Mr. President To Be: Congratulations! Seventy eight years old! God bless!

You are young in heart and mind. This is your time. America needs you.

America’s Catholic Church has a way of getting involved far more than it should. At a time when its track record the past 40 years leaves much to be desired.

The abortion issue rises again! In a very small minute area.

San Francisco Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Brennan yesterday urged Catholics not to “jump on the COVID-19 vaccine bandwagon.” He cited certain concerns about the use of fetal cells in vaccine development. He said, “I don’t want to rain on anyone’s parade, but I’m going to rain on a parade today: The vaccine parade.”

Bishop Brennan said that some researchers racing to produce a coronavirus vaccine have made use of cells derived from aborted fetuses and perhaps other “morally objectionable” materials. Apparently most companies producing vaccines use fetal cells at a stage in a vaccine’s development.

His specifics a bit unclear. The  Bishop claims he was referring to fetus cells from an abortion or material cast off from the artificial insemination of a human embryo. It is the second portion that confuses me.

Respectfully, the good Bishop then sounded like Rudy Giuliani. He cited the Pfizer vaccine as involving human cell material.

Pfizer spokeswoman Jerica Pitts responded later saying, “Not a single stage has had it.”

“The Charlotte Logier Institute is an anti-abortion organization. It said that both Pfizer and Moderna were listed by them as “ethically uncontroversial.”

The coronavius vaccine is most important at this stage. The Bishop should check the facts before making a pronouncement on an issue so important.

I actually feel sorry for Giuliani. A top notch prosecutor in his day no longer in his prime or anything close to it. He embarrasses the legal profession.

Trump is taking Giuliani down with him. Trump most likely neither cares nor gives it any thought.

His legal theories embarrassing. He forgets law is required to support such theories.

Yesterday, my heart broke for him. This once great lawyer speaking at a press conference was sweating big time. He repeatedly took out his handkerchief to wipe his wet face.

The worst was yet to come. Apparently Giuliani dyes his hair. His business. However, he should make sure it is done properly. Black sweat lines on both sides of his face were running from his hairline down his cheeks to his jaw.

Would you believe there are persons dying in hospitals who deny having the virus and/or claim it dos not exist?

South Dakota has made it big time as concerns the virus. Its numbers way up. Hospitals packed. Medical personnel beat. Supplies running short.

Jodi Doering is a nurse at a South Dakota hospital. She was interviewed on TV yesterday. She is the person who brought dying patient denial of the virus to the nation’s attention.

Denial of the existence of coronavirus! Wow! The number sick and the number dying speak for themselves.

Nurse Doering says caring for patients in denial is like a “horror movie that never ends.” She has patients on 100 percent oxygen that can only breathe because of the 100 percent oxygen being provided. Some of those in denial are in this group.

Difficult to understand when 250,000 have already died from the virus.

Sounds like most must be loyal Trump followers who drank the “kool aid.”

I have been sharing some local comments about the virus and how Key West is handling it. The comments are taken directly from the Citizens’ Voice. All so far have been by locals.

Today came the first by a tourist: “We visited Key West for the weekend based on a Trip Advisor recommendation. No masks or distancing on Duval. Bars are literally a petri dish. I feel sorry for those that work there. Requirements posted all over Key West but no enforcement at all. We will not be back.”

Coronavirus surging in our tiny Keys. Monroe County registered 300 new cases in less than a week. Positivity rates for Key West all over the place. Read one that was 18 percent. Another, 11.78 percent. Not sure which is accurate. Both too high in any event.

Key West got 49 new cases on thursday. One day. Would you believe?

Key West infections total 1,412. Presently hospitalized 9.

You will recall that last week I advised the City Commission had once again capitulated to the bars and restaurants. Policies have been drawn back some what.

The City is back to work this week re restrictions. Most of those reduced last week have increased this week. The writing was on the wall. The City fathers finally saw it. I hope.

Mask wearing required full time. A few exceptions. Someone referred to the mask wearing increase as “mask gestation.”

Recognized also was that were not a sufficient number of officers out on the street handing out citations to those not wearing masks. Through yesterday, police and codes personnel were utilized. Members of the Fire Department were added.

We shall see. This is friday. The weekend is here. Tourists will arrive in huge numbers. The bars and restaurants will be full. Coronavirus will have its usual weekend feast.

Maybe, just maybe, Syracuse can win its second football game of the season tonight.

Someone screwed up because Syracuse/Louisville is being touted as the Game of the Week. Seven tonight.

Syracuse  has only won 1 game this season. Louisville 2. The season is almost over.

Our 1896 beauty May Johnson was out again last night. La Brisa, of course. “Much dancing……came home 11:30, bed. DEAD TIRED”

Everest is due home this week. Wonder how things will go.

Enjoy your day!

A triumvirate is a group working together to increase their power and control a government. The first historically was the trio of Julius Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus in 60 B.C.

There is a new triumvirate in Washington these days. Three men seeking to control the government of the U.S. Trump, Giuliani, and Bannon.

Trump is President. Wants to remain President. He exercises very little personal judgment. His mind seems to be screwed up re the election result. How could he lose!

Trump’s primary concern is the election. He wants to change the result if possible. If not, lay the groundwork for another run in 2024.

