HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY

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Happy Fourth of July!

Independence Day. The birthday of our country.

Two hundred forty two years old. It was July 4, 1776 at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia that the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

We are a young nation. Compare our age to that of European nations. Still growing. Tensions abound. The Trump era crazy and dangerous.

America celebrates. Tonight, fireworks! In Key West, off the White Street Pier.

This past week has been strange politically. Relatively quiet. We have not heard from Rudy Giuliani and other Trump cohorts who were making the news. Are they quiet because of Michael Cohen on the verge of possibly flipping?

Cohen is making noise like Trump when he wants something. He is using the media. Cohen seems to be telling the Second District he wants to jump fence and play on their side. Thus far they have not picked up on his offer.

Spent yesterday afternoon fine tuning last night’s podcast. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou. Thoroughly enjoyed doing the show. Covered a multitude of sins. Wish I had had more time.

Casey joined me for dinner before the show. At Roostica.

Casey and his 70′ x 30′ catamaran sit in the water off Hogfish. Casey new to Key West. Been here all of 10 days. Yesterday, he took his dingy and visited Wisteria Island. He is interested in Key West lore. The day before he went out into the Gulf a bit and did some diving.

Jennifer waited on us. It has been two years since I last saw her. She was pregnant at the time and due any day. She proudly showed me her son’s picture. Two years old. A handsome little man.

Good friends Fran and Tom Dixon have arrived. Buffalo their home. They visit four times a year. Stay at Ocean Key. Tom is on the Board.

We are doing dinner tonight. Meeting at 6 at the Chart Room. My turn to host. Probably the A&B Lobster House. Plan on calling for a reservation since today is a holiday.

Fran is concerned for me. She thinks I am not well fed. She brings me food from Buffalo. Tonight, I will receive at least 4 jars of homemade sauce containing pork, sausage and meatballs. Plus low carb bread and home made candy.

Love the woman!

You have to believe in guardian angels! God, too! Two examples evidencing why.

A few days ago, the cruise liner Norwegian Gallery was 28 miles off the northwest of Cuba. A crew member fell off the ship. His fall seen. The ship backed up and searched. Could not find him. Authorities notified. Air and sea searches proved fruitless.

The next day, the cruise ship Carnival Glory was traveling in the opposite direction. Twenty one miles off the north coast of Cuba. Saw the crew member in the water. He was rescued. In good health.

The man had been in the water 22 hours. Treading. No life jacket. Fortunately the water is warm and calm this time of year. Even more fortunate, a shark did not come upon him.

Did the man have a guardian angel? No question in my mind. God was looking after him.

A Thailand event the other example.

A 12 member soccer team and their coach got lost in a mountain gave in north Thailand. The boys 11-16.

The cave is part of a huge mountain. Full of corridors of all sizes. Some entrances small. The boys had to squeeze to get through. The team was able to get down into the heart of the mountain about one mile.

Then stuck. Water all around them. The caves have flowing water in various depths.

They could not get out. Spent 10 days in the dark and without food. Searchers and divers arrived from all over the world. A total of 1,000 looking to provide assistance. Two British divers found them over the weekend.

All basically in good health. Food, water and medical assistance provided.

At this point it is clear the kids and their coach had a special guardian angel looking over them. God directing their rescue.

The rescue is not complete however. It has been raining since the team got lost. The rainy season. Every day. The rain sometimes six inches in an hour. Cave passage ways flooding.

The team will have to swim and dive in order to get out. A mile.

None know how to swim or dive. Present plans are to teach them how to swim and dive. Then take them out. Two professional divers guiding each team person.

It is estimated the plan will take months. However so far the only way determined to get them out.

Hope the guardian angels and the good Lord stay with them.

Children detained in chain linked cages. We should be ashamed! I do not understand how Trump supporters find nothing wrong with the scenario: “They broke the law.” “They brought their children into the U.S.” “They invited what is happening to them.”

For shame!

The Christ Church Cathedral in Indianapolis is expressing its concern and disagreement. Statues of Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus sit on the lawn of the Church in a chain linked enclosed cage.

BOB says it is a holiday. He is not writing today.

Enjoy your Fourth!

 

HARASSING ROOSTER GONE

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Chickens have become part of Key West culture.

In 1998, Hurricane Georges blew down a number of chicken pens in the area. Chickens roamed free thereafter.

Chickens enjoy sex. Propagated. Gestation period 29 days. Suddenly, Key West had tons of chickens roaming about.

A present day rooster has been tormenting visitors to the County Library on Fleming. A Master-Trapper was called in. The rooster captured.

The rooster’s next stop is a chicken farm somewhere in south Florida. The rooster will spend his days roaming freely and enjoying life. Chasing a hen or two in the process.

Apparently, chickens are some sort of protected species. Cheaper to terminate the rooster’s life. However, the County will be required to pay. The expense of the capture and transport of the rooster to the chicken happy farm.

The GM mosquito controversy continues. It appears the Florida Keys Mosquito Control District has seen the error of its ways. It has been announced there will be a new inquiry to determine if a majority of Key Haven residents are for or against the experiment. An exercise that would release 3 million genetically modified male mosquitoes over a 22 month period.

No question in my mind. The residents of Key Haven, of which I am one,  will shoot the plan down.

What irritates me is the stupidity and wastefulness of government in this instance. The expense of a vote for a plan that should never have been. The cost should be deducted from the pay of employees and other paid personnel involved in the decision.

Don’t think such would be an imposition on the staff. They are extremely well paid. I believe the Director receives an annual salary in excess of $180,000. He himself should have known better.

From my perspective, any inquiry/vote is merely a face saving device. The District finds itself in a corner and needs a way out.

An exciting day ahead. Assuming you are a political junkie. The New York primaries.

My yesterday began with a bank visit. Followed by lunch and reading the newspapers at Cuban Coffee Queen. Spent the afternoon researching tonight’s blog talk radio show. Tuesday Talk with Key West Lou.

Topics will include the Jimmy Doolittle Tokyo raid, Paul Revere’s ride, Israel Bissell’s ride, Saudi Arabia threatening the U.S. with economic disaster, the claim that 15 of the 19 9/11 terrorists were at one time paid CIA agents.

My perspective re the Clarence Thomas / Anita Hill battle 25 years ago, IRS payments can now be made at 7-Elevens, couple fined $80,000 for refusing a gay couple to marry at their resort, the Warship Lexington, and more.

Interesting subject matters. Join me for a quick moving and half hour. Tonight at 9. www.blogtalkradio.com/key-west-lou.

My evening began with drinks at Sq. 1. Chatted a bit with Chef Jay. Jay plays bocce in the thursday night league. The conversation all bocce.

Then back to Duffy’s last night. Desired the prime rib dinner. I was not disappointed. Jennifer waited on me.

Yesterday, the Boston Marathon. Thousands ran.

The first Boston Marathon took place on this date in 1897. Fifteen participants. Ten finished.

Gender discrimination a part of the race. Women were not permitted to participate till 1972.

The American Revolution began on this day in 1775. The shot heard around the world took place at Lexington. Seven hundred British soldiers against 77 colonists. Eight colonials killed, 10 wounded.

The Brits then marched on to Concord. A different scenario. Hundreds of colonists opposing 700 Britains. The colonists routed the British. Their commander ordered them to retreat and return to Boston.

The colonists (now referred to as Patriots) harassed the Brits all the way back. The colonists adopted Indian tactics. Hid in the woods, shot from behind trees, etc. Three hundred Brits were killed, wounded, or missing. The colonists suffered less than 100 casualties.

The colonial message was loud and clear to the British: Don’t screw with us!

Enjoy your day!