SHAME AND DISGRACE

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Abraham Lincoln’s head hung in shame last night as he sat in his monument in Washington. His mind run through with the disgrace of it all.

Charlottesville, Virginia. A moment that will go down in American history. A moment when the dark side of man came to the forefront. Anti-color, anti-Semite, anti-affirmative action, and anti-establishment.

Domestic terrorists. American born and bred.

The trouble makers a significant part of Trump’s base. It cannot be denied. White supremacists, neo-Nazis and the Klu Klux Klan. Dissidents all.

From day one, Trump has encouraged violence. The manner and words he used in the primaries and election against opposition. His yells to those who spoke out against him  at rallies to be thrown out, beaten. His promise to pay the attorney bills of anyone arrested. His chants to jail Hillary.

It goes on. The man is mad. He drives those who are mad. They feed off him.

Breitbart News is a leading white supremacist supporter/outlet. West Wing adviser Steve Bannon was once its CEO. Stephen Miller, who I have likened to Joseph Goebbels, wrote for the publication.

Yesterday represented America’s Arab Spring. With one significant difference. Egypt’s Arab Spring was a protest against a corrupt government. Charlottesville’s in support of evil in its many forms.

Yesterday afternoon was Robert and Ally time. Interestingly, we discussed what was blaring on the TV sets while having lunch at the new Denny’s.

Robert and Ally had a handle on the situation. I was amazed and impressed. At 13 and 12, they understood the right and wrong of Charlottesville.

At first, I was surprised. As I thought further, not. If I and my friends had a grasp on Hiroshima at the age of 10, Robert and Ally a few years older could have an understanding of Charlottesville.

Liked Denny’s! My first time. Robert and Ally had been before and recommended that we have lunch there.

Then to a unique experience. Key West Room Escape.

I questioned when I made reservations whether Robert and Ally would enjoy it. Even if I would. We all did!

Located in the Casa Antigua on Simonton, The Escape consists of two rooms. We were locked in. We were told we had 60 minutes to find the last page of Hemingway’s A Farewell To Arms manuscript.

Not easy! Mentally arduous! Required team effort. We worked together.

I could not have provided Robert and Ally with a better afternoon. Nor Poppa. The grandkids got right into it. Their intelligence obvious. Not an easy task to find the page.

I found Robert and Ally’s mental acuteness exceeded mine. No question about it.

We failed. One step away. The last one. However, we were not able to figure out the last clue.

Young or old, go! You will leave excited. The Adrenalin running.

The proprietor is Kyle Turk. He watches at all times via hidden cameras. Periodically suggests whether you are hot or cold in your quest to discover the next clue.

Turk has come up with a winner. Different and exciting. I hope it takes hold.

I never made it to Giorgio and Sharon’s Sons and Daughters of Italy dinner party last night. I was exhausted by the hunt. Dropped Robert and Ally home. Did not stay. Went to my home. In bed at 6. Never got out.

Enjoy your Sunday!

 

SPECTACULAR GAME

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Amazing how many championship sport games get to be the best ever. Last night was not different. Though I thought it was going to be.

I was partying at Giorgio and Sharon’s home. Patriots down big time at half. A new champ was in the making.

I was tired. Opted to leave at half time.

Home and into bed. Turned on the game. score S8-10. Maybe? I did not think so. However remained awake to see the rest of the game.

A game of games! Tom Brady one of the best quarterbacks ever. It was come back time big time!

The Patriots won 34-28 in overtime. The Patriots scored 31 unanswered points.

The Patriots had been there before. They knew what had to be done. They did it. True professionals.

Stock Island has another great food place.

The French Croissant has been on Duval for more than a quarter century. It still is. It does its baking off premises, however.

French Croissant recently moved its baking operation to Stock Island. The same building Roostica is in. On the side. Where the laundromat was.

I stopped in yesterday morning to buy some pastries to bring to the party in the evening. Beautiful pastries! Outstanding in appearance! Later found them to be exceptional in taste.

They have an outside fenced in dining area. Simple. I must stop by for a sandwich and try it.

My pastries went over well at the party.

Spent the afternoon working on tomorrow night’s podcast show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Wanted to get a head start on the show this week.

I am enjoying Go Live with Key West Lou on Facebook. Fun! Join me. Only a few minutes each time. See as well as hear me. Many comments controversial. Depends where you sit on an issue.

Tough people in Key West. Whether local or tourist. Yesterday the proof. This morning’s Key West Citizen reports 200-300 people took the plunge in the Atlantic Ocean at noon. The event…..The Polar Bear Plunge. On Higgs Beach behind Salute’s.

The water temperature was 74 degrees. That’s cold! I had a pool up north. Only usable during summer months. Discovered 70 degree temp cold. Water had to be 80-82 degrees to be comfortable.