The battle to reverse the election result is in the hands of Giuliani. He leads legally. Trump listens.

America’s Mayor is no more. He has lost all respect over the years. Especially the most recent. He almost got Trump convicted of impeachment. Now he is guiding Trump with his radical false ways to somehow diminish the election result. His efforts have been and will be futile. They are as way out as the story behind the Ukraine fiasco.

Giuliani is happy with his present position. He is in the limelight. Only one problem Whatever legal abilities he had in days long bye, no longer exist. His time has passed. He is inept.

However, he influences Trump. Giuliani provides the radical legal theories that hopefully will upset the election.

Finally, there is Bannon.

Bannon is Giuliani’s co-pilot to a degree in the election schemes.

Bannon is involved even more in guiding Trump. Radical moves nationally and internationally are Bannon’s forte. He has not changed. His goal is to take down the establishment. It was so when he helped Trump get elected and continues to be now that he is in Trump’s good graces again.

Bannon is a far right populist. His life goal has been and continues to be to create a network of far right such groups in Europe. If along the way he can capture the U.S., so much the better.

This past summer, Bannon was arrested for fraud involving donors. The purported purpose to raise money from private donors for Trump’s wall.

He remains under indictment. Yet Trump has returned him to the White House as a major advisor to help undermine Biden. Most if not all the staff changes Trump has made in recent weeks were Bannon’s idea. He seeks to break the legs of the U.S. internationally.

Bannon’s most recent efforts have involved taking down the Vatican. He wants Pope Francis out. Together with Newt Gingrich, he has become a thorn in the side of the Pope. Many prelates have joined with Bannon in the effort.

Gingrich’s wife was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican by Trump.

Tweet recently threw Bannon off its social media publication. The action followed Bannon calling for the beheading of Dr. Anthony Fauci and FBI Director Christopher Wray.

He recommended their heads be put on poles outside the White House as a “warning.” A throwback to Tudor England.

Trump influences neither Giuliani nor Bannmon. He listens to them because they say what he wants to hear. Something both men recognize.

Bannon is much smarter than Giuliani. Giuliani’s smarts are limited these days.

Bannon influences both Trump and Giuliani. He represents the most danger.

Everyone in the White House is secondary and below Giuliani and Bannon. Including, Jared Kushner.

I suspect Bannon will be breaking into the news shortly. His actions too important not to be reported.

Enjoy your day!

Good morning!

There is no consistency to today’s topics. Which means it’s a Morning Stew day!

Heard from my Seattle friend Cathy again. Washington is in lock down. Supermarket shelves running bare.

Cathy went to another supermarket yesterday. Shelves not full, however better than the previous one. Notably not in stock toilet paper. Not one package left.

I recall earlier in the year when coroanvirus hit Key West with some significance and some stores were without certain items. The #1 item missing from the shelves was toilet paper.

I don’t understand what the relationship between the virus and toilet paper is. I understand the need and value of the product. Not to be without! However there are other items that would seem to be equal to or more in need.

Trump has done an excellent job in combating the coronavirus. Consider the number dead, the increasing numbers each day, etc. Donald can take credit for bringing two of the Four Horsemen upon us. Death and plague.

Trump’s interest in the virus significant. In 5 months, he has not attended one Coronavirus Task Force meeting.

Cable news carried an interesting item last night. We know Trump tweets. Has to be in the thousands.

It was announced that Trump has his tweets printed. For his review and whatever further use.

No question the man is an egomaniac. Only such a person would have his tweets printed.

Could Trump’s printed tweets ultimately be used against Trump as the tapes were against Nixon?

Lindsay Graham is a strange duck.

He has been a Senator for 17 years. Too long! Too long for him and all other Congressional persons who make a career out of governing. Graham is a walking example of the need for terms limits.

He screwed up yesterday. The South Carolina Senator got his nose in Georgia politics.

One observation before proceeding further. Lindsay was once the close friend of John McCain. McCain died and Lindsay became the close friend of the President. Some kind of inconsistency there!

There was a telephone call involving Lindsay and Georgia election officials. A conference call. Several on the line.

Georgia undergoing a Presidential recount. Trump has no way of winning. He is 14,000 votes behind Biden.

Lindsay stepped over the line when he asked if there was some way of tossing some of the ballots. Ballots that favored Biden. Lindsay was looking for a way to legally dispose of a number of Biden’s ballots.

None of Lindsay’s business! The inquiry has the tinge of wrongdoing. Corruption.

There are others on the line who can corroborate Lindsay’s inquiry. One already has.

We learned at the end of last week that Trump had retained Giuliani to head his legal teal re the election.

Understandable. Trump’s win/loss record in election court cases 1-24. Trump a definite loser in the courtroom.

His cross country attorneys seem to be withdrawing in mass. Ergo, Trump brought his friend Giuliani into the fold as his new head election attorney.

Two observations.

Giuliani announced he was being paid $20,000 a day. Excellent money! I know of no attorney who has ever been paid that much. Even the top guys in Washington and New York.

Giuliani is not worth that kind of money. His days as a court room lawyer are behind him. He seems to be inept in recent years every time he gets involved with a legal issue.

