.S. replaced Russia because of “debt ridden fracking growth” in the U.S.

Thank you again Donald for neither understanding nor knowing what is going on. Continue to think you are friends with the tyrants of the world. You a wanna-be one.

The wonders of Sweden’s socialism is bringing the nation down.

A Woman’s Day March was held yesterday in Malmo, Sweden. One of the marchers carried a sign: Sweden Must Die.

Sweden was the gem socialist state till about 15 years ago. Then Muslims from North Africa and the Middle East began arriving. Free everything!

The result scary.

It is predicted that “ethnic Swedes” will be a minority in their own country in 40 years. Maybe, sooner. Ten percent of babies born in Sweden today have Islamic names.

The Swedes and Muslims are in constant conflict. Violence and crime are on the upswing. Especially since a new migration in 2015. The level of conflict is described as “a small war.”

It is assumed it will only get worse with the passage of time.

Biden is on a roll! Yesterday’s Democratic primary proof. Biden won 4 of 6 states.

Sanders will have to pull out at some point. It does not appear he can be successful.

There is a debate sunday between the 2. Then more primaries tuesday. Let the debate and tuesday primaries go forward. If Sanders still looks bad, he should withdraw and support Biden.

Understandably tough for him to do. He fought the good battle 4 year ago and is fighting it again. Problem is he is not going to make it. Such is life. The goal of all Democrats should be to defeat Trump and save America!

Some coronavirus observations re Italy.

The entire nation is under lockdown. The government’s message: Everyone stays home. The message was received. They are staying  home.

Rome and Milan are “ghost towns.” No one on the streets.

Pope Francis has interjected himself.  He has directed his priests to “get out” and comfort the sick. Makes sense. Francis said, “My priests have the courage to get out…..go to the sick to bring them the comfort of God.”

Francis is correct. From the time of Jesus, priests have made it one of their primary responsibilities to help the sick. Even where the sickness was leprosy.

Italians can be dramatic. I know. I am of of Italian ancestry. My mother was born in Italy. I make the observation because some in Italy are asking the question as to whether the coronavirus is the beginning of the apocalypse.

During the Civil War, Lincoln’s General-in-Chief of all Union armies was General George B. McClellan. Donald Trump in uniform. A more inept general did not exist.

Lincoln picked up on McClellan’s ineptness quickly. Fired him this day in 1862. Actually demoted him to Commander of the Army of the Potomac. McClellan did no better.

He saw the handwriting on the wall. Resigned.

Thought he was smarter than Lincoln. Knew everything. He ran against Lincoln for President in the Election of 1864. Lincoln buried him.

I wrote a term paper on The Presidential Election of 1864 while in college. McClellan and Trump had many similar traits. I would describe them as birds of a feather.

Trump and Nero had similar traits, also.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. The U.S. and the world are in the midst of a deadly virus. How to defeat it the most important issue facing everyone. Including Trump.

Not all the time, however. Yesterday morning instead of tweeting re coronavirus, Trump tweeted charging Obama with all sorts of wrongdoing and called out for support in getting the wall built.

An idea. Trump moved monies from the military budget and other budgets to build the wall. Now big time dollars are required to deal with the cornavirus epidemic. Trump should borrow the unused “borrowed monies” for the wall and use them to deal with the coronavirus crisis.

Washington State hit the hardest from the virus. It is projected that if things continue as they are, Washington will have 64,000 coronavirus cases by May.

May Johnson’s love life?

There is now an “Everest.” Second time in 2 weeks she has mentioned him. In today’s diary she wrote that “she fixed a letter to Everest.”

Enjoy your day!