Turns out Sunday morning a busy one. Too many things on my plate. Would not be ale to do justice to blog so will not do.

Enjoy your Sunday!

My sympathies are with the residents of Santa Clara Condominiums. What has befallen them is humorous, ridiculous and sad.

Santa Clara is a 111 unit condominium building. The City of Key West recently found it deficient and worn out in many respects. In need of significant repairs. The City has warned if steps not soon taken to correct the problems, it will condemn the building.

The condominium owners each face an increase in their monthly assessments to make a pool from which to pay for the repairs. The increase will begin November 1. The amount anywhere from $7,000 to $11,000 per month.

If condo owners are without funds, they will have to borrow the increases.

I doubt any of those living at Santa Clara can afford that kind of money. Reasons not warranted. The money and conditions in Key West cannot stand a hit of this magnitude.

Santa Clara condo owners are not sufficiently independently wealthy to handle such sums. Were they, they would not be residing in Santa Clara. They would be living in Truman Annex, the Casa Marina area, and perhaps even Sunset Key.

I hurt for them.

Rents in Key West keep rising. As if there were no limits. Which is the problem. There are not. Landlords are not bound by limits or caps.

Rents skyrocketing. In a market where too few apartments have been built and affordable housing is scarce. Houses rather than apartments are being constructed. Such is the market today in what many describe as the Keys “housing boom.”

South Florida overall is becoming the nation’s worst place to rent.

I do not have the Key West numbers. However I share with you what I was able to find. Since the first of the year, Palm Beach rentals have risen 21 percent, Fort Lauderdale 16.1 percent, and Miami 11.6 percent.

Wages obviously have not kept track with the increases.

It is well established that “landlords will do whatever they want because they know that people need a place to live.”

The situation is “getting worse.”

Florida laws protect landlords, not tenants. Landlords have broad discretion  to raise rents as they see fit.

Florida laws prevent local governments from establishing rental price controls. With one exception: Unless there is “a housing emergency so grave as to constitutes a severe menace to the general public.” The “crisis” must first be determined to be factual. Then an election is required to get an ordinate passed for any rent control to come into play. A step worse. The election is a yearly one. A new vote each year to keep the program going.

Florida is fraught with all kinds of problems. Healthcare another, for example. South Florida is #1 in healthcare fraud nationally. Rip offs costing Medicare and insurance companies billions of dollars a year.

The new healthcare field of telemedicine leads. Closely followed by substance abuse and COVID-19 programs.

The numbers tell the story. South Florida accounts for 20 percent of healthcare fraud nationally. Such having assisted in making Florida referred to in the medical field as the “healthcare fraud capital of the world.”

Recent 9/11 observances brought to mind a conversation a month later. I was having dinner at the Yacht Club. Terri and Donna were my guests.

Part of our conversation involved 9/11.

Terri never ceases to amaze me. She told us she lived near the 9/11 area at the time. Her neighborhood was affected for months. Grocery and drug stores were non-existent in the neighborhood after the tragedy. Many elderly resided in the area.

Terri organized with the police a system for getting food and drugs to those in need. She spent 2 1/2 months doing it. She received a plaque and commendation afterwards for her efforts.

An unusual experience yesterday. I lunched at the Eaton Street Fish Market.

I was required to be out for a doctor’s visit. Figured I would grab a bite while out. The Eaton Street Fish Market has been around for about 10 years. An excellent reputation. Especially for lobster rolls. Maine lobster rolls.

I figured why not? It’s about time I tried the place. I love Maine lobster rolls.

The Market is in a former gas station. Well done inside and out. Seating outside in shady areas.

I bought the large lobster roll. $30. Worth every penny!

Try the place. I plan on going back. It was that good.

Enjoy your day!

Something is happening. Nothing getting better. Coronavirus seems to be winning.

As with many states, Idaho has been compelled to expand health care rationing. COVID-19 is straining Idaho’s hospital system.

It was announced yesterday Idaho is taking drastic steps because of the overwhelming impact the virus is having on its hospitals. Hospitals cannot handle the deluge of cases.

The hospitals now have a new “standard of care.” ICU beds and other limited resources will go first to those likely to survive. Illnesses not limited to the virus. Includes any that might normally need ICU care. Heart attack victims, auto accidents injured, etc.

Reminds me of the scene in Sophie’s Choice where Jews came off teh railroad cars at a concentration There was an officer stting in front. Each person appeared before him. With a nod of his face, he decided which wee to go to the gas chambers and which to would live to work in factories. Health the determining factor.

Note that only 40 percent of Idaho’s people have been vaccinated.

Alaska and Montana have similar programs in effect.

Massachusetts’s problem at the moment because of COVID is school bus drivers. The National Guard has been activated to help.