Trump later disputed the amount. Giuliani apparently had a talk with Trump. Giuliani reported his fee would be determined at the end of the case.

Doubt Giuliani will be paid $20,000 a day or any money for that matter. Trump’s reputation for paying his lawyers is well known. He does not.

Another observation involves Giuliani’s appearance in a Philadelphia court room this week. The judge handed him his head.

Giuliani got up to address the court. His words were to the effect that the case was one involving national fraud.

The judge inquired of Giuliani regarding the factual proof and whether there was any fraud at all. Giuliani finally agreed with the judge there was none.

Go Giuliani!

On this day in 1626, St. Peter’s Basilica was consecrated. Then and now it is the world’s largest Christian Church.

Its size enormous. I have visited several times.

One way to appreciate St. Peter’s size is to recognize that St. Patrick’s in New York City would easily fit into St. Peter’s with tons of room left over.

Street flooding is common place in Key West. Heavy rains, ocean surfaced land, and an inadequate drainage system means flooding on occasion. Some times intersections deep enough to swim in.

It has always been so.

I came across a couple of observations re Key West flooding. Don’t recall which storm. Do recall it was at least 20 years ago.

Comments made by observers at the time.

“My German Shepard had to swim on his walk.”

“The water was above the urinals at the Monster. But we kept partying.”

“Sloppy Joe’s stayed open. People rowed boats to get there.”

Key West’s coronavirus numbers continue to go up. We have the largest numbers in the Keys. No other Keys community near us.

There are generally two sides to a story. So it is in Key West. Pitted against each other are bar, restaurant owners and their employees. Some other business operations. As well as the Chamber of Commerce and City Commission. The politicians seem to always capitulate to the bars, restaurants, and Chamber of Commerce.

On the other side, locals. People who reside in Key West all year long. The locals continue to take a beating. Key Westers continue getting the virus. Fortunately, no deaths yet. Key West’s positivity rate is 16.9 percent.

Simply stated, the problem is the virus is driven down to Key West from Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa and other parts north. They party and leave the coronavirus behind.

The Citizens’ Voice seems to carry more and more complaints by locals. Almost every day now.

Today’s comments as follows.

“Stop the tourists. Put the roadblock back up.”

“I walked Duval last night to see how the business owners who promised the Commission they would help with safety instead of a curfew were doing. Not a mask in sight. Bars packed to the gills. Mask-free restaurant staffs.”

“As a service industry worker, please bring back the city-wide mask mandate. It would ease some of the anxiety about these plague tourists who seem to have very little regard for our local health.”

“I’m appalled at some in our business community who would rather cater to tourists that don’t care about their fellow human beings and would pack their places with little to no distancing or masks than do the right thing. Locals will remember.”

“Does this make any sense? When disease threatened the Key deer population we set up an animal screening road block. Now disease threatens our human population and we say ‘come on down.'”

Enjoy your day!

My Cocktails at 7 friend Cathy sent me an upsetting e-mail. She went grocery shopping over the weekend. The shelves were basically empty.

She wrote, “It’s happening again!”

Consistent with what is occurring in the rest of the country, Covid-19 numbers are shooting up. Washington’s Governor Inslee is not waiting till it gets worse. He has ordered the entire State locked down. The people of Washington were hoarding.

Yesterday’s blog was on the heavy side. Sad truth always is.

I pointed out that the recent surge yet ongoing indicates the virus is out of hand nationally. Hospitals are being pushed to their maximum. There may not be enough intensive care beds available in 2-4 weeks.

Such means not everyone will be admitted. Some will be rejected on hospital steps. Who will be refused help and how would it be decided? One group stood out like a sore thumb. The elderly!

Reminded me of Sophie’s Choice.

Tough sad responses. Primarily from older persons. All upset in one fashion or another. Who wants to die prematurely?

One middle aged man suggested the old should be happy to go. To make it possible for the young to live out their lives. A selfish consideration on his part. I would be happy to change places with him.

One senior citizen said I should have prepared my readers for such a depressing article. She did not think she could ever read my blog again. She mentally could not handle the warning I was sending.

On a happier note, Harry Truman arrived in Key West this day in 1946. It was his first visit to Key West. He stayed a week.

Truman obviously liked our island. He made 10 more trips to Key West for a total of 11. He spent a total of 175 days in Key West.

Coronavirus an up front issue. And will continue to be. I want to share some Covid-19 impressions, observations, comments, etc.

The Citizens’ Voice once again this morning carried a slew of comments. All negative.

One  was that Key West’s positivity rate is 16.9 percent. Wild! Out of the box! One of the highest in the country. The writer advised Key West should stop pandering to tourists.

Another concerned Key West’s annual Christmas Parade. The best I have ever seen! The entire town is either on a float or on a curb watching.

Shoulder to shoulder, of course. Mask wearing? I don’t know what it would be.

The person commenting could not understated how the City Commission could even consider holding a parade. The writer said any government official who condones a parade should be charged with reckless behavior.

Another indicated there were 58 new Covid-19 cases over the weekend. Suggesting therefore the City Commission and Health Department were useless.