We all had pool heaters.

There is something called a Grab Your Wallet movement in the U.S. Purpose: To boycott stores that sell Trump merchandise.

Ivanka taking a beating. Nordstrom dropped her clothing line. Neiman Marcus in the process of dropping her jewelry line. Macy’s presently targeted to drop Ivanka products.

One thing that can be said for Trump is he has aroused the opposition. There is a group encouraging a national strike day to evidence its opposition to Trump. A day where no one works. The day being zeroed in on is February 17. The friday before President’s Day.

National strike days are common in Europe. Everything comes to a halt.

I recall one instance when I was in Livonia for a month with the family. Rome was 45 miles away. We took the train when we wanted to go to Rome.

The train station parking lot was always a problem. Packed.

This particular day the parking lot was empty. I could not understand. Parked the car and waited for the train. The train never came.

A woman saw us standing at the tracks. She explained. It was a national strike day to protest something. The trains were not running. No one was working.

That is how it would be here if we had a national strike day.

Enjoy your day!

PRESIDENT CARTER’S KEYS VISITS

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Happy New Year! As with practice safe sex, practice a safe evening. Drinking and driving don’t go together tonight or any night.

Most are aware Harry Truman visited Key West many times. His favorite relaxation venue. Few are aware that Jimmy Carter has been visiting the Keys annually for years. To welcome the New Year. Also, to enjoy a vacation.

I first became aware of Carter and his wife Rosalyn’s visits some 15 years ago. I was visiting Howard Livingston at his Summerland home. He made mention that Carter was staying down the road with friends. Mentioned it to me again the next year.

Carter is here for what has become a traditional post Christmas vacation. This time with an entourage. Carter, wife Rosalyn, one grandchild, ten great grandchildren, and other family members. Some 40 people.

I doubt they are staying with friends with such a large group. However, they are somewhere in the Keys this week.

As evidenced by the story and photos of Carter and some of the great grandkids in this morning’s Key West Citizen. Carter and family were at the Marathon Turtle Hospital. He and the great grandkids helped return rehabilitated loggerhead turtle Salty to the ocean yesterday.

Orange Bowl party last night. At Sharon and Giorgi’s home.

Stan a Michigan grad. An enthusiastic one. We watched the game together in his honor.

Unfortunately, Michigan lost by one point to Florida State. 33-32. Michigan played poorly in the first half. Came roaring back in the second half. The last few minutes compared to the final minutes of a pro game.

In addition to those already mentioned, the group consisted of Donna and Bob, Karon, Matt Babich and fiancée, and Paul.

Typical separation of the sexes. The ladies watched in the living room, the men in the den.

Food outstanding! Sharon, the gracious hostess, had prepared well!

I met Paul for the first time. A retired U.S. Navy intelligence officer. We spent quite a while together. Even missed part of the second half of the game. My inquiring mind enjoyed his professional experiences. He performed his professional tasks on the ground, not from a Washington office.

I learned a lot from Paul. An interesting man. I suspect we will get together again for a longer chat.

I have avoided going out New Year’s Eve for several years. Primary problem parking. I prefer remaining home in bed watching the ball fall in New York City and Sushi in the shoe at Bourbon Street on CNN.

Four drops tonight. Sloppy Joe’s, Bourbon Street, La Te Da and the Ocean Key’s Sunset Pier. A huge crowd at each venue. Bodies pressed together. By 12:15, the crowd gone. Into the bars or home.

A fun experience. I will do it again sometime when I have transportation to and back.

Dachshund Walk at noon today. Pets dressed for the occasion. Parade begins at Monroe County Courthouse on Whitehead.

The Casa Marina Hotel opened this day in 1920. A Henry Flagler enterprise. Still standing and continues to be one of Key’s West’s most beautiful places to stay. The pool and beach atmosphere outstanding.

My daughter Lori was married on the beach some 15 years ago precisely at sunset. It was figured to the minute. The sun broke the horizon as they said their I do’s.

Followed by a black tie reception.

A memorable event.

Everything seems to suggest a kumbaya situation developing between Trump and Putin. Do not rely on it.

On December 29, 1961, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev sent a holiday message to President John Kennedy. He told Kennedy he looked forward to a threshold year. He further suggested steps be taken to liquidate centers of military danger.

Kennedy sent a cordial response. Wished the Premier a Happy New Year.

Both messages claimed cooperation one to the other in the coming year.

It was not to be.

The Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in October 1962. We were on the brink of war. I recall the time distinctly. I was a young practicing lawyer with a wife and four children. I feared war was forthcoming. The resolution boiled down to who would blink first, if at all. Fortunately, Khrushchev did.

What happens if Putin tests Trump? Who will blink first, if at all?

Again, a safe and happy New Year!