SANCTIONS BOTH AVOID AND LEAD TO WAR

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Sanctions are constantly in the news. One country does something another country disagrees with and sanctions come into play. Bank accounts seized, shipping prohibited, etc. Cause the offending country to suffer for its wrongdoing.

Sanctions are so prevalent these days that many have come to believe it is a way to avoid war.

I believe such is the case only because a war has not yet occurred.

History repeats itself. We tend to forget.

On this day in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt seized all Japanese assets in the United States in retaliation for Japan’s occupation of French-Indo China. As was intended, the result hurt Japan deeply. Japan lost three quarters of its overseas trade and 88 percent of its imported oil.

War was inevitable. Japan could not tolerate the sanctions. Especially the loss of 88 percent of its imported oil. Japan had no oil except that which it imported. Japan’s industrial death was imminent.

Japan in effect said screw you to the U.S. The result Pearl Harbor a little more than four months later.

Two strange occurrences yesterday.

Three weeks ago, I filed a change of address with the Post Office. I am getting mail at my new address. Also, at my old address.

Went to the downtown Post Office to straighten the mater out. I was told by the clerk it could not be happening. I calmly explained again it was. No way, I was told.

It became a problem for the supervisor to deal with. No supervisor. He was somewhere else.

I have to return today.

Next stop was Walgreens. Bought a large container of Bayer Aspirin. Take a whole pill a day for my heart.

When I got home and opened the bottle, the foil seal was broken and completely open. When I return to Walgreens today for an exchange, will I be told it could not happen?

A change of pace podcast last night. Trump has been overwhelming my show as it has the media. There are other stories to be told. Decided to do a limited Trump comment and the rest of the show human events of the past few days world wide.

Because of yesterday happenings, I ended up with three Trump/political observations. However, I did finish with 8 non Trump stories.

I hope that those of you who listened to Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou enjoyed the change of pace.

Being the political animal I am, I want to briefly share with you the three political observations.

Jared Kushner’s testimony has been described by some in the examining rooms as truthful and forthcoming. I would not believe Kushner and his Trump in laws on a stack of Bibles. Liars one and all. It is the nature of the beast. The conclusion of the various investigations will substantiate they speak with forked tongues.

The Democrats came out with a Better Deal slogan yesterday. Sucks! My recommendation is that they hire a professional PR firm to provide a today slogan. Also, it is time for Pelosi and Schumer to go. It is a new day. Their time has passed. Voters world wide have shown in recent elections the desire for new and more youthful faces.

Finally, John McCain. A man I respect and admire. But yesterday he did not go far enough in his comments to the Senate.

McCain has cancer of the brain. Operations, doctors, medicines, etc. His medical bills will be high. Overwhelming if no insurance. He has insurance, however. Ergo, he has a chance to be cured, to survive.

What of the 32 million who will have no insurance if Obamacare is dumped? They will not have the chance to maybe have their lives saved.

It was McCain’s moment. He should have said, I have changed my mind. I stand with those who do not want to repeal, or repeal and replace. Lets fix Obamacare and move on.

He did not.

Historical paths cross.

William Faulkner lived a period of his life in Key West. As did Ernest Hemingway.

Hemingway wrote To Have and To Hold. Faulkner went to Hollywood and wrote the screen script for To Have and To Hold. Both the novel and the movie were gigantic successes. Humphrey Bogart starred in the movie.

In the early 1860’s, a U.S. Navy vessel captured a slave ship. It delivered the 1,432 Africans aboard to Key West. Two hundred ninety-four died while here. The remaining Africans were sent to Libya.

The 294 who died were buried somewhere in Key West. No one certain as to the exact spot till several years ago.

The bodies were discovered buried on portions of Higgs Beach and nearby. A plaque has been placed on the beach noting their burial place. Each year, a service is held at the site in their honor.

Have to hustle. A heart test scheduled for 1.

Enjoy your day!

THE SAINT

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I returned to The Saint at 5 last night. I was so taken by the place saturday that I wanted to experience it when less busy.

Outstanding in appearance and food!

It was lighter so I could see the whole bar. Long and narrow. Two thirds bar, one third for dining. Dining outside at a level sitting above the pool, also.

The Saint is a hotel. Not a guest house as I first thought. Small street side. Opens up in the back. Looked like new construction around the pool. Three stories.

I was there at Happy Hour. A steady 15 people. Twice as many would have been better. It was obvious the Saint has not yet taken off as a happy hour place.

Two large round lights over the bar. Reminded me of tulips. Fire engine red. The color went with the carpet outside leading into the hotel.

The happy hour menu is half off on all drinks. Re food, entrees reduced to $10. I enjoyed a pasta. Excellent! Pasta al dente, buried in pieces of tuna and peas covered in a red sauce.

The happy hour runs from 4:17 to 7:17. Strange. Asked the bartender why. To correspond to The Saint’s address.

I mentioned in my sunday blog that the bar was smart and the people were smart appearing. Especially clothing wise.

I was correct. The bartender told me a large group of locals had a party for some reason. Which is why everyone was dressed smartly. He noticed it, also.

One negative. Booze selection limited. No Beefeaters, Tanqueray, or Hendricks gin. Another customer asked for Amstel Light. No Amstel Light.

A bad sign.

The bartender was Justin. An amiable fellow. I raised the lack of certain beverages with him. He said the party saturday night wiped them out. Delivery due tomorrow (today).

I hope such is the case.

Experience The Saint. I enjoyed the place and intend to return.

The Democrats announced a new slogan yesterday. A Better Deal for American Workers. A handful of leading Democrats made the announcement. The speakers were Schumer and Pelosi.

I thought the slogan sucked. My party will have to do better if they expect to bring voters back to them.

The party also needs new leaders as the face of the party. Schumer and Pelosi represent yesterday. Time to step aside and let younger persons be the face of the party.

Otherwise, 2018 and 220 will not be Democrat years.

My blog talk radio show tonight. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Nine my time. Join me. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

I am sick of talking about Trump. He dominates the media. He has dominated my podcast. There are other stories and people in the world worthy of discussion. Human stories.

Ergo, tonight I open with one Trump comment. Then on to non-political happenings. Like the 5 and 2 year old brothers who drove a car 3 miles, English school boys who wore skirts to school in protest, a dog that pulled a drowning baby deer from the ocean.

Also, a drug dealer who called 911 to report cocaine had been stolen from his car, a 5 year old girl selling lemonade from a make shift stand fined $195, Nero not fiddling while Rome burned, and more.

Called a change of pace!

Enjoy your day!