I had a doctor visit yesterday. Drove down Duval afterwards. I can assure you, Key West was dead. Very few people. Not one wearing a mask.

Ouite a difference from the weekend apparently. One comment referred to Duval at that time as a “super-spreader” scene.

New York City has a set number for when the schools must be closed again. When the positivity rate for one week is 3 percent.

The number getting close. This past week it was 2.87 percent.

You have to give New York’s Governor Cuomo credit. Recall when New York was the worst of the worst. I did not believe anyone could bring the numbers down.

Cuomo did. He was hard and deliberate. He deserves credit.

As with the rest of the country, New York’s numbers are creeping up. Not badly when compared to other States. Cuomo refuses to let them get out of hand.

He announced that the fine for failing to wear a mask in New York City was being increased from $500 to $1,000.

Coronavirus numbers are surging throughout the U.S. Record highs being reached. In one day last week, 160,000 new cases were identified. The most ever in one day.

I learned something new. The numbers as reported identifying new cases only represents those in hospitals. If a person is home and has coronavirus, that person is not counted. Which means the numbers we are getting are not accurate. They are higher.

I am not condemning the process. Merely sharing it with you.

I recall the early comments re children. We were not to worry. They did not come down with the virus. However if they did, it was simple to treat and lent itself to an easy recovery.

Some of Trump’s observations which he shared with us.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association announced over 1 million U.S. children have been diagnosed with coronavirus.

Dr. Scott Atlas appears to be enjoying his 15 seconds in the lime light.

Atlas is one of Trump’s recent finds. A man whose thought process re coronavirus Trump likes.

Atlas’ background is in radiology. Not infectious diseases. He was Chief of Neuroradiology at Stanford from 1998-2012. He recently was appointed by Trump to be an adviser to the Coronavirus Task Force.

The man is crazy. He knows not that of which he speaks. I am waiting for him to endorse a shot of Clorox in the arm as the solution necessary to kill the virus.

Atlas is the Giuliani of Trump’s Task Force.

Atlas is a scary person. This past week he said the people of Michigan should “rise up” against their government. The Covid-19 restrictions being imposed on Michigan were not needed.

Oh, so much happening. No time to cover it all in the blog. I have the same problem with Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. So much to discuss and so little time.

Tonight’s the evening for Tuesday Talk. My blog talk radio show. One half hour of me ranting and raving about the good and bad of things. Join me at 9 my time. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!

When I was a young man, birth control and abortion became major issues. It was the 1950’s, I was in college and law school.

I believed that life began at the moment of conception. I was pro life.

Since that time, my thinking has evolved. By the late 1980’s, I had moved over to the other side. I firmly believed in a woman’s right to choose.

My primary reason for being pro life was not a religious one. I believed if we killed the young at that time, we would kill the old years down the road. When I was older.

At 85, I am older. And because of the coronavirus pandemic, society is mysteriously considering that medical care not be provided everyone. That it be limited to those who have a better chance for survival. Those younger than 85? The cut off point no one has yet decided. Guaranteed it will be close to 85.

Consideration will also be given to withholding medical care from those with a Charlson comorbidity index of 5 or more. Those younger, but who have other serious illness which will kill them sooner or later anyhow.

Why am I raising the issue now? Simply because it is in our faces. We are eyeball to eyeball with it.

Some may be thinking about the issue. Most not. The shock will be horrific. It may be right around the corner. As close as to 2-4 weeks away.

The coronavirus numbers reported over the weekend indicated to me it was time for the open discussion. Perhaps too late.

Over the weekend, the U.S. hit in excess of 11 million cases. One million were added last week in less than 7 days. The numbers shot up to 11 million less than 1 week after it hit 10 million.

No end appears in sight. The numbers are surging. Faster than ever before.

Hospitalizations have risen. Dramatically. As of yesterday, more than 69,000 people were hospitalized in the U.S. Hospitals are reaching the breaking point. In addition to insufficient beds, doctors and nurses are being overworked. Supply shortages beginning to appear.

The solution is some have to be denied medical care. Rejected on the steps of the hospitals. Young being favored over the elderly for treatment because their generation has a better chance of surviving.

Some examples where medical care had to be selective. Not all coronavirus cases. The problem the same, however.

Several months back when Italy was in dreadful shape, it is now slowing being revealed  hospitals decided 2 groups would be denied treatment. Those older than 80, those who had a Charlson comorbidity index of 5 or more.

Remember Katrina. New Orleans was suffering a total power failure. The hospitals were overwhelmed, the heat was overburdening. The hospitals could not treat all those requiring attention.

Washington State at one point was discussing behind doors when their hospitals were becoming overwhelmed, who would receive medical care and who would be refused.

Even Auschwitz and the other Nazi concentration camps had a selective system as who was to be gassed. If an individual had a profession or trade useful to the Germans, they were permitted to live. Doctors, scientists, and the like. Attractive young ladies also. To entertain German soldiers in the bordellos located on camp grounds.

Who decides? The thought is doctors and nurses. Doctors who were sworn to save lives will now be required to decide who is to die.

Some doctors or nurses may very well refuse to make that judgment. It violates their lives of work and dedication to saving people’s lives.