Those school bus drives not vaccinated or who refuse to be vaccinated have been discharged. Left the school bus system with an insufficient number of drivers.

What next? Changes similar to those taking place in Idaho and Massachusetts will soon become dramatic statewide burdens if a significant number of employees continue refusing to be vaccinated.

The insanity of bucking vaccinations cannot be more clearly evidenced than by the number of States vowing to fight Biden’s vaccination mandate. Twenty seven Republican governors and attorney generals have vowed to fight the mandates.

The States are bucking Biden’s order that over 80 million private employees not vaccinated be vaccinated or receive weekly testing. Otherwise, their employers will be fined.

Governor DeSantis should be pleased. Florida’s COVID death numbers have now passed 50,000. The man is a grim reaper.

DeSantis refused to release certain death numbers several months ago, giving no explanation. Now he begins again what he should have continued doing. His good or bad track numbers something the public has a right to know.

For information purposes, Florida’s significant numbers for last week evidenced 2,448 deaths and over 100,000 new cases.

DeSantis could be Trump’s successor. Both demented and calloused.

One final item re Florida and the virus. It appears parents’ rights are more important than children’s lives.

Mention made in this morning’s Citizen that 2 of William Hackley’s children had teeth removed this day in 1856. Raised my curiosity as to whether false teeth in some form were available at the time so people could walk around without gaping holes in their mouths.

Turns out there was.

History reveals false teeth were first used by Etruscans in the 700 B.C.’s. The teeth were made from a combination of human and animal teeth.

Etruscans disappeared in the 700’s and with them false teeth. False teeth had to wait to the 1700’s A.D. to return.

Now to 1856 and Hackley’s daughters.

False teeth were available. Initially in the decade, false teeth made from human and animal ones were back in vogue. Then vulcinite. Hardened rubber was used as a bass for porcelain teeth.

Trump accused General Milley this week of treason. He who could be labeled one of the most treasonous persons in American history.

Key West is unquestionably unique. Dances to a different tune in just about everything.

Even scarecrows.

The Key West Botanical Garden has kicked off the annual “Scarecrow-Making” contest. All entries will be on display through November 30.

I visited the scarecrow contest once. Ingenious! Outstanding! Most put the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz to shame.

It was announced this week that the Key West Airport for the first time had exceeded 1 million passengers. It is expected the number will top 1.4 million by the end of the year.

Nothing to be proud of.

The airport has been improved/expanded several times over the years. Existing problems corrected. The airport was also brought up to date re its needs.

Seemed each time like no one looked to the future. No one took into account expanding needs. Ergo, several times the airport has once again become too small to handle its volume of business.

It has happened again. The worst this time!

People sit on planes sometimes for an hour or more waiting to deplane. Passengers wait forever to receive their luggage. The receiving area is too small to handle the volume of luggage and passengers. People standing so close it has to be party time for the coronavirus bug. Poor planning as to arrivals. Sometimes as many as 4 planes arriving at the same time.

Whatever is to be done, let’s get it right this time guys!

Enjoy your day!

Joe Manchin is at his apex of power.

Eleven years a Senator. Who ever heard of him before this year?

He has acquired a penchant for placing himself in the center of virtually any hot negotiation.

His vote his sword. If he causes the Democrats to lose control of the Senate, his voice will be lost. We will rarely hear from or of him again.

There are two reasons for his entrance into the fray sitting majestically on his white horse.

First, this is his moment of glory. I will be generous. His 15 minutes. Everyone his friend at the moment. Democrats and Republicans alike. Once no longer of value to either, he will be an unhappy camper. Might even opt for the highway.

Second, his personal wealth. Coal. Yes, that dirty stuff which pollutes, sickens and kills many.

Manchin is from West Virginia. A small state with a bastion of coal mines. West Virginia’s key industry.

Manchin is part of what some view as part of the “dirty empire.” His defense of the coal industry to this point has been relatively silent. Even now. For some reason I cannot fathom, the media seems to have given him a pass on the issue.

Manchin reaps big financial rewards from coal companies with grim records of pollution, safety violations, and death. His most famous utterance recently is that climate control pollution would be worsened by the elimination of fossil fuels. A statement blatantly false. Yet he states it unashamedly.

He defends coal fired plans over “aggressive Biden climate goals.”

Money is at the basis of his “beliefs.”

Manchin is heavily invested in the coal industry. He became involved in the 1980’s. His son has assumed leadership. Manchin claims his coal industry involvement has no impact on his political decision making. His investments are in a “blind trust.”

Not much protection for the American people. You can’t tell me father and son do not discuss company matters at Sunday dinner. At the very least.

Since Manchin became a Senator more than 10 years ago, he has personally grossed more than $4.5 million from family firms involved. The information having been gathered from financial disclosures Manchin is required to file as a Senator.

Two companies involved. The major one Enersystems Inc. The other Farmington Resources. Manchin owns options in Enersystems alone valued between $1 million and $5 million. Based on information found in financial disclosure forms.

Enersystems purchases low quality waste coal from mines and resells it to power plants in West Virginia. The process from the beginning to end severely impacts the health of workers.

Query: How has the Manchin family’s involvement in the coal business almost entirely avoided public scrutiny? Even now when he is in the middle of a battle over the $3.5 trillion infrastructure package which contains monies to help in correcting global warming.

Biden has said the infrastructure monies would go to eliminating fossil fuels by a specific date. Manchin obviously opposes the elimination.

Manchin visited an Ohio Valley mine in mid August. Went on a tour underground at one of the mines. Said during the visit, “The coal mining industry is going to be saved because the country cannot operate without it.”

I would respond the country can do with out the increased number of hurricanes, floods and fires caused by global warming to which coal is one of the contributors.

Manchin went on to say, “If you want to help clean up the climate, you’re gonna have to find the technology through innovation to basically be able to capture the carbon and use it.”

In June, Manchin appeared before a conference sponsored by the Edison Electric Institution. Edison is a group that advises/studies the nation’s coal fired power plants. Manchin delivered a “spirited” defense of the nation’s coal fired plants. A good portion of Enersytems business involves coal fired power plants.

So it goes.

The country should be made aware.

Enjoy your day!

Bob Woodward and Robert Costa’s book “Peril” has been published. Portions were reported for the first time today. The book basilica covers Canary 6-8 and what might be described as Trump’s disintegration.

Recall, January 6 was the terrorist attack on the Capitol.

Only Woodward and Costa could have written such a book. Outstanding! Impactful! I can’t wait to get the book and read it in its entirety.

One word basically describes the book’s contents: Scary.

Trump literally went crazy when he lost the election. He was desperately seeking a way to retain the Presidency. A war perhaps? Even better, a nuclear war with China?

General Milley was Chairman of he Joint Chiefs. He sensed Trump’s mental state and apparent aims at the moment. He feared Trump would go “rogue” and start an unneeded and dangerous war with China.

Milley went “back door” and communicated with a high ranking general in China. Two telephone calls were had. Milley’s purpose was to assure Trumps words and actions were not to be taken seriously. The military would be in immediate control if Trump ordered a bombing of China. Milley could so assure since initiating nuclear weapons required his participation and that of certain other officers.

It was obvious to those surrounding the President that he had become “explosive and unhinged.”

Woodward and Costa recognize there was a fear that Trump might provoke a domestic or abroad war to distract from his “crushing election loss.”

As far back as 11/20/20, National Secretary officials were warning Milley: “We are on the way to a right wing coup. The whole thing is insanity. He is acting like a six year old with a tantrum.”

The fear existed that Trump’s “ego” would cause him to lash out.

Trump was listening to no one, except Steve Bannon. Like Trump getting his marching orders from the Devil himself. Trump sought Bannon out and had him return to the White House.

Keep in mind that Bannon’s primary goal in life is the destruction of existing governments. The U.S. first on his list.

For Bannon, January 6 was “his joy.” Woodward and Costa clearly indicate that Bannon played a critical role leading up to January 6.

Some comments/statements set forth in the book.

Barr to Trump: “The problem is this stuff about the voting machines is pure bullshit.” Another: “Your team is a bunch of clowns.”

Interestingly, Pence sought advice from former Vice-President Dan Quayle. A person who had been a disappointing Vice-President. Quayle told Pence, “You have no power.”

Ivanka three times told her father, “Let this go.”

And so it goes. A potent book to read. I can’t wait.

Were it not for Peril’s publication, Newsom’s win in the California recall would have been topic #1.

The election result was one without surprise. It has been a long time since we have experienced a comfortable feeling, a comfortable result. It had been obvious the past two weeks that Newsom was going to win. Elder’s race had turned backward. He stood no chance.

Makes me wonder what Elder will do at this stage. Will he sue to set aside the vote based on fraud as he had threatened prior to the election?

Hopefully not. A waste of time, money, and the country’s attention.

Newsom’s victory impressive. The vote 2-1.

As of this morning, we have yet to hear from Trump. Maybe he will not speak out. After all, Elder was a loser. I’m sure Trump does not “like losers.”

Newsom’s victory not the only significant result of the California election. There were a number of vaccine mandates on the ballot. All vaccine items received a huge vote. They will remain in place.

I have begun thinking recently that half the nation might not really be opposed any longer to vaccine mandates. People are getting their shots, etc. The only persons really opposed to vaccine mandates are politicians. It is hard for them to change horses mid stream.

California is a clear win for Democrats. Concededly a Democratic state. However, you never know.

I recommend that California Democratic politicians and voters remain vigilant between now and the 2022 elections. The wind is swift and political thinking has a way of changing rapidly.

A front page article in this morning’s Key West Citizen advises “King tides” are to be expected from today through the end of the year. King floods are major in consequence. Easily flood streets.

This year, King floods are expected to be worse than in previous years.

I close with a timely topic: Death and DeSantis.

It was recently reported that Florida’s death total has reached a point where it exceeds DeSantis’ margin of victory. Florida is averaging 20 deaths per day.

DeSantis is playing disaster politics the way he is handling the COVID problem.

His Presidential aspiration hopes for 2024 are slowly dissipating.

He may be lucky to be reelected Governor in 2022. Recent polls show him now trailing Democrat Charlie Crist.

Enjoy your day!

If this story does not motivate the unvaccinated to get vaccinated, nothing will.

Those who continue to refuse are smart ass unwise know it alls. I wish there were stronger words to describe them. Perhaps there are. In certain instances, they are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse carrying disease and death.

A California couple died of COVID-19 two weeks apart. Daniel and Davy Macias. Well educated. Daniel a middle school math teacher. Davy a labor and delivery nurse.

Neither vaccinated.

They left 5 children, including a newborn. The children range in age from 3 weeks to 8 years.

Daniel and David spent 18 months prior to their deaths discussing the pros and cons of being vaccinated. They lived cautiously to protect against the virus, except for the vaccination part. Home surfaces were wiped down, each showered after work, had their groceries delivered, etc.

Davy was 7 months pregnant when the baby was delivered. Several doctors involved in the delivery because of her COVID condition. Davy was incubated during the birth process. The baby was delivered Caesarian. Davy never got to meet nor hold her new born. She died immediately following the baby’s removal.

Husband/father David died 2 weeks later. He never saw his newborn son. Only pictures.

The children are presnetly with Daniel’s parents. Daniel’s mother Traci is a retired kindergarten teacher.

Daniel was supposed to name the baby. He never did. The baby remains unnamed. Terri says they are waiting for her “son to name him.” A revelation in the middle of the night?

In the meantime, the family refers to the newborn as “Baby Boy.”

Traci believes Daniel and Davy contacted the virus following a recent family trip to an indoor water park as a last hurrah for the children before returning to school.

Traci says, “We didn’t see it coming. COVID doesn’t discriminate.”

Two educated parents. One in the medical field. Thinking about the feasibility of the vaccine. Parents of 4 with another on the way.

Respectfully, stupid! As a result, five children will grow up without parents. Grandparents will do all that is necessary. Not the same, however. The grandparents are older and though the children are family, the burden heavy for them to carry.

All this could have been avoided had Daniel and Davy been vaccinated.

A recent study reveals 70 percent of unvaccinated Americans will quit their jobs if vaccines are mandated. The mandates will have been put in place by recent OSHA regulations which are being worked into the legal system.

Don’t believe 70 percent will quit. It is bravado talking. The smart ass know it alls.

If not working, what would they do for money? Once the paycheck stops, who will pay for the food, rent/mortgage, gas and electric, water,  and other recurrent living expenses? More touching, new sneaks for the kids.

In most states, if the employee quits, unemployment checks start later than normal. Additionally no one should expect to receive any more stimulus checks. The well is dry as far as new stimulus legislation.

Biden recently signed 2 Executive Orders mandating all federal employees had to be vaccinated. The new Orders do not apply to members of Congress or those who work for Congress and the federal court system.

Before everyone gets upset and starts throwing stones about an issue they are not totally familiar with, let me explain why certain branches of government will not fall under the mandate.

“Branches” is the operative word. There are three branches of government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial. A Biden Executive Order can only cover those working for the Executive branch. Biden by Executive Order does not have the power to set rules for Congress and the Judiciary because of the legal separateness.

It was only a few years ago that Key West was the Florida city with the highest number of bicycle accidents resulting in injury and death. I believe it. Everyone who lives in Key West believes it. Some tourists, perhaps.

Key West is referred to as the Bicycle Capital of the World. Says it all.

The problem lies primarily with tourists. They come down and ride bikes while visiting. Something they have not done in years. Sixty year olds who have not been on a bicycle in 50 years. Families with several little children riding in a line one after another. Many of the children young.

Key West streets are narrow. Traffic heavy. Bicycle accidents inevitable.

I do not know of a solution other than to ban bicycles. It will never float, however.

So why this portion of the blog?

A backpack that deploys airbags to protect bicycle riders has been developed. Electronic sensors detect a bike fall and inflate football style shoulder pads for upper torso protection before the wearer makes impact. It is claimed the backpack lessens the force of impact by up to 80 percent.

The manufacturer is Commute Air Pro 18.

A friend from Iowa telephoned yesterday. He said he read that Hemingway hated his mother. Was it true?

