SOLD HIS SOUL TO THE COMPANY STORE

Sixteen Tons. Tennessee Ford. I Owe My Soul To The Company Store.

A great song. Fifty plus years ago.

Delete the word “owe”. Add in its place “sold.” Now reads I Sold My Soul To The Company Store.

A day or two ago I write Senator Chuck Grassley had sucked on the public tit too long. Thirty six years. Today, Utah’s Senator Orrin Hatch. Elected to the Senate for 40 years. The longest sitting Republican Senator.

He joins Grassley. Hatch has sucked on the public tit too long.

I have always admired Hatch. We got old together. He is 82 or 84.

A stand up guy in the past. Generally fighting for the right. Politics be damned. Relatively silent the past few years.

This past week, Hatch came out of the woodwork. No longer sitting quiet. Now an outspoken supporter of the Senate tax bill. I found it strange. He even shared his “poor” upbringing. Described himself as part of the lower middle class. Not poor. Try a level or two down. That is poor!

Two days ago, Hatch got to fly on Air Force One. With President Trump. Probably the first time in years he has been on Air Force One.

They headed to Hatch’s home state. Utah. There Trump removed “monuments designations” from two protected natural areas. Two million acres. He hailed Hatch. Hatch hailed Trump.

By his action, Trump opened 2 million acres to development. Commercial development. Like coal.

Coal is yesterday. No one seems to realize it, except Trump. Maybe Hatch.

Whatever, Hatch got a big share of Utah land open to eventual waste. In the process may have picked up some local glory.

Time to go, Senator. Forty years too long. Your values have changed.

I came across a quote yesterday: “Time to retire Senator…..when pedophilia is acceptable, you no longer represent our country.”

Together with Trump, Hatch is supporting the election of Alabama’s Moore.

I discussed Hatch and Grassley last night on my podcast show. The thrust…..They have sucked on the public tit too long.

Watched Syracuse/Connecticut last night following my show. Syracuse won 72-63. Syracuse played well early on. Had a 17 point lead at one time. Played Connecticut even in the second half.

Going to be a tough Syracuse year.

The game was part of the Jimmy V Classic. Purpose to raise money for cancer research. Dick Vitale spoke at half time. Introduced three young boys who are cancer survivors. Thus far. Their stories sad. Their smiles beautiful. The message send dollars so we can some day beat cancer.

George Mira. Fifty  plus years ago a University of Miami football star and 1962 All-American. Professional ball followed. He now resides in Coral Gables.

Mira a Key Wester early on. Born in Key West January 11, 1942. Played football at Key West High School.

Trump screwing things up again. Bad judgments on his part.

Jose Ines Garcia Zarate stood trial for murder of a young lady in San Francisco. After a lengthy trial, he was acquitted last week.

As far as I am concerned, the jury spoke. It is the American way.

Apparently Trump was not satisfied. Thought justice not done. Attorney General Sessions and other federal officials announced two federal indictments. One for possession of a firearm, the other being an immigrant in possession of a firearm.

Zarate a non-white immigrant.

What else was to be expected!

The other involves Trump and Jerusalem.

It has been advised Trump will announce tomorrow that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and that in due course he would move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem.

Trump a trouble maker. Does not know when to leave well enough alone.

Enjoy your day!

BLOODY SUNDAY

This weekend marks the 50th anniversary of the Selma march. The day of the first march (March 7) became known as Bloody Sunday. The march is being reenacted today.

We live in strange times. In a land that has become stranger. The civil rights battle was won 40-50 years ago. It’s back. Out of necessity. Whether by reason of hatred or for political purpose, Republicans are making it more difficult for blacks to vote.

The problem could be born of fear. The black/tan community is growing in numbers. In 20-30 years, more than half the population will be tan. Those of color will control. I suspect what is going on today is a last gasp for air for what has been, a last hurrah.

Syracuse, my Syracuse. The season a disaster. The past few days even more woe.

Syracuse played its last game of the season yesterday. The team was decidedly beaten by North Carolina State 71-57. the game was over the first 10 minutes of the second half. North Carolina State made Syracuse look bad in every respect.

I am not knocking the team. I merely make an observation.

Thursday, the NCAA report came out. I spoke of it in depth yesterday. I especially felt bad for Boeheim who I think was very unfairly treated.

Interestingly, Dick Vitale agreed with me in a statement made yesterday. This from a man who over the years rarely commented favorably re Syracuse or Boeheim. Not this time. He stated loud and clear that Boeheim got a raw deal.

Thank you, Dick Vitale.

When Boeheim was introduced before the game, he was “strongly” booed by the North Carolina State fans. Sportsmanship? These young people have yet to learn not to criticize till they have walked in another person’s shoes.

I watched the game from home. Immediately after, Sloan arrived. We spent a couple of hours working on this and that.

Last night was Tavern ‘n Town. My usual Saturday night haunt. Love Bobby Nesbitt!

Immediately upon arriving, I ran into June Hudson. I have been trying to reach her for two weeks. At least two unanswered e-mails out there. Whatever, we are getting together friday night.

June as vivacious and lovely as always. She has been a widow for two years. I admired and respected her husband Bill. A premier Delaware divorce attorney. He had a terrific sense of humor. The two made a great couple. I was lucky to have met and known them for more than 20 years.

Met two interesting people who were sitting next to me at the bar. Bill and Susan from North Carolina. Snowbirds. Own a home in Key West. Summers are spent on the North Carolina shore. They enjoy the best of both worlds. I hope to run into them again.

Let me take you to Israel, Italy, and Japan for a moment.

Netanyahu was well received last week by the Republicans. I thought his visit highly improper and irregular. He was received by Congress as a conquering hero. The same reception or better than MacArthur received.

He is back in Israel. He faces an election next week. The opposition sponsored an anti-Netanyahu rally in Tel Aviv. Thirty thousand showed up. Apparently Netanyahu is not as popular at home as he was before our Republican Congress.

Berlusconi back in the news in Italy. Love the man! He is never down and out.

He was convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to several years in jail. Italy by law does not incarcerate people over 70 or 72. Instead, they do house arrest. Berlusconi has done house arrest the past few years. His time has ended. He is as free as a bird.

He still faces resolution of charges involving a 17 year old girl.

A European meeting is scheduled soon in Milan. One of Berlusconi’s several homes is in Milan. Putin is expected at the conference. The two men are close friends and will probably spend some time together in serious conversation and partying. I do not use the term loosely. Six months ago when Putin was in Milan, they got together at Berlusconi’s home at 2:30 in the morning and spent a couple of hours together.

Japan. Perhaps we should all move there.

A 117 year old Japanese woman celebrated her birthday yesterday. She is still going strong. Apparently she has a sense of humor. When asked what she thought of her long life, she responded…..It seemed rather short!

Turns out Japan has 58,820 persons alive who are more than 100 years old. Interestingly, 90 percent are women. The 58,000 plus are more than in any other nation.

The water?

Enjoy your Sunday!