Triages may first be established. Small groups of doctors and nurses. To make the decision process more palatable. Note that the need for decision making will be based on a lack of beds, equipment and personnel. Imagine! A person refused attention because of a lack of a ventilator.

The thought occurs as to how older doctors and nurses are to be treated. Realize there can be no exceptions. There must be consistency. Everyone must die. Including the older doctors and nurses who returned to work during the epidemic.

Should people be told why they are not being admitted to a hospital or receiving sufficient care at home? A serious question.

I believe the answer to whether a person lives or dies should belong  to the patient. It should be recognized as a right equal to any other.

Age or health should not alter a person’s entitlement.

Heavy stuff being considered here.

Restricting people from accessing medical care is around the corner.

Permit me to conclude with those I hold responsible for our nation being placed in this position.

First, Trump. For failing to recognize coronavirus was a dangerous threat and have dealt with it. He never really has. He left our people vulnerable when he could have taken steps to minimize coronavirus potential as a killer.

Then there are the American people. Appears half or close to half think they have “rights” not to wear masks, social distance, etc. Caring not for those they come in contact with.

I normally end with “Enjoy Your Day!” Can’t today. Not with the solemn message presented.

Trump’s people demonstrated in Washington yesterday and into this morning’s early hours. As one participant said, “The purpose to keep his spirits up and let him know we support him.”

The name of the demonstration: Make America Great Again.

As usual, disagreement as to the size of crowd. Trump’s press secretary said over 1 million. Police and other persons said, Thousands” or “tens of thousands.”

I watched part of the demonstration. The crowd appeared large to me. I would doubt however it was anywhere close to 1 million.

The crowd was shouting “Stop the steal…..Count every vote…..USA, USA, USA…..Four more years.”

The demonstration ran well past midnight. That was when most of the trouble began.

There were those on the other side. Those not supportive of Trump.

Police arrested 21. One for a stabbing, 20 for assault. I do not know the numbers arrested from each side.

The confrontations involved knives, fists and clubs. I assume guns also. However, I found no mention of guns in the reports.

The neo-Nazi Proud Boys were there in significant numbers.

The Trump people were convinced Trump was cheated. One said, “We can win because he did win.”

Except for 2 instances, Trump has not left the White House since election day. One the Rose Garden address re what might be described as a Covid-19 0ne.

The other involving Trump yesterday. He did not appear before the demonstrators nor speak to them. He was driven past and nodded.

Within the White House itself, discussions do not center around the virus. The discussions center on Trump’s election loss.

A “bunker” mentality is developing.

What goes around comes around.

A report by Newsmax Health this morning provided information re a recent research project. The result: Seniors are turning to pot for common health problems.

The seniors of today are the product of the 1960’s and 1970’s. Just about everyone smoked! Then illegal, today in most areas legal. Especially for medicinal reasons.

Elders are using pot to ease pain, sleep disturbances, and psychotic conditions like anxiety and depression.

I have been writing in recent days about coronavirus and its impact on Key West. Today, let me share a bit of the whole re the State of Florida.

Off the wall! A disaster.

One reason is Florida Governor DeSantis’ relationship with Trump. He is Trump’s lap dog. He has consistently danced to Trump’s tune when it comes to the virus and anything else. So much so that Trump refers to DeSantis as the best Governor in America.

Florida is and has been one of the worst states number wise. Total cases number 871,000. In that number, 17,444 deaths.

Thursday, Florida reported its highest number of new cases in one day: 6,933. Yesterday (Saturday), the number still high though not as much as Thursday: 4,544.

Virus numbers have been surging since October.

Deaths are increasing. Hospitals at the breaking point. Either out or running out of intensive care beds. Medical staffs wiped out.

Comments re the surge the same through out most of the U.S. The surge is on the rise. Dramatically.

A couple of brief reports signifying the increase.

Los Angeles City’s coronavirus numbers are hitting summer highs.

Orange County could be in the “purple tier” as early as next Tuesday, the 17th.

Lancaster County reported 276 new coronavirus cases for Saturday. A record one day high.

Enjoy your Sunday!

It’s Morning Stew time once again! Many topics. Order difficult. Simplest way is to lay out information as it appears in my notes.

First item involves coronavirus in schools.

A particular word has been heard repeatedly the past few days involving the subject. Positivity. Means percentage of students becoming infected with coronavirus during a particular time period. Generally, one week.

First heard this week in New York City. Mayor de Blasio announced friday that if the average positivity rate in the public schools hit 3 percent, the schools would be shut down. Governor Cuomo concurred.

The positivity rate had been holding between 1-2 percent since the schools opened. Now pushing 3 percent. At the same time that coronavirus has been on the upswing in New York City.

Mayor de Blasio said, “We’re going to be very cautions to not let there be a resurgence. By setting this 3 percent goal we’re sending a message: Health and safety first.”

New Yorkers want the schools to remain open.

I was watching the national news last night. Wisconsin and the virus were being discussed.

The school positivity rate was over 40 percent. Would you believe! The schools remain open. There is little public clamor to close them. One reason, there are some who distrust the numbers.

When the Wisconsin decision was made in August to reopen the schools, the positivity rate was 6.5 percent. Repeating, now over 40 percent. Proof Covid-19 moves rapidly. Further proof that children do contact the virus.

The blind cannot see.

Now comes Key West.

I find it strange there has been little reported in the Key West Citizen re coronavirus in Key West schools. I was surprised when I checked the numbers.

As of November 12, total students afflicted 37. Of that number, 28 represented students, 4 teachers, and 5 staff.

Not bad.

Key West High School has 9 cases. Seven students and 2 staff. Horace O’Bryant 5 and Gerald Adams 3. The other schools make up the rest.

The numbers are insignificant compared to new cases elsewhere. There is no reason to close Key West schools based on the numbers. However, the Citizen and School District need to be more diligent in reporting them.

I do not have to worry about Syracuse football today. The team drew a bye. Three games left. Can’t wait for the season to end. As the Brooklyn Dodgers of old used to say: Wait till next year!

Trump’s win/loss record in the courts in recent weeks has been dismal. Not one victory through thursday. Record 0-8.

Yesterday, Trump lost 6 more cases in Pennsylvania. New record 0-14.

It appears all attorneys representing Trump in the election cases have withdrawn. Sources reported last night Rudy Giuliani was taking over the legal election fight on behalf of Trump.

God help Trump and Giuliani’s pocketbook!

Trump is reminding me more and more of Rodney Dangerfield. Neither could get any respect!

One difference, however. Dangerfield was honest.

There is a cry among many that Trump should acknowledge defeat and do what is expected of him between now and January 20. He has not and does not seem willing to do so.

A New York Times Opinion piece yesterday basically said to Trump…..Get out!

The writer Roger Cohen.The title: Mr. President, Pack Your Bags And Be Gone. Its thrust that Trump wants to “preserve, protect and defend only himself.” His country forgotten.

Cohen wrote, “The ruler broods, alone with his rage and shame, undone by rejection, his mind like Macbeth’s, ‘full of scorpions,’ plotting to overturn facts and destroy American democracy. His lackeys, and only they remain, try to humor the master in his labyrinth.”

Cohen further wrote, “His only vow is to preserve, protect and defend himself. He has never been able to see beyond that orange face in the mirror. No Bible offers consolation to this man, no creed, no truth, no sense of decency, not even FOX News now, nothing.”

Another comment this morning in the Citizens’ Voice re Key West government’s failure to handle the coronavirus problem properly: “Our Covid-19 positivity percentage is at dangerous levels. Our officials haven’t done a single thing to improve our situation. This is a blatant dereliction of duty.”

The comment befits the facts. In 2 days this week, nearly 100 new cases were confirmed in Monroe County. Fifty eight of those cases were in Key West.

Thus far, Key West has suffered 1,313 cases. The next 2 Florida Keys communities number wise are Key Largo and Marathon. Key Largo 500 cases and Marathon 250.

Presently, 5 coronavirus cases are being cared for the the Lower Keys Hospital Center.

Most if not all consider Key West having the much higher number because it is “a major entertainment district.”

No argument. However recognizing Key West as such, local officials should do something about it besides succumb to the cries and protests of the bar and restaurant owners and their employees.

New York City is now closing its bars and restaurants at 10 pm. For Key West, that would not be enough. Key West bars and restaurants have to close for a period of time. Tourists don’t come to Key West to visit you and me. They come to party in the bars and restaurants.

Enjoy your day!

The Key West Citizen provides a valuable service with its Citizens’ Voice section. It provides Key Westers and others to speak out on issues of concern to them.

How local authorities have been handling coronavirus concerns is one of them. The County and City Commissions are kow-towing to bar and restaurant owners and their employees. To an extent that can almost be described as forgetting the rest of the citizens of Key West. Who account for much more in number than the bar, etc. people.

One comment, infrequently two, will show up re an issue. Coronavirus issues are becoming more frequent. To the extent that yesterday there were many. I do not ever recall that many in the years I have lived here.

I share several with you.

“Inviting tourists anywhere during a pandemic seems irresponsible. It needs to stop.”

“Thanksgiving is upon us and the city is recommending we not have large gatherings of family and friends to celebrate, while they just approved stuffing as many people as possible into local bars, full of people not masking and not distancing all night. The city needs to stop pandering to businesses who are obviously the cause of our rising COVID-19 cases.”

“As long as we have weak, meaningless Covid-19 rules, we will continue to get crushed by the Miami crowd.”

“The Commission meeting seemed to be all about the welfare of bars and tourists. I didn’t hear much of anything about protecting residents. Ten months later, ‘communication’ isn’t going to solve anything.”

“A curfew is pointless if we don’t enforce the rules before midnight. All over town there are bars and restaurants whose staffs are not following the guidelines all day. If the staff does not follow the rules, how can we expect tourists to? The city should be cracking down.”

“Tourists willing to vacation during a pandemic probably don’t care much about Covid-19 or the residents of Key West. Clearly our leaders don’t care much about the residents either.”

There is madness that attaches.

Miami’s Covid nurses and front line workers were surprised with a free vacation to the Florida Keys. Over one dozen. They had been scheduled for an upcoming mandatory 48 hours of training. Instead they were surprised tuesday with certificates for the vacation.

Why the Keys? Same old story! They can do more and get away with more in Key West than in Miami. Miami should keep its germs in Miami. The Keys neither want nor need them.

A never ending supply of Miamians on weekends. Key West acquiring an “open town” reputation. The gunslinger of yesterday is the coronavirus of today.

I do not know which Key is involved. Whatever, the message is the same: Miamians stay away from our homes!

On the national scene, Trump’s baseless election lawsuits are a disgrace and shameful. Thus far, each and every such lawsuit has been groundless and dismissed. I believe Trump’s record is 0-8.

With a record like that, a coach would be gone. Yesterday’s news.

Not Donald. Yet.

The federal system frowns on groundless lawsuits being brought. The type Trump has been bringing.

Rule 11 of the federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply.

Rule 11 requires an attorney to perform a due diligence investigation concerning the factual basis for any claim or defense.

Claims such as have been brought by Trump, waste a court’s time, resources and other parties’ time.

Lawyers and their law firms can be sanctioned. A fancy word for fined. Significant dollars involved.

In Trump’s cases, federal judges are requiring Trump’s attorneys in open court to swear under oath at the beginning of the case that the case has some factual or legal merit. Each attorney in the phony cases has responded “no.”

A strange procedure.

Cases based on fraud solely to delay , confuse and harass will not be permitted.The attorneys wish neither to be sanctioned nor embarrassed. The lawsuits are then dismissed.

Justice Scalia has always been spoken well of by Trump. Considered by many including Trump to be what every justice and judge in the U.S. should aspire to be.

Justice Scalia in a 1993 opinion re Rule 11 said judges should come down hard on lawyers who abuse the system with delay, confusion and harassment.

Scalia added lawyers should be sanctioned with mandatory fines. He wrote, “In my view” re “litigation abuse” those “who file frivolous lawsuits and pleadings should have no ‘safe harbor.”’ Scalia thought courts must punish this conduct to deter bad behavior and free up the use of the courts! Courts were needed to hear legitimate disputes.

Yesterday an unusual one. It was 7:40 and I was prepared to begin typing my blog. Suddenly, no internet, computer, land line, cell phone and TV.

Not a momentary glitch. The problem resolved one item at a time till around 6 pm when all was well.

When the world was available to me once again, I became aware there had been an accident around mile marker 88. The area has some sort of central station that handles all the items. Note my cell phone is with Verizon. Everything else Comcast.

Never did do the blog.

Also discovered a day without internet or TV is not easy to handle. Boring!!! Nothing to do!!! Tried reading, but was not into it very long.

Glad to be back on line.

Enjoy your day!

The Key West City Commission has failed again. Failed with regard to its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

In most instances, the Commission has subverted the interests of its citizens to the interests of bar owners and their employees and restaurant owners and their employees.

At last night’s Commission meeting, the most important issue was whether a curfew should be imposed prohibiting the operation of bars and restaurants from midnight to 7 am. The bars and restaurants attended in full strength. Owners and employees.

They won. The curfew resolution was withdrawn.

Covid-19 is increasing in Monroe County and the State of Florida. Rampantly increasing across the country. New Covid cases every day.

Key West is a tourist community. Tourism its industry. People have once again begun flocking here. Especially on weekends. Key West has developed a reputation for being an “open town.”

The Commission did wrong last night. It capitulated to certain business interests which put them in opposition to its many more citizens.

It is time to cut the bullshit and get tough. Otherwise, Key West’s sole hospital and its area cemeteries will see an increase in their businesses.

Front page headline and article in the Key West Citizen this morning clearly set forth Covid cases are on the rise both in the County and Key West.

The County has experienced 74 new cases since friday. Nearly one half are attributable to Key West.

Florida’s total number of cases is 847,821. Monroe County 12,596. State deaths are reported as 17,179. Twenty five occurred in the County.

Significant is the following. Recognize what the numbers tell us.

Since the start of the Pandemic, Key West has had 1,251 confirmed cases. The next city in the County is Key Largo. Three hundred thirty eight cases. The numbers speak for themselves. Key West is the Covid playland of the Keys. The merchants and virus love the many tourists who come down.

The Citizens’ Voice carried a comment this morning which reflects ignorant and arrogant thinking. Trump thinking: “We haven’t ever worn a mask. Not going to, ever. Covid-19 is a hoax. Always has been, always will be.”

Vice-President Pence and his family arrived on Sanibel Island yesterday for a vacation. The vacation to last till saturday.

With everything topsy-turvy in Washington, why has Pence left the Capital? Is it because he does not agree with what Trump is doing and wants to escape any responsibility for it? Or, is it so he will be kept “clean” for the pardons he will give Trump and family?

I strongly believe Trump will resign before January 20. Pence will become President. Pence will pardon Trump, etc. As Ford pardoned Nixon.

Today is Veterans Day. It marks the end of World War I. The Allies and Germany signed an armistice that day.

I find it interesting that the provocateur in both world Wars was Germany.

The holiday was first known as Armistice Day. The name since then changed to honor all U.S. military veterans.

As time moves on, we tend to forget many things. The purpose of Veterans Day is to make sure we forget not the many sacrifices they made.

Some interesting facts surrounding Veterans Day.

The World War I Armistice was signed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. A practice has developed  where at 11 am on Veterans Day there is a period of silence lasting 2 minutes. There are 9 million veterans over the age of 65. Female veterans exceed 1.6 million.

It’s rain, rain, go away time. It has been steadily raining for several days. Two might be attributable to Eta. None of the others. It just keeps coming down!

There was late breaking news last night. We were already aware Trump had fired Secretary of Defense Esper. Last night, Trump appointed to 3 top Department of Defense posts “his people.” None of whom has any experience in work they are now responsible to perform.

Trump appointed a successor to Esper. He too is without sufficient experience to hold the post he now does.

Trump is packing the deck. Esper was fired for not backing Trump in calling into play the Insurrection Act during the demonstrations in various cities. Military on the streets, guns drawn and loaded.

There may be demonstrations between now and January 20. Did Trump fire Esper and make the 3 appointments to ensure the Insurrection Act will come onto play the next time he wants it?

Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou is a half hour show. Last night only 15 minutes. Don’t know why the platform cut me off. Bill is paid. Sloan checking into the problem.

Enjoy your day!

Mark Anthony standing over Caesar’s body uttered the following in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar: “Cry ‘Havoc!’, and let slip the dogs of war.”

At the moment, Anthony was imagining Caesar’s spirit joining in  exhortations “ranging from revenge.”

Anthony intended the words to be a call to the Roman people to unleash themselves upon the Senate and those supporting them.

I cannot take credit for usage of the “dogs of war.” A commentor wrote very recently that “Trump released the dogs of war between the citizens of this country.”

How true. Yesterday, today and tomorrow. He spews his lies re corrupt balloting. His nutsy followers believe him. At some point Trump followers may end up in the streets in a conflict between Trump’s people and Biden’s.

Trump is a poor loser. A vindictive man. His present intent is similar to what the Russians intended when they defeated Napoleon’s armies. A scourged earth. Destroy everything.

Barr has been quiet in recent weeks. He came out of the woodwork yesterday. He has directed Justice to investigate election fraud claims. Even before the results are certified.

The rule was only after certification.

Barr is as his leader. He abuses authority. His scum equal to Trump’s.

Once again a civil servant has stood up to a Trump wrongdoing. Richard Pilger was till yesterday the official who oversaw investigations of vote fraud in Justice. He refused to carry out Barr’s directive and resigned.

His successor was immediately named. Similar to a bench warmer on his high school’s basketball team. Not even the varsity. The jayvees.

Trump is doing well in recent court cases involving the election. He is 0-8. Even Syracuse is doing better at 1-7.

Trump is blind to he error of his ways and the effect it may ultimately have on the nation as a whole.

Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper yesterday. By tweet. A class act.

Replaced him with another bench warmer. Christopher Miller. His experience limited. His most recent as Director of the National Terrorism Center.

Trump fired Esper because Esper refused to call out the Army during the Washington protest.

A dangerous move by Trump. Trump can do all sorts of things adverse to U.S. interests between now and January 20. Like invade Iran, call home all U.S. troops stationed on foreign soils.

It was announced on the news this morning that Pence was on vacation. If there is to be a “bunker,” Pence obviously does not want to be a part of it.

This is a momentous day in the Supreme Court. It is hearing arguments on the future of the Affordable Care Act. An adverse decision would ring the death knell for Obamacare.

Twenty million would lose coverage. Pre-existing conditions would no longer be protected. Parents would no longer be permitted to keep children on their policies till 26.

A tough day. The 9 Justices are divided 6 conservative and 3 liberal. Republicans have waited years to totally take down the law. This may be their day. I expect they will.

There will be no decision today. The Supreme Court rarely decides on the day of argument. It will be several weeks before a decision is rendered.

Key West was sparred Eta. However the storm did hit the upper Keys with 65 mph sustained winds.

Some damage. Could have been worse. One thousand homes without power, some property damage, trees on houses.

Key West has had in excess of 1,700 coronavirus. With the number steadily rising. All other Keys communities significantly lower. Key West leads the pack by a large margin.

Key West is “open” too much. Only ten percent want it thus. The bar owners and hotels. Ninety percent of the people want the City Commission to restrain itself and cut back in some areas.

This is not Louis alone speaking. This morning’s Citizens’ Voice had 3 comments on the issue. Three on one issue rare. I share all 3 with you.

“Our Covid-19 cases are rising rapidly, mobs of uncontrollable tourists are taking over, tourism is being promoted and our Commission thinks a midnight curfew will accomplish anything? What a failure of our government.”

“When are we going to stop pandering to the bar owners and their employees versus the other 90 percent of citizens? Most decent tourists will not even notice a midnight curfew and it might discourage some of the trash we’re getting on weekends. Close the bars at midnight! Permanently!”

“The City Commission is scheduling large events yet again. Do they really think that implementing a curfew will curb our over-rising Covid-19 cases? It is foolish to invite thousands of people here and than have a curfew. You are all responsible for our numbers rising because of your poor decisions.”

Tonight Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. A fast moving half hour of critical observations by me.

The one problem I face in putting the show together is there is so much to talk about.

Join me. A fun time! www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

Enjoy your day!