As far as I was concerned, yes.

Throughout his life, Hemingway had female problems. Many believe they were “mother derived.”

I referred my friend to a blog I wrote a few years ago which dealt with the matter in some detail. The blog can be found in Key West Lou 12/8/18 and is titled Hemingway Hated His Mother.

New York City schools fully reopened monday for the first time in 18 months. Certain small parts had been previously opened. However for the most part, the public schools were closed.

The reason I share the reopening is I learned something new. The actual number of students in the New York City School System. It is 1,094,138. The largest school district in the United States.

Not every company pays its employees well. There are examples of those who do, however. Like Amazon for example.

Amazon has had an average $15 per hour wage since 2018. Amazon announced yesterday it will be moving its average wage to $18 per hour. Additionally, Amazon announced it plans to hire another 125,000 warehouse and transportation workers.

That’s not all. Amazon will also be paying a $3,000 bonus to each employee.

Enjoy your day!

Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett in an address this weekend said she was concerned about the public perception of the Supreme Court. She denied it was a partisan institution.

Justice Barrett said, “Justices must be hyper vigilant to make sure they’re not letting personal bias creep into their decisions, since judges are people, too.”

From the time she was nominated by Trump, I have felt she was not qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. Her intellectual prowess does not mean she is without a bias which makes her partisan.

People who lean one way do not know they are so inclined. Their thinking/vision is like a horse wearing blinders. Straight ahead.

Rather than detail step by step my feelings regarding her ability to serve, I am directing you to read 4 prior posts where I made mention of her. They cover her background pretty well: Wives Have To Obey Husband In Everything 9/27/20; The Proud Boys’ President 10/1/20; Hoax Comes Home To Roost 10/2/20; The Dike Is On The Verge of Collapsing 10/15/20.

Merely enter Key West Lou Topic Date.

I very rarely revert you a post already published. Today, I shall be doing it twice. Barrett was first. Now, what I view as a voice from the other side.

There is a comment section to my blog. Some do comment. I hear from all sides of the spectrum. Those that agree with me and those who do not. My readers also comment back and forth with each other. The comments sometime can be harsh.

I recently posted a blog titled Tactless Donald Trump.

“Anonymous” responded.

I am happy to receive comments from everyone. Those that agree with me and those who do not. Commenting is healthy, though sometimes a bit rough.

I am sharing one of the comments received to Tactless Donald Trump. I believe I wrote it 9/12/221.

Anonymous wrote, “No, no! – Donald Trump is the real President of the United States of America and deserves our respect. He definitely has my respect. His commentary on the boxing match was brilliant and seeing the white foreign guy beating the American black guy was a perfect entertainment befitting the holiday. And oh boy, Donald’s prediction about how Joe Biden would have gone down in under 10 seconds was right on. Donald always says it like it is. Thanks Mr. President, you’ll always be the best as far as your true fans are concerned. Best show all day.”

The Taliban are trying hard to show the world they have changed. To a degree willing to be like everyone else.

Time will tell.

Unquestionably, the Taliban have always considered and treated women as second class citizens. Their gender not to be educated.

The Taliban announced that henceforth women can study in gender segregated universities. The classrooms will be segregated.

The ladies will continue to wear Islamic attire.

Assuming sincerity on the part of the Talibans, I view this as a major step forward re women. Keep in mind the U.S. was slow in recognizing the right and need to educate its women.

Very few females were admitted to college in the first half of the 19th century. The doors opened rather dramatically in the second half of the century. Women were permitted to go to college. Their own. No mixture of the sexes. The following were born: Vassar, Wellesley, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Radcliffe and Barnard.

Women moved ahead rapidly in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Since those years, women have annually surpassed men in receiving Bachelor and Masters Degrees. Since 2005, they have exceeded men in the number graduating as medical doctors.

I entered law school in 1957. There were two women in my class. Today, there are more female law graduates than male.

The issue re the Talibans is whether they are sincere. Will the higher education of women be a forever thing or will the Taliban revert to their old ways?

A sad story. A reflection of where we are regarding medical services today. A problem contributed to by the COVID-19 virus itself and those who refuse to be vaccinated. I believe the problem has been acerbated by those who refuse to be vaccinated.

Alabama has been for a month or more in deep trouble re the virus. Hospitals filled. No ICU beds  available. Those afflicted with coronavirus or other ICU required attention are being sent to other cities and states if ICU beds are available in those places.

The Washington Post on 9/11  reported Ray DeMonia, an Alabama resident, had a heart attack and required ICU care. His local hospital had no room. Forty three hospitals in a 200 mile radius were contacted also. No beds available.

He died. Died because an ICU bed was not available.

Most of the beds in the hospitals contacted had COVID patients. I wonder how many had not been vaccinated.

As I age, I become a bit forgetful. However there are somethings that should never be forgotten. Like Irma. Hurricane Irma hit 4 years ago on 9/10/20. Impacted me. An experience. Compelled me to write the book Irma and Me.

I forgot Irma this year.

Apologies not required except to Jean and Joe Thornton and those who escaped to their home in Birmingham for more than a week. I apologize to my hosts and the others Jean and Joe took in. I shall never forget Irma, itself. More importantly, the happy party time we experienced each and every day at Jean and Joe’s.

Hard times can be good times.

Enjoy your day!

9/11 is never a day like all days. It is a special time for recollection and mourning.

It was the same yesterday. The services were touching. Heart wrenching on occasion. It was difficult not to shed a tear or two.

Former Presidents Bush, Clinton and Obama were at certain locations. Biden at two.

Absent was Trump. To be expected. Perhaps he thought he would feel uncomfortable in the company of former Presidents who were genuine leaders.

Trump’s personality and disposition decidedly would not have fit.

So Trump visited a New York City police station in the morning. Then flew to the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida. To announce at what was described as a “major fight card.”

Fifty eight year old Evander Holyfield was the star attraction. The winner of the heavyweight title four times last fought 10 years ago. The time factor done him in. He lost on a TKO in the first round.

Trump’s appearance at the fight reflected his total lack of tact. The man is tasteless. No respect for 9/11 and the almost 3,000 who died.

Tactless is to be rude (without manners) or inept (without finesse). People with tact are polite and respectful, tactless people the opposite. Rude and ill mannered.

Trump is aware he is different. Tactless merely one of his different traits. He lacked the courage to appear and stand with former Presidents. Thus reflecting his cowardly leanings.

Fantastic tennis yesterday afternoon. The finals of the Women’s U.S. Open.

Two teenagers playing. Extremely unusual.They fought hard. Eighteen year old Emma Raducanu won 6-4 and 6-3.

Nineteen year old Leylaw Fernandez the loser. However the match was not as one sided as the score might reflect. Close and hard fought throughout.

Pope Francis fears not. He walks with God.

Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban is a political strongman. He is Europe’s Donald Trump. “Rules” with the same “qualities” as Trump did.

Francis met with him face to face while addressing a crowd. Francis warned re the “risk of proclaiming a false Messianism, one of human origin, not from God.”

New York’s Lewis County is located in the northern part of the state. Good skiing country in the winter.

Its capital is Lowville. A small rural community. Country folk.

Lewis County adjoins Oneida County located to its south. Oneida County was my home county . Born, raised and practice law there before retiring to Key West.

There is a well known Key Wester who originated from or very near to Lewis County. Chris Rounds, owner of La Te Da.

I tried many cases in the Lewis County Courthouse.

Lewis County General Hospital is the area’s medical center.

The Hospital’s administrator announced friday that effective September 24, the Hospital would no longer deliver babies. The nursing staff is in revolt. They refuse/oppose New York State’s vaccination mandate for medical personnel which goes into effect September 27. The nurses resigned en masse.

It will be back to mid wives or a 50 mile drive to Syracuse or Utica for hospital deliveries.

One hundred sixty five nurses have yet to finalize their decisions to leave or stay.

The tragedy could be a permanent one. The Hospital fears the state will close down certain of the services it offers. It has asked the state to view the problem as a “maternity pause.”

Syracuse, my Syracuse! When will we return to football glory?

Syracuse won its first game last weak. I sensed hope. Yesterday, Rutgers defeated Syracuse 17-7.

I am not a happy camper!

Enjoy your Sunday!

The practice of law is a business also. Once a year I would bring together at one meeting the bankers, CPA’s, pension people, health program operatives, and one or two others who at the moment might have something of value to share.

I knew where we stood. Each in his own field knew where we stood. However, I was of the opinion that such a meeting provided something others might not have been aware of.

Something that would be beneficial to my operation if known to the others.

The meeting was scheduled for the morning of 9/11/2001.

I knew going into the meeting how good the firm was doing. It was our best year thus far. Cash flow excellent.

During the meeting, a telephone call was put through that was reportedly “important.” A client. He said know you’re busy, turn on the TV.

My private lounge was next to my office. I went in and turned on the TV. Immediately told everyone else to come in.

Tower One was burning.

A sad day for America. A shocking one, also. Who would dare to do this to the U.S.?

Later that day, my Congressman Sherry Boehlert telephoned. His message, “The world has changed.” I did not anticipate at the moment how much it would.

There was a personal impact to the firm. The firm customarily  represented corporations. Big ones outside of Utica. National and international. The nature of our work.

They all stopped paying their legal fees. Everyone!

Which meant that within a week, the well ran dry. We did not receive anther payment check for 4 months. Our clients were holding on to their money, not knowing what was to happen next.

A smart business move on their part. Poor for us that were doing legal work for them. The cases received prior to 9/11 had to be continued. The courts wait for no attorney to be paid. Our clients depended on us to continue protecting their interests. They continued sending new work.

It took about 9 months for  cash flow to return to normal. In the meantime, I still had overhead. Especially payroll. I used some personal funds and then had the bank  finance the delays in payment.

You might wonder why I would have us work for nothing for a period of time. The reason simple. Over the years, I had assembled a number of excellent clients. Big time work. Significant fees. I was not going to lose one of them. I was confident at some point everything would return to normal.

I watched the 9/11 ceremonies for a while this morning. Sad! Twenty years has not lessened the pain of survivors and the families of those who did not survive.

Larry Elder is Donald Trump in disguise.

He has launched a voter fraud website. Ahead of the recall election!

He and Trump are birds of a feather. Elder is following the standard set by Trump re voter fraud claims.

Joke of jokes. Elder has named the website: The Integrity Board.

GOP governors continue to reject vaccine mandates. The governors are speaking in volume that they will not respect any rules, laws, orders which Biden announced would be coming.

I find their positions amusing. Note that as Trump is diminishing in popularity, so too will the governors. Voters will leave them in droves.

Everyone, person or organization, has someone they are required to answer to. Except one. The courts. They have a useless system of governing themselves with which most  lack familiarity. They govern themselves.

Judges after a passage of time become power crazy. Yes, there are appellate courts. However, they too are becoming out of control. As the Supreme Court is. Who as a practical matter oversees the Supreme Court?

The court system has changed. A detailed review is called for.

DeSantis’ ban on school mask mandates recently came before a Leon County Judge. He ordered the immediate lifting on DeSantis’ ban on school mask mandates until an appeal could be heard. This would include also whether school board members would be paid.

The Judge’s decision rang out in words of wisdom: “We are not in normal times. We are in a pandemic. We have children that cannot be protected by vaccination. Children are at risk and they provide at least some protection by masking.”

An appellate court has overruled the thrust of the County Judge’s decision. At least temporarily. One judge of that court ordered a return to DeSantis’ decision until the full appellate court hears and rules on the case.

When? Next week?A month? Six months? The children are already back in school.  In the meantime, more children will be infected and die.

An underlying problem is also rising to the surface. My mention of the courts again. They are increasingly judging on the side of politics over public health. The present Supreme Court ruling in the Texas abortion law case an example.

A bit of Key West updating.

A comment in this morning’s Citizens’ Voice: “Key West is suffering from over tourism.” No question about it.

Fantasy Fest cancellations continue

First the parade and street fair. Now Goombay, the Zombie Bike Ride, the Headdress Ball, and Pet Masquerade.

Hanging out there awaiting decision is the Local’s Parade. A fun time event. Costume garbed thousands walk the streets of Key West. Crowded together. Drinking.

A popular event. One of the most famous and loved.

Should be canceled! No screwing around. From a virus infection perspective, just as bad as the parade itself.

An example of the less and less factor in governmental truth involves former Florida Governor and now U.S. Senator Rick Scott. It was reported this week that when he was Governor, he forbade state employees from saying or writing “climate change” or “global warming.”

Now comes this summer. Hurricanes, floods and fires.

Someone should ask his position on climate change and global warming today.

Truth in government is becoming a lost virtue. No, it has become.

Why is Donald Trump announcing/commenting at the Evander Holyfield v. Vitor Belfort fight tonight?

Two answers. First, he needs the money. Second, evidencing he lacks empathy for 9/11.

Another question. Holyfield is 58 years old. Does he need the money too?

Enjoy your day!

Opening: Comcast was down yesterday from 10 am till early evening. No way to get the blog done. TV down also. A horrible day without the computer and television.

Irma was a disaster. Wrought of a hurricane. Earlier this week, Acapulco suffered a 7.4 earthquake. Another natural disaster. Reminded me of an earthquake that happened some 30 years ago when my former wife and I were vacationing in Acapulco.

We were staying at the Acapulco Princess. A lovely resort. Its main building a huge pyramid. One or two other high rises nearby.

Everything about the Princess was top shelf. Inside and out. The grounds especially beautiful.

The Princess was constructed where the first Tarzan movies were filmed. The Johnny Weissmuller ones. In those first movies, there apparently was a series of ponds. Starting at the top, each fell into the pond below. Around 8 ponds. The distance between 5 feet. One could slide down all the ponds. The rock beds created were constructed for the sliding.

My wife and I were sitting on a rock in one of the ponds. The water chest high. Behind us, a 30 foot wide path where tourists and guests were walking. Behind them, one of the high rise buildings.

All of a sudden, the rock I was sitting on moved. How far? Who knows! I experienced what I thought was a 4-5 inch movement to the left and then a return of the same distance to where it originally was situated.

An eerie feeling.

I looked at my wife. Whispered, “The rock moved.” She nodded her head in agreement.

I looked at the people walking along the path between the ponds and tall hotel building. My concern was the building would topple over us.

Nothing happened.

The people walking kept walking. Nothing appeared to hae bothered them.

I told my wife not to say anything to anyone. They would think we were crazy saying the rock moved. There was also a language problem.

We had dinner that night in one of he resort restaurants with a Connecticut couple we had met at the resort. The wife asked what we thought of the earthquake? Before we could respond, she went on to say they were downtown when the road suddenly opened. A car fell into the opening. Totally.

She advised the earthquake had been a 6.4.

We then shared our story and all had a laugh.

This week’s 7.0 earthquake experienced more than 150 after shocks.

My wife and I experienced no aftershocks in the earthquake 30 years earlier. We were up in our room in bed with the sheet drawn over our heads.

Not really.

A serious and unusual operation took place this week at the  Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Israel. Twin boys were born conjoined at the back of their heads. They were now one year old. Surgery recommended. Life apparently is not long for those so attached. The twins had to wait till they were one years old to survive the surgery and then the operation had to be done post haste.

A team of 50 participated in the 12 hour surgery. All kinds of medical specialists. Neuro surgeons, plastic surgery experts, experts in pediatric intersive care, and brain imaging experts. Two experts from New York and London were included in the team. Both had experience with such operations.

The twins are expected to make a full recovery.

Following surgery, the babies were placed in the same crib. Back to back. They would not stop crying. One of the twins was turned around. They wee now facing each other. The twins immediately stopped crying and smiled at each other. Remember, they were already one year old at the time of the surgery.

Twins are strange. I have two male grandsons. Now adults pushing 30. I can recall many instances in their lives where they did or reacted to things at the same time as if they were of one mind.

The twins are beautiful! Soon to be terrors. They are late to crawling, climbing and walking. Imagine the joy and havoc they will be a part of in the coming months.

The surgery involved is extremely rare. Fifty twins are born each year cojoined at the head. Only 15 survive more than 30 days.

I cannot tell you the sex of the twins. I read the several articles published during the week. Not one mentioned boys, girls, or a boy and girl.

Ed Sullivan could make or break a rising show person. To be granted an appearance on his show meant success.

Elvis Presley appeared 3 times on the Sullivan show. A one hour TV sunday night event. Most of the nation tuned into Ed Sullivan.

Pressley singing involved hip gyrations. Big time. Considered by many to be sensual.

Sullivan would not permit Presley’s hip action to be televised. The cameras on Presley all began at his waist line and moved up.

The second and third shows were all of Presley. From the tips of his shoes to the top of his head. Sullivan had given in.

I recall watching the first show on TV. I was a senior in high school. Everyone watched Ed Sullivan back hen. I watched it with my parents.

“Bum Farto where are you?”

Farto a famous Key Wester. A man of ill repute.

Farto was Key West Fire Chief and pimp. Drove a big green car decorated in brass to look like gold. Drove the ladies around occasionally to where ever their next call was. He was a bootlegger and drug dealer. Brought drugs in from Havana.

All good things come to an end. Bum was indicted with 17 other persons in federal court on drug charges. Yesterday was the day in 1975 that Farto was arrested by federal agents following a lengthy investigation.

Farto was tried in Miami federal court and convicted. He disappeared the day he left his Key West home to dive to Miami for sentencing. Never to be heard from since.

We learn more and more about Ivermectin, the drug generally used to to deworm horses and cows. It is used to treat some human ailments. Must be done with caution. The CDC advises it is of no help in retiring coronavirus.

Came across a a short but interesting article yesterday. Three separate studies were done in Nigeria. Apparently men ingest Ivermectin for a number of reasons there.

The three  studies found 85 percent of the men were sterilized by Ivermectin’s use.

Not a strong recommendation for the drug’s use!

Tampa and Dallas played this week. Tampa won by 2 points 31-29.

It was a typical Tom Brady game. With 83 seconds left, Dallas was ahead by one point after scoring a 3 pointer.

Brady and his offensive team went in. It took all of 82 seconds for Brady to show his stuff. He moved the ball 57 yards to a point where a field goal could be kicked.

The field goal was good. Tampa won by 2 points.

I could not help but think that’s what Brady is payed to do. Amazing. In his 40’s and still doing it.

Syracuse plays Rutgers tomorrow afternoon. First home game for Syracuse in the relatively new Carrier Dome.

Syracuse beat Ohio 29-9 in last week’s opener. Rutgers won also. Blew out Temple 61-14.

Syracuse a 2.5 point underdog.

The game will be televised on ESPN.

Enjoy